Friday5 With Team Driver Jaxen Anderson

In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Texas team driver, Jaxen Anderson!

1. How did you get started in RC? Was it racing right away, or did you bash vehicles before you found out about the RC race scene?

I always had the urge to go out and race from my grandpa Jack racing full scale cars in dirt oval. I eventually got a RC car when I was 11 years old from the HobbyTown USA HobbyPlex, but I never thought to race thinking I wasn’t ready to. In high school one of my classmate’s parents told me to go out on the Family Fridays and race with them in the PlexSpec at the HobbyPlex. After that I just killed it in the beginner class and moved up to a 2wd stock buggy selling my Xbox to get a used one. I got it ready to go racing and sat next to Will Brinton not knowing anyone, and he has helped me since and has been a great mentor on the track and off the track as I went through high school and college.

2. If you had to guess where the 1/10 off-road electric scene is ten years from now, would you expect to see more dirt, carpet, or turf tracks and why?

If I were to guess where 1/10 off-road electric would be going more it would be strong into the carpet scene from the track maintenance being easier to get done, and being lower maintenance. I hope it stays on the dirt side as I enjoy the feel of racing on dirt, from the semi-looser feel and being able to through the car hard into corners without huge consequences of breaking from landing wrong or hitting the less forgiving lane borders on carpet.

3. As a new driver for JConcepts in 2023, what do you feel you bring to the team and what are some of your racing goals?

As a new driver for JConcepts I feel like I bring to the team someone a teammate or customer can walk up to and ask anything. I can give my honest opinion and what I’m not sure about, and also coming up with ideas on what changes to do to the car that most might not think of doing or trying. My big goals for this year, and in the future, is to travel to more national level races for both 1/10 and 1/8, and to expose myself to other experienced drivers to learn from and grow.

4. Which JConcepts product is your favorite to date, and why?

My favorite JConcepts product is the Gold compound Ellipse tire since that is the most used tire at my former home track the HobbyTown USA HobbyPlex. It is what I have always used since I started racing in the competitive scene of RC.

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 think my hidden talent is I’m able to adapt to a new track layout quickly, which is very important when it comes to events with a layout change and you can get ahead of the game.