CHAMPIONSHIP OFF-ROAD SEASON OPENER AT ERX
AUGUST 2020
ISSUE 7 VOL 1
SHORT COURSE IS BACK INSIDE THIS ISSUE: BRONCO MANIA!
www.dirtsportsworld.com
+ REMBERING JESSI COMBS- ONE YEAR LATER + BUGS INVADE GLEN HELEN
MASTERPIECE OF METAL: CASTEX TT RESTORED
YOUNG GUNS: RICKY G
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TABLE OF CONTENTS REGULAR DIRT>
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WORD
5
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT
8
DIRT WORLD
10
NEW PRODUCT
45 CHAPPY’S PIT STOP 46 CALENDAR
FEATURES> 12 CHAMPIONSHIP OFF ROAD: A NEW SERIES
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18 BUGS INVADE GLEN HELEN 22 RESTORING THE CASTEX TT
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27 BRONCO MANIA 30 LUCAS OIL SEASON OPENER 34 YOUNG GUNS: RICKY G
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38 JESSI COMBS: ONE YEAR LATER
TECH> 42 INSTALLING NEW HEIMS ON A PRE-RUNNER Publisher DirtSports Inc. Editor-In-Chief Shaun Ochsner Sales and Management Dave Arnold Contributing Editors Wendy Wohlford Chris Ramey Steve Hanson FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA DIRTSPORTSWORLD
Contributing Photography Shaun Ochsner Chris Ramey Kawasaki Ford Motor Company Jessi Combs Foundation Steve Hanson Honda Dave Arnold Email: dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com Website: www.dirtsportsworld.com DIRTSPORTSWORLD
DIRTSPORTSWORLD
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 3
WORD
SKID PLATES SAVE THE DAY
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was recently on local urban off-road adventure. It was one of those typical wild goose chases I seem to always find myself on. One where you have a pile of Saturday chores to do and someone calls and says, “hey let’s go check this place out.” Yeah, um, ok, I guess. So, we find ourselves in the dirt, fording water crossings, navigating deep sand and running at comfortable speeds through bouncy washes. I was too lazy to air my tires down for this adventure. After all, I was in somewhat of an urban environment within the city. There is a point on the trail where there is a large boulder on my left and one on the right. Hit either of them and your day is over, or so I thought. My spotter did an excellent job of keeping my truck off the boulder to right. There was plenty of room. It wouldn’t even scratch the side rails of my truck. I was so caught up in what was happening on the other side of my truck that I failed to pay attention to the large boulder on the left. Clunk. I had just parked my truck on top of the left side boulder. Fortunately, I have a very strong skid plate protecting the front of my truck and there was no damage. In a stock truck, the bumper would have ripped right off and probably busted the radiator. I came away with just a couple minor scratches on the skid plate and was safely able to return to the pavement.
Shaun Ochsner Editor-In-Chief Dirt Sports World
4 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
NEWS Championship Off Road Racing Rounds Cancelled at Bark River Raceway Officials from Bark River Raceway, The Lions Club and Championship Off Road have agreed to cancel the racing rounds that were to be held at the track in midAugust. Officials were forced to cancel the event citing Michigan’s Coronavirus executive orders on gatherings, performances and events. Michigan rules prohibit events to have no more than 500 people in attendance. The Bark River races traditionally draw thousands of fans. The Lions Club released a statement that read: Although we are disappointed to make this announcement, we understand that the best interests of the health and safety
of our club members, staff, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, racers, and race fans cannot be overlooked. We look forward to the summer of 2021 when we will provide our fans with the best professional short course, off-road racing in the country. Our commitment to host a world class event, and to the safety of everyone involved will continue to be a priority. But most importantly, the Bark River Lions Club will continue to support the projects and organizations that the proceeds from this event impact the most. A race at ERX Motorsports Park was added August 15th and 16th in place of the cancelled Bark River event.
Dirt Series Cancels Lake Elsinore Grand Prix
The annual Lake Elsinore Grand Prix has been cancelled for 2020. The event normally takes place in November. The Lake Elsinore Grand Prix has been happening for over 51 years and features thousands of motorcycle racers and spectators from all over the world. The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and changing safety mandates have forced the promoters to cancel the event this year and work on the 2021 event.
SEMA Has Been Cancelled For 2020 The Specialty Equipment Market Association has announced it is cancelling the annual SEMA show for 2020. The show attracts thousands of people worldwide from the automotive industry and is held every year in Las Vegas. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the main facilities used by SEMA will not be available along with DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 5
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT
several other facilities and services needed to make the show happen. SEMA had been working on safety protocols required t host the event.
products and discover new trends,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We appreciate the spirit, hard work and innovation our industry puts into the SEMA Show each year. While we are disappointed circumstances prevent us from hosting the Show in November, we look forward to getting everyone together in 2021 for another outstanding event.”
SEMA is looking at options to host a virtual show. “The SEMA Show is committed to furthering businesses in the automotive specialty-equipment market, and to providing manufacturers and buyers with the best opportunity to connect, promote new Vendors will receive full refunds.
Chase Sexton Signs with Team Honda HRC Chase Sexton will now be riding a CRF450R for Team Honda HRC. Sexton is fresh off his second consecutive Supercross Championship in the 250 East class. The Honda motorcycle is not new to the championship rider. He rode both seasons for Geico Honda. Sexton was recently spotted testing the bigger bike with the team. He is expected to ride in the upcoming Lucas Oil Outdoor Motocross Championship season.
SCORE Inks Deal with Ensenada to Host the Baja 1000
SCORE International has inked a deal with the city of Ensenada to host the 2020 Baja 1000. The official agreement signed by Mayor Armando Ayala and the Ensenada city council ensures the race will start and finish in the town. Baja’s Governor, Jaime Bonilla and Senator Gerardo Novelo were also involved in securing the deal. SCORE has struggled to plan a race in Baja with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“The SCORE Baja 1000 will be part of the economic reactivation of Ensenada and will take place under the strict guidelines of the Baja California State Secretary of Health.” 6 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
“We are grateful for the support of Baja California Governor Jaime Bonilla who played a very key role in order for the race to take place in Ensenada along with the Ensenada business community and the tremendous work by SCORE in putting together the details and health protocol plan for the event, ” said Armando Ayala. The Baja 1000 is scheduled for November 17th-22nd
NEWS
Chip Ganassi Racing Signs Kyle Leduc to Extreme E Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing is now the first to have a complete Extreme E race team. Pro-4 driver Kyle Leduc was signed to co-drive with Sara Price in July. Price and Leduc will drive a 550-horsepower electric SUV in the most extreme environments on earth in the Extreme E series.
with my family and to see the desire and determination in Chip and the entire team to be successful and win in this newly developed form of motorsports has given me the drive to bring victories to this program. The 2021 Extreme E series is going to be groundbreaking and we are going in with the goal of victory! I’m looking forward to working with my teammate, Sara Price. Some of the unprecedented features of this new series will be splitting these races 50/50 and racing worldwide in climate-affected areas. This is a huge opportunity for all involved and we cannot wait to get this thing started!” said Leduc.
“I am beyond excited to announce that I will be driving in the Extreme E series for Chip Ganassi Racing. Not only do I get to drive these fully electric 4-wheel drive cars around the world, but I get to do it for the man himself, the biggest team in motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing. I was born and raised around racing
The series, which gets underway next year will bring attention to damaged environments affected by climate change. Racers will be given virtual courses and will use onboard technology for navigation. The race is expected to be televised by using drones and onboard cameras.
NORRA is Cancelling All Events for 2020 The continued outbreak of Coronavirus in Baja is forcing the cancellation of all NORRA events for 2020. The Mexican 1000 was originally moved to October. Organizer Mike Pearlman says NORRA doesn’t want to add additional an burden on businesses and hospitals in Baja. He also says he wants everyone to be safe. “The last thing we want to see is anyone getting sick,” Pearlman says. NORRA is already planning for the 2021 season. Next year’s Mexican 1000 will start April 23rd in Ensenada. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 7
CHAMP OFF ROAD ERX
Leduc wash crew earning their allowance.
CHAMP OFF ROAD ERX
You know you made it big when you have your own syrup.
CLASS 11 SHOOTOUT
Don’t be a “whistledick” Wear a mask!
CHA MP OFF ROA DE RX
SILVER STATE 300
DIRT WORLD
We know what this guy is drinking
CLASS 11 SHOOTOUT
The new “girly beer”
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This is where you put the nitris
THE WORLD IS A DIRTY PLACE
CHAMP OFF ROAD ERX CLASS 11 SHOOTOUT
Those crazy Elk River gangsters We can’t figure out if he is cleaning or making a bigger mess.
CLASS 11 SHOOTOUT
She is more than just a sandwich maker
CLASS 11 SHOOTOUT
SU BM YO IT U PH R OT O SEND US YOUR CRAZY PHOTO OUT IN THE DIRT AND WE MAY FEATURE IT HERE IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE. Email to: Dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com
How many dudes does it take to push a bug?
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 9
NEW PRODUCT
Ford Adds Off-Road Performance Package to the Ranger Ford is adding three new Ford Performance accessory packages to the Ranger pickup truck. The packages expand the off-road capability of the truck. All of the packages can be directly installed from the dealer.
The Level 1 package includes an off-road leveling kit. You also get FOX 2.0 Performance series shocks tuned by engineers at Ford Performance. The kit includes 17inch dyno grey wheels and a Ford Performance bedside graphic along with a windshield banner. The Level 2 package includes everything in Level 1, plus BF Goodrich KO2 tires, a Rigid off-road fog light kit, blue tow hooks and a Ford Performance stainless steel license plate frame. Ford Performance will also calibrate the engine, increasing horsepower by 16 percent and increased 20 percent torque. The Level 3 package includes everything in both Level 1 and 2. Additionally a Rigid 40-inch LED lightbar kit is added. Ford Performance adds a chase rack and ARB winch-capable front bumper. You also get a 2.3-liter sport exhaust. Level 1 and 2 packages will be available this month. Customers will have to wait until Summer 2021 to order the Level 3 package.
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NEW PRODUCT
Kawasaki Adds Trail and Special Edition KRX-1000 Side-by-Sides to 2021 Line-up Kawasaki has two new editions to add to its 2021 Sideby-Side line-up. Both models come factory equipped with everything you would expect to find on a KRX 1000. The Trail Edition KRX 1000 comes with new durable tubular steel bumpers and nerf bars. This helps protect the vehicle from branches, rocks and other obstructions found on the trail. A Warn VRX 45 Powersport winch is added along with a special sport roof. The Trail Edition comes in Fragment Camo Gray graphics. The Nerf bars and A-Arms are finished in a Texture Neon Yellow. The Special Edition KRX 1000 comes with an all new High-Grade Hifonics Audio System. There are 6.5-inch door speakers and a 12-inch subwoofer to rock all of your tunes on the trail. The stereo is a 600-watt, five channel system that features a high-contrast color LED that displays album art of the highest quality. Just in case you are concerned about the battery power, a low voltage warning has been added. You also get the Warn VRX 45 Powersport winch on this model. The Special Edition is available in a Metallic Moondust White/ Metallic Onyx Black with red A-arms and silver colored suspension. The Trail Edition retails for $22,999 MSRP and the Special Edition retails for $22,599 MSRP.
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F F O P I H S N O I P M A CH
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S E I R E S W E N A OAD:
-R
story and photos: Shaun ochsner
COVER STORY
Championship Off Road Hosts Inaugural Event at ERX Motorsports Park
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hampionship Off-Road was formed in late 2019 to fill the absence of a mid-west pro series in short-course. New ownership is nothing new in these parts. When Marty Reid sold the original CORR series to Jim Baldwin in the early 2000’s, Baldwin moved everything out west. The World Series of Off-Road Racing was then formed to fill the void. The 2008 failure of Championship Off Road Racing (CORR) saw a major split in drivers and sponsors. The Off-Road Championships known as TORC was formed with Ricky Johnson as an owner. The series was then sold to BJ Birtwell and the Armory Media Group. Birtwell then sold the series to Utah based Mountain Sports International (MSI). MSI was voted out by an association of track owners and Midwest stakeholders, and Lucas Oil was brought in to run professional racing in the Midwest in 2019. The series was named the Lucas Oil Midwest Shortcourse Series. At the end of 2019, Lucas Oil pulled out of racing in the
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CHAMPIONSHIP OFF-ROAD : A NEW SERIES
Midwest and folded the series. The International Snow Cross Series (ISOC) formed Championship Off Road in 2020. The first planned event at Crandon International Raceway was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
Above: Kyle Kleiman secured a Pro-2 win in Round 2.
The inaugural race was held in July at ERX Motorsports Park in Elk River, Minnesota. Fans were allowed to attend. Specific attendance numbers were not released by either the series or the track, however the event appeared to be well attended. ERX spent the off-season re-designing the course. A new turn that goes up a sweeping hill was added to make racing more exciting. Several restless west coast racers made the trek to ERX to get some track time while their races were postponed. Among them, Ryan Beat, who debuted a new Pro-2, completely built in-house. While Beat struggled with mechanical issues, other racers found their mark. Keegan Kincaid, running a two-tone
black and white paint scheme split down the middle of his truck won Round 1. Mickey Thomas and Kyle Kleiman were behind Kincaid on the podium. In Round 2, it looked as if Ryan Beat had found his groove. Beat had the top spot and was running out front in a strong show of force before a mechanical issue would end his day at the halfway caution. Kyle Kleiman would move into the top spot and stay there all the way to the checkered flag. Keegan Kincaid had to settle for second. Ricky Gutierrez, also from the west coast, secured his first national podium with a thirdplace finish.
Above: Ryan Beat brought his new Pro-2 to ERX DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 15
COVER STORY
In the Pro-light class, Kyle Greaves was untouchable. Greaves would come away with a weekend sweep his first weekend in the truck. Rookie Carson Parrish managed a second-place podium in both Round 1 and 2. Not a bad way to spend his first weekend in Pro-Light. Cole Mamer had made the trek to ERX. Mamer earned a spot in third on the podium in Round 1, but lost that spot to Zach Szymik in Round 2 after suffering issues during the race despite being the top qualifier and running up front.
Above: It was a weekend sweep for Kyle Greaves Below: Carson Parrish managed a second place podium spot, two days in a row.
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100 SHORT COURSE WINS
“To get 100 is surreal. It’s great to get 100 races in, but to win 100, we don’t even know how to react.”
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here are few drivers that have achieved 100 career short course wins. Carl Renezeder hit that milestone in 2012. Kyle Leduc now joins this elite club of the best of the best. Leduc hit his 100th win in Round 1 of the Championship Off Road Series at ERX Motorsports Park. His family was there to celebrate with him. Kyle Leduc is one of those drivers that dominates the Pro-4 class almost every time he hits the track. Leduc is unstoppable. A builder of his own trucks, he knows exactly the short course setup he needs for success. The veteran driver knows how to make his truck slide through the corners, float over the jumps and knows every spot where to gain extra speed on the competition.
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 17
bugs invad
18| DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
de glen helen M.O.R.E. FREEDOM CUP CLASS 11 SHOOT-OUT STORY AND PHOTOS BY: SHAUN OCHSNER
BUGS INVADE GLEN HELEN
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lassic Baja Bugs are always fun to watch and blast to drive. Mojave Off Road Enthusiasts hosted a Class 11 shootout at Glen Helen Raceway during the M.O.R.E. Freedom Cup race. Eight Class 11 Baja Volkswagen Bugs took to the track for two separate heat races. Heat one was held in the evening hours on the Lucas Oil Short course track. There was no shortage of Bugs flying through the air and banging doors in the corners. When the race was over, just a few remained on the track. Blake Wilkey took the win in his brightly colored “Shreddy� Bug. Racers and their crews spent the night making necessary repairs for the second heat race held early the next morning. The green flag dropped, and the bugs rocketed off for a land-rush start jockeying for position before they hit a huge sweeper turn with a large Glen Helen sign as the backdrop.
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M.O.R.E FREEDOM CUP CLASS 11 SHOOT-OUT
The course was 4 miles long with plenty of turns, twists and jumps. A lot of the motocross track was used for the race. There were steep hill climbs and downhill sections. The “Talladega” section proved to be fun for the racers. The course even stretched into the back canyon of the Glen Helen property. Rick Boyer held the lead on the first lap. Tim Sletten was right on Boyer’s tail and eventually made a move for the lead.
Directly behind both Sletten and Boyer was Blake Wilkey. While the rest of the field was attempting to catch up, some trying to find the correct gear on the hill climbs, Sletten, Boyer and Wilkey were putting their social distancing skills to the test up front. In the end with the combined heat races, Blake Wilkey took home the trophy.
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MASTERPIECE OF METAL
THE CASTEX TROPHY TRUCK 22 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
RESTORED
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t’s the Trophy Truck before there were Trophy Trucks. In the early 1990’s there wasn’t a Trophy Truck Class in SCORE. The truck was entered in Class 1. Built by North American Raceco in 1993, David Kreisler and Mike Monahan helped pave the way for a much-needed unlimited truck class in SCORE. The truck raced from 1993-1998 with Castex Racing livery. Castex, still in business today, is a Hollywood Rental company, providing equipment for movie and tv productions. The original driver of the truck was Keith Jackson. The truck was later sold to Mike Tieman who raced it in SCORE, then turned it into a buggy. The truck then sat abandoned in the Nevada desert to rust away. Dana Dague of Palapa Boy Racing got his hands on the truck and spent countless hours restoring it back to the original shape it was in when it first raced in ’93. The truck was in such bad shape, the motor had seized, there was no body and the entire frame had surface rust. Dana did all of the aluminum work in-house. ABOVE: The front of the truck has a double a-arm suspension set-up. The truck was considered advanced for it’s time. LEFT: North American Raceco’s David Kreisler had the idea of creating an all tube chassis with a complete fiberglass body to dominate SCORE races.
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CASTEX TROPHY TRUCK RESTORED
LEFT: The Castex TT has Kuster 3” Coil and 3” bypasses on the front and rear. Today, Sway-AWay has the rights to all of the original designs. BELOW: Powering the truck, is a Chevy V8 427 fuel injected motor built by Baja Jon Kennedy. The fuel cell holds 84 gallons of race gas.
ABOVE: Trailer Products rebuilt the Chevy S-10 fiberglass body to closely match the original. Palapa Boy Racing and California Autobody painted everything as it was in 1993.
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 25
The interior features a simple set-up of gauges, Lowrance GPS and switches. A Lead-Nav system was added to the truck along with a modern light-bar. The original plan for Dana Dague was to run the truck in the 2020 NORRA Rally. Round HID lights were added to the front for the original look.
BUILD SHEET Vehicle: 1993 Castex SCORE Trophy Truck Builder: North American Raceco Power Train: Chevy V8 427 Fuel Injected Drive Train: Culhane Turbo 400 Suspension: Kuster 3-inch Coilovers Steering: Saginaw Steering Box with Howe Ram Assist. Exterior: Trailer Products Chevy S10 Fiberglass Body. Interior: Lowrance GPS, PCI Radio, LeadNav GPS, Xprite Switch Panel. 26 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
BRONCO MANIA! FORD Finally Releases Long-Awaited 2021 Bronco
Story: Shaun Ochsner Photos: Courtesy of Ford Motor Company
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here hasn’t been this much buzz about a Bronco since O.J. Simpson went on that famous 1994 televised high speed chase in his ’93 Ford Bronco. Sales of white Ford Broncos went through the roof. 37,000 Broncos were sold that year, more than the previous year. Ford discontinued the Bronco in 1996, replacing it with the Expedition and larger model Excursion.
Ford will release seven Bronco models with 11 color choices. Additionally, Ford is releasing a Bronco Sport to compete with the small SUV market. The sport will come in five trim models.
In 2017, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, Ford stole the headlines, announcing the return of the Bronco. Enthusiasts would-be put-on hold for another four years before the official release that came in early July of this year. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 27
FORD’S 2021 BRONCO
The Bronco has always come in a 2-door model. With the new release, Ford has decided to make first-ever 4-door models. There are two 4x4 systems options. A base set-up and advanced. The base system utilizes a normal two-speed electronic shifton-the fly transfer case while the advanced system features a twospeed electromechanical transfer case. There is an auto mode for ondemand selection between 2-High and 4-High. Power is distributed to a Dana 44 AdvanTek solid real axle and Dana front differential unit. The Bronco comes with plenty of exclusive technologies to navigate off-road terrain. The Trail Control mode can be set for low-speed trail driving. Trail Turn assist tightens off-road turning radiuses through torque vectoring and Trail One-and Pedal Drive sets the acceleration braking controls for precise slow-mode rock crawling. Ford boasts the Bronco can travel through 33.5 inches of water with its 37.2-degree departure angle and 11.6-inch stock ground clearance. The Bronco comes stock with 35-inch tires. There are heavy duty modular steel bumpers with an integrated winch mount and exposed tow hooks. Large items such as canoes and surfboards can be tied down to
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BRONCO MANIA
points on the front bumper. Higher trim models get plate shields for the engine, transmission and transfer case. The vehicle is built with Ford’s high strength steel. Its nimble suspension set-up is achieved with long-travel position sensitive Bilstein dampers with end-stop control valves. Ford tested the Bronco extensively on the punishing Hammer trails in Johnson Valley. The Bronco can be ordered with a 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle comes with a 2.7-Liter EcoBoost V6 engine which Ford says churns out 310 horsepower. There is also a 2.3-Liter EcoBoost option. Ford did not release any diesel options.
other devices. The seat back has MOLLE hooks for all of your extra storage pouches. There are 1,000 advanced topographic trail maps that can be brought up on the 12inch interior screen. Some Bronco models come with washable rubberized floors and integrated drains along with marine-grade vinyl seating surfaces that are mildew resistant. This makes the clean-up after a dusty dirty trip much easier. Pricing for the two-door base model starts at $29,995 and will be available Spring 2021. Ford is currently taking reservations on their website.
Taking a page out of the Jeep design, the Bronco’s modular hardtops have rear quarter windows that can be removed in three easy steps. A cloth softop can also be installed. The doors can also easily be removed and stored in the vehicle with protective bags. The interior has all of the latest tech including 12-volt accessory ports for charging and mounting phones, GPS units, cameras and DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 29
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Lucas Oil Hosts Season Opener
story and photos: Shaun ochsner
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fter months of cancellations, rescheduled events, venue changes and postponements, the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series held its season opener at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California– with no fans in attendance. The series had strict social distancing guidelines and required racers to wear masks during podium interviews. Social distancing was not present on the track. Protected by the cages of their race vehicles, there was no shortage of the usual door-to-door action the short course series is known for. Racers were eager to get back on the track and behind the wheel their machines. Most have sat idle for months, prepped and ready for racing. A lucky few were able to get some testing time in during the lockdown. In the Pro Buggy class, Cameron Steele was back on the track. It has been a few years since Steele has been behind the wheel of a buggy. Up front, Matt Brister was busy grabbing his first win in the national series during Saturday afternoon’s Round 1 race. Trey Gibbs won Sunday’s Round 2 event. Cole Mamer made it back to the west coast to take the top qualifying spot in ProLite. Christopher Polovoorde ended up first on the podium in Round 1. Mamer wasn’t finished. After a wild race, Mamer won Round 2 with Brock Heger and Maddix Bailey taking the other podium spots. Christopher Polovoorde wasn’t so lucky as his race ended with a broken drive shaft on the first lap. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 31
LUCAS OIL OFF ROAD RACING SERIES
Above: Matt Brister secured his first national series win in the Pro-Buggy class. Top Right: Trey Gibbs and Darren “Hot Sauce” Hardesty battle for the lead. Right: The king of the buggy dorks, Cameron Steele was back behind the wheel at Glen Helen.
Above: Christopher Polovoorde took the top Pro Lite spot on the podium in Round 1. Left: Cole Mamer was back for the Pro Lite win in Round 2. There were eleven Pro Lite trucks entered in the Glen Helen opening rounds.
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SEASON OPENER
Pro-2 is always the most exciting class in the series. It has no shortage of drivers who will claw their way through the stacked field for a win. Veteran Brian Deegan was back behind the wheel. Deegan who normally spends his weekends traversing the country, chasing his kids through their racing ventures, took time out of his busy schedule to revisit his old office. Through every turn on the last lap, Deegan was on the heels of Ricky Gutierrez. Jerett Brooks made moves to pass both racers. Gutierrez held on for the ride securing second. Deegan settled for third. Jerett Brooks took the win in Round 1. Things got very interesting in Round 2. While Ryan Beat continued to struggle with mechanical issues, he was ready for the race. Beat lead several laps before a right rear flat tire would force him into the hot pits. Fortunately, a caution would save his day. Beat was able to stay on the lead lap. He wasn’t the only one with tire issues. Deegan
also came in with a flat. Deegan wasn’t so lucky and upon his exit from the hot pits, was scored a lap down. Jerett Brooks moved to the front of the pack finishing with a weekend sweep. Doug Mittag took second and Beat finally made it to the podium in third. The next scheduled event for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is a triple header Wheatland, Missouri at Lucas Oil Speedway August 21st-23rd. The series is doing all they can to make up for cancelled rounds during the start of the pandemic.
Above: It was a weekend sweep for Jerett Brooks in the Pro-2 class. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 33
YOUNG GUNS
RICKY G HITS THE BIG LEAGUES
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eventeen year-old Ricky Gutierrez is quickly becoming a household name, dicing it up with some of the best Pro-2 drivers in short course off-road racing. Ricky G quickly came up through the ranks, racing trophy karts. He has always had his sights set on the big leagues, or in this case, the Pro-2 class. Normally, a racer doesn’t jump right into a Pro-2 after racing a Modified Kart, but hearing Ricky’s story he has the drive, passion and determination and is following his dream. Ricky’s dad raced in the desert. Ricky G was always in the pits, helping out wherever he could, learning the tools of the trade. He would sit in the seat of the race vehicle, trying on the oversize helmets, dreaming of the future. One day Ricky’s dad brought a Junior 1 trophy kart home. Ricky G was ecstatic. He was just seven years old. Still too young to race in the series.
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STORY AND PHOTOS: SHAUN OCHSNER
Ricky even asked his dad to create a fake birth certificate, so he could get behind the wheel and go racing. He spent that season watching every racer from the grandstands.
RICKY G.
When Ricky finally got behind the wheel of the Junior 1 kart, he secured his first championship. He then moved up to the Junior 2 class. Next up was the Modified Kart class. When Ricky outgrew the modified Kart class he jumped straight into a Pro-2 and got his feet wet at the Lucas Oil Regional Series. At least there, the drivers are a little more forgiving. He could learn some new skills. He couldn’t wait to race the Lucas Oil National events. The racing was nothing like Ricky had ever experienced before. He was a true rookie. The races ate at his confidence level. He wasn’t sure he could compete. He thought he bit off more than he could chew. He and the team struggled. He wanted to give up, but he persevered.
Fast forward to the 2020 season, Ricky is ready to win races and he is not a afraid to stick his truck in the mix. The team got serious about the truck set-up. Top guys were brought in to help Ricky. Everybody from driving coaches, former racers, to prep guys, now help Ricky’s program. He is very attentive to the information these professionals give him. Ricky spent the offseason testing and boosting his confidence level. Ricky continued to test during the lockdown, knowing he would be back on track soon. Ricky’s first weekend in the truck at the inaugural Championship Off Road event at ERX Motorsports Park in Minnesota, he secured his first national podium taking third place in Round 2. He then came back DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 35
YOUNG GUNS
out West and took second on the podium in Round 1 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Starting out on the front row, Ricky did all he could to hold off the rest of the field. Unfortunately, Jerett Brooks slipped by him in a corner. Hot on Ricky’s heels was veteran and mentor Brian Deegan. Deegan, who had not been behind the wheel of a Pro-2 in a couple of seasons, was not able get past Ricky when the checkered flag flew. One thing is apparent. This young teen is ready for the big leagues and still has even bigger dreams. He is looking for a Pro-2 championship and one day a Baja 1000 win in desert racing. Just remember that household name– Ricky G.
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Performance Products
PERFORMANCE IS OUR MIDDLE NAME! CBR Performance Products Inc has a number of years of hands on experience from Motocross Racing, UTV Racing, Road Racing and Off-Road Racing. Many Teams and/or individuals who use CBR products are winning championships and seeing podium finishes. www.cbr-performance.com
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rembering JESSI COMBS
ONE YEAR LATER STORY: WENDY WOHLFORD PHOTOS: SHAUN OCHSNER & JESSI COMBS FOUNDATION
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astest Woman on Earth is a title not many dare to aspire to be, but to this amazing woman, this was her goal. Jessi Combs was a force to be reckoned with. She was a record breaker, pro racer, TV personality and metal fabricator. Jessi has a legacy that resonates loudly within the racing community. Those that knew and loved her grieve as we approach the one-year mark of her untimely passing. No stranger to speed, Jessi lived for it, and was not shy about making that known. In 2013, Jessi drove The North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger right through the previous 48-year-old record coming in at 398.954 mph for the official run and 440.709 for her top speed. Defeating the previous record Jessi earned the title “Fastest Woman on Four Wheels”. Not content with breaking just one record, Jessi then went on to break her own record in 2016 with a new top speed of just over 477 mph. To have these feats on one’s resume of achievements is impressive, but Jessi was not done yet. In addition to breaking land speed records, Jessi also made a name for herself as a pro racer in off-road. In 2014, she placed first in the spec class at the King of the Hammers, making her the first woman at any Ultra 4 event to place on the podium. Not stopping there, she went on to place first at the Ultra 4 Western Regional Series and National Championship. Jessi also placed 2nd in Class 7 at the 2016 SCORE Baja 1000 and earned another first-place spot at KOH in the EMC Modified Class with the Savvy Off Road Team that year.
REMBERING JESSI COMBS
In 2017, Jessi set out to Ironwoman the 50th Baja 1000 as a solo driver– meaning she would run the entire course with no replacement drivers. Unfortunately, a mechanical failure would end her race, half way down the peninsula. Jessi Combs was not just known and loved for speed and racing skills; she was also an admired female TV personality. She was a host on the show Xtreme 4x4 on Spike TV until she suffered a spinal injury in 2007 that should have left her paralyzed. In true Jessi fashion, that just was not going to work for her. Beating the odds, Jessi made a full recovery, but ultimately decided to part from the Xtreme 4x4 show. Adding to her on-screen repertoire, she went on to co-host All Girls Garage and the 2011 return of Overhaulin, along with a dozen appearances on Mythbusters and a handful of other TV shows where she could show off her impeccable and almost artistic metal fabrication skills. 40 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
One summer day Jessi set out with one goal, to break the record of the current “Fastest Woman on Earth”, a title that at the time was held by Kitty O’Neil for over 40 years after O’Neil hit the record setting speed of 512.7 mph in 1976. On August 27th 2019, on a dry lake bed in Oregon, Jessi Combs achieved an incredible triumph followed by an unimaginable accident. A mechanical frontwheel failure led to the heartbreaking loss of Jessi Combs. In June 2020, The Guinness Book Of World Records officially announced that during Jessi’s two opposite runs across the lake bed, she averaged a speed of just over 522.7 mph, beating out Kitty’s previous record of 512.7 mph and posthumously earning her the title of “Fastest Woman on Earth”.
ONE YEAR LATER
In honor of her memory The Jessi Combs Foundation was established in September 2019. The mission of the foundation is to inspire and educate a new generation of women who are eager to follow in Jessi’s fearless, trailblazing footsteps. As Jessi Combs said just days before her passing said “It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire…those who are willing, are those who achieve great things. People say I’m crazy. I say thank you”.
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TECH
Installing New Heims on a Pre-Runner Words and Photos: Chris Ramey
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n this month’s tech article, we are installing new heims and re-using the old bushings for an Alumicraft 3-seat prerunner’s rear trailing arms. When taking out the old heim, it is very important to make sure you get an accurate measurement, so you can install the new heim to that exact measurement. If you are off on the measurement, it will affect the handling of the car in the rear and will set the retoe. Too much toe out will cause the car to
be squirrely. You typically want the rear of the car toed in anywhere from a 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. When putting the bushings back in make sure you put inner and outer bushings back in where they came out. Some can be machined to fit exactly right and if not in the correct spot you could end up with more play than you want, which can later cause serious issues! Here are some steps to help you out: Step 2- Lightly Grease your bushings (recommend greases to use include: Neo Synthetics HP800, Lucas Red “N” Tacky or Kendall)
Step 1- Install heim, bushings and sleeve into rear buggy trailing arm. 42 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
INSTALLING NEW HEIMS ON A PRE-RUNNER
Step 4- Make sure bushings are all the way in and flush against arm material.
Step 3- Push bushings into arm, then tap them in with a rubber mallet.
Step 5- Grease bushing sleeve. Step 6- Push bushing sleeve into bushing. Step 7- Use a pair of calipers to measure heim distance so you can get a length and make sure new the new heim goes in at the exact distance (I always go off the spherical ball line for reference.)
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TECH INSTALL
Step 8- Loosen the jam nut with a large crescent wrench. Step 9- Always put Anti Seize or Copper Slip on the new heim threads to prevent thread galling. It also prevents the heim from rusting in the arm. Step 10- Thread the new heim into arm and match up the distance from old heim you took out.
Step 11 This is the final step! take your measurement from old heim using your reference points to match up new heim to same specs with calipers. Once it matches tighten up jam nut with crescent wrench and keep heim straight when tightening. 44 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
Final step- take two crescent wrenches one to hold the heim straight while you use the other one to tighten the jam nut. The end result is the new heim and freshly prepped bushings and sleeve.
CHAPPY’S PIT STOP
LIFE REVOLUTION PT4: LIVING OUT YOUR WITNESS. I
’m writing this as I prepare to head out to Vegas for the annual Vegas-to-Reno race by Best In The Desert. I have only been able to make a few short-course races since March, but this will be my first time back to the desert since The Mint 400. The following week I head out to Missouri for a Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series event and I must say it sure feels good to get back to racing again. Hopefully, we are all able to get our races in before the year’s end. I also hope this miniseries on Life Revolution has brought value to your life by encouraging and challenging you. 2CORINTHIANS 3:17NIV And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. This is the last “Pit Stop” in our chase to let the Holy Spirit use the truth of God’s Word to affect our thoughts, our feelings and our actions. This life revolution to transform our worship, walk & finally our witness. •WORSHIP – loving God with all our heart •WALK – walk that reflects a new mind •WITNESS – action reflecting God’s grace in us The racing community has a worldwide audience, so it is especially important that our witness reflects our relationship. It is not just about what you say when you are on the podium making an acceptance speech, it is about how you walk and witness’s to others that really matters. A childhood saying, I remember: Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks. Our witness should reflect that there is a difference in our value system, the way we
Words: Steve Hanson
act, what we say, what we find entertaining, and how we carry ourselves overall. If there is no difference, if there is no life of holiness, what we are telling our audience is; “Jesus Christ makes no difference in my life. I am just like you with or without Christ in my life.” We are instructed to walk holy to serve as a strong witness to the unbelievers and to make a difference in the lives around us, just like Christ did. I PETER 1:13-16MSG Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” It is truly clear here how we are to live and how we are to walk. It does not matter if you’re a superstar professional racer, a schoolteacher, a laborer or anything in between. I THESSALONIANS 5:22NIV Avoid every kind of evil. I THESSALONIANS 5:22KJV Avoid every appearance of evil. You may think that living Christ like would turn people off, but I would disagree. When we live life to the Full as Christ intended it, abiding in Him making him the focus of our heart and of our mind, something begins to happen in our life that cannot be explained, and we become very contagious. Those watching us will want to find out what makes us tick because they will see that we are alive in Christ. Follow @rfc_dirtsportministry
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CALENDAR
UPCOMING EVENTS august Best In The Desert Vegas to RenoAugust 12th-15th Championship Off-Road Rounds 5 & 6- ERX Motorsports Park, Elk River Minnesota August 15th-16th
EVENT TO ATTEND CRANDON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series- Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Missouri August 21st-22nd Desert Clean-Up (Clean Dezert) Hodge RoadVictorville, California August 28th
September Crandon World Championships/Championship Off-Road- Crandon International Raceway, Crandon, Wisconsin September 4th-6th M.O.R.E. PCI 300- Lucerne Valley, California September 12th Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Round 6 & 7- Chandler, AZ (Wild Horse Pass Raceway) September 18th and 19th Ultra 4 Rumble in Reno, Reno, NV September 18th
Race events have been sidelined for months and we know everyone is restless from the lockdown. The Crandon World Championships at Crandon International Raceway is the perfect venue to see high-flying action, door banging and good ole clean high speed racing. The “Big House” provides a front row seat to all of action. While you are there, pick up some authentic Wisconsin cheese curds and a 6-pack of beer. (Sold as a package deal!)
SCORE Baja 500, San Felipe, Mexcio September 22nd-27th Championship Off-Road Final Rounds- Crandon International Raceway, Crandon, Wisconsin September 26th-27th 46 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
Have an event for our Calendar? Send us an email: dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com
