Avalanche Ranch Rock Race!!!!!

[pure-adrenaline]

I just got back from the Avalanche Ranch rock race and it was a blast. There was only 4 brave rigs that competed. We did 3 stages on Saturday and suppose to do 2 more today. Well that didn't happen. Major breakage for Mike Palmer and I. He broke a atlas transfer and I broke my front suspension on the last stage for the day. Terry Howe did very well but on the way to the trailer his rig caught fire driving to his trailer. It burned everything but the tires. He got some burns on his arms and face but was ok. The other rig that suffered repairable damage was the brothers Rich and Ryan from Michigan in a Campbell rig. They did one stage today and broke a driveline but finished the course for the win.

It was one of the best times I've had. Steve Rumore and Mike Weaver were a lot of help. I blew two tires, and broke a link on the first course and they where there to help the whole time I was down. O-ya I forgot to mention I rolled with in the first 200 feet of the course. Put it back on the tires and kept going. They say they are going to do it again in October. It is worth going to watch and compete. Mike Palmer did one of the trails called "aliens" and "aliens 2"(?) in 5 minutes and 20 seconds. This is a trail they rate double black diamond. It was awsome to watch everyones rigs. I told Mike Weaver to put some pictures on the board. He is going to do them as soon as he can.

[Jaffer]

Originally posted by pure-adrenaline
Terry Howe did very well but on the way to the trailer his rig caught fire driving to his trailer. It burned everything but the tires. He got some burns on his arms and face but was ok.

It's really sad to hear about Terry's rig ...
He'd just got it finished up and painted this spring and was doing very well with this new incarnation of his old Willys.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally posted by pure-adrenaline
Terry Howe did very well but on the way to the trailer his rig caught fire driving to his trailer. It burned everything but the tires. He got some burns on his arms and face but was ok.

That sucks!! I hope that Terry is OK. His new rig looked like it was working pretty well too.

[pure-adrenaline]

It was climbing great! I would bet he has it tore down and working on it already. I think he was in 7th place in UROC. He had some good blisters and a lot of singed hair but he will be ok.

[TerryHowe]

Well, the rig is burnt pretty bad, but not as bad as it sounds. My current theory is the battery shorted and blew up lighting the fuel line on fire. It was the end of the day and I probably only had a gallon or less of gas in it.

Some blisters on my arms, but the most annoying thing is under my nose is and my lip. My spotter out there, Ron Christianson, burnt himself out in Moab at EJS so he gave me this silver sulfsomething stuff which seems to really help.

Anyway, despite all that, the event was a blast. I went in not expecting too much figuring RJ and Joe and Mike Palmer with his spotter Steve were going to be pretty hard to beat. Kind of a tortoise and hare thing. I mean, I'm not Don Robbins slow, but I'm slow compared to Mike and RJ.

What a cool format though, a lot of fun for the driver . It was fun to drive stuff and now worry about the details.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally posted by TerryHowe

Anyway, despite all that, the event was a blast.

Damn you are a trooper Terry!!! Glad to hear that you weren't hurt too bad, and knowing your work ethic the rig will be rebuilt and better than ever before we know it.

[Schmaus]

I just got home from the long drive.

Thanks Steve and Mike for the invite. Ryan and I had a blast. we can't wait for the next one. I hope more teams can make it to the one in oct.

Mike and R.J. are some of the most entertaining drivers to watch.

I am glad you are going to be o.k. Terry, and that your rig is repairable.

[pure-adrenaline]

Terry are you going to make it for UROC?

[SuperRanger]

DAMN TERRY! I thought I had crap luck lately. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Seriously......

[TerryHowe]

I plan to make UROC in Farmington, but it is going to be a lot of work. I think I can do it and I'll get some help.

Rich, great to meet you and your bro. Congrats on the win! See you guys at the Supercrawl.

[Avalanche]

Still a day or so off from getting pictures up.

The event was even more awsome than I could have imagined. Palmer ended up being our first driver, it was the sickest thing I have ever witnessed. The trail was "Enigma" and we have had groups with as few as 4 rigs take upto 3-4 hours to get through it. Over the radio you could hear the count down. Five, four, three, two, one, go and with that you could feel the power of Mikes motor echoing through the trees and up the trail. Within seconds Mike came hauling ass upto the first rocks, with the frontend airborne Mike launched up the rocks only to hang up on his links. A few more shots and a bunch more throttle he came over the other side and was again on his way. Mike finished the trail in just over 7 minutes. What a display of teamwork, his spotter Steve was like one of the European rally guys that call out directions the entire time "left, left, right right right, left, hammer it.
Next up was Joe and RJ, need I say more? These two are true compeditors, with the best never say die attitude out there. Not more than 30 seconds into the first run they were on there top. No worries, they just got out pushed the rig back onto it wheels and right back after it. Nearing the top of the trail the rig took a wild bounce and the front tire hit a pointed rock and poped the side wall. The cool part was the tires were filled with water and as he blazed along it shot water at everyone standing along the trail. Unfortunately before they got to the end of the trial they blew another tire and broke a link tab. No problem, they had Dad bring up some other tires and wheels from Farmington and they welded the link back into place and were ready for number two.

Third up was Rich and Ryan out of Michigan (our winners). They had a great first run going until Rich got a little excited and slammed into a rock wall at high speed and broke a link that in turn took out the pinion yoke. All was ok they had a spare and they got welded up and on they went to number two.

Last up was Terry. He may have not been the fastest rig but he was consistant and worked his way along with very little trouble. If not for the fire Terry would have been the guy to beat.

I'm not really sure what happened to all the guys out there that said they would come to this type of an event if we put it on?
I do know for sure that these four teams have got passion for this sport like no others and I have not seen compeditors or spectators have this much fun at an event since the first year comps.

We are looking forward to having these teams back for the second event of the series in October. Hope some of you can at least come watch and see if you want to step up.

Thanks to everyone that came out you are an awsome group.

Weaver

[TEX]

Originally posted by Avalanche
I'm not really sure what happened to all the guys out there that said they would come to this type of an event if we put it on?

I suspect you may have run into the "guinea pig syndrome" there. With anything new, a lot of folks will take a wait & see attitude. They're enthused about it, but at the same time, it's a brand new event with a brand new format & a brand new sanctioning body. So, they'll let a handful of folks check it out & if everyone is pleased with the results, word will spread & you'll have more participation in the future.

I also think that it may have hurt to kind of throw the event together in such a short time. Not saying you're unorganized. Simply that with relatively little notice, it may have been hard for folks to plan for the event. With travel time & expense, and conflicts with other events, it's imperative to get your schedule out as early as possible for the best possible participation. I should know as I've found myself in the same scenario having to plan entire events from scratch with just a couple month's notice - sometimes less. And when that happens, despite my best efforts, participation is ALWAYS much lower than when I start advertising a year or more in advance.


TEX

[pure-adrenaline]

Well we will be at the October event for sure. We learned a lot from this first one and will make the changes needed and hammer down again. I would tell ya just how fun and crazy it was but no one would beleive it w/ out seeing it. The next one should be better because it will be the last event for everyone in rock crawling. I told Steve and Mike it should be like the Monster Truck finals. No one will have to worry about what they tear up so it should be fun for spectators and not so hard on the teams because of the repair time for the next event.......Let it rip and see what everyone's got! I can't wait.

[Go2Guy]

When's the last event

[BIGBLOCKFJ40]

kick asss rich and ryan. representing the michigan group i see.

WHERES THE PICS!!!!!

[TEX]

Originally posted by pure-adrenaline
I told Steve and Mike it should be like the Monster Truck finals.

The Monster Truck Finals are a staged event. Clear Channel actually owns most of those trucks, and even those that they don't own, the drivers are clearly instructed when it's their turn to roll, break a hub, etc. So, let's hope it's nothing like that


TEX

[pure-adrenaline]

hell if someone wants to pay me I would roll at every event......I do it for free now anyway

[Go2Guy]

I need to open a powdercoating shop... in Farmington

[Big Rich]

RJ, I bet you would not have rolled at our event at Avalanche.

Rich

[RedBullJeep]

Originally posted by pure-adrenaline
hell if someone wants to pay me I would roll at every event......I do it for free now anyway

Keep it up

[pure-adrenaline]

Rich when is your next event out here? I remember you saying something about July.....

[Big Rich]

Originally posted by pure-adrenaline
Rich when is your next event out here? I remember you saying something about July.....

More than likely next year, after looking at ALL the schedules and what we needed to do, I did not think doing one again that soon would work out for us. I hope you all had a good time though. If I could afford to take another risk again, this soon, I might go for it.

Sorry
Rich

[pure-adrenaline]

just let us know we will be there.......we had a lot of fun

[Avalanche]

A link to some pic's from the event.


www.avalancheohvranch.com/rockrace1.htm

[mrs. camo]

You guys are great..I love the pic's