XRRA Rock Racing :: Moab, UT
Presented by Precision Gear, and Alloy USA
April 7 , 2007
Story by Mike Houp and Casey Hauser
Photos by Houp Photography

[PHOTOS]

The morning started off at a local diner where I sat next to the retired Baja racer and off-road legend Walker Evans. It was an honor to sit down and chat with “The Legend” himself. The spry 68 year old wheels his Jeep now more than ever. Evans wanted me to make sure the Pirate folks know he’s not sitting around in his rocking chair. From there, it was off to the event site.

The competition was action packed, and non-stop.

It was a cool brisk morning at the races, the surrounding mountains were capped in snow and the racers were suited up for what they hoped to be a great day. Unfortunately, wishful thinking and prayers did not prove to be enough for some teams. The course looked like it was ready to swallow up any of the racers that left the “Get It” at home, and it did just that. I think most will agree there is nothing like the sound of a healthy V8 as the race day prepares to kick off.

The Lovell Bros were fully getting it in the Alloy USA Ranger.

The first race of the day was Alloy USA sponsored Brad Lovell paired up against the winner of the W.E.ROCK Globe event, Jeff Mello. The green flag dropped and the guys were off in a heated battle until Mello broke a front heim joint in the second corner, giving the win to reining UROC modified champion, Lovell.
Some would argue that the duel of the day was Tracy Jordan versus RJ Brown. We can all agree it was nothing less than entertaining. Rock racing rookie Jordan took his first win as Brown rolled his Toyo sponsored rig to the bottom of the bowl and ignited the cool yellow body panels with transmission fluid.
Monster Energy’s Shannon Campbell showed off some serious horsepower with his new LS2 that sounded more like a F1. Campbell, who was paired up with SXOR owner Brandon Johnson, not only took the win, but set the fastest lap. In the second round, Johnson was able to pay Campbell back as the Monster rig got caught up on a steep ledge that cost them precious time.

Militia Motorsports catching some air!

Fans and fellow racers were anxious to see the new Black Star Motor sports hotrod. However, driver Weston Blackie would end up piloting Scott Ellinger’s Rockstomper buggy. Blackie planned to show up to the XRRA Moab season opener with his new rig, but that plan soon ended when he received the wrong parts he desperately needed for his transmission. He was forced to leave the buggy at home for yet another event. Blackie spent the day up against Nate Williams and the Tuff Country rig. The two were off to what appeared to be a great head to head battle until Blackie “diff punched” a rock and ripped off the left front lower link. To get the rig back on track, Scott Ellinger had to borrow a welder and a plasma cutter that used CO2. Ellinger said, “It was ghetto fab at its finest.”
Rookie Shane Chiddix and the Screamin’ Weasel race team paired up against Rick Deremo. This proved to be one of the better match ups of the day. Chiddix gave veteran Deremo a run for his money all day long as Deremo took second with Chiddix on his tail finishing third.

Tracy Jordan's first attempt at rock racing in his new Twisted Customs 2 seater

Shannon Campbell slid into first place with only 7 seconds separating himself and Rick Deremo. Once Campbell received his check for winning the season opener, he turned right back around and gave it to the XRRA President, Michael Weaver, to put back into the organization. This just solidifies that Monster Energy’s Shannon Campbell is a real class act.

The crowd enjoyed the beautiful weather, the fierce race action, and carnage that is very prevalent at XRRA Rock Racing events. The XRRA season opener went very smooth for President Michael Weaver. I would like to thank the entire XRRA crew for the great hospitality they showed Pirate4x4.com. We look forward to bringing you more exciting action from both the Western and Eastern XRRA events.

Shannon Campbell wins yet another XRRA event!

[PHOTOS]