The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

As he enters into his third year of racing, Koby Harris will represent three racing companies

WAITSBURG-Waitsburg's favorite remote-control car racer has signed yet another racing contract as he heads into his third year on the track.

Koby Harris, a senior at Waitsburg High School, signed a progressive deal with Tekno RC, an RC car parts company known throughout the industry for its proven car body styles and parts. A progressive deal means that as Harris' racing career continues to excel, he will be offered better promotional deals as long as he wishes to represent the company. Last year, Harris signed a contract in January and added on an agreement with MKS Racing. As the 2021 season ramps up, Harris said that he signed an additional contract with AKA Tires for a total of three brands to represent this season.

The terms of Harris' contracts are simple: 'keep racing using our parts.' Harris has fitted each of his two RC cars with tires, shocks, and other tough-as-nails racing parts from Tekno RC, AKA Tires, and MKS Racing to give him the winner's edge. In exchange, Harris represents the companies by donning logos on his cars, wearing team apparel, and sharing information with other racers.

So far, Harris has enjoyed his end of the contract, traveling to tracks that included one in Lynden, Wash., and one in Post Falls, Ida., as he raced on the Northwest Championship Tour (NCT) schedule, and looks forward to yet another year of racing.

Harris said that the RC car industry felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the NCT schedule was pushed back nearly four months before they were able to start. Face masks and physical distancing were among the many safety measures taken to keep racers safe. He anticipates a 'nearly normal' schedule this year but said that all safety measures would remain in place.

"They (NCT) put on a great season, considering all they had to work with," Harris said.

One of the highlights of the season according to Harris, was when he was offered to race a car that belonged to another Tekno racer during one of the championship races. He won the race and brought home the Northwest Championship Tour title. Last year, there were 75 racers and more than 170 entries at the NCT.

It's not too late to get involved: If you're interested in joining a racing club, Harris suggests taking to Facebook to find RC clubs near you, like the XTreme Racing Club in Walla Walla, which meets at a track located off Myra Road. He also noted that reaching out to experienced racers is an excellent way to get quality cars and parts, as many racers are rebuilding cars in the off-season and may be willing to sell parts for lower prices.

If you'd like to keep up with the 2021 Northwest Championship Tour series, follow them on Facebook by searching Northwest Championship Tour.