Car Racers | Video

Alexander Gorney | 8/18/2012

Brandon Alveshere and Adam Balk are among the best amateur racers in North Dakota all without having to go behind the wheel. That`s because these two are R/C car racers.

"Used to play with little Radio Shack grade cars when we were kids," said Alveshere. "One day we got a good deal on a bunch of used ones from a family friend. It kind of just took off from there."

"I`m not a hunter or a fisherman, so in North Dakota you got to have something else to do," said Balk. "So that`s what made me look at it. I went to a couple races and thought this would be kind of fun. I got to drive the car and thought I really like this."

Not only are these guys R/C racers, but they are among the best in North Dakota. Alveshere and Balk race year round and are pretty well traveled. Both men compete in events in North Dakota, Minnesota and Canada.

"Probably took me about five years to where I was getting to the point where I was winning races and stuff like that," said Alveshere.

Both racers have won a number circuits around the state. And their talents haven`t gone unnoticed. Alveshere and Balk both have sponsorship deals, and that helps them cover the costs of their cars, which are around $800 each.

"It`s not the cheapest hobby in the world, but it`s the cheapest form of racing you can get into. The adrenaline is really, really fun," said Balk.

Just like in speedway racing, R/C car racers work on their cars for hours leading up to race day.

"It`s not as complicated as real cars are, but I like to tinker with the mechanical and that sort of thing and not only is there driving skill but you got to be able to set the car up to work right too," said Balk.

"There`s some races I go to where were just separated by a second two second piece all the way to the B-man. and when your racing that close to people the whole time you got to really precise on what you`re doing," said Alveshere.

Even though both guys usually finish at the top, Balk says Alvehsere gives him a schooling every once in a while. Despite their talents, these two racers want to continue to just compete at the amateur level.

"It`s fun to go to big races and see how I do against big competition, but for the most part, I just enjoy the club level and helping new people get started and that sort of thing," said Alveshere.

These two veteran racers may be helping the rookies but that also means Balk and Alveshere will probably continue spending a whole lot of time in the winners circle.

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