Mark Newhan recently finished the Class 8 build for Steve Olliges just in time to display at the BITD Vegas to Reno contingency. This is the 2nd of our multi-part series as RDC follows along the build and testing of the truck. For part one of the build Click Here.

Next up will be our video coverage of the truck testing and getting ready for their first race.

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Class 8 is not dead - Steve Olliges Class 8 build

Steve recently turned to Mark Newhan to build a new Class 8 truck based on a 1979 Ford F150. This is the first in a multiple part series showing the build, completed vehicle, driver profile and first test of the truck.

Mark Newhan takes the class 8 roller to the fiberglass shop for a custom built hood and fenders. Stock hood & fenders are on for mockup

Specs:

- 1979 Ford F150 based class 8 truck

- Fabrication: Mark Newhan

- Wheel base: 119

- Track width: (overall) 88”

- Front suspension: custom I-beam design with custom 4130 Blitzkrieg beam ends, Pro Am knuckles, spindles and hubs with 6 on 6.5 bolt circle. Pro Am calipers. Fox 4.4 external bypass shocks, Fox 3.0 coil over with 21 inches of travel. Custom steering linkage driven by a Lee Manufacturing 9.0:1 ratio and supported by a 2.0 Lee ram assist.

- Rear suspension: Custom 3 link with Dirt-Tech 60” trailing arms, Dirt-Tech 4.0 Pro housing, 36 spline TT axles, Gear works 10” third member, Pro Am brakes, Custom sway bar, Fox 4.4 bypass shocks, 3.0 Coil over with 32 inches of travel.

- Chassis: Hand built 4130 2” main cage and 1.75 and 1.5 diagonals. Stock frame used in accordance with rules for SCORE, BITD and SNORE.

Leave it to Mark Newhan to figure out an easier way to weld the chassis

- Fuel cell: 80 gallon. Can designed in house and built by Dirt-Tech. Fuel fill through dual probe dry break with options 3” filler for dump can.

- Wheels: 17×8.5 Trail Ready beadlocks

- Tires: 39×13.5-17 BFG Projects

- Seats and Safety: Mastercraft 3G seats, Mastercraft window nets, Mastercraft seat belts, Mastercraft limit straps, Mastercraft spare tire hold downs.

- Engine: 351 Winsor based. Dart Block 438 C.I. (MORE TO FOLLOW)

- Transmission: Trophy Truck TH-400 by Rancho Drivetrain.

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For those familiar with desert racing’s rich history, the names John Swift and Steve Olliges are instantly recognizable.  John Swift was an original member of the legendary Ford Rough Riders factory team, racking up an impressive list of wins against competition like Ivan Stewart and Rick Mears, while Olliges joined the team four years later in Class 8S.  Olliges and Swift are not content to just talk about the “good old days”, on the contrary they are still making history.  For 2011, the duo will team up for the entire Best in the Desert schedule and select SCORE International and SNORE races in their new No. 28 BFGoodrich / MasterCraft Safety Trick Truck.
 
Swift and Olliges’ last win together was in 2008 at the Silver State 300, so the duo is not unfamiliar with being at the top of the podium.   The new BFGoodrich / MasterCraft Safety truck will debut on February 6th at the Parker 425, BITD’s season opening race for 2011.  Coincidently, this is the same venue where Swift and Olliges last raced together, finishing 2nd in the Trick Truck class in 2009.  “Steve and I have very high expectations,” John Swift recently commented.  “We are racing for the season championship.”  The task will not be easy, with a record number of Trick Trucks slated to run in the Best in the Desert series this season. 

 
To help reach their quest for victory , Olliges and Swift are armed with their new Geiser-built Ford Trick Truck with the distinctive retro paint job laid over the latest in cutting edge desert racing technology, including 39-inch BFGoodrich Baja T/A tires damped by huge 4.4-inch Fox Racing Shox bypass shocks.   No detail was overlooked on this new truck, right down to the No. 28, the same number used by John Swift on his Rough Rider Ford Ranger in years past.  Motivation for the Geiser Trick Truck comes from a Dougan’s Racing Engines-prepped Ford backed by a bulletproof Rancho Drivetrain transmission.  Inside the cockpit, a host of MasterCraft Safety products, including 3G suspension seats, six-point harnesses, and window nets keep Steve and John safe at race speeds.
 
“There are a lot of tires involved in desert racing now, and I think that the competition and exposure is great,” explained Olliges.  “For us the choice to run BFGoodrich tires was an easy one.  From the history of the Ford Rough Riders on BFGoodrich, to Frank DeAngelo’s association with that program.  Plus BFGoodrich has supported desert racing for decades and they have more wins than all other tire manufacturers combined.  We hope to add to that impressive win list this season.”

Las Vegas, Nevada – Combining decades of off road racing experience together under one truck roof was exactly what the Ford executives had in mind when they unleashed the 2009 version of the Ford F-150 Raptor Race Program. Two warriors and a host of celebrity racers have finished both of the 2009 Best in the Desert races in second place, tallying together important podium points in the chase for the 2009 BITD Series Championship.

Rockstar’s Rob MacCachren and his Ford F-150 Raptor Racing teammate, Steve Olliges, raced the near stock Ford F-150 to the podium in Class 8000 for the second race in a row.  Olliges began the day in the #8011 race truck before handing it over to celebrity racer, Linsey Weenk.

The race week, however, started with the hosting of NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle and Linsey Weenk, the driver of the Built Ford Tough Monster truck.

Biffle joined the Las Vegas based off road racing duo on Thursday for some seat time behind the Ford F-150 race Raptor, before heading to Phoenix International Raceway, where he was victorious in Friday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

Linsey Weenk, who campaigns the Built Ford Tough Blue Thunder truck in Monster Jam, had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the race truck.  Weenk took over driving duties from Steve Olliges for the entire 69-mile second lap.

BFGoodrich Tires Ambassador, Rob MacCachren, rode as the co-driver for the first time desert racer.  Linsey Weenk was all business as they began their calculated charge into the Nevada desert.

MacCachren commented, “Linsey drove great.  This was his first ever off road race and he drove very strategic.  I will admit that it’s been quite some time since I’ve ridden in the right seat as a co-driver and Linsey got it done.”

After the completion of the second lap, MacCachren climbed behind the wheel while his co-regular co-driver, Brian Lopez, joined him in the truck.  MacCachren rallied the Raptor race truck through the last lap establishing a wicked fast lap time before crossing the finishing line and taking the checkered flag.

“It’s exciting to be part of the Ford F-150 Raptor race program.  All the partners involved in this project are so passionate about the sport.  Ford has led the way for research and development in their truck programs through the sport of desert racing for decades, as has BFGoodrich and FOX RACING SHOX.  They have all joined together developing a stock Ford Raptor that is truly amazing.  We have punished this race Raptor in two of the biggest races so far this season and it continues to survive the demanding conditions of the Nevada desert,” said a smiling MacCachren.

The molten orange race Raptor, shod with 35-inch BFGoodrich Tires, suffered no flats over the course of the entire 207-mile racecourse.  The Ford F-150 Raptor will next race the longest off road race in the United States, the BITD Vegas to Reno race on August 19-23, 2009.

Rob MacCachren’s next race is May 11, 2009 in Caliente, Nevada where he will race the Rockstar 1-2 1600 single-seat car at the SNORE Caliente 250.  He will be defending his back-to-back victories thus far in the 2009 SNORE Desert Racing Series after wins at Battle at Primm and the Mint 400.

2009 Results:

SCORE Laughlin DC -                                   7th Trophy Truck
BITD Parker 425 -                                        2nd Class 8000
SNORE Battle at Primm -                              1st Class 1600
SCORE San Felipe 250 -                               3rd Trophy Truck
SNORE Mint 400 -                                        1st  Class 1600 | 7th Overall
BITD Terrible’s 250 -                                    2nd Class 8000

Rob MacCachren is sponsored by FORD, BFGoodrich Tires, FORD SVT, FOX RACING SHOX, Mastercraft Race Seats, KC HiLites, PRO AM, Rancho Drivetrain, Nevada Buggy Supply and ROCKSTAR Energy Drink.

About Rockstar: Bigger. Better. Faster. Stronger
ROCKSTAR is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blends of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is scientifically formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles-from athletes to rock stars.
PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR!

Rob MacCachren Racing:
For over 30 years, Rob MacCachren has been racing in the open desert. As a third generation desert racer, Rob began his career following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather while growing up in the Nevada desert. His career accomplishments inlcude winning three Borg-Warner Champions in a row at the Crandon International Raceway, as well as winning the longest SCORE Baja 1000 ever held. The multi-discipline racer has accumulated over 150 victories and numerous championships between closed short course and desert racing.

Rob MacCachren Media and Management:
ROMM, Inc.
Tim Sanchez
714-514-7450
tim@rockonmotorsports.com

Olliges to Race Raptor
Swift to Defend 7200 Class Championship

Successfully piloting the No. 36 Team Ford Trick Truck, Steve Olliges with the help of co-drivers, Wayne Lugo and John Swift, earned a well-deserved second place podium finish in the Trick Truck class at Best in the Desert’s season opener.  After battling the miserably wet and muddy conditions at the Parker 425, Olliges and Swift are currently second, trailing Andy McMillin’s lead by four points.

“Our second place Parker finish is probably one the hardest fought podiums in recent memory,” commented Steve Olliges of the first race of the 2009 Best in the Desert’s series.  Steve further added, “Unfortunately our victory is bittersweet as my co-driver (John Swift) and I have reluctantly decided to take the remainder of the Trick Truck season off to focus our efforts on our other race commitments and opportunities.

After speaking with Team Ford’s co-driver, John Swift, it was easy to understand how difficult the decision was. “We have had a fantastic partnership with Team Ford Trick Truck owner, Wayne Lugo, and his Stewart Race Works race truck.  Wayne’s contributions to our team and the quality of his truck are second to none.  Canceling our Trick Truck program for the 2009 Best in the Desert series was an extremely difficult decision to arrive at however, Steve has a fantastic opportunity with Ford and their Raptor race program and I look forward to defending my 2008 Best in the Desert 7200 class championship with my son, Jonathon,” remarked Swift.

When asked about the future plans of the Ford Raptor program, Olliges was quick to shift gears and respond with enthusiasm. “The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor provides a niche product the general public and car dealers can really get behind and be excited about.  I am honored to be a part of this program and look forward to getting in the driver’s seat of the Raptor for the remainder of the 2009 Best in the Desert season.”

Premiering at SCORE International’s 2008 Baja 1000, the Ford F-150 Raptor SVT already has quite the legacy.  Steve Olliges and long-time Ford racers, Greg Foutz and Randy Merritt, not only shared seat-time at the 1000, they also contributed a great deal of the initial race modifications and input into the design.  Finishing third at the legendary Baja 1000, the newest addition to Ford’s factory line-up is sure to make history.

Olliges teamed up with former Rough Rider cronie, Rob MacCachren, and both are set to race on April 18th at Best in the Desert’s Terrible’s 250 at Primm.  Monster Truck driver Lindsay Weenk will also be shaking down the Raptor for a lap at this weekend’s Terrible’s 250 race and winning NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle, will be on hand during Friday’s contingency offering free rides in the Raptor.

So what was the motivating factor for Olliges’ partnership with Ford’s Raptor program, you ask?  As principal owner of Las Vegas-based Team Ford dealership, it was a natural fit for Steve to jump on board and promote the launch of a new vehicle platform in a market he already has a passion for.  “As a Ford dealer and a long-time off-road racer, it was obvious that I would want to be included in this project.  I have a vested interest in the success of this program and think the Raptor platform will create mainstream appeal and acceptance of our sport,” remarked Olliges.

As for the future of the Olliges/Swift Team Ford driving duo, Steve reassured we haven’t heard the last of them yet.  “It would be very difficult to campaign a three truck team during the current economic climate. That is another reason why John Swift, Wayne Lugo and myself decided to regroup and take a year off from the unlimited expense of the unlimited Trick Truck class and focus 100% of our efforts on the projects at hand.  I can almost guarantee that you have not heard the last of us yet, and we are looking forward to giving the 2009 Trick Truck champion a run for his money in 2010,” remarked Olliges.

Team Ford Sponsors:
Ford Motor Company
BF Goodrich Tires

For Press Information Contact:
Kelli Willmore
602.295.2767

Former Rough Rider, Rob MacCachren, will race with Steve Olliges and Monster Truck driver, Lindsay Weenk at Best in the Desert’s upcoming Terrible’s 250 at Primm race.

Parker, Arizona (February 9, 2009) Las Vegas off road racing icons, Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges, arrived to the surrounding desert of Parker, Arizona with the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race truck setting their sights on the podium of one of the nation’s toughest off road desert race, Best in the Deserts’ Parker 425.

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R team faced some of the most treacherous elements that Mother Nature has doled out in the season opener race in over a decade. A powerful winter storm pushed across the Mojave Desert to the California/Arizona state line in Parker, Arizona. Floodgates unleashed from the sky over a 100-mile swath of land, forcing racers to overcome even more challenges than normal.

“The mud was unbelievable. The desert was very challenging and so different than I’ve seen it in many years of racing in the desert,” said Rob MacCachren.

BITD Promoter, Casey Folks, developed a very long and demanding 142-mile race course that featured a huge crowd pleaser, the “Parker Python.” Set in the middle of thousands of race teams and spectators, the Parker Python put the 275 racers through a series of looping turns and jumps before heading into the vast Arizona desert on the race course.

MacCachren , Olliges and Andy Waters rallied the impressive Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race truck early continuing to gain momentum as the long race day went on. Navigator, Brian Lopez, kept drivers charging through everything thrown at them throughout hours and hours of rain and a race course that was eventually shut down early by BITD Officials for the safety reasons.

“It’s all in a day’s work,” said the smiling Brian Lopez. “We have spent weeks prepping this truck and today it all paid off. We didn’t have a single issue all day long. It was just a very long cold race day, but finishing on the podium is what we came here for. ”

Andy Waters drove a smart first 142 miles before passing the driving duties onto Steve Olliges. Olliges later handed off the race truck to MacCachren who had started the day racing in the Corona Extra Class 1500 car that suffered a mechanical breakdown early on. After 284 brutal miles, MacCachren climbed into the standout Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R and fought off deep mud holes amid the fading light of the Arizona desert.

MacCachren commented, “It was really crazy on the race course. The holes were very deep and filled with muddy rain muck and there were cars and trucks broke down all over the place. The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R charged on without any hesitation and never missed a beat. We didn’t have a single problem or flat tire all day long. BFGoodrich Tires sponsors us with the 37 inch Baja T/A KR tires and they tires took an incredible amount of punishment throughout the race.”

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R, which features modified components, was developed by SVT and Ford Racing specifically to race in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, one of the most grueling off-road races in off road racing, but this year MacCachren and Olliges will campaign the truck in the 2009 Best in the Desert season.

“Impressive was how much we abused the FOX RACING SHOX suspension on the Raptor today. This is not a truck that has big suspension, but this was a race that many other racers saw suspension failure. The FOX Shox team has once again stepped up to the plate in providing a proven suspension able to handle all of the extreme abuse,” commented MacCachren.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone involved in the Raptor program to get more real-time data on how the truck performs in the most extreme contitions,” stated Cliff Irey, Manager of truck motorsports for Ford Racing Technology. “We need to push the truck harder than we’d ever expect our customers would to ensure that the production F-150 SVT Raptor is the ultimate factory-available high-speed off-road truck.”

“Ford’s commitment to using racing as a test bed for new technologies is expanding to the off road arena with the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R,” said Brian Wolfe, Ford Racing Technology director.

Prepared for racing in long distance off-road endurance events, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R uses stock components of F-150 SVT Raptor, including the transmission, brakes and axles. The frame – the part of the truck that will take the most stress – is the same proven fully boxed frame that delivers class-leading towing and hauling in the base F-150. The race truck is powered by a specially calibrated 500 horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 engine.

“The race truck has even more suspension travel, better approach and departure angles, more horsepower, more ground clearance, and full racing specification seats, safety cage and harnesses, all of which combine to make an even faster, more visceral off-road experience,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer.

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R not only emulates the ‘Built Ford Tough’ motto with its toughness and capability, but it also shows the level of high-performance vehicles that SVT develops.

“Raptor R is a natural SVT extension of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor,” said Hameedi. “It’s very analogous to what a race prepped Cobra R was to an SVT Cobra or what a Mustang FR500C is to a Mustang GT.”

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R in the Best in the Desert series also serves as a test bed for the development of a lineup of race-proven, desert-tested, off-road performance parts that will be available through the Ford Racing catalog.

Drivers Rob MacCachren and Steve Olliges each have impressive racing resumes, both winning numerous off-roading championships. MacCachren has won over 100 events and 15 championships in his career to date. Olliges has 30 class wins as well as seven off-road championships. Both drivers have also won their respective classes in the prestigious Baja 1000 during their careers.

Ford Truck Motorsports has a successful past in off-road racing, sponsoring the desert endurance racing series “Best in the Desert” with Ford trucks serving as the official vehicle.

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R returns to the desert on April 18, 2009 for the Terrible’s Town 250, the second race in the six-race Best in the Desert off road racing series. Visit the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor online at f150svtraptor.com

Rob MacCachren is sponsored by Ford, BFGoodrich Tires, Ford SVT, FOX RACING SHOX, Team FORD, Mastercraft Race Seats, Nevada Off Road Buggy and ROCKSTAR Energy Drink.

Rob MacCachren Media and Management:
ROMM, Inc.
Tim Sanchez
714-514-7450
tim@rockonmotorsports.com