In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Connecticut team driver, Eric Bresnahan!
1. How did you get started in RC? Was it racing right away, or did you bash vehicles before you found out about the RC race scene?
I started racing with my dad in 1988. I had the original RC10 buggy and we raced it on a on-road track carpet.
2. Off-road carpet tracks have been gaining momentum here in the states the last few years. But it doesn’t seem like many tracks have converted over to a turf surface. Why do you think this is and how do you see turf becoming more popular here in the US?
Turf here on the east coast isn’t too bad. We have both RC Madness and RCHR (Radio Control Hobbies & Raceway) and we had another track that just shut down due to the owner’s health. Turf is defiantly an awesome surface. Tire wear is the same as carpet and adds quite the color pop in the hobby shops. It’s defiantly a lot more expensive then carpet but it lasts five times as long. I own and run a flooring store and installed turf on multiple jobs over the years. I also put turf in at RCHR and it has been down 4 years and looks just the same as the day I installed it. Carpet can be better as it’s more consistent.
3. What is one tip you have for new drivers getting into RC racing that you would like to share?
For new drivers I would say use the box stock setup and run it for a few months to learn what the vehicle can do and not get frustrated that you are not winning. Ask lots of questions and watch videos to learn a lot. Also don’t set up your car like Spencer Rivkin as no one is Spencer except for Spencer. Learn your own way to drive but take lots of notes from other pros to base off of. And don’t go out on a track and try to be the top driver in practice. Take your time and learn the track before “sending it”. Lastly, I always make myself a better driver with my cars/trucks/crawlers etc. then load them up with all the aftermarket parts.
4. To date what is your favorite JConcepts product of all time and why?
My favorite product if just one is the JConcepts Parts Tray. I never worry about parts rolling away. But I have a ton of JConcepts products I love.
5. Name one thing people might be surprised to know about you.
I love to draw.