Protoform is celebrating 20 years of race body development and they wanted to share the good news with everyone. And so master mold maker Dale Epp wrote the following piece look back at the company’s history from its humble beginnings making rc funny car bodies to the modern Worlds winning TC shells.

It was early in 1991 that a casual phone conversation with (then stranger) Mike Ogle, the art director at RC Car Model magazine sent my life into an all new direction. I had already begun reading RC Car Action avidly as I was trying to figure out just how to get involved in the exciting world of rc cars.

Mike explained that he was an rc drag racer and he really needed a better “funny car” body to race with. Upon hearing this I immediately started fashioning a new pattern in hopes of meeting his needs. A month later I red labeled him a couple Protoform Dodge Stealth funny car bodies and within 3 days he had used one of them to set a new world record as well as score a victory at the “IEDA WORLDS” in Colton CA. Needless to say this was very encouraging. NASCAR type racing was a large part of the rc on-road scene back then so I knew I needed to try my hand in that venue, a place where aerodynamics played a huge factor. A few months later (a very young) Mike Boylan used our first ever Protoform oval body to lap the Domingues Hills velodrome at over 77 MPH (average) to become the fastest NASCAR bodied rc oval racer ever.

At this point in time I made the decision that I was “all in” on a new career change. As a lifelong car racing enthusiast, I’d already spent years hot rodding and customizing full size cars for myself and friends, so it seemed like a natural “fit” for me. I’d just need to learn how to do things in a smaller scale. So I frantically prepared eight more body styles in preparation for Protoform’s official company debut. Yes, it seems like yesterday, but twenty years ago, in Nov of 1991, my wife and I nervously set up a homemade trade show display at the (then) huge RCCTA show in Chicago in hopes that there was some niche I could fill in this new and exciting world of rc car racing.

Well, the next couple years could be summed up in one word: tumultuous. Long and tedious “coffee fueled” days and slim profits made me wonder at times if Protoform would survive long term. Our NASCAR style bodies were really making a mark in the USA based oval racing scene, but then in 1994 an interesting and crucial thing happened. RC racing legend and mega champion Masami Hirosaka used an off-the-hobbyshop-wall Protoform racebody to win the IFMAR On-Road WORLDS in Germany. American Jon Orr put a second one on the podium to boot! That day, Protoform’s horizon’s expanded immensely.

The next year saw an exciting new chapter in Protoform’s development as we merged with the fine folks at Pro-Line Racing in southern California. Working with Todd Mattson, Tim Clark and the entire Pro-Line team has been an exciting and rewarding time to say the least. The rc racing world has seen the benefits of this move as well. Protoform race bodies have now been used by the winners at 15 different IFMAR On-Road World Championships, as well as being used at every conceivable national and regional title winner around the globe including those of EFRA, ROAR, FAMAR, FEMCA, and the BRCA . It’s been gratifying to personally witness the Protoform brand become the body of choice by competitors at the Reedy Race of Champions, the International Indoor Championships in Las Vegas,  the Snowbirds Nationals in Orlando, and the US Indoor Champs in Cleveland. In the amazing European Touring Car Series, Protoform race bodies have been on every podium.

Without a doubt, the best part of this 20 year journey has been the privilege of meeting so many great people! To the many team racers I’ve met and worked with, and have consistently made me look better than I actually am (with their amazing skills on the track and in the pits) – THANKS!  To the dealers, distributors and race organizers – you’ve also added something to my life that is priceless. It’s so nice to be able to call so many of you “friend”.

At this time I’d like to say a huge “THANK YOU” to all the racers and enthusiasts out there that have used our race bodies over the last two decades.

I recognise that without your support, none of this would be possible. I’d also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my wife Katie, to Pro-Line Racing, to our team drivers, and all our dealers, for the contributions you made toward Protoform’s success over these last 20 years.

I’d also like to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a blessed NEW YEAR!

Dale Epp
Protoform

Pro-Line and Protoform have released a number of new t-shirts to increase their range of merchandising. First up is the Surf style T-shirt in Silver, with its clean silver color and its simple but effective logo placement. The Pro-Line Urban style T-shirt in Slate Blue features a large street-style P-L logo front and center and a full Pro-Line logo on the back, along with a ghosted splattering of tires, cars and logos. For the ladies there is the Urban Girl style T-shirt in Pink which will make your girl look pretty in pink and beautiful around town. The shirt features a gorgeous floral pattern that will stand out from the crowd. Pro-Line is also donating 50% of the proceeds from all Urban Girl Pink shirts to the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Protoform have released a simple black shirt featuring large Protoform logos for the ultimate in pure RC race styling.

Source: Pro-Line [prolineracing.com]

The “Gen 2″ TCC (Todays Cup Car) from Protoform is the second iteration of the ever-changing look of the modern NASCAR series Sprint Cup racer. It now features an add-on blade spoiler and a double step splitter/spoiler on the front valance. The left side now features a bumped out area for added battery clearance and left side weight bias while the body has additional built-in rake for great stability and handling. The rear window/truck rail has been enlarged just like the 1:1 racer. It’s equipped with spoiler mounting hardware, protective overspray film, window masks and a comprehensive decal sheet that allows you to detail your car just like your favorite NASCAR star. This body will also fit most popular 200mm sedan chassis’.

Source: Protoform [racepf.com]

Protoform have released this bad-to-the-bone ‘Tornado’ RallyCross body for the Traxxas 1/16th VXL chassis. The Tornado body is made to fit the Traxxas chassis perfectly and it can be mounted super low, yet maintain tire clearance. The body mount holes, as well as wing mount holes are clearly marked. This body is made to be used with the inexpensive Traxxas injection molded wing and it comes complete with window masks, decal sheet and protective film.

Source: Protoform [racepf.com]

After receiving many requests, Protoform has released it’s rendition of the 1971 Trans-Am Championship winning car. The addition of the J71 to the VTA scene will surely add new excitement and drama to an already diverse class of racing. The J71 features all the unique styling cues of the original car as well as a molded in rear spoiler. The front of the car features an add-on nose with air dam. When mounted with shoo goo and 2mm screws it becomes an integral part of the body. Because this area of a race body is the most prone to racing wear and tear, a second nose is supplied with the body. This configuration allows for molding a lightweight, durable .030 lexan body, which in turn aids the handling ability of any VTA chassis.

Source: Protoform [racepf.com]

In preparation for the 2011 IFMAR 1/8th IC On-Road World Championships Protoform had produced an all new open cockpit style race body. The R15B has been tested and refined by some of America’s top racers. Last month it was used by Mike Swauger to TQ at the Ron Paris Memorial Race in Las Vegas. This unique design has shown itself to extremely stable and exhibits great turning ability. This body also conforms to the adjusted 2011 EFRA height rules. It’s available in 3 different weights of lexan, regular, lite-weight and Pro-lite for the expert racer. The R15B has been submitted to ROAR and EFRA for official approval.

Source: Protoform [racepf.com]

Finally from Protoform, is the announcement of a new 190mm sedan race body for rubber tire competition. The new P37-R (rubber) is suited for both indoor carpet as well as paved racing surfaces and is available in both Lite and PRO-Lite weights. It comes with protective coating, window masks, decals and wing hardware and conforms to all the EFRA Global Body Spec criteria.

Source: Protoform [racepf.com]

For the last 6 years the Protoform Stratus 3.1 has been one of the most popular and successful 200mm gas-sedan bodies. It’s still used even today in race winning performances by many top ranked pro drivers. Today, Protoform is proud to release the P37-N (nitro) 200mm Gas Sedan body to continue that legacy. This new P37-N body uses some of the time tested and proven design features of the 3.1 but includes many evolutionary improvements to aid down force and steering capabilities. The wing struts are enlarged and new oversized nylon wing hardware is now included with the body. The body conforms to all the ERFA “Global Body Spec” criteria and it comes with protective coating, decals and window masks. Available in Lite and PRO-Lite weights.

Source: Protoform [racepf.com]

By popular demand Protoform is now making the “PRO-Lite” version of the P909 1:8 On-Road body available to everyone. The success and reputation of this body continues to grow with Mike Swauger winning the ROAR Nationals using the P909 body and Robert Pietsch’s domination of the 2010 1:8 On-Road European Championships in Italy. Made from extremely durable .025″ lexan material it is super light and not recommend for use by novice racers.

Source: Protoform [racepf.com]

Site sponsors Protoform have ask us to announced that they have a great special off running on their site at the moment. Buy any Protoform race body and you will received a free pit mat. This is while stocks last so be sure to get your order in quick to avoid disappointment.

Visit the Protoform website here.