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Builder of the Month: Marc Mandewirth (May 2026) - Part 1

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For May 2026, we are featuring 2 special builders from Germany for Builder of the Month (BOTM). Let us all extend our heartfelt congratulations to Marc Mandewirth (Hessi James) for earning the BOTM accolade. His steadfast commitment to the principle of "Strictly No ‘Shelf Queens’" is truly admirable and serves as an inspiration to many within the RC hobby community. While countless builders create outstanding rigs that never see a speck of dirt, Marc and his rigs—Mum and H20—are notable exceptions. Every build he completes is put through its paces on the trails and at various events, embodying the true spirit of hands-on RC adventure.

Boom Racing:

It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Boom Racing Builder of the Month. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

Marc Mandewirth:

I am a family man, 55 years old, and I started model building 7 years ago. The Land Rover models of the Camel Trophy particularly appealed to me because the stories behind them tell exciting adventures.

Boom Racing:

What’s your earliest memory of discovering RC cars? What model was it, and do you remember your very first build?

Marc Mandewirth:

My first RC model was given to me as a child by my parents. It was a Lancia Delta Integrale. This did not yet have a radio remote control, but was connected with a cable. My first complete build was a Boom Racing BRX01 LC70 kit.

Boom Racing:

How would you describe the RC scene in Germany? What events have you attended, and how do you see the growth of the hobby in Germany?

Marc Mandewirth:

The RC Scene is very versatile and multi-layered. Beginners often shy away from the first major investment, as they usually cannot distinguish "good" from "bad". I often try to give the necessary help so that there are still RC model building friends.

I know the events in Duisburg, Dortmund, the Stöffel Park, and, of course, the Superscale, the largest event in Germany.

For several years, however, I have hardly seen any growth in the scene. I think this is mainly due to the general cost pressure.

Boom Racing:

How did you first hear about Boom Racing, and what was your journey to becoming an owner, multi-rig builder, and fabricator?

Marc Mandewirth:

Saw it on Facebook and heard from friends (BRX01). No long journey, just “b and b”, buy and build ;-) .

Boom Racing:

Can you tell us about your Boom Racing vehicles and what makes each one special?

Marc Mandewirth:

I had 2x BRX01 and 1x BRX02. But I sold my BRX01 LC70.

Now I have my BRX01 Jeep Wrangler Desert Truck (Morocco Desert Challenge) and my BRX02 88 Series III CT 1983 Zaire.

I build almost every one of my models from a historical background. The vehicles of the Camel Trophy, for example, which I try to recreate in detail. Or my Morocco Desert Challenge Jeep.

The Morocco Desert Challenge is a multi-stage off-road rally race in Morocco.

Riders and drivers cross dunes, rocky deserts, and mountain terrain using roadbook navigation.

It is considered one of the biggest rally-raid events in the world and is often used as preparation for the Dakar Rally.

Boom Racing:

Tell us about your latest build. Why did you choose that theme? What inspired you to recreate the rig, and, if given the chance, would you own the real-life version?

Marc Mandewirth:

The latest build is my BRX02 88 Series III CT 1983 Zaire. Recreation of BR Series II 88 Station Wagon.

I chose it because the Camel Trophy is my passion, and it was one of the first RC builds of a CT vehicle from the year 1983.

Owning a 1/1 version of the Series III is not my intention. In real life, I rather appreciate the comfort and performance of today's modern vehicles. I love rather fast motorcycles, like my Kawasaki Z900.

Boom Racing:

What are your thoughts on the new BRX02 D130?

Marc Mandewirth:

Although the CT also had D127 as a support vehicle, I am unfortunately not a fan of such large wheelbases.

Boom Racing:

Do you have a BRX wishlist? If you could create any vehicle from any era to add to our range, what would it be and why?

Marc Mandewirth:

It would be the Wolf. The “Wolf” is the military version of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class used by the German Army (Bundeswehr).

It is known for its durability, off-road capability, and simple, reliable design.

Typical wheelbase: 2,850 mm (112.2 in) for the standard long-wheelbase version. That wheelbase is perfect for the BR AWB Chassis.

Boom Racing:

Can you tell us about the Camel Trophy RC Team NRW?

Marc Mandewirth:

The Camel Trophy RC Team NRW is a German RC off-road community from North Rhine-Westphalia specializing in realistic Camel Trophy-style RC vehicles, especially classic Land Rover models.

The team builds detailed scale crawlers with accessories such as roof racks, winches, recovery boards, and weathering effects.

They regularly participate in RC off-road events and organize adventure-style trail runs inspired by the original Camel Trophy expeditions of the 1980s and 1990s.

https://www.asiatees.com/img/promo/builderofthemonth/may_2026/9.jpeg

Boom Racing:

What is it about the Camel Trophy that inspires you?

Marc Mandewirth:

I am fascinated by CT because of:

Real adventure in extreme environments
Teamwork and mutual support rather than pure competition
Difficult terrain such as mud, rivers, jungles, and deserts
The challenge for both people and vehicles
The expedition lifestyle far away from civilization
The iconic Land Rover vehicles and outdoor equipment

Many participants described the Camel Trophy not as a race, but as an international adventure expedition with a strong sense of community.

That’s what I love!

Boom Racing:

What is the one piece of equipment you simply could not do without?

Marc Mandewirth:

Definitely a strong winch.

Boom Racing:

Are there role models or industry figures who inspire you? Who are they, and why have they had such a significant impact on you?

Marc Mandewirth:

Inspiring personalities for me were Ivan Garbellini and Christoph Ganzmann from Switzerland. His great ideas, his eye for special details, and his craftsmanship in the implementation of his ideas for model making shaped me very strongly. Through Ivan, I dared to take the first steps in weathering my models and got a lot of personal tips.

In Germany, I especially noticed Andreas Briesemeister, who built great models with many details. He is extremely skilled in creating 3D print files, which have been adapted to the models. He helped me build my orange Range Rover with the interior.

Boom Racing:

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in this hobby, and how did you overcome it?

Marc Mandewirth:

The biggest challenge for me with every model is the lighting and the clean laying of the cables and the other components.

This is more of an unpleasant job for me. The solution is patience!

Boom Racing:

What would you love to achieve in the hobby?
Is there a specific location where you dream of running your rig for several days?

Marc Mandewirth:

I would like to build some interesting models and participate in one of the big events in Asia.

Boom Racing:

Lastly, name five items you always pack when hitting the trails. Essentials that cover any eventuality and ensure you always complete your run, even if it spans many hours at a Camel Trophy event!

Marc Mandewirth:

Batteries, food, drinks, a toolbox, and especially my friends from CamelTrophyRCTeamNRW.