i think u will find it was dave cole they hit 4454trailblazer wrote:I believe they qualified for KOH!!!! and i heard ben ran into the back of 4488 and took out there spare tire.. jack and tool kit .. while trying too pass in a log jam of cars going three wide...good hard racing it sounds like....
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KOH Qualifier - Vegas to Reno BITD - RaceReport posted 30/08
Moderator: evanstaniland
Team UNDERDOG #233
WERock Australia thanks to
[url]http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com[/url]
[url]http://www.rockbuggysupply.com[/url]
WERock Australia thanks to
[url]http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com[/url]
[url]http://www.rockbuggysupply.com[/url]
v2r
ColeKirbyVSAuzzie rated r.mp3 Play
TEAM PIRATE navi Tuff Truck 2010 Winners!!!!!
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Re: v2r
11:31 kingofthehammer: 4461 dave brought his tires over so they can be up to full amount of spares
11:31 [Audio file] 4405 travis.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4405 Trout.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4406 usnick.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4411 Bulloch pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4411 Bulloch.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4435 Sacalas.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4454 Cole pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4455 Mooneyham pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4455 Mooneyham.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4461 Auzzi team pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4461 Ben Napier.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] 4464 cowbell.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] 4464 knoll pre race.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] chris ridgway.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] Cole on Auzzie nerf.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] ColeKirbyVSAuzzie rated r.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] dave cole.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] jeff knoll.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] Kirby Cole End Day 1.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] ivan stewart.mp3 Play
11:33 [Audio file] casey folks.mp3 Play
Dont think these will play but they are from day 2 footage on pirate
11:31 [Audio file] 4405 travis.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4405 Trout.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4406 usnick.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4411 Bulloch pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4411 Bulloch.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4435 Sacalas.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4454 Cole pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4455 Mooneyham pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4455 Mooneyham.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4461 Auzzi team pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4461 Ben Napier.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] 4464 cowbell.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] 4464 knoll pre race.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] chris ridgway.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] Cole on Auzzie nerf.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] ColeKirbyVSAuzzie rated r.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] dave cole.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] jeff knoll.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] Kirby Cole End Day 1.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] ivan stewart.mp3 Play
11:33 [Audio file] casey folks.mp3 Play
Dont think these will play but they are from day 2 footage on pirate
TEAM PIRATE navi Tuff Truck 2010 Winners!!!!!
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Re: v2r
I cant work out how to get any of these to link eitherHIGH ROLLER wrote:11:31 kingofthehammer: 4461 dave brought his tires over so they can be up to full amount of spares
11:31 [Audio file] 4405 travis.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4405 Trout.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4406 usnick.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4411 Bulloch pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4411 Bulloch.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4435 Sacalas.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4454 Cole pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4455 Mooneyham pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4455 Mooneyham.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4461 Auzzi team pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4461 Ben Napier.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] 4464 cowbell.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] 4464 knoll pre race.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] chris ridgway.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] Cole on Auzzie nerf.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] ColeKirbyVSAuzzie rated r.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] dave cole.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] jeff knoll.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] Kirby Cole End Day 1.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] ivan stewart.mp3 Play
11:33 [Audio file] casey folks.mp3 Play
Dont think these will play but they are from day 2 footage on pirate
But if you open this page- http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?o ... 0&replay=y#
Then scroll straight to the bottom and click on the additional entries. 11:12-6:24 you will find all these interviews.
Once you listen to this interview you will realise why Dave never got his own interview- ColeKirbyVSAuzzie rated r.mp3
Re: v2r
RUFF wrote:I cant work out how to get any of these to link eitherHIGH ROLLER wrote:11:31 kingofthehammer: 4461 dave brought his tires over so they can be up to full amount of spares
11:31 [Audio file] 4405 travis.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4405 Trout.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4406 usnick.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4411 Bulloch pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4411 Bulloch.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4435 Sacalas.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4454 Cole pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4455 Mooneyham pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4455 Mooneyham.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4461 Auzzi team pre race.mp3 Play
11:31 [Audio file] 4461 Ben Napier.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] 4464 cowbell.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] 4464 knoll pre race.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] chris ridgway.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] Cole on Auzzie nerf.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] ColeKirbyVSAuzzie rated r.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] dave cole.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] jeff knoll.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] Kirby Cole End Day 1.mp3 Play
11:32 [Audio file] ivan stewart.mp3 Play
11:33 [Audio file] casey folks.mp3 Play
Dont think these will play but they are from day 2 footage on pirate
But if you open this page- http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?o ... 0&replay=y#
Then scroll straight to the bottom and click on the additional entries. 11:12-6:24 you will find all these interviews.
Once you listen to this interview you will realise why Dave never got his own interview- ColeKirbyVSAuzzie rated r.mp3
Ha ha thanks ruff how awesome was the coverage on the weekend was freakin unreal wish i was part of it. congrats to napsta.
TEAM PIRATE navi Tuff Truck 2010 Winners!!!!!
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
v2r
TEAM PIRATE navi Tuff Truck 2010 Winners!!!!!
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Re: v2r
Well Maybe for next year this dude needs something better than just every day GENERAL TYRES ...........
Nice Sales Vid for them Now
[b][i] DAN [/i] [/b]
:silly:
:silly:
Posts: 3825
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2002 8:42 pm
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2002 8:42 pm
Location: in the sky , its a bird , its a plane ! No its super MOOSE !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU6a77e- ... re=related
@ the 2.40 min mark !!! till the finish !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ9u5058 ... re=related
@ the 3.25 min mark !!!!!!!!!!!! BRAKES !!!!!
MissForbyNoob wrote:
and one day i'll just become a worthless housewife.
and one day i'll just become a worthless housewife.
Posts: 3825
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2002 8:42 pm
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2002 8:42 pm
Location: in the sky , its a bird , its a plane ! No its super MOOSE !!!
RUFF wrote:Anyone found any video's of the Ultra 4s in action yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3SmWP40XX0
MissForbyNoob wrote:
and one day i'll just become a worthless housewife.
and one day i'll just become a worthless housewife.
I think I have heard 3 different Interviews with Benny with the V2R ......and one word pops into my head EPICmoose wrote:RUFF wrote:Anyone found any video's of the Ultra 4s in action yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3SmWP40XX0
All three are very similar ....makes me think the Race Was just EPIC MAN
nice one Fellas ...and Well Done Again ....absolutely EPIC
[b][i] DAN [/i] [/b]
:silly:
:silly:
KOH Qualifier - Vegas to Reno BITD - RACE Report posted30/08
Yes mate, it was EPIC. Here's a write up I have done. Thanks everyone for their support!
Ben
Race Report: Car 4461: BNMotorsports, Team Unite.
In August 2009 BNMotorsports fielded a car in the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno Race in the Ultra 4 class. This 1000 mile desert race is a qualifier for the 2010 King of the Hammers Race, and the team set out to qualify for KOH and gain some much needed desert racing experience. Little were we to expect that this would be an amazing journey and an epic race.
As an Australian team racing in the Nevada desert, we faced the problem of preparing the vehicle from the other side of the world. For this we partnered with Bomber Fab in Grand Terrace CA, run by Randy Slawson. To say his work is amazing is an understatement. The quality of the fabrication work and race preparation is absolutely top quality, and the strength of the vehicle represents Randy’s skills and attention to detail.
Ben Napier and David Camp arrived in the United States on the Saturday preceding the race and immediately set to work test driving to learn the car and helping with final race prep. A day in the big bumps at Barstow resulted in some deep end driving experience and shock tuning. Thanks to Joel from Bilstein who took the time to help us tune and improved our ride through the bumps, even though we were running a competitor’s equipment.
With final preparations done, the crew met up with the rest of Team Unite for the ride to Vegas. As a 3 car team, we hooked up with Dave Cole and Jeff Knoll from Hammerking Productions and an astounding crew of volunteers from across North America. Without the help of over 30 people there would be no way campaigning an event of this magnitude would be possible, and for that I am hugely grateful. From our awesome chase team to the people who drove the motor homes to each camp site and prepared the food, thanks very much.
Race day came on Thursday the 20th and it was nervousness and excitement all round. We watched to trophy trucks roar off the start line at an incredible pace and then went to suit up in our race gear. As we idled up to the start line it was a warm morning and I was watching the temperature gauge nervously. I shouldn’t have worried. With a massive PwR Performance Products USA off road race radiator tucked behind the seats even with the Nevada desert extreme temperatures the engine and automatic transmission remained perfectly cool.
Taking off the start line was an experience I will never forget. The car roared into life and soaked up the race track. The dust thrown up by vehicles ahead was intense, and at some times we struggled to see past the dashboard. Overtaking was an experience, as we barrelled into dust clouds and past other racers. With the car in awesome form we raced past pit one and gave the thumbs up to the crew. About 15 miles short of pit two the car suddenly spluttered and died. We got out and with some head scratching diagnosed a vapour locking issue with the fuel system. By letting it cool we managed to limp into the pit with minutes to spare, however by the time we switched out the fuel pumps the officials timed us out on the first day. Whilst disappointed, we immediately set about modifying the system to get back in the race in day two. With some heat shielding, garden hose and aluminium (alooominum?) foil, we made some changes that would hopefully get us through the remaining 700 miles.
Whilst we did not finish the first day, the race rules allowed a DNF on one race day. The penalty for this was the full time allowed for the day plus two hours. As there were only two Ultra 4 teams to finish the day, this did not put us too far behind. It was also great to see the Ultra 4 teams helping each other through this day, a great showing of sportsmanship within the class.
Day two dawned and the racing began again. This time it was Randy Slawson and his brother Mike in the drivers seat. The guys did an awesome job and delivered the car to the driver change point after some awesome tight racing. Some small fuel issues and a flat tyre had put us slightly behind the leading Ultra 4s, so I set out to try and catch the group. We went barrelling out of pit four and straight into the deepest silt bed I have ever seen. The V8 had its work cut out but we pulled through. The rest of the day consisted of up and down mountain trails and some fast dirt roads. At one stage we were flying along at 92 miles per hour, a scary speed in a rock crawler!
As the day went on we caught and passed several of the Ultra 4 cars still in the race and took the lead. We also hauled past some desert race cars, which was awesome fun. Throughout the afternoon we were in an epic battle with car 4488. We seemed to be faster on the course, however wanted to keep our fuel cell full to combat the fuel issues and had to stop at every pit, which allowed them to catch us. As it got darker we switched on our new VisionX HID spotlights. These were great and allowed us to roar down the road. They also stunned a lot of rabbits that seemed to be attracted to our BFGs! We came screaming around one corner to find a mob of cows on the race track, that was an exciting moment. With huge cooling fans, helmet pumpers, GPS, radios and lights running it was evident that the tiny alternator, which was probably full of silt, was not up to the task. For the slower tight tracks we turned off the long distance light bar and ran on the front lights only. This resulted in a mistake on my part – coming out of a tighter section and racing down towards a pit I put the foot down and came round a corner too fast and tagged a suitcase sized rock with both my right tyres. No tyre is going to withstand this and we were lucky to only get one flat and be able to limp into the pit for a change. It was probably here that one of the rear upper links sustained initial damage that would later result in it bending.
With Dave my co driver screaming into my head to take it easy and JC the Team Unite crew chief telling me to save the car and ensure I finish the day to allow us to start day three, I took it easier for the last 50 miles to the finish. Dave did an awesome job at co driving, especially as he had never used a race GPS before. As day two wound up we stopped a couple of times, once to tow a stricken racer off a tree stump and again when officials closed the race course to recover two crashed vehicles from a dangerous spot. Whilst being held here the 4488 team caught us and would follow us in to the finish to complete the day. All we had to do the next day was roll through the start line and we were qualified for King of the Hammers 2010! It was great to be sought out and thanked at the finish line by the desert race team that we towed off the stump, as it allowed them to race the next day also. Our support team made sure to let them know they had been rescued by a rock crawler!
A late night was had as we spent our one hour work time and put the car into impound. Again our support crew was awesome, with everyone setting to work on their parts of the car. Here they were also joined by the experienced team from BFGoodrich pits. Their help was invaluable and much appreciated, and shows the support BFG throws behind teams, far and beyond the sale of tires. It was here that we realised that one of the inner Cs on the front end had decided to part ways, probably due to overstressing when I bottomed the car out testing at Barstow followed by the stress of a couple of hundred miles racing. Thankfully BFG again came to the rescue with a welder on site and a fix was made to get us to the finish.
Day three and the race was on. The gentleman’s agreement was that the Ultra 4 teams would help each other as much as possible through the first two days to try and qualify, however once day three came the race was on. We knew we were close in time with the 4488 Watson team, however the 4435 Sacalas team has a massive lead on us, due to them successfully completing both prior days. The plan was to race against 4488 for second and be there in case something happened to 4435. It turned out that 4435 would have no problems, owning this race, including stopping for lunch each day, an amazing effort, well done Kevin!
The cars raced off from the start, again with the Slawson drive team in command. The Jeff Knoll 4471 team, the other Team Unite car remaining in the race had fuel issues at the start line and had to pull out of the race resulting in a major disappointment for the group, coupled with the retirement of Dave Cole’s 4454 entry the previous day. I cannot thank Dave and Jeff enough for their help leading up to and during the race. Dave was amazing - even though his own vehicle build and preparation was running behind and time extremely limited, he took the time out to pick us up from the airport and help us in so many ways. Such an awesome bloke, I am so thankful and I look forward to repaying the favour when he comes down under!
With the entire resources of Team Unite put to supporting car 4461, it made what was seemingly an impossible chase day possible. Fuel was sent to the BFG remote pits as we would be making use of this great service to get us through the day too. As the Slawson pair raced through the morning they suffered our third flat of the race that put them 15 minutes behind the leaders. Coming into the driver change at pitt five in the town of Gabbs they were 10 minutes behind the 4488 team. We knew we had a large margin on fourth and decided to stand on it, hoping to try and catch the others. As we screamed through the dirt, up and down hills, though mountain passes and tight corners, we little by little made up on the leaders. At pitt seven we were still minutes behind the others and pushed hard to try and catch up. This is where the pushing hurt us. We came screaming around a tight corner to be faced by several rocks that were less than our wheel track apart. I had to slam the right hand tyres into the rocks, with Dave yelling at me for being so stupid. Seconds later it was evident we had a flat. As we had lost our jack handle the previous day and were carrying the wrong spare by mistake, we had to limp 15 miles into the pit on a rim, effectively putting us out of the chase for second.
The wheel and tyre package we ran for the race were 37 inch BFGoodrich Bajas on 17 inch bead locked Raceline wheels. I am convinced the BFGs were the best tyres for the race, however I made a misjudgement on tyre pressures and should have run them at a higher pressure for the desert race. I’m not sure this would have avoided the flats we had for the huge hits, however only testing and more races will tell. The Raceline wheels copped an absolute beating during the race and performed flawlessly. Both Randy and I had to drive significant distances though rough terrain with flat tyres and the rims are still ready to roll again. Thanks to Greg Mulkey and Raceline, not only for the wheels, but also for helping to feed and supporting Team Unite.
The last 20 miles were treacherous and we took our time to make it safely to the finish for a third place in class finish. Rolling onto the podium made it all worth it. Although it was disappointing to not have gone the full distance on the first day, to race a rock crawler through the desert for over 700 miles was an epic adventure.
Again I’d like to thank the whole of Team Unite for their support, Bomber Fab for an awesome race car and also the companies that have supported us, please support them:
BFGoodrich
Raceline Wheels
PwR Performance Products
VisionX Global Lighting Systems and Motorsports Squared
Howe Performance Power Steering
Kartech Offroad
Bilstein
PCI Race Radios
Thanks also to Pirate4x4.com and especially their roving reporter Charlene for the huge effort they put into covering the Ultra 4s in this race.
Now the journey to King of the Hammers continues for BNMotorsports, with the big race in February 2010. See you there!
Ben
Race Report: Car 4461: BNMotorsports, Team Unite.
In August 2009 BNMotorsports fielded a car in the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno Race in the Ultra 4 class. This 1000 mile desert race is a qualifier for the 2010 King of the Hammers Race, and the team set out to qualify for KOH and gain some much needed desert racing experience. Little were we to expect that this would be an amazing journey and an epic race.
As an Australian team racing in the Nevada desert, we faced the problem of preparing the vehicle from the other side of the world. For this we partnered with Bomber Fab in Grand Terrace CA, run by Randy Slawson. To say his work is amazing is an understatement. The quality of the fabrication work and race preparation is absolutely top quality, and the strength of the vehicle represents Randy’s skills and attention to detail.
Ben Napier and David Camp arrived in the United States on the Saturday preceding the race and immediately set to work test driving to learn the car and helping with final race prep. A day in the big bumps at Barstow resulted in some deep end driving experience and shock tuning. Thanks to Joel from Bilstein who took the time to help us tune and improved our ride through the bumps, even though we were running a competitor’s equipment.
With final preparations done, the crew met up with the rest of Team Unite for the ride to Vegas. As a 3 car team, we hooked up with Dave Cole and Jeff Knoll from Hammerking Productions and an astounding crew of volunteers from across North America. Without the help of over 30 people there would be no way campaigning an event of this magnitude would be possible, and for that I am hugely grateful. From our awesome chase team to the people who drove the motor homes to each camp site and prepared the food, thanks very much.
Race day came on Thursday the 20th and it was nervousness and excitement all round. We watched to trophy trucks roar off the start line at an incredible pace and then went to suit up in our race gear. As we idled up to the start line it was a warm morning and I was watching the temperature gauge nervously. I shouldn’t have worried. With a massive PwR Performance Products USA off road race radiator tucked behind the seats even with the Nevada desert extreme temperatures the engine and automatic transmission remained perfectly cool.
Taking off the start line was an experience I will never forget. The car roared into life and soaked up the race track. The dust thrown up by vehicles ahead was intense, and at some times we struggled to see past the dashboard. Overtaking was an experience, as we barrelled into dust clouds and past other racers. With the car in awesome form we raced past pit one and gave the thumbs up to the crew. About 15 miles short of pit two the car suddenly spluttered and died. We got out and with some head scratching diagnosed a vapour locking issue with the fuel system. By letting it cool we managed to limp into the pit with minutes to spare, however by the time we switched out the fuel pumps the officials timed us out on the first day. Whilst disappointed, we immediately set about modifying the system to get back in the race in day two. With some heat shielding, garden hose and aluminium (alooominum?) foil, we made some changes that would hopefully get us through the remaining 700 miles.
Whilst we did not finish the first day, the race rules allowed a DNF on one race day. The penalty for this was the full time allowed for the day plus two hours. As there were only two Ultra 4 teams to finish the day, this did not put us too far behind. It was also great to see the Ultra 4 teams helping each other through this day, a great showing of sportsmanship within the class.
Day two dawned and the racing began again. This time it was Randy Slawson and his brother Mike in the drivers seat. The guys did an awesome job and delivered the car to the driver change point after some awesome tight racing. Some small fuel issues and a flat tyre had put us slightly behind the leading Ultra 4s, so I set out to try and catch the group. We went barrelling out of pit four and straight into the deepest silt bed I have ever seen. The V8 had its work cut out but we pulled through. The rest of the day consisted of up and down mountain trails and some fast dirt roads. At one stage we were flying along at 92 miles per hour, a scary speed in a rock crawler!
As the day went on we caught and passed several of the Ultra 4 cars still in the race and took the lead. We also hauled past some desert race cars, which was awesome fun. Throughout the afternoon we were in an epic battle with car 4488. We seemed to be faster on the course, however wanted to keep our fuel cell full to combat the fuel issues and had to stop at every pit, which allowed them to catch us. As it got darker we switched on our new VisionX HID spotlights. These were great and allowed us to roar down the road. They also stunned a lot of rabbits that seemed to be attracted to our BFGs! We came screaming around one corner to find a mob of cows on the race track, that was an exciting moment. With huge cooling fans, helmet pumpers, GPS, radios and lights running it was evident that the tiny alternator, which was probably full of silt, was not up to the task. For the slower tight tracks we turned off the long distance light bar and ran on the front lights only. This resulted in a mistake on my part – coming out of a tighter section and racing down towards a pit I put the foot down and came round a corner too fast and tagged a suitcase sized rock with both my right tyres. No tyre is going to withstand this and we were lucky to only get one flat and be able to limp into the pit for a change. It was probably here that one of the rear upper links sustained initial damage that would later result in it bending.
With Dave my co driver screaming into my head to take it easy and JC the Team Unite crew chief telling me to save the car and ensure I finish the day to allow us to start day three, I took it easier for the last 50 miles to the finish. Dave did an awesome job at co driving, especially as he had never used a race GPS before. As day two wound up we stopped a couple of times, once to tow a stricken racer off a tree stump and again when officials closed the race course to recover two crashed vehicles from a dangerous spot. Whilst being held here the 4488 team caught us and would follow us in to the finish to complete the day. All we had to do the next day was roll through the start line and we were qualified for King of the Hammers 2010! It was great to be sought out and thanked at the finish line by the desert race team that we towed off the stump, as it allowed them to race the next day also. Our support team made sure to let them know they had been rescued by a rock crawler!
A late night was had as we spent our one hour work time and put the car into impound. Again our support crew was awesome, with everyone setting to work on their parts of the car. Here they were also joined by the experienced team from BFGoodrich pits. Their help was invaluable and much appreciated, and shows the support BFG throws behind teams, far and beyond the sale of tires. It was here that we realised that one of the inner Cs on the front end had decided to part ways, probably due to overstressing when I bottomed the car out testing at Barstow followed by the stress of a couple of hundred miles racing. Thankfully BFG again came to the rescue with a welder on site and a fix was made to get us to the finish.
Day three and the race was on. The gentleman’s agreement was that the Ultra 4 teams would help each other as much as possible through the first two days to try and qualify, however once day three came the race was on. We knew we were close in time with the 4488 Watson team, however the 4435 Sacalas team has a massive lead on us, due to them successfully completing both prior days. The plan was to race against 4488 for second and be there in case something happened to 4435. It turned out that 4435 would have no problems, owning this race, including stopping for lunch each day, an amazing effort, well done Kevin!
The cars raced off from the start, again with the Slawson drive team in command. The Jeff Knoll 4471 team, the other Team Unite car remaining in the race had fuel issues at the start line and had to pull out of the race resulting in a major disappointment for the group, coupled with the retirement of Dave Cole’s 4454 entry the previous day. I cannot thank Dave and Jeff enough for their help leading up to and during the race. Dave was amazing - even though his own vehicle build and preparation was running behind and time extremely limited, he took the time out to pick us up from the airport and help us in so many ways. Such an awesome bloke, I am so thankful and I look forward to repaying the favour when he comes down under!
With the entire resources of Team Unite put to supporting car 4461, it made what was seemingly an impossible chase day possible. Fuel was sent to the BFG remote pits as we would be making use of this great service to get us through the day too. As the Slawson pair raced through the morning they suffered our third flat of the race that put them 15 minutes behind the leaders. Coming into the driver change at pitt five in the town of Gabbs they were 10 minutes behind the 4488 team. We knew we had a large margin on fourth and decided to stand on it, hoping to try and catch the others. As we screamed through the dirt, up and down hills, though mountain passes and tight corners, we little by little made up on the leaders. At pitt seven we were still minutes behind the others and pushed hard to try and catch up. This is where the pushing hurt us. We came screaming around a tight corner to be faced by several rocks that were less than our wheel track apart. I had to slam the right hand tyres into the rocks, with Dave yelling at me for being so stupid. Seconds later it was evident we had a flat. As we had lost our jack handle the previous day and were carrying the wrong spare by mistake, we had to limp 15 miles into the pit on a rim, effectively putting us out of the chase for second.
The wheel and tyre package we ran for the race were 37 inch BFGoodrich Bajas on 17 inch bead locked Raceline wheels. I am convinced the BFGs were the best tyres for the race, however I made a misjudgement on tyre pressures and should have run them at a higher pressure for the desert race. I’m not sure this would have avoided the flats we had for the huge hits, however only testing and more races will tell. The Raceline wheels copped an absolute beating during the race and performed flawlessly. Both Randy and I had to drive significant distances though rough terrain with flat tyres and the rims are still ready to roll again. Thanks to Greg Mulkey and Raceline, not only for the wheels, but also for helping to feed and supporting Team Unite.
The last 20 miles were treacherous and we took our time to make it safely to the finish for a third place in class finish. Rolling onto the podium made it all worth it. Although it was disappointing to not have gone the full distance on the first day, to race a rock crawler through the desert for over 700 miles was an epic adventure.
Again I’d like to thank the whole of Team Unite for their support, Bomber Fab for an awesome race car and also the companies that have supported us, please support them:
BFGoodrich
Raceline Wheels
PwR Performance Products
VisionX Global Lighting Systems and Motorsports Squared
Howe Performance Power Steering
Kartech Offroad
Bilstein
PCI Race Radios
Thanks also to Pirate4x4.com and especially their roving reporter Charlene for the huge effort they put into covering the Ultra 4s in this race.
Now the journey to King of the Hammers continues for BNMotorsports, with the big race in February 2010. See you there!
Re: KOH Qualifier - Vegas to Reno BITD - RACE Report posted3
napsta wrote:Yes mate, it was EPIC. Here's a write up I have done. Thanks everyone for their support!
Ben
Race Report: Car 4461: BNMotorsports, Team Unite.
In August 2009 BNMotorsports fielded a car in the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno Race in the Ultra 4 class. This 1000 mile desert race is a qualifier for the 2010 King of the Hammers Race, and the team set out to qualify for KOH and gain some much needed desert racing experience. Little were we to expect that this would be an amazing journey and an epic race.
As an Australian team racing in the Nevada desert, we faced the problem of preparing the vehicle from the other side of the world. For this we partnered with Bomber Fab in Grand Terrace CA, run by Randy Slawson. To say his work is amazing is an understatement. The quality of the fabrication work and race preparation is absolutely top quality, and the strength of the vehicle represents Randy’s skills and attention to detail.
Ben Napier and David Camp arrived in the United States on the Saturday preceding the race and immediately set to work test driving to learn the car and helping with final race prep. A day in the big bumps at Barstow resulted in some deep end driving experience and shock tuning. Thanks to Joel from Bilstein who took the time to help us tune and improved our ride through the bumps, even though we were running a competitor’s equipment.
With final preparations done, the crew met up with the rest of Team Unite for the ride to Vegas. As a 3 car team, we hooked up with Dave Cole and Jeff Knoll from Hammerking Productions and an astounding crew of volunteers from across North America. Without the help of over 30 people there would be no way campaigning an event of this magnitude would be possible, and for that I am hugely grateful. From our awesome chase team to the people who drove the motor homes to each camp site and prepared the food, thanks very much.
Race day came on Thursday the 20th and it was nervousness and excitement all round. We watched to trophy trucks roar off the start line at an incredible pace and then went to suit up in our race gear. As we idled up to the start line it was a warm morning and I was watching the temperature gauge nervously. I shouldn’t have worried. With a massive PwR Performance Products USA off road race radiator tucked behind the seats even with the Nevada desert extreme temperatures the engine and automatic transmission remained perfectly cool.
Taking off the start line was an experience I will never forget. The car roared into life and soaked up the race track. The dust thrown up by vehicles ahead was intense, and at some times we struggled to see past the dashboard. Overtaking was an experience, as we barrelled into dust clouds and past other racers. With the car in awesome form we raced past pit one and gave the thumbs up to the crew. About 15 miles short of pit two the car suddenly spluttered and died. We got out and with some head scratching diagnosed a vapour locking issue with the fuel system. By letting it cool we managed to limp into the pit with minutes to spare, however by the time we switched out the fuel pumps the officials timed us out on the first day. Whilst disappointed, we immediately set about modifying the system to get back in the race in day two. With some heat shielding, garden hose and aluminium (alooominum?) foil, we made some changes that would hopefully get us through the remaining 700 miles.
Whilst we did not finish the first day, the race rules allowed a DNF on one race day. The penalty for this was the full time allowed for the day plus two hours. As there were only two Ultra 4 teams to finish the day, this did not put us too far behind. It was also great to see the Ultra 4 teams helping each other through this day, a great showing of sportsmanship within the class.
Day two dawned and the racing began again. This time it was Randy Slawson and his brother Mike in the drivers seat. The guys did an awesome job and delivered the car to the driver change point after some awesome tight racing. Some small fuel issues and a flat tyre had put us slightly behind the leading Ultra 4s, so I set out to try and catch the group. We went barrelling out of pit four and straight into the deepest silt bed I have ever seen. The V8 had its work cut out but we pulled through. The rest of the day consisted of up and down mountain trails and some fast dirt roads. At one stage we were flying along at 92 miles per hour, a scary speed in a rock crawler!
As the day went on we caught and passed several of the Ultra 4 cars still in the race and took the lead. We also hauled past some desert race cars, which was awesome fun. Throughout the afternoon we were in an epic battle with car 4488. We seemed to be faster on the course, however wanted to keep our fuel cell full to combat the fuel issues and had to stop at every pit, which allowed them to catch us. As it got darker we switched on our new VisionX HID spotlights. These were great and allowed us to roar down the road. They also stunned a lot of rabbits that seemed to be attracted to our BFGs! We came screaming around one corner to find a mob of cows on the race track, that was an exciting moment. With huge cooling fans, helmet pumpers, GPS, radios and lights running it was evident that the tiny alternator, which was probably full of silt, was not up to the task. For the slower tight tracks we turned off the long distance light bar and ran on the front lights only. This resulted in a mistake on my part – coming out of a tighter section and racing down towards a pit I put the foot down and came round a corner too fast and tagged a suitcase sized rock with both my right tyres. No tyre is going to withstand this and we were lucky to only get one flat and be able to limp into the pit for a change. It was probably here that one of the rear upper links sustained initial damage that would later result in it bending.
With Dave my co driver screaming into my head to take it easy and JC the Team Unite crew chief telling me to save the car and ensure I finish the day to allow us to start day three, I took it easier for the last 50 miles to the finish. Dave did an awesome job at co driving, especially as he had never used a race GPS before. As day two wound up we stopped a couple of times, once to tow a stricken racer off a tree stump and again when officials closed the race course to recover two crashed vehicles from a dangerous spot. Whilst being held here the 4488 team caught us and would follow us in to the finish to complete the day. All we had to do the next day was roll through the start line and we were qualified for King of the Hammers 2010! It was great to be sought out and thanked at the finish line by the desert race team that we towed off the stump, as it allowed them to race the next day also. Our support team made sure to let them know they had been rescued by a rock crawler!
A late night was had as we spent our one hour work time and put the car into impound. Again our support crew was awesome, with everyone setting to work on their parts of the car. Here they were also joined by the experienced team from BFGoodrich pits. Their help was invaluable and much appreciated, and shows the support BFG throws behind teams, far and beyond the sale of tires. It was here that we realised that one of the inner Cs on the front end had decided to part ways, probably due to overstressing when I bottomed the car out testing at Barstow followed by the stress of a couple of hundred miles racing. Thankfully BFG again came to the rescue with a welder on site and a fix was made to get us to the finish.
Day three and the race was on. The gentleman’s agreement was that the Ultra 4 teams would help each other as much as possible through the first two days to try and qualify, however once day three came the race was on. We knew we were close in time with the 4488 Watson team, however the 4435 Sacalas team has a massive lead on us, due to them successfully completing both prior days. The plan was to race against 4488 for second and be there in case something happened to 4435. It turned out that 4435 would have no problems, owning this race, including stopping for lunch each day, an amazing effort, well done Kevin!
The cars raced off from the start, again with the Slawson drive team in command. The Jeff Knoll 4471 team, the other Team Unite car remaining in the race had fuel issues at the start line and had to pull out of the race resulting in a major disappointment for the group, coupled with the retirement of Dave Cole’s 4454 entry the previous day. I cannot thank Dave and Jeff enough for their help leading up to and during the race. Dave was amazing - even though his own vehicle build and preparation was running behind and time extremely limited, he took the time out to pick us up from the airport and help us in so many ways. Such an awesome bloke, I am so thankful and I look forward to repaying the favour when he comes down under!
With the entire resources of Team Unite put to supporting car 4461, it made what was seemingly an impossible chase day possible. Fuel was sent to the BFG remote pits as we would be making use of this great service to get us through the day too. As the Slawson pair raced through the morning they suffered our third flat of the race that put them 15 minutes behind the leaders. Coming into the driver change at pitt five in the town of Gabbs they were 10 minutes behind the 4488 team. We knew we had a large margin on fourth and decided to stand on it, hoping to try and catch the others. As we screamed through the dirt, up and down hills, though mountain passes and tight corners, we little by little made up on the leaders. At pitt seven we were still minutes behind the others and pushed hard to try and catch up. This is where the pushing hurt us. We came screaming around a tight corner to be faced by several rocks that were less than our wheel track apart. I had to slam the right hand tyres into the rocks, with Dave yelling at me for being so stupid. Seconds later it was evident we had a flat. As we had lost our jack handle the previous day and were carrying the wrong spare by mistake, we had to limp 15 miles into the pit on a rim, effectively putting us out of the chase for second.
The wheel and tyre package we ran for the race were 37 inch BFGoodrich Bajas on 17 inch bead locked Raceline wheels. I am convinced the BFGs were the best tyres for the race, however I made a misjudgement on tyre pressures and should have run them at a higher pressure for the desert race. I’m not sure this would have avoided the flats we had for the huge hits, however only testing and more races will tell. The Raceline wheels copped an absolute beating during the race and performed flawlessly. Both Randy and I had to drive significant distances though rough terrain with flat tyres and the rims are still ready to roll again. Thanks to Greg Mulkey and Raceline, not only for the wheels, but also for helping to feed and supporting Team Unite.
The last 20 miles were treacherous and we took our time to make it safely to the finish for a third place in class finish. Rolling onto the podium made it all worth it. Although it was disappointing to not have gone the full distance on the first day, to race a rock crawler through the desert for over 700 miles was an epic adventure.
Again I’d like to thank the whole of Team Unite for their support, Bomber Fab for an awesome race car and also the companies that have supported us, please support them:
BFGoodrich
Raceline Wheels
PwR Performance Products
VisionX Global Lighting Systems and Motorsports Squared
Howe Performance Power Steering
Kartech Offroad
Bilstein
PCI Race Radios
Thanks also to Pirate4x4.com and especially their roving reporter Charlene for the huge effort they put into covering the Ultra 4s in this race.
Now the journey to King of the Hammers continues for BNMotorsports, with the big race in February 2010. See you there!
Congatulations once again, its good to read about your EPIC adveture sounds like you had an awesome time and I'am very jelous. Look forward to talking to you guys in person, well done Ben and Dave
TEAM PIRATE navi Tuff Truck 2010 Winners!!!!!
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Dreaming of getting back to KOH
Re: v2r
So there was a big press thing on Pirate this morning, and it was announced that Trophy Truck driver, BJ Baldwin, seen pitting above, will be racing KOH in DSI's buggy - the 4471 V2R car.A1 wrote:
Well Maybe for next year this dude needs something better than just every day GENERAL TYRES ...........
Nice Sales Vid for them Now
There is also a competition on Pirate to win a race drive in a fully preped buggy - someone from here should put their name in.
This is going to be awesome.
Re: v2r
Yeh, as above ,any insights to the link, the Aus Pirates will be over there so we mays aswell put our names in!RUFF wrote:Got a link to that? I cant find it anywherenapsta wrote: There is also a competition on Pirate to win a race drive in a fully preped buggy - someone from here should put their name in.
[b][i] DAN [/i] [/b]
:silly:
:silly:
Re: v2r
hell yea!!, jbell pm me we are headin over there, the more the merrier!A1 wrote:Yeh, as above ,any insights to the link, the Aus Pirates will be over there so we mays aswell put our names in!RUFF wrote:Got a link to that? I cant find it anywherenapsta wrote: There is also a competition on Pirate to win a race drive in a fully preped buggy - someone from here should put their name in.
buggy time............
Re: v2r
If only I had the moneyA1 wrote:Yeh, as above ,any insights to the link, the Aus Pirates will be over there so we mays aswell put our names in!RUFF wrote:Got a link to that? I cant find it anywherenapsta wrote: There is also a competition on Pirate to win a race drive in a fully preped buggy - someone from here should put their name in.
Been looking for the post also, will have to go if I win
brooksy
C44F-Custom 4x4 Fabrications
0400 443 802
brooksy72@live.com.au
0400 443 802
brooksy72@live.com.au
brooksy wrote:
So how do you enter ???
brooksy
Right Here Matey
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=827246
[b][i] DAN [/i] [/b]
:silly:
:silly:
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