RockCrawler.com

Author: RockCrawler.com

Dirt Will Fly as Yokohama Tire Digs in for Two Tough Races

SANTA ANA, CA (Aug. 12, 2015) – From the dry desert heat in southern Nevada to sweltering humidity on the East Coast, Yokohama Tire Corporation’s (YTC) motorsports teams are ready to roll in two different race series: the Red Bull Global Rallycross (RBGRC) competition at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. on August 15 and the Best in the Desert’s “Vegas to Reno” off-road clash, August 13-15.

“These are two challenging races that will definitely prove our tires can compete in the most extreme conditions,” said Duane Sampson, YTC manager of motorsports. “At RBGRC, the track combines the technical variables of pavement, dirt and a jump into less than a mile. Vegas to Reno is a 545-mile desert battle fought over conditions that include everything from high-speed runs through the sand to low-speed cornering around boulders. Both races will clearly highlight the versatility and durability of our tires.”

RBGRC blends the best of circuit racing, off-road racing and rally competition. Specially designed Yokohama ADVAN^® race tires are the series’ spec tires fitted on all the heavily modified, 600-horsepower production-based cars.

In the Vegas to Reno race, Yokohama technical partner and off-road veteran Cameron Steele will compete in an 860-horsepower race truck, which was completely rebuilt over the summer with extensive chassis upgrades, suspension modification and a new motor. All of this will be transferred to the ground on off-road-race-engineered 40-inch GEOLANDAR A/T-S^® R tires.

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing an extensive sales network throughout the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s broad product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Connect with Yokohama Tire Corporation:

www.facebook.com/yokohamatirecorp

www.twitter.com/yokohamatc

www.youtube.com/user/yokohamamotorsports

www.instagram.com/yokohamatire

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tire Care & Safety” section at www.yokohamatire.com.

August 13, 2015
Does My Battery Need Attention In The Hot Summer Months?

You bet it does! Reliable starting depends on battery care year-round.

Wheeling, IL August 7, 2015 – Folks most often associate battery care with the cold winter months, when low temperatures make engine oil thick as molasses, degrade a battery’s efficiency, and make that first start in the morning a hopeful experience. And all of that is true.

But some are surprised to learn that hot summer weather takes its toll on your battery’s ability to start your car as well. Penray, Inc. is a leading supplier of chemicals and functional fluids for automotive use. Their experts point out some surprising hot-weather issues that can affect a battery’s efficiency and starting ability. (more…)

August 11, 2015
Four Corners 4×4 Clinches W.E.ROCK Western Regional Series Title

August 1st and 2nd, Team Four Corners 4×4 competed in the Western Regional Series W.E.ROCK event held in Goldendale, Washington to close out the team’s 2015 W.E.ROCK season. Jason Kaminsky drove the #4678 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to a First Place finish in the ModStock class with the careful guidance of spotter, Rick Jenkins. With three first place podiums, the team has secured the Western Regional Series Title in their first season of competitive rock crawling.

“Goldendale was a great event to conclude the W.E.ROCK Western Regional Rock Crawling Series. From the town’s warm welcome at the parade on Friday evening to the incredible competition that took place all weekend; it was a really great event. There are a lot of people to thank from the promoters and local volunteers, to the members of my team for helping to make this event a success for Team Four Corners 4×4,” comments Kaminsky. “In particular, I really need to acknowledge the effort and commitment of my co-driver and spotter, Rick Jenkins, who puts in tireless hours and resources to help the team succeed.”

“The courses in Goldendale had dust that at times would make the rocks slick and difficult, this made me have to direct Jason differently than we had planned,” comments Rick Jenkins. “I really enjoyed the challenge!”

On the way to the event, the team took some time to stop and visit one of their primary sponsors, Superchips, located in Ogden, Utah. Superchips is the industry leader in automotive tuning for trucks and Jeep vehicles.

The team will next compete at the Dirt Riot Endurance Racing double-points event to close out both the 2015 Mountain Series and 2015 Southwest Series on August 22nd being held near Grand Junction, Colorado.

*** EVENT LOCATION CHANGE ***

The team will close out its 2015 competition schedule on August 22nd at the Dirt Riot Mountain & Southwest Series #3 event being held in Grand Junction, Colorado. Note that the location has changed from Cortez to Grand Junction.

August 11, 2015
BITD Vegas To Reno returns and Banning Motorsports is ready to dominate two classes

Phoenix, Arizona (August 10, 2015)– We all know that Vegas to Reno is one of the big desert races of the year here in the states. Banning Motorsports is lucky enough to have numerous years of experience racing this brutal race and also being victorious. Now its time to see if they can do it again in Class 6100 as well as the 2400 class.

Banning Motorsports will make their way to Vegas Wednesday. They will be taking the same qualifying position they received at The Mint 400 so that means they will line up 13th in the 6100 class to take on 24 other trucks. Lee Banning Sr., Lee Banning Jr. and Gary Williams Jr. will all be ready for their shot behind the wheel during the race with Chris Godfrey sitting co-rider calling out the terrain.

The 550 mile course will have the racers making some serious elevation changes as they make their way from Northern Las Vegas all the way up to just South of Reno. They will find themselves at nearly 8,000 feet. On top of those elevation changes they will also encounter parts of the course that were washed away due to flooding and even possible dry lake beds that are still a mini lake. The heat of the desert can play a major roll on the race vehicles as well and drivers will have to be watching their gauges non-stop to be sure they don’t overheat in the middle of nowhere Nevada.

Bryan Folks and Rick Graf will be powering the 2488 Banning Motorsports car and will switch co-riders between Adam Warren and Tim Sullivan. This is a strong team and they are leading in the class points. The class may not be the largest but it is a very competitive one. One minor error can mean that the competitor in your dust can take over your position. These guys will be taking their General Tires all the way to Reno unless major catastrophe takes over.

Best In The Desert has done a great job at marking the course and all its dangers and Banning Motorsports looks forward to this race every year as it can bring much success.

Events start on Wednesday with qualifying. You can find the teams at contingency on Thursdayat Aliante Station and race day will start before the sun rises just North of Las Vegas.

Be sure to follow Banning Motorsports on Social Media for event day updates.

August 10, 2015
Samurai Silicone Radiator Hose Kit

The Samurai Silicone Radiator Hose Kit will provide your engine with a one-of-a-kind advantage in performance and style. These kits combine high-grade silicone rubber and heat-resistant polyester fiber to provide exceptionally efficient heat reduction and increased pressure tolerance, giving you peace of mind and years of satisfaction.

Samurai Silicone Radiator Hoses are a direct OEM fit for the Samurai 1.3L motor. The 3-ply polyester reinforced construction has an operating temperature range from -20 degrees F to 350 degrees F. Our silicone hoses handle greater temperatures than standard rubber radiator hoses and are resistant to ozone exposure, oil, and other engine fluids. They are also much more resistant to electrochemical degradation, which means that silicone radiator hoses last about five times longer than a standard rubber radiator hose.

Samurai Silicone Radiator Hoses are high-gloss black and are shipped with stainless steel hose clamps. This is one upgrade that you simply cannot afford to miss.

These hoses meet or exceed SAE J20 standards.

Note: Some trimming may be required from either end of each hose for proper fitment.

Application Data:

 1986-1995 Suzuki Samurai, 1.3L Engine

Samurai Silicone Radiator Host Kit, 303732-3-KIT, $72.45

August 10, 2015
PATRICK CLARK RACING HEADS SOUTH FOR INAUGURAL LOORRS BAJA RACE

It was only a matter of time before short course racing headed back down south again to give the ultimate fans the opportunity to see these powerful trucks race on a new course. Full stands and action packed racing is what everyone got round rounds 11&12 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, but the weekend didn’t go as planned for the driver of the #25 Budweiser Pro 2, Patrick Clark.

A full day of practice on Friday gave the drivers plenty of opportunities to change the set up on their trucks to make them faster on the nearly mile long track. The new course also consisted of sand, a silt section, 90mph front stretch and a bonus of ocean views.

After making the needed changes and going out for practice on Saturday morning, Clark was in the middle of the pack. Once qualifying was in the books Clark found himself more toward the back of the class.

The crew went back to the drawing board to prepare for round 11 that would take place just a few hours away. The stands started to fill quick as fans made their way from the pits and took their seats ready to watch history in the making.

Opening ceremonies had everyone on their feet as the Mexican National Anthem echoed through Estero Beach. The gentlemen started their engines and the anticipation of the start was roaring through the stands. Clark took to the green flag and immediately got caught up with traffic in turn 1 which would see Clark spin out and go to the back of the pack.

A full course caution after lap 1 give Clark the opportunity to catch up and give himself and good chance at passing those competitors back. Clark and Jones would go door-to-door for a few laps at the back and finally Clark was able to put jones in his roost and get up to the next Pro-2.

Clark picked clean lines through the rest of the 10-lap race and managed to accelerate his #25 Budweiser Pro-2 all the way up to 6th place for round 11.

Round 12 picked up right where round 11 left off. Clark lined up in 7th place and with an invert in the front of the pack, this put Menzies and MacCachren right at his front bumper for the start of the race. All 13 trucks put out over thousands of horsepower at the start line and the amount of dust created was enough to feel like on was racing the Baja 1000.

Clark kept his head down and his speed up to stay with those that were setting the pace of the race. Carnage was happening all around Clark and after making his way all the way up to 4th place he found himself going off the course in turn 4. With only 10 laps of racing this wouldn’t give Clark the opportunity to make those positions back up and he crossed the finish line right where he started, in 7th place.

Next the team will make their way to Reno, NV to race on another long track that is known for its massive elevation changes and fast front stretch.

August 10, 2015