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Extreme motorsports has always been synonymous with Supercross, Freestyle MX, and Motocross. After compiling the interest & participation of two wheel racing legends, freestyle pioneers, and motorsport heroes from all walks of life, it is apparent that short course off road racing has revealed itself as the next level of extreme action. The mentality and drive of an “on-the-edge” character is always looking for an ample supply of power and adrenalin. Round after round of the Lucas Oil Off Road Series has delivered intense carnage, high speed and big air. A growing pool of action sport athletes have crossed over to experience the fix short course off road racing supplies.
Glen Helen International Raceway, famous for legendary outdoor motocross and off road racing, hosted the latest Rounds 9 & 10 of the 2010 Lucas Oil Off Road Series. The Southern Californian venue attracted many new fans including the likes of Todd Potter, Cam Sinclair, Jeff “OX” Kargola, who all participated in the “arrive & drive” SuperLite Truck Class. X-Games Gold Medalist Danny Way, and Jesse James were seen on site enjoying extreme wheel to wheel carnage.
The furious high flying 0.8 mile short course proved to be challenging for many of the competitors. With Jim Holstus and Dave Arnold from Lucas Oil’s Totally Off Road Radio calling out the action live for the fans of Glen Helen Raceway, there was solid entertainment and nonstop excitement as the race cars diced it out on the aggressive winding corners and table top riddled short course.
Josh Merrell debuted the new Hart and Huntington Grenade Gloves Pro 4 and it was an explosive weekend for the #22 machine. To put it lightly the Pro4 defied gravity a number of times. On Sunday’s Round 10, Merrell would lead and fight amongst the top five Pro-4s for several laps. Flying off the last table top nearing lap 3 he was spun out as traffic made contact from behind. Now behind the field and making a run to catch up, Josh went over again in the last corner and decided to call it a weekend.
For ProLite Truck specialist Chris Brandt, it was a somewhat up and down weekend. The #82 Hart and Huntington Toyota started out fast right from the start recording the top qualifying lap time of 49.429.
After qualifying Chris explained his outlook for the weekend. “The guys did an awesome job setting up the #82 Mav TV Toyota. The track is gonna be real fast and has a lot of big air jumps. Kinda like a giant stadium track. I have a good background racing stadium tracks. We should do good. I know Deegan and Hart are going to be my biggest competition, but I have something they don’t have. The BFG Mud Terrains are really making it easy to get around the track. I got control and am able to set up for each corner just how I want. We are dialed.”
Well, Round 9 did not work out as planned for Brandt. He did set the quickest lap of the race at 48.346, but lost steam with just a few laps to go finishing 10th. The Round 10 ProLite event presented one of the most entertaining races of the year with first and second being decided by 0.107 of a second. The #82 made a great run out of turn #4 and going into turn #5 running up alongside Hart and nearly over taking for the lead. Marty Hart had just enough of an edge to hold on for the win. Brandt finished second, and again manage the fastest lap for the second night in a row, this time improving to a 48.185. Plain and simple, Chris Brandt was the fastest man on the track.
Hart and Huntington also added a new JR-2 Trophy Kart Driver to the program. Chad Graham delivered with a pair of back to back victories as well as landing the fastest qualifying lap time. The sweep was essential to Chad and the #410 Hart and Huntington Grenade Gloves JR-2 moving up the ladder and over taking Sheldon Creed for the points lead.
Limited Buggy John Fitzgerald had his hands full in the #314 Mav TV Buggy. Fitz has proved to be a dominate driver but now faces an ever tightening field of up and comers and seasoned veterans dialing in their programs. John fought hard for a Round 9 1st place finish and a respectable Round 10 5th place run. He is still very much in contention to bring Hart and Huntington a 2010 Limited Buggy Championship.
As usual, Hart and Huntington serviced hundreds of guest and VIPs throughout the weekend. Members of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians stopped by to see #222 Dean Duro JR-1 Driver finish his best race in 5th. Baileigh Industrial Equipment set up an exceptional product display near the entrance and inside the exclusive Hart and Huntington Off Road hospitality area, you could hang with celebrities, musicians, and Sirius Satellite Radio Show Host & Lucas Oil Off Road Fan, Jason Ellis. OC Pools was keeping the guests cool, while Chronic Tacos and Flawless Vodka satisfied their hunger and thirst.
For the Hart and Huntington Off Road Team, action, carnage, dedication, and perseverance are all part of the regular game. To witness the race weekend show in person is quite memorizing. For those behind the red rope, Hart and Huntington produces regular webisodes found here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Hartoffroadteam for your enjoyment. To view the TV Coverage of LOORRS Rounds 9 & 10 tune into SPEED and VS for local programming.
