Boom:

Hello Tom, congratulations on being named this month's Builder of the Month. Can you tell us about yourself? 

Tom Lahoja:

I'm 50 years old and live in Hausen am Albis, Switzerland. Within sight of the Swiss Alps, there are countless opportunities to ride my scaler. I'm on the board of the SRCAC, and we organize around 10 events a year, from hikes to large-scale events with up to 200 participants.

Boom:

How did you get into the hobby? 

Tom Lahoja:

After 25 years of slot racing in the 1:32 scale, the material became too small for me, and a few friends introduced me to the 1:10 scale crawlers. Initially more focused on performance, I quickly moved on to super crawlers. After some good advice, I bought my first Boom Racing car in 2018: a BRX01.

Boom:

We were highly impressed by your recent Grand Tour build, recreating the Land Rover-based vehicle, John, used to cross the Gobi Desert in the Mongolian special. Excellent work! Can you tell us about your Boom Racing builds? 

Tom Lahoja:

I've been a big fan of this TV show from the start, especially the specials. Since I like building more specialized models, and this episode in Mongolia is one of my favorites, it was a natural choice to build this one. With my job as a metalworker, I'm well-versed in building things like this. It was a lot of work to shape the brass sheets and profiles. I only had a few screenshots as a template. The BRX02 Leafspring chassis is the best basis for building. And yes, it is my absolute favorite car in my collection.

Boom:

How did you discover the Boom Racing brand? 

Tom Lahoja:

I came to Boom Racing through the sadly no longer existing WEMU shop in Zurich. When I first held the parts for my first BRX01 in my hands, I knew that Boom Racing and Vanquish were the only manufacturers that could meet my requirements as a metal expert. So, I ended up building Boom Racing vehicles not only for myself but also for many friends. And right now, I don't know what else to buy.

Boom:

Could you describe your creative process for a new build? Do you start with an image and develop from there, or is there another approach you use?

Tom Lahoja:

I usually have a real model, either photos or 1:1 scale models, that I look at and then recreate. There are also projects where I just start building and enjoy being surprised by the results. My Iron Maiden Spitfire model was based on a vinyl cover. I find many ways to find inspiration for my models.

Boom:

How do personal experiences, lifestyles, or interests shape your builds?

Tom Lahoja:

Life can have a huge impact on your hobby. In January 2023, I had a serious work accident. I lost a finger, and the movement of a second finger on my right hand is severely limited. So, I had to relearn many things with my left hand. This has changed my life and my hobby dramatically. I won't let it get me down, and I'm all the happier when I finish another model.

Boom:

What are the two most important tips you would offer someone preparing for their initial Boom Racing build?

Tom Lahoja:

Get inspired by other model builders, see what techniques they use, and ask questions. I think every model builder can give you tips and tricks.

Boom:

What is the one piece of advice you received as an experienced builder that significantly impacted your approach to building?

Tom Lahoja:

Darius Cybula and MaxeeRC gave me the best advice: Don't be afraid of new things. Do it. Do it with passion and joy. And it will be a great project.

Boom:

Are there any upcoming projects you're excited about and would like to share with us?

Tom Lahoja:

Unfortunately, my upcoming project can't drive and isn't an RC car. I'll be opening my own shop specializing in scale vehicles this summer.

Boom:

We are interested in how you see your builds evolving over the next few years. Are there any dream projects you aspire to tackle?

Tom Lahoja:

Oh, there are a few more ideas. A Land Rover Series 1, "Goeff" from Top Gear, and a project close to my heart: the Monteverdi Safari.

Boom:

As an early adopter and end user, what are your thoughts on the Scaletra app?

Tom Lahoja:

I've been waiting for an app like this for a long time. A few years ago, I was talking to a friend about how awesome such an app would be. And now it's here. I think it's cool to be able to track the telemetry data and the route after a nice trail. Since I'm from the generation that grew up without cell phones, I have to constantly remind myself that the app exists and that I have to use it.

Boom:

How do you think the Scaletra App will change the way builders approach the hobby?

Tom Lahoja:

I don't think the construction work will change much. I can see that there are a lot of different categories represented. From superscalers to performance, everything is represented. I think the app will change the way users drive. I personally enjoy every meter I drive and always look forward to the evaluation. It's cool when you see that after 4 hours of driving, you've only covered 500 meters or that you've climbed 500 meters in altitude. I'm also excited to see what else the app will have in store. Video uploads or maybe a small GPS tracker that you can store in your vehicle.

We sincerely thank Tom Lahoja for participating in our Builder of the Month series. If you'd like to keep up with Tom's future projects, you can follow him on Facebook at Tom Lahoja Scale RC. We look forward to seeing what he creates next. Thank you, Tom!