JConcepts

JConcepts is a Florida-based R/C design and manufacturing company.  Owner and president, Jason Ruona, has been involved with Radio Control cars since the 1980’s. Early beginnings include building and driving such vehicles as the Tamiya Clod Buster, the Team Losi JRX-T and Associated RC10 and RC10T.  The 1990’s were spent as a Team Associated travel team driver racing at events all around the world. Now, decades later, Ruona is proudly selling quality bodies, tires, wheels and accessories to R/C racers around the world.

Ruona debuted the first body in the Illuzion line of race bodies at the 2003 IFMAR World Championship in Clearwater, FL, and placed in the A-Main with his RC10B4 fitted with an Illuzion body. Also in 2003, Ruona and Brad Reelfs designed and built the BJ4, the company’s first 4 wheel drive electric car for the IFMAR World Championship in Clearwater.  Ruona finished 13th overall in 4wd with this new car.

Initially, intended only as a prototype for the World Championships the BJ4 was never intended as a production car. However, as hype surrounding this prototype developed, it became apparent that the BJ4 had to become a production reality. A preorder list was created on the JConcepts website and the anticipation began.

In July of 2004, JConcepts released a small production run of BJ4 kits to customers waiting on the preorder list.  Receiving their kits just a few weeks before the event, Rod Rippee and Chris Baumgartner placed 1st and 3rd respectively in the 4wd stock class giving JConcepts their first ROAR National Championship.

Early 2005 was a remarkable time for JConcepts. Ryan Maifield, driving the original BJ4, TQ’d and won the prestigious Cactus Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Maifield also TQ’d the ROAR Modified Nationals in Enfield, Connecticut.  Jared Tebo continued to rack up victories with the Illuzion bodies at races such as the Dirt Nitro Challenge, Silver State Nitro Challenge, Cactus Classic and ROAR Modified Nationals.

Just as the original BJ4 was hitting its stride, the IFMAR World Championships was approaching once again. Prior to the event, a successor to the original BJ4 hit the drawing board. Utilizing a warm-up trip to Italy to confirm suspicions, the BJ4 Worlds Edition started to take shape.