Friday5 With Team Driver Dustin Spallone

In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Florida team driver, Dustin Spallone!

1. How did you first hear about racing RC cars? And what classes did you compete in?

I was introduced to racing RC cars through my dad. He had a Tamiya Lunchbox and a Futaba FXT stadium truck that I would run around in the driveway in front of our house. When I got a little older, I got my own Traxxas Stampede for Christmas and that became my vehicle of choice. I first got into RC racing after meeting some friends at a Monster Jam Event. They invited me to give dirt oval racing a shot and the rest was history. I started racing a Slash in the bomber class for a few years then met AJ Marasco and got my start in off-road.

2. What is your favorite class to race in today and why?

My favorite class to race is 2wd buggy. Its always a great feeling when you are able to get a 2wd buggy set up right and turn some heaters.

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?

I would say within the past year at every event I attended many fellow racers would ask me about the drag racing scene and I would even have my car on hand to show them. I feel that RC drag racing is a branch of RC that is here to stay. Being involved in the 1:1 drag racing world, drag racing is something I enjoy, and I know I will continue to do it in between off-road racing, monster trucks and oval racing. Drag racing is unique, it attracts a wide variety of enthusiasts from the die hard RC drag racing enthusiasts, to the everyday gear head, the modeler, to even the 1:1 drag racers. With the development of the street eliminator class there is an option for every level of racer from the spec class, to the bracket class, to the pro class. Down here in Florida it is great having the Don Garlits Museum as a host track of the RCDRL and it is great exposure for the hobby and RC drag racing.

4. In your opinion, when heading to the track what is the JConcepts product that is a must have on race day and why?

Racing down here in Florida, and running a lot of the outdoor events, the one thing that is a must have every time I head to the track is my JConcepts Snap Back Hat. The summer heat can get to you so its great that JConcepts has options to keep you covered both on and off the track.

5. You are obviously highly skilled when it comes to RC cars, but what is one skill or hidden talent that folks might be surprised to find out about you?

When I am not racing, a skill that many people don’t really know that I have unless they know me closely is that I work in 3D modeling and Technical Drawing Coordination in the construction industry. I am currently in the senior year of my Construction Management at the University of Florida. I am looking forward to getting settled in my career after school and getting the opportunity to explore some racing around the country in addition to the normal Florida racing scene.