Future Stars of RC: Frankie Contreras Jr.

Frankie Contreras Jr. completed a feat no other driver can say they have done at The Dirt Nitro Challenge this year taking all 3 intermediate class wins. We caught up with him to learn about the young driver and some of his interests outside of racing.

Name: Frankie Contreras Jr. 
Age:13
Sponsors:TLR, Proline, MuchMore, XactRC, Horizon Hobbies, SPEKTRUM, 1upRacing, ProRCShop.com, PCH Hobbies, OCRC Raceway, Raya Workz, Team Foy Racing

Tyler Hooks: When did you first begin racing? 
Frankie Contreras Jr: The first time I picked up a remote was at 4yrs old but starting racing competitively around 6 or 7. 

TH: What is your biggest racing accomplishment? 
FC:Winning all 3 classes in the Intermediate Class at DNC 2021... That was crazy but fun!

TH: What is your worst racing failure? 
FC:At the TopGun in SD this year I made the B-Main in mod 2wd buggy, I was in 2nd place with 10 seconds a head of 3rd (1 and 2 bump into the A-Main) I hit the wall on the last lap and broke my spindle carrier. That sucked! I didn’t make the main, But I learned from my mistake for sure. 

TH: What is your goal for a future occupation? 
FC: Well, I’m not to sure yet but I do want to go to college. By that time I should know about my future. 

TH: What is your favorite class for school and racing? 
FC: School-Science

Racing- It would have to be Mod 2wd Buggy but I sure do like the 8th scale TRUGGY!! DNC was actually my first time running Truggy, super fun!!

TH: What is your real dream car? 
FC: Since I like off road, my dream car would be a lifted Baja Style Toyota Tundra, fully loaded though. 😀

TH: Huge whips, driving absolutely flat out or more calculated driving, smoother on the throttle? 
FC: Oh man I love to whip. My dad doesn’t like me doing it to much, but that’s my style 😂. But as of late I’ve become more smoother but flat out is super fun!! Haha

TH: Action Sports or Conventional sports, what do you follow in your free time? 
FC: Well, I love to do both. I played baseball and basketball but since COVID hit I kinda lost interest. Hopefully I could start back up again. I don’t have a dirt bike yet, but hopefully soon. 😉

TH: You are the first and only intermediate driver to triple at The Dirt Nitro Challenge, how did it feel and how did you handle the 30 minute mains?
FC: Um, I was in shock to be honest, But very happy win it was over. If I didn’t win I was ok with it cause I exceeded my expectations. I told my dad my goal was to make all 3 A-Mains, I never expected to win all 3... That was crazy! Haha.

30 Min Mains: I tried to stay calm for sure cause I knew it was going to be a long race. My dad kept on telling on the head set, Smoother is faster!

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?
FC: I look up to a bunch of racers at my local track or even a couple pro drivers around the country but the person that has had a big impact in my short racing career has been The GOAT-Adam Drake. He started mentoring me around the age of 7 and he still calls me on a regular to this day. He checks up on me to see how I’m doing in life and school. I better not get bad grades cause I will get a call for sure. I wouldn’t want to get one of those phone calls 😬...

TH: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to a new up and coming racer?
FC: KEEP THE HOBBY FUN and do more Club Racing!! Big races are cool but club racing is where the fun is at. I know racing can become very competitive but once you take the fun out of it, the happiness goes away. I learned that from Ryan Mayfield...

Thanks for the interview. It was super fun... Support your local hobby shop!!! My next big race will be the Xact Challenge in April. See everyone there!!