Offroad |

Category: "offroad"

JCR/Honda’s Timmy Weigand is back with a vengeance, taking home a convincing win at the 2012 Soboba GP!

January 18, 2012 1:45 pm
offroad
Comments Off

Timmy Weigand started the year off by knocking one out of the park with a convincing win at his first race of 2012, taking home the $2000.00 winner’s purse! Colton Udall was also on hand and was flying but a crash set him back to 3rd for the day. The Legendary “Soboba Grand Prix” was held this past weekend January 15, 2012 on the Soboba Indian reservation and featured a 6.5 mile course that was a mix of twisty tight terrain and high speed 2 track.

January 16, 2012 2:07 pm
offroad
Comments Off

January 11^th, 2012– Johnson Valley, CA: On Friday, February 10^th, 2012 more than 100 drivers are expected to compete in the 6^th annual Griffin King of The Hammers. The level of talent and experience lining up at the start of this year’s race has never been seen before in Johnson Valley. The contestants vying for a chance to be crowned the 2012 King range from former kings, Dakar finishers, to international drivers and short course champions.

April 25, 2012 1:30 pm
offroad
Comments Off

After fellow Super Buggy competitor Steve Krieman convinced Frana to race Charlotte, the two drivers wired Frana’s truck for trailer lights and towed Krieman’s trailer to NASCAR land. The two Illinois drivers arrived at the track early Friday morning. When the sun came up over the track a few hours later, Frana took a quick view of the track and headed for tech inspection.

The temporary .9 mile long circuit had various combinations of moguls, whoops, and jumps making it a very tough track for drivers to get a good set-up on their race vehicles.

Then almost immediately after PRO truck practice, the Super Buggy group hit the track for a combination practice and qualifying session. After all the times were counted, the RCV Performance Super Buggy qualified third quickest.

“The track looked mild from the stands but it was the roughest I’ve ever driven on with nonstop jumps and turns,” remarked Frana after practice. “It will be a fun, but tiring 16 laps.”

After practice, John’s father, who flew out to help with the team, fixed an electric cooling fan problem and then the two family members went over the race car one more time to ensure it was race ready.

The start of the Friday night feature had John on the front row thanks to TORC inverting the starting positions of the top four qualifiers. One added feature to Friday’s racing was the live broadcast of the entire night of racing on SPEED.

When the green flag was waved, John grabbed the lead hoping his AWD hot rod would give him an early advantage on the freshly watered track. The first three laps of the sixteen lap event had the #907 Super Buggy leading the pack. Then the hard charging teenage Mitchell DeJong made a clean pass over the table top jump to take over the lead. As the laps continued, the transmission on the exotic Super Buggy was giving John some problems. Eventually the issues prevented the use of second and fifth gears.

The race did have its exciting moments for Frana. The wildest incident was when Frana was racing through the fastest portion of the track and practically jumped over a sideways Bob Klaus and landed on the hood of Klaus. Somehow the incident didn’t cause any damage and the two racers continued to the checkered flag.

At the finish the Frana Vehicles Super Buggy finished on the podium in third place on the bumper of second place finisher Andy Zipperer.

“We will try to rest and get some sleep tonight and then replace the transmission tomorrow after breakfast,” noted John Frana. “We didn’t drive across the country to finish third.”

On a side note, Frana and his crew chief Ryan Brumund experimented with new body work for Friday’s race and it paid off as the engine water temperature was thirty degrees lower than during the 2011 race season.

The next morning the gearbox swap went without any problems and gave John several hours to relax before hitting the track.

Saturday night’s starting lineup had John starting from the second row. When the race started the AWD Super Buggy quickly moved in the second position behind Steve Krieman. Just before the midway point competition caution, Mitchell DeJong swept by John, as well as the leader, moving the #907 in third place at the break.

On the restart, DeJong had mechanical issues and dropped off the pace. Now John and good friend Steve Krieman were in a tight battle for the top spot. With six laps to go, John made the pass for the lead. It looked like the #907 RCV Performance/”the Official” Brand Name Prescription Card/Rooster Synthetics/FK Rod Ends Honda-powered AWD Super Buggy would take the win, but a rear tire went flat with just two laps from the finish. This slowed John’s pace just enough for Krieman to take the top spot a mere one hundred yards from the finish.

Afterwards John Frana commented: “Wow what a battle, the flat tire cost us the win, but to race with Steve as close as we did from start to finish made it the most intense race I’ve ever driven. Finishing on the podium both nights was great. Steve and I will be full of adrenaline with plenty to discuss on our ride back home….That’s for sure.”

March 22, 2012 1:47 am
offroad
Comments Off

November 17, 2011 11:01 am
offroad
Comments Off

Exclusive coverage of Cameron Steele as he prepares for the gnarly 2011 SCORE Baja 1000 course! Join Cameron and his crew as they hop in the four-seat buggy and charge through some gnarly terrain and take a listen to the wisdom Cam has to share! As a Baja legend, Steele has a depth of knowledge and appreciation for the rugged Baja peninsula and is about to unleash it on race day!

March 14, 2012 2:03 pm
offroad
Comments Off

Get Schooled by the Mint! The guys were feeling a little left out with all this Miss Mint insanity. So we created a contest that the men can enter (women are welcome to enter too).

January 10, 2012 1:22 pm
offroad
Comments Off

January 14, 2012 11:11 pm
offroad
Comments Off

January 14, 2012

18th Annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge

Round 1 of five-race 2012 SCORE Desert Series, Jan. 14 — Laughlin, Nevada

6.25 miles per lap

TOTAL STARTERS: 99, TOTAL FINISHERS: 78 (78.8 PERCENT)

TOP OVERALL FINISHERS

Position, Driver(s), Manufacturer, Class, 8-lap, 50-mile time (miles per hour)

1. B.J. Baldwin/Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, SCORE Trophy Truck, 53 minutes, 45 seconds (55.81 miles per hour)

2. Juan Carlos Lopez, Tecate, Mexico/Justin Matney, Bristol, Tenn., Chevy Silverado, SCORE Trophy Truck, 54:51 (54.69 mph)

3. Gary Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150, SCORE Trophy Truck, 55:16 (54.28 mph)

4. Steven Strobel, Clarks, Neb., Ford F-150, SCORE Trophy Truck, 55:38 (53.92 mph)

5. Steven Eugenio, Alpine, Calif./Adam Pfankuch, Oceanside, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, Class 1, 56:12 (53.38 mph)

6. Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150, SCORE Trophy Truck, 56:18 (53.29 mph)

7. Brendan Gaughan/Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram1500, SCORE Trophy Truck, 56:18 (52.79 mph)

8. Cody Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, Class 1, 57:22 (52.30 mph)

9. Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, SCORE Trophy Truck, 57:38 (52.05 mph)

10. Scott Whipple/Scott Gailey, Norco, Calif., Ford F-150, SCORE Trophy Truck, 57:51 (51.86 mph)

11. Brian Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, Class 1, 58:00 (51.72 mph)

12. Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, SCORE Trophy Truck, 58:03 (51.68 mph)

13. Pete Sohren, Glendale, Ariz., Ford F-150, SCORE Trophy Truck, 58:51 (50.98 mph)

14. (Tie) Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif./Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, Class 1, 59:17 (50.60 mph)

14. (Tie) Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., Alpha-Chevy, Class 1, 59:17 (50.60 mph)

16. Steve Appleton, Boise, Idaho/Mike Julson, Santee, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, Class 1, 59:30 (50.42 mph)

17. Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif./Rob Bruce, Turner, Ore.., Jefferies-Chevy, Class 1, 1:00:09 (49.88 mph)

18. (Tie) Conan Barker, Whittier, Calif./Scott Zeppenfeldt, Brea, Calif., Porter-Chevy, Class 1, 1:00:12 (49.83 mph)

18. (Tie) James Bult, Monee, Ill/Jacob Bult, Sand Point, Idaho, Dodge Ram2500, SCORE Trophy Truck, 1:00:12 (49.83 mph)

20. Eric Hardin/Jared Hardin, Garden Grove, Calif., RPS-Chevy, Class 1, 1:01:29 (48.79 mph)

18th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge

OFFICIAL FINISHERS

SCORE TROPHY TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks, 8 laps, 50 miles)—1. B.J. Baldwin/Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 53 minutes, 45 seconds (55.81 miles per hour); 2. Juan Carlos Lopez, Tecate, Mexico/Justin Matney, Bristol, Tenn., Chevy Silverado, 54:51; 3. Gary Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150, 55:16; 4. Steven Strobel, Clarks, Neb., Ford F-150, 55:38; 5. Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150, 56:18; 6. Brendan Gaughan/Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram1500, 56:50; 7. Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 57:38; 8. Scott Whipple/Scott Gailey, Norco, Calif., Ford F-150, 57:51; 9. Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 58:03; 10. Pete Sohren, Glendale, Ariz., Ford F-150, 58:51; 11. James Bult, Monee, Ill/Jacob Bult, Sand Point, Idaho, Dodge Ram2500, 1:00:12; 12. Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix/Larry Vanderwey, Litchfield Park, Ariz., Chevy Silverado, 1:03:38; 13. Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Larry Roeseler, Boulevard, Calif., Ford F-150, 1:08:39;

14. Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif., Chevy CK1500, 1:16:48; 15. Ken Losch, Tempe, Ariz./John Pickett, Tulare, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 1:22:45. (22 Starters, 15 Finishers)

CLASS 1 (Unlimited single or two-seaters, 8 laps, 50 miles)—1. Adam Pfankuch, Oceanside, Calif., (Steven Eugenio, Alpine, Calif., driver of record) Jimco-Chevy, 56:12 (53.38 mph); 2. Cody Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 57:22; 3. Brian Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 58:00; 4. (Tie) Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif./Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, and Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., Alpha-Chevy, 59:17; 6. Mike Julson, Santee, Calif., (Steve Appleton, Boise, Idaho, driver of record) Jimco-Chevy, 59:30; 7. Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif./Rob Bruce, Turner, Ore.., Jefferies-Chevy, 1:00:09; 8. Conan Barker, Whittier, Calif./Scott Zeppenfeldt, Brea, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 1:00:12; 9. Eric Hardin/Jared Hardin, Garden Grove, Calif., RPS-Chevy, 1:01:29; 10. Michael LaPaglia, Murrieta, Calif., 1:02:05; 11. Pete Sohren, Glendale, Ariz., Geiser-Ford, 1:05:58; 12. Louie Serna/Antoinette Serna, Grand Canyon, Ariz., Tatum-Chevy, 1:06:13; 13. Kevin Thompson, Seguin, Texas/Dana Pearce, Thousand Oaks, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 1:13:40; 14. Monica Greenhill/David Greenhill, Crowley, Texas, Jimco-Chevy, 1:20:52.

(20 Starters, 14 Finishers)

CLASS 1/2-1600 (VW-powered, single or two-seaters to 1600cc, 6 laps, 37.5 miles)—1. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif./Roberto Romo, Mexicali, Mexico, Romo, 49:40 (45.30 mph); 2. Andrew Myers/Steve Myers, Newport Beach, Calif., Lothringer, 50:38; 3. Mike Meecham, El Cajon, Calif., (Robert S. Archibald, El Cajon, Calif.,driver of record) Mirage, 50:46; 4. Brad Wilson, Long Beach, Calif./Justin Munyon, San Clemente, Calif., Kreger, 51:26; 5. Brian Wilson/Kyle Quinn, Irvine, Calif., Kreger, 52:03; 6. George Peters, Newbury Park, Calif./Ignacio King, Ensenada, Mexico, Penhall, 53:48; 7. Jason Markham, Ventura, Calif., Lothringer, 54:22; 8. Jesus Velez, Mexicali, Mexico, Curry, 54:38; 9. J.J. Schnarr, Reno, Nev.,Levco, 55:14. (9 Starters, 9 Finishers)

CLASS 3 (Short wheelbase 4X4, 5 laps, 31.25 miles)—1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco, 44:45 (41.90 mph); 2. Billy Bunch, La Quinta, Calif., Jeep Wrangler, 45:17.

(3 Starters, 2 Finishers)

CLASS 5 (Unlimited VW Baja Bugs, 7 laps, 43.75 miles)—1. Kevin Carr, San Diego, 1:00:48 (43.17 mph) (2 Starters, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 5/1600 (1600cc VW Baja Bugs, 6 laps, 37.5 miles)— 1. Thomas Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico (Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., driver of record) 1:02:23 (36.07 mph). (2 Starters, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 6 (Unlimited, production mini trucks, 6 laps, 37.5 miles)—1. Eduardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexico/Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., Chevy Colorado, 43:25 (51.82 mph); 2. Alex Almaraz, Tijuana, Mexico (Javier Manzo, Tijuana, Mexico, driver of record) Ford Ranger, 47:28; 3. Rene Brugger, San Diego, Ford Ranger, 47:38; 4. Elias Hanna, Ensenada, Mexico, Ford Ranger. 50:48; 5. Dan Holtz, Los Angeles/Rick McGeorge, Garden Grove, Calif., Ford Ranger, 53:41; 6. Elias Canchola Jr, Mexicali, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 56:46. (9 Starters, 6 Finishers)

CLASS 7 (Open, production mini trucks, 6 laps, 37.5 miles)—1. Dan Chamlee, Summerland, Calif./Tom Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger, 48:48 (46.11 mph); 2. Brandon Walsh, Encinitas, Calif., Toyota Tacoma, 52:36. (3 Starters, 2 Finishers)

CLASS 7SX (Modified, open mini trucks, 6 laps, 37.5 miles)—1. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., (Justin Fisher, San Ysidro, Calif., driver of record) Ford Ranger, 53:54 (41.74 mph); 2. Rich Severson, Tucson, Ariz., Ford Ranger, 56:22; 3. Jon Anderson, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Brandt Anderson, Ladera Ranch, Calif./Mike Horner, Mission Viejo, Calif., Toyota Tacoma, 57:16. (3 Starters, 3 Finishers)

CLASS 8 (Full-sized two-wheel drive trucks, 6 laps, 37.5 miles)—1. Rodolfo Iribe, San Ysidro, Calif./Justin Matney, Bristol, Tenn., Chevy Silverado, 47:10 (47.70 mph). (1 Starter, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 10 (Single or two-seaters to 1650cc, 7 laps, 43.75 miles)—1. Matt Cullen, Long Beach, Calif./Chuck Sacks, Canyon Lake, Calif., AlumiCraft-Honda, 53:48 (48.79 mph); 2. Perry McNeil, Lemon Grove, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 56:16; 3. Mark Lawrence, El Monte, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 58:31; 4. Peter Hajas, Wayzata, Minn./Steven Hajas, Delano, Minn., Kreger-Chevy, 1:00:35; 5. Mike Lawrence, El Monte, Calif., Chenowth-Honda, 1:00:55. (5 Starters, 5 Finishers)

SCORE LITES (VW-powered, Limited single-1776cc-or two-seaters-1835cc, 7 laps, 43.75 miles)— 1. Rafael Navarro IV, Temecula, Calif./Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, Calif., Jimco, 54:25 (48.24 mph); 2. Otoneil Huerta, San Luis, Ariz., Curry, 54:27; 3. Matt Laughlin, Laughlin, Nev., Penhall, 57:00; 24. Jeff Sanca/Herb Ruppe, Canada, Porter, 59:01; 5. Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach/Brian Burgess, Riverside, Calif., Moulton, 1:02:28; 6. Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Curry, 1:09:17. (6 Starters, 6 Finishers)

STOCK FULL (Stock, Full-sized trucks, 5 laps, 31.25 miles )—1. Wes Bevly III, Corpus Christi, Texas, Ford F-150, 48:10 (38.93 mph); 2. Joe Bacal, Anthem, Ariz., Lexus LX570, Lexus, 48:50; 3. Marc Stein, San Diego, Ford F-150, 57:32. (3 Starters, 3 Finishers)

STOCK MINI (Stock, mini trucks, 5 laps, 31.25 miles)—1. Ted Moncure, Long Beach, Calif., Andy Bell, Long Beach, Calif., driver of record)/ Toyota Tacoma, 1:09:20 (27.04 mph) (1 Starter, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 7-2 (Unlimited Mini-Truck, 2.2/2.4-Liter Ecotec engine, 5 laps, 31.25 miles)—1. Billy Wilson/Wes Bevly IV, Corpus Christi, Texas, BajaLite-Chevy, 49:23 (45.56 mph); 2. Dana Dague, Huntington Beach, Calif./Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., Mason-Chevy, 49:43; 3. Reid Rutherford, Montrose, Colo., Mason-Chevy, 51:29. (3 Starters, 3 Finishers)

CLASS 4 (Unlimited open-wheel car, 2.2/2.4-Liter Ecotec engine, 7 laps, 43.75 miles)—1. Derek Fletcher, Abingdon, Va., PSD-Chevy, 56:20 (46.60 mph); 2. Mike Shaffer, Oakland, Calif./Shawn Twitchell, Nampa, Idaho, Custom-Chevy, 1:00:40. (2 Starters, 2 Finishers)

CLASS 2 (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 3.5-Liter Turbo or supercharged, 6 laps, 37.5 miles)— 1. Steven Arlia, Phoenix (Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., driver of record) PSD-Chevy, 50:00 (45.0 mph); 2. Jon Anderson, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Scott Anderson, Sandy, Utah/Brandt Anderson, Ladera Ranch, Calif., Toyota Tacoma, 1:05:25. (2 Starters, 2 Finishers)

SPORTSMAN

SPT BUGGY, 6 laps, 37.5 miles—1. Jim Bunn/John Matney, Bristol, Va., RGBuggy-Chevy, 50:24 (44.64 mph) (1 Starter, 1 Finisher)

SPT TRUCK, 5 laps, 31.25 miles—1. Nick Tonelli, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger, 43:25 (43.19 mph) (2 Starters, 1 Finisher)

December 7, 2011 3:14 pm
offroad
Comments Off

February 22, 2012 11:54 am
offroad
Comments Off

“The Miss Mint 400 competition provided a great platform for me to expand into more and more spokesperson roles,” said Keli Snyder, 2011 Miss Mint. “The opportunity to be part of such a historic event was certainly a huge honor for me.”