Jason sent over some more photos and a quick video of Ryan Maifield running his 4WD.

MustangMan Mark writes about the JConcepts officially licensed Ford Raptor bodies in his blog, check it out.

SVT’s Raptor F-150 in 1/10th Scale

Time to head off once again, I’m on the road again (in the air actually) to
the ROAR Electric nationals. I’m really looking forward to being at the
ROAR Nationals this year because I’ve missed it the past few years. We have
had representatives at the past 4 and now I’m back for 2010.

In the airport we had a meltdown by a 14 year old because she didn’t get
what she wanted at McDonalds. It didn’t appear she was struggling for food
so I don’t know the problem, but it was a scene.

Had a mother on the airplane cause a small scene because she couldn’t sit
with her kids. I completely understand but she is traveling South West and
was in boarding group C. Now she wants special treatment from us to
accommodate her? Sure, take my seat.

Oh no, we have a super cryer on this flight….eek!

My lovely wife, Allison, again dropped me off at the airport with my 2 check
bags and 2 carry-ons. Well back-pack and lap-top. Hopefully I can get some
work done.

We are racing at the same track as the ROAR fuels nationals from last year
so hopefully that can bring us some luck. Leisure Hours has elected to use
our tires in the 2wd Stock and SCT stock classes this year. Really excited
to see how things go and be apart of the race in those classes.

In the modified class we are using the Manufacturer agreement in the 3 mod
classes. Mod truck will be using JConcepts Bar Codes, 2wd mod will be
using Losi ribbed fronts and X-2000 rears and 4wd mod will be using the PL
Holeshot.

Overall this has worked well for the past 5 years and I expect it to
continue. This allows the drivers to concentrate on their vehicles and the
team managers don’t need an entire hotel room for different tire options.
The agreement takes us out of competition in 2 classes but I agree on the
simplistic method.

I’ve heard they reduced the size of the track from the Fuel Nats, but I’m
still envisioning a large track, should be nice and fast.

We have a few new items to show this weekend so as soon as I’m setup at the
track I’ll snap some photos.

To go into a sidebar conversation the sports world is crazy right now.
Tiger is a mess, LeBron’s “decision” has everybody up in arms, Shaq vs.
retirement doesn’t seem to end. Celtics? Brett Favre coming back….again.
I’m looking for more sports daggers as the weeks unfold.

Can’t wait for the NBA season to start. Picking the Lakers in the finals has
me on a high. I’m embracing the bandwagon now. I can’t go wrong with my 4
favorite teams right? With the Lakers, Celtics, Heat and Magic, I have to
be safe. Magic need a trade for Carmello Anthony or Chris Paul to really
make waves.

NBA finals, poor Kobe shooting joke -

A group of friends of mine bet me I couldn’t do 24 shots in one night on my
21st Birthday. They were right, I vomited after 6 shots. Good thing they
were all Lakers fans and still named me MVP of my birthday.

Snack time on the airplane. Oh no, McDonalds girl is going to be upset
about 100cal Nabisco cheese nips. Meltdown time, Peanuts served of course.

So now thanks to my last trip I’m addicted to American Pickers and Pawn
Stars on the history channel. I can’t get enough of these shows now…this
is tough to schedule in with 200 work hours per week plus Entourage and Hung
on HBO. 100cal cheese nips suck. Don’t get these. Meltdown!!

Is it just me or are all the HBO and Showtime shows super cliff hangers?
Vince is now on Coke, studio is unsure…etc…etc. Oh well I’ll be
watching.. I watch just for Ari, that guy is an actor!! Show = junk
without him.

Bumped into an HBO show called the Neistat Brothers which is basically about
2 guys that got HBO to buy into them filming their lives and turning it into
short movies. One episode was especially interesting where one of the
brothers challenged his mentor to a model boat building contest where they
had a course to navigate with their home-made R/C boats. This was
interesting to me because they were so into the challenge and they had
limited resources and time.

It made me think of guys like Matt M, Tim D…etc who would really get into
this type of thing. Of course Matt would bet $1000 he would win before he
even knew the challenge. Tim would undoubtably sell us on his design being
the best very early on.

I could see Matt spending 2-3 weeks on the internet getting ideas and
issuing challenges and taking a week to build. Tim would build his in a
week and use 2-3 weeks selling us on the design.

Forget about me, Paul or Brad competing. I don’t think we would finish ours
in time. I know mine would take 3 weeks + design time and 4-5 weeks build
time. It sucks being really picky and to quote someone else, sometimes you
just have to shoot the designer to finish.

Guys say to me all the time, just finish, build or get ready really quick
and come have fun. They don’t understand I’m already doing it really quick,
for me, and it’s never just for fun. . Ok, maybe Short Course is for fun.
Yeah, right! It still has a personal transponder in it.

Another thing they have on the Neistat Brothers show is a segment called, “A
Cool Thing”. I’m going to try and incorporate that into my blogs.

Bro! Who put all the whoops in the sky on the way to Illinois? This is like
Boggy Creek meets Nitro Challenge. It’s not the Southwest easy!

Sick dude sitting next to me. I’m about to have a meltdown over here.
Where is my germ fighting hand cleaner? I’m going to need a germ fighting
suit to make it through this. Should I ask him to play his game boy?

Double Dees V2 – green compound – with inserts
Part # – 3007V2-02
UPC Code – 845937004079
Retail price – $27.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggy wheels)

Double Dees V2 – green compound – white wheel (pre-mounted)
Part # – 3007V2-12
UPC Code – 845937004604
Retail price – $40.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggies)

Double Dees V2 – green compound – yellow wheel (pre-mounted)
Part # – 3007V2-22
UPC Code – 845937004611
Retail price – $40.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggies)

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 green 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 slick 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:
Green super soft compound
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)

Subcultures – green compound
Part # – 3034-02
UPC Code – 845937004062
Retail price – $27.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggy wheels)

Subcultures – green compound – white wheel (pre-mounted)
Part # – 3034-12
UPC Code – 845937004628
Retail price – 40.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggy wheels)

Subcultures – green compound – yellow wheel (pre-mounted)
Part # – 3034-22UPC Code – 845937004635
Retail price – 40.00
(Fits all 1/8th buggy wheels)

Subcultures, the new three tier design from JConcepts, are the latest in 1/8th buggy tire development. It’s a whole new world down within the tread as the Subcultures are the first 1/8th buggy tire with three-tier lug technology. The precisely spaced pyramid shaped tread provides the initial feel and control for hard packed, loose and loamy conditions while the step base give the necessary height for wet and soft conditions. At the very base of the Subcultures is a mesh of tread which provides grip at a time when most tires are left bald.

Now available in sticky super soft green compound, the Subcultures are a specialty tire that when matched to the appropriate track can provide the performance and all around tire that racers dream of.

The Subcultures are a part of the JConcepts special breed of tire, designed for maximum performance when new or used as the design allows even wear all the way down to the tire body. Subcultures in green compound while in new condition excel on hard slick surfaces that are either dry, wet or when traction is hard to come-by. Worn Subcultures on the second or third tier of lugs excel on surfaces where a groove has formed with minimal dust buildup.

Features:
Green super soft compound
Compact tire body with crisp tread and separation
Aggressive 3-tier design
Tires with inserts include Profiled (closed cell inserts)

Goose Bumps – green compound – pre-mounted Slash 2wd front
Part # – 3041-3230
UPC Code – 845937004017
Retail price – $35.00
Fits: Slash 2wd front

Goose Bumps – green compound – pre-mounted 12mm hex SCT front and rear
Part # – 3041-3240
UPC Code – 845937004024
Retail price – $35.00
Fits: Slash 2wd rear, Blitz F&R, Slash 4×4 F&R, Kyosho Ultima SC F&R, OFNA Hyper SC F&R, Jammin SCRT-10 F&R

The 4-time National Champion Goose Bumps are now available pre-mounted on Rulux wheels.

Short Course racing has progressed and JConcepts is on top of the development with the introduction of the Goose Bumps for Short Course racing. Realism has not been left out on these race tires, the Goose Bumps are completely detailed with center lug all-terrain inspired tread and side wall. The JConcepts Goose Bumps tires are just what the doctor ordered; combining a totally unique step pin and bar lug design with sticky green compound to allow even greater control on off-road surfaces.

The Goose Bumps are a special breed, designed for maximum performance when new or used as the design allows even wear all the way down to the tire body. Once the driver wears through the initial pin, a bar follows to maximize potential on aggressive surfaces. The Goose Bumps incorporate a compact tire body with a crisp tread pattern with precise separation for intense short course racing competition.

Goose Bumps in new condition excel on soft surfaces with either dry or wet conditions. Worn Goose Bumps excel on indoor or outdoor clay tracks where a slight groove has formed.

Features:
Race inspired tread design with all-terrain inspiration
Available in sticky Green compound
Compact tire body with crisp tread and precise separation
Aggressive step pin and bar lug combination design
Includes foam inserts

Double Dees – orange compound (fits SCT 3.0″ x 2.2″ wheel)
Part # – 3043-04
UPC Code – 845937004239
Retail price – $24.00
(Fits 2.2” x 3.0” SCT wheel)

The JConcepts Double Dees tire in Orange compound is perfect for a variety of track surfaces and in particular black groove abrasive tracks. On super hot abrasive tracks, wear and stability is always the trade off when going to a small pin tire and with the Double Dees for Short Course, these worries have been minimized. 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 abrasive specific compounds like orange allow the flexibility necessary to compete on even the most demanding surfaces for an extended period of time.

Available in Orange compound the Double Dees for Short Course are a specialty tire that when matched to the appropriate track can provide the performance that racers dream of. Additionally, the Double Dees include precisely molded Force-1 inserts which fill and proportion the tire specifically between tire and wheel dimensions.

Double Dees in orange compound excel on outdoor hard packed surfaces with dry conditions that have taken rubber and turned abrasive. 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 Soft (groove conditions) Orange compound
Compact tire body with crisp tread and separation
Aggressive square Double Dee lug technology
Includes molded Force-1 insert

Event: Wiregrass Indoor Nationals
Date: August 6-8, 2010
Location: Indoor Arena – Ozark, Alabama
Race Reporter: JConcepts Racing Team

Barry Pettit and Dan Borkowicz Punish the competition with JConcepts at 2nd annual Wiregrass Nationals.

This past weekend the annual Wiregrass Nationals were held in Ozark, Alabama. The temperature was hot but the heavy showers on Friday and Saturday provided some temporary relief from the heat. The metal roof over the track protected the track from the elements, but there was no protecting the surface from the thrashing of the cars and trucks throughout the day.

The packed surface quickly gave way to the underlying sandy base providing some true off road racing with major dips, craters, and ruts. Drivers picked their racing lines carefully and were prepared to change as the race progressed. The Wiregrass crew with race announcer Carlton Eppes did a fantastic job of running the show and everything ran smoothly and timely.
Read the rest of this entry »

This was the first time that I used the new Punisher body for the Mugen MBX 6 buggy. I really liked the aggressive yet controllable steering. I have used the Punisher body for my Mugen MBX 6T all year with amazing results. Three TQs and Three first place finishes in the Great Lakes Division of the R.C. Pro Series open truggy speaks for itself.

For the last race in the series I practiced and qualified on big pin tires but had two switch to small pin tires for the thirty minute mains. I ran JConcepts Sevens for the truggy main and Double Dees V2 on the buggy, both in blue compound.

I ended the season as the regional champion in both open truggy and open buggy.

JConcepts Team driver Andy Castellini captures the Electric 1/8th Buggy “TQ “ and also the Nitro Truggy “TQ”. He then backed up his TQ runs by winning both the 1/8th Electric and Nitro Truggy “A” Mains. All the action was at Hobby Hut Raceway located in Audubon, Pa, as they hosted Round Five of the Roar Region 2 1/8th Pro-Series Races.

Andy’s RC8e was equipped with the JConcepts Subcultures. The Subcultures provided excellent traction on a multi-surface track that was worn down from a half season of racing and some hard weather. The ruts were flipping the buggies all day, but the blue/yellow compound combination was just right for the 10 Minute main!

The RC8T Truggy was on rails all day. The 30 Minute main was not an easy win as the number two qualifier and track local jumped out on a quick start for the lead. Andy stayed with him and took over about half way through and never gave it back. The RC8T was glued to the roughed up track and the grip was provided by JConcepts yellow Cross Hairs all the way around. They handled the ruts without grabbing and had plenty of bite for traction.