Builder of the Month: Ron de Jong (June 2025)

Boom Racing:

Welcome Ron. Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

Ron de Jong:

Hello everyone, what an honour to be invited to the Builder of the Month. Ron de Jong from the beautiful year of construction 1970, living on the last island of South Holland, Goeree-Overflakkee. Together with Nathalie in a blended family of six children, all boys, of whom five have already flown the nest. I was in the military at NATO in Germany, where I also lived for a while. Now working at a large steel company, TATA, in the automotive center as a troubleshooter programmer PLC. In addition, since 1992, I have been a bouncer for tent sheds and discos and, for many years, a model builder, which was instilled in me by my father, now 86, who has made more than 275 static models of 1/15 army vehicles from the garbage can junk. I used to play with DTM RC Racing in competitions, doing so for a few years until the children got a bit older and asked for my attention, prompting me to take up windsurfing. And now that they have flown the nest, I picked up the hobby again to have something to do in the pandemic time. I also manage the Facebook site Boom Racing BRX01 & BRX02 Owners Europe together with my buddy Peter.

Boom Racing:

What does Boom Racing as a brand mean to you, and how has it influenced your passion for RC builds?

Ron de Jong:

In one word, Wow. It has certainly increased the view on quality and attention to the product. The detail work, you can see that it has been worked on with passion. I have been able to speak with a number of representatives from Boom Racing at various events, and then you notice that they want to share that and ask for feedback on what to improve. Openness about which upgrades and improvements they are working on or which cars you would still like to see. The service they offer and building a community around it. That has certainly influenced my passion.

Boom Racing:

Living where you do, what unique opportunities or challenges does it bring to your RC hobby?

Ron de Jong:

We live here on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee, where there are enough challenges for a nice scale, trail, or crawler course. The mountain bike trail that is just a few hundred meters from my house, the beaches/ dune areas, rocks of the breakwaters in the sea, or the beautiful forests along the Grevelingen lake, and where we can do this in peace, instead of the hustle and bustle of a city.

Boom Racing:

Can you tell us about your very first RC build? What inspired you to create it?

Ron de Jong:

My first RC build was actually just a pastime. We did fox hunting with 27Mc, and in the 90s, there were a few who introduced the RC world to me. Then I started building, and that became more and more fanatic. It became more and more included, and I got to know the DTM RC world. Later in 2020, I reconnected with the RC world again when the pandemic started, looking for a pastime and then for all the Scalers. I slowly started ordering separate parts for my own build, looked for a body, and ended up with the LC70. That was the moment I discovered Boom Racing, and I started saving hard to buy the entire BRX01 LC70. It didn't stop at just one.

Boom Racing:

The BRX range is known for its versatility and quality. Why do you feel these kits meet your needs as a builder?

Ron de Jong:

Satisfaction when you start, you feel like a little child again when you are standing above the enter key with your fingers, to be able to buy something, it calms you down no frustrations, not wanting to build too quickly, and you forget all your worries for a while, you live in your own little world again, when something happens you can always fall back on the service of Boom Racing and the FB communities etc. etc., just a wonderful outlet.

Boom Racing:

Out of all the builds you've completed, which one stands out as your favourite and why?

Ron de Jong:

The BRX02 Land Rover Series 3 is definitely my favourite for now because it was just a party to build. You can really use your own imagination. The decoration and certainly the model itself are beautiful to look at.

Boom Racing:

Looking forward, what are your dreams or plans for future RC builds?

Ron de Jong:

I have now purchased the BRX01 AWB ZIL, and I am slowly selecting the necessary paint, lighting, engine, transmitter, servo etc., etc., and theme. I saw a Dodge Viper blue with white stripes on the internet and was inspired by it. Then, certainly with the tutorial of Marcin Skrzypek, I want to master the weathering technique.

Boom Racing:

What advice would you give to someone who is building their very first RC kit?

Ron de Jong:

Take it easy, don't rush, ask your fellow Boom Racing fanatics what suits you best, try to come up with a theme that appeals to you, and go as far as your wallet allows to find all the related things you need. Don't make hasty decisions. It is better to save up for quality stuff than to regret it later. Make the big purchase in the spring and then work towards a theme when the time is right and order the peripheral stuff. Summer is for driving, and winter is for building.

Boom Racing:

In your opinion, what is the single most important tool that every builder must invest in to aid the construction of their kits?

Ron de Jong:

Invest in good tools, especially the small Allen screwdriver set, to prevent you from stripping the Allen screws. The high-quality for-life professional hardware tools from Boom Racing are a good example of this.

Boom Racing:

How do you stay inspired and creative while working on long and intricate RC projects?

Ron de Jong:

By not wanting to build it quickly and enjoying your other constructions. To attend many events with them, or even with a small group like we do with RC Scalergroup since 2022. As relaxation in our free time, the questions, ideas. and answers come together.