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Premiere Motorsports Group will be in full force at this year's Challenge Cup, taking place in Lake Elsinore, California, at the Lucas Oil Motorsports Complex. The event originally scheduled for December 11th and 12th was rescheduled to December 18th and 19th due to inclement weather. There are no championships on the line this time around, just large cash prizes and a title that crowns the best of the performing drivers. The Challenge Cup is a unique event, pairing up several divisions against a comparable counterpart - Unlimited-4 versus Unlimited-2.
Carey Hart's no. 46 Truck
"Unlimited-Lite versus Unlimited Buggy, it is finally time for all the buggy dorks to back up the years of smack talk. Open wheel buggies putting it all on the line to beat out the 4-cylinder Lite Trucks. The only thing I have to say about this is, keep it rubber side down and the speed up," says a spokesperson for the team.
The Premiere Motorsports Group was presented multiple awards this year including, Super Team of the Year, Driver of the Year - Chris Brandt, Mechanic of the Year - Blake Wilkey, second in points in limited Buggy - John Fitzgerald (number 314), and second in points Superlite - Chad Leising (number 17). This is a team with a shipload of pride and smack talk to backup.
"We are really proud of our team drivers this year. Everybody showed an impressive display and enthusiasm for what they are doing on and off the track. You can feel the energy during every race day. Chris Brandt, Chad Leising, and John Fitzgerald are the corner stones that round off the team. Each of these guys really pumps their crews up, fueling the momentum to keep this operation rolling. Believe it not, these three drivers alone supplied all of the 45 Podium finishes Premiere Motorsports Group achieved this season. We look forward to continuing the terrific relationship with K&N and bringing them many more first place finishes and podium victories," says Scot Demmer, PMG team manager.
Freestyle motocross pioneer Carey Hart is a new comer to off-road truck racing. This year has been a learning process for the Rockstar Hart and Huntington leader. He is sure to be a serious contender in the near future with his skills. Hart competes in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Unlimited 2 class for the Premiere Motorsports Group.
Entire Premiere Motorsports Group team
Scot Demmer on Podium
Chad Leising - SuperLite Number 17
"I have been using K&N products on my vehicles for years. The quality of K&N products far exceeds the others on the market and due to that simple fact; I use their products on not only my race truck, but my daily drivers as well. It is added insurance that not only gets us to the finish line, but also wins races and ensures maximum protection against all the destructive elements out on the racetrack. I highly value our teams relationship with K&N and strongly believe in their products, bottom line."
"After two years of running our SuperLite program, we feel as if it is time to take the next step. In the near future, we plan on participating in one of the three upper class divisions (Pro-Lite, Pro-2, Pro-4). This is all made possible with the great support of race partners like K&N."
John Fitzgerald - Limited Buggy Number 314
"I use K&N air filters on my buggy to ensure no dirt gets in my motor and a K&N oil filter to keep my Lucas oil clean and pure.
"Next year we are trying to put together a Pro-Lite program for me, in which we would use K&N products to ensure we get plenty of filtered air to the motor and keep the oil clean. 4-Cylinder Toyota Engines need to breathe lots of air to make good power."
Chris Brandt - Unlimited-Lite Number 82 (Pro-Lite)
"I use K&N air filters and oil filters. I am very pleased with the relationship we have going and appreciate the support I get for our team. My future plans are to dominate the Unlimited-Lite class and move up to an Unlimited 2 or 4 class. We have already done a bit of testing in the Unlimited-4 (Pro-4) with great results."
Colin number 27T of Team Tenacious at starting line
Te-na-cious - tending to stick firmly to any decision, plan, or opinion without changing or doubting it.
Nigel number 81T of Team Tenacious
That's an altogether appropriate description for the Heggarty family, or Team Tenacious from, London, Ontario, Canada. Currently the team consists of Nigel (number 81T), Colin (number 27T) and Mike, "dad, the mechanic, manager and mentor."
"We had a tough first year in the AMA Pro Singles competition. We found it to be even more seriously competitive racing than first anticipated, but we learned a lot, made new friends and had great fun. In spite of bad luck that seemed to happen at the worst times, we proved to ourselves we are in the hunt. With a little more fine-tuning, we can definitely do this and win," says tenacious leader Mike.
"This past season was by far our most intense yet, it was totally up and down. This was our first year as pros in the United States and our first time ever seeing any of the tracks. It was a ton of work but a lot of fun in return. The level of competition this year was insane," adds Nigel.
Nigel and Colin battle it out on the track
In 2009 both Nigel and Colin were top contenders in the CMA National Series in Canada as well. In his first year as an Expert, Colin ended up 4th overall with 450 Expert and Open points, in spite of missed races and competing against Canada's best and current AMA GNC riders.
In some cases he was racing his lone 450 DTX Kawasaki against big motors such as Rotax's and even 750 twin Harley's. They did not have the luxury of backup, or class specific bikes last season and it cost them.
The team's Pro Singles bikes are KX450 Kawasaki motocross bikes converted for dirt track. The motors have been thoroughly gone though in an effort to extract the maximum horsepower and torque. The suspension has been recalibrated for each rider and is specifically set up for dirt track competition.
"I'm hoping to address these issues for next season with our new Kawasaki 650 twin and perhaps even a spare 450," says Mike.
Despite this being the team's first season in the new Pro Singles class, Nigel and Colin were the only two Kawasaki's to consistently make main events.
"The most important thing when you're at the nationals down south is the qualifying. In order to do well in the main, you have got to qualify well, or you are just doing it the hard way all night and coming from the back of the pack and working your way through, which we seemed to do a lot of this year," explains Colin.
"We consider 2009 to be a learning year. We raced Mile, 1/2 Mile, Short Track and TT events with the same two bikes. We spent a great deal of money and effort just keeping the bikes together and competitive. In their first season at this level though the boys demonstrated they can ride with the best riders in North America. Our green-machines and their riding ability got noticed," says a justifiably proud dad.
"In his debut at Indy, where we finally met Johnny Jump from K&N and talked briefly, Colin placed tenth in the Mile in front of a full house. He ran as high as seventh, before his inexperience with drafting pushed him back. His was the only Kawasaki to make the Main event. Nigel would have been in it as well had it not been for a main bearing failure discovered that morning."
In this their learning year, they discovered very quickly that even qualifying, at this level can be difficult, as there are usually 50 to 60 top teams and riders attempting to do the same. Both Colin and Nigel consistently proved they were up for it nevertheless. Colin was third fastest at Daytona and Nigel was fourth fastest at Hagerstown.
"As it turns out our K&N equipped bikes were the fastest Kawasaki qualifiers and have had the best Kawasaki finishes in all the races we entered. Our K&N supported bikes were the only Kawasaki's in he Pro Single Main events most of the time. We ended up being the highest ranked Kawasaki's in AMA GNC Pro Singles competition - in spite of all the missed races."
"We use K&N oil filters and air filters in our GMC Duromax crew cab pickup, our E350 Ford Diesel van, as well as in all our race bikes. We also use K&N grease and foam oil. We like the K&N products for their protection, performance and durability. We are very happy to be part of the K&N "team" and endorse their products at every opportunity. We look for every edge in our race program and K&N gives us just that," adds Mike.
The team's focus next season will be AMA Pro Singles competition and making it on the podium consistently by qualifying in better position.
"If we can start the Main Events in the front row - I know we can be a threat."
In addition to AMA Pro Singles competition the team will also campaign their new Kawasaki Twin in select AMA National Hot Shoe Pro Twin events.
"We got a new Kawasaki Verseys last year and have been busy building it up for dirt track competition. It's a very cool bike and should get its share of attention, as it is the first one in Canada. And of course it is K&N equipped," adds Mike.
"We are also nearing completion on our new KX450 Kawasaki road race project. My roots are with road racing so I am really looking forward to seeing the boys try it out. They got their road race licenses a couple of years ago, but our focus so far has been winning dirt track races, so that has taken a back seat. This bike will be ready for 2010 as well. We hope to run some road races in both Canada and the United States, when the dirt track schedule permits," concludes Mike.
Tenacity blended with mad-skills, a simple yet powerful recipe for racing success. The safe bet indeed is on the Heggarty boys.
The BITD (Best in the Desert) Henderson Desert Classic was seemingly simple compared to the challenges of the
Baja 1000, said Torchmate team racer Brad Lovell. “The BITD is still an extremely rough and dusty course,” he said. “It is a 240 mile, 4 lap race and the lap races cause the course to become extremely chewed up. The danger is also increased as the overall leaders will lap around the slower classes.”
Rookie BITD Season put Torchmate Racing in 2nd place overall in the 7200 Class, by Chad Jock Photography
Due to a random draw, the No.7231 with K&N products started nearly last in a field of over 150 in a class of 11 trucks. The first team of Torchmate drivers nailed the throttle but was stuck in the first turn. The silty sand had churned up enough to hamper the best 7200 class trucks. Team driver Greg Jones worked the steering wheel, freed the truck and sped off into the desert near Henderson, Nevada.
Henderson, Nevada BITD course is extremely rough and dusty, by Chad Jock Photography
Torchmate Racing Team had some wins, some championships and some bad wrecks in the 2009 Best in the Desert Season, by Chad Jock Photography
Jones worked his way around the first lap and gained several positions. “Our race strategy only included one stop for fuel and a driver change after lap two,” said Lovell. “The truck held up to the punishment remarkably well and moved at a blistering pace. Others were blowing tires, crashing and having mechanical issues but our team found the right pace. We were still climbing in the field when Bill Kunz and I relieved the first two Torchmate Team drivers.”
The sun dipped behind the mountains and the truck lights came on. “Racing at night is easier in some ways but it also creates a bigger challenge,” said Lovell. “The field thinned and plumes of dust still hung in the air which caused light to reflect in our eyes.” The No. 7231 truck soaked up huge bumps, but the even larger ones bounced the Torchmate Team uncontrollably in the air.
“We were careful in the rough sections and still fast in the smooth stuff,” said Lovell. “Other class 7200 trucks could be seen moving slow, fast or not moving at all in the cold desert night. Our confidence grew and we knew our truck would make it. Our K&N air filters keep the debris out of our engine and keep our sensors from clogging up. We need K&N on these difficult courses.”
At the finish, the Torchmate Team was 4th in class and 39th overall. The strong finish also secured their 2nd place position in the 2009 BITD Series. “That was not bad for our rookie season in class 7200,” said Lovell. “We are proud of our 2009 campaign. We had some wins, some championships and a couple of rollovers. We also had some bad wrecks and two trips to the hospital but fortunately no lasting damage. Best of all, we have a pile of trophies that memorialize our hard work and fun.”
Monster truck drivers Greg and Zach Adams took home their share of awards in St. Louis, Missouri at the Monster Truck Racing Association’s annual awards banquet.
Monster Truck Racing Association Rookie of the Year Zach Adams debuted Defender in May of 2009
The father and son team stepped up their game in 2009 which earned their Truk Wurks group the 2009 Most Improved Team award. Zach Adams also won the MTRA’s Rookie of the Year honors.
Monster Truck driver Greg Adams and Eliminator will be back in 2010
“I’m very proud of our team, and it means a lot to bring home these two awards,” said Greg Adams, Bar’s Leaks Eliminator driver and Truk Wurks general manager. “We went from a very Spartan one-truck team to a full blown two-truck operation. We’ve also upgraded to a fully vinyl wrapped 18 wheel transporter and moved our team and off-road shop into a new state-of-the-art facility.”
The Defender Monster Truck made its debut in 2009. “We had to work hard just about every night we were not at an event to get the truck finished in time for the outdoor season,” said Adams. “It took its toll on us, but when the truck drove onto the track for the first time in May, it was a total relief.”
Zach Adams steadily improved over the summer, despite the normal problems with a new rig. His career peaked in Albany, New York during his first indoor arena show. Adams piloted his machine to the final round of racing both nights, and lost out by a margin to veteran driver Rick Long in Bigfoot. He also defeated his father in the semi-finals of racing each night.
“I’m very proud of my son,” said Greg Adams. “Learning to drive a monster truck back when I started 21-years-ago was a lot easier than it is today. It may have been a bit more punishing physically, but the trucks were not doing the kinds of things we ask them to do these days. Zach really stepped up in a high-pressure situation and made it look easy. I didn’t cut him any slack.”
The Truk Wurks team is looking forward to a very busy 2010 schedule with their Eliminator and Defender monster trucks which are equipped with K&N products. “The performance of K&N products gives us one less thing to worry about through the racing season,” said Adams. “Our K&N air and oil filters are awesome.”
The Eliminator and Defender Monster Trucks will start up again January 8-9 in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Steve Waldman isn't just the man behind the Silver State Classic Challenge series, he is also an accomplished, multidimensional, rally and endurance event driver. Waldman, along with Felipe Arguelles, recently took on the challenge of La Carrera Panamerica.
Day 1 at Oaxaca Zocalo
"Felipe Arguelles is my navigator in all Mexico rallies and occasionally at the Silver State Classic Challenge. He is an architect in Mexico, originally from Mexico City, and now resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He has been my navigator racing with me for 12 years" says Waldman.
The Basic game plan going into the La Carrera Panamerica is to survive and complete all seven days, and to not miss any speed stages, or transit stages along the way.
"You have to be gentle on the equipment and at the same time fast. Besides the driver and navigator, the support team consists of a team manager and two mechanics in the first support vehicle. That vehicle runs in front of us and meets us at service stops. The second support team follows behind us, in case we break down, they would pick us up and take us to the first support vehicle for service. We have a total of 8 people in the support teams," continues Waldman.
159mph 1954 Crown Victoria
La Carrera Panamericana is not an off-road race, all the roads are paved. The event originally got its start in the early 50´s, by the President Aleman of Mexico, promoting the new road that was built between Guatamala and the United States border – called the Panamerican Highway. The original event ran until 1954 and then in 1988 it was resurrected. It is viewed by over 2 million people along the roads, and in the major cities, and is televised nationwide. Many foreign countries also cover it. Participants ship their cars from as far away as the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, France, Canada and the United States. Total race mileage is 2,054. It begins in Southern Mexico about 100 miles north of the Guatamalen Border (Tuxla Gutierrez) and continues north until the drivers reach Nuevo Laredo.
Steve Waldman at La Carrera Panamerica
The car that Waldman and Arguelles race is a 1954 Crown Victoria, and it's entered in the Tourismo Mayor class. Top speed of the car is approximately 159mph.
"It is extremely modified with a Camaro front clip and an engine that produces approximately 540 hp and 225 lbs of torque. It has a 9" Ford rear end and truck arms. It also has double coils, double MSD ignition systems, double gas pumps and double fans," adds Waldman.
This is not Waldman's first time at this event. "I have been doing this particular event since 1997 but have been racing in Mexico since 1985. I have also participated in the Media Noche, Acapulco Rally, La Carrera Ensenada and currently participate in the Chihuahua Express, which is a 3-day rally around Chihuahua. I drive a 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX MR for that event."
The car isn't the only thing that has to be in top shape to compete in this event. "The better physical shape you are in the better you will be able to cope with the event. It is a grueling race due to the length and also because of the different altitudes and temperatures. We go from sea level to as high as 10,000 feet. You have hot, humid, conditions, to icy cold conditions," reflects Waldman. And, it is precisely this combination of challenges that will attract Waldman back for many years to come.
