Friday5 With Team Driver Tony Corless

In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Washington team driver, Tony Corless!

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

I had a friend when I was maybe nine or so, who had a gold chassis RC10 converted to a stadium truck. We were at a tabletop jump where we would jump with our BMX bikes, and he was jumping it and downsiding it perfectly, hitting the brakes in the air and everything! I eventually got an RC10 team car so we could run together, and raced it at the Washington County fairgrounds in Hillsboro, OR. That led to a string of 90’s classics for me: RC10T, Losi JRX-Pro SE, XX, etc. I liked it because it was the closest thing I could do to racing motocross, but I didn’t have to beg my parents to be at the track all day! They could just drop me off in the morning and pick me up at night.

2. In your opinion, what classes have you noticed that seem to be in a decline? And how would you try to resolve this so there is more participation?

I was the off-road race director for Nora Skagit River raceway in Burlington, WA for five years from 2017-2021, and we have a nice outdoor dirt off-road track located in a public park. Surprisingly we had decent 1/10 turnouts through most of that time, but especially the last two seasons it has dropped off quite a bit. On the flip side there is a very strong 1/10 carpet program in the Seattle area with Die Hard RC. I think the current cars just work better on the high grip surface. With 1/10 being an easier way to get into the hobby, the result is there have been high Novice entries for the carpet racing and not so much for dirt off-road. So I don’t know that there is a solution to bring back dirt off-road 1/10, but I think what would help is having a decent introductory class with a car that works well on a 1/8 dirt off-road track. Perhaps a 1/8 E buggy class with the speed toned down and an easy, economic way for someone to get everything they need to start racing?

3. What is one tip you have for new drivers getting into RC racing that you would like to share? 

I’ve traveled to races with people that were all worried about what other people think of them, and I would say just focus on having fun running your car(s) on the tracks your area has to offer. Enjoy the travel and make the most of the time between your runs. Don’t worry about what others think, just do you and you’ll surely find some cool people to share the race day with!

4. To date what is your favorite JConcepts product of all time and why?

The BJ4 because of how impressive it was for Jason to pull that off with the resources he had available at the time, and the confidence he had in himself to take the risk.

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 love to barbecue! I have both a pellet smoker and a wood burning offset smoker, and I’d say my barbecue off either one is better than you can get at any restaurant around here!