In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Iowa team driver, David Peavler!
1. When you first got into RC racing, what pro driver did you look up to and why? Or maybe there was a local/regional driver that you followed?
It was around 1986 when I got my first car. It was a Radio Shack Golden Arrow. I was playing with it out in the street and a man drove by and saw me. He told me I should check out a track he made at his house. I went there and he had a Team Associated RC10. He let me drive it on the track and I was instantly hooked so I saved my money to buy my own.
Photo credit: WorthPoint
For pro drivers I would say Brian Kinwald was the driver I idolized back then. We didn’t have social media, all we had was Radio Control Car Action magazine and he was in it a lot.
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 think tracks that get to run slicks have maybe a little more time and money invested into them. A slick tire track has to be properly watered and blown off frequently. Some tracks don’t have the option to blow the track off after every run.
3. If you have been racing for a while now you have probably glued up 100s of tires. So what gluing tips do you have for beginning racers?
Use your heat gun to remove releasing compound off of the tire. Make sure your foam is all the way inside of the tire, and not on the surface you are gluing. Most importantly, double check the direction of your tire before gluing. I like to double-check and put all the tires on rims to make sure it is all correct before gluing any of them.
4. Name one JConcepts product that you feel is overlooked by many but you find it very useful. It could be a tool, tread pattern, wing, etc.
The most overlooked tool that everyone needs to use frequently would be the JConcepts Fin turnbuckle wrench. It’s always a good idea to check your camber after taking a hard hit or making a crash.
5. Name one thing people might be surprised to know about you.
I enjoy riding my Harley and spending time with my family. I also do a little target shooting.