In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Alabama team driver, Trevor Michael!
1. How did you first hear about racing RC cars? And what classes did you compete in?
The first time I ever saw an RC car was in the parking lot of a K-Mart beside the local HobbyTown. My dad raced super late models growing up and his race shop was behind the K-Mart, and I heard the nitro monster trucks running and walked down there to see what was going on. In November of 2008, he had a wreck racing and had to hang up the wheel. For Christmas that year I got a Traxxas Rustler and began racing in January of 2009.
2. In your opinion, what needs to be done to make RC more “mainstream” and get more people involved?
I think that the racing side of RC catches the interest of the public, but most of the time they don’t understand what the racers do behind the scenes. I actually enjoy the maintenance side of racing as much or more than the racing part. I think if more was done to show people the engineering and technology that the manufacturers put into the cars, aside from just go fast and hit big jumps, then that will bring more people into it.
3. From your experience what is the easiest AND hardest maintenance task on your RC cars?
Hardest: CHASING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! About midway through last year I began having an overheating issue with my e buggy and throttle loss on my nitro truggy. I chased both issues for around three races simultaneously until Wicked Weekend last year.
Easiest: Keeping the cars clean. I do my best to be proactive instead of reactive, so I try to go through my cars and clean all bearings, and check everything throughout the week. The shop work makes the race day go much smoother.
4. In your opinion, when heading to the track what is the JConcepts product that is a must have on race day and why?
The two drawer hauler bag is probably my favorite product. I keep all of my new spare parts in the top drawer, and all spare engines/electronics and oils in the bottom.
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?
A good friend of mine races crate and super late models throughout the southeast, and I do a lot of his tire work. Grooving, siping, buffing, wrapping, and setting roll outs are some of the things I do every week for that. Something about cutting a fresh Hoosier is fun to me.