In light of the recent announcement that UROC is canceling its 2007 rockcrawling series, we wish to ensure you that WE Rock is stronger than ever and is looking forward to the continuation of our 2007 season as well as the years to come. Each year, especially in 2007, we have found growth in all areas of our rockcrawling events, including: larger team attendance, larger fan attendance, stronger media coverage, multiple new locations, upgrades to existing locations, and stronger relationships with veteran and new sponsors of the sport.

We appreciate the continuing support and trust of the teams, the fans, the media, the staff (including our amazing volunteers), as well as the landowners that work with us. We extend further appreciation to our partners at R-Rock, and multiple WE Rock partner organizations worldwide. We especially want to thank WE Rock sponsors and the team sponsors for continuing to support what is clearly a successful event series.

There is no doubt, rockcrawling is alive and well and continues to thrive. With all of the assets and partners working together as they are, WE Rock will continue to focus on rockcrawling and looks forward to a bright future.

Big Rich Klein
WE Rock

And we are glad to be on board for this 2007 season with WERock!

yeah, same here, glad to be helping you guys out at events again and again for years to come.

*golf clap*

Hanibal was my first event and I am a believer.I will be back for more:D

Which is why I made the switch to run WeRock full time this year. Thanks Rich and company. Had a great time in Hannibal - looking forward to TN.

We also made the switch for the 2007 season

Thanks Guys

Good post. Good luck with 2007 Rich! UROC Folding should help the WEROCK series become THE rockcrawling series.

In my eyes it always was.

Hey bronco lou are you going to race with us at the Xrra east series? We look forward to seeing you running that cool bronco.

Rich... I told you so!

One sanctioning body is what our sport has needed from the beginning. I'm excited to see the positive effects this will have on rockcrawling at the professional level. We have full confidence in W.E.ROCK and the Rich's to keep this sport alive and growing. Hannibal was a great event and reinforced my faith in our decision to strictly run W.E.ROCK this year. I look foward to the 07' season.

I am glad to have those two weekends off my calendar this year! For the sport this is exactly what we have needed. Two series are always deemed to fail when they shoot head to head against each other. Until 1984 there were two major stock car racing series, USAC Stock Car and NASCAR. ARCA has always been an undercard and development series. In 1979 USAC's stock car series could not keep up against the powerhouse of NASCAR. When CART formed and took over the Indy Car series from USAC the undercard stock car series was left standing. The USAC series had many of the same teams, sponsors, and drivers from Indy Car. The once popular USAC stock car series was now left picking up the pieces. In 5 years the series went from NASCAR rival to non existant. Now we seem to find Rockcrawling in the same positions as stock car racing in 1984. Now is the time we begin to see rockcrawling moving up as we get a real unified series.

i intend to go to all the so cal events now my rig is almost done (if ever)

I am glad to have those two weekends off my calendar this year! For the sport this is exactly what we have needed. Two series are always deemed to fail when they shoot head to head against each other. Until 1984 there were two major stock car racing series, USAC Stock Car and NASCAR. ARCA has always been an undercard and development series. In 1979 USAC's stock car series could not keep up against the powerhouse of NASCAR. When CART formed and took over the Indy Car series from USAC the undercard stock car series was left standing. The USAC series had many of the same teams, sponsors, and drivers from Indy Car. The once popular USAC stock car series was now left picking up the pieces. In 5 years the series went from NASCAR rival to non existant. Now we seem to find Rockcrawling in the same positions as stock car racing in 1984. Now is the time we begin to see rockcrawling moving up as we get a real unified series.


Aaron, I must disagree with this "Two series are always deemed to fail when they shoot head to head against each other."

If both companies compliment each other, both will work. If both have a competitive edge over the other, they will both survive. If they both have a strong support base with teams, sponsors, volunteers and staff and spectators, both will survive. Otherwise, the strongest does pervail. The battle is really no different than coke vs pepsi, ford vs chevy, or hostess vs little debbie.

UROC leaving rockcrawling is of no suprise really. I do hope Ranch finds his niche in rockcross and can gather the same support he's had with rockcrawling in his future endeavors. Best of luck.

Enough about that.

Since CalROCS came to Disney, I have had full support of the Klien family and of WEROCK. My continued support will be strong. Just wish the rig was ready for Hannibal!!!!! I'm looking forward to a bright future with WEROCK!

I agree....Two sanctioning bodies is one to many. I am glad to see that the Kleins are taking over the sport, even though I'm partial to them. They have always had great events, they're great people and they really gave me my photo start!!
It's awesome to see great things happening to great people.....


Disclaimer:
Don't read to far into this, I'm not saying the UROC folks aren't!

Aaron, I must disagree with this "Two series are always deemed to fail when they shoot head to head against each other."

If both companies compliment each other, both will work. If both have a competitive edge over the other, they will both survive. If they both have a strong support base with teams, sponsors, volunteers and staff and spectators, both will survive. Otherwise, the strongest does pervail. The battle is really no different than coke vs pepsi, ford vs chevy, or hostess vs little debbie.

UROC leaving rockcrawling is of no suprise really. I do hope Ranch finds his niche in rockcross and can gather the same support he's had with rockcrawling in his future endeavors. Best of luck.

Enough about that.

Since CalROCS came to Disney, I have had full support of the Klien family and of WEROCK. My continued support will be strong. Just wish the rig was ready for Hannibal!!!!! I'm looking forward to a bright future with WEROCK!

Nathan...throughout motorsport history, many series have formed to take on a dominant sanctioning body, or a showdown was in order when there was not room for two major sanctioning bodies calling the shots. This isn't a brand vs. brand battle. It was a sanctioning body battle. For the most part in motorsports a sanctioning body battle ends up with one in the history books and one surviving. You are right if they sanctioning bodies don't directly compete. That is why ARCA is surviving in stock car racing, but I don't think that is the case here.

Examples:
NASCAR vs. USAC (Stock Car) NASCAR would win

FISA vs. FOCA (Formula One) FOCA would win (of note FOCA and FISA was an internal war over who and how F1 would be ran. The fallout would create the Concorde agreement that is in play in current F1`regulations, but will be gone next year.)

FIA vs. GPWC (GPWC never saw a race. Originally announced to have racing on the track in 2007. The manufacturers of F1 had agreed on a pullout except for Ferrari and Red Bull, but as time progressed the FIA got it's wishes and the GPWC disbanded.)

TRAC vs. NASCAR (Stock car) - NASCAR won because TRAC's formula for stock car revolution was not cutting it.

ASA vs. USAR (Short Track Stock Car) - USAR won

There is a reason that Grand Am vs. ALMS and CCWS vs. IRL is not on this list, they have figured out that they can offer distinctly different types of the same motorsport and can survive off each other. This is just history repeating itself.

One problem of course is that other then competitors and such... the sponsors (especially those outside the sport) see rockcrawling as rockcrawling. Which means they don't see WE Rock and UROC and ProROCK they see rockcrawling.. when they get screwed by one well... they just got screwed by them all from their pocketbook perspective.

I support WE Rock.

I think this will have a possible negative impact across the sport.

- Shawn (My personnal opinion)

One problem of course is that other then competitors and such... the sponsors (especially those outside the sport) see rockcrawling as rockcrawling. Which means they don't see WE Rock and UROC and ProROCK they see rockcrawling.. when they get screwed by one well... they just got screwed by them all from their pocketbook perspective.

I support WE Rock.

I think this will have a possible negative impact across the sport.

- Shawn (My personnal opinion)

This is not a negative. We just have to make this a real positive. Do not give up the fight and show those sponsors that they will not miss anything with UROC being gone.

This is not a negative. We just have to make this a real positive. Do not give up the fight and show those sponsors that they will not miss anything with UROC being gone.

I disagree... the negative press that isn't seperating the appropriate series has already started and alas it has started with people in our own sport
http://www.dirtnewz.com/

UROC RockCrawling Closes The Doors on 2007 Season --- Before It Ever Started

Orange, California (April 17, 2007) In a predictable, but yet a stunning announcement, UROC CEO-Ranch Pratt sent out an email notification today ending the 2007 UROC rockcrawling season before it ever started. Facing a difficult sale to marketing partners across the board, Pratt expressed that UROC is receiving minimal support for 2007 season forcing him to make this decision.

DIRTsports Editor-In-Chief, Craig Perronne wrote previously that "RockCrawling is Dead" and so true to form, Perronne not only saw the writing on the wall but expressed his opinion throughout the rockcrawling world.

DIRTnewz has fielded a slew of telephone calls from sponsors, teams and associates involved in professional rockcrawling. The DIRTnewz Staff is currently at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, California covering the 2007 CORR season-opener where the likes of Jon Nelson came after moving away from the rockcrawling world.

Only minutes ago, a major corporation vice-president responded to DIRTnewz staffers when told of the decision by Ranch Pratt and he commented saying, "This is the beginning of the end for professional rockcrawling. This is the tip of the spike through the heart of rockcrawling."

DIRTnewz has published UROC CEO-Ranch Pratt's email below.

But on a positive note: WE Rock will come through and will be a stonger series for it. We just need to work with the sponsors and fans to make sure they understand that UROC and WE ROCK are seperate series.

I disagree... the negative press that isn't seperating the appropriate series has already started and alas it has started with people in our own sport
http://www.dirtnewz.com/

UROC RockCrawling Closes The Doors on 2007 Season --- Before It Ever Started

Orange, California (April 17, 2007) In a predictable, but yet a stunning announcement, UROC CEO-Ranch Pratt sent out an email notification today ending the 2007 UROC rockcrawling season before it ever started. Facing a difficult sale to marketing partners across the board, Pratt expressed that UROC is receiving minimal support for 2007 season forcing him to make this decision.

DIRTsports Editor-In-Chief, Craig Perronne wrote previously that "RockCrawling is Dead" and so true to form, Perronne not only saw the writing on the wall but expressed his opinion throughout the rockcrawling world.

DIRTnewz has fielded a slew of telephone calls from sponsors, teams and associates involved in professional rockcrawling. The DIRTnewz Staff is currently at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, California covering the 2007 CORR season-opener where the likes of Jon Nelson came after moving away from the rockcrawling world.

Only minutes ago, a major corporation vice-president responded to DIRTnewz staffers when told of the decision by Ranch Pratt and he commented saying, "This is the beginning of the end for professional rockcrawling. This is the tip of the spike through the heart of rockcrawling."

DIRTnewz has published UROC CEO-Ranch Pratt's email below.

I Guess that means that Low-Range, Crawl, Pirate, WickedMag, and American Krawlers will have to WORK HARDER TO SHOW THAT THIS IS NOT A LOSS BUT A BEGINNING! So show up to Pro-Rock, RRock, MoRoc, W.E.Rock and anything else you can think of. Don't forget that this will benefit the Rockcrawling against cancer series who has events in Oklahoma. This is a start not an end. So screw that company official because he is obviously an IDIOT and those morons at DirtNewz that have more than likely waiting on the end of Rockcrawling! Just for reference I have never seen DirtNewz at any east coast rockcrawling event period!

I disagree... the negative press that isn't seperating the appropriate series has already started and alas it has started with people in our own sport
http://www.dirtnewz.com/

DIRTsports Editor-In-Chief, Craig Perronne wrote previously that "RockCrawling is Dead" and so true to form, Perronne not only saw the writing on the wall but expressed his opinion throughout the rockcrawling world.

The DIRTnewz Staff is currently at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, California covering the 2007 CORR season-opener where the likes of Jon Nelson came after moving away from the rockcrawling world.

Only minutes ago, a major corporation vice-president responded to DIRTnewz staffers when told of the decision by Ranch Pratt and he commented saying, "This is the beginning of the end for professional rockcrawling. This is the tip of the spike through the heart of rockcrawling."


I’ve always felt Tim Sanchez wasn't that passionate about rockcrawling, doing it more for a business venture than a love of the sport. RockCrawling is an easy cross over for Tim, his sponsors (remember, he sells ads and sponsorships), and his readers. Tim’s obvious love is go-fast stuff and I don’t have any issues with that as hey, it’s a free world so enjoy whatever turns your crank. That said, Tim doesn’t surprise me with this one. However, what does surprise me is that he took Craig Perrone’s article and quoted it TOTALLY out of context. Craig was discussing the accident of Bob Standage and how the liability issue would kill UROC. Notice that Craig says over and over and over in his article “UROC” and even includes disclaimers to be sure we all knew EXACTLY what he was talking about. If anyone thinks UROC was THE sport, then they've missed the boat. UROC stepped up to the plate, had the world at their feet, and missed the ball. Don’t write about “UROC dieing” in the same breath as “rockcrawling is dieing” as that's simply trying to kill the sport, not just saying goodbye to a failed UROC rockcrawling effort.

Aside from mis-quoting Craig Perrone in this article, Tim also randomly discusses the disappearance of John Nelson in what appears to be a pointer toward the demise of the sport. It wasn’t…and neither was the departure of many teams. They just found they’d rather do something else and that happens with every sport. There are still just as many teams around and teams are spending just as much money and more sponsors are coming in. I wonder just what Tim’s buddies at Monster think about this rambling of mis-connected facts…?

Regarding the third paragraph where Tim writes, “…major corporation VP says…”. That VP clearly hasn’t spoken to the major element in the sport…the teams. If you didn’t notice, we’re still here and HAPPILLY competing at WE Rock.

Normally, I enjoy the articles by Tim as they have a rough edge to them that makes you read it from the perspective of being there in the seat, versus being there watching. This article is different. This piece by Tim is nothing more than that…a piece…
One of the lamest rants I’ve seen in a long time and it’s a sad twisting of the facts. The funny thing is that so many people on the inside know what happened but Tim ignores those guys and instead discusses John Nelson’s departure from the sport like it was an indicator, when it wasn’t, totally takes another writer’s words and re-writes them out of context, and then quotes some mysterious VP like it’s a real expert opinion. I’m sorry Tim, but the whole thing was MUCH simpler than that. What happened was UROC failed to keep the confidence of many people, especially the teams. Without that one thing, UROC was doomed for a long time.

So, "rockcrawling lives on" Tim Sanchez, and is truly one of the "Best Bangs for your Buck" in marketing and sponsorship opportunities. Also the fact that you can be a serious competitor for a tiny portion of the budget of other motorsports means that it's easy to be involved in as a team. The fact is, "UROC RockCrawling" is dead...that's very different than "RockCrawling" is dead. It's the demise of a promotion body, not the sport.

FYI, below is the original article from Craig Perrone - Oct 05 Dirt Sports. It will clearly discount the DirtNewz version of Craig's words. The article is about the issue of liability and accountability for accidents.

Thanks for the comments Dustin. X2

Tim's a good guy- but I'd have to agree, his style/homework/accuracy was sloppy at best on this one. Stirring the pot is fine, sells rags, just get your stuff straight- no credibility is not good for the future of your biz

1st my apologies as I did not mean to take over Big's thread...

My point which seems to be lost is not what Tim said.. or that Ranch is good or bad - it's simply the perception that sponsors will see - they gave sponsorship money to Rockcrawling because they may or may not realize there is a difference between UROC and WE ROCK. Will they in fact realize that one is not the other or simply lump all rockcrawling into the same bucket.

Anyway - let's take this off Rich's thread if anyone wants to continue the debate.

- Shawn

After attending a few of WE Rocks events as a spectator and a judge I have committed a ton of dough to building a competition rig and competing later this season. I was impressed with how well things were done and the overall experience. Is rockcrawiling growing? There will be at least one more rig in Texas. Now, hand me a wrench, I gotta get ready.

Racer X

Rich,

Any plans to handle the increased number of competitor? We are hoping to bring the RIDE racer to Seattle to compete (Lydia driving and myself spotting), are we going to run into number problems getting in?

Rock crawling for sponsored teams is not just about rock crawling! Our obligations turn from race day to letting people know what happend on race day. As teams looking for a spot in the feild we need to step up are game! simply showing up and running the corses doesn't get you much, new people won't watch if they don't here about the sport. We have to promote are selfs as much as W.E. Rock promotes the events. When the Monster Trucks come to town they don't all just roll up into a parking lot and all have a party around a campfire, They invade every auto parts store and car dealer that will have then. Parents come because there kids beg then, and dads come because they wish they had one, and moms like it becouse its a family day.

W.E. Rock is not huge like Monster Trucks but it could be! If we as teams take it to the next level. You don't need a 6 figure budget to take your Comp rig over to the local Mititary Base the week before the event, or even the local fire house on saturday night after the first day of comp. I know budgets are tight "beleive me" but the more people who here about us, the more people who come to events, the more we do what we say we will do, all means the more sponsor money that will be available and the more that Media will have to cover us!!

Time for the Teams to step up and set are selfs apart from the rest. Its hard work that will pay off as the years go by and the editors see that Rock Crawling is just getting started. Watch out FOX here we come.

Kurt McLaughlin

X2 very well said

I was at the Portland / Bob event and I can tell you that the person who wrote the article must not have been because there is not a bit of truth in any of the account of what actually happened .



I am glad to see rock crawling under one sanction and WeRock will take it to the top . As representatives of the sport , we must make sure that every sponsor understands what has happened and clarify any misconceptions they might have concerning sanctioning bodies in relationship with the actual sport of rock crawling itself . I look at this being a positive thing so ...............

Congrats to Big Rich & Krew and good luck with 2K7 !


howie

Rock crawling for sponsored teams is not just about rock crawling! Our obligations turn from race day to letting people know what happend on race day. As teams looking for a spot in the feild we need to step up are game! simply showing up and running the corses doesn't get you much, new people won't watch if they don't here about the sport. We have to promote are selfs as much as W.E. Rock promotes the events. When the Monster Trucks come to town they don't all just roll up into a parking lot and all have a party around a campfire, They invade every auto parts store and car dealer that will have then. Parents come because there kids beg then, and dads come because they wish they had one, and moms like it becouse its a family day.

W.E. Rock is not huge like Monster Trucks but it could be! If we as teams take it to the next level. You don't need a 6 figure budget to take your Comp rig over to the local Mititary Base the week before the event, or even the local fire house on saturday night after the first day of comp. I know budgets are tight "beleive me" but the more people who here about us, the more people who come to events, the more we do what we say we will do, all means the more sponsor money that will be available and the more that Media will have to cover us!!

Time for the Teams to step up and set are selfs apart from the rest. Its hard work that will pay off as the years go by and the editors see that Rock Crawling is just getting started. Watch out FOX here we come.

Kurt McLaughlin

Kurt you are right. We need to invade not just the host city, but as many of the surrounding towns. Last year at Jellico I got on to a major radio show in East Tennesse. My 6 minute interview got me a ton of calls from 7 states. The W.E.Rock event at Jellico had a huge crowd too, but then again there were flyers from Knoxville to Lexington.

I was at the Portland / Bob event and I can tell you that the person who wrote the article must not have been because there is not a bit of truth in any of the account of what actually happened .
howie

Howie, it's a pretty accurate recollection of what happened...our team was right there waiting in line and Frank (our spotter) dived out of the way because he almost got hit by Bob's runaway buggy. The scene is all to clear in our memory. But that's not the point of the article in the first place...it was to show that UROC escaped that close call but had the incident killed a spectator, UROC would have been wiped from existance. That was the point and the author's description was just the background to set the scene. Craig's point was taken very seriously by the sport and his words did make a difference. The promoters payed attention and made some changes including the "stepped" facility in Boyd, Texas that WE Rock went out of their way to design as they recognised it had BIG walls that could cause a similar situation we saw in Indiana.

Regardless of Craig's description of what happened, the real issue here is that Tim Sanchez of Dirt Newz quoted Craig and the Dirt Sports article like it was a premonition of death of the sport because UROC didn't succeed. I wanted to be sure everyone here saw what the actual article said so you'd realise that Tim mis-quoted for his own journalistic reasons...

Im glad to see you guys are going strong!I love your guys events,Globe is a blast.Keep it up!

Rich,

Any plans to handle the increased number of competitor? We are hoping to bring the RIDE racer to Seattle to compete (Lydia driving and myself spotting), are we going to run into number problems getting in?

We currently have 54 rigs that showed up in Globe, Last year we saw 64 in Goldendale.

We can handle those that show up.

For 2008 we will be expanding our current schedule to include a central series. We have also batted around the idea or more event in each region (thinking that we might be the only series).
We will be asking for suggestions and ideas in the coming weeks, right now it's all about 2007 and getting the teams to Australia for the Worlds:grinpimp:

Big Rich

We currently have 54 rigs that showed up in Globe, Last year we saw 64 in Goldendale.

We can handle those that show up.

For 2008 we will be expanding our current schedule to include a central series. We have also batted around the idea or more event in each region (thinking that we might be the only series).
We will be asking for suggestions and ideas in the coming weeks, right now it's all about 2007 and getting the teams to Australia for the Worlds:grinpimp:

Big Rich

Rockcrawling is like endurance racing because of how it is structured it can handle a high number of competitors.

Dustin I have to say you are right on with your first post.
Tim, get your story straight then sit down at the keyboard. You sir have a responsibility to do so.
UROC lost due to the simple fact that Paity thought he was smart and could buy, build and sell the organization to make some money with a mouthfull of BS and some empty promises. Unfortunatly I think Ranch was one of the few who fell for his pitch and got drug down while most of us saw right through anything that came out of his cob hole. Too bad, Ranch had a good series with RCAA as do the Riches now with WERock built on hard work and patience, not promises and get rich quick BS. There is your story Tim.