FUTURE STARS OF RC: Jared Wiggins

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Tyler Hooks

0 June 7, 2018, 8:37 a.m.

By Tyler Hooks
LiveRC.com

Future Stars of RC is a regular column on LiveRC where aspiring RC journalist Tyler Hooks has a conversation with fellow up-and-coming racers across the country, covering youth-friendly topics such as school subjects, watching TV, throwing huge whips and, of course, girls. 

Jared Wiggins may have looked 25 for the past 5 years, but the recent high school graduate has been swiping up wins and solid finishes all around the country. 

Name: Jared Wiggins
Age: 17
Sponsors: Tekno RC, Pro-Line Racing, BLOK, BK Servo, Nitro Pro, Team Orion, Race Em Rc, Gilley's Heating and Air, Sanwa, Legit Lidz, Wiggins Farms, Bonnell Industries

TH: When did you first begin racing?
JW: I first started racing in early 2012 at a track called Bobby's after finding about RC through a full sized TORC Off-road race a couple of months prior.

TH: What is your biggest racing accomplishment?
JW: I'd have to say qualifying for the 2018 Worlds at the Fuel Nationals last year.

TH: What is your worst racing failure?
JW: Definitely the U16 final at the 2016 Nationals in Texas. I had some good speed but threw it all away when I jumped off the track a couple times haha.

TH: Where do you attend school, and what is your goal for a future occupation?
JW: I will be attending Sauk Valley Community College then transferring to UW Platteville to study Mechanical Engineering. I aspire be a Pro Driver, or work in any form of racing.

TH: Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
JW: Yes, Girlfriend and Pit Girl! 

TH: What is your favorite class for school and racing?
JW: For racing, definitely Nitro Buggy. It's the premier 1/8 class and the long mains, strategy involved, and competition make it the best! I really enjoyed all of our metals and shop classes in school, I'd learn skills that I could take home and use to build and prototype my own racing parts.

TH: What do you think of the old saying “girls just get in the way of racing?”
JW: They don't, my girlfriend Kylie comes to a lot of my local races and puts down the fastest pit stops in the mains! 

TH: What is your real dream car?
JW: A bright orange Lamborghini 

TH: Huge whips, driving absolutely flat out or more calculated driving, smoother on the throttle?
JW: Probably still Flat out, but I've been working to balance it out a bit.

TH: Action Sports or Conventional sports, what do you follow in your free time?
JW: I enjoy watching any form of Motorsports, but don't really follow anything but RC.

TH: Recently you attended the Horizon Fest event, how was it and what did you think of events like that for the industry?
JW: I had an awesome time, ending up second in Ebuggy and Pro Truck! It was really cool to see all the forms of RC come together bringing in new people. There was a constant crowd all day filtering in and out taking in the racing. Definitely looking forward to it next year!

TH: Who did you look up to when you were an even younger racer, or who has been the biggest help to you as a driver?
JW:  There have been quite a few who have helped me, most importantly my parents for being 100% in support of my racing! As far as a mentor, I'd have to say Joe Bornhorst. He has taught me quite a lot and has always been there to answer a question.

TH: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to a new up and coming racer?
JW: Race with competition, as soon as you can move up to the pro/expert class do it. You will learn the most when you get your butt kicked!