Talk-It-Up Tuesday with JQ Products Joseph Quagraine

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LiveRC: Welcome JQ to this edition of "Talk-It-Up Tuesday!" Let's start off talking about how you got started in R/C. When, where, and how did it all begin?
 
JQ: I went to a hobby show, saw a race, and was hooked. It was the next best thing to motocross which I wasn't allowed to do, due to my facist parents.
 
LiveRC: At what point did you realize you wanted to make a career out of remote control car racing?
 
JQ: When I first started.
 
LiveRC: There are a lot of people who say they want and/or could build the ultimate race car, but you are one of the few who have actually stepped out and done it. Tell us a little about how the idea for THECar(s) came about.

JQ: Yes there are, that is because talking is easy but doing is not, and most people prefer to talk. I prefer to do both HAHA. The idea came about from the fact that a friend of mine showed up to the track with self made prototype parts. Turned out he worked for a prototyping company, and was able to make parts directly from CAD drawings there. I asked if he could make some parts for me, and he said yes. That's how it started.
 
 
 
LiveRC: What are some of the major things people don't realize goes into building a successful race car?
 
JQ: Over the past few years I have realized that most people don't realize about 90% of what goes into building a successful racecar, but they think they know it all :-). It is tough to deal with, but I can also think of much worse things to deal with so it's ok! The main things people don't understand relate to the time it takes to make new parts, the fact that you have to plan well in advance, and time things, you can't release a car, and then immediately release a new one for example, or you can't release a new car in July for example, if you expect to sell any. And finally just the simple fact of production cost and how it determines if you can or can't do something at times.
 
LiveRC: You are now living in THEMansion surrounded by THEGirls and THEMoney correct?
 
JQ: Yes that's right. That's exactly why I got into the R/C business, the incredible amounts of money and girls available. Honestly though, it reminds me of a quote I read: ”Some people choose to live like most people won't, so that they can spend the rest of their life living like most people can't.” I hope that quote will turn out to be true for me. Yes maybe it looks super on social media but it is not that simple.
 
 
LiveRC: What are you most proud of when it comes to your company, JQ Products?

JQ: That it still exists.

LiveRC: Let's talk a bit about the Reedy Race. Last year you entered the 4wd class with a mysterious creature of a machine. What are you going to be running this year?

JQ: Mysterious Creature 3.5. Development of it ended after the Reedy Race last year, and I started working on it again about 2 months ago, in preperation for this years Reedy Race. This time I hope it will make it through the whole race in good condition. Last year was a bit of a struggle!
 
 
LiveRC: Is this prototype intended for mass production in the near future?

JQ: My unofficial goal is 2015 Worlds.

LiveRC: Can you take the body off so we can see it?

JQ: No :-P
 
LiveRC: Are you going to be the only one running this car at the Reedy Race?

JQ: Yes it is hard enough just building one car.

LiveRC: What are some of your major goals for 2014 as a racer, and as a business owner?

JQ: Personally I would like to make the podium at the Euros and make the main at the Worlds in 1:8. In 1:10 I would like to make the main in 4WD. I would also like to be able to practice a lot so that I can be more competitive.

As for the company, I want to establish the White Edition as a top level contender, in my hands and also in the hands of our team drivers. I also want to get a larger following worldwide. Additionally I have some other projects I want to get going but I can't tell you more about them just yet.

LiveRC: Would you consider 2013 to be a successful year for you and THECar?

JQ: Yes I would say so, in an economy where companies are struggling we are growing, and improving, I think that is a success already.

LiveRC: Almost all of the major manufacturer's are signing new people for the new year. Do you have any heavy hitters in the works?

JQ: I have focused on getting good young drivers on the team, and I have a bunch of them now, in for example Rayan Medjoubi, Bradley Baird, Miguel Haasbroek, Marcus Sandberg, Chris Marrale and Tanner Stees.
 

LiveRC: What is the best AND worst thing about having a career in R/C racing?

JQ: Best is that I can do what I would do anyway if I didn't have to work. Worst is that it is not something that can make you a multi-millionaire as just a driver.

LiveRC: If you won the World Championship, who would be your dream trophy girl?

JQ: I think trophy girls is a stupid custom, so no one.
 
 
LiveRC: What is one thing most people don't know about Joseph Quagraine?

JQ: What goes on in my private life. And I don't mean there is something special going on, it's just that there is JQ Products JQ and private life JQ and you only see one.
 
LiveRC: Who do you believe is the best R/C car racer in the world at this time, and why?

JQ: Atsushi Hara because he is great at anything he races, and can contend for WC podiums with very little preperation. For one lap only, Ryan Maifield.
  
LiveRC: JQ, thank you for joining us today! We certainly hope you enjoy your time here in America, and we look forward to seeing you at the Reedy Race. Is there anything else you would like add?