With spring just around the corner and many outdoor racers coming out of hibernation, this is a great time to look back at the past few months to see what is new from the JConcepts team. So check out the latest products and driver news in this Winter Edition of the JConcepts Product Rewind!
Joe Bornhorst Signs With JConcepts
Kicking off 2021 wasn’t actually new products, but instead the official signing of three prominent pro drivers to our ever growing race team! First, we announced the signing of 1/8 Nitro and Electric Off-Road specialist Joe Bornhorst. Already a multi-time ROAR national champion for Tekno, Joe brings his racing experience and competitiveness to various large events for 2021 supporting our team and customer alike.
Jason Ruona states – “There are only a handful of drivers that can muscle a 1/8th buggy, getting every bit out of the vehicle. Joe has that mystery speed everyone looks for at the races and pushes the limit of what an RC car can do on a race track. With incredible track knowledge, Joe, together with the passion of our design team, we plan to continue our push for the best performing and looking products on the market.”
Joe Bornhorst states – “I’m very excited to be joining the JConcepts team for 2021! Jason and the team work tirelessly to not only create the best products, but to also help grow the industry that we all enjoy. I look forward to joining the success!”
Joe wasted no time making the podium with his first event with JConcepts and you can watch the action along with an interview and his thoughts on the race event here:
Ronda Drake Signs With JConcepts
Next, we announced the signing of long time Southern California racer Ronda Drake. After making waves early on in her race career competing in 1/10 Off-Road Electric racing, Ronda tackled new segments of RC as they grew over the years like touring car, gas truck and eventually 1/8 Off-Road. Ronda frequently races at local tracks in her area plus other nationally known events around the states. When she isn’t at the track you can find her online through various social media channels with updates on her racing activities along with Drake related engine products and accessories.
Jason Ruona states – “I’ve always known Ronda to be an excellent racer. Her coordination with sponsors and fellow racers is always in a manner that represents the highest level. Watching her compete on the racing scene in California has always been a joy and especially now that she’s with JConcepts.”
Ronda Drake states – “I first met Jason Ruona when he moved to California in 1997 and we became friends. The opportunity has finally presented itself and I proud to say that I’m excited to be joining the team for 2021 and beyond! Jason is very much involved with the team development, marketing, and always at the track with the ever evolving race scene. Jason being a top racer in the past, I truly value his knowledge and products. That being said, I’m excited to be a part of the JConcepts Team.”
To find out Ronda’s first impressions with the JConcepts product line along with some more background on her rise through the RC ranks please watch these videos:
Adam Drake Signs With JConcepts
Finally, also signing with JConcepts for this year and beyond is the one and only Adam Drake. Adam’s commitment to running laps, testing equipment, and engine tuning is legendary and his career almost stretches over three decades now. Along with supporting team drivers and customers at the track Adam will also be a key member in the development of future products especially in the 1/8 Off-Road sector.
Jason Ruona states – “I’ve personally raced against Adam Drake dating back to the 1990’s and watched his racing evolve throughout the years to the point of being one of the best in the business. With several national championships under his belt and a tremendous following of racers looking to him for guidance, it’s a great match and a privilege to add him to the JConcepts team for years to come.”
Adam Drake states – “I’m extremely excited to be joining JConcepts for 2021 and beyond. After some very successful off-season testing, I’m very impressed and ready to hit the track. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to working with such a passionate group at JConcepts.”
Watch the videos below to learn more about Adam’s early beginnings, his career path into RC and the transition into being an influencer, engine tuner, and expert in the field of RC Racing along with his initial thoughts on the JConcepts products:
Brass Front Suspension Brace For The DR10
Kicking off the new year for product releases are some brass option parts for the Team Associated DR10. Starting with this front brace, this option part will add about 13gm to the front of your drag vehicle. This will help to keep the nose from lifting on take off plus add some durability for any mishaps down the drag strip.
It uses the same geometry as the OEM parts and you can even use the existing hardware to lock it into place.
Brass Servo Mount Bracket For The DR10
This servo mount is also constructed from machined brass and will add an additional 25gm to front of your vehicle. Again, this will help to keep the front end of your car from lifting into the air during a high speed run. It will also help to lock your servo into place for added support. It achieves that by attaching to the sides of the servo plus run across the top of it of it too. An etched JConcepts.net logo rests firmly on top of the “bridge” that runs over the servo, and also included are two 3x6mm set screws. To use these first completely remove the servo from the vehicle along with the standard mounts. With the servo horn already correctly centered, align the plastic shims as they were previously used on the servo.
Then install the bracket to each side and then loosely fasten the factory mounting screws and washers into the four locations so they are just snug. Now, make sure the servo is centered between each side of the bracket and then install the 3x6mm set screws on each side to keep the servo in place. It is recommended to also use a light amount of thread locking material on the set screws as well.
Silent Speed 27T Brushed Motor
Next, we released another Silent Speed brushed motor for monster truck racers or scale/trail drivers that need a reliable powerhouse. The Silent Speed 27T Brushed Motor is a 540 based closed end-bell motor with fixed timing. The motor can is black and it uses bushings on each end.
This budget friendly motor is perfect for either single or dual motor vehicles like the Tamiya Clod Buster or any other rig that uses an industry standard 540 sized motor. The recommend running temperature is 115-120 degrees and included is an instructional sheet for regular maintenance.
Sprinter 2.2″ Stadium Truck Tires
The popular Sprinter tread design is now available for 1/10 Stadium Trucks. First released in 2019, the Sprinter was an instant hit in the Dirt Oval scene but drivers quickly found out it works great in dirt off-road racing too. These tires still feature the same winning details like angled outer sidewall pins and square horizontal traction bars.
The tread pattern also allows for some tuning options depending on how they are mounted which you can read about on our Support tab of our website.
These tires also use an industry standard 2.2” bead mounting size so they are interchangeable and Dirt-Tech closed cell inserts are also included.
2007 Cadillac Escalade Clear Monster Truck Body
For you Losi LMT fans JConcepts has you covered with the new 2007 Cadillac Escalade clear body. This officially licensed body is a direct fit for 12.5-13.00” wheelbase monster trucks like the LMT, Axial SMT10 and more.
The body design uses large fender flares so there is plenty of clearance for large tires. The design also use the same full size stylings that Cadillac is known for and the included decal sheet includes the familiar grille look plus taillights, headlights and Cadillac logos.
1963 Ford Falcon Street Eliminator Clear Body
Next, we continue to add new body options for the popular Street Eliminator class with the release of the 1963 Ford Falcon. This body is officially licensed to us by Ford and it captures the iconic look of its full scale counterpart.
From the round front headlights, to the hood scoop, to the molded front and rear bumpers, this body captures the spirit of the real vehicle. The body is 11.25″ wide with a 13.00″ wheelbase so it works perfectly with the DR10 or similar SCT converted vehicles.
An optional rear spoiler is also included as well as window masks, a protective film and a full decal sheet.
A2R 190mm Touring Car Clear Body
JConcepts released their latest body shell for touring car racers. The A2R (A-One Racer 2) body is available in both a standard and lightweight option and each comes standard with a rear wing with side-dams, 3mm mounting hardware and plastic lightweight nuts to mount the wing, window masks and a decal sheet.
This ROAR approved body has a shrunken front-end that has been laid back when compared to previous bodies. This allows to apply more force to the front tires. A-pillar rails extend down from both sides of the windshield to reinforce the wheel wells plus help deflect air over the nose of the A2R.
Rear overhang has been applied to the trunk area to help control down-force and provide a secure mounting place for the included rear wing. And a small kick-up at the end of the body acts like a small built-in spoiler for those high speed runs on the track.
A new year means new lids from JConcepts!
The Heritage 21 Hat is available in four different style options.
Two of the hats feature a flat bill while the other two use a more traditional round bill approach.
All four have has a “trucker hat” mesh area in the back with a snap-back design.
And on the front of all four new lids is a leather patch with an updated JConcepts design for 2021.
After getting a lot of feedback from the drag racing community we went to work to create a new wider rear tire called the Mambos. This tire still uses the common 2.2 x 3.0″ dimensions but the contact patch has been widened to gain more rear grip. To help control tire expansion when accelerating off the line the entire carcass of the Mambos have been thickened.
An industry first waffle inner weight reduction pattern has also been incorporated into the new design. This new pattern will both reduce the weight and provide more resistance to the expansion of the tire. This should give you another tuning option since the performance lies somewhere between a restricted belted tire and a tire with no inner resistance. Each set is available in our Blue compound and also includes our closed cell Dirt-Tech inserts.
To go along with the release of the Mambos we also added a few more wheel options for drag racers too. Starting with the Coil Drag Racing Wheels, these are available for both front and rear tires. Starting in the rear these new wheels fit our new Mambos rear tire and use the industry standard 12mm hex design. They are available in black and have a matte face appearance. The wheels feature five distinct circles in the middle of the wheel and since they use a 2.2 x 3.0″ configuration they fit a variety of common vehicles like the Traxxas Slash, Bandit, Rustler along with Team Associated short course trucks and the purpose built DR10.
We also offer a front wheel variation of the Coil. These also use the industry standard 12mm hex design and are 2.2″ in size. They use a five circle design that has been enlarged in size and are also black with a matte face appearance. But even with the reduced areas of material they are strong and up to the task of routing your car straight down the drag strip.
Our other new drag wheels are called the Starfish. These are available for both front and rear tires and use the same industry standard 12mm hex design. The rear wheels are the same 2.2 x 3.0” size but slightly wider than previous wheels so they fit the Mambos cleanly. These use a five spoke look and an outer ring with reinforcement ribs will help to stabilize the wheel. They are also matte black and can be used on a variety of vehicles that are commonly converted to Street Eliminator builds.
A front wheel option is also available and uses the common 2.2″ size. They also feature a large, five spoke look and use thicker materials to strengthen their overall tolerance. The thickness in the spoke area is completely recessed on the inside of the wheel for weight reduction and they are also matte black in color.
Starfish Beadlock Drag Racing Wheels
These new Starfish rear wheels are available in a beadlock option. They use the same five spoke design and appear in the same matte black coloring. But what makes them different is that they are now a three piece configuration and when assembled they are secured in place with the included aluminum beadlock ring and 3x8mm BHCS hardware. The inner ring will seat into the radial openings on the tire located on the inside and outside near the bead.
The cone shaped portion of the wheel slides in from the inside and the clamping begins once the grip points engage with the tire. On the outside, the bead of the tire sits up slightly above the bolt pattern plane and it’s important to align so the gap is the same all the way around. They also use the common 2.2 x 3.0″ design with a 12mm hex, but they are wider and intended for the Mambos tires. And since the beadlock setup is constantly under stress to keep everything intact it is recommended to use these with only 2S power and for normal on-track passes only. So please don’t free rev the vehicle while using the beadlock wheels otherwise you might shorten the life of the product.
Tire & Wheel Options For The Losi Mini-T 2.0 & Mini-B
JConcepts now offers some new wheel and tires options for Losi Mini enthusiasts.
Carvers Front Tire For The Losi Mini-T 2.0
Frist up are our new Carvers tire for the Losi Mini-T 2.0. These ribbed front tires are a good option for a variety of surfaces. The directional ribs will provide you more control and direction in most common wet and dry condition surfaces. Firm foam inserts are also included and when these tires are new they excel on low traction surfaces. They also perform well on high “loamy” traction wet surfaces where no rubber has been taken into the race surface yet. If they are worn they still perform well on indoor or outdoor clay tracks with a light blue groove to them. These tires can also be mounted in more than one direction to act like a tuning aid.
When running on loamy track conditions it is recommended to install them with the “V” shaped ribs to the inside of the wheel to give you more steering. If they are mounted with the “/” angular ribs to the inside of the wheel, the tires will act more progressive and have less steering. You’ll want this second option when running on a blue groove style of track or when you need less steering. They are also available in two different compounds. When racing on dirt opt for our “sticky Green” compound. If you plan on running your truck indoors on carpet then use our Pink carpet compound.
And to get you on the track faster we also offer these tires already glued up on our new 2.0 wheels in two color options which we will cover in a bit.
Sprinter Rear Tire For The Losi Mini-T 2.0 & Mini-B
For the rear of the Mini-T 2.0 and Mini-B, we now offer our popular Sprinter tires as an option too. These tires use square, angled pins that have been stacked vertically to allow them to flex and fold evenly across the surface of the tire. Normally, a stacked tread will wear down slower and provide your vehicle more forward bite. The aligned space helps with rotation in the turns and gives your vehicle a snappy release so it can square up rapidly.
These tires should perform well on both wet and dusty surfaces. These tires are also available in either our Green or Pink compounds and also include foam inserts.
And just like the Carvers, these tires are also sold in a pre-mounted configuration on either white or yellow wheels.
Mono Wheels For The Losi Mini-T 2.0 & Mini-B
Our popular Mono wheels have also been reduced to fit both vehicles. These new wheels are 34.50mm in diameter which is the standard wheel size for the Mini-T 2.0. So these wheels can be used in either the front of the rear of the Mini-T 2.0, but for the Mini-B they can only be used in the back.
The Monos feature the popular dish wheel design and have a small JC logo for brand identification and authenticity. Four wheels are included in each package and you can choose from either white or yellow color options.
Analog Quick Reference Calipers
Setting up your shocks correctly on your vehicle is critical when it comes to dialing in your setup. Sure you can always “eyeball” it, but with today’s cars if you are off by a few millimeters it could hurt your lap times on a race day. But drivers want a tool that is reliable, easy to use, and small enough that it doesn’t take up too much space in their toolbox. And that’s where the Analog Quick Reference Calipers come in. Since it is an analog device it doesn’t require a battery to power up an LCD screen to give you measurements. Instead measurements have been laser etched into the sliding plane with increments that range from .5mm to 80mm.
Once you have your desired measurement in place you can lock it in with a black thumbscrew. It can also be used to measure your turnbuckles, how long a screw is or any other common RC task that requires a quick measurement. The all-aluminum construction keeps it lightweight and it is small enough to fit in most RC tool and lock boxes you commonly see in the pits.
2005 Ford Expedition Clear Monster Truck Body
The next release was the 2005 Ford Expedition clear body for monster truck fans. It uses a 12.50″ wheelbase and is 7.5″ wide so this body is compatible with popular monster trucks like the Losi LMT, Axial SMT10 or any other rig with a 12.50″ – 13.00″ wheelbase. This officially licensed Ford body captures that full scale look thanks to features like the cab, windshield and window design.
It also includes a decal sheet with Ford logos, a grille, headlights and taillights. Window masks and a protective film are also included so you can apply your custom paint scheme or finish up that replica build.
1989 Ford F-250 Clear Monster Truck Body With Racerback
We then followed that up with this new licensed Ford monster truck body. This body is slightly narrower with a 7″ width and the wheelbase is 13″ as well. That means it is still a direct fit with the popular Losi LMT and Axial SMT10 monster trucks so this is a perfect option for new drivers looking to swap our their RTR shells.
The rear bed area is slightly recessed so you can paint it to make it look more scale. True to the trucks of that era, we also include a racerback accessory that can be attached to the back of the cab. Front and rear bumpers have been molded into the design as well to capture that 1:1 look. A detailed decal sheet is also included along with window masks and an overspray film.
1985 Ford Ranger Clear Monster Truck Body
Going further “back in time” in the 80’s we next released this 1985 Ford Ranger monster truck body. The dimensions on this new lid are approximately 6″ wide with a 9.5″ wheelbase. That means it is a drop fit for the Traxxas Stampede 2wd truck, the Traxxas Stampede 4×4 and the Team Associated Rival MT10. Even though this is called a 1985 Ranger the body style covers the years 1982-1992. To help you achieve the look of those different years a decal sheet with different headlight and grille options is included.
The front and rear bumpers are designed right into the body so no add on pieces are needed. The front bumper is slightly wider so you can add a scale winch, license plate or your own custom textured finish. And if so desired the rear bumper can be trimmed off to achieve the final look of your build. The truck bed is slightly recessed to add to the realism and help you custom paint it as needed. Window masks and an overspray film are also included.
For Team Associated DR10 owners we now offer this new Wheelie Bar Assembly crafted from aluminum and genuine carbon fiber. This bar bolts directly up to the DR10 without any modifications.
The aluminum mount that bolts directly to the rear of the vehicle is anodized in black with silver chamfer highlighting and features different mounting locations for fine tuning. Also included are genuine Team Associated ball-cups and black Fin turnbuckles. When assembled together with the included aluminum supports you can adjust these buckles to dial in both the left and right sides of the bar.
At the opposite end is an aluminum wheel bar that can mounted in different positions to adjust the height of the wheels. Speaking of wheels, they are crafted out of Delrin material and include bearings and mounting hardware.
JCI Tucked 1989 Ford F-250 Clear Body
Next, the JConcepts design went to work to come up with a new body that captures that classic look of the Ford F-250 from the late 1980’s and early 1990’s plus introduce some new wrinkles to the design. The JCI Tucked 1989 Ford F-250 clear body is designed for maximum front and rear tire clearance when performing out on the terrain.
Due to the slimmed down front and rear section slides or “tucks” this will give a driver ample clearance for the tires and it will be a hit for class 2 competitions or any low-stance crawling sessions.
This body also features a brick-nose front-end, a single cab, chisel-side panels, a recessed front windshield and side-windows. Combined together they create a solid upper section to withstand roll-overs and descending incidents found on the trail.
An assortment of add on accessories can be installed to the long bed area and pictured in our model are some items we offer on our Shapeways store:
Tuck roll-bar
Truck roof-rack
Lights for roll-bar / roof rack
This body uses a 12.3″ wheelbase that makes it compatible with several trucks on the market like the Traxxas TRX-4 Sport, Element Enduro or any Axial 12.3″ wheelbase rig. Window masks, an overspray film and a decal sheet are also included.
JConcepts has released a new all-around tread pattern for 1/8 buggy owners. The new Magma tire uses the same single contour geometry with inner radial ribs to control expansion at high speeds that have been successfully used in our racing product line.
This new low-profile design allows you to control your vehicle in high speed runs and turns. The tall tread section will provide a long life to the tire and the horizontal cuts, diagonal reliefs and outer receptors help the side-wall of the tire too.
Our proven Yellow medium compound will help you to grip multiple surfaces in those long bash sessions. Sold in pairs the Magma also comes with durable closed cell inserts and they are designed to work with any 83mm 1/8 buggy wheel.
Magma 1/8 Buggy Tire Pre-Mounts
Speaking of wheels, that bring us to the next product that was released. The new Magma tire is also available pre-mounted to our popular 83mm Cheetah wheels.
We offer both white and black Cheetah wheel color options, but both include 12mm and 17mm hex adaptors. The 17mm hex adaptors will allow you to use these with many of today’s 1/8 buggies, while the 12mm adaptors can be used on other vehicles like the Traxxas Slash and Stampede 4×4.
These wheels also allow you to run two different style appearances since you can use a spoke look or install the included dish covers using the provided hardware.
Finnisher Titanium License Plate Screws
JConcepts now offers our Finnisher Titanium screw design for full scale vehicles too. These new license plate screws are 6x10mm long and the head of the screw has been machined to enhance its details, plus reveal a 10mm hex for easy installation.
The design incorporates a large diameter head so you will no longer need to install washers between the screws and the plate. These screws are also made from high-grade titanium materials and anodized in black.
S2 & F2 Clear Bodies For The Losi Mini-B
JConcepts has added a few more options to our growing product line for the Losi Mini-B.
First up is the S2 body which has been reduced in size to fit this smaller chassis. Even though it is small it still packed with big features like an aggressive cab design, a channeled roof with a built in center stabilizer and side pod vents that can be opened up to provide additional cooling. It comes with a C|T-Type rear wing, decal sheet and window masks.
We are now also offering our popular F2 body design for the Losi Mini-B as well. This body uses our same winning design features like an increased windshield angle, forward cab placement, dual step front side pods and a stepped louver section behind the cab. It also comes standard with a protective overspray film, decal sheet, window masks and the new C|T-Type rear wing.
Speaking of this wing, it is also available separately for purchase. Two wings are included in each package and the C|T-Type rear wing incorporates a short-chord design for quicker rotations. The base of the wing provides additional clearance and the rear corners have been chopped too for added rigidity. The side-dams of the wing feature hard radius cut-outs which allow even more tire rear expansion and flex space too.
Heritage 21 T-Shirt & Hoodie Sweatshirt
Start off the new year right with some fresh threads from JConcepts. Both the Heritage T-Shirt and Hoodie Sweatshirt feature a large 2021 logo on the backside with a smaller version of it on the front. Running vertically below the front logo is a racer graphic and both are available in dark heather gray. They are crafted from 50/50 cotton-polyester fibers and available in five different sizes.
2020 Ford Raptor body – Summit Racing BIGFOOT 21 Clear Monster Truck Body
JConcepts has teamed up with BIGFOOT 4×4 to offer officially licensed decal sets to go along with branded body shells. The first offering is Summit BIGFOOT 21 which includes all logos associated with the truck in one of the more famous and current trim packages.
The included body shell, a 2020 Ford Raptor, is the work of the JConcepts crew always looking to offer the best performing and most accurate presentation on the market. The grille area is heavily recessed so the included decals lock into place and high-end looks intimidate anyone at the starting line.
The extra cab window has an included decal to help boldly display supporting sponsorships. The rear of the fender is recessed for included decals for taillights. The dimensions of this body is 7.25″ wide and a 12-13″ semi-adjustable wheelbase.
This will fit the Losi LMT, Axial SMT10 or any other monster truck that falls into the specifications of it. Each body also comes with an overspray film, window masks and decal sheets.