Editor’s Note

by Christopher "Kit" Kidder-Mostrom

Since our very first issue (this is issue 5), we have been planning something big. Actually, a few somethings big. But, today is when we present the first major project. You may remember that our debut issue came out on June 15. It was only a few days later that I started recruiting some fantastic modder, many of whom are household names to longtime fans of diecast racing. What I talked to them about was a project that would get together a bunch of folks who have been at the top of the modding game. If you go back and look in the discussion groups at Redline Derby, or check out the 2018 or 2019 videos at 3DBotMaker, you will come across many of their names. And others on the list, while newer to the sport, have had success in the modding community modding for other purposes (Gaslands, shelf displays, miniature car shows).

The best way, in my eyes, to get the magazine into the community is to engage the community directly. Luckily it seems that these modders agreed with me, and bought into the project. So, today I present #8Modders.

You might notice that about half of this issue is filled with that one article. It’s massive. And it has been a bear to pull together. But, I have to thank the participants profusely. While the project was daunting, their enthusiasm and efforts have been wonderful. So much so that we will be doing the #8Modders project with a new batch of participants again in November, and continuing on quarterly thereafter.

As part of the #8Modders, DRR received its first shipments from modders, and we ran into a difficulty that affects everyone right now. The US Postal Service is going through a rough patch, and packages (and other mail) are taking a longer than usual time to get where they are going. For us, this means that a number of the cars got here just in time for us to get this issue out, but not in time to produce a race video that would be released in conjunction with this issue. That race will still be happening, and will be released next Saturday morning (9/22/2020), with the participants and our Patreon supporters receiving it a couple of days earlier. I’m sorry that the video isn’t ready today. But, without the cars here in Seattle, there was no way to hold the race. The good news? They’re all here now, so we’ll get that race run as soon as this issue hits the press, and I’ll get directly onto editing video.

The deteriorating condition of the Post Office is affecting other mail-in races, and has been for a while now. Diecast racers have probably noticed that races often post a few days or weeks later than otherwise expected. Often that is because the race host knows that packages are on their way, but they aren’t yet present at the race location. My thoughts on this are that if you’re set to be in a race, be patient. None of the race hosts I know are thrilled with having to delay filming, but they also don’t want to leave participants out of the fun due to the current postal slow-down.

Finally, let me take a moment to thank our Patreon patrons. They are making it possible to keep this magazine going twice a month. My sincerest thanks to you!