In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Australia team driver, Jarod Ment!
1. How did you first hear about racing RC cars? And what classes did you compete in?
My dad was really into racing well before my time so it was a natural progression for me to want to get involved. Initially I started with the short course truck classes and then quickly progressed to running 2wd stock buggy and more.
2. In your region you do quite a bit of racing on outside off-road dirt surfaces. It seems like today’s 1/10 electric car designs and more geared towards higher grip indoor dirt or carpet/turf surfaces. Why do you think this is and how have you adjusted to the current vehicles to stay competitive on those outdoor tracks?
It’s pretty much a given that the biggest markets are in the US and Europe so it makes perfect sense that designs are tailored for high bite indoor and carpet surfaces. However, in so many other parts of the world, we’re still running on outdoor loose dirt surfaces, so it’s a constant setup challenge to find mechanical grip from a car that’s designed for a higher grip surface. JConcepts helps by continuing to innovate in the space of both tyres, bodies and accessories often bridging the gap of the missing mechanical grip.
3. Stock or 17.5 2wd Buggy is the biggest class in off-road electric racing currently. Why do you think this is and do you see these as a problem moving forward with the racing industry?
I find it amusing that stock is the biggest class, since extracting the most from a stock car often involves more spending! In mod if you want more power you can just dial it in with software, whereas in stock you really have to have the best equipment to be at the top end of racing. I don’t see it as a problem really, I just see it as a cycle; sometimes mod has the numbers, sometimes stock does.
4. In your opinion, when heading to the track what is the JConcepts product that is a must have on race day and why?
There’s so many really, bags, bodies, tyres you name it. If I had to pick just one it’d probably be a P2 body. The additional side bite generated can make all the difference at the top level.
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?
I’m pretty handy as a field hockey player, I’ve made state and national squads, but sadly a back injury a couple of years ago put top level hockey on pause. Now it’s just for fitness really.