In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to North Carolina team driver, Ken Rand Jr!
1. How did you first hear about racing RC cars? And what classes did you compete in?
Oh man this goes way back to Tyco RC cars from Toys “R” Us with tractor treads or 8 wheels or some other nonsense when I was like 6 or 7 years old. I’d usually get them on Christmas and loved building a huge snow pile to jump! I raced BMX and Motocross as a kid so RC cars kind of came hand in hand with that. I’d read RC Car Action magazine and idolize Brian Kinwald and Adam Drake throughout my youth. My first real RC car was an Team Associated RC10T2 stadium truck and I’d race a few of the tracks in NJ very sparingly, but once I moved to NC in 2010 I bought my first 1/8 scale cars and I’ve been hooked! The racing scene here is really, really good.
2. In your opinion, what classes have you noticed that seem to be in a decline? And how would you try to resolve this so there is more participation?
Classes that are declining are 4wd SCT which seems to be replaced by 1/8 E-Buggy and sometimes E-Truggy. Tekno’s new ET48 2.0 is helping grow the E-Truggy class again. It’s almost too good, especially when you throw a yellow wing and wheels on it. I don’t mind it at all. I had a few SCT races back in the day and they just aren’t nearly as fun as E-Buggy and E-Truggy. More participation in the SCT classes would possibly happen if manufacturers would come out with some new, revolutionary kits that drive better than the generations past.
3. Drag racing in RC is huge right now. Why do you think this is, and do you think it is a “fad” or here to stay for many years?
RC drag racing sure is huge now! Personally, I’m not a fan at all. I need dirt and jumps. The more technical and supercross style the better. Going in a straight line fast just isn’t nearly as fun for me, but I guess people are finding joy in it! Seems to have something to do with new ESC/motor technology such as the Maclan’s DRK ESC which has 3 stage launch control and super advanced 32 bit processing. Makes it much easier to go in a straight line fast I’m sure! Because of this, I think drag racing RC cars are here to stay, you just won’t see me doing it, lol!
4. To date what is your favorite JConcepts product of all time and why?
This is a toss up between two products. My favorite JConcepts product of all time is a close win between the Reflex tire (works on just about anything in the right compound) and the Dirt-Tech foam insert. The Dirt-Tech insert is so consistent and can be used on multiple sets of tires. They’re both super good products.
5. Name one thing people might be surprised to know about you.
Hmmm I’m not sure many people know I was a singer in a hardcore/metal band from around 2004-2009. We played shows all over NJ and even won a battle of the bands contest at the legendary The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ in order to share the stage with a bunch of awesome bands at the Saints and Sinners Festival also in Asbury Park, NJ. Unfortunately, we grew out of the phase as we got to our prime and didn’t record some of our best material in the studio, just some home recorded demos. If anyone wants to listen hit me up but I’m too embarrassed to share the name publicly, haha! These days I’ve mellowed out quite a bit and listen to a variety of music but have really taken a liking to new 80’s style dreampop/shoegaze music such as Turnover, Beach Fossils and Wild Nothing to name a few. I’m constantly listening to music. The more reverb the better!