In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Colorado team driver, Zeke Ballinger!
1. When did you get your start in RC racing? Did you bash cars at first or jumped right into the racing scene?
I started about 12 years ago. I was talked into getting an HPI Savage X by a friend, shortly after I discovered Colorado Fast Track home of the 2010 Fuel Nats and the rest is history.
2. This year you joined JConcepts as a new team driver. What are some of your racing goals for this year and what do you think you can bring or add to the team in 2024?
At the end of 2022 and 2023 I was really having a hard time enjoying RC at the same level I was over the previous 10 years. Late in 2023 I really put an emphasis on enjoying racing and for me racing three different genres has really helped. 1/8 and 1/10 off-road, with a little bit of on-road has kept racing fresh and interesting for me. My goal moving forward is to not lose sight that this is a hobby first and to have fun. I spent eight years at Pro-Line, and four at TLR, and was always known as someone who could give good feedback and help fellow teammates, so I hope I can do more of that with JConcepts!
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 think it’s a multipart answer and I feel uniquely qualified to answer this question as I have raced the biggest races in the world in Modified and Stock both as a racer and a national team manager. For myself, I truly enjoy driving a Stock car more than modified. I have been to many races where the top 1% of the industry can’t do a difficult jump section that is only possible with the modified power, and to be competitive you HAVE to jump it. But, it really takes away from the actual racing. Racing Stock has really eliminated this as something I have to deal with. Also, there’s the tinkering side of it. I enjoy building a better car with a better motor, etc. than the guy next to me. I really don’t see any problem with Stock being the biggest class. There’s a reason it’s the largest class as I think for the majority of racers it’s easier, the racing is closer, and tire wear / cost is usually substantially less in my experiences.
4. JConcepts is well known for its tires and bodies, but in your opinion what tool or accessory is a must have on race day that other drivers might overlook?
This is a tough one, but I think if you are running 1/10 off-road the Tire Break-In Drill Adaptor Kit is something overlooked, but when you finally get one the task of sanding tires becomes a lot less of a pain.
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?
Before RC I played hockey at a club level in high school as a goaltender, and I still follow the game extremely closely.