In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to California team driver, Michael Letcher!
1. How did you discover RC car racing? Was it early in life, later on as an adult, etc?
I received my first RC monster truck on Christmas morning when I was 9 years old. I got the RadioShack Samson monster truck, and my brother got the Monster Patrol, which were ironically our favorite monster trucks at the time. We would race each other in the backyard. Ever since then I was hooked on RC.
2. RC Monster Truck racing has really grown in popularity over the past few years. In your opinion why has this class grown so much?
I believe since more RC companies are backing the solid axle monster truck community by putting more products out that are both scale, as well as perform very well, and that gives racers and hobbyists alike a broad variety to create the RC monster truck of their dreams.
3. As an experienced racer you have probably glued up hundreds of tires for your race program. What tips can you give to make this process easier for a new racer?
My tips for gluing some monster truck tires would be to take your time gluing your tires. Make sure your wheels and tires are clean, make sure the treads are facing the correct direction before gluing, and don’t be shy to apply a generous amount of JConcepts Medium Advanced Formulated Tire Glue through the straw onto the wheel while lifting the tire bead of the tire.
4. Name one JConcepts product that you feel is overlooked by many but you find it very useful.
The behind the axle steering kit for the JConcepts Regulator. I did not know how bad I needed this till I finally added it to one of my retro monster trucks. Now my steering radius has improved greatly, and the tips that are on the JConcepts installation video helped out tremendously!
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?
Something that not a lot of people know about me is that I had played violin in an orchestra that placed in competitions. Music is something I can’t do without.