TLR Factory Race Team
TLR has a long RC racing history that is second to none. Check out what makes the top TLR Factory Race Team Pro’s tick in these RC driver bios.
WINNING THE RACES
Dakotah Phend
Angola, INDakotah started racing at just 7 years old and has spent his entire professional racing career with Team Losi Racing! Nicknamed "The Phenom" Dakotah is known for his incredible speed at any track and any racing class. He has many National Championships and big race wins and continues to not just win, but dominate the competition wherever he goes.
Local Track: Finish Line Raceway
First RC Race: 2004
Cole Tollard
Omro, WICole is the newest member of the TLR team and brings a wealth of knowledge, a ton of speed, and a whole lot of fun. There are many CFT fans due to his friendly demeanor and helpful attitude at the track, but he is a fierce. competitor on track and is a threat to win anywhere he races.
Local Track: Trackside Hobbies & Raceway
First RC Race: 2008
Tater Sontag
Grand Blanc, MIMichael "Tater" Sontag is the youngest of the TLR Factory team drivers and he was practically born with a radio in his hand. Tater has already been racing for over a decade is a multi-time Stock National Champion and a 15U Nitro National Champion. Currently, you can find Tater taking on the best of the best racing in the Pro classes and giving them all they can handle.
Local Track: RC One Race Track
First RC Race: 2011
Aaron Kothman
Ballston Lake, NYAaron has been on the TLR team since 2016 and has many big race wins and podiums in both 1/10 and 1/8 during that time. Aaron always has the full support of his family and travels and races with his dad Geoffrey, his brother Andrew, and his mom Rose. The Kothman family definitely represents what TLR and RC racing is all about!
Local Track: CRC Raceway & Hobbies
First RC Race: 2014
Brennan Schimmel
Chesapeake, VABrennan has come up the racing ranks very quickly and has proven his speed in the 1/10 Stock and 13.5 classes by winning National Championships and getting multiple big race wins. Now Brennan has stepped up to the Pro Mod classes and is already off to a great start by making A-mains at major races against the best in the world. Brennan's racing future is bright!
Local Track: Coastal RC Speedway
First RC Race: 2016
BEHIND THE PRODUCTS
Todd Hodge
Director of Product DevelopmentI have raced just about every scale and class throughout my 35 years of R/C racing. I thoroughly enjoy 1/10th Offroad the most but have a fond place in my heart for 1/12th on-road. In 1999, I moved from eastern Ohio to Southern California to work with at Team Losi. Fast forward to today, I am fortunate to now oversee and guide the product development teams of the Losi and Team Losi Racing brands.
Local Track: Coyote Raceway
First RC Race: 1988
Frank Root
Category Manager - PerformanceI got my first RC car for Christmas ‘92 when I was 10, and I've been hooked ever since. I've always been heavier into the racing side of things, and my favorite category is 1/10 off-road. I've also worked as a Product Developer for Horizon Hobby since 2010, and have been heavily involved in the 1/10 TLR product line-up ever since.
Local Track: SDRC Raceway
First RC Race: 1992
Ryan Dunford
Product Development ManagerI have been enjoying the hobby of RC cars for over 40 years now. I enjoy all aspects of the hobby but enjoy helping others most of all. I tend to race 8th scale nitro these days and have been managing the TLR 8th scale line for a few years now alongside other projects.
Local Track: The Dirt at Perris
First RC Race: 1983