Questioner: Hi Dario, good to see you again.
I want this interview to be different then the 'usual' racer interviews, everybody in the On-road nitro scene has heard of Dario Balestri, but who is Dario?
So i'd like to start this interview with some basic information about the new and again 1:10 european champion.
Dario: well.... I'm Dario Balestri currently 21 years old and living in the beautifull city of Pisa, Italy.
Q: Your 21, you still go to school or did you choose for an career in R/C racing?
Dario: I finished school last year, and now I'm working at an R/C shop in Pisa and for NOVAROSSI WORLD S.r.l. as one of their team drivers.

Q: It is impossible to not turn this interview into racing, since you are one of the best driver of your age and we are making the engines where you got the championship with, so when did you start with R/C racing, and with what type of car/engine?
Dario: Thank you! Well I started in 1998 and direct with the fastest racing class, 1:8 on-road.
that is the fastest class and I want to be the fastest driver, an obvious choice then.
Since my start I used various cars, but I always used an NOVAROSSI engine during a race.
And a few years after my start with R/C racing NOVAROSSI made me one of their team drivers and helped my to develop my racing techniques, I'm can not thank them enough for this possiblility.
Q: Why did also started with racing 1:10 at international level next to an already busy schedule for your 1:8? and since when?
Dario: Because my sponsors asked my to also compete in this highly competitive racing class.
It also helps me with getting more tracktime and set-up expierece.
Q: and in 2006 you also got your first european 1:10 title, on your first year 1:10....respect!
Dario: yes...at a very very wet track in Heemstede.

Q: I know you have also won the EC-B in Fiorano with your 1:8 and now your second EC 1:10 title, Are that all your EC titles?
Dario: No, I got one more...Grenoble with 1:8.
Q: four EC titles in less then 10 years, are you following Lamberto Collari's footsteps?
Dario: haha that is impossible, Lamberto is the Michael Schumacher of R/C racing.
Q: he is indeed very good, but what are your plans for the future?
Dario: My dream would be to become the world champion with 1;8 and 1:10.
Q: That is indeed an nice goal, but that means you have to beat "Schumi of R/C" ;-)

Dario: Yes I know, but we (we=Dario and the NOVAROSSI TEAM) are working very hard on that.
Q: how? every weekend on the track?
Dario: no, 1 weekend at a race, the next weekend I'm in Pisa going out with friends and the weekend after I'm at the track again. So I get my most of my tracktime during a race.

Q: Altrough in Spain during the EC 1:10 you had an rather distracting Saturdaynight, someone stole your bag with all your documents during dinner.
I think something like this puts you out of concentration, but on Sunday came back stronger as before.
How did you do that?
Dario: Well on Saturdaynight I was quite upset yes, but on Sunday I actually put this bad experience out of my mind and focus more on winning the title again rather then to worry about this.
The worries where for Monday, thank god it was not such an huge problem as i expected...as you see I got back safe and sound.

Q: I see Graziosa Barchi whishes to speak with you, so lets end it here. Thank you for your time and I see you again during a big race.
Dario: thank you to!