The SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge; the season opener for 2012. Get a first-hand view of this sick loop course as the team battles through the short course style turns and high-speed sections to make some moves on the competition!

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

The opening race of the 2012 SCORE International series kicked off in Laughlin, NV next to the raging Colorado River.  The Laughlin Desert Challenge was broken in to two races, giving racers the opportunity to score points both days.  The course consisted of a 6.25 mile loop, featuring high speed jumps, sandy banked turns, rocky washes, and massive ruts known for crippling even the most capable of off road vehicles.  This spectator friendly course featured 8 laps of hardcore off-road action with tons of bumping and passing.

Not only did the Friday qualifying lap earn racers spots for the first race on Saturday, but it ended BJ Baldwin tire hysteria as well. Finally, BJ ran his much-anticipated new Toyo tires in competition; and he did it well.  With this quick and testing course in front of him, it was a perfect preview at what to expect from BJ in the longer races of 2012.

One lap was run on Friday to choose the started order for Round 1.  SCORE sent racers off every 4 minutes so each racer had a clear path ahead of them.  Top qualifier was none other than Baldwin, with an impressive time of 6 minutes and 23.99 seconds.  Recent Off Road Hall of Fame inductee, Rob MacCachren, qualified second, a mere 10 seconds behind BJ. Needless to say, that’s a hell of a way to open 2012.  Greg Nunley, Loyd Sproule, and Monster Energy’s Cameron Steele rounded out the top five.

Race day brought a calm and collected BJ, something not seen in 2011.  “This year I am committed to wining races. I am not going to let anything get in the way of victory,” said Baldwin, “I want to focus on smarter driving and finishing races, keeping my eyes on the another championship.”   The race, however, was a little different than the previous days qualifying, as BJ had to constantly fight off off-road race legend Rob Mac for the lead.  “Our plan was to take it easy on the first few laps, but right after the start the pace was quick and we were being pressured by MacCachren. He started catching us on the second lap so we had to turn it up. Losing to a legend like Rob doesn’t bother me, he is an amazing driver, but beating him is awesome!” commented Baldwin.

BJ further separated from Rob when Rob had to pull over and change a flat on the sixth lap.  From there, it was smooth sailing to the finish.   Juan Carlos Lopez, from Tecate, Mexico, crossed the finish line over a minute after BJ, claiming second place in the Trophy Truck class.  Cameron Steele entered three Dessert Assassins trucks to the race, including two Trophy Trucks.  Josh Daniel, in the #14 Truck, did not finish the race and after a promising start in the early laps of the race, Steele’s #16 truck transmission blew, sending shrapnel towards the passenger seat.   Co-driver Cody Stuart suffered a severe leg injury and was taken to Las Vegas for a nightlong surgery.  Cody will have a long recovery and we wish him the best.  Cameron attended Stuarts trip to Las Vegas and was with him throughout the night.  With him in mind, he booked it back to Laughlin in time for Sundays race.

Starting from the back, Cameron was able to battle through the field of 22 to finish his #16 truck 7th.  Truck #14 finished 5th, with Josh Daniel behind the wheel.  BJ ran in to mechanical issues that forced him to limp through the course by lap 3.  On board computer issues shut down 3 cylinders when he was 14 seconds ahead of Rob Mac.  BJ made it through the 4th lap but after hearing about medical issues concerning teammate and father, Bobby Baldwin, he cut straight to him.  Bobby suffered a heavy concussion and blurred vision in his left eye after a cruel landing off a jump.  Race officials called for SCORE rescue over the radio and took the two to medical facilities.  We are happy to report after a night in the hospital and several tests, Bobby has been released yesterday morning.  Both co-drivers took over the vehicles and neither would finish.

This weekend we saw two race extremes of the new era of BJ Baldwin.  Will the new tires make a significant difference, as seen on Saturday?  Will mechanical issues continue to haunt him like on Sunday?  Your guess is as good as ours.  I guess we’ll see at the BITD Parker 425 in early February.

Photos by Art Eugenio for Mad Media

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The Monster Energy Off-Road Team assembled talent from around the globe to Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix for Round 15 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORS) season. Veteran short course racer Johnny Greaves made the long drive from Wisconsin while X Games Rally Car Gold medalist and international rallycross star Liam Doran flew in from England and jumped right in to the fastest class in the series; the 4WD, 800 horsepower Pro4 Unlimited category.  Greaves and Doran joined their Monster Energy Teammates, including Jeremy McGrath, Casey Currie, and Cameron Steele, for final and best round of the season. When it was all said and done, the Monster Energy Off-Road Team walked away from the 2011 LOORS season with with a staggering 16 podiums, including 8 first place trophies!

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

With the final round of LOORS in the books, the Monster Energy Off-Road Team put it all on the line for the Challenge Cup. Veteran short course racer Johnny Greaves made the long drive from Wisconsin while X Games Rally Car Gold medalist and international rallycross star Liam Doran flew in from England and jumped right in to the fastest class in the series; the 4WD, 800 horsepower Pro4 Unlimited category. Greaves and Doran joined their Monster Energy Teammates Jeremy McGrath, Casey Currie, and Cameron Steele, for the final and best day of racing of the season.

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

The Monster Energy Off-Road Team assembled talent from around the globe to Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix for Round 15 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORS) season. Veteran short course racer Johnny Greaves made the long drive from Wisconsin while X Games Rally Car Gold medalist and international rallycross star Liam Doran flew in from England and jumped right in to the fastest class in the series; the 4WD, 800 horsepower Pro4 Unlimited category.  Greaves and Doran joined their Monster Energy Teammates, including Jeremy McGrath, Casey Currie, and Cameron Steele, for final and best round of the season. When it was all said and done, the Monster Energy Off-Road Team walked away from the 2011 LOORS season with a staggering 16 podiums, including 8 first place trophies!

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Go on-board with the Monster Energy Off-Road team at Round 12 and 13 of the TORC short-coarse season at legendary Cycle Ranch in Floresville, Texas. 2010 PRO-4 Champion Johnny Greaves along with Marty Hart, Casey Currie, and PRO-Lite rookie CJ Greaves battled the technical new track to come away with five podiums, including CJ’s first PRO Light Cup win. The newly created truck course was a combination of hard technical turns, huge jumps and a rough mogul section. Hundreds of dedicated Texan race fans came out to witness the premier of TORC short course racing at the newly anointed short course off-road racetrack at Cycle Ranch.

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Monster Energy brought talent from around the globe to Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOOORRS) season finale.  Veteran short course racer Johnny Greaves made the long drive from Wisconsin while X Games gold medalist and rallycross star Liam Doran flew in from England and jumped right in to the fastest class in the series; the 4WD, 800 horsepower Pro4 Unlimited category.  Greaves and Doran joined the usual cast of Monster Energy LOORRS stars that includes Jeremy McGrath, Casey Currie, and Cameron Steele.

Saturday was the last race of the season and championships were on the line in all classes.  In the Pro Lite Unlimited class, Casey Currie and Cameron Steele took different paths in their quest for victory, with Currie’s truck powered by a factory sealed V8 engine and Steele’s sporting a high performance four cylinder.  Unfortunately the results were the same for the duo, as mechanical issues limited Steele to a seventh place finish and varying track conditions forced Currie, who was in second place for much of the race, back to fourth by the end.  When the dust settled Steele had finished third for the season and Currie finished fifth in points.

McGrath was coming off a win from the last LOORRS stop in Las Vegas and looking to repeat, but after running under the caution flag half way through the race he was shoved into Carl Renezeder on the first corner of the restart and forced to limp around the track for the remainder.  His injured Monster Energy 2WD truck could not make full use of the 800 horsepower and 35-inch tires and crossed the line in seventh place, putting him in fourth place for the season.  Neither Doran nor Greaves were running for season points in Pro4, so they had nothing to lose by going all out.  Greaves got mixed up in traffic early on and came away with damaged steering, but newcomer Liam Doran banged with Todd LeDuc lap after lap, hanging with the short course veteran right to the checkers to finish in fifth place.  “Short course has huge jumps, trucks sliding sideways, and lots of passing,” Doran commented.    “This is what every kid wants to watch.”

On Sunday the Lord (or at least LOORRS) made cup races, where buggies and trucks, 2WD and 4WD, ran on the track at the same time for five figure paychecks.  Cameron Steele chose to park his Pro Lite Unlimited truck for teammate Brandon Bailey’s Super Buggy, while Currie made suspension adjustments to best the competition.  Steele’s gamble did not pay off, but Currie finished third in a field of 27 drivers despite having zero visibility on the last lap after his hood folded back over the windshield.

The final race of the year pitted the Pro2 Unlimited trucks against the Pro4 Unlimiteds in the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup, with the faster 4WD trucks forced to start half a lap back.  Liam Doran  started dead last amongst the 25 truck field but weaved his way past half the competitors before his transmission called it quits.  Carnage came quickly and hardly a lap went by without a caution or black flag coming out.  Jeremy McGrath was in second place with two turns to go on the final lap when his Monster Energy truck was clipped from behind by Carl Renezeder and passed by two competitors in a controversial finish.  McGrath had some words with Carl and the officials had Jeremy’s back, DQ’ing Renezeder and awarding McGrath third place for a $7500 paycheck.  “The toughest part is having someone else dictate your race,” McGath commented.  “Third isn’t bad but next time things will go differently.”

Photos by Vincent Knakal of Mad Media

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Exclusive coverage of the 2011 SCORE Baja 1000 with the Monster Energy Off-Road Team! Get a first-hand view of the Baja 1000 course as the team battles through hard-hitting, high-speed sections and makes some moves on the competition! Get up close and personal with the challenges of this grueling race and watch the drivers tear across the Baja desert!

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Word out of Ensenada, Mexico, yesterday was that the 44^th running of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1,000 was – flat out – the most grueling Baja event in recent years, quite possibly the past decade.

And handling all that the legendary Baja 1,000 could hand out was Monster Energy/BF Goodrich/Terrible Herbst Motorsports team’s Troy Herbst and Ryan Arciero, grinding hard down – and back up – the Baja Peninsula to place a respectable 8^th in the 33-entry SCORE Baja 1,000 Trophy Truck field.

“That was certainly a tough 1,000,” said Herbst following the race. “We did everything we possibly could in preparing for this great race. Had a couple unfortunate things happen – which can be expected at Baja – and that’s pretty much was the difference between 8^th place and a possible podium finish for the Monster Energy/BF Goodrich/Terrible Herbst Motorsports team.

“All-in-all it was a great weekend of racing at Baja and I’m extremely proud of our team’s effort.”

In addition to Herbst’s effort, Monster Energy-backed Cameron Steele would place 11^th – just missing a top ten finish in his Yokohama/Desert Assassins Trophy Truck.

A bit of an auspicious start for the 2011 Tecate SCORE Baja 1,000 as, during the Trophy Truck class’ timed launch, a local’s semi-tractor and trailer jackknifed on the course about four miles out from the start. All sorts of chaos ensued as the rest of the class race starts were delayed by nearly two hours.

So with the course completely blocked, race organizer Sal Fish – in some quick thinking – hopped in his SCORE vehicle and led the remaining Trophy Trucks out to the site of the accident, then had everyone restart from there. Problem solved!

Herbst and the Monster Energy/BF Goodrich/Terrible Herbst Motorsports team was running well up until about 100 miles were remaining in the some 600-mile contest when they suffered, according to radio reports, a tire puncture. The ensuing pit stop for fuel would also include replacing the tire, but valuable time was lost earlier on account of Herbst racing a portion of Baja on only three good tires. All fixed, the No. 49 truck blasted back out into the dark and dusty Mexican desert night and back through to the finish north towards Ensenada.

For Steele it was “just the little problems,” he pointed out at the finish line that held him back from a better finish at Baja. “It’s gratifying to know you got here to the finish – but heartbreaking to know you weren’t the guy that got here first,” he said.

For the seventh-straight year cameras from NBC’s “World of Adventure” were on hand to cover the action of the 44^th running of the Baja 1,000, with broadcasts coming at a later date on NBC Sports Cable (formerly Versus) and ESPN International.

In addition, Mad Media was out in full force to cover the Baja 1,000 for Monster Energy and their thrilling video documentation of the event can be seen on www.race-dezert.com  Note: Herbst’s and Steele’s 8^th and 11^th place finishes, respectively, are unofficial as of this printing.

Words by Pat Schutte

Photos by Vincent Knakal of Mad Media

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Exclusive coverage of the Monster Energy race team as they manage they challenges of the Baja 1000. Take an in depth look at a series of pit stops for both of Cam’s trophy trucks as well as his wife Heidi’s class 6 truck, giving you special behind the scenes access to the Desert Assassins!

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Exclusive coverage of the 2011 SCORE Baja 1000! OJOS NEGROS is one of the craziest spots in Baja. Huge rolling jumps make it a fan favorite. Check out the Monster team as they huck their way South towards San Felipe.

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Exclusive coverage of Cameron Steele as he prepares for the gnarly 2011 SCORE Baja 1000 course! Join Cameron and his crew as they hop in the four-seat buggy and charge through some gnarly terrain and take a listen to the wisdom Cam has to share! As a Baja legend, Steele has a depth of knowledge and appreciation for the rugged Baja peninsula and is about to unleash it on race day!

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Cameron Steele takes you on an in depth tour through this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 course.

The 692.8 mile loop that makes up this year’s 1000 is full dangerous turns, high-speed roads, treacherous mountains and vehicle-destroying woops! Cameron aims to help you tame this gnarly beast with some words of wisdom from his decades of experience.

Keep an eye on RDC for race day coverage; including live updates and audio feeds from Baja as over 300 drivers leave the line in their quest for glory!

Stay on top of the action here: http://www.race-dezert.com/home/2011-score-baja-1000-live-coverage

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Heidi Steele is looking to clinch another Class 6 championship; husband Cameron shooting for a Trophy Truck win. Both racing on Geolandar® tires

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FULLERTON, CA. – (Nov. 14, 2011) – There’s plenty at stake for Yokohama Tire Corporation-sponsored off-road racing husband and wife team Cameron and Heidi Steele as they head to Ensenada, Mexico for the 44th annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, November 17-20.

Heidi, a three-time titlist, is looking to capture championship number four in the Class 6 SCORE (Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts) division. She’s in first place heading into the season-ending Baja race, having won twice this year in San Felipe. Also at stake is chance for her to earn a prestigious Toyota Milestone award, which goes to the pro car and truck drivers who finish every required mile in the five-race 2011 SCORE Desert Series. As always, San Clemente, California-based Heidi and her co-driver Rene Brugger will battle the rugged 692.82-mile course in a Ford Ranger riding on off-the-shelf Yokohama Geolandar M/T+® tires.

“We’re ready for the Baja 1000,” said Heidi. “Our Yokohama tires can definitely take on the tough terrain and help bring us home another championship.”

Cameron, a Trophy Truck class veteran, TV commentator and two-time SCORE Person of the Year, is looking for his first SCORE win of the year. At San Felipe, he powered his trademark No. 16 Geiser Brothers Chevrolet truck to a season-best fifth-place finish in the ultra-competitive Trophy Truck division, and seventh overall among all 77 racers. The 800-horsepower machine is mounted with newly developed 40-inch Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S® R tires specially engineered for extreme off-road conditions.

“The 40-inch tires are already race-tested,” said Cameron, “and they performed great. We’re definitely ready to take on Baja.”

In addition to Cameron’s #16, the Desert Assassins team will campaign a second Yokohama-shod Geiser Brothers Trophy Truck and have enlisted the help of Rick Geiser, Josh Daniels and Pat Dean to share in the driving duties between the two trucks.

“The Baja 1000 is the most prestigious and challenging off-road race in the world,” said Andrew Briggs, Yokohama’s senior manager of motorsports.  “We really like our odds this year with two Geiser Brothers Trophy Trucks, an excellent driver lineup and the 40-inch Geolandar tire. We’re also looking for Heidi and Renee to bring home another Class 6 championship.  Conquering the Baja 1000 would be a great way to close out the season.”

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes the dB Super E-spec™ – the world’s first tire to use orange oil to reduce petroleum – as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Connect with Yokohama Tire Corporation:
www.facebook.com/yokohamatirecorp
www.twitter.com/yokohamatc
www.youtube.com/user/yokohamamotorsports

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tire Safety” section at www.yokohamatire.com.

Riverside, California (November 9, 2011) -  Seven-time supercross champion, Jeremy McGrath led the Pro2 field from wire to wire capturing the first of three podiums for Stronghold Motorsports in Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series action at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Starting on the pole for Round 13, McGrath quickly distanced himself from the pack and held off a late race challenge to take his first win and fifth podium of the season. His near flawless dominance of the Pro2 class left competitors charging through the field behind him as one of the largest and most talented fields the class has seen this season were left to battle for second place. On Sunday, starting deeper in the pack, McGrath fought his way through the competition until a spin out, with just two laps remaining in Round 14, nullified his return to the podium and he was forced to settle for a sixth place finish.

 Jeremy McGrath #2 Pro 2

Bouncing back from a disappointing eighth the prior day, Cameron Steele immediately came out swinging on Sunday, inserting himself into the mix while picking his way through the competition. With little room to pass on the tight, mile long Las Vegas track, Steele hung it all out as he powered into third, which he held on to all the way to the checkered flag. As there are precious few rounds of valuable points races remaining in Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series competition, each position becomes more vital. With this, Steele’s third place result in Round 14 ProLite event kept him within sight of the leaders in the championship hunt.

Cameron Steele #16 ProLite

Brandon Bailey continues to impress as he navigates his way through the ranks of the ProBuggy division.  He was forced to overcome mechanical issues that held him to an eighth place result in Round 13 but returned Sunday to insert himself into the fray. While making passes late in the race, Bailey had one of his best showings of season, barely matching his career best finish in the class and taking fifth place on the day.

Brandon Bailey #17 ProBuggy

The 2011 Stronghold Motorsports Team:

Jeremy McGrath - Monster Energy/ReadyLift Stronghold Motorsports Pro 2 Unlimited (Toyo Tires)

Rob Naughton - Stronghold Motorsports/ReadyLift/Lucas Oil Pro 2 Unlimited (Maxxis Tires)

Cameron Steele - Monster Energy/ReadyLift/Stronghold Motorsports ProLite Unlimited (Yokohama Tires)

Brandon Bailey - Stronghold Motorsports/Yokohama/LambEnergy Pro Buggy  (Yokohama Tires)

Stronghold Motorsports is Sponsored by:

Monster Energy Drink · ReadyLIFT · Lucas Oil Products · Maxxis Tires (Rob Naughton) · Toyo Tires (Jeremy McGrath)· Yokohma Tires  (Cameron Steele/Brandon Bailey) · Lamb Renewable Energy · ProAm Racing Products · Fox Shox · Motive Gear ·  Fiberwerx · Multi Mechanical · Makita ·  MSD Ignition · LOSI R/C · Dart · K&N Filters · Eibach Springs · Spy Optic · Roush Yates Engines · GoPro · Alpinestars · KCHiLites · RSC Equipment Rental ·  Environmental Logistics 

Riverside, California (November 1, 2011) – While a number of tragic events have rocked the motorsports world in recent weeks, none has had a greater effect on the Stronghold Motorsports organization than the tragic loss of short course off road racing Pro4 Champion Rick Huseman and his brother Jeff. Sharing roots in Riverside, California as well as a home in the paddock, the Stronghold organization’s admiration and respect for Rick Huseman and the entire Huseman family extended well beyond the race track. As Rounds 13&14 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series approach, participants and spectators who attend the event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will honor Huseman’s legacy as the humble, soft spoken man of faith who made history as he dominated the off road racing world.

The Pro2 duo of Rob Naughton and Jeremy McGrath arrive in Las Vegas determined to stand on top in these crucial final rounds of racing. At Las Vegas, Naughton will be feature a very special livery to coincide with the introduction of the first 1/5th scale four wheel drive RC car produced by manufacturer, Losi. With three victories among his four podium results this season, he has firmly entrenched himself among the elite in the class. McGrath, who has shown that he has the skill and determination to run at the front while finishing on the podium in four rounds, now looks to capture the victory that has eluded him thus far this season.

Cameron Steele #16 ProLite

Having equaled his career best fourth place finish in ProBuggy in his last outing, Brandon Bailey continues to fight his way through the pack as he battles with the best in the class. In Las Vegas, Bailey seeks to parlay his progress into a trip to the podium as he continues to elevate his expectations each time he pulls up to the starting line.

Brandon Bailey #17 ProBuggy

Contributions to the Huseman family may be made through The Huseman Memorial Fund

 

Acct#012026019

c/o Premier Services Bank

3637 Arlington Ave.

Suite D

Riverside, Ca. 92506

 

The 2011 Stronghold Motorsports Team:

 

Jeremy McGrath - Monster Energy/ReadyLift Stronghold Motorsports Pro 2 Unlimited (Toyo Tires)

 

Rob Naughton - Stronghold Motorsports/ReadyLift/ Lucas Oil Pro 2 Unlimited (Maxxis Tires)

 

Cameron Steele - Monster Energy/ReadyLift/Stronghold Motorsports ProLite Unlimited (Yokohama Tires)

 

Brandon Bailey - Stronghold Motorsports/Yokohama/ LambEnergy Pro Buggy  (Yokohama Tires)

 

 

Media Inquiries: Please contact Patrick Wagenbrenner – Patrick@Strongholdmotorsports.com

 

Stronghold Motorsports is Sponsored by:

Monster Energy Drink · ReadyLIFT · Lucas Oil Products · Maxxis Tires (Rob Naughton) · Toyo Tires (Jeremy McGrath)· Yokohma Tires  (Cameron Steele/Brandon Bailey) · Lamb Renewable Energy · ProAm Racing Products · Fox Shox · Motive Gear ·  Fiberwerx · Multi Mechanical · Makita ·  MSD Ignition · LOSI R/C · Dart · K&N Filters · Eibach Springs · Spy Optic · Roush Yates Engines · GoPro · Alpinestars · KCHiLites · RSC Equipment Rental ·  Environmental Logistics

 

The Monster Energy Off Road Team headed out to Parker, AZ this past weekend to take on the Best In The Desert Bluewater Desert Challenge.  This years race was one of the dustier of the series, providing some pretty harsh racing conditions.  Congratulations to Cameron Steele for taking 2nd in Class 1400.  BITD will close out the 2011 season in Henderson, NV on December 2nd-4th.

Photos by Jason Zindroski for Mad Media

[Show as slideshow]

Under the searing hot Arizona sun, The Monster Energy Off-Road Team was back in action this past weekend at Speedworld Off-Road Park in Surprise, AZ for rounds 11 and 12 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series. With record highs hitting 108 degrees and only four races left in the series, race fans knew the racing was going to get red-hot! The ultra technical track featuring the notorious “Moguls” section is known for forcing the drama by keeping the passing lanes tight causing drivers to take big risks for the pass. Strap in and check out the insane short-course racing action presented by Monster Energy.

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Monster Energy presents: On-Board with Monster Energy at LOORS Rounds 11&12, Speedworld 2011. The Monster Energy team attacked Speedworld Off-Road Park in Surprise Arizona at this year’s LOORS rounds 11 & 12. Experience what it’s like to ride on-board with Rick Huseman as he launches off of table-top jumps, or through the crazy off-set woop section with Casey Currie. Ride shotgun as Cameron Steele battles the brutal competition and race legend Jeremy McGrath fights for his place on the podium. Strap in and check out the insane short-course racing action presented by Monster Energy.

Directed by The Martelli Brothers – Produced by Mad Media

Riverside, California (Sept 28, 2011) -  Capacity crowds braved triple digit temperatures at Surprise Arizona’s, Speedworld Off Road Park as Stronghold Motorsports overcame a barrage of on-track chaos to come away with the hardware from Rounds 11&12 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. The Pro 2 Championship is coming down to the wire and with fewer opportunities to earn crucial championship points, both Rob Naughton and Jeremy McGrath faced an endless onslaught of challengers on the edge of control. Naughton, unable to make the weekend’s qualifying session due to a motor change, was forced to start Saturday’s Pro 2 action in the back of the pack while McGrath had a more favorable starting position. As Naughton was patiently picking his way through the competition, McGrath quickly joined the leaders at the front. Throughout the 18 lap main event McGrath was in the hunt for a podium position, eventually gaining the third spot on the track which he never relinquished for his fourth trophy of the season. Naughton’s relentless perseverance battling though the field earned him a hard fought fifth place finish.

Jeremy McGrath #2 Pro 2 Takes 3rd Place at                                                          SpeedWorld

Sunday’s action was clearly the marquis event of the weekend. With Jeremy McGrath on the front row and Rob Naughton just a few rows behind him, the Stronghold team was poised for a return trip to the podium. Within the first two turns, optimism quickly turned to disappointment as both McGrath and Naughton were spun out in separate incidents. Shortly thereafter, another driver drifted off the course, made an ill advised return to the track and was met by an oncoming freight train of 900 horse powered trucks. The violent impact stunned the crowd as four separate vehicles, including McGrath, were collected in the incident. Once the dust settled, McGrath returned to the track, but with vital suspension components destroyed from the crash, he was unable to stay on pace with the leaders. By midrace, Naughton had worked his way from the back of the pack up to a top five position and was running strong. Continuing his advance throughout the remainder of the event, he ultimately captured an impressive second place finish.

 As McGrath and Naughton were facing their own challenges, Cameron Steele, who began the weekend third in the ProLite standings, had strong showings cut short both Saturday and Sunday with mechanical gremlins. Saturday, while challenging for the podium, Steele was cut down by a mechanical issue with just one lap remaining.  He returned on Sunday with a strong performance, but while once again contending for the lead, an issue with the truck’s steering system prevented him from competing for a podium result.

 

Cameron Steele #16 ProLite

 

Brandon Bailey’s impressive fourth place finish in Round 11 equaled his career best in the class. Taking that same momentum into Sunday’s round, he quickly found himself dicing with the front runners. Unfortunately, his race was cut short as a mechanical issue forced him to pull off the track, putting an abrupt end to Bailey’s otherwise successful weekend.

 

Brandon Bailey #17 Pro Buggy

 

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Rounds 11&12 – Speedworld Off Road Park – Surprise, Arizona

Riverside, California (September 20, 2011) – Fresh off of his decisive ProLite victory at Glen Helen Raceway, Cameron Steele is poised to continue his assault on the standings as he leads the Stronghold Motorsports team into Surprise, Arizona September 24th & 25th. While Steele has developed into a perennial ProLite front runner, his first win of the season had eluded him until his tenth round triumph.

Cameron Steele #16 ProLite

Now, with just three crucial rounds of racing remaining for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series championship, Steele will fight to capitalize on the momentum from his wire to wire conquest at Glen Helen. “This team has faced adversity and keeps coming back to battle race after race,” he said. “We had a great win at Glen Helen and now the ProLite championship is within reach. There is some ground to make up but we’re going to give it everything we have. We just have to take care of business, stay consistent and go into Arizona prepared to do what it takes to get the number sixteen back on top of the podium.”

As Steele sits in third place in the extremely competitive ProLite division, his teammates Jeremy McGrath and Rob Naughton make their final visit to Speedworld this season intent on making a decisive move through the Pro 2 championship rankings. Facing off against the deepest and most talented field ever assembled in the class, McGrath and Naughton have combined for a total of six podiums, including a pair of one-two finishes. McGrath, who has been focused on finding the formula to reach the top of the box, currently holds the fifth spot in the title chase as Naughton, with three wins on the season, is fighting his way through the field in seventh position in the season standings. “We have had some great practice sessions after Glen Helen and had a chance to really put in some good, fast laps,” said McGrath. “I think the truck is where it needs to be to run at the front and I’m excited to get in and go racing in Surprise.”

Jeremy McGrath #2 Pro 2

Rob Naughton #54 Pro 2

Brandon Bailey continues to develop his skills in this, his ProBuggy rookie season. Although Bailey enters Rounds 9&10 looking for his first podium of the year, his consistency and perseverance behind the wheel has put him within sight of the class lead in the seventh spot.

Brandon Bailey #17 ProBuggy

Please follow the link below to enjoy this video from Rounds 9&10 at Glen Helen Raceway where Cameron Steele lead wire to wire to take his first career ProLite win:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8_1y9VcPvo

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The 100+ degree heat was almost as brutal as the ultra rough 252.09-mile desert race course at the SCORE San Felipe Challenge of Champions. Monster Energy off-road teammates Cameron Steele, Heidi Steele, and Marc Burnett took on the challenging course and conditions without hesitation. The trophy trucks rocketed off the start at 7AM beneath the iconic San Felipe arches. The fastest vehicles were expected to finish the 250-plus mile course in approximately four hours, 15 minutes, and all vehicles will have an 11-hour time limit from the time each starts to become an official finisher of the race.

Cameron finished fifth in the coveted trophy truck class and seventh overall. “It was the our first time on our new 40-inch Yokohama tires, so we wanted to concentrate on running smooth and clean. We kind of used this race as a little bit of a tire test and it went really well. The top five also put us back in points contention for the championship. Having the bigger tire allows us to race in the same line everybody else does instead of having to slow down for some obstacles. At the rough races it’s a big advantage. It was a good warm up for the Baja 1000,” stated Cameron.

Heidi Steele Racked up her second win at San Felipe this year in what is proving to be a dominant year for the former Class 6 Champ. “This is not a race we normally look forward to, but with two wins this year it has grown on me. It was extremely hot and the course is super rough. We had a good clean run. I am stoked for the win and to be in the points lead!” stated Heidi.

Marc Burnett finished right behind Heidi, in 2^nd in his Monster Energy/Boost Mobile Class 6 Truck. “This is a brutal race for Class 6. We don’t have the suspension of a trophy truck. Add the heat and it makes the race a real challenge. We were trying to chase down Heidi, but she ran smooth. We will get her at the Baja 1000,” stated Burnett.

Words by Matt Martelli

Photos by Jason Zindroski

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The official “Dean of Dirt”, Cameron Steele fought his way to his very first, first place finish in the stacked Pro-Lite class on Sunday night under the lights at Glen Helen.  After winning a championship in the pro-buggy class, Cameron stepped up to Pro-Lite as part of the Stronghold Super Team.  We got a chance to catch up with Cameron and ask him a few questions after his big win on Sunday night.

How does it feel to finally get that first place finish?
I am stoked it’s been frustrating that we have not been on the podium before this. The team is awesome and I’m glad I finally got my part done on the track.

How is Pro-Lite different than racing in the Buggy Class?
Buggy has a little more etiquette probably because they are open wheel cars.  In trucks there’s a lot more contact.
There’s no turning brake in truck, which allows buggies to turn and stop on a dime.  Trucks are less forgiving buggies are more nimble, so you really have to focus on carrying your momentum in the trucks.

How was the racing this weekend?
I love racing Glen Helen.  It’s my home track.  I have been racing there since I was a kid on bikes, buggies, and trucks.  I am just glad I don’t have to race those notoriously hard ruts on a bike any more.  The bike track is gnarly.

This is your first year in this class and the field is stacked, how do you think you will do?
I knew it would be tough.  The competition is stiff.  Brandt and Deegan are both really good racers.  I expected to be a top three guy and win races. I go out to win and the team is just as committed.  I knew there would be little bit of a learning curve, but we are top three in points.  It vindicates what we do.

Tell us about your truck?  Who prep’s it?

I run in the Pro-Lite class, which is limited to 12 inches of travel and we use the 4cyl engine.  It basically feels like a racecar on rails. My entire Pro-Lite was Re-engineered by Dave Clark.  He is a legend.  My crew is lead by mechanic Ruben Duarte, and prepped by Kyle Lucenti, and Curt Finn.

Tell us about your team?
The Stronghold Team is awesome!  I get to race with Motocross legend Jeremy McGrath.  The team is owned by the Bailey family and their partner Chuck Gossage. The cool thing is it’s really a family based team, you don’t feel like you’re going to work.  The team really has created an environment that fosters racing.  You can’t be afraid to make mistakes.  As long as you are learning from them, that’s part of racing. They are fully committed to making better racers.

Do you think it helps coming from bikes?
Yes.  Bike racers are really good at processing a lot of information really fast.  Being elbow-to-elbow with 20 guys wide out of a gate teaches you to think and react quickly or the consequence is pain.  It’s that simple.  Kind of like all those Kung-Fu movies where they are doing the training while getting hit with a stick.

What skills do you think transfer from racing a trophy truck in the desert?
As an owner of a trophy truck team I understand that there’s a big effort with a lot of moving parts just getting to the track.  So I understand logistics, prep, and vehicle dynamics.  Overall seat time helps as well, but the trucks are pretty different.  A trophy truck has 850-horsepower with 3 feet of travel and a Pro-Lite has 300 horsepower with 12 inches of travel, so they are very different.

Who do you think is our biggest competition?
Really myself.  Just being mentally prepared and not making mistakes.  Other than myself:  Brandt and Deegan are consistently the fastest guys in qualifying and racing.  Rodrigo as well, you can’t count him out.

Why do you race off-road?
Out of all the things I have done off-road racing is what I love the most.  Short course off-road is unlike any other form of motorsports.  You have contact, variable dirt surfaces, rivalries, heated battles, it’s awesome!

What’s next for you?
I just tested my new trophy truck.  We are trying to decide what races we will do next.  If it were up to me I would do them all!  Vegas to Reno, San Felipe, and the Baja 1000 are all on our radar. We just got our new 40-inch trophy truck tires from Yokohama, we are really stoked!  Looking forward to the next round of Lucas Oil Off-Road at Surprise, AZ as well.

What’s your game plan for the next race?
You have to race clean in this type of racing.  I just want to be consistent and get good finishes.  I am really proud of the fact that we won a few races last year and still managed to finish every race.  That’s why we won the championship.

What is your goal as an off-road racer?
I want to be Champion in everything I do.  Short course, desert racing, it doesn’t matter.  I want to be the best. I have had a life goal of winning the Baja 1000 overall.  Once I accomplish that, I am going to do it again.  Baja is in my DNA, that’s what I do.  I also love sharing off-road racing with people. It’s really cool to see people smile once the get a taste of what we love to do.

Interview by Matt Martelli

Photos by Jason Zindroski

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Yesterday the racers put on a great show for the fans, and while there wasn’t as many in attendance today, those that were here gave witness to some of the best racing of the season. In the Pro 2 class Deegan, Woods, Adler, MacCachren, Ampudia, and Renezender all put on one hell of a show. Rob MacCachren (who I can finally spell right without having to look it up) looked as though he would pull ahead, nosed in on the rhythm section giving up his lead. The Top 5 all showed wear and tear as fiberglass was a’plenty on the course, but it was Brian Deegan who came away with his first Pro 2 win of his career.

Justin “Bean” Smith showed everyone why he is one of the young guns in the sport with a bright future ahead of him. Any teams or companies looking to get someone in a Pro 2 or Pro 4 take notice. Pro 4 had some great battles as well but it was a repeat of Round 9 with Rick Huseman grabbing the top spot.

We could go on and on about all the exciting things that happened today at Glen Helen, but we think the most memorable is Cameron Steele getting his first win in the Pro-Lite class. An emotional PAB dedicated the win to Ox saying while he was happy to get his first win, it is still tough to celebrate without Ox being there to celebrate with him. The past few rounds Cameron has come very close to winning only to have someone spin him out, not catching a break, but tonight he showed that those leads were not a fluke.

UTV
1 851 RYAN BEAT
2 816 CODE RAHDERS
3 810 CORRY WELLER

Modified Kart
1 504 BRADLEY MORRIS
2 1 MITCHELL DEJONG
3 527 JERETT BROOKS

Limited Buggy
1 304 BRADLEY MORRIS
2 385 CURT GEER
3 334 ZACHARY HUNT

Pro 2
1 38 BRIAN DEEGAN
2 99 ROBBY WOODS
3 36 RODRIGO AMPUDIA

Pro 4
1 36 RICK HUSEMAN
2 99 KYLE LEDUC
3 17 CARL RENEZEDER

Pro Buggy
1 19 JUSTIN SMITH
2 2 CODY FREEMAN
3 8 MIKE PORTER

Pro-Lite
1 16 CAMERON STEELE
2 19 COREY SISLER
3 55 Matt Cook

Superlite
1 42 CHAD GEORGE
2 25 PATRICK CLARK
3 16 DAWSON KIRCHNER

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Monster Energy Off-Road teammates Jeremy McGrath and Casey Currie both Podium at LOORS Round 7-8 in Tooele, Utah!

The freshly redesigned purpose built track at the Miller Motorsports Complex in Tooele, UT, just outside of Salt Lake City became home to some of the most Intensely wild off-road racing action of the season.  The skies were blue and the stands were full as the Monster Energy Off-Road team fought their way through the wild crashes all the way to the podium.

Current Pro-4 Champion Rick Huseman had an unusually difficult weekend.  After qualifying first on Friday, Rick took charge after the green start flag and moved to the front battling back and forth with Carl Renzeder for the lead until on lap 6 when he broke his front drive shaft, losing all power steering and front wheel drive.  Rick continued to limp his wounded vehicle around in an attempt to finish the race.

Sunday during qualifying, Rick smashed into Curt Leduc when Curt checked up early for a corner.  Race officials decided to penalize the champ although it was unintentional contact and start him in the back of the pack. Undeterred, Rick came from the back of the pack and sliced through the field up to fourth where he again was stopped due to mechanical issues after he lost a rear wheel bearing and his transfer case gears, halting the number #36 Monster Energy Pro-4.  “I hope we never have a weekend like that again.  I like the view from the front better.” stated the frustrated champion.

In Pro-Lite, both Casey Currie and Cameron Steele battled contact from other racers as well as mechanical issues all weekend.  Steele proved once again that when he has a working truck he will be on the podium.

On Saturday after qualifying 4^th Cameron started on the inside of the pole next to Brian Deegan.  The duo battled side by side for the first lap until Cameron made his move passing for the lead.  Cameron led the entire race until in turn four with one lap to go, where Deegan took him out earning a black flag.  Cameron still managed to finish 4^th.  Casey Currie who had been running steady the entire race after starting 11^th moved up through the field taking advantage of the mayhem on the final lap and stole away first place!

On Sunday, Casey qualified 10^th after getting two flats due to the massive ruts forming on the track.  Cameron fared much better qualifying 2^nd.  Contact and track conditions would keep the duo from reaching the podium. Cameron managed to finish 5^th when he lost his fuel pump after battling in the top three all day and Casey ended up with another flat finishing in the 8^th position.  “I feel like I am right there.  The truck feels good now, I am really getting comfortable with it now.” stated Cameron.

Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath came out swinging for the fences. “I am ready to stand on that podium every race.  That’s where I belong.” stated McGrath.  On Saturday after qualifying 7^th, McGrath put on an electrifying performance battling his way to the fourth within the first two laps. McGrath maintained the fourth position until after the mandatory restart when he passed both Robby Woods and Rodrigo Ampudia in corner four to move to 2^nd behind Rob Naughton!  McGrath held the second position to the checkered flag.

On Sunday McGrath again had trouble qualifying 8th.  “I have always had trouble qualifying.  I need someone to race!  I am trying to get better at qualifying, but I have always had problems with it even when I was racing bikes.  I tend to over think what I am doing.” stated McGrath.  When the green flag dropped McGrath showed his racing prowess and made a charge all the way to 4th by lap two. The position would be short lived though as McGrath spun in turn four (the same corner where he passed two vehicles the previous day.)  The spin put McGrath to the back where he continued to battle back to a 6^th place finish.  “It was a tough race. The track was unpredictable; it was either wet and slippery or dry and hard.  I am feeling more comfortable in the truck now. I am looking forward to Glen Helen.”

Photos by Jason Zyndroski

Words by Matt Martelli

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Riverside, California (June 29, 2011)  -

Stronghold Motorsports Rob Naughton dominated the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Pro 2 Unlimited class as he emerged victorious in back to back rounds at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah.  Saturday, Naughton stood alongside second place finisher and teammate Jeremy McGrath marking the second time this season the tandem took the top two spots in the series’ elite class. The debut of the 9/10^th mile, purpose built track at the expansive facility was greeted with standing room only, capacity crowds and intense racing throughout the weekend.

Rob Naughton and Jeremy McGrath take first and second in round 7

As teams were facing off on an unfamiliar course, Naughton embraced the challenge and established himself as a contender early in the weekend. “Our goal was to come out of the gate in the first practice with great lap times and set the pace,” he said. “I really like the track and we were able to nail the set up and find some speed.”  Saturday, Naughton started on the pole and never looked back as he led the field of 900hp trucks while racing unchallenged to the checkered flag. McGrath, charging from further back in the pack was able to work his way through the field, taking the second spot with a spectacular pass, and holding on to the position through the checkered flag. “We kicked off the season at Firebird with a 1-2 finish and now, we’ve done it again,” continued Naughton. “This is a great accomplishment for the entire Stronghold team.”

Jeremy McGrath #2 Pro 2

Starting deeper in the field on Sunday, Naughton worked his way to second place, putting pressure on the leader. While both top positions pulled away from the group, the front runner faltered, allowing the #54 to pass for the lead that he never relinquished. The result gave Naughton a Pro 2 Unlimited sweep for the weekend and a class leading third victory of the season.   Rob Naughton #54 Pro 2   Demonstrating that his extensive testing time between rounds was paying off, Cameron Steel qualified among the leaders and found himself starting in the pole position for Saturday’s Round #7 of ProLite racing. From the onset, Steele set a quick pace and held the lead. As the race developed, he continued to lower his lap times while fending off the few challengers for the win. Unfortunately, while in the lead and approaching the final lap, Steele’s truck was spun off the course by a competitor. Although the other driver immediately received a black flag penalty, relegating him to the back of the field, the action did little to compensate for what surely was to be Steele’s first career victory in the class. Steele recovered from the illegal contact and was forced to settle for a 4th place finish. On Sunday, Steel again ran up front with the leaders and challenged for a podium position. While maintaining a hold on third place and rounding the final turn of the last lap, he suffered a mechanical failure and the truck lost power. While he was able to restart the truck and complete the race, his second opportunity of the weekend for a podium finish had slipped by.     Cameron Steele #16 ProLite     Brandon Bailey established lap times among the fastest in the ProBuggy Class while racing to a 7th and 8th place finishes for the weekend.     Brandon Bailey #17 Pro Buggy

Monster Energy presents: Onboard with Monster Energy at the 2011 SCORE Baja 500. The Monster Energy off-road team faced a challenging race in Baja this year and had its share of ups and downs. Experience first-hand what it feels like to ride along with these insane drivers as they tear through the Baja desert and wreak havoc along the way!

Directed by The Martelli Brothers, Produced by Mad Media

Music by Affiance “Dissent!” on Bullet Tooth Records