This was the first race of its kind – a roughly two mile course of
sandstone climbs, rocks, gap jumps, and short course style dirt track. Each driver ran three timed laps starting in one minute intervals. The fastest combined time won.Brad’Lovell's day would start well. After having an opportunity to pre-run the course twice with his co-driver (wife Natalie), most turns and challenges were committed to memory. The FABTECH/AMSOIL Ranger was lighting fast off the start line and up the jumps to the climbs and into the dirt. The rehearsed run through the dirt went error free and the pair zoomed back into the rocks. Up the boulders, down the drops, over the jumps and back to the XRRA course from only two weeks ago; the Dirtlogic Shocks easily ate up all the destructive boulders and #232 flew across the finish line. The couple posted a 7:29 run which was one second faster than rival Shannon Campbell and would stand as the fastest official lap time of the day. On the second run, however, luck ran out. While on pace to best their previous fast time, a transmission gasket blew and Brad was forced to throw in the towel.
“Its disappointing for sure,” commented Brad, “Natalie and I could still smile though because we had a great time practicing for the race and competing together. She did a great job and is already on board as co-driver if this race is held again in September.”
While Brad had a win or break type day, Roger did his best to test the limits of the #32 DIRTLOGIC/AMSOIL Ranger while remaining in control. Fellow wheeler and friend Chris Richardson served as Roger’s co-driver and helped keep an eye on the vehicle while Roger focused on the course. The team suffered from rutted out dirt climb near the start of the first run but was clean otherwise and posted a 10:11 lap time. On the second run, they ran into (quite literally) lap traffic. #81 Brian Shirley was experiencing engine trouble and stalled at the bottom of a 15’ ditch. While a flagman was able to prevent catastrophic damage, Roger came over the top of the hill and tattooed Shirley’s radiator. Lovell was forced to maneuver a more difficult line around the stricken vehicle but even with the foul luck, he bested his previous time by 30 seconds.Roger was now poised for a podium finish with a few more runs. His third lap was clear of broken vehicles and clean. He had been fighting overheating issues all day but the crew had tweaked the trucked and he was able to push it faster. This effort was good enough for a fast time of 9:06,
more than a minute faster than his first time. Bearing confidence and a speedy car, the team worked fast to cool everything down for the final round. Unfortunately, and for unknown reasons, the promoter decided not to have a final round and Roger ended the race in 6th place.“I just wish I had another run to make up time,” commented Roger, “Everything felt better and faster as the day progressed. Getting bugs worked out of the truck and more seat time is really paying off.”
The next stop for Lovell Racing is Donner, Calif. on July 18–20 for the final round of 2008 WE-Rock season were the team has a lead in Series points and hopes to once again claim the title of series champions.
Until then, we'll see you at the races.
