RockCrawler.com

Author: RockCrawler.com

  • Dakar Rally 2012- After Five Stages in Argentina Darren Skilton Crosses the Andes into Chile

    Darren Skilton splashes his way through Dakar Stage 4On the road to Chilecito on Wednesday, Darren Skilton had to battle for every kilometer on Stage 4 of the Dakar Rally. “The frustrating part is that I know my car is very competitive,” Skilton explained.  “I am so anxious to get this fuel issue resolved so I can really show what the Revolution VI is capable of.”  What started as a bid for a top ten finish has turned into a fight just to survive each stage.  When running properly, Skilton has demonstrated that both he and his General Tire-shod buggy are very fast.  The team finished the special in 8 hours and 33 minutes, and then had to navigate to the bivouac in the dark on a narrow shelf road clinging to the side of a cliff through the Andes.  “The Baja Designs HID lights on the front of the car are incredibly bright and tough as nails,” Skilton reported.  “Visibility is one thing that I never have to concern myself with.”

  • Hammerking Productions Announces King of the Motos to be Held in Conjunction with the 2012 King of the Hammers

    Invitation only extreme enduro competition draws top international motorcycle racers

    January 4, 2012 (Lake Arrowhead, CA) – Hammerking Productions, owner and producer of the iconic King of the Hammers off-road race is pleased to announce the newest event in the weeklong series of extreme off-road competitions – King of the Motos.

    After a groundswell of support from key motorcycle racing professionals, the 2012 edition will feature a demanding course combining high-speed Baja-style desert racing and extreme rock terrain that will rival Erzberg.  King of the Motos will host an invitation only field of twenty top riders from the enduro, desert racing and trials world.   (more…)

  • Darren Skilton Finishes One Second Behind Nasser Al-Attiyah On First Stage of Dakar Rally

    Skilton's Revolution VI atop the starting podium to the cheer of Dakar Rally fansDakar Rally has typically started with WRC-style gravel roads since moving to South America, but this year the ASO course designers headed straight for the coastal dunes at Necochea for a 57 kilometer special stage to start the 2012 rally.  Darren Skilton finished just one second behind 2010 champion Nasser Al-Attiyah and 9:51 behind the lead car when the times were tallied.  “To be honest the size of the dunes took me by surprise,” Skilton admitted.  “Skyler (Gambrell- Skilton’s navigator) and I just aired down the General Grabbers and had no problems staying on top of the sand.”  Then with the long liaison Skilton aired the Grabbers back up and made his way to Santa Rosa de la Pampa in comfort. (more…)

  • Darren Skilton Looks For Back To Back Victories For General Tire In His Return To The Legendary Dakar Rally

    Skilton's Revolution VI atop the starting podium to the cheer of fans - DakarDarren Skilton has an addiction with Dakar that began over a decade ago.  Since that time he has become the United States representative for the race’s sanctioning body (ASO) and returned to the rally in a myriad of capacities including navigator, support driver, mechanic, and racer.  Last year Skilton and journalist Sue Mead won the Open Production class in a Ford Raptor shod with production General Grabber tires, but this year Skilton is looking to up the ante by jumping into the deep end of the pool, taking on heavy hitters such as Robby Gordon.  “Volkswagen’s departure from the rally really opens up the field to privateers like myself,” Skilton commented.  “I have a competitive car that has just been sitting and waiting for the right opportunity.  That opportunity has arrived.”   (more…)

  • Matt Parks Joins Jagged-X Racing for 2012 BITD Season

    Jagged-X Set to Campaign 2 Polaris UTV’s in 2012

    Jagged-X #1919 Polaris RZR XP900

    Phoenix, AZ – 12/26/11 -With the 2011 Best In The Desert (BITD) season complete, Brandon Schueler and the Jagged-X desert off-road race team fell just a few points short of capturing their 5th Pro-UTV championship in as many years. Despite falling short, Brandon and the factory sponsored Polaris racing team Jagged-X, still viewed the season as a success. The team managed to win their 5th consecutive Vegas-to-Reno race, currently the longest race in North America and by far the most difficult in the BITD series. The team also managed to collect 2-1st place and 3-2nd place finishes on the season. (more…)

  • General Tire to Sponsor Three Entries for the 2012 Dakar Rally, Looking to Repeat 2011 Win

    • General Tire partners with Baja Automotive for the December 29, 2011 – January 15, 2012 Dakar Rally.
    • Darren Skilton, Joaquin De Uriarte and Mark McMillin to pilot the entries.
    • All three entries will race on General’s Grabber tire across the rugged and unpredictable race course.

    Fort Mill, SC – (December 21, 2011) General Tire is pleased to announce their partnership with Baja Automotive to sponsor three entries in the 2012 Dakar Rally. The event begins December 29, 2011 in Mar de Plata, Argentina and finishes January 15, 2012 in Lima, Peru, a pan-American adventure of more than 5,590 miles (or 9,000 kilometers). Darren Skilton will pilot an Unlimited car in the Open Production 1 (OP1) class while Joaquin De Uriarte and Mark McMillin will pilot a Raptor and JeepSpeed in the Open Production 2 (OP2) class respectively. Dakar is one of the world’s great adventures and a true test of the human spirit. This is simply the ultimate event that the General Tire Grabber has been designed and built for. (more…)