In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Utah team driver, Ron Chirrick!
1. How did you first hear about racing RC cars? And what classes did you compete in?
In the mid 1980’s my grandpa was into scale trains, we went to a hobby shop in Salt Lake City that was called Pioneer Hobbies looking for train accessories. While there I noticed lots of people in the store carrying around off-road RC Cars. We followed a couple of guys out the back door to an off-road track that a racing event was taking place. As a young teenager it was clear this was much more interesting than trains to me. My first racing class was 2wd stock with the original gold tub RC10. I joined the 4wd buggy class as well with the RPS Yokomo soon their after.
2. On many indoor dirt off-road tracks it seems like the hot ticket is to run slicks. Do you prefer slightly treaded tires or slicks? And why do you think things have moved this way?
I personally prefer some tread on the tires. I like to have the ability to tune with tread patterns and compounds. I also think it opens up some more of the track to compete on. Slick tire racing can get one lined at times forcing the need to stay in the race groove. That being said slicks are the tire of choice at the moment in our area. I think the ever evolving chase for more speed and performance has pushed the limits on what tires can provide on a well groomed and prepared track that are pretty common place now days.
3. Stock or 17.5 2wd Buggy is the biggest class in off-road electric racing currently. Why do you think this is and do you see these as a problem moving forward with the racing industry?
The mod classes in our area and in most others I think are typically the same. We have a handful of extremely talented and fast racers that outpace the pack on most races. I think this can be very intimidating for most other racers. The stock classes give the majority of the racers a place to fit in where they feel they can compete and still have fun. It also gives the new upcoming sportsman racer a stepping stone to move up to in gradual fashion. With the stock classes having by far the most amount of consistent entries. I do not know how that can be bad. The more people we have participating in our sport the better. No matter the class.
4. In your opinion, when heading to the track what is the JConcepts product that is a must have on race day and why?
Tires for sure! Whether it be Dirt Webs, Ellipse or Octagons. Since tires are the only actual part of the vehicle in contact with the racing surface, I think tires are one of the most important tuning options we have.
5. Besides RC cars, what other hobbies are you into?
I enjoy traveling with my wife in our fifth wheel trailer seeing different parts of the country on a little more of a slow pace than other means of travel.