In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Iowa team driver, Brandon Kearney!
1. Ok let’s start with how you got first involved in RC. Did you pick it up from someone, stumbled across a local track, etc.?
My father purchased a HPI Savage for me back in 2004. We ran nitro monster truck at our local dirt track in Fort Dodge. Around this time our local track had an ownership change resulting in the new owners holding weekly club racing on Wednesday nights. My parents and I had an agreement that if I had all my homework completed for the day, my dad and I would be able to go watch the racing and eat a frozen pizza from the track’s concession stand. It only took a few weeks before we started to race at Fort Dodge RC Off-Road Raceway. During this time the indoor dirt track was a popular spot to escape the winter months. We also were fortunate to have an outdoor dirt track located at our fairgrounds to enjoy once the weather warmed up.
2. For 2024 what races, series, or other RC related event are you looking forward to attending and why?
In the more recent years of RC racing, I have transitioned my focus to dirt racing as opposed to carpet. In 2024, I plan on competing in the 1/8 Tekno Winter Series, the Team Associated Summer Series, and INS14 race at the Hobbytown Hobbyplex in Omaha, NE. I will also plan to attend a few races at Fastlane Raceway in Blue Springs, MO. These events include their annual JConcepts Winter Indoor Shootout & Invitational race. Also for 2024, I plan to participate in more outdoor 1/10 racing at Hobby Haven located in Urbandale, IA. I would also like to attend some 1/8 events over the summer. I look forward to every race I attend as an opportunity to catch up with friends and visit new venues. Besides the awesome racing, some of my best memories and friendships have come from RC racing.
3. When life interferes and you can’t get out to the track, what other activities do you dabble with to meet your RC fix?
I find it calming to wrench on my cars in my free time. It allows me to disconnect from the present time. Also I like to race on VRC. I’m thankful for the technology advancements to live stream RC events from around the globe to watch. My family and I will watch from home.
4. Which JConcepts product is your favorite to date, and why?
The JConcepts body line are my favorite products. OK Paintz was founded after our daughters, in a way to give back to the RC community. I enjoy the opportunity to paint RC bodies for local racers. The variety of bodies that JConcepts manufactures allows for an extra competitive advantage to tune our cars to the track conditions.
5. Obviously you are into RC racing but what other activities do you find enjoyment with?
When I’m not at the track racing, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, bowling, and cruising in the UTV.