Category: Other Series PR

Jan 11-13 ARCA Open Test at Daytona Kicks of 2011 Season

WELCOME, N.C. (January 10, 2011) – Tim George Jr. returns to Richard Childress Racing’s driver lineup for 2011 as fulltime driver of the No. 31 RCR Chevrolet in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. George is also expected to compete in a limited NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule in 2011.

In addition to George, Ty Dillon will compete in the full 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule this season, driving the No. 41 RCR Chevrolet. They join Paul Menard (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series), Kevin Harvick (NSCS), Jeff Burton (NSCS), Clint Bowyer (NSCS), Austin Dillon (NCWTS) and Joey Coulter (NCWTS) as drivers competing under the RCR banner this year.

George, who will once again pair with veteran crew chief Gere Kennon, will make his first ARCA laps of 2011 in an RCR entry this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as part of an ARCA Open Test at Daytona. The 30-year-old New York, N.Y., native also spent last weekend at the “World Center of Racing” behind the wheel of a Grand-Am Rolex GT Series car as part of that series’ test session for the 24 hours of Daytona, in which George is scheduled to compete.

In 2010, George’s first full season of competition as an RCR driver, he continued a progression into stock car auto racing that began in 2008 with his most successful season in ARCA to date. In addition to earning two top-five and five top-10 finishes over the course of the 20-race ARCA Racing Series season, highlights of the year included leading laps and battling for the win during the late stages of the series’ race at New Jersey Motorsports Park and leading laps at Talladega Superspeedway en route to a third-place finish.

George has spent the last four years focusing on stock car racing but has an extensive road course racing background. In fact, the New York, N. Y., native has one win and three podium finishes at Road America in the Skip Barber Racing Series, and was the 2008 Grand-Am Rolex GT Series Rookie of the Year.

The Daytona Slick Mist 200 is live on SPEED on Saturday, February 12, 2011, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing has earned more than 190 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2011 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menard’s Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Development Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. (No 31 RCR Development Chevrolet) and Ty Dillon (No. 41 Chevrolet) will compete in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

(LIMA, Ohio) – Going to school at 8 a.m. on a cold, dreary Saturday should not seem the most appealing of activities, unless you’re an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards official who wakes up far earlier on multiple weekends throughout the summer and race season anyway.  

Over 40 series race officials attended a preseason training session Saturday at the Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis High Performance Motorsports Complex at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH), the official High Performance Education University of ARCA. There, the officials spent their day rotating through four hands-on stations, detailing everything from fuel cells to shock measurements, as well as two classroom sessions explaining in-race and pit road procedures.  

Chris Ford, an ARCA Racing Series official from Colmar, Pa., near Philadelphia, helped fellow officials to understand inspections under a car, covering topics like brakes, exhaust, springs, drive shafts, and trailing arms. Even as a veteran of three seasons with the series, Ford found the annual primer helpful.  

“It’s important, especially coming up to Daytona. A lot of things we’re going over today are mainly for the Daytona race, and also Talladega, because the rules are different on springs and things like that. Teams will do certain things to get by, so we need to be aware,” said Ford. He was just one of several officials who traveled from out-of-state to attend the session, joining men and women from Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, and even St. Louis, Mo. – in addition to a number from the Toledo area.  

Series official Tony Ortega stressed exact numbers, not estimates, to the officials attending his breakout session on templates.  

“No guesswork,” said Ortega, explaining the importance of using a template to measure spoiler width. “It’s three-sixteenths of an inch all the way across.”  

Touching the top side of the spoiler, he was certain to ensure uniformity in the spoiler’s shape.   “It can’t be tapered. It’s square throughout.”  

While many attending the training program were ARCA veterans hoping to add a refresher to their seasons of experience, some officials this season are making their first foray into the series after coming from other mechanical backgrounds.  

“We’re refreshing our procedures for our existing officials, but we have some new people here and this is all new to them. They’re getting their first taste at going through the cars in the inspection process,” said Joe Wells, vice president of competition for ARCA. “A lot of these officials may have been involved with teams, but this is a side of racing they’re not used to. They look at things one way as a competitor, and as officials, we see it a different way.”  

Though Wells is one of several with a hand in annually composing the Official Rule Book, he maintained that the true garage environment at UNOH is a far more effective training tool than a piece of paper.  

“The hands-on element is really helpful. You can write all of this stuff on paper and have diagrams, but when you can put a template in your hand and then on the car, or take a tape measure, and look at, feel, and touch the actual car, it’s easier to stick on the brain,” Wells said.  

Steve Farmer, the vice president of development for UNOH, is at the heart of the university’s effort with ARCA, and in turn, the applied education for the series’ officials.  

“The key thing is having a facility where the officials can come and spread out and have the space for various stations. Having the ARCA officials on site today gives more credibility to the program (UNOH) has with ARCA as the official education partner.”  

To say UNOH’s motorsports complex is merely a fitting space for ARCA’s training session is to severely undersell it. At 75,000 square feet, the High Performance Motorsports Complex stands out as a location where ARCA officials can truly learn.  

“You’re looking at a building with eight different compartments: custom engine-building, engine-building, fabrication, high-performance welding, high-performance chassis, steering and suspension, accessories trends, and a dyno building with four dyno machines,” Farmer said, before additionally noting that the dyno building houses the college’s motorsports team, which races four modifieds and three stock cars every week at another university property, Limaland Motorsports Park.  

“This session is more of a real-life experience, like the officials would have at a race track, with the different stations they’re running. Our kids are pretty proud that we have this relationship with ARCA, and that they get to be affiliated with that.”  

The 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season will mark the sanctioning body’s 59th year of competition and commences with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 12. The event will air live on SPEED.

The complete 2011 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.   The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series tests the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, annually visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.

Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 10, 2011) – – As the 2011 racing season draws near, the thought of the first green flag of the season can make a heartbeat jump. And while most race car drivers are nestling in with their teams and focusing on their objectives for the new year, rising sensation Chad Hackenbracht has been nose-deep in the books of his Freshman year as a student at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

  This week though, 19-year old Chad Hackenbracht will exchange those books for a steering wheel and grasp a permission slip from his professors and head to Daytona Beach, Florida to participate in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards open-test session at the breathtaking 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

  Hackenbracht, driver of the No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet Impala SS will spend three days this week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) trying to nail down a successful setup that will allow Hackenbracht’s family-owned CGH Motorsports the opportunity to win at the “World Center of Speed” next month.

  Partaking in his second-ever test session at the newly-paved restrictor plate track, Hackenbracht and his Rodney Jockisch-led team will focus on balance and speed in their bowtie Impala SS. The Concord, North Carolina-based team also hasn’t ruled out participating in a “light” drafting session before loading up and heading back to North Carolina to put the final touches of their multi-color hot rod for the season opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona, set for Saturday, February 12, 2011 live on SPEED.

  “I’m looking forward to getting back into a race car,” sounded Hackenbracht, who intends to juggle a full-time college schedule while also hoping to become the next ARCA Racing Series champion. “I’m ready to put the books away for a little bit and get back behind the wheel at Daytona!”

  The former Legend Car Series (LCS) pilot added, “Rodney (Jockisch) and the entire CGH Motorsports team have been working hard to put this car in tip-top shape. Our first go-around with Daytona wasn’t pretty, but we won’t dwell on the past, but instead move forward towards the present and show everyone this year that CGH Motorsports means business.”

  When asked about the recent re-pavement at one of the most historical race tracks in the United States, Hackenbracht commented, “From what I heard, Daytona is going to be a really fast, intense race. Handling should no longer come into play. It’s going to be about driving smart and using your head. I’m expecting the track to drive a lot like Talladega, where the track is nearly as smooth as glass. It sure is going to be an exciting way to kick off speedweeks!” 

  CGH Motorsports is actively seeking additional marketing partners for the full 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule. Single, multi and full-season placements are available on the team’s No. 58 entries. Interested parties are urged to contact Jordan Dahl at 570.234.5449 or jordandahl@cghmotorsports.com.      About CGH Motorsports:   CGH Motorsports (CGHMotorsports.com), established in 2007 by Ohio entrepreneur Greg Hackenbracht is located in a 10,000 sq. foot facility located in Concord, North Carolina. CGH Motorsports is home of rising sensation Chad Hackenbracht, who competed in nine ARCA Racing Series races in 2010 after an aggressive ARCA testing schedule in 2009. Chad Hackenbracht is the 2008 National Asphalt Legends champion, winning 33 percent of his races and finishing in the top-10, 85 percent of the events he competed in. The team will step up their commitment from a partial schedule and prepare for a hopeful full-season ARCA championship assault beginning in February 2011.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 10, 2011) – – Just how bad or how early did Sean Corr want to arrive in Daytona Beach, Florida in preparation for this week’s ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by Menards test session? Bad.

Corr, the aspiring driver for Empire Racing plowed his way down the interstate Saturday night as the driver of the team’s 18-wheeler transporter arriving in the Sunshine State in the wee hours of early Sunday morning, officially become the first team to enter the track grounds for the first official test of the new year.

Corr will admit he’s not your average race car driver. Don’t let this humdrum New Yorker fool you though; he’s all about business when it comes to his duties behind the wheel of the No. 82 Empire Racing LLC Ford Fusion.

But, when the opportunity arises to sink in and get dirty or pull an all-nighter and drive to a test in hopes of potentially winning the biggest race of his racing career, look for Corr to strike his way through the crowd and flock to the front of the line.

“It doesn’t bother me at all,” said Corr, in reference to driving the team’s hauler to the 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. “We’re a team and I’m willing and able to do whatever it takes to put us in contention. I’d rather drive the hauler and allow the guys who bust their tails to get our Ford Fusion ready the ability to recharge themselves.”

The Goshen, New York native whose been hopscotching from The Empire State to Race City USA, otherwise known as Mooresville, North Carolina during much of the winter is fired up for this week’s three-day test for more reasons than he can count. A new year, some fresh faces, a desirable attitude and an ever-growing outlook has this avid dirt driver ready to make his presence well known on the asphalt.

“I’m ready for Daytona, even though it’s just a test,” noted Corr, who intends to run the full ARCA Racing Series schedule this year. “The desire and “want” from this Empire Racing team is like a disease. A favorable one. We want it and we’re going for it. I have a good feeling about the car we’re bringing to the track and hope we can unload in a zone that we’re comfortable with and just improve as the week progresses.”

The Empire Racing team-led by new crew chief and former ARCA racer Richard Johns will bring a new Ford Fusion with Roush Yates horsepower to the “World Center of Speed” after losing last year’s Daytona automobile in a multi-car incident at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

“I hate to lose a car the way we did,” recalled Corr. “We were running comfortably in the top-seven and the big one unleashed with nowhere for us to go. It happens. It stinks, but it’s just part of the game. We’ve been working hard though on making sure that this car is as strong or even stronger than the one we had last February.

It was though on February 6, 2010, Corr gave an intuition of his ability to draft with the best of the best in the ARCA Racing Series. After being knocked sideways and cutting down a tire in the late stages of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, Corr was able to wrestle his wounded but still strong blue oval from the back to a respectable 14th place finish after starting 26th.

“We worked that day as a team. We came from the back to the front and vice-versa all race long. I learned a lot and no doubt the experience will help me next month. Though, we’re talking about a whole new game with the track being re-paved. The track will be so smooth; your 3400-pound stock car will feel like a Cadillac. Nonetheless, our intentions are to go have a strong test and come back and have an even worthier performance in the race.”

Former Empire Racing crew chief John Bellesfield who will take the reins as team manager for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based operation this year is extremely optimistic about the approaching test.

“We’ve put a lot of endless man hours into putting this car together,” explained Bellesfield. “I think we’re going to have a real slick piece for the test and the race. The team is excited to see Sean so enthusiastic about getting behind the wheel. That energy from the driver only gives us, the team the motivation to give him nothing but the best.”

Following the test scheduled for this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Empire Racing will trek back to North Carolina and begin their final check-in list for the running of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 set for Saturday, February 12, 2011 live on SPEED.

The team still enters the 58th year of ARCA competition without the foundation of a primary marketing partner. However, the team feels they are close to making some announcements in-time for the first of 19 ARCA races this season.

For more on Sean Corr, Empire Racing and marketing opportunities for the 2011 racing season, please visit empireracingllc.com http://www.empireracingllc.com/ .

About Empire Racing:

Established in 2009, Empire Racing LLC. (empireracingllc.com http://www.empireracingllc.com/ ) is a two-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Sean Corr, a 26-year old hailing from Goshen, New York pilots the team’s automobiles in the DIRTcar Series and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). In 2011, the team will attempt to run for a championship in the ARCA Racing Series with aspirations of moving into the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Goshen, New York with an additional operation in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Set to hit the track in ARCA test session at Daytona January 11-13

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 10, 2011) – Sheltra Motorsports, the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menard’s Champion, has signed Milka Duno to run the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Duno, a driver in the IndyCar Series, will begin her foray with Sheltra Motorsports piloting the No. 63 Dodge Charger at the newly-repaved Daytona International Speedway for three days of ARCA Racing Series testing January 11-13.

Champion crew chief, Jon Wolfe, will work with Duno throughout the test session to get her comfortable, fast and ready for the ARCA Racing Series season opener at DIS on February 12th.

“This is truly an exciting opportunity for all of us at Sheltra Motorsports.” said Wolfe. “We are aiming to carry our momentum of the 2010 championship season into 2011”.

“We are really excited to have the opportunity to work with Milka in Daytona and to give her a shot at being the first female to win a major event in stock car racing.” Sheltra said. “Our goal is to get her comfortable at the test, and I have no doubt she will have a great performance in the race.”

Brandon Hinson, owner of Hinson Sports Management and Director of Marketing for Sheltra Motorsports, has been working with Duno’s team for several months to bring the Venezuelan driver to Sheltra Motorsports. “We made the commitment to give her the best equipment and opportunity possible to be successful.” Hinson said. “I believe that when she gets behind the wheel of the No. 63 this week, it will be the beginning of a great year for Milka.”

“I’m very excited and grateful for this opportunity to test with the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menard’s Championship winning team,” said Duno. “Patrick, Jon and Brandon head a very skilled and dedicated organization and having met with them and visited their facility it is easy to see why they are the 2010 champions!”

Sheltra Motorsports has worked all off-season to have a multi-car program in 2011, and things are beginning to shape up to make that a reality. More announcements are set to be made in the coming weeks.

Additional information about Milka Duno’s 2011 season will also become available in the next several weeks.

Multiple cost effective partnerships are available with Sheltra Motorsports for the 2011 season. Please contact Brandon Hinson, Director of Marketing, at bhinson99@aol.com, for more information.

###

About Sheltra Motorsports:

Sheltra Motorsports, established in 2007, is in the midst of its fifth season of ARCA Racing Series competition. Owned by Florida-native, Patrick Sheltra, the owner-driver team captured the 2010 ARCA Racing Series driver and owner’s championship titles on the strength of two wins, 12 top-fives and 17 top-10 finishes in 20 events. Sheltra Motorsports is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., with additional operations in Indiana and Florida. For more information, visit www.sheltramotorsports.com.

About Milka Duno:

Duno has eight major race wins in the highest classes (Prototype) in the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Series and the highest finish ever by a female driver (2nd Place) in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the 48-year history of the race. Duno has been competing in the IndyCar Series since 2007. Off the track, Duno is a certified Naval Engineer who holds four master’s degrees, earning the last three simultaneously. Duno is also working through her “Milka Way” program to inspire youth to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. For more information, visit http://www.milkaduno.com/ www.milkaduno.com.

SheltraMotorsports_MilkaDuno_DaytonaPress1_10_11.docx

Leffler to carry the colors of long-time sponsor, Great Clips, Inc.

MOORESVILLE, NC (January 6, 2011) – For years, the Chili Bowl Nationals Golden Driller trophy has been a coveted, yet elusive, prize for three-time Midget National Champion, Jason Leffler. However, when close to 300 entries show up for the Silver Anniversary of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway, January 11-15, Leffler feels he will have his best shot yet at capturing the famed trophy. The NASCAR Nationwide Series veteran who drives for Turner Motorsports, will wheel the No. 91x entry for Kasey Kahne Racing, carrying the colors of his Nationwide Series sponsor of six years, Great Clips, Inc.

Leffler’s illustrious USAC career boasts multiple championships, over 40 Midget feature wins and six Silver Crown victories. In 1998, he captured the USAC Silver Crown Championship and, in 1999, he etched his name in the record books by becoming only the third driver in history to claim three consecutive Midget National Championships. He has captured victories in almost every elite national Midget race over the last decade including wins at the Belleville Nationals and Hut 100 (both in 1997), the Copper Classic (1999), the Night Before the 500 (2002) and two Turkey Night events (1999 and 2005).

It is the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals title that has always eluded him but he looks to change that in next week’s 25th-annual running of what he deems “the greatest spectacle in racing.” His best performance in the five day-long event occurred in 1998 when he came away with a second-place finish. Other top finishes include a 5th-place in 2004 and 9th in 2000. Leffler did lay claim to the title as an owner when Damion Gardner won in the event in 2008, driving under the Leffler Racing banner. Still, Leffler hungers to win the event as a driver, a win which would certainly round out his USAC career quite nicely.

“The Chili Bowl is one of the most exciting races events you could ever see,” said Leffler. “You have over 300 guys competing for 24 spots in the A-Main feature with one prize. It is some of the fiercest on-track competition you could ever witness. If you are a race fan, The Chili Bowl is something you should experience at least once in your lifetime. I am excited to be driving for Kasey Kahne Racing and very proud to have long-time sponsor, Great Clips, on board with me for this event.”

The excitement begins for Leffler on Tuesday night as an exclusive club of 16 event champions and series legends will compete in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, a special 20-lap race. He is then slated for the Thursday night qualifying round, when he will make a bid for a top-four finishing position to lock himself into Saturday night’s Chili Bowl Championship feature event.

###

Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts

What: 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds

When:

January 11-15, 2011

Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Int’l Chili Bowl Race of Champions

Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night

Thursday – Qualifying Night

Friday – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night

Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events

Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).

Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.

Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night’s Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Third Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.

Chili Bowl on TV: Portions of the 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals will be broadcast on SPEED TV on a tape-delayed basis.

Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and recaps, is available first at http://www.chilibowl.com/ www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on http://www.racinboys.com/ www.racinboys.com.

Charlotte, NC (December 21, 2010) –As part of our Dakar highlight segment, we would like to emphasize the true essence of the race through the next series of press releases. We want our fans, sponsors and supporters to understand the amount of preparation and work that is involved in participating in the Dakar Rally and to fully understand the evolution of man and equipment for “the world’s toughest race.”

Just days until the start of the highly anticipated 2011 Dakar Rally, Robby Gordon and Team HUMMER are getting ready to head south to Argentina but the preparation for the Dakar Rally started months ago as the first shipment of equipment, including the support vehicles, left the Charlotte, North Carolina based shop on November 5th.  The massive Freightliner support vehicles were outfitted with supplies, car parts, and equipment necessary to run the 15-day event. Once complete, they made their way from Charlotte to Jacksonville, FL where they were loaded onto ocean container ships. The vehicles then made their more than 5,000 miles journey to Buenos Aires, Argentina where they will be met by the team and final details will be completed for the January 1st start date. Team HUMMER will be fielding two race vehicles in the 2011 edition of the Dakar Rally, both sponsored by SPEED Energy Drink.  “Proper preparation for the Dakar Rally is the first step toward an overall victory.   It entails many long days at the race shop making sure every single part of the race cars are perfect,” says shop manager, Johnny Kaiser.   Down to the smallest detail, the race vehicles are completely built in house.  Countless hours are put into the design, engineering, fabrication, machine work and assembly that go into building the specialized race vehicles. 

For the sixth year as a team owner in the infamous Dakar Rally, Gordon will be piloting a HUMMER in the 2011 edition of the rally.  Starting as a bare chassis or blank canvas, the HUMMERs individually transform into a work of art.   A work of art that must withstand the brutal punishment that is ahead: the dirt roads, rocky mountains and seemingly endless sand dunes that take their toll on the vehicles.  Every part and piece that is put on the race vehicles is scrutinized, making sure that it is capable of withstanding the elements. Although the process starts at the shop, it is not vacation when the team arrives in Argentina. After every stage, the guys stay up each night prepping the HUMMERs for the next day’s stage. This process continues for fifteen days until the final stage of the rally. 

In mid-December, the cars are loaded in a transporter and make their way to Miami, Florida where they are shipped via airfreight to South America. The team optimizes every hour working on these cars to ensure that every detail is complete. “I couldn’t be more proud of my guys for the effort and dedication they put into the preparation of the vehicles for the rally this year,” says Gordon.   “Being prepared is half the battle.” About SPEED Energy– SPEED Energy is available in three flavors: Unleaded, Fuel, and Octane, which provides the human machine with the fuel it needs to keep up with the SPEED of life. Each drink contains a potent energy blend of B-vitamins, caffeine, taurine and ginseng. SPEED is packaged in 12 ounce sleek cans that have a stylish black top and sexy body and are available in singles, four-packs, and cases.  SPEED Energy is available in the United States in major retailers, convenience stores, grocery stores, bars and nightclubs. For more information, please visit speedenergy.com.

Race Coverage– For fans tracking the Dakar Rally at home, please visit speedenergy.com, planetrobby.com, dakar.com along with Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on the team’s performance including a daily recap, photos and videos.  The team will also be doing a preview daily leading up to the Rally that details their Dakar program and what it takes to get the team ready to participate in the 14-stage event. The Versus Channel will provide coverage throughout the United States.  A 30-minute daily program featuring highlights from that day’s racing will be aired on Versus daily at 3:30 p.m. with a replay airing later in the day.  Check your local listing for exact show times.

Charlotte, NC (December 21, 2010) – 2011 marks the 33rd running of the international test of endurance and determination known as the Dakar Rally, which for the third consecutive year will take place in the South American countries of Argentina and Chile after security threats in Mauritania in 2008 caused the ASO, the race organizers, to move the race from Africa.  With more than 9,500 km (5,903 miles) to be completed from January 1st to 16th, 2011, the Dakar Rally is easily the “world’s most grueling race.”  

  Based on fourteen stages, known as “specials”, the winner of the rally is the team with the shortest elapsed time over the fifteen day event.  The terrain that competitors traverse is extremely difficult. Most of the competitive specials are off-road, crossing dunes, mud, camel grass, rocks among other elements. To be successful at the Dakar Rally, a team must possess three things: state of the art equipment, first rate driving and navigational skills, and true determination and perseverance.  The slightest mistake by man or equipment can cost a team valuable seconds in their effort to achieve the ultimate objective: winning the Dakar Rally. 

  Team HUMMER will be fielding two entries in the rally-raid.  Known as one of the best off-road racers in the world, Robby Gordon will be participating in his seventh Dakar Rally and piloting the No. 303 Speed Energy / Toyo Tires HUMMER.   Gordon will depend on his navigator, Kellon Walsh, to maneuver through the ever changing terrain of the cross country race.  Gordon knows how to win in the rally, becoming the first American to ever win a stage.  “To win a stage of the event was great, but to be the first American to win the Dakar Rally would mean so much more,” says Gordon.  “With experience also comes the understanding that you have to beat the rally before you can beat your competitors.”

  A formal announcement regarding the second HUMMER entry will follow early next week.

  To aid in their effort to challenge the Dakar Rally and factory teams, Team HUMMER will be touting a new sponsor, SPEED Energy Drink.  “This company is based on a commitment to SPEED, energy and relentless determination.  No one personifies those values better than Robby Gordon and no race encompasses those qualities more than the Dakar Rally, which makes partnering with Team HUMMER a perfect fit for our new SPEED Energy brand,” commented SPEED Energy representative, Steve Nichols.   “We’re excited to have SPEED Energy Drink on our HUMMER’s for the rally this year.  SPEED is a new company that is gaining a lot of attention in the U.S., and I’m looking forward to introducing it to the international market as part of our team’s branding exercise. In addition to representing SPEED Energy, I will also be representing our long list of elite partners. We just signed a three-year extension with Toyo Tires, and I couldn’t be happier to have them as a co-primary for this event,” says Gordon.   About SPEED Energy – SPEED Energy is available in three flavors: Unleaded, Fuel, and Octane, which provides the human machine with the fuel it needs to keep up with the SPEED of life. Each drink contains a potent energy blend of B-vitamins, caffeine, taurine and ginseng. SPEED is packaged in 12 ounce sleek cans that have a stylish black top and sexy body and are available in singles, four-packs, and cases.  SPEED Energy is available in the United States in major retailers, convenience stores, grocery stores, bars and nightclubs. For more information, please visit speedenergy.com.

  Race Coverage– For fans tracking the Dakar Rally at home, please visit speedenergy.com, planetrobby.com, dakar.com along with Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on the team’s performance including a daily recap, photos and videos.  The team will also be doing a preview daily leading up to the Rally that details their Dakar program and what it takes to get the team ready to participate in the 14-stage event. The Versus Channel will provide coverage throughout the United States.  A 30-minute daily program featuring highlights from that day’s racing will be aired on Versus daily at 3:30 p.m. with a replay airing later in the day.  Check your local listing for exact show times.

Mooresville, NC (December 17, 2010) Roush Yates Engines would like to congratulate Johnny Bridges of Cherryville, NC for becoming the proud owner of a new Roush Yates Sprint 360 engine. The engine was raffled off at the recent International Motorsports Industry Show in Indianapolis, IN and all proceeds were given to Davidson Day School out of Davidson, NC.

As the 2010 USCS Asphalt Champion, Johnny Bridges believes he is the perfect recipient for this year’s charity Sprint 360 engine because he will use the Roush Yates’ power to continue his winning streak next year.

“The Lord answered my prayers!,” said Bridges. “I was completely shocked when I learned I had won the new Sprint 360 Engine. I’m so excited about racing it next season. Roush Yates has always been the engine to beat on the track and I’m thrilled to be the owner of this new engine built by Jeremy Anderson.”

Bridges’ name was drawn on December 3, 2010 out of a collection of over 5,000 tickets sold. The Roush Yates Charity Engine Raffle piqued the interest of racers all over the world, with online ticket sales coming from as far as Australia and Russia.

“I want to personally thank everyone who purchased a ticket for this year’s Charity Engine Raffle,” said Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “The money raised is going to a great cause and I’m honored to be a part of an industry that is known for an immense amount of charitable work.”

Money collected from the Charity Engine Raffle will be used by Davidson Day School, a pre-k through 12th grade college preparatory school that helps children prepare for the challenges of college and life beyond. The funds will bring innovative technology integration into the classrooms of all students.

“This generous donation from Roush Yates Engines will support technology and innovation at Davidson Day School, helping children ages two to 12th grade prepare for top colleges and lifelong success,” said Bonnie Cotter, Head of School. “We are so lucky that a family who has invested their three children in our care is helping our school in such a dramatic way. Their passion is making a difference in the lives of children for years to come.”

For those who didn’t win, you can still get your own Roush Yates Sprint 360 engine in time for next season. To learn all about the Sprint 360 that won two ASCS Regional Championships and 21 races in 2010, please contact Jeremy Anderson at (704) 658-1540 or janderson@roushyates.com.

About Roush Yates Engines

Roush Yates Engines designs, engineers and crafts high performance racing engines with the power to perform and the horsepower and durability you’d expect from legendary NASCAR pioneers Jack Roush and Robert Yates. The partnership of power and precision has come from merging the knowledge and experience of two legendary engine builders, both with a passion for winning today and powering up for tomorrow. In 2009 Doug Yates purchased his father’s half of Roush Yates Engines to become a co-owner in the company.

As CEO, Doug Yates leads a staff of 180 engineers and technicians who design, assemble, test, and service racing engines at two separate state-of-the-art facilities in Mooresville, North Carolina. Here, the best minds and latest technology are hard at work producing nearly 1,500 racing engines each year for teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA, Grand-Am, FIA GT3, Dirt Late Model, Sprint cars, and NHRA Pro Stock. At Roush Yates Engines, the mission is power and performance, which is achieved through innovation, design, precision, engineering, and skillful craftsmanship. Building the best engines in racing today, providing service that’s second to none, and honoring a commitment to research and development are the heart of Roush Yates Engines.