Amsoil Off Road Truck Racing News and Video

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL News (Douglas Video)
The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL marks it's return to the west coast with a kick off party at Roscoe's in Chino Hills, Calif. on Thursday September 24, 2009. The party, which starts at p.m. is the start of what will be an exciting weekend of action packed off road action at Perris Auto Speedway September 25 and 26.

Watch the video http://vimeo.com/6562735

Douglas captures Pro 4X4 World Championship from Dirt Productions on Vimeo.Fans that attend the kick off will have the chance to win Traxxas R/C trucks, race tickets, and many other prizes. Come out, meet your favorite drivers, including AMSOIL Super Team driver Scott Douglas. Dirt Newz will be broadcasting live on dirtnewz.com with all of the latest news and driver interviews from the party. TORC sponsors will be on hand doing giveaways and promoting the Perris race.Roscoe's Deli is located at 14700 Pipeline Avenue in Chino Hills, Calif. The Traxxas TORC Series- The Off Road Championship Presented by Amsoil is the world's premier short course off road series. TORC drivers push the limits with 900 horsepower, action-packed fender pounding on challenging natural terrain racetracks. The 2009 season schedule includes stops in Texas, California, Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin. For more information on TORC please visit http://www.torcseries.com/.

Team Amsoil Power Boat - Rinker Wins Mod-U Championship

Friday, September 11, 2009

Rinker Wins Mod-U Championship
Team AMSOIL powerboat racer Terry Rinker won his second straight National Modified Unlimited class championship last weekend in Kankakee, Ill., while his brother and teammate, Randy Rinker, earned the third place podium finish.
Mod U qualifying consisted of two 15-lap heats. In the first heat, Terry started from the last position on the start dock, but worked his way to second to gain valuable points toward the final starting grid. In the second heat, Terry started from the pole position and led wire-to-wire, taking the win and earning enough points for the pole position in the final race. In the final, Terry led 11 of the 15 laps en route to winning the championship.
The Rinker brothers also competed in the Champ class at the Kankakee River Valley Regatta. Terry earned the third place podium finish, while Randy started sixth off the dock, but was unable to finish after suffering boat damage due to contact with another boat.

Amsoil Racing Updates

July 2, 2009 - Volume 9, Issue 12
Ricky Johnson Wins Forest County Potawatomi Chairman's Cup in Crandon
The fifth and sixth rounds of the 2009 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL were held June 20-21 before a full house at Crandon International Off Road Raceway in Crandon, Wis.
In Saturday’s Kumho Pro 4x4 class, Monster Energy racer Rick Huseman took both the win and the Oakley Bomb Run Award for the fastest lap time, while the father/son Rockstar team of Kyle and Curt Leduc finished second and third respectively. AMSOIL Super Team driver Scott Douglas battled for a sixth place finish. On Sunday, Red Bull/AMSOIL driver Steve Barlow grabbed the lead for several laps before losing it in a multi-car incident. In the end, Huseman grabbed the win and the Oakley Bomb award for the weekend sweep. Despite flipping his AMSOIL Ford F-150 on its roof early in the race, Douglas refired and tracked down the leaders for a strong fourth place finish.
In the AMSOIL Pro 2WD class, Rob MacCachren and Todd Leduc took first and second place on Saturday, while Red Bull/AMSOIL star Ricky Johnson took third place and the Oakley Bomb Run Award. AMSOIL Super Team driver Mike Oberg shot out of turn one in second and held on to the position before hitting a rutted section of the track, turning his truck over and putting him out of the race. On Sunday, Johnson led most of the race, but a punctured tire from contact pushed him to a fourth place finish. AMSOIL-sponsored racer Scott Taylor took first place and the Oakley Bomb Run Award, Leduc took second and AMSOIL racer Dan Vanden Heuvel rounded out the top three.
In the Forest County Potawatomi Pro Light class, Marty Hart took the win on Saturday, with Team AMSOIL Super Team driver Chad Hord taking a close second and the Oakley Bomb Run Award. Steven Federico rounded out the podium with a third place finish. On Sunday, Hart completed the sweep with another win, with AMSOIL racer Jeff Kincaid finishing second and Mark Oberg finishing third. Hord finished seventh.
The highlight of the weekend was The Forest County Potawatomi Chairman's Cup. Pro 4x4 and Pro 2wd trucks all battled it out in a shoot-out for the $25,000 prize and the coveted Chairman's Cup Trophy, with the Pro 2wd drivers receiving almost a half track head start. Upon the start, Johnson grabbed the lead, with Mike Oberg close behind. Johnson held on for his first-ever cup win, with Oberg putting pressure on him throughout the race.
Rounds seven and eight of the 2009 TORC Series will take place at Bark River International Raceway in Bark River, Mich. on July 11-12.

Team AMSOIL Offshore Team Topples its Own Record
Last year, the AMSOIL Offshore Racing Team of Bob Teague and Paul Whittier cruised from Miami, Fla. to Bimini, Bahamas and back to set the Official Endurance Record sanctioned by OSS in the Cat Lite Class. The team returned Friday, June 12 with the mission of defending and beating its own record in the 106-mile race. The team accomplished its mission, running the endurance event in 59 minutes, 40 seconds, which is a little over five minutes faster than last year’s record. The official average speed of the team was recorded at 106.8174 MPH. The team capped off the weekend on Sunday by entering and easily winning the Cat Lite class of the Sunny Isles Offshore Challenge.
Teague and Whittier resume competition this weekend at the SBI Suncoast Offshore Super Boat Grand Prix in Sarasota, Fla.

Rinker Earns Second Place Podium in Evansville, Finishes Fourth in Bay City
After earning a strong second place podium finish at the opening round of the 2009 F1-ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL season in Port Neches, Texas, Team AMSOIL powerboat racer Terry Rinker was looking for another strong finish at the second round of racing June 20-21 on the Ohio River in Evansville, Ind. With a heat index of 113 degrees, three different drivers dropped out of the race, forcing three re-starts in the first half of the race. Undeterred by the sweltering conditions and a spin-out early in the race, Rinker fought his way forward from eighth place to earn his second straight second place podium finish behind winner Shaun Torrente.
The third round of the ChampBoat season took place June 27-28 in Bay City, Mich., where Rinker was looking to gain ground on points leader Shaun Torrente. He started the weekend on the right note, earning valuable points by grabbing the number two qualifier position (behind Tim Seebold, but ahead of Torrente). While Seebold grabbed the lead in the final, Rinker and Torrente battled it out for second before Rinker’s fuel pump gave out on lap 31. After the red flag came out to stop the race, Rinker repaired the pump and was forced to re-start dead last. He managed to move up the field to eventually finish a strong fourth. Although Torrente finished one spot ahead in third, Rinker’s strong qualifying points allowed him to close the gap in the points standings by 14 points. He currently holds second, just 24 points behind Torrente.
"We had a great set-up this weekend, from qualifying to the final," said Rinker. "It's too bad we had the fuel pump issue because we could have been back on the podium for the third time this year. The guys did a great job getting us back out there after the red flag. Without their hard work, we wouldn't have been able to close the gap on Shaun and defend our 2009 championship."
The fourth round of the F1-ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL takes place August 15-16 in Nashville, Tenn.

Golden Debuts with AMSOIL Motocross Team, Finishes Fourth
The fifth round of the 2009 AMA Motocross season was held June 27 at Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, Colo. With top 250 rider Trey Canard suffering an injury in Mt. Morris, the team decided to reach out and sign top WMA motocross rider Vicki Golden for the remainder of the WMA Motocross season and the X Games. Making her team debut in Lakewood, the 16-year-old was second fastest in practice despite having no time to get acquainted with her new bike prior to race day. In the main event, Golden finished fourth in the first moto and third in the second moto for fourth overall.
In the 250 class, Justin Barcia finished ninth in the first moto and second in the second moto for fourth overall, Brett Metcalfe finished seventh in the first moto and fifth in the second moto for seventh overall and Blake Wharton finished fourth in the first moto and 11th in the second moto for eighth overall.
The sixth round of the AMA Motocross season will be held Saturday, July 4 at Red Bud Track-N-Trail in Buchanan, Mich. The WMA Series resumes Saturday, July 25 at Washougal Motocross Park in Washougal, Wash.
AMSOIL/Torchmate Team Split Forces for XRRA and We-Rock Events
The AMSOIL/Torchmate off-road team split forces on the weekend of June 20-21, with Roger Lovell and spotter Mark Hayward racing back-to-back XRRA events in Colorado Springs, Colo., while Brad Lovell headed to Reno, Nev. with drivers Bill Kunz and Jesse Haines and spotters Nick Socha, Mike Shaffer and Brian Howard for We-Rock Round #3. In Reno, Haines and Howard expertly guided their rear-steer car around the tight course for a first place finish, while Lovell and Socha earned a third place finish and Kunz and Shaffer finished fifth. In Colorado Springs, Lovell and Hayward earned a pair of eighth place finishes.
Photo courtesy of Jud Leslie.

Smith Earns Second and Seventh Place Finishes in Canada
Team AMSOIL late model racer Brady Smith traveled to Canada to compete in a trio of World of Outlaws Late Model Series races June 18-21. Although the Saturday race at Autodrome Drummond was cancelled due to persistent rain showers, the other two events proceeded as scheduled. Smith qualified 17th fastest in time trials and ran third in his heat race on June 18 at Ohsweken Speedway. After starting ninth on the grid in the A-Main, Smith passed seven cars on his way to a close runner-up finish behind winner Josh Richards.
On Sunday, the Cornwall Motor Speedway hosted the final Canadian race of the Great Northern Tour. Smith qualified 13th quickest at qualifying and finished sixth in his heat race before blowing past nine competitors en route to a seventh place finish in the main event. Smith currently holds seventh in the WOOLMS point battle.

Wienen Wins in New Berlin, Wimmer Wins in Blountville
Monster Energy Kawasaki's Chad Wienen grabbed wins in both motos to take the overall victory at round seven of the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV MX Championship at Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, N.Y. Doug Gust finished second, followed by Josh Natalie in third. In the Pro-Am Production class, Kawasaki’s Cody Gibson earned the win, followed by Joel Hetrick in second and Cody Grant in third.
At round eight of the AMA ATV MX Championship at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tenn., defending AMA Pro ATV MX Champion Dustin Wimmer of the Rockstar/Makita/Yoshimura Suzuki team earned two come-from-behind moto victories for the overall win, pulling to within five points of points leader Wienen. Gust finished second, followed by Wienen in third. In the Pro-Am Production class, Grant earned the win, followed by Gibson in second and Bobby Ross in third.
Round nine of the AMA ATV Motocross Championship will be held July 18-19 in Armagh, Pa. AMSOIL is the Official Oil of the AMA ATV MX Championship.

Amsoil Champ Boat Racing Series

Monday, June 29, 2009

Rinker Closes Championship Gap in Bay City
Photos courtesy of Mike Randolph and http://www.mlive.com/
Tim Seebold took the win in Bay City, but it was AMSOIL driver Terry Rinker closed the gap on Shaun Torrente in the standings for the 2009 F1 ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL.Rinker started the weekend gaining valuable points towards what could become his fifth career ChampBoat championship by becoming the number two qualifier behind Seebold, but ahead of series points leader Shaun Torrente.During Sunday's final, Seebold dictated the action at the front of the race, but the real battle was behind him between Torrente and Rinker. Torrente would win Sunday's battle, but only because of a broken fuel pump suffered by Rinker's boat on the lap 31 of the 50-lap affair. After the red flag came out to stop the race, Rinker was able to repair the fuel pump and, after starting dead last, moved the Team AMSOIL boat back into fourth over the final 19 laps. Despite finishing one spot behind Torrente (third) in Bay City, Rinker was able to close the gap by 14 points thanks to his strong qualifying on Saturday. Rinker is no just 24 points behind Torrente.

"We had a great set-up this weekend, from qualifying to the final," said Rinker. "It's too bad we had the fuel pump issue, because we could have been back on the podium for the third time this year. The guys did a great job getting us back out there after the red flag. Without their hard work, we wouldn't have been able to close the gap on Shaun and defend our 2009 championship."

The F1-ChampBoat Series now is off until mid-August when it heads to Nashville, Tenn. on the August 15-16. for the first time in its 25-year history.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Friday, June 26, 2009
TORC on TV, ChampBoat to Bay City
Coverage of the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL continues from Crandon this weekend and the F1 ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL roars into Bay City, Mich.
Short Course Racing returned to its birthplace, Crandon, Wisc., and ESPN2 will highlight the action this Sunday. Tune in and watch some of the best racing of the 2009 season, with nail-biting crashes, high flying action, and the entire fleet of off road superstars. Coverage of The Traxxas TORC Truck Series presented by AMSOIL begins at 12:30pm eastern time, (check local listings).
To get you fired up for short course racing at its finest, you can watch last Saturday's Pro Light race, featuring Team AMSOIL driver Chad Hord finding another podium.
The 2009 F1 ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL travels to its second leg of a back-to-back weekends of racing. The series heads to Bay City, Mich. for the Annual Bay City River Roar.
Team AMSOIL driver and defending champion Terry Rinker will pilot is yellow #10 boat on the turbulent waters in Bay City. Rinker is currently second overall in the points chase after two rounds and two second-place finishes this year. Racing will be held all day Saturday and Sunday.
Also on tap for Team AMSOIL this weekend:
AMA ATV Motocross Championship (AMSOIL is the Official Oil)June 27 - 28Blountville, TN
Team GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda Motocross June 27Thunder Valley Motocross - Golden, CO

June 19, 2009 - Volume 9, Issue 11 Pegram Takes Win at Road America
Following two top-five finishes at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., Team AMSOIL road racing star Larry Pegram was looking for a strong finish at the sixth round of the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike Championship, held June 5-7 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
The American Superbike race featured an epic battle between Pegram and Mat Mladin. Pegram started the race strong by grabbing an outstanding start from the second row and claiming the lead for the first six laps. From there, a seesaw battle between Pegram and Mladin ensued, with the two continuously wrestling the lead from each other. The race came to an exciting conclusion on the final lap, with Pegram grabbing the lead on the front straight heading into turn one, but Mladin passing him on turn three. Pegram finally sealed the deal on the run from turn three to turn five, pulling away from Mladin for a 0.342-second victory. The victory vaults Pegram to fourth in the overall standings.
“It was definitely a great race,” said Pegram. “I was expecting that I could run the pace, but I wasn’t expecting to lead like that most of the time. I was real comfortable.”
The Road America race airs on the Speed Channel this Saturday at 10 p.m. Eastern.
AMSOIL is the Official Oil of AMA Pro Road Racing and presenting sponsor of the Daytona SportBike class.

AMSOIL Snocross Team Introduces Two New Riders
The AMSOIL snocross team will have a new look next season as two new riders will be leading the charge on the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series. Pro drivers Robbie Malinoski and Andrew Johnstad have signed with Team AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports for the 2009-2010 snocross season.
“This is a very exciting time for Scheuring Speed Sports and our sponsors,” said team owner Steve Scheuring. “Malinoski has multiple championships in both Pro and Semi Pro and will be in the hunt for the championships this year on our 2010 Polaris IQ Snocross sleds. Johnstad has also won multiple championships in Semi Pro and cut his teeth in the Pro ranks last year.”
“I’m excited to be part of one of the premier teams on the circuit and look forward to an incredible season,” said Malinoski.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me with the resources Steve has available, and working with Robbie will be a great adventure as well,” said Johnstad.

Canard Takes Third Place Podium in WorthamThe third round of the 2009 AMA Motocross season was held June 6 at Freestone County Raceway in Wortham, Texas. Team AMSOIL racer Trey Canard grabbed the holeshot and the lead in the first moto, and although a fall set him back in the pack, he quickly recovered and fought all the way back up to a strong third place finish. In the second moto, Canard grabbed the holeshot and lead once again before finishing second for an overall third place podium finish. Blake Wharton finished seventh and third for fourth overall, while Brett Metcalfe finished fourth and seventh for fifth overall. In the 450 class, Dan Reardon finished 12th and fourth for sixth overall.
The fourth round of the 2009 AMA Motocross season was held June 13 at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa. Wharton finished sixth in both motos for fifth overall, Justin Barcia finished eighth in the first moto and fifth in the second moto for sixth overall, Canard finished second in the first moto and 32nd in the second moto for 10th overall and Metcalfe finished 19th in the first moto and seventh in the second moto for 13th overall.
The fifth round of the AMA Motocross season will be held Saturday, June 27 at Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, Colo.

AMSOIL/Torchmate Team Takes Third at Baja 500
The AMSOIL/Torchmate off-road team headed to Ensenada, Mexico the first weekend in June for the Baja 500. Brad Lovell and Bill Kunz started the first leg of the race and quickly pushed the truck to second in their class 35 miles into the race. After a forced stop to repair a damaged belt, the duo raced down the barren range, hitting 107 mph on the rough lakebed as they raced to make up the lost time. Mark Levrett and Greg Jones took over the driving duties at mile 199, but a banked turn caused the truck to roll, nearly destroying it. After the truck limped into the pit, the crew worked to put it back into shape so they could finish the race. Despite the setbacks, the team finished the race third in their class.
The AMSOIL/Torchmate team will compete in two events this weekend, with Bill Kunz and Jesse Haines competing at We-Rock #3 in Reno and Roger Lovell competing at the Colorado Springs XRRA event.
Photo courtesy of Nick Socha.

TORC Series Heads to Crandon this Weekend
The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL heads to the Crandon International Off-Road Raceway track in Crandon, Wis. this weekend. The legendary track is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this season, and the weekend will feature the 16th running of the Forest County Potawatomi Chairman's Cup race.
"Every off-road racer in the country wants their name on one of the three Crandon Cups," said AMSOIL racer and TORC co-owner Ricky Johnson. "I am excited both as a racer and a promoter to be bringing short course back to Crandon this year."
Mike Smith Wins First Two Events of 2009 SCCA Season
In the second event of the Finger Lakes Region SCCA’s Solo season, AMSOIL-sponsored racer Mike Smith led from the beginning of the race and took his second straight win.
“The speeds on this course were pretty fast for a Solo event, and I had the engine at redline several times on each run,” said Smith. “That’s when it’s good to know you have the superior lubrication that AMSOIL provides, keeping things turning smoothly.”
Mike Smith is sponsored by AMSOIL Dealer Brad Timerson

AMSOIL Helps Paralyzed Rider Return to Track
In October 2007, Aaron Horsley of Hesperia, Calif. was struck by a pickup truck and paralyzed from the chest down while riding his motorcycle. After almost two years of recovery, Horsley was ready to return to motorcycle riding aboard his reconstructed motorcycle. AMSOIL teamed with Direct Jobber Dane Evans to provide Horsley with AMSOIL products and clothing for his return to the race track. News coverage of the event can be seen at http://www.nickblaisracing.com/videos/AaronHorsley.wmv.

Team Amsoil Traxxas TORC

Monday, June 22, 2009

Hord, Oberg, RJ Headline Team AMSOIL at Big House (Watch Saturday's Pro Light Race)

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL came to Crandon International Off Road Raceway for rounds five and six of the 2009 schedule this past weekend. It was the west coast teams turn to make the 2,000 mile trek to Wisconsin to compete at the most prestigious track on the TORC circuit, in front of over 24,000 fans.
Saturday in the Kumho Pro 4x4 class, Monster Energy's Rick Huseman took both the win and the Oakley Bomb Run Award for the fastest lap time, almost breaking Johnny Greaves 2008 track record. The father son Rockstar team of Kyle and Curt Leduc swept second and third place. AMSOIL Super Team driver Scott Douglas was able to battle back from early battle's for a sixth.

In the AMSOIL Pro 2WD class, Rob MacCachren and Todd Leduc took first and second place. Red Bull/AMSOIL star Ricky Johnson took third place and the Oakley Bomb Run Award for fastest lap. AMSOIL Super Team member Mike Oberg shot out of turn one in second and held on to the position before hitting a rutted section of the track, turning his truck over and putting him out of the race.

Click to Watch Saturday's Pro Light Race:
In the Pro Light class the podium was stacked with talent including winner Marty Hart. AMSOIL's Chad Hord took a very close second and the Oakley Bomb Run Award; Steven Federico took third and his first podium of the 2009 season.
Sunday's action in the Kumho Pro 4x4 class saw Red Bull/AMSOIL's Steve Barlow lead his first race of the season for several laps, before losing the lead in a multi car incident. In the end it was Huseman who swept the weekend by capturing both the win and the Oakley Bomb. Despite flipping his AMSOIL Ford F-150 on its roof early in the race, Douglas was able to refire and track down the leaders for a fourth place finish.

In a similar race Barlow's teammate, Ricky Johnson also led most of the AMSOIL Pro 2wd race, but a punctured tire from contact caused him to finish in fourth place. AMSOIL sponsored Scott Taylor took first place and the Oakley Bomb Run Award. Crowd favorite Dan Vanden Heuval rounded out the top three.

The highlight of the weekend was surely The Forest County Potawatomi Chairman's Cup. Pro 4x4 and Pro 2wd trucks battled it out in a shoot-out for the $25,000 prize, as well as the coveted Chairman's Cup Trophy. The Pro 2wd driver lined up almost a full half track ahead of the Pro 4x4 class. Ricky Johnson took the lead and held it throughout with Oberg hot on his tail. In lap two the Wild Man Cenni crashed on the front stretch taking him out of the race. Johnny Greaves also pulled off early in the race. On lap 3 Douglas, Huseman and Mark Jenkins got into each other. Douglas was black flagged for a debatable rough driving call. In the end, Johnson took his first ever cup win, with Oberg putting pressure on him despite an obstructed view for much of the race.

The next stop on the 2009 TORC race schedule is Bark River International Raceway in Bark River, Michigan for rounds seven and eight. The action will take place over two days, July 11-12.
Until then, we'll see you at the races.