In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Michigan team driver, Chris Rothwell!
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?
I always looked up to Jason Jakubczyk aka Boatman. I started racing in Kalamazoo, MI at RnL Hobbies and he was the fastest guy there with the coolest paint schemes. He would kick my butt every weekend.
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 prefer slicks over a ghost tread. I grew up racing on slicks. We had to use a dremel to make a set of slicks. Today the cars are designed for high traction and the majority of tracks are clay. It’s the direction the hobby has gone in.
3. From your experience what is the easiest AND hardest maintenance task on your RC cars?
Maintenance is a huge part of being fast. The more you put into your cars the more you will get out of them. The easiest task is cleaning tires. It’s pretty easy to clean a set of slicks. The hardest would be a toss up between rebuilding diffs and shocks. I have OCD when it comes to both.
4. To date what is your favorite JConcepts product of all time and why?
My favorite JC product would be the Combo Thumb Wrench. I always have one in my pocket when I hit the track.
5. Besides RC cars, what other hobbies are you into?
My other hobby is riding motorcycles. I grew up racing dirt bikes. Currently I have a 2021 Harley Street Glide.