Interview with Robin Schumacher

[CAT3K]

I know not everone might have seen this recent interview, so here it is if you missed it

http://offroadradiocontrol.blogspot.com/2011/12/robin-schumacher-exclusive-interview.html

Paul.

[uzzi]

Very cool thanks for sharing.

[CNA75]

Thanks for sharing this link. I really enjoyed reading the interview.

[lcpvcce]

I love SWB...................

[Mad Racer]

Top Bloke.

I was very lucky to be able to get a factory visit when i was in the U.K . It did take quite a lot of phone calls to get permission. I had Robin as my tour guide and met Phil Booth ( R&D designer)

The Factory is right next door to Cosworth engineering too. I'm not sure if too many know that Ceicel Schumacher was a Top Designer for Williams or some F1 team back in his younger days. His son Robin was racing r/c as a hobby and asked his Dad to make some parts for his r/c car. The parts were so successful that he started to make parts for others.

Well you know the rest is now history..

[CAT3K]

I like the fact that Schumacher is still family owned. So many other RC companies have grown so big they've ended up being bought out/moved overseas, and no longer have the personal touch.

I think the main reason i'm a Schumacher fan is the support and customer service. Whenever i've contacted them about vintage parts they've always emailed back. Also if i've had a problem with my current race cars (SX2, SV) and have a part wear prematurely, they've sent me replacement/new parts within a few days free of charge. Pretty rare company in this day and age in my opinion

Paul.

[CNA75]

I like the fact that Schumacher is still family owned. So many other RC companies have grown so big they've ended up being bought out/moved overseas, and no longer have the personal touch.

I think the main reason i'm a Schumacher fan is the support and customer service. Whenever i've contacted them about vintage parts they've always emailed back. Also if i've had a problem with my current race cars (SX2, SV) and have a part wear prematurely, they've sent me replacement/new parts within a few days free of charge. Pretty rare company in this day and age in my opinion

Paul.

I have to agree that being family owned is one aspect I think is a real plus! Can I ask what enquiries about vintage parts you have made? I understand that Schumacher have ruled out the idea of any re-re's. However, have they considered re-making any vintage parts?

[V12]

The Factory is right next door to Cosworth engineering too. I'm not sure if too many know that Ceicel Schumacher was a Top Designer for Williams or some F1 team back in his younger days. His son Robin was racing r/c as a hobby and asked his Dad to make some parts for his r/c car. The parts were so successful that he started to make parts for others.

Well you know the rest is now history..

I know Cecil had something to do with motorsports but it´s the first I hear he was working for Williams. I don´t remember currently what parts were designed by Cecil in the beginning overall but I remember when he released the ball diff. In the beginning we had no clue how this diff was working until I bought one.

But Schumacher parts and cars were always different than anything else, being that first ball diff, the 1/12th cars and the CAT offroad cars later.

[CAT3K]

I have to agree that being family owned is one aspect I think is a real plus! Can I ask what enquiries about vintage parts you have made? I understand that Schumacher have ruled out the idea of any re-re's. However, have they considered re-making any vintage parts?

I've not emailed about them reproducing parts, but i have asked them about some prototype parts i have and they emailed back with all the information i was asking for. I've also asked about producing some bodyshells as they still have the moulds for some of them.

I'm glad they've ruled out re-re's though, hunting for hard to find parts is half the fun of the hobby

Paul.

[RETRO R/C]

We have Cecil to thank for the very first Ball Diff. He made these, along with other specialised parts for himslef/his son in the early days (Cecil was an engineer), as previously mentioned. They were killing all the other cars at the track because of the diff.

So many people wanted them - he started making them, that was the start of the Schumacher brand as we know it. (this is the really short version of the story - I had the pleasure of hearing most of it first hand back in 89).

I am envious of Mark, having visited the factory and all.

Cheers

Darryn

[Mad Racer]

I know Cecil had something to do with motorsports but it´s the first I hear he was working for Williams.


I'm not sure if it was Williams or not But was F1 and from memory he designed the gearboxes.

Darryn .It was a eye opener . I will never forget it. In the Show room in a Glass sealed case is Masamis World Champ Cat.

Funny i have just finished ordering a new shell to do a replica paint job of that car for my CAT XL that i just got.

This leads me to my next question.????