In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Indiana team driver, Ilan Sanderson!
1. Let’s get a little background on your start to RC racing. Were you introduced to it by a friend, family member, or maybe read about or watched something on social media?
I started racing carpet oval when I was four years old with my dad. Not long after I got a Team Associated T4 to start running dirt off-road with. As time passed, we got more and more involved in RC Racing and got 2wd buggies and eventually 1/8 Electric Buggies to race 1/8 off-road. In recent years I’ve also tried out dirt oval and carpet off-road racing.
2. When it comes to racing for hardware, which format do you prefer? A three day event that takes up the entire weekend, or a smaller series race that might only be Friday and Saturday?
When it comes to trophy races and points races, I’ve always enjoyed the two day format with practice on Friday and racing on Saturday. It gives you plenty of time to get your cars set up before racing, and to hang out with friends while still giving you Sunday to get packed up and make the trip home.
3. What class do you prefer to compete in today, and why?
My favorite class is definitely 1/8 Nitro Buggy. It comes with a lot more stress and maintenance compared to Electric Buggy, but when everything goes according to plan it just makes a win so much more rewarding. The competition is always so close. Between pit stops and battles on the track there’s non-stop action, not to mention the sound of a perfectly tuned nitro engine.
4. Name one JConcepts product that you feel is overlooked by many but you find it very useful.
One product I find very useful is the JConcepts Aluminum Ride Height Gauge. The billet aluminum looks really nice and it makes checking and setting ride height a breeze.
5. Name one thing people might be surprised to learn about you.
One thing people might be surprised to learn about me is that I’ve been RC racing for 12 years, and racing 1/8 for eight years.