Billy Easton’s Pre-Worlds Interview
Here is an interview conducted with Serpent designer and racer Billy Easton, prior to him heading out to Thailand for the IFMAR 1:8 Off-Road World Championships. The photos enclosed show the new Cobra radio box and this one here is Billy’s fitted with a carbon skin for a cool look.
Serpent: Are you ready for the Worlds?
Billy Easton: In short, I really believe so. I am very familiar with my car, engines and tyres. When competing at this level of competition, the individual the most in touch with what is going on will ultimately have the best chances to win. I have done a fair amount of running and feel very confident in my driving ability. I hope to bring some of my WC skills from 2003 to the table at this year’s Worlds in Pattaya.
S: Are there any special parts made just for this event on the Cobra?
BE: The only real special part that we will have is new triple bearing input couplers to improve durability in longer duration finals. As for some new standard equipment, I will be running our latest radio box set-up. It is not a special part, but an upgrade from our existing radio box. I do not really have a lot of trick parts, but our aluminum towers, webbed shock bladders, aluminium chassis braces, titanium-coated shafts and a few optional parts will most definitely help in the department of speed and durability.
S: What are your expectations for qualifying and final result?
BE: Well two years ago, I was only running at best once a month for practice, and this showed at the Worlds with a car I was very unfamiliar with. I did not have a base set-up and had only been to the Worlds venue one time in my life. This time around, things will be a little different. I have been able to develop a set-up for my own driving as well as I have been competing in higher levels of competition. I definitely think the semi final is a good goal and if all goes as expected, I think I can make the final. I definitely feel I will surprise quite a few people this time around. I expect to move up the power ranking.
S: Will you have some good team mates at the WC, or is the car still to new for that?
BE: We have some new guys on the team, as we are a also a young company in this market. I have not really personally met that many of the drivers. We have a couple good drivers here or there spread throughout the world, but I am truly unsure of their speed potential. Until you actually race with and talk to your team mates in person you really have no idea who your working with. We are working hard to find more experienced talent as well as find some grassroots youngsters to bring up and create some brand loyalty with Serpent.
S: Which are the main options on your Cobra car to make it suit the WC track?
BE: The S811 Cobra buggy really doesn’t need a whole lot of options. The basic design has all the fundamentals necessary to tune the car for almost any condition. The car itself works great on much bigger tracks with flowing turns and transitions. It also jumps really well, so I think I can take advantage of that as well on some of the more challenging jumps. I think the basic design and balance will also help out our car and its speed and its durability is a key to its customer success relating to the plastics.
Source: Serpent
