Builder of the Month: Darryl Tan (December 2025)
Boom Racing:
Darryl, congratulations on being named Boom Racing’s Builder of the Month! To start off, could you share a bit about your background and how you first became involved with the RC hobby?
Darryl Tan:
My name is Darryl Tan, a Singaporean with multinational roots. I’ve spent portions of my life living in the UK, Malaysia, and the United States, experiences that have shaped both my worldview and adaptability. Professionally, I’m currently a Director at an international bank based in Singapore.
Outside of work, I dedicate much of my spare time to growing and supporting the RC community here in Singapore. My journey with RC began very early—at around four years old—when I received my first RC car. If memory serves me right, it was the Losi JRX back in 1989. That first experience sparked a lifelong passion for RC, one that has evolved from casual play into a deep appreciation for engineering, scale realism, and off-road performance.
Boom Racing:
You’re well-known for your connection with RC Rainforest Challenge (RCRFC). How did you come to join the club, and what does being part of that community mean to you?
Darryl Tan:
I’ve always had a fascination with RC across many disciplines—touring cars, drifting, crawling, boating, and even flying. But no matter what I explored, I always found myself gravitating back toward RC vehicles that touch soil. I suppose you could say that’s what keeps me grounded.
I’ve always had a fascination with RC across many disciplines—touring cars, drifting, crawling, boating, and even flying. But no matter what I explored, I always found myself gravitating back toward RC vehicles that touch soil. I suppose you could say that’s what keeps me grounded.
My involvement with RC Rainforest Challenge (RCRFC) began in 2023, when I first heard about an extreme off-road RC competition in Malaysia organized by Stanley Chin of Krazzy Hobbies. The concept immediately resonated with me. Together with my teammate Gordon, we jumped in headfirst—building extreme titanium-frame crawlers and entering our first competition. Against tough international competition, we were fortunate enough to clinch the Grand Champion title at the 2023 RCRFC Grand Finale.
Since then, my involvement with RCRFC has grown across multiple dimensions. Beyond competing, I’ve been actively involved in product development and testing, including stress-testing platforms like the Ti-Fury chassis at events such as the Boom Racing Hong Kong Asian Invasion Recon G6. I also play a role in representing and organizing the RCRFC Singapore Chapter, helping to build a strong local presence while staying closely connected to the regional and international RCRFC family.
To me, RCRFC is more than a competition—it’s a community built on shared passion, resilience, and mutual respect. Being part of it has been both humbling and deeply fulfilling.
Boom Racing:
Beyond RCRFC, what are some of your wider links to the RC hobby, both in Singapore and internationally?
Darryl Tan:
Beyond RCRFC, my involvement in the RC hobby spans multiple disciplines and geographies. In Singapore and across the region, I actively participate in various RC genres—ranging from Mini-Z racing in Indonesia to RC drifting in Japan—as I genuinely enjoy experiencing how different communities express the hobby in their own unique ways.
That said, my deepest focus has always remained within the RC crawler space, particularly scale crawling. One standout platform for this is the Camel Trophy series, which elevates scale realism, endurance, and storytelling to an entirely different level. Since joining, we’ve grown the Camel Trophy entourage by nearly five times, turning it into a vibrant and committed sub-community within the crawler scene.
I was also an early adopter of Scaletra, and I strongly believe in its vision and purpose. As part of that commitment, I make it a point to integrate Scaletra-style events into our broader crawler ecosystem, particularly within MilkBar Crawlers, which today is a 300-member-strong community. Through this platform, we’ve hosted a variety of themed and experiential events—from the Jurassic Park series to special Halloween and Christmas crawls—all designed to keep the hobby fresh, inclusive, and fun.
Internationally, I work closely with friends and partners in Malaysia (across both RCRFC and Camel Trophy initiatives) as well as collaborators in China. We’re currently in the midst of organizing a large-scale crawler event in Guangzhou in 2026, which is an exciting step toward strengthening cross-border collaboration and expanding the global crawler community.
At its core, my involvement—whether local or international—is about connecting people through shared passion, creating meaningful experiences, and helping the RC community grow sustainably while staying true to its roots.
Boom Racing:
Your latest BRX build has been turning heads online. Could you walk us through the concept, the challenges you faced, and how you brought your vision to life?
Darryl Tan:
My latest BRX build is the BRX01 AWB Link Edition paired with the ZIL-130 body from Boom Racing. Having served in the military—as every Singaporean son does—I’ve always had a deep fascination with military vehicles and the stories behind them. That naturally drew me toward the ZIL-130, a Soviet-era truck originally designed in the 1950s.
Over the years, the ZIL-130 has been reinterpreted in many forms, from overlanders to hot rods. For this project, however, I wanted to retain its military DNA. The sand-beige colourway was a deliberate choice to honour its utilitarian roots, while the addition of a clean, functional rear canopy reimagines the truck as a modern-day expedition platform—something that could plausibly exist in today’s terrain while still respecting its heritage.
This build would not have been possible without the help of my close buddy Gordon, who assisted in sourcing a custom CNC-machined plastic rear canopy. That single component really completed the truck visually and tied the entire concept together. I’m also grateful to the painting gurus who guided me along the way—Aaron Soares, Joshua Ng, and Max Kang—whose advice helped elevate the finish and overall realism of the build.
From a technical standpoint, the build process was surprisingly smooth. One of the biggest advantages of the BRX01 platform is its adjustable wheelbase, which allows for precise fine-tuning to perfectly match the chassis to the ZIL-130’s rear bed proportions. This flexibility meant that instead of fighting fitment issues, I could focus on details, finish, and storytelling.
Ultimately, this build was about balance—respecting history while reimagining function—and the BRX01 AWB Link Edition provided the ideal foundation to bring that vision to life.
Boom Racing:
Many builders look up to your attention to detail and creativity. Are there any tips or advice you’d give to prospective builders looking to start their own BRX projects?
Darryl Tan:
My advice is to always let the story you want to tell drive your design. When you begin a build with a clear narrative—whether it’s historical, functional, or purely imaginative—it gives the project real meaning. That sense of purpose naturally fuels your motivation and pushes you to focus on the small details that truly make a vehicle stand out.
A well-thought-out story turns a BRX build from just another model into something personal, memorable, and uniquely yours.
Boom Racing:
The RC community is always evolving. How do you stay inspired and keep learning new things within the hobby, and are there any trends you’re especially excited about and want to recreate in a BRX-based rig?
Darryl Tan:
For me, staying inspired comes from staying close to the community. Constant engagement—both locally and internationally—through events, competitions, and casual crawls allows us to continuously expand our horizons and challenge our own ideas within the RC scene. Every community approaches the hobby slightly differently, and there’s always something new to learn when you stay open and connected.
One event that truly opened my eyes was Boom Racing Asian Invasion RECON G6 in Hong Kong. Being surrounded by hobbyists from all over the world created a unique environment for meaningful interaction and deep discussion—not just about builds, but about philosophies, trends, and where the hobby is heading.
Those exchanges are incredibly valuable. They help you stay aligned with emerging trends while also expanding your own creative thinking. Whether it’s new approaches to scale realism, functional detailing, or storytelling through builds, these interactions constantly inspire ideas that I’m excited to reinterpret and recreate in future BRX-based rigs.
At the end of the day, learning in RC is a shared journey—and the more you engage with the community, the more the hobby continues to evolve alongside you.
Boom Racing:
If you had carte blanche to build any vehicle ever made—past or present—on a BRX chassis, what would you choose, and why?
Darryl Tan:
Without hesitation, it would be the long-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser 79 built as a full-fledged overlander.
I’ve always loved the Land Cruiser lineage—its reputation for durability, reliability, and purpose-built design resonates deeply with how I view scale crawling. The LC79, in particular, has the perfect proportions and character for an overland build. Its long wheelbase suits expedition-style setups beautifully, and the body lends itself naturally to being loaded with scale accessories.
From roof racks and jerry cans to recovery gear, spare tires, and camping equipment, the LC79 offers endless opportunities for storytelling through detail. On a BRX chassis, it would be the ideal platform to combine realistic functionality, scale authenticity, and adventure-driven design—everything I enjoy most about the hobby.
For me, that build would represent the ultimate expression of what scale RC is about: a vehicle that looks like it’s ready to drive straight into the wild.
Boom Racing:
The scale aspect of the hobby is something you’re particularly passionate about. What first attracted you to scale builds over sheer performance-based rigs, and why do you think they hold such enduring appeal?
Darryl Tan:
For me, it’s one thing to build, another to drive, but ultimately it’s about watching. Scale crawlers are designed to be appreciated—not just for what they can conquer, but how they do it. There’s something deeply satisfying about observing a scale rig articulate naturally over obstacles, watching the suspension work and the vehicle interact realistically with the terrain.
That sense of realism is what first drew me toward scale builds over pure performance-based rigs. The way a scale crawler behaves—its pace, weight transfer, and deliberate movement—mirrors real-world driving, and that authenticity is the cherry on top of the hobby.
I think that’s why scale builds hold such enduring appeal. They awaken a deeper appreciation within the builder and the observer alike. It’s not just about clearing an obstacle; it’s about telling a story through motion, detail, and realism—something that continues to resonate long after the trail run ends.
Boom Racing:
Are there particular techniques or materials you rely on to achieve that next-level authenticity in your builds, and what are your go to types of paint, adhesives and tools?
Darryl Tan:
For scale builds, having the right tools makes a huge difference. Precision and control are essential, especially when you’re chasing realism.
From an engineering and assembly standpoint, I rely heavily on HUDY hex drivers for their accuracy and feel, along with Boom Racing tools such as the KUDU™ Aluminum Multipurpose Shock Pliers, which are incredibly useful for fine adjustments and shock work.
On the scale-building side, tools that allow clean and controlled material handling are key. An ultrasonic cutter from Jakemy is excellent for trimming plastics and scale parts, while HOTO rotary tools, drills, and mini Dremels give me flexibility when shaping, drilling, or modifying components without damaging surrounding details.
When it comes to paint and finishing, variety is important. I like to have access to a wide range of colours and weathering products so I can layer finishes realistically. My go-to is the Mr. Hobby range, especially the Mr. Weathering Series, which makes it easy to add depth, wear, and subtle aging effects that really bring a scale build to life.
Ultimately, next-level authenticity comes from a combination of good tools, patience, and restraint—using the right technique at the right time to let the details speak for themselves.
Boom Racing:
You're closing in on 200km as a dedicated Scaletra Adventure app member. What motivates you to go out and log those miles?
Darryl Tan:
Part of it is definitely personal—staying active, enjoying the outdoors, and yes, getting rid of a bit of belly fat. More miles logged equals less belly fat… at least that’s the theory!
Jokes aside, what really motivates me is how the Scaletra Adventure Garage visually displays our fleet and their corresponding mileages. It’s a constant reminder that these rigs aren’t meant to live on a shelf—they’re meant to be driven, explored, and experienced.
Seeing the mileage build up gives each vehicle its own story and sense of purpose. Every kilometre represents time spent outdoors, trails explored, and moments enjoyed. That, to me, is what scale crawling is truly about—using the rigs the way they were intended and letting the journey matter as much as the build itself.
Boom Racing:
Can you recommend some of the best places to trail and crawl in Singapore?
Darryl Tan:
Our absolute favourite spot is Tampines Quarry—or TQ as we call it. It offers a great mix of elevation changes, loose rock, and technical lines that make it perfect for scale crawling and trail rigs alike.
Despite Singapore being a highly urban city, many people are surprised by how much greenery and crawler-friendly terrain we actually have. Over the years, we’ve explored quite a number of excellent trails, including:
- Rifle Range Nature Park – rugged terrain with natural obstacles
- MacRitchie Reservoir – scenic trails with roots and elevation
- Clementi Forest – a favourite among local crawlers for its raw, untouched feel
- Rail Corridor – long, accessible stretches are great for trail runs
- Woodgrove – quieter neighbourhood trails with interesting terrain
- Coney Island – coastal trails that add a unique flavour to scale adventures
- Mount Faber – compact but surprisingly technical
- Sentosa – great for casual crawls with varied surfaces
Beyond Singapore, there are also fantastic nearby options. Pulau Ubin is just a 15-minute boat ride away and offers one of the most authentic trail-crawling experiences around. Across the causeway, Sireh Park is only about a 15-minute drive into Malaysia and is a favourite for weekend crawls.
All in all, the region offers plenty of opportunities to get rigs out on the trail—proving that even in a dense city, there’s always space for adventure if you know where to look.
Boom Racing:
Looking ahead to 2026, do you have any exciting plans or projects in the pipeline you can share with us?
Darryl Tan:
2026 is shaping up to be a very exciting year, with several key projects we’re actively focusing on across both local and international RC communities.
One of our major priorities will be Camel Trophy 2026, where we aim to continue pushing scale realism, endurance, and storytelling to the next level. The growth of this platform has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re excited to further elevate the experience for participants.
Internationally, we’re working toward RCRFC Guangzhou, which marks an important milestone in expanding the RC Rainforest Challenge footprint into China. This event represents not just a competition, but a meaningful collaboration between regional RC communities.
Closer to home, strengthening and growing the RCRFC Singapore Chapter remains a key focus. Building a sustainable local chapter that nurtures drivers, builders, and organizers is something I’m deeply committed to.
And if time permits, we’re hoping to bring back the Jurassic Park Series 2026—a themed scale-crawling concept that blends creativity, fun, and immersive storytelling, and one that has always resonated strongly with the community.
All in all, 2026 is about growth, collaboration, and meaningful experiences—using RC as a platform to bring people together while staying true to what makes the hobby special.
Thank you, Darryl, for sharing your story with us! For more, readers can follow Darryl on social media:
Facebook: Darryl.Tan.CW
Facebook: Darryl.Tan.CW
Youtube: 888RC
Instagram: @d4rrylt4n
TikTok: @dare8888
ByBeth Liang & Peter G
Tags :Boom Racing, BRX01, BRX02, Land Rover, ZIL, AWB, Crawler
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