Cody Jandrakovic is a name I remember seeing sprinkled throughout race results going back to my childhood - because, as it turns out, he’s been racing a variety of on- and off-road disciplines since long before I first picked up a transmitter. As it turns out, Jandrakovic’s childhood hobby was both a family business and a career aspiration; less than a month ago, Jandrakovic and a fellow racer opened up a hobby shop and track to fill a void in their area and provide the local community a place to race. I reached out to Cody to learn more about his life and RC career, as well as his new track, for this week’s Talk It Up Tuesday.
Aaron Waldron: How old are you, and where are you from?
Cody Jandrakovic: I’m 41 years old. I’m originally from Wichita, KS but now living in Amarillo, TX.
AW: How did you get started in radio control, and how long have you been racing?
CJ: I was introduced to the hobby by my stepdad Joe Jandrakovic, and started racing in 1989 on office carpet with a Parma Pro-10 pan car.
AW: What are your most proud racing moments?
CJ: Some of my proudest moments would be my 16 ROAR Regional Off-Road Championships, making a few A-mains at both ROAR and NORRCA Off-road Nationals, and getting sponsored by Team Associated and Reedy by Mike Reedy.
AW: What classes have you raced? What are your favorites?
CJ: I have raced just about every class, off-road and on. My favorite is 2WD Modified Buggy.
The podium from the 2001 Rumble in the Rockies, from L to R - Jimmy Babcock, Matt Francis and Jandrakovic
AW: When did you decide to open a track and hobby shop?
CJ: My pops owned a hobby shop when I was in high school in the 90s to early 2000s, so I grew up around it. I decided to open my own hobby shop when the owner of Amarillo Hobby House passed away, and there wasn't an option at that time for racers to go and get parts they need. I discussed it with a fellow racer, Robert Green, and we decided to partner up. We are using my dad’s old hobby shop name to carry on the traditions my pops had, as well as honoring the local traditions Amarillo Hobby House started.
AW: Do you have any goals for your new business? What do you hope to accomplish?
CJ: The biggest goal is to grow the hobby in the area and to build our own facility with the ability to have an indoor dirt off-road track with for nitro and electric cars, and also an indoor carpet on-road. We’ve got a carpet track where we can race on- and off-road cars and we’re also working on starting drone racing and slot car racing at our current location, but dirt off-road just wasn't feasible at the moment.
AW: What are the best changes you’ve seen in RC since you started racing? What are the worst?
CJ: The best changes definitely have to be brushless motors and LiPo batteries - the new technology allows more time to be spent on fine-tuning and less on prepping motors and batteries. The worst thing probably has to be the multiple stock classes; I'm old school, where it was stock and modified and there was no stock class separation into Sportsman and Expert.
AW: When you’re not at the racetrack, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
CJ: When I'm not at the racetrack I'm generally doing things with my daughter or taking her to hang out with friends. I love any form of racing and watch whatever I can, whenever I can.
Jandrakovic's daughter, Dakota, after a Novice class podium finish back in 2013
AW: What’s the best part of RC racing? What about RC racing annoys or bothers you?
CJ: The best part about racing is the adrenaline from close racing. The worst is being taken out by a lap car while leading a race and battling for the win.
AW: Who are some of the people that have helped you the most?
CJ: My pops, by far, helped me the most. I’d also like to thank all of the old school racers from Hutchinson, KS whom I grew up competing against. Also, I owe Team Associated and Reedy for the great equipment for over the last 15 years - couldn't have accomplished what I have without them.
AW: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
CJ: For the young new racers: never give up, and practice practice practice. Thank you Aaron and LiveRC for this great opportunity.
Nitro buggy podium from Dirt Works RC Raceway in Burlington, CO back in 2007;
from L to R - Jandrakovic, Kody Numedahl and Adrian Redding
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