TORC Rookies Menzies Motorsports - Earn Most Wins in 1 Season & 2 Championships
- Nov 15, 2011
Menzies Motorsports entered the 2011 TORC season as rookies to the series, yet they clearly left an indelible mark on the race year. Bryce Menzies continued to gain the respect of drivers as he repeatedly made it to the top of the podium all season in PRO-2. In his first race on Saturday Bryce found himself in a two truck battle with Jeff Kincaid. The two separated themselves from the pack leaving everyone else to battle for third. As Jeff and Bryce made their way down the straight into the last turn, Bryce got around Jeff and closed the door coming out of the last turn. Bryce held the lead coming down the front stretch, where thrilled fans lined the fence and cheered him on. It was Bryce's second win in a row and it sealed his 2011 PRO-2 title.
Sunday's race came a little easier, as Bryce rolled the bright yellow wheels of the championship winning truck from his sixth place starting position, all the way to first in just one lap, and that's where he remained all the way to the checkered. "This was an incredible year! I have to give it up to my crew; I would not have been able to pull this off without them. This was a year I will never forget and I also want to thank Rob, Chad and all the drivers out there for giving it their all too. I am proud to share the podium with some of the best off-road drivers out there," said the K&N sponsored driver.
Veteran off-road racer Ricky Johnson drove the No. 48 Menzies built PRO-4 to many wins throughout the 2011 season, but it all boiled down to this weekend between rival Johnny Greaves. Ricky put the Menzies/Red Bull PRO-4 on the pole for the start of Saturday's race, and when the green flag dropped it was a drag race between Ricky and Johnny going into turn-one. Much to the delight of the fans the two knocked fenders and bumpers the entire race. With only a few laps to go, and Ricky understanding how much he needed this win, the veteran put the pedal down. Setting up his lines perfectly Ricky waited for Johnny to make a mistake, which he did when he over-rotated going into the last turn, handing Ricky the final lead to the checkered. With that win the two were now tied in the series and Sunday, the last race of the season, would now determine the champion.
Ricky and Johnny showed up at staging on Sunday with their game faces on, both ready to leave it all out on the track. It all came down to this. The 2010 defending PRO-4 champ ready to defend his title and Ricky Johnson, new to the PRO-4 class, ready to take title for himself and the Menzies Motorsports team. Starting side-by-side, but towards the back of the pack, were the Red Bull and Monster Pro-4 trucks exploding towards the start and as soon as the flag dropped. Scott Douglas hit turn one first with Johnny and Ricky right on his rear tires. Johnny lost control barreling for the lead and nearly took Scott with him, leaving the lead wide open for Ricky. The K&N sponsored driver took hold of the race and never looked back. Ricky claimed the 2011 TORC series PRO-4 Champion before the race even ended, as Johnny had to retire with a broken truck. Ricky walked away with the title and he also swept the PRO-4 class. After winning the final round against his chief rival, Johnny Greaves, in a fan pleasing, door-banging race that was indicative of how the entire season rolled, Johnson said, "This is one of those moments that I'll remember for my entire life." Next up for Menzies is conquering their first ever SCORE Baja 1000, where Bryce Menzies will have one more shoot at another 2011 championship. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
