Name: John Robert Holmes
Business: Holmes Hobbies LLC
Location: Columbia , Missouri
Products: Electronics specifically for scale vehicles and crawlers
Website: www.holmeshobbies.com
RCC: How long have you been into radio controlled vehicles and/or crawling, and how did you get started?
John Robert: I have been into RC cars since around 1992. I got my first hobby grade car in ‘95, it was a Kyosho Raider ARR. Just bashing is all I have ever done, so crawling is right up my alley!
RCC: How did you get started as a supplier of RC parts?
John Robert: I started getting a very large volume of email and PMs asking "what electronics do I need?" I decided that I could provide the electronics as well as give advice, so I incorporated Holmes Hobbies.
RCC: I see you sell a lot of brushless motors and related controllers. Can you briefly describe the advantages of using a brushless setup in a crawler?
John Robert: The advantage of a brushless motor is only efficiency. The advantage of an outrunner is a higher torque at a lower rpm and with a smaller motor. The biggest difference is the magnets. Stronger magnets make a stronger motor whether it is brushed or brushless.
RCC: I understand that the brushless controllers are fully PC programmable for throttle response and braking. Is this something anyone can easily learn to do and do you see this ability becoming more vital in the crawling world?
John Robert: Programming the controllers is very easy. The Castle Creations Mamba Max controllers come with the software, and the Mamba Max can be plugged right into a USB cable. It offers a large advantage because you can control your settings with a few mouse clicks. More importantly, the Mamba Max offers drag brakes on brushless and brushed motors. When downhilling, this feature makes the rig a lot more stable and predictable.
RCC: Do you think the crawling aspect of the RC hobby is growing?
John Robert: Yes it is. It is still in infancy as far as I am concerned. There is a lot of advancement to still take place, and the pace of driving allows for any age to enjoy the hobby. My kids will be crawling before they can get a Stampede, that's for sure!
RCC: How do you feel about RC crawling comps as part of the hobby?
John Robert: I find them a lot of fun to attend, whether I am competing or sponsoring the event. I don't think they are needed to keep the hobby alive, but I definitely think they push the performance of the hobby faster than it would advance otherwise. The power to weight ratios of my comp crawlers are pretty ridiculous. I like to have 1hp per 5 pounds of rig at LEAST. My scale rigs and bashing rigs get away with 1/4 horse per 5 pounds or less.
RCC: Where do you see RC crawling headed in the future?
John Robert: Stronger parts, more power, lower COG, and sprung suspension will make a comeback in ‘07.
