Changes at STLR in 2011
What a change a few years can make. I still remember when I was winding down the Sprucewood Invitational and gearing up the Sprucewood Team and wondering what am I doing???
It was easy in the begining no politics, no team reports and most importantly no expectations. The original Sprucewood Team of Abiye, Gareth, Jamie and Dave H we were not sponsored. Most have always just called us the "Losi Team" however that is not how it started. Originally when I started Sprucewood Leasing in 1999 I started sponsoring motocross guys so that I could be a WANABEE and walk around the races like I belonged. It was fun going to the Supercross races and walking through the pits and all, however I soon realized my ridding carrer (or lack there of) was winding down, the guys I was sponsoring could care less and it was time for a change. So I jumped into RC with my same sort of sponsorship idea. I knew Dave H was fast but did not ask him to the team for that reason, I wanted him on the team to help make me faster (However 4 years later I this ship has sailed LOL) and I had no idea Jamie, Gareth or Abiye would become some of the fastest racers in the Country. I just knew they would be good guys to hang around the races with. Heck even Jamie who has not been racing as much as he would like to TQ'd the biggest outdoor race ever in Canada. 234 entries at the Sprucewood Invitational and he TQ'd it!!! The STLR Team has taken great pride in helping take drivers to the next level or to have encouraged great drivers of the past to get back into the hobby they once so loved!! When I brought George and Peter on to the team most not in the know were like who are these new guys and why are they on the team. Well it was because they made impressions on me when I started in this hobby 11 years ago. Peter spent most of Sprucewood 1 wrenching on my car and I did not even know who this guy was. George was this great guy with his easy personality hade him someone you just wanted to be around. I feel we have launched some great carrers with Abiye and Gareth at Tamiya, Jamie to O'Donnell and George going to JQ. Although we are sad to see them go, we hope that there time on the team helped them to get noticed and helped take them to the next level. In the past 4 years it has been great to see the explosion of teams and I feel we had some small part in this taking place. I have always looked at the progression of the hobby and have even written letters on behalf of racers not on my team to help them secure sponsorship. CAAAAASTER! So for the most part I just asked guys to the team that I thought would be fun to hang out with under the tent and get away from life for a little while with. This is a team about having fun racing toy cars. The only thing that has changed is now with so many wonderful sponsors comes more expectations. And this expectations is what has caused us here at STLR to have to change up some of what we were are doing in 2011. Losi has asked us to build our team around racers that are comitted to getting to the next level and can make the time to do a lot of racing in 2011. The economy has hit us all hard and racing is no exception, our sponsors want to see us out at the track each weekend racing and that is the mandate for 2011. So with that in mind we have had to ask Peter and Jamie to commit to more racing or step back for the time being. I respect them both for putting family and responsibility ahead of racing just for the short time. This can never be easy however they are both great guys and will be back when the time is right. Anyone who has been with the team knows full well they always have a home back on the team. As sponsorship increases so do the expectations and I can say I am proud where everyone who has ever been on the team has ended up and would welcome any of them back with open arms when they have the time to comit to the new expectations. So without further ado I welcome you to the new STLR Team for 2011 1) Dave Henry "Team Captain" 2) Daniel Yachnin 3) Chris Holmes 4) Steve Taylor 5) Tommy Giovinazzo 6) David McLean |
Congrats to the new recruits
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Dave, I would like to say Thank You for all you have done in the past to help this hobby be what it is here in Canada, also words cant express what it means to me ,to be on this team. I will do my best to continue the success sprucewood has had in the past althou this will be a huge task that i look forward to.
To my new teamates: it is my pleasure and honour to be apart of this great group of guys, thank you all. GENTLEMAN START YOUR ENGINES |
I to would like to thank Dave and the guys for welcoming me to the Sprucewood team. I look forward to learning alot from not only top notch racers but great quality guys as well and having a ton of fun doing it!!
As Dave mentioned above, his team has played a part in developing great racers out of great guys and if i can be half as good as them it is mission accomplished. I look forward to being at the track with a great group of guys not only on the team but the racers we get to race with week in and week out. See you at the track!! |
Re sprucewood 2011 team
Congrats to steve and tom for their new team memberships
you guys will certainly learn alot from the experienced guys on the team Even with the several changes in team drivers the sprucewood team is still the team to beat |
Its shaping up to be an awesome season.. As said and i am sure everyone already knows.. Sprucewood Team Losi Racing is much more than a couple of drivers.. Seeing what these guys do on and off the track is awesome! The mentality they have and leadership makes them who they are.
Not only the team but the team site has undertaken some changes, check it out for the new driver profiles to be added soon. www.sprucewoodracing.com |
Steve and Tommy - Dreams CAN come true fellas! Hopefully just the beginning of a long history with Canada's most decorated 1/8 off-road team! Work hard.
David - The Sprucewood team has grown to become synonomous with R/C racing in Canada and abroad. Losi putting the squeeze on you has certainly forced you to make some pretty darn difficult decisions, but ya' just have to do what ya' have to do sometimes. I'm sure (hope so) your former drivers are understanding of your position. David MacLean was kind enough to write me a recommendation letter way-back-when, that I sent to Caster. My intentions where to do exactly what I have done...create a race team like Losi's, but under a different flag. David and the entire Sprucewood team, have single handedly begun the team environent for us all. Thanks to all who have been involved with Sprucewood, both past and present, for your contribution to our region. We're all better for it! |
Well said Dave and Kevin!!
Sprucewood has always been a supporter of racers, no matter what brand they drive, I know that I have learned a lot from them on and off the track and have definitely seen how they have helped to shape the face of RC and "Teams" around this area! Congrats to the new drivers and I completely understand why the ones leaving made their choices and I know that it probably wasn't a decision that they were glad to have to make... Looking forward to seeing everyone out this year! |
Stlr
+1 Kevin you always have something to say that is positive for this hobby.
Good job boys, hope you guys have alot of success on your new team, you will have a good time. |
Big Thanks to David and the Team.
I'm honoured to have even been considered for a position on STLR. I have already learned so much from everyone on the team, past and present, and I want to say thank you. With your approach to helping racers and promoting the sport it made it very easy to fall back in love with this hobby. I look forward to learning more, and representing Losi and the Sprucewood Team as best as I can. Go Team ! |
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