In this edition of the JConcepts Friday5 we talk to Nebraska team driver, Mitchell Pavel!
1. Ok we have to ask everyone this in our interviews, how did you get your start in RC racing?
I found an old Traxxas Rustler when I was younger, somewhere around the house. I pulled it out and asked my dad what it was. Later that day, I remember driving it in the yard, and it took off as in a runaway. The car hit a tree and flipped over. My dad said it was broken and didn’t run right. So, sometime over the next few days we went to HobbyTown HobbyPlex in Omaha to check out what they had. It was my first time seeing an RC shop, and I was in shock! I ended up picking out a 1/10 scale Losi RTR Desert Truck, and I think my brother got a Traxxas Nitro Rustler. From there, our collection kept growing!
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?
I think the majority of tracks will be carpet or turf in the future. This surface makes it easier for new tracks to open as there’s less need to worry about special regulations and other aspects of the business that come with a dirt track. This helps make these types of tracks easier to open (I assume). However, I fully believe we will still have dirt tracks and it will likely go in waves over the years.
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?
If there’s a race I wanted to go to but missed out on I often check the results on LiveRC, as well as any type of livestream if available. I also enjoy bashing, so if I get the chance I like to at least drive some cars around the house. For videos, I often watch older racing footage from my home track the HobbyTown HobbyPlex.
4. Name one JConcepts product that you feel is overlooked by many but you find it very useful.
Satellite Tire Rubber Bands. I really like the design, ease of use, appearance and controllability along the tire.
5. Obviously you are into RC racing but what other activities do you find enjoyment with?
My other big passions are photography, videography and machining. I really enjoy taking pictures at racing events such as NASCAR and IndyCar. As for machining, I like making custom things I design whether for RC or outside of RC.
