At age 13, JJ’s driving began to improve further as he qualified into the A Main at the Winternats in Florida. 2011 also was the 1/8 IFMAR Worlds in Miami where JJ represented Team USA.
At the summer Byron’s World Challenge, JJ also made his first podium in the US. Other highlights of the year included podium finish at the Timezone nitro and electric race in Washington state, coming in 5th in the Hong Kong International Indoor Carpet Invitation, runner-up at the Hobby Pro nitro race in Hong Kong, and winning the Beijing International Invitational.
2011 also marked the year Mugen Seiki Racing and Novarossi signed JJ as their factory driver.