We are off once again on another trip and this time to the Cactus. I missed last year when Maifield won the 2wd and truck classes as Jon Faulkner attended the race and had so much success with Mans.

Zack Genova and I are once again representing JConcepts and Florida at this monster annual event. We are debuting a few new products this year and I’ll have more on that later on in the week. Right now we are drifting over some mountains from Denver to AZ. I’m looking forward to seeing our JC drivers and close friends as we hope for the best against the best of the best. Zack is going to be racing and running in the 2wd and truck super stock classes. I didn’t bring any of my race equipment but I might be tempted to ship it in if things are looking under control. We might have to make an In and Out run as soon as we arrive in Scottsdale.

Paul and I just came back from the 5th round of the FSORS series at B&B hobbies so I’m a little beat after a busy weekend, but the show must go on…. We had a pretty good weekend with JR Mitch winning in 1/8th buggy and truck. I was able to recover from a slow start to finish 3rd in buggy. The competition is definately top notch on the FSORS so if you are looking for some east coast action I highly recommend it. My RC8b was running awesome as Jon and Paul had it tuned to perfection. Nothing fell off and the engine was running well. Paul and I leaned the bottom of the Reedy about 3 turns on the bench and it was money. What else could I ask for? We had a new release last week with the Double Dee V2 coming out. I pulled out a set of premounts and ran them all weekend including the 30 minute main. Nice result! JR ran the same DDV2 tire in buggy along with Sevens on the truggy. Have you ever seen JR drive a truggy? It makes me want to drive one. I’m going to try and run truggy soon just to strap it up a little and see what happens.

Well, I watched a movie on the flight for the first time in a while. From FL to Denver they featured “In the Air”
Featuring George Clooney. What’s in your back pack? Denver to AZ movie / show looks to be a nature show featuring bears. Ask me anything about bears next time you see me. I will fill you in on the details.
Da Bears!

Paul and the rest of the JC crew will be prepping this week for the Super Cup at Rotonda West. I’m sorry I’m missing this race, I heard great things from P-Dub. Last I saw, people were getting signed up early which is great. Please continue.

I learned last night that one of my friends no longer watches professional sports. It will be interesting to see what he’ll be doing while Tiger is playing the Masters next month. Who’s not at least going to check in on the status of that once?

Perhaps what we need in R/C is a great comeback story. We just have to determine how long you have to be out for it to be considered a comeback. I would say a year or more off would be considered a comeback. Guys off the top of my head that I think could make comebacks… Scott Hughes, Barry Baker, Masami Hirosaka, Maifield, Cavalieri, Tebo, Collari, Hara, Reinard… Masami has been out about a year now, if he’s here this weekend maybe I can convince him to come out of retirement for the next off-road worlds. That would be a good story.

-Jason-

For Immediate release –

Two of the most popular JConcepts bodies now fit the new Kyosho Ultima SC truck. The Dare and Manta bodies have been turning heads at the race track while winning races around the world. Now, drivers piloting the Ultima SC can enjoy the same benefits, with the added luxury of these additional styling options.

These existing bodies are a direct drop on fit for the all new Kyosho Ultima SC.

Illuzion – Slash, Slash 4×4, SC10 and Ultima SC – Manta body
Part # – 0064
UPC Code – 845937003720
Retail price – $42.00
(Fits Traxxas Slash, Slash 4×4, SC10 and Ultima SC)

Illuzion – Dare – Slash, Slash 4×4 and Ultima SC body
Part # – 0086
UPC Code – 845937003065
Retail price – $40.00
(Fits Traxxas Slash, Slash 4×4 and Ultima SC)

Manta description –

The Manta begins with the latest in short course truck detail by incorporating the latest treatment from JConcepts in grill and headlight design with a racing influenced front bumper. Front and rear fender flares provide the clearance necessary to run an assortment of short course tires including the 4-time National Champion Goose Bumps.

Extended cab design with recessed side windows, louvers along the front hood area highlight a number of the front-end styling cues. Short course inspired bed area with incredible detail finish off this extraordinary, tough design.

In addition, JConcepts has included an optional rear spoiler which gives the ability to alter the look and function of the Manta by simply adding or removing the rear spoiler. Maintaining that exclusive performance and feel is critical to a vehicles performance, JConcepts is world proven innovation and design.

Features:

JConcepts – short course styling
Scale inspired body, cab and window design
Includes add-on rear spoiler for optional look and function
Aggressive headlight and grill treatment with racing influenced front bumper
Front and rear fender flares for maximum clearance
Extended cab with recessed windows
Clear heavy-duty polycarbonate with protective film
Window masks and detailed decal sheet

Dare description –

The Dare is different and specifically designed for the hottest trucks in R/C. As the saying goes, if it looks good, than it runs good. JConcepts has taken that saying to higher ground with the Dare body. Starting with the visor and grill mock lights this truck appears to be headed in the right direction. The Dare represents the latest in trends by offering a completely redesigned off-road truck body. The cab, bed and fenders are all areas of focus on the Dare and without disappointment the new body slides into the front of the pack. In addition, one of the highlights of the styling cues includes extra fender clearance to eliminate troublesome tire rubbing issues.

Everyone knows that Short Course is all about fun and the inevitable Dare from the competition. Be the first, top off your Short Course with the new body by JConcepts, I dare you.

Features:

Original JConcepts – Dare desert based styling
Off-road inspired body, cab and window design
Clear heavy-duty polycarbonate with protective film
Window masks and detailed decal sheet
Extra wheel well clearance for more consistent performance

Kyosho America Team Manager Joe Pillars was on hand to help the Team and would also compete in the Pro 2 Class. This would be the debut race for the NEW Kyosho Ultima SC. The race format consisted of 3 7-minute qualifiers and took the drivers 2 best finishes for points. Pillars TQ’ed the last round of qualifying, laying down the fastest run of the weekend. Qualifying was very close and JP would start 3rd on the grid, missing the overall TQ by 1 point.

The Pro 2 SC A-Main would be set for 10-minutes. At the start of the main event Pillars quickly made his way up to the 2nd position. At the halfway point of the race, Pillars started to close the gap with the leader. With 3-minutes remaining in the race, Pillars made a pass for the lead and would never look back. Pillars went ahead to take the win by over 16 seconds to take the Silver State Pro 2 SC Championship with his Kyosho Ultima SC.

Pillars ran the JConcepts SC Goosebumps

Kyosho Team Manager  Joe Pillars competed in the Modified SC Class. He started racing the series with a different manufacturers short course truck to do some testing since the Kyosho Ultima SC was not yet available. Pillars went on to win the first 3 races of the series. He then was forced to miss the next 2 rounds because he attended the CRCRC Winter Mid-West Champs in Columbus, OH and The Dirt Nitro Challenge in Phoenix, AZ. With both of his throwouts already used, the Rockstar Modified Short Course Championship would come down to the final race.

Pillars went on to TQ the first round of qualifying with his brand new Kyosho Ultima SC. Newly discovered young talent and Kyosho’s newest Team Driver Andy DiBrino went on to TQ the second round of qualifying over Pillars by less than 1 second to take the overall TQ with his Kyosho Ultima SC. Pillars and DiBrino battled back and forth for the first 3 minutes of the 6 minute A-Main. When the checkered flag waved, it was Joe Pillars crossing the finish line first and taking home the Championship. DiBrino finished a very impressive 2nd and finished 2nd overall for the series. Ike Reed finished in the 3rd spot.

Both Pillars and Dibrino raced the entire series using JConcepts Goosebumps in the Green Compound.

1. Joe Pillars Kyosho Ultima SC
2. Andy DiBrino Kyosho Ultima SC
3. Ike Reed Associated SC10

For Immediate release –

The JConcepts Double Dees V2 tire is perfect for a variety of track surfaces. Wear is always the trade off when going to a small pin tire and with the Double Dees V2, these worries are a thing of the past. Running qualifiers and main events on the same high performance tire is now possible. The Double Dees design is a world leading tire combination right out of the package, the unique technology combined with the sticky yellow and blue compound allow the flexibility necessary to compete on even the most demanding surfaces for an extended period of time.

Tires including inserts will be treated to the latest generation in Profiled (closed cell) insert design. Unique materials, bright blue color and revolved relief provide extra full support and stability.

The roots of the V2 design came after extensive research and development which called for a longer lasting and supremely stable variation of the original Double Dees design. Several inclusions to the design include, extra depth and height tread with extended center bar coverage for additional forward traction. If you are looking for the ultimate 1/8th buggy performance tire the Double Dees V2 is it.

Double Dees excel on indoor and outdoor hard packed surfaces with either dry or wet conditions. Drivers will feel the immediate impact of the exclusive design and proprietary rubber compound as they rip around the track at blistering speeds.

Features:
Available in sticky Yellow and Blue medium and soft compounds
Compact tire body with crisp tread and separation
Aggressive square Double Dee lug technology
Available with and without inserts
Tires with inserts include Profiled (closed cell inserts)

Double Dees V2 – yellow compound – tire only
Part # – 3007V2-000
UPC Code – 845937003850
Retail price – $20.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggy wheels)

Double Dees V2 – yellow compound
Part # – 3007V2-00
UPC Code – 845937003836
Retail price – $24.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggy wheels)

Double Dees V2 – blue compound – tire only
Part # – 3007V2-001
UPC Code – 845937003867
Retail price – $22.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggy wheels)

Double Dees V2 – blue compound
Part # – 3007V2-01
UPC Code – 845937003843
Retail price – $26.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggy wheels)

Double Dees V2 – blue compound – white wheel – (pre-mounted)
Part # – 3007V2-11
UPC Code – 845937003997
Retail price – $40.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggies)

Double Dees V2 – blue compound – yellow wheel – (pre-mounted)
Part # – 3007V2-21
UPC Code – 845937004000
Retail price – $40.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggies)

The JConcepts team was out in full force at the 2010 Nitro Challenge in Surprise, Arizona. Ryan Maifield led the JC field with a 3rd place in the 1/8th truck class. Ryan’s weekend started off rough after some problems placed him in the B-Final in the truggy class but after re-grouping he bumped into the A-main. During the A-Final Ryan drove his RC8T-CE into contention challenging for the 1st and 2nd place position on many occasions before settling for a podium and 3rd place. Ryan’s truck was decked out with the latest in JConcepts gear including the Punisher body and Sevens tires.

Congratulations to the JConcepts Team on another successful outing at the Nitro Challenge.

Agustí Saltó wins at the Spanish Nationals in Montjuich (Barcelona), with JConcepts Bar Codes in Blue compound. The racing was very difficult, the second place Carlos Pineda was very fast. Agustí was very happy with his victory and pleased how his JConcepts tires performed.

Final Result

1-Agustí Saltó (Yokomo B-max-Lrp-Muchmore Cells)
2-Carlos Pineda (Asso B44-Orion-Orion Cells)
2-David Bustos (Durango-Orion-Orion Cells)

Ryan Maifield, one of the hottest young drivers in R/C, spent some time with the cameras to share some fundamental insight on track, vehicle and driving preparation.  Learn from one of the world’s fastest drivers, in Part 1 of 2 a day is spent with Ryan analyzing a new track, preparing for that first run while looking ahead toward qualifying and main events.

Fundamental aspects which drive your racing program can determine the wins and losses.  Ryan is a championship winning driving that began racing as a youngster at 7 years old.   Ryan cautions that a racing program is an evolving process and there is always room for improvement however, some of the habitual preparation that goes into racing at the highest level should not be overlooked.

Stay tuned for part 2 as well more detailed and expert level knowledge in the future.