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Builder of the Month: JC Martinez (September 2026)

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From the Philippines, JC Martinez is an architect, cabinetmaker, and lifelong car enthusiast known for his detailed, authentic scale RC builds. A husband and father of three, he combines research, craftsmanship, and a love of vintage vehicles to create rigs that look as good as they perform. Read on to learn about our September Builder of the Month!

Boom Racing

Welcome to Builder of the Month, JC! Tell us a bit about where you're from, what you do, and your hobbies.

JC Martinez

I was born and raised in the Philippines, a small tropical country in Southeast Asia. We’re known for our sweet mangoes and pristine coastlines. I’m a husband, a father of three kids, an architect, a cabinetmaker by profession, and a car enthusiast by passion. I’ve spent my teenage years restoring vintage cars. During my free time, I keep myself busy baking sourdough bread.

Boom Racing

Take us back to the start: how did you first get into RC, and what did your learning path look like as you went from your first kit to the complex builds you’re known for today?

JC Martinez

Some things you never really outgrow. I grew up playing with toy cars of different sizes and materials: metal, wood, plastic. I started building model cars, mostly 1/24 scale, when I was in high school. It was good training for attention to detail. I find that building and playing with RC is special, healing our inner child with cars we never get to drive or play with.

Boom Racing

How did this hobby change you when you got involved in it? What positive effects have you seen it bring to your daily life and outlook?

JC Martinez

Building has always been in my DNA. It brings out my creativity and makes me appreciate the details of every build. It also gives me room to modify things, if necessary, while keeping true to the original versions. It’s also a good excuse to spend time outdoors.

Boom Racing

Were there particular builders, videos, forums, or events that shaped your approach?

JC Martinez

As a pragmatist, I am particularly captured by builds and videos that mimic the original version as close to reality as possible. The videos by Maxee RC show interesting details, drive perspectives, and suspension play.

Boom Racing

What’s one build where you really felt your skills ‘level up,’ and what did you learn from it?

JC Martinez

Vintage cars have always been my niche. Upon acquiring a Series 2 wagon body, I made sure all the details were close to the real thing, designed and created custom accessories, including a bumper and roof rack. My 109 Series 2 wagon was originally a Series 3, but I decided to make it look like a weathered, beaten-up car with dents and scratches, which added more character to the car. I eventually restored it like a well-preserved classic car. I guess that’s the beauty of building and playing with RC; it brings out your creativity and resourcefulness while retaining your personality with it.

Boom Racing

When you are planning a build, what do you use for reference? Are 1:1 vehicles always your starting point, or has this community inspired any of your creations?

JC Martinez

Research. Recalibrate. Reinforce. My thought process in building RC would always start with a lot of research. Since I am particular with details, my main reference is still 1:1 models. I recalibrate, if necessary, to fit the interior, engine, colors, and accessories, and take inspiration from other scale RC Builders. Then finally, I reinforce it with my personal touches on minor details.

Boom Racing

What drew you specifically to Boom Racing for your builds?

JC Martinez

The attention to detail drew me to Boom Racing. I have not yet encountered other brands more detailed than Boom Racing. On top of that, the performance and durability of Boom Racing products are notable. This translates to the finishes and type of materials. It’s like it’s engineered like a tank.

Boom Racing

What was your first experience of a Boom Racing product? What differentiated it from others in the global market?

JC Martinez

My first Boom Racing was the BRX01 LC70. It was a totally different machine compared to my previous RC. The chassis is well engineered, with a 2-speed transmission; bulletproof axles can really withstand the harsh behavior on the trails.

Boom Racing

Which Boom Racing rigs do you currently own? Can you tell us about them?

JC Martinez

BRX01 LC70: My first ever Boom Racing. This has always been driven very hard. It recently went into a catastrophic collision; the body was severely damaged, but the chassis was unbelievably intact. I restored it and made it even meaner.

BRX02 109: Classic is always classy. But it doesn’t mean it can’t perform. This is one of my favorite rigs on my Boom Racing lineup. The suspension is superb even on leaf springs. The transmission and axles are incredibly indestructible.

BRX02 D130: Custom-built pink monster. The latest product of Boom Racing. Still, everything is well done; the new rear suspension system is really good, and the 2/4 speed selectable gears really add to the performance.

BRX02 D110: My latest build. Less is more. This time I just want to make it simple but still perform. I carefully studied all the details on a Classic Defender Heritage model and tried my best to create a replica. Custom mixed paint to achieve the color closest to the original, installed ProLine tires, and that’s it. Wolf in sheep’s clothing feels.

BR/TRC D90: Who doesn’t love a Defender 90? The first release of Boom Racing, I think. I did a lot of stuff on this rig: suspension, Boom Racing axles, wheels, tires, accessories, and so on. Great machine indeed!

Boom Racing

What vehicle that hasn’t been made as a kit yet would you add to the Boom Racing range if you had carte blanche to do so?

JC Martinez

Maybe more Toyota models on a BRX02 platform. An LC80, FJ40 and a classic Hilux would be great!

Boom Racing

As Scale Builders Guild’s Matt often says: “What’s on the bench?” Tell us about your latest creation, what you built it for, and what inspired it.

JC Martinez

I just finished a Defender 110 Heritage build. I want a unique build all the time. I get inspired by the masterpieces of other builders, but I don’t really want to copy theirs. I carefully created the details based on the 1:1 vehicle. I used the D130 headlight lens in it so it will look more classic, painted the interior like the real thing. I used a 109 KUDU LED system with warm white lights to make it more classic. Retrofitted an RC4WD engine bay too to make it look realistic. Planning to drive this to different places across the world.

Boom Racing

What is the RC community like in your area in the Philippines?

JC Martinez

It’s always been a hit, but mostly hardcore crawling. I wish to build a community exclusively for scale crawlers.

Boom Racing

What RC events have you attended recently, and which ones are you hoping to attend someday? Do you have a favourite or unforgettable moment from any of them?

JC Martinez

My favorite will always be the Boom Racing meet, and still looking forward to more Boom Racing events. Looking forward to attending international events too.

Boom Racing

Have you used the Scaletra Adventure App, and what role does it play in your hobby—managing your garage, discovering inspiration, connecting with the RC community, or something else?

JC Martinez

Yes, I have used the Scaletra Adventure App. The app enables you to monitor your driving skills improvement. I will soon try the Challenges to maximize its features.

Boom Racing

Looking ahead, where do you think scale RC is headed as a hobby? Do you see its popularity continuing to grow worldwide, and if so, what do you think is behind that momentum?

JC Martinez

As a hobby, scale RC is both an enjoyable and satisfying endeavor. It brings you to a different dimension where your imagination is part of the creative process built on an innovative technical foundation. It will continue to be popular, especially with the Gen X, millennial, and even Gen Z generations who are finding meaningful pastimes that can be enjoyed alone or in a group, with your family and friends.

Thank you, JC, for sharing your story with us! For more, readers can follow JC on social media:

Facebook & Youtube: Scale Dynamix PH