LUKE MCMILLIN SCORES FIRST BAJA 1000 VICTORY
ISSUE 11 VOL 1
The Voice Of Off-Road Motorsports
DECEMBER 2020
BIG BLUE
3RD GENE RATIO N WIN FOR INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ELECTRIC OFF-ROADING TO THE EXTREME
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+ TECH: THE SCIENCE OF COOLING + FIRST LOOK AT THE CHENOWTH LEGACY LODGE
FIRST FINISH FOR THE BRONCO R PROTOTYPE
MOTOS HIT THE TRACK FOR DAY IN THE DIRT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS REGULAR DIRT>
18
4 WORD
24
5
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT
8
DIRT WORLD
10 NEW PRODUCT 54 CHAPPY’S PIT STOP 55 CALENDAR
FEATURES>
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18 COVER STORY: LUKE MCMILLIN: BIG BLUE M LEGACY 24 THE BRUTAL BAJA
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31 FORD BRONCO R PROTOTYPE FINALLY FINISHES THE BAJA 1000 34 DAY IN THE DIRT
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40 ELECTRIC TAKES OFF-ROADING TO THE EXTREME 46 A LOOK INSIDE THE CHENOWTH LEGACY LODGE
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TECH> 54 THE SCIENCE OF COOLING Publisher Contributing Photography DirtSports Inc. Shaun Ochsner Editor-In-Chief Dave Arnold Shaun Ochsner Eric Minks Associate Editor Ford Motor Company LaChelle Halliday Steve Hanson Sales and Management Polaris Dave Arnold Suzuki Racing Contributing Editors Mauricio Ruelas Extreme E Chris James Kawasaki Ganassi Racing Steve Hanson General Motors FCA Dave Arnold Email: dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA DIRTSPORTSWORLD
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DIRTSPORTSWORLD
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 3
WORD
WE MADE IT Twenty-Twenty started like any other year with a full schedule of races. In March, the COVID-19 pandemic sent everything grinding to a halt. For weeks, none of us knew when or if racing would return. Sponsorship commitments were in limbo. Vehicles sat quietly prepped in race shops as the country went into lockdown. Promoters scrambled to reschedule or cancel events. This caused a tidal wave of problems for everyone. Slowly, the lights came back on. One by one, race events around the country began to resume. Many looked different than they ever had before. New strict guidelines had
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to be followed. Masks, hand sanitizer, social distancing and temperature checks. Many events were run without fans or spectators. But, here it is December, and we made it! All of our racing organizations worked hard to save a tumultuous season and we give them major praise. We know it was no easy task, but we thank everyone who worked hard to keep things moving. Promoting an event is already difficult. Promoting an event during the midst of pandemic with so much uncertainty is a monumental task. We look forward to a full schedule and exciting 2021. Shaun Ochsner Editor-In-Chief DirtSportsWorld
NEWS Polaris Debuts Dakar Rally RZR Polaris announced it would be running a factory team to compete in the 2021 Dakar Rally. More has been revealed about the RZR Pro XP that Kristen Matlock, Wayne Matlock and Craig Scanlon will be driving. The team will compete in the SSV class. The RZR Pro XP was modified with an FIA homologated chassis customized by Jimco Racing. The stance is slightly wider and has more travel. A custom roof scoop has been added for maximum airflow. A Motec digital dash was installed for on board monitoring diagnostics. Polaris also installed a lightweight lithium battery that will keep the Pro XP vehicles powered during the Rally. BF Goodrich tires were selected for their durability and ability to handle the harsh Dakar terrain.
JGRMX Closes its Doors
Another motocross team is shutting down. In November, Suzuki announced the conclusion of its relationship with the Joe Gibbs Racing Team. JGR was hoping to secure a deal for 2021. JGR has also been unable to retain a title sponsor for the upcoming season. A post on JGRMX’s social media read: Thank you- The JGRMX family would like to thank all of our fans, riders and sponsors for 13 great years. Riders on the team included Alex Martin, Freddie Noren and Joey Savatgy, Jimmy Decotis and Broc Tickle. JGRMX started in 2008 as a Yamaha support team with Josh Summey, Josh Hansen and later riders Josh Grant and James Stewart. Davi Millsaps and Justin Brayton were also part of the team. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 5
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT
Crandon International Raceway Sold to Jamey Flannery Crandon International Raceway is going commercial. The track turned 51 this year. Local businessman Jamey Flannery has acquired the track and all of its assets. For years, Jamey’s uncle¬– Cliff Flannery and a board of directors have run operations at Crandon. All will retire when the deal is finalized on January 1st, 2021. The track has seen many charitable donations over the years.
Motor Speedway of the off-road world. We can’t wait to get started on getting ready for the 2021 season.” The Crandon International Raceway property spans 400 acres in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Jamey’s father was the late track champion, Jack Flannery. Jamey has plans to expand the track operations with several upgrades that will benefit race fans and racers.
“This racetrack has been such a positive influence on the entire Flannery family and also in the lives of so many people,” said Jamey Flannery, who also currently races in the Champ Off-Road series unlimited Pro 4 category. “It’s an honor for me to be in a position to help extend that history and expand Crandon’s status as the Indianapolis
Best in the Desert Cancels Year-End Awards Show The Pandemic has forced the cancellation of the Best in the Desert Year-End awards show. The awards were scheduled to take place in Nevada on December 5th. Current restrictions prohibit the gathering of more than 50 people in one area. A statement from Best in the Desert read: it is with much regret that we will be unable to hold our annual Best in The Desert Awards presentation. This disappointment is overwhelming as our racers worked their tails off all year to achieve their goals and we looked forward to honoring their accomplishments in the presence of their families, friends, media, teammates, crews, and peers.
We made it through an entire season on one hurdle after another to only come up short at the end. Needless to say, it is very disappointing. Our racers proved they have the champion qualities that will not go unnoticed. We will update everyone once we have more news to share regarding future plans for the event and how we are going to manage the distribution of awards and prize monies. 6 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
Bruce Meyers Sells Meyers Manx Company At 94 years of age, Bruce Meyers is selling his famed Meyers Manx Company. The company is being sold to an investment firm called Trousdale Ventures, owned by Phillip Sarofim. Bruce Meyers created the legendary dune buggy in 1964. It quickly gained popularity as a California beach icon and the pop culture embraced it. The idea came to Bruce Meyers after he watched a Jeep having difficulty driving over the sand at the dunes. Using Volkswagen power, the Meyers Manx was born. The vehicle has won in Baja as well as used in several Hollywood productions. “We are putting together an international dream team of passionate and creative souls to carry on the Meyers Manx legacy of fun, freedom and expression that Bruce and Winnie created. The time is right for us all to
get back to basics and simplify our lives! That is what Meyers Manx is all about! It celebrates authenticity, diversity and being a little different,� said Phillip Sarofim. Bruce will continue as an Ambassador to the new Meyers Manx Company.
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 7
DIRT WORLD
The best thing about going to Baja is the roadside taco stands.
SCORE BAJA 1000
SCORE BAJA 1000
MOAB 4X4 EXPO
We found a cheap place to stay with a killer view!
SCORE BAJA 1000
Prepare to be licked.
DAY IN THE DIRT
A reminder why you should never stand in the middle of a “hot” race course.
Make dirtbike riding great again.
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THE WORLD IS A DIRTY PLACE
SCORE BAJA 1000
BIG CRANDON
Living that high life
MOAB 4X4 EXPO
Its good to see essential businesses are still open in Baja.
DAY IN THE DIRT
Mom is happy because baby is sleeping.
SU B YO MI T PH UR OT O SEND US YOUR CRAZY PHOTO OUT IN THE DIRT AND WE MAY FEATURE IT HERE IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE. We are digging the pants.
Email to: Dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 9
NEW PRODUCT
The 470-Horsepower Jeep Rubicon 392
What happens when you drop a 6.4-liter V8 engine in a Jeep Wrangler? According to Jeep, you get the most powerful and capable 4x4 on the market. We are talking about the 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392. The new powerplant delivers 470-horsewpower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It has been 40 years since a production V8 was added to the Wrangler. This new Jeep packs a ton of features.
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The Wrangler Rubicon 392 has a TorqueFlight eight speed automatic transmission with a Selec-Trac full time active transfer case. This combination can send the Jeep from 0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds. A competition style leather wrapped steering wheel and paddle shifters allow you to control the vehicle with ease. While the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is fast on the pavement, it shines in its natural habitat– off-road!
JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON 392
You get heavy duty Dana 44 axles, transmission torque converter lockup control and 33-inch tires on 17-inch beadlock wheels with a 2-inch lift. This gives the 392 a total of 10.3 inches of ground clearance with improved suspension articulation and maneuverability for those difficult approach and departure angles found on steep rocky trails. Just in case you encounter a creek crossing or small river, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 can traverse through 32.5 inches of water. If the functional hood scoop is restricted by snow, mud or other debris, a secondary air path within the hood will feed the engine with air flow allowing the Wrangler Rubicon to reach top speeds. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 will be available in nine colors that include Black, Bright White, Firecracker Red, Granite Crystal Metallic, Punk ‘n Metallic, Sarge Green Metallic, Snazzbery Metallic, Sting-Gray Metallic and Silver Metallic. All will have a black interior. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon goes on sale first quarter of 2021. Pricing has not yet been announced.
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NEW PRODUCT
GMC’s Off-Road Performance Edition Canyon AT4
The GMC AT4 Canyon was designed with offroading in mind. Released in January, it is already equipped with a capable and rugged package. The truck comes stock with 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires and an off-road tuned suspension package with an advanced hill descent system. GMC just made this truck a whole lot better. The off-road performance edition enhances the Canyon AT4. “When customers are looking for a capable offroad truck, we know that they want improved vehicle height as well as additional protection,” said GMC Marketing Director Rich Latek. “Whether it’s tackling die-hard off-road courses or embarking on a weekend adventure, the Canyon AT4 Off-Road Performance Edition provides an improved approach angle, enhanced maneuverability and under-body protection to key parts of the truck, while still delivering a premium GMC experience.” 12 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
GMC CANYON AT4 OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE EDITION
Here is what you get with the upgraded package. First, GMC removed the front air dam to improve the truck’s approach angles by 35 percent to nearly 30 degrees. Rocker panel protectors along with front and mid skid plates provide increased maneuverability for the truck in uneven off-road terrain. The skid plates are made from 5/32-inch aluminum. They help protect critical components on the AT4 such as lower radiator, front differential, steering gear and oil pan. The transfer case shield already comes standard on the Canyon AT4.
black. The performance exhaust tip is painted in a gloss black along with the 17-inch wheels. The GMC Canyon AT4 is expected to be available this month. Pricing has not yet been announced.
GMC also updated the exterior styling of the truck. The AT4 logos are painted in Carbon
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KIDS KORNER
Connor Power | Age: 9 | Class: 170
PRESENTED BY:
Q: What is it about Off-Road that brings you the most joy? A: Watching Jerett Brooks win the Lucas Oil Championship in his Pro 2. I enjoy racing against my friends and the competition. I like learning how to drift and sending my car off jumps is my favorite. Q: What are your favorite tracks and your ultimate goal for 2021? A: My favorite tracks to drive are the Wild West Motorsports Park in Reno, NV and the Lake Havasu, AZ 2020 UTV World Championship track. My goal for 2021 is to win the Mint 400 in March and to be as fast as my friends Chase Mankin and TJ Siewers! Q: What are you going to change tomorrow to make yourself better than today? A: I am going to work on being more aggressive while driving my car on the racetrack. Working on not checking up in the corners and not backing off during passes will help me be a better driver tomorrow than I am today. Q: How does your schoolwork help you in sports? A: My schoolwork helps me to problem solve and focus while on the track. Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? A: In five years I see myself with multiple championships. I will be driving in the turbo class and traveling the country with my family. My sister will be 7 years old then and I want to help her to get into racing. Power Shout-outs : I want to give a huge shout out to my dad for all the hours he spends working on my car, love you dad! Thank you to all my family who buy parts and cheer me on! And of course, none of this would be possible without my amazing sponsors: Mod Kids USA, Sparco USA, Antigravity Batteries, Tagger Designs, Demon Powersports, Trailer Wrap Pros, AZ., Dent Works, Roll Design, Larue Performance, Dixxon Flannel, and Action Sports Canopies. 14 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
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No Fear: Jared Merrell flies his #25 J-Star Motors KTM off a jump at Red Bull Day in the Dirt.
Send It: Luke Johnson mashes the skinny pedal in the #89 Trophy Truck during the Baja 1000.
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 17
luke mcmillin continues the
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legac y of the big blue story by: Shaun ochsner photos by: shaun Ochsner, dave Arnold
LUKE MCMILLIN
T
wenty-three-year-old Luke McMillin is a 3rd generation racer from the McMillin family. Racing runs deep their blood. To learn where Luke learned his skills from, you have to look to the record of Grandpa Corky McMillin. Corky began his racing career in the 1970’s, racing the Baja 1000. He soon won several class championships. Racing quickly became a family effort. Luke has waited impatiently for his turn to race. Following in the footsteps of his dad Mark, older brother Dan and cousin Andy, 2020 would be a breakout year for Luke. Racing against his brother in the Trophy Truck class, Luke started the year with a win at the King of the Hammers. He then got a win at the Mint 400. He followed it up a few months later with a Best in The Desert Silver State 300 win. The team headed to San Felipe in September for the Baja 500. Dan McMillin ended up winning that race with Luke taking third place. Luke has had a dream to win the Baja 1000 since he was a little boy. He has spent the last seven years learning the ropes and racing a Trophy Truck. Luke was heavily involved in building his winning trophy truck. Many parts
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“This is a lifelong dream come true” -Luke McMillin
BIG BLUE M LEGACY CONTINUES
were designed or engineered in-house. Luke never gave up. Countless hours of testing, pre-running and changing suspension set-up. This year Luke teamed up with racing veteran Larry Roeseler to share driving duties in the Trophy Truck. Luke has driven with Roeseler before. Roeseler came into the 2020 Baja 1000 with 13 wins. 10 on a motorcycle and 3 in a four-wheeled vehicle. Roeseler knows the Baja terrain like the back of his hand. He was about to see his 14th Baja win!
the truck close the to the front of the pack before handing it off to Luke. By the time Luke got in the truck, the sun had gone down and there was nothing but darkness over Baja. Luke would rely on the lines he pre-ran, his navigator Jason Duncan and their GPS notes. A ton of LED lights on the front of the truck would also help light up the night.
Roeseler would take the first leg of the race, 430 miles down the Baja Peninsula, keeping
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LUKE MCMILLIN
Luke was running 3rd. His brother Dan in the lead and Ampudia right behind. The #10 Ampudia Trophy Truck was down changing a flat tire as Luke passed by. He knew it was go time. He caught up to his brother who was having mechanical issues. Dan radioed to Luke “Go win this thing.” Luke got on the gas and drove like a madman towards the finish. Just miles before the finish line, Luke’s crew told him he had at least a 10-minute lead. That’s when the emotion hit that he was going to finally realize his dream of winning the SCORE Baja 1000.
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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
THE BRUTAL BAJA What it took to conquer one of the toughest Baja 1000 races.
story by: Shaun ochsner photos by: shaun Ochsner, dave Arnold, honda 24 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
SCORE BAJA 1000
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he COVID 19 pandemic has created a year of turmoil and uncertainty for several racing events. SCORE International was no exception. The organization faced several event cancellations. The biggest problem for the series is that all of their events are held in Baja which has seen travel restrictions since the pandemic started. In September, the Mexican government gave SCORE the green light to host the Baja 500. This opened the door for ABOVE: Baja 500 winner Dan McMillin started the 1000 first off the line. the granddaddy of all races,
the SCORE Baja 1000 to continue as planned. This year’s Baja 1000 was originally scheduled to be a peninsula run, starting in Ensenada and ending in La Paz. SCORE organizers decided to change the event to a loop race instead with both the start and finish in Ensenada. The race however would look a lot different than normal. There would be no fans allowed at tech and contingency. Typically throngs of fans crowd around race vehicles as they are pushed and driven through several blocks 26 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
in Ensenada. Vendors line the streets with everything from clothing apparel to offroad products to Baja souvenirs. Tech and contingency along with the start line were isolated a few miles outside of town along a stretch of highway under construction that will eventually take travelers towards San Felipe bypassing the traffic lights and Altos in the town of Ensenada. To enter registration, there were mandatory temperature checks and hand sanitization. Masks were required of everybody. The vendors could be counted on one hand. Things were quiet except for the
THE BRUTAL BAJA
occasional stage interview as drivers moved through the area getting vehicles approved for the race. The COVID pandemic could not sideline the actual race itself. Motorcycles and quads started on time, before the sun came up over the Baja peninsula. The first Trophy Truck rocketed off the starting as planned just after 10am. The race was on! Dan McMillin was the first to start the race. Dan earned the first position after a Baja 500 win in September. Behind Dan was Tim Herbst and younger brother Luke McMillin. The usual crowds lined parts of the course to watch race vehicles fly by them at high speeds. 185 vehicles started the SCORE Baja 1000 on their quest to catch an all-important win. Baja terrain is known for being brutal and punishing. This race is no walk in the park. The 898-mile course would head out towards Ojos Negros before turning out to the pacific coast. Several miles of pavement would cause racers to carefully monitor their speeds. Go too fast and earn a time infraction that could cost a win. As early afternoon hit, the first vehicles raced southbound along the cliffs of the ocean. The backdrop was spectacular. Ocean waves crashed along coast as Trophy Trucks kicked up dust. Dan McMillin continued to hold the lead with several Trophy Trucks very close behind. A few hundred miles down the course, the bike teams were making their way over to the other side of the peninsula near San Felipe. There was still a lot of course to navigate and the lead bikes were still hours from the finish line. Mark Samuel’s 1x team was trying to stay out in front of the 66x of Santiago Creel.
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SCORE BAJA 1000
ABOVE: Pat Sims gets air off of a jump along the coastal section of the course.
ABOVE: Pierce Herbst finished 2nd in the Trophy Truck Spec Class.
ABOVE: Robby Gordon’s “Unicorn” raced its first Baja 1000 event. 28 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
This year’s course was not easy by design. In addition to tight twisty technical turns, there was plenty of silt. Drivers and navigators had to be on their game. As the sun began to drop from the sky, Dan McMillin continued his lead with several top drivers on his tail. At race mile 305, the course heads up into the mountain towards Mike’s Sky Ranch and down towards San Felipe. Racers would be running this section in the dark. Mistakes could not be made here. Racers were relying on GPS notes they took while pre-running along with LED lights to navigate through the dust and pitchblack night. Late into the night, Mark Samuel’s Honda 1x crossed the finish line. Aboard the bike was teammate Justin Morgan. There were only a handful of media people and SCORE officials present since the finish line
THE BRUTAL BAJA
was isolated due to COVID restrictions. Samuels celebrated his Baja 1000 win with teammates Justin Morgan and Justin Jones. The win marks Samuels 12th consecutive victory. Honda now has 30 overall motorcycle victories at the Baja 1000. “It starts to create a lot of pressure when you are expected to win every year” said Samuels. “Baja isn’t just about racing other people; it’s also about all the other things that can happen. That’s all part of it though, and it’s what makes the wins special. It was a tough course this year, but it was great to have Honda prevail again.” As the hours continued to tick away, Dan McMillin experienced mechanical issues, shutting down any hopes of a Baja 1000 win. Alan Ampudia was on the move, attempting to follow-up his team’s 2019 victory. Rob MacCachren and Luke McMillin were also knocking off miles and getting closer to finishing the race. Luke McMillin and Alan Ampudia were so close to each other in the final miles of the race; corrected time calculations as well as penalties would need to be immediately reviewed to determine the winner. Ampudias
quest for a second Baja win come to a sudden and heartbreaking end when the trophy truck hit a rock and severely damaged the front end. Luke continued to increase his lead, officially finishing the Baja 1000 eleven minutes ahead of Rob MacCachren. Luke’s trophy truck had survived one of the most punishing and toughest courses. For 19 hours, 10 minutes and 25 seconds the truck held up to the rough Baja terrain. SCORE officials reviewed tracking data and determined there were no penalties. Luke McMillin was awarded the overall win. BF Goodrich handed Luke a bonus check of $25,000.
ABOVE: Luke McMillin and co-driver Jason Duncan celebrate a Baja 1000 victory DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 29
SCORE BAJA 1000
Gabriel Torres started out front in Class 1 but it wasn’t long before Cody Parkhouse and Broc Dickerson made their way to the front. Dickerson would eventually suffer mechanical issues, causing the team to lose valuable time. Cody Parkhouse, driving with his father Brian captured the checkered flag with a time of 22 hours, 21 minutes and 9 seconds. Trophy Truck Spec is a driver’s class. The biggest rule in the class is that the engine must be limited to a stock sealed V8. JT Taylor would start out front in Pat Sims #211 Spec Truck. 17 other spec trucks would also try and race for a win. Jeff Bader and Dan Fresh would come out on top with the victory. Unfortunately, Sims would make a tough decision and end his race after knocking a hole in the fuel cell. Pierce Herbst finished 2nd. In the Pro UTV class, Eliott Watson helped Honda win their first four-wheel victory in Baja. Watson drove a Honda Talon with Quintin Tucker, Bud Ward, Brian Weatherly and Geoffrey Dunivin. Over in the Pro-UTV forced induction class, Wes Miller gave Polaris
LEFT: Cody Parkhouse drives towards a Class 1 Victory
ABOVE: Rhys Millen came out on top in Class 7. 30 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
a win. Miller also took the overall UTV win. As the Baja 1000 stories continue to roll in, this year was definitely one of the most challenging races, both navigating on course and navigating a pandemic with all of the safety protocols. The race will be one to add another page to the record books.
ABOVE: Wes Miller took a win in the Pro-UTV Class
ABOVE: Jeff Bader won the Trophy Truck Spec class. BELOW: Paul Horschel was the only 4400 to finish the Hammer Truck class.
BRONCO MANIA
Bronco R Prototype Finally Finishes the Baja 1000 STORY BY: SHAUN OCHSNER PHOTOS: COURTESY OF FORD
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BRONCO R PROTOTYPE FINISHES THE BAJA 1000
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t is the second attempt for the Ford Bronco R Prototype. The vehicle debuted in 2019 with just a month to prepare for the Baja 1000. The team led a valiant effort. A ton of issues plagued the team in 2019 including a busted control arm, broken skid plate and cooling issues more than halfway into the race. The team reluctantly called it quits vowing to return in 2020. Ford vowed to test the vehicle and improve upon what they learned. The same driver line-up of Cameron Steele, Shelby Hall and co-drivers Johnny Campbell, Curt LeDuc and Jason Scherer were back to conquer one of the toughest courses in Baja. “When Bronco returned, we said it would follow the legacy of the first-generation Broncos that forever changed the off-road landscape.� said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance motorsports.
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BRONCO MANIA
The Bronco R Prototype is powered by Ford’s fully stock 2.7-liter Eco boost engine and Ford 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. This same package will be available on the recently announced 2021 Ford Bronco available to the public next summer. The Bronco R race prototype serves as a testbed for the Bronco Build Wild Extreme Testing durability regimen. Engineers are fine tuning the final Baja Mode calibrations for the Terrain Management System on the production versions. The first-generation Broncos claimed 5 Baja class wins in the 60’s and 70’s. Late model
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Broncos then continued the winning legacy with nine wins. The Bronco R Race Prototype finished this year’s SCORE Baja 1000 in just over 32 hours. Ford also had a preproduction two-door Outer Banks series Bronco with the Sasquatch off-road package to test in the Baja Mexico desert.
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DAY IN THE DIRT
STORY: DAVE ARNOLD PHOTOS: SHAUN OCHSNER & DAVE ARNOLD
MOTO
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ed Bull Day in the Dirt is a Motocross race that was only supposed to be one day event. It began in 1998 as the brainchild of Kenny Alexander, who has turned Day in the Dirt into what is now a 23 year long, non-stop motocross party; often referred to as the “MX Woodstock.” They say this event is a gathering of family and friends, and their common love over dirt bikes. It the attracts the greats the near-greats and not so greats also a large contingency of the Hollywood
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stunt community as well as moto fanatics worldwide! The race always starts the day after Thanksgiving. It spans three days. Day one begins with a “Happy Hour” practice which allows riders to learn the course. The greatest benefit of this practice is that the money raised goes to the Steve McQueen fund for The Boys Republic.
RED BULL DAY IN THE DIRT
His son Chad McQueen who also shares his father’s love of motocross is often a fixture at the race. During Steve McQueen’s movie career, he was a well-known as a motocross racer as well as desert racer. He would use the alias “Harvey Mushman” in order to keep the studios and insurance companies blind of his extreme side. Steve McQueen had the need to race! He did his own stunts in several of his movies. Steve McQueen could ride better than most of the stunt-men at the time. Today Red Bull’s Day in the Dirt has become one of the premier GPs in the country . Notables who have participated include Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Johnson along with many other motocross stars over the years! In the beginning the Grand Prix was much smaller and more of an industry and Hollywood crowd. Through the years this race has grown to numbers well over 1000 entries and catering to multiple classes. The best way the officials shake it up is adding classes like the SoCal reunion race that pits the old Indian Dunes, Saddleback and Carlsbad track racers of the day together. It is always great to see what riders in the 60s and 70s competed on, compared to the modern machinery of today.
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MOTO
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RED BULL DAY IN THE DIRT
There are classes for the two strokes, classes for the kids and even a women’s Grand Prix. One of the most exciting races is “the old switcheroo” ¬– a Grand Prix team race which brings stunt men of all ages in the film industry. Men, women, father, sons and special guests compete. An entry can have as many riders as they want during the moto. As soon as the rider comes into the pit, another rider is able to go out and continue the race. The Bossa Nova Grand Prix three-man team race brings the fastest riders from intermediate to pro in the Moto industry. They team up with movie industry riders in a three-man team, scored in the Motocross des Nations style. If you still haven’t found a race to fit your flavor, you could always go for the Coup de Grace survival race. This race is over when the officials decide to drop the checkered flag. No one knows how long it will last. Of course there’s always the ultimate honor of the Iron Man. You have must compete in five events, including the Vintage GP or 2-stroke GP, Moto-a -GoGo, Coup de Grace and one other race of your choice. The Red Bull Day in the Dirt is a great time to hang out with friends, family and legends. It is also a good way to make some new friends! Definitely one to check off the ole bucket list!
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ELECTRIC TAKES OFF-ROADING TO THE EXTREME Two wheels or four? Kawasaki or Geiser? Is there anything that can stop the dominate force that embodies Miss Sara Price? story by: Lachelle halliday photos courtesy of ganassi racing and extreme e
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o one knew what adventure this talented athlete would embark on amidst a crazed society plagued with uncertainty leaving the racing communities discombobulated. Without question to those close with the ambitious soul, it wouldn’t be long before Miss Sara would set her sights on an additional manifestation to embody a style of racing she and most have never encountered before. As she holds the record as the most winning female amateur to date, Sara is now taking her racing career to the next level again, this round teaming up under Chip Ganassi Racing. Sara Price, motocross, x games, UTV and trophy truck champion, is now going ELECTRIC and for good reason!
EXTREME E
DSW: How did this collaboration come about? How did you get invited to race in Extreme E, the new fully electric off-road series? Sara: Well, earlier this year I got some phone calls from a few teams that informed me about this new series happening, and how it’s going to be male and female driver teams. Then I got a call from Ganassi, and you know I’m on cloud 9 when I got that phone call. Ganassi racing wants to talk to me about driving for them. Its pretty incredible that they can even realize who I am and want me to be apart of their program.
Following a strong career as a driver himself, Chip Ganassi established Ganassi Racing in the early 1990s with his one-car Indy car team. As time passed, Chip sustained a heightened influence in the auto racing industry, expanding from his one-car team to now spanning five teams over three separate series’ accumulating cohesively 19 championships and over 220 victories since its inception. Chip Ganassi, team owner, a champion who forges his own path to success, teaming with the 42 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
young and ever so talented Sara Price as one part of two team drivers in the fully electric off-road series. With the induction of Sara to the Ganassi team, she becomes the first female in the Extreme E series, first female to team with Ganassi, and she has only scratched the surface with her astonishing firsts that she brings to, not only the racing community, but to the gender equality platform the series promotes worldwide. Alejandro Agag, founder of Extreme E and Formula E electric
ELECTRIC OFF-ROADING
series hailed the hiring of Sara Price saying, “Chip Ganassi Racing has certainly set the bar high with Sara” The newly formed series encompasses eight separate teams representing various countries, each having a male and female driver who alternate in each event. The environmentally conscious series will host five races with fully electric SUVs battling around the globe in areas severally affected by climate change. Extreme E will race in the countries
of Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Greenland and Brazil next year while the teams’ cars and equipment travel between races on the ocean via “floating garage” as it was determined transport by ship was 30 percent less harmful to the environment than air travel. Extreme E is the first sport built out of concern for the climate crisis. The series’ goal is to use electric racing to highlight remote environments under threat of climate change issues, and to encourage everyone to take positive action to protect the planet’s future.
DSW: What kind of car are you racing? How is it different from everything you have competed with prior? Sara: its an electric off-road SUV with two motors, one in the front, and one in the back. It’s an electric beast I would say is similar to a Dakar spec car. It’s been a lot of learning curves with learning electric, it comes down to a lot of coding, a lot of engineering. We’re used to digging in and thrashing on something mechanically and you can’t do that with this. There’s a lot of safety measures in place. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 43
EXTREME E
Dubbed “Odyssey 21” the E-SUV rolled out of Spark Racing Technology, South of Paris, hosting the electric battery with 400kw (550hp) and 2.3-metre wide E-SUV is bespoke from the ground up. Capable of firing from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds at gradients of up to 130 percent, it is unlike anything else in this world. Manufactured predominantly by Spark Racing Technology with a battery produced by Williams Advanced Engineering, it encompasses a niobium reinforced steel alloy tubular frame, as well as crash structure and roll cage while supplied with Continental Tires. Teaming with Sara Price, and the male half of the Extreme E dynamic duo, is the legendary and influential Kyle Leduc. Stemming from a strong bloodline of racing, Kyle carries the Leduc name to new heights with championship after championship. Since his first set of wheels touched the dirt, Kyle has been engineering his own builds from the ground up. Accumulating decades of hands
on experience behind the wheel and under the hood, Kyle adds a significant role to the Ganassi team that only encompasses a sevenman team, including the two drivers. Sitting in the driver seat of his Pro4, shooting a video for his sponsors, he received the call that would embark him onto the Extreme E Ganassi Racing team and thrust him into the world of electric off-road SUVs.
DSW: You’ve gotten a chance to test this car now, what is it like comparative to your pro4 ripping around the track?
“If they give us true off-road racing, door to door, we’ll line up, five wide.” 44 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
Kyle: its super bizarre! We were only at about 40% power but I think when we have the full 100% power its going to be relative, its going to be quick. Its about the same weight and wheel base of a pro4 which is a plus. It’s literally a different world
ELECTRIC OFF-ROADING
DSW: How do you think your experience with Pro4 is going to influence in this style of racing? Kyle: Its going to be relative. We live in a world of dirt, where the dirt never changes, its what your driving that does. It’s a car with four-wheel drive, it’s got prolite suspension with 13” of wheel travel and it’s without the hangover weight like on a trophy truck for the gas tank. They’re a euro car without the ability to customize it so I think that’s the biggest hurdle for me mentally. Coming off his 100th win, Kyle illustrates the talent level that has been introduced to the eight teams from multiple countries stating his intimidation with the induction of drivers coming into the series representing real drivers with impeccable talents. Predominately skilled in short course styled racing, Kyle stands a substantial advantage with his knowledge and experience racing door to door where in short course, every corner you can lose 1/10th of a second that will impact your overall ability to secure a podium position. In comparison to Sara, rising from desert racing trophy trucks that typically encompass a pace and full program to achieve podium accreditation while racers are dispersed widely throughout the terrain. Before the completion of 2020, Kyle and Sara will travel to Spain to complete a shakedown styled event to ensure what was envisioned on paper will unfold efficiently on the track. Presuming that the outcome of these tests
is favorable, the Extreme E racing series will begin March 20th in the Alula desert of Saudi Arabia. It is speculated that each race will consist of an eight to ten mile loop lined with cones and a type of virtual checkpoint providing every team a chance to dominate this challenging event. Extreme E is making every effort to not damage too much of the landscapes, creating a low footprint, by removing the typical buildup of tracks and spectators in extremely remote locations. All races will have the highest exposure since these are media-based events as we follow behind some of the best off-road racers this world has to offer. For most of these racers, this will be their first racing experience in an electric vehicle. As we bid our farewells to our team, our curiosity and anticipation grows by the passing day while we wait for the start of a new style of virtual racing. On the other hand, I am patiently waiting for Kyle Leduc to bring back the penguin I requested. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 45
LYNN CHENOWTH’S STORY BY: SHAUN OCHSNER PHOTOS BY: MAURICIO RUELAS
H
LEGACY LODGE
responsible for many Baja victories. Chenowth buggies were driven by some of the biggest names in off-road in the 70’s and 80’s. He sold 25,000 sand buggy frames that were shipped all around the world. Lynn retired in 2017, selling his company so he could go back to enjoy the fun of off-road racing. The Legacy Lodge and Museum is just the next chapter in his storied life.
e wasn’t planning on opening a five-star resort. It just kind of happened. Lynn Chenowth has had a house just outside of San Felipe for the last 35 years. When a nearby property came up for sale at the right price, Lynn jumped at the opportunity and bought it. He then had to figure out what he was going to The Chenowth Legacy Lodge and museum is do with it. The Chenowth Legacy Lodge was located 30 kilometers south of San Felipe in a community known as Rancho Percebu. Lynn born! calls it an “Oasis in the Desert.” The lodge features 11 rooms in a two-story building. Lynn Chenowth was inducted into the OffRoad Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2019. When it is fully finished, there will be a total Lynn created an open wheel buggy that is of 18 rooms. Several have a beachfront view. 46 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
LEGACY LODGE
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 47
LYNN CHENOWTH
There will be plenty to do at the Legacy Lodge. The property spans one and half acres. Lynn plans to have buggy rentals available. You can rent paddleboards and other water toys. There is a pool, restaurant, bar and spa. The well has fresh water to service the entire property. Perhaps one of the most exciting places on the Legacy Lodge property is Lynn’s museum. Fifteen of Lynn’s historic vehicles will be on display including the first Chenowth buggy to win the first NORRA 500. The museum will feature an extensive trophy collection and more than 300 historic photographs collected over the years. Helmets from celebrities like Roger and Rick Mears and Ivan Stewart are on display. Lynn says he had all these cars with 48 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
no place to put them, so he came up with idea of a museum.
Lynn’s Chenowth Legacy Lodge will be open for business in 2021. Lynn says he is almost ready. As soon as the COVID Pandemic dies down, you will be able to stay at the Lodge. Lynn said he will save a room for us when we are ready to come down and experience the property.
BY WESTIN
SYNTHETIC ROPE
for complete product details please visit us at
WIRE ROPE
superwinch.com #superwinch
TECH
the science of cooling Words and Photos: Shaun Ochsner
C
ooling is one of the most important functions on a vehicle. Racing in extreme conditions causes fluids to reach very high temperatures. A radiator is an efficient way to keep those fluids cool. The key is having the correct radiator with the proper design. Clint Barry at CBR Performance products has been building cooling products for some
50 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
of the biggest names in off-road racing for years. Cooling products are manufactured in-house at Barry’s Lake Elsinore, California shop. CBR cooling products have been “real world” tested on race vehicles in some of the harshest conditions. Clint relies on the feedback from race teams to make his products better. Many of CBR’s radiators are purpose built for a specific application.
THE SCIENCE OF COOLING
Oil temperatures can reach well over 250 degrees. Depending on the oil product, oil can start breaking down at 275 degrees and cause friction. The design of the CBR oil cooler helps keep the oil at an optimum operating temperature. In an “oil to air” cooler, the engine oil is cooled directly by ambient air passing over the cooler’s fins.
A standard vehicle radiator design can handle pressures of up to 25psi. CBR’s multi chamber extruded tube radiator can handle pressures of up to 100psi. In a normal race application, vehicles typically use up 40psi. CBR wanted to have a higher rating available in higher pressure situations if needed. Some all-wheel drive trophy trucks see fluids at 300 degrees.
Higher pressure applications are typically found on road vehicles such as touring cars. The inline heat exchanger design allows oil to pass through internal turbulators, heat transfers through the tube along with air, cooling the fluid. CBR has units that will plumb into the water line. Water flows through the unit and DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 51
TECH
and exits. Oil flows through a heat exchanger mounted in the case. The water that surrounds the heat exchanger cools the oil as it comes back out in the line. The heat exchanger is made of a braised stainless material. Some heat exchangers are made out of aluminum, but their service life can be shorter. The braised stainless also allows a greater stack height and the units to be manufactured to a larger size. Weight, efficiency and durability are all considered when manufacturing an inline heat exchanger. Delta is a scientific term that measures difference of temperature at two points. Clint sees a 30-degree difference using the Delta measurement on his inline heat exchangers. Radiator placement is also key to the physics of cooling. Clint wants to know if the radiator is going to be placed in a higher airflow or lower airflow location on the vehicle before suggesting one of his products for a build. The manufacture of the core is specific to where the radiator will be placed on the vehicle. Basically, the core is the small metal fins that allow coolant vent heat to the air around the 52 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
radiator. There are many different designs for the fins. Higher speed applications require more fins per square inch. The denser the fins are, the better the heat transfer. The drawback to this is more air pressure is required. In contrast, you want fewer fins for a lower speed application. Clint relies on basic physics for his designs. He also asks other questions such as what engine is going to be used and where is this vehicle primarily going to be raced.
THE SCIENCE OF COOLING
Fin height in the radiator is also important. A standard height is 12 millimeters. Some of CBR’s higherend applications, a 6-millimeter fin height is used. This allows 30 percent more tubes to be used. Think big radiator in a smaller package. This also allows for greater heat transfer, thus making the radiator more effective.
For more information on the cooling products CBR offers, visit www.cbr-performance.com DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 53
CHAPPY’S PIT STOP
THERE IS HOPE AROUND THE CORNER Words: Steve Hanson
I’m headed off to the last race of 2020, Rage at the River Primm followed by a celebration of life for Jeff Quinn. I sure cannot wait to have this year in my rear view mirror and know I’m not alone. We are all over the race cancellations, series cancellations, riots, pandemic, and the never-ending presidential election. To say that this year has taken it out of us would be an understatement. The events of 2020 should drive you to Gods word and what the prophets had to say during uncertain times. You will notice that most prophets speak God’s Word TO us. They call us to listen to His words of judgment, salvation, confrontation, and comfort. They face us with God as He is, and not as we want Him to be. They are in-yourface assertive telling us to pay attention to God or else. HABAKKUK 1:2-4 NIV How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? …. The prophet Habakkuk takes a different approach, he stands by our sides, doesn’t hide his frustrations and asks the tough questions of God. He insists that God pay attention, that we are a little disappointed with how He is handling things. But then Habakkuk waits, and his waiting causes him to listen and while he listens, he is led to pray. • Questioning leads to Waiting • Waiting leads to Listening • Listening leads to Prayer HABAKKUK 3:2 MSG God, I have heard what our ancestors say about you, and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work 54 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
among us as you worked among them. And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy. Finally, prayer leads to the Discovery of God’s sovereignty and the realization that believing-in-God life, the steady trusting-inGod life, is Life to the full, it is the only REAL life. HABAKKUK 3:19 NIV The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk starts out just like we do with our complaints and accusations of God, but he is not content to stay there. He ends up realizing that every detail of our lives, if lived for the love of God, will work into something good. I wish January 2021 would be like flipping a switch back to life with no race cancellations, short-course racing back on, no pandemics, no riots, no lost jobs, and no presidential election unrest. Chances are it is not going to be as simple hanging up a new calendar. That does not mean we need to stay in the 2020 funk like we are stuck in a silt bed. However, just like driving into a bed of silt, you stay on the gas with your eyes focused on the end prize. My prayers go out to our community in 2021 that we can stay on the gas regardless of the obstacles in front of us and focus on Christ waving that checkered flag at the end. ROMANS 15:4 NIV For everything that was written in the past was written to tech us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Follow @rfc_dirtsportministry
CALENDAR
UPCOMING EVENTS december International Off-Road & UTV Expo- @ Westworld of Scottsdale, AZ December 5th-6th MORE Challenge Race @ Slash X, Barstow,CA December 5th
january Legacy Racing Desert Showdown- Pahrump, NV January 7th-10th Best In The Desert Parker 425- Parker, AZ January 13th-16 King of the Hammers- Johnson Valley, CA January 28th-February 6th
Have an event for our Calendar? Send us an email: dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 55
