Its time to meet the first of our “Electric Power” Chairmen… Whilst Chris Hardisty isn’t electric powered himself…! The class of racing he oversees is Electric Track, namely 1/12th and 1/10th on-road racing!
EFRA: Hi there Chris 👋🏻 How are you?
Chris: Knackered 🥵 ! Old men should not take on ambitious building projects, They have the time but not the energy.
EFRA: Oh, what are you building?!
Chris: I’m building a new kitchen which is adding a 6x5m lump on the side of our house.
EFRA: Can you tell us in no more than 5 words the job you do for EFRA…?
Chris: Orchestrate fun, fair, exciting events.
EFRA: Got it… So what’s the longer version?
Chris: At an EFRA EC there’s going be a winner and it’s important that it’s the deserved one. There’s going to be a lot of non-winners that need to feel that it was worth attending. Making sure that the rules and protocols can do this is not usually possible for the entire entry but chasing this at all levels is the goal. Everybody involved in an EC deserves respect and gratitude, that’s the drivers from the A to Z finals and the cleaners to Race Directors. My feeling is that someone has to have a handle on all of this and it’s currently my turn.
EFRA: Wow, sounds like quite a task! So what is your favourite class of RC racing?
Chris: 1/12th but I secretly enjoy Off Road cars. I’m loving my new 10th fronty but haven’t had a chance to actually race it, it’s only getting use up and down the road currently
EFRA: I see, are you any good at racing?
Chris: Not really, I was a regular National racer and the best position was a third in the A. I remember that it was a low attendance and I punted Andy Sawyer off to steal that place. Not my proudest moment but did reinforce my recognition that we needed referees!
EFRA: Wow, even future EFRA officials need refereeing it seems🤦 ! You have also refereed at EFRA events, do you prefer refereeing or …”Chairmanning” ?
Chris: I enjoyed refereeing but the time came when my eyesight was becoming more and more compromised. I ducked out of 12th scale first, too frantic. I still do referee other classes and enjoy it.
EFRA: What has been your proudest moment?
Chris: Probably herding the bunch of cats running various meetings, hiding the tears and not punching anyone at several of the events I’ve had the honour of being involved in for the BRCA.
EFRA: Tell us one thing about you that we don’t already know
Chris: Hmm, well I don’t know what you don’t know 😜 ! However I do like a curry – but they don’t like me sadly 😳 !
EFRA: What is your favourite sport outside of RC?
Chris: Watching Rugby, a habit I picked up from my son and trying to surf but unfortunately I’m now too busy to do this regularly.
EFRA: What was the last music you heard?
Chris: Well… last thing I heard would have been: Barbers Adagio for strings.
EFRA: Sublime! So, what do you do to relax?
Chris: Target shooting and pot shots at rats when they’re around!
EFRA: What advice would you give someone wanting to compete in an EFRA Euros for the first time?
Chris: Listen, watch and learn but most importantly enjoy the experience.
EFRA: How did you become involved in EFRA
Chris: I retired from office in the BRCA and wanted to “do something…” and the opportunity to look after 12th with Heiner was available, then things changed… I actually was supposed to be around at home more, obviously this didn’t happen…
EFRA: What is the number 1 thing you would like to see in RC in Europe in the future?
Chris: Sport recognition status across Europe as I believe this will raise everyones standard’s throughout our community.
Thanks Chris! A great insight into the work you do alongside the EFRA board, Federations, Race organisers and Associate Members 😊
