AMSOIL Racing Blog

Riders Prepare for 18th Annual AMSOIL Duluth National

2009-12-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

With the rescheduled AMSOIL Duluth National now just three days away, the local NBC/CBS affiliate stopped by Planet X for a preview of the upcoming AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series.

Reporter LeAnn Wallace came to the shop to interview AMSOIL/U.S. Air Force/Makita team owner Steve Scheuring and new rider Robbie Malinoski about the Duluth event.

Watch Story Now

Racing begins on Friday with the pro's racing on Saturday and Sunday. You will be able to watch the entire weekend of racing at amsoil.com. Check back later this week for more details.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMA Awards AMSOIL Amateur Sportsman of the Year

2009-12-06T07:10:00.000-08:00

The AMA Racing Championship Banquet rocked Las Vegas Friday night, December 4. A sell-out crowd helped celebrate the evening as AMA national champions were honored for their excellence on the track throughout the 2009 season.

AMSOIL/Factory Connection amateur Eli Tomac, who won two championships at the Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships as well as the FIM World Junior Championship in Taupo, New Zealand, won the 2009 AMA Racing Sportsman of the Year award. The AMA Racing Sportsman of the Year is an individual who has elevated the sport of motorcycle racing through his or her unselfish demonstration of outstanding sportsmanship. Although this award is not always presented to a racer, the Tomac excelled on the track, on both U.S. soil and abroad.

Tomac said that his focus has turned to the next level of his career.

"Right now, I'm just getting ready for my professional career, which will kick off next spring," Tomac said. "I really appreciate winning this award and, first off, I would like to thank the AMA for helping me get to New Zealand, where I was able to win the Junior World Championship. That was a phenomenal event."

Tomac recently won one title at the Winter National Mini Olympic's in Florida. The AMSOIL Supercross team featuring Trey Canard, Justin Barcia and Kevin Windham will open the 2010 Supercross season in Anaheim on January 9.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL Supercross Rider Wharton Recaps AMSOIL Sandbox Arena Visit

2009-12-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

Geico Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda rider Blake Wharton made an appearance at the second round of the Winter MX Series at the AMSOIL Sandbox Arena on November 14, 2009.

Along with signing autographs, Wharton rode a 2010 Honda provided by CedarCreekMotorsports.com. Wharton said he was very comfortable on the track and took no time to clock in some very fast lap times.

LPmotocross was there to film all the action:

The Winter MX Series continues on January 9, 2010. The AMSOIL Sandbox Arena is open daily, year round for free riding.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL Duluth National Snocross Race Rescheduled

2009-11-23T07:32:00.000-08:00

Minneapolis, MN (11/23/09 - The AMSOIL Duluth National has been rescheduled. Due to unseasonably warm temperatures and an extended forecast for more of the same, the 18th annual race at Spirit Mountain has been moved to run the weekend of December 11 – 13.

Representatives from Visit Duluth, Spirit Mountain and ISOC have been watching the weather and considering all options. The staff at Spirit Mountain was prepared to work around the clock to make the required snow for the event, but Mother Nature has not cooperated with snowmaking efforts.

"The cold weather just didn't make it to Minnesota by Sunday like we had hoped," said Terry Mattson, Visit Duluth President and CEO. "While it is expected to get cold enough later in the week, there would not be enough time to 100% guarantee there would be enough snow to pull off the event. We are concerned about the safety of our riders and putting together a good show for the fans."

The AMSOIL Duluth National will be held on December 11 - 13 with the schedule of events running exactly as it had originally been planned. All tickets held by spectators will be valid for the new weekend. All racers registered for the event will be transferred to the new weekend. If you are not able to compete, please contact the ISOC office for a refund.

The postponement of the AMSOIL Duluth National will have no affect on the schedule for the Milwaukee Mile National on December 18 - 19.

A Minnesota Regional schedule for the season will be released this week with confirmed dates resulting from the rescheduling of the AMSOIL Duluth National.

We are looking forward to a great season of racing in 2009/2010. If you have and questions, please contact ISOC Racing at (763) 497-8474. Specific questions regarding Duluth may be directed to Visit Duluth at (218) 722-4011.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL Duluth National Update

2009-11-20T13:18:00.000-08:00

Minneapolis, MN (11/19/09) - As of Thursday, the AMSOIL Duluth National is still on as planned for its 18th annual race on Thanksgiving weekend. However, a final decision will be made on Monday morning of next week at 9am if the race will run as planned or if it will be postponed.

“If on Monday morning at 9am, we are not 100% certain the race can be run and the snow necessary for the event will be made, the event will be postponed for two weeks,” said Scott Lorentz, ISOC Director of Operations. “We know a lot of fans and race teams travel a long way for this event and we are trying to be as proactive as possible with this decision.”

In a collaborative effort between Visit Duluth, Spirit Mountain and ISOC, it was decided that if the race is postponed it will run the weekend of December 11-13. The rescheduling of the AMSOIL Duluth National will not affect any other dates for the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series and the Milwaukee Mile National will run as planned the following weekend.

“We have twenty-one snow guns waiting in place to make the snow for the event,” said Terry Mattson, Visit Duluth President/CEO. “Based on the years of experience with this event and looking at the weather forecast, we believe we can still have enough snow for a great race. But if we cannot guarantee it for our fans and racers, we want to make sure they can plan accordingly.”
Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Season Sweep for Teague and Team AMSOIL

2009-11-18T07:31:00.001-08:00

The AMSOIL off-shore powerboat team enjoyed a incredible season of success in 2009 by sweeping all of the possible championships available to them in several sanctioning bodies.

Bob Teague and Paul Whittier wrapped up the SBI/APBA World Championship in Key West, Fla. this past weekend. Team AMSOIL #77 took the win at the 29th annual event by defeating the All Jack'd Up team.

The win in Key West tops a near perfect season for Team AMSOIL. Team AMSOIL also won the 2009 High Points Championships in the Offshore Super Series, Triple Crown, and OPA series.

"This season has been a true testament to AMSOIL," said Teague. "Their support from a product standpoint has been phenomenal. We're going to bring these Mercury 525's in for and end-of-the-year looksee and they'll be just as powerful in 2010 thanks to the AMSOIL Dominator 15w-50."

The AMSOIL #77 boat will be getting some repair work done on the body in preparation for 2010, which is scheduled to start in March.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL extends sponsorship with Judnick Motorsports

2009-11-16T08:32:00.000-08:00

AMSOIL and Judnick Motorsports are proud to announce a contract extension for the upcoming AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series. The agreement continues the longtime partnership between The First in Synthetics and one of the top snocross teams in the world.

“AMSOIL has made a large commitment to snowmobile racing, and we are proud to be a part of that,” said team owner Scott Judnick. “We push these Polaris snowmobiles to the edge, and AMSOIL offers us the best protection in the most extreme racing environments.”

For the upcoming 2009-2010 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series the Polaris/DuPont/AMSOIL team will be a top contender in the pro classes with the return of 2008 Pro Rider of the Year Ross Martin. Martin missed much of the 2008-2009 season after breaking his hip during practice at the Winter X Games. The former champion will again be joined in the trailer this year by Matt Judnick and semi-pro Mike Bauer.

“Judnick Motorsports boasts a top-tier program, both on and off the track,” said AMSOIL Race Program Manager Jeremy Meyer. “Every time Ross Martin lines up on a snocross track he is in contention for the win. He’s healthy and hungry after a lost season last year and we are excited at this team’s potential.”

The 2009-2010 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series begins Thanksgiving weekend with the AMSOIL Duluth National at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minn.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL Supercross Star at Sandbox Arena

2009-11-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

The AMSOIL Sandbox Arena in New Richmond, Wis. will host a special race weekend November 14-15 with an appearance by Team Geico Powersports/AMSOIL Supercross East Coast Lites rider Blake Wharton.

Wharton will be riding on the track and signing autographs on Saturday, November 14 between the youth and big bike races. Motocross races will be held on Saturday and quad races will run on Sunday. Freestyle riders will also be returning to the AMSOIL Sandbox Arena for shows during both race days.

Visit www.sandboxarena.com for more details on the upcoming races and season schedule.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

2010 TORC Schedule Released

2009-11-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

Tune In Reminder: The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL finale from Las Vegas on ABC, this Sunday, Nov. 8, 10:30 AM PST/1:30 PM EST

The 2010 season is set for the most exciting season in short-course racing history as the Traxxas TORC Series announces its plans for 2010. The schedule includes 16 rounds of championship points racing and two special "non-series points events".

"We wanted to get the schedule out now so racers and fans could start making plans", stated Ricky Johnson of TORC. "We are still having some conversations about some new tracks and formats but we want to go ahead and announce so our racers can start the sponsorship process early on. We are going away from the Friday night races and racing on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons wherever possible", Johnson continued. "Our sponsors are rallying behind us to continue the direction that the drivers, sponsors and fans have headed the series in our first season and we are excited about all the enthusiasm going into 2010."

The series champions will be crowned after the Crandon Labor Day weekend event.

March 27 Las Vegas, NV
April 24-25 Perris, CA
May 15-16 Las Vegas, NV
May 29-30 Ft. Worth, TX
June 19-20 Crandon, WI
July 10 TBA
July 17-18 Bark River, MI
Aug 14-15 Bark River, MI
Sept. 4-5 Crandon, WI

In addition to the above schedule, TORC is planning two non-points special events. One event in the spring and one in the later in the year, after the points season has ended. Details will be released on these events as soon as they are confirmed. Also, TORC is negotiating an expanded television package for 2010 and it will be announced as soon as details are finalized.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL on ABC this Sunday (video tease)

2009-11-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

The best off road truck racers on the planet converged at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to lay it on the line and turn their 800 HP trucks loose in a no-holds-barred battle to secure their championships after a season-long fifteen rounds of the most intense short course racing on earth, with titles and first-time victories up for grabs right down to the last laps.

All of the high-energy action from the final round of the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL will be shown on ABC this Sunday, November 8 at 1:30 PM Eastern/10:30 AM Pacific

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL Shock Therapy Takes Flight North of the Border

2009-11-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

45,000 screaming fans were treated to a great night of monster truck action in Montreal, with Team AMSOIL drivers Jon Zimmer and Chris Ryan contributing to some of the loudest cheers of the night. AMSOIL Shock Therapy and AMSOIL Excaliber put on a great show in the racing portion of the event, with Ryan losing narrowly in his first event on a large turning course. Meanwhile, Zimmer was only stopped by event winner Jim Creten in Bounty Hunter.

“I felt good in racing and it was definitely a photo finish between Jim and I,” said Zimmer. “It honestly could have gone either way. I was proud of how Chris did in both racing and freestyle on such a big course, though.”

Freestyle-wise, Ryan laid it all on the line in Excaliber, hitting his first bus stack and catching some nice air to begin the night.

“I was really comfortable in the truck and I felt really good when I got out,” said Ryan. “It’s great having such great people and sponsors behind us; they really make it easier on a new guy like me to come in and give my best.”

Zimmer went big right away in AMSOIL Shock Therapy, catching gigantic air with five or six of the biggest hits of the night, but ultimately the truck would succumb a bit early with rear end problems, though the fans loved his run and cheered loudly upon his exit from the track.

“I had to go big right away and try to win the thing, and just ran into some bad luck,” said Zimmer. “I definitely had more up my sleeve, but that’s okay, it’s part of running these things, and it was a good night overall.”

Next up is a bit of downtime for the team, then preparation for two more shows before preparations begin for a very exciting new season starting in January 2010.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL Dominates TORC Series Standings

2009-10-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

The inaugural run for the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL helped showcase the worlds best off-road drivers on a nationwide schedule, highlighted by live television coverage on ABC and ESPN 2. Leading the way this season was the a line-up of talented Team AMSOIL drivers that found success week-in and week-out.

With AMSOIL Super Team members Scott Douglas, Chad Hord and Mike Oberg leading the way, Team AMSOIL drivers accounted for an astonishing 68 podium finishes, including 25 wins in the top three classes of competition (Kumho Pro 4x4, AMSOIL Pro 2wd and Traxxas Pro Light).

The numbers showcasing AMSOIL dominance don't stop there. Team AMSOIL won two Crandon World Championships (Douglas and Jeff Kincaid), the Decision at Sundown Cup (Hord), the Chairmain's Cup (Ricky Johnson) and 27 Oakley Bomb Awards which were awarded to the racer who set the fastest lap time during their respective class race. Kincaid led all racers with ten.

Overall, AMSOIL had 13 drivers finish in the top ten of their respective classes, with Kincaid taking the Pro Light championship. (Final results)

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL will air the final weekend of racing from Las Vegas on Sunday, November 8 at 1:30 p.m. EST.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Photos courtesy JnL Photography

Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL Finishes Strong in Vegas

2009-10-27T14:16:00.001-07:00

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL saw a full array of mud, dust and carnage at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track in Las Vegas, Nevada this past weekend.

On the line on Friday and Saturday were points and positioning in the top three pro classes: Pro 4x4, Pro 2wd and Pro Light.

AMSOIL Super Team member Scott Douglas was looking to finish in the top three in Pro 4x4, something he has accomplished four straight years since signing with AMSOIL. Douglas started the weekend well, taking a hard fought third on Friday. On Saturday, a broken oil line took Douglas out of one of the wildest races of the year. Traxxas/AMSOIL driver Mike Jenkins took advantage, racing to his first career win, just barely edging out Red Bull/AMSOIL driver Steve Barlow.

In Pro 2wd, AMSOIL Super Team driver Mike Oberg had to start at the back of the pack after the team found some dirt inside the motor, forcing them to switch trucks. Oberg made some spectacular moves to get near the top five before breaking a front wheel hub, forcing him out of the race. On Saturday, Oberg was again on floorboard, moving his AMSOIL/BFG Chevy up to fourth place after starting 11th. Oberg finished the night in fifth and the season in eighth. Red Bull/AMSOIL driver Ricky Johnson won on Saturday night, but just missed the championship to Rob MacCachren.

In Pro Light, Team AMSOIL driver Chad Hord had an outside shot at the championship, but Jeff Kincaid had a sizable lead. Early in Friday's race, Hord's hope of another title vanished when a front axle broke, ending his day. On Saturday, Hord kept the truck together, finishing second to Marty Hart. Hord finshed the inaugural TORC season in third, with Kincaid taking the title.

AMSOIL would like to thank all of the fans and drivers who supported the 2009 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL. You can get your final TORC fix on Sunday, November 8 as ABC is schedule to air the Vegas Finale from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (EST).

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL Readies for Finale

2009-10-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

The excitement of the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL comes to a head at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track for "The Final Showdown" this Friday and Saturday. The action has been heating up throughout 2009; this weekend will see many battles won and lost, but there will only be three victors in the war for the 2009 Championship. Some will say that these champions have already been decided, but those most familiar with the sport will tell you it is far from over.

By far, the biggest battle will be the AMSOIL PRO 2WD class, as Rob MacCachren and Team AMSOIL driver Ricky Johnson have been fierce competitors throughout the season, but even more so these last few races with MacCachren edging ahead of Johnson by only four points. But the story does not end there; Todd LeDuc sits only five points back in third place. This three way fight for the championship will no doubt be a roller coaster of emotion for the teams, drivers, and fans.

The Kumho Tire PRO 4x4 class has seen some of the best racing, and some of the most spectacular crashes, in 2009. With two rounds of racing there's plenty of room for for the unexpected. Veteran Scott Douglas has been extremely consistent in 2009, moving the AMSOIL Super Team driver into third place in the points race, two points up on fourth place Johnny Greaves and just 15 points behind second place Kyle LeDuc. The championship hunt will not be easy for this hungry wolf pack as points leader Rick Huseman has a whopping 28-point lead and six Oakley Bomb Run Awards for the fastest lap time, leaving him playing defense for the weekend.

Like Huseman, Team AMSOIL driver Jeff Kincaid has dominated the PRO Light class for most of the season, with nine podiums and 10 Oakley Bombs. Kincaid, with a 27-point lead, still needs to finish well to secure the championship. AMSOIL Super Team member Chad Hord holds the second place position in points, with third place Marty Hart and fourth place Chris Brandt closely behind Hord.

In addition to the online broadcast efforts of Dirt Newz.com's Live at TORC and USAC Live Race Day Coverage, ABC will bring the Las Vegas Finale event into America's homes, airing the race on Sunday, November 8, at 1:30pm EST.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL Extends Sponsorship With Scheuring Speedsports

2009-10-19T12:22:00.001-07:00

Scheuring Speed Sports is proud to announce that it has reached a contract extension with its longtime title sponsor AMSOIL INC. The agreement will continue the 13-year partnership through the 2012-2013 snocross season.

“This is one of the best and longest relationships in all forms of motorsports.” said team owner Steve Scheuring. “AMSOIL has been our primary sponsor since 1997 and together we have experienced exceptional success, both on and off the track.”

For the upcoming 2009-2010 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series the AMSOIL/Makita/U.S. Air Force team has retooled its championship formula by adding new riders Robbie Malinoski and Andrew Johnstad. Malinoski brings a pro championship resume to the Aurora, Minn.-based team, having won both a Pro Stock and Pro Open championship. Johnstad is just two seasons removed from winning both the Semi-Pro Stock and Semi-Pro Open championships.

“Our commitment to snowmobile racing begins with Scheuring Speed Sports,” said AMSOIL Race Program Manager Jeremy Meyer. “Since 1997, Steve and his team have delivered dedication and direction to AMSOIL and our race program. With the new additions to his program, all of us at AMSOIL are excited about what the future holds.”

The 2009-2010 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series begins Thanksgiving weekend with the AMSOIL Duluth National at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minn.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL Shock Therapy Continues Success

2009-10-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

After successful runs by the AMSOIL Monster Truck team in California and Calgary, the Texas-Lone Star Raceway in Kilgore, Texas will never be the same. Team AMSOIL drivers Jon Zimmer and Chris “Panda” Ryan left the fans on their feet with memories of AMSOIL Shock Therapy and AMSOIL Excaliber planted firmly in their minds. Zimmer was able to take AMSOIL Shock Therapy to racing and freestyle victories, and newcomer Ryan nearly stole the wheelie contest as well.

“I’m really proud of what we did in Texas,” said Zimmer. “I really couldn’t have asked for much more. We beat Bigfoot in racing, and I went for a long time in freestyle. The fans were happy, and with AMSOIL behind me, I feel like anything’s possible when I jump behind the wheel.”

The straight-line racing course provided the added challenge of a roller hill before the final set of cars, and Zimmer’s reactions and Holbrook Racing horsepower were enough to take out the legendary Bigfoot in the finals. From there, it was on to freestyle, where a slight adjustment provided Zimmer with a “wow” moment for the night.

“We’re always looking for an edge, something to provide the fans with more,” said Zimmer. “We changed a few minor things on the front shocks in my truck, and we were able to get the rebound we wanted for slap wheelies.”

Zimmer got exactly the rebound he was looking for after jumping a double-stacked car set during his run, coming up with a huge slap wheelie that balanced the truck on the back wheels fifty feet after he let off the gas.

“Panda got us started with some nice donuts, and I was lucky enough to be able to finish it,” said Zimmer. “Overall it was a great weekend, and we’re looking forward to our next event Montreal.”

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

TORC Gears Up for Vegas Finale, Kick-off Party Planned

2009-10-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL begins it's season finale weekend with a kick off party at Steiner's Pub in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday October 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The party will be the start of what will be a thrilling weekend of off road action at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on October 23 and 24, 2009.

Fans that attend the kick off will have the chance to win Traxxas R/C trucks, race tickets, and many other prizes. Come out, meet off roads finest, and take advantage of Red Bull drink specials and great food. Dirt Newz will be broadcasting live on dirtnewz.com with all of the latest news and driver interviews from the party. TORC sponsors will be on hand doing ticket giveaways and promoting the 2009 season finale race. Team AMSOIL and Red Bull drivers Ricky Johnson and Steve Barlow will be signing autographs and displaying their 800 horsepower trucks for fans to see.

Steiner's Pub is located at 8168 Las Vegas Blvd. South in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information on the kick off or the race weekend please visit torcseries.com.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL Offshore Wins SBI National Championship

2009-10-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

The final event of the Super Boat International Series was held at Clearwater Beach, Fla. and drew record crowds and one of the biggest spectator fleets of the year. More than 2,000 boats lined the course while tens of thousands of spectators watched from the beaches and Pier 60.

Before the racing began, Team AMSOIL participated in the AMSOIL Direct Jobber convention held at the Sheraton on Sand Key. The AMSOIL Offshore race boat was on display on the beach for the Friday activities available for everyone to view. Team AMSOIL driver Paul Whittier and throttleman Bob Teague, along with the crew, attended the AMSOIL banquet on Saturday night at the Sheraton. Paul Whittier, Bob Teague and Team AMSOIL power boat champion Terry Rinker were recognized for their continued success and championship seasons.

Team AMSOIL raced in Sunday's main event which was the second race of the day. During the other races on Sunday, Teague worked as a commentator on the radio show which was broadcast on the area’s AM radio stations and streamed live on the Internet.

Team AMSOIL lined up in for the start of second race along with a number of boats including the Vee Extreme class. The Team AMSOIL #77 Skater performed flawlessly during the race, passing all of the boats in the starting group including many with significantly more horsepower. Team AMSOIL went the distance to receive the checkered flag in spite of having a battery post break four laps from the end of the race, which rendered the trim systems inoperative. Bob Teague and Paul Whittier made the necessary adjustments and finished the race at full speed.

During the awards ceremony, AMSOIL President and C.E.O. Al Amatuzio, along with Executive Vice Presidents Alan Amatuzio and Dean Alexaner, accompanied the Team to the podium to receive the trophy and flags. Teague and Whittier presented the checkered flags won at the event to the three men.

The win at Clearwater Beach clinched the Super Boat International National Championship for Team AMSOIL Offshore Racing. Team AMSOIL has already won the 2009 High Points Championships in the Offshore Super Series, Triple Crown, and OPA series.

Up next for Teague and Whittier is the SBI/APBA World Championships in Key West, Fla. on November 8-15.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL Wins We-Rock National Championship

2009-10-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

The AMSOIL/Torchmate Racing team has much to celebrate this week. After a string of victories in XRRA and BITD, the team just took home the We-Rock National Championship.
#232 Brad and Roger Lovell lead the team to victory against the best rockcrawlers from across the country. While mechanical issues plagued #28 Kunz/Shaffer, #199 Jesse Haines and Brian Howard narrowly missed the unlimited championship and pulled off a third place finish.

“I never dreamed that we could win both the XRRA and We-Rock National Championships,” comments Brad Lovell, “It’s a great reward for years of hard work.”

The Farmington event is known for its high bluffs and death defying climbs and the latest We-Rock courses did not disappoint. After a solid start, the #232 tackled course B4 which gave competitors the option to risk a horrific fall and climb a 30-foot bluff. The BFGoodrich rubber griped were others struggled and failed. Brad and Roger got a perfect score for the course and moved in to the lead.

The team continued to make smart moves all weekend and carried an 18 point lead into the final round. Brad recalls, “After we climbed another huge wall on A4, I knew we would finish well. A lot of people rolled there and we climbed right to the top.”

The team had a solid plan for the shootout course and with Roger’s skillful guidance, the AMSOIL/Torchmate Ranger furthered its lead before reaching the finish line and victory.

Bill Kunz and Mike Shaffer, also in the pro-modified class, had a strong start by putting the Torchmate/AMSOIL/Diablo to work on a daring slide across a rock wall. The optional line rewarded risk takers that maneuvered sideways across a steep face. Any slip would drop the vehicle off a ledge end over end down the rocks. Kunz made the right moves but would later roll on the A4 climb. Unknown damage later caused the team to roll again, smashing their hopes for a trip to the shootout.

Jesse Haines piloted his freshly rebuilt #199 unlimited buggy with the aid of spotter Brian Howard. The pair had their typical strong showing throughout the regular competition and were sitting well within striking distance for the win as the shootout started. Jesse put the pressure on and went straight for the first bonus climb using his rear wheel steering to climb up and over the impossible ledge. He would be the only one clear the bonus and made short work of the rest of the course. When the dust settled, Haines was in third place, giving AMSOIL/Torchmate Racing yet another podium finish.

The team now heads to scenic Moab, Utah for some filming before a much needed pause. The action has yet to stop though as the team still has several races to go before putting the 2009 campaign to rest. Mid-November the team will depart for the grand-daddy of them all – the epic Baja 1000.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Photos with watermark are free for use with this story and credit should be given to Chad Jock. Photos without watermark are free for use and credit should be given to Jud Leslie.

AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series Sets 2009-10 Schedule

2009-10-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

The 2009-2010 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series will feature four new race venues to compliment five established Nationals from seasons past. New venues in Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Sarnia, Ontario and New Hampshire will help strengthen the growing series.

"We are very excited about the new race venues for this season," said ISOC CEO John Daniels. "We've worked very hard to find locations which will lend success for not only ISOC, but most importantly our racers, fans, sponsors like AMSOIL and the entire sport of snocross."

The new evaluation process weighs the combination of race track set-up, community population, enhanced event media coverage, and local commitment to support the race to ensure success and long-term growth.

Watch ACSS Season Highlights Part 1
Watch ACSS Season Highlights Part 2

The ACSS will also air on Versus television this season. The season starts with the AMSOIL Duluth National on Thanksgiving weekend.

2009-2010 ISOC National Tentative Schedule

Nov 27-29, 2009 AMSOIL Duluth National Duluth, MN

Dec 19-20, 2009 Potawatomi National Milwaukee, WI

Jan 9, 2010 Western Nationals Sandy, UT

Jan 23-24, 2010 Air Force Canterbury Snocross Shakopee, MN

Feb 5-6, 2010 Eastern Nationals Farmington, NY

Feb 13-15, 2010 NE Nationals Salem, NH

Feb 20-21, 2010 Canadian Nationals Sarnia, Ontario, CAN

Mar 6-7, 2010 LCO Casino 300 Hayward, WI

Mar 19-21, 2010 Nielsen Enterprises Grand Finale Lake Geneva, WI

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Teague Wraps Up OSS Championship in Missouri

2009-10-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

One week after moving into the first place points position in the Super Boat International series in Morehead City, N.C., Team AMSOIL traveled to Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. to compete in the Offshore Super Series 2009 National Championships finale. Going into this race, Team AMSOIL had fought its way to a slight one point advantage in the season point’s battle. What this meant is that Team AMSOIL would have to win the race in order to secure its second consecutive OSS National Championship.

Bob Teague and Paul Whittier tested the boat extensively, timing laps on Saturday to find the best set up. In all, nearly 150 miles were covered during testing on the course. Teague also throttled a boat in the Pro Am Race in the P2 class with a local friend, Roger Neighbors, which provided more experience on the course.

The race format was established by OSS as two heats of about 45 miles each. At race time on Sunday, the conditions had changed a little with more wind from a different direction than Saturday. Team AMSOIL #77 elected to stay with the Saturday set up which proved to be not as good as the day before. When the green flag dropped, Team MHQ Financial in their 388 Skater took a slight lead. During the first heat, the 388 boat finished 9 seconds ahead of Team AMSOIL. During the break, Team AMSOIL worked to change its set up of the 368 Skater with a propeller change and balance adjustment.

When the green flag dropped for the second heat, Team AMSOIL and MHQ Financial again locked horns in a deck to deck battle. After a couple of laps, Team AMSOIL gained the advantage at turn six and seven and continued to stretch their lead. Teague and Whittier knew in order to win the Championship that they must beat the 388 boat by more than nine seconds in the second heat. Looking in their mirrors at Team MHQ Financial’s position kept Team AMSOIL on their game with no room for even the slightest error. Teague and Whittier continued to nail the turns and carry good speed down the straights and eventually crossed the finish line 12 seconds ahead of MHQ. The two heat times are averaged which gave Team AMSOIL the overall win by a mere three seconds after 90 plus miles of racing.

After starting the OSS season with a disappointing fifth place finish in Biloxi, Miss. due to a one lap penalty for damaging a turn buoy, Team AMSOIL #77 is proud to have had a perfect balance during the season in its fight back to the top position.

With the win at Lake of the Ozarks, Team AMSOIL has won its second consecutive National and High Points title in the Offshore Super Series, and is currently unbeatable in the Super Boat International points chase. Already secured for the 2009 season are the OPA Cat Lite Championship and first place in the Geico Triple Crown Series.

The next stop for Team AMSOIl is in Clearwater, Fla. at the SBI Championship Festival starting today with racing held on Sunday.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Torchmate/AMSOIL Team Nabs First Desert Win

2009-09-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

Photography credit to Mike Aiello

Desert racing offers a variety of terrain that no other form of racing can boast; smooth roads, rocky silt, water, and dust. In the desert, things can change in an instant but the net result is always the same, a grand adventure.

For those unfamiliar with the desert, a “7200 truck” is an unlimited mid-size truck. The only restrictions are a 6-cylinder motor and maximum overall width. The #7231 Torchmate/AMSOIL Ranger was built around a stock frame which limits it more but also allows it to compete in the further restricted SCORE Class 7. It has a fire breathing 4.5L Ford motor originally designed for NASCAR and countless hours of custom fabrication. This race, the Silver State 300, is a single loop around the most desolate areas of eastern Nevada. Bill Kunz would drive with Team AMSOIL rock racer Brad Lovell navigating the entire 322 miles.

The pair darted from the start line second in their class. After about 35 miles, they crept up on the leader but soon lost him in the blinding silt. Luckily he pulled off at the first pit, giving the Torchmate/AMSOIL Ranger some clean air. They pitted at race mile 90 and watched Al Hogan regain the lead.

Near race mile 120, along a narrow stretch of mountainous road, something went haywire and all electrical power in the truck cut out. As they loosened the trucks belts, the #7286 of Dave Caspino plowed into the back of the Ranger which, to their benefit, pushed them off the course and out of harms way. They were able to trace their electrical problem to a loose battery terminal. Despite losing several positions, the crew focused on finishing strong and not worrying about the lead.

Over the next 30 miles, they passed Caspino and another 7200 truck when they pulled off the course to make repairs. The AMSOIL sponsored duo raced out of the mountains and towards the BFGoodrich/AMSOIL pit area. However, before they could reach the pits, they spotted a column of black smoke and were informed that Hogan's truck had caught fire. A race official told them that the race was on hold until the fires was put out. Hogan, leading the 7200 class, hit a power pole with enough force to completely knock it over. The power lines fell onto the wrecked truck and started a fire. Somehow, everyone got out safe but the truck burned to the ground. After clearing the wreck, the race was resumed and trucks were started 30 seconds apart. The restart worked in their favor as they were able to take fuel and still maintain their position near the front of the pack.

Kunz and Lovell ran clean for the next 70 miles before gaining and passing another vehicle, not knowing if the truck was a 7200 truck or not. Finally, the finish line came into view, and they took the checkered flag. After driving 322 difficult miles, they won by only 5 minutes and 17 seconds.

"This is our first win in the #7231 Torchmate Ranger and we could not be happier," said Lovell. "AMSOIL and BFGoodrich have really gotten behind our program and we owe them our thanks."

On the same day as this race, the #32 and #232 rock racers returned to RAM Off-Road Park In Colorado Springs, Colo. Roger Lovell and Mark Hayward gave hair raising rides all day for the charitable cause Christmas for Kids. They helped raise nearly $1,000 to make Christmas brighter for children in need. With no time to spare, the entire Torchmate team will convene in Farmington, N.M. on October 3 to battle for top honors at the WE-Rock Grand Nationals.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Douglas Shines Brightest Under Perris Lights

2009-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL thundered it's way back to the West Coast with two phenomenal rounds of racing held at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif. Although the daytime weather was a scorching 106 degrees, by the time racing got underway at six p.m., temperatures and a light breeze made the evening ideal for the 12,000 off road fans in attendance.

Friday AMSOIL Super Team driver Scott Douglas dominated the Pro 4x4 class with a first place finish, doing a lot of banging and bumping along the way with Kyle LeDuc. On lap six, LeDuc finally succumbed to the contact with Douglas and was forced to park his PRO 4x4 due to damage. Adrian Cenni finished second behind Douglas, and AMSOIL sponsored driver Johnny Greaves would take the final podium spot. AMSOIL/Red Bull's Steve Barlow took the Oakley Bomb Run Award for the fastest lap time.

Rob MacCachren proved to his fans that he will be a deciding factor in the AMSOIL PRO 2WD by taking the win on Friday. AMSOIL Red/Bull's Ricky Johnson finished second, and fellow supercross legend Jeremy McGrath taking third and the Oakley Bomb Run Award.

Chad Hord led early in Friday's Pro Light race race, but was caught up in lapped traffic, allowing Chris Brandt to take the lead. Brandt, Jeff Kincaid, and Marty Hart went one-two-three on Friday evening. Kincaid would take the Oakley Bomb. Hord finished fourth.

On Saturday, Hart took second in Pro Light after losing a tough battle with Kincaid. Hord once again led the race early, but had to pit during the mandatory caution due to a flat tire. Luke Johnson made his PRO Light debut in the Traxxas/AMSOIL truck, placing fifth overall.

Douglas once again led the Pro 4x4 field early on Saturday as he was looking for his third win in the last four races. Rick Huseman, however, showed off his exceptional speed and finished with an eight car length lead and the Oakley Bomb Run Award. Kyle LeDuc took second and follows behind Huseman in the points race. Douglas secured the final spot on the podium after running second for most of the race.

The AMSOIL Pro 2wd class was the last race of the evening, but surely worth the wait. Greg Adler was taken away via ambulance after an incident with AMSOIL Super Team driver Mike Oberg. Adler got sideways leaving Oberg no where to go but into the side of the 4 Wheel Parts truck, sending Adler upside down. Oberg would keep the AMSOIL/BFGoodrich truck moving forward, finishing sixth for the second straight night. In the end, MacCachren would take the win, Team AMSOIL driver Dan Vanden Heuvel second and Todd LeDuc a third.

The next and final stop on the 2009 TORC race schedule is the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track in Las Vegas, Nev. Come see the champions get crowned October 23 and 24. The Perris race will air on ESPN2, Sunday October 4.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL Roars Into Perris (New Video)

2009-09-24T05:37:00.001-07:00

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL returns to the West Coast for the final two weekends of thunderous action. The series will make its final appearance at Perris Auto Speedway for the 2009 season this Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26.

In the AMSOIL PRO 2WD class the top spots are close with the season championship is one the line. Team AMSOIL driver Ricky Johnson holds the points lead, with Todd LeDuc only two points behind. Johnson is also within reach of Rob MacCachren, who is eight points away from taking the championship.

In the Kumho Tires PRO 4x4, the championship will be a huge undertaking, as Rick Huseman has a twenty point lead over Kyle LeDuc and a forty-two point lead over third place Johnny Greaves. AMSOIL Super Team driver Scott Douglas sits in fourth and has been putting a late charge on the leaders.

The Pro Light class features two AMSOIL sponsored drivers at the top, with Jeff Kincaid just 11 points ahead of Super Team driver Chad Hord.

In addition to the online broadcast efforts of DirtNewz.com's Live at TORC and USAC Live Race Day Coverage, ESPN Sports will bring the Perris/TORC event into everyone's house with a television, airing of the race on Sunday, October 4th, at 11:30am EST.

Fast Facts
The Race: Perris, California
The Date: Friday September 25th and Saturday September 26th, 2009.
The Track: Perris Auto Speedway
The Time: Friday, 7pm and Saturday, 7pm.
TV: ESPN2 Sunday October 4th at 11:30am EST.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Teague Wins Again, Takes Checkers in N.C.

2009-09-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Team AMSOIL Offshore traveled from New York City to North Carolina to compete in the Fourth Annual Crystal Coast Super Boat Grand Prix. The dry pits for this event were located in the middle of downtown New Bern, N.C. and also included a car show featuring numerous rare and modified hot rods, muscle cars, choppers, and exotic cars. The spectators and racing fans were plentiful during the entire event.

Boats were craned in by the Port of North Carolina at Morehead City using massive cranes normally used for loading and unloading containers off ships. The viewing area for the race was on the Port docks where bleachers were set up next to a VIP area. From the viewing area, the entire 5.4 mile race course could be viewed.

Team AMSOIL tested on Saturday after rebuilding a carrier assembly on the left transom assembly. On Sunday, there were two races. The Manufacturers’ Production Classes and Stock Outboard race started at noon. The faster and larger boats raced at 2 o'clock. Team AMSOIL was assigned to the third start in the later race, paired up with the War Paint Cat 750 boat. Bob Teague and Paul Whittier raced a fast and consistent race moving up through the pack of boats that started in the second start. The Cat Lite’s progress was hampered about three-fourths through the 84-mile race when a blade snapped off one of the propellers.

Fortunately, by this point in the race, Team AMSOIL had won its class and War Paint had retired due to mechanical problems.

The win at the Crystal Coast Super Boat Grand Prix puts Team AMSOIL Offshore #77 in an unbeatable position in the Super Boat International points chase. Team AMSOIL Offshore Racing is currently in the lead in point standings in OPA, OSS, SBI and the Triple Crown Series

"The AMSOIL Dominator Racing Oil continues to be proven as the best choice for the Mercury Racing 525 EFI engines," said Teague. "We are seeing no signs of engine wear using the AMSOIL 15W-50 Dominator Racing Oil. Additionally, Team AMSOIL continues to prove that AMSOIL MCF is the right choice for the Mercury VISSM Super Speed Master dry-sumped drives."

Next Stop for Team AMSOIL is the OSS Horny Toad National Championships on Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, September 25-27.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.