Stronghold Motorsports has reached an agreement with premier engine builder, Roush Yates Engines, to provide the engines for the Pro 2 Unlimited short course off road racing program of Seven-time Supercross Champion, Jeremy McGrath. Stronghold Motorsports Managing Partner, Scott Bailey spoke about these recent developments with the team. "Roush Yates represents the highest level of performance in Ford Racing engine technology. This is a fantastic opportunity to align ourselves with an engine builder that has won at the most elite levels of motorsports." He continued. "This is yet another significant step we are taking to ensure that our drivers have the very best resources available. We are looking forward to the upcoming season knowing that with Roush Yates power behind Jeremy and his program, he will have very best opportunity for success."
Roush Yates, a premier manufacturer of Ford racing engines, continues to develop its reputation as an industry leader with an expanded presence in the short course off road racing arena. "Jeremy McGrath and Stronghold Motorsports have established themselves as championship contenders in short course off road racing," said Doug Yates, CEO, Roush Yates Engines. "We are proud to stand behind Jeremy and the team with the technology and support to help take his program to the next level."

About Roush Yates Engines
Roush Yates Engines designs, engineers and crafts high performance racing engines with the power to perform and the horsepower and durability you'd expect from legendary NASCAR pioneers Jack Roush and Robert Yates. The partnership of power and precision has come from merging the knowledge and experience of two legendary engine builders, both with a passion for winning today and powering up for tomorrow. In 2009 Doug Yates purchased his father's half of Roush Yates Engines to become a co-owner in the company.

As CEO, Doug Yates leads a staff of 180 engineers and technicians who design, assemble, test, and service racing engines at two separate state-of-the-art facilities in Mooresville, North Carolina. Here, the best minds and latest technology are hard at work producing nearly 1,500 racing engines each year for teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA, Grand-Am, FIA GT3, Dirt Late Model, Sprint cars, and NHRA Pro Stock. At Roush Yates Engines, the mission is Power Performance, which is achieved through innovation, design, precision engineering, and skillful craftsmanship. Building the best engines in racing today, providing service that's second to none, and honoring a commitment to research and development are the heart of Roush Yates Engines.

If you think the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is too hot yet the Dodge Ram Power Wagon is too cold, General Motors' latest concept might strike you as "just right." This, the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD concept, looks to bridge the gap between the two hardcore pickups from GM's crosstown rivals, while still offering top-notch levels of power, refinement and technology.

The four-door 2011 Sierra HD underpins the All Terrain concept, and power comes from The General's 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8. A six-speed automatic sends the 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Versus a normal Sierra HD, ground clearance has been increased by about three inches, width has been bumped up to 73 inches (four more than normal) and the whole package rides on 20-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 35-inch BFGoodrich KM2 mud terrain tires. Off-road performance is enhanced with the addition of Fox off-road shocks (just like the Ford Raptor).

Inside, GM has fitted the All Terrain concept with a Denali-spec interior
with additional satin metal finishes and a leather-wrapped dash. What's more, a next-generation stereo system with an 80-gigabyte hard drive has been fitted inside this concept, and we'll soon be seeing this new system across the full GM product range.

Currently, there are no plans to create a production version of the All Terrain HD concept, though word is that if a road-ready version of this ultra-tough Sierra is produced, it probably wouldn't come off of a GM line – it would likely be crafted with the assistance of a second-tier firm (think: Roush).


We'll be seeing the All Terrain concept in person at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks, but for now, click through the high-res image gallery here....

After a long summer layoff from desert racing, PMC Racing returns to the Arizona desert looking to get revenge on a desert that has produced massive rains and kept PMC Racing from finishing atop the podium the last two years during the Parker 425.
However, the B.I.T.D. Blue Water Desert Challenge in Parker offers a different venue for PMC Racing and their competitors. This race that is in the same Arizona desert as the Parker 425 utilizes only a very small portion of the course that the Parker 425 uses.
PMC Racing has a distinct advantage over the other racers as this race is ran on many of the same sections that PMC Racing tests their trucks on over the course of the race season, this means PMC Racing will be looking to come away with multiple wins
race weekend. “Any race in Parker has added pressure for our team to be successful, however with relatively few other racers seeing the new track before race day, we are looking to capitalize on the advantage of knowing the local area desert and come away standing on top of the podium at the end of the weekend,” commented Trent Beaver driver of the #8105 PMC Racing stock full truck.
Even with the long layoff over the summer from desert racing PMC Racing has stayed busy. They have made changes to both the Trophy Truck and Stock Full they are fielding in the race next weekend and PMC Racing has also secured a feature with a major magazine publisher with a future release date. “The adjustments the team made to the trucks over the summer have already shown to be successful, in recent test sessions, we look forward to seeing their outcome on race day,” stated Beaver. PMC Racing is looking to put their trucks to the test battling terrain and the elements of racing to better their competitors at the inaugural Blue Water Desert Challenge.
PMC Racing would like to thank their current sponsors for their continued support: Parker Motor Company, Ford Trucks, KC HiLites, Goodyear Tires, Ringers Gloves, King Shocks, Reily’s Race Wire, MSD Ignition, Mogi Trans, Napa Auto Parts, Ruperto’s Mexican Food, Carrillo Farms, and A and Z Farms.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to follow live coverage of PMC Racing during the Blue Water Desert Challenge visit www.trentbeaver.com or www.jimmybeaver.com.

About PMC Racing
PMC Racing was founded by the late Marion Beaver and has compiled race wins in both unlimited hydroplane boat racing and off-road racing. Currently, Marion Beaver’s son Dan Beaver heads the operations of PMC Racing and fields a two-truck team in off-road desert racing. PMC Racing spans three-generations of race drivers and Dan’s two sons, Jim and Trent Beaver are currently filling the driving duties for PMC Racing. With multiple race wins to PMC Racing’s credit, their passion for off-road racing has never been stronger.

The TSCO "Vegas to Reno" – which is the longest off-road race in the United States with announced 534 miles in length, is one of the most popular events on the Best In The Desert schedule. Casey Folks, Director of the Best In The Desert series, said, "In 2009 we ran a special three day race, Vegas to Reno - The Long Way!. For 2010, we’re back to the single day format and we expect it to be another extremely exciting race. The challenge and adventure of competing in such a long "point to point" race with no stopping until you reach the finish line always brings out the top off-road racers. Not only is this going to be a big event but it’s also the 13th running of TSCO "Vegas to Reno."
This race is open to all Best In The Desert classes – cars, trucks, UTVs, quads and motorcycles and we expect over 300 entries from all across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and even Europe." Live tracking is available here on Off-Road One.

Find live tracking maps here. Casey Folks and BitD has worked closely with the BLM to set up a course that avoids endangered species, and does not harm the environment. The race starts near the town of Beatty, Nevada, with all classes off on Friday, August 20th. Originally part of the Bullfrog Mining District, today Beatty serves as an important gateway to Death Valley, and is 115 miles from Las Vegas. The course traverses a part of the legendary Pony Express Trail made famous 148 years ago, and finishes up in Dayton, just east of Reno, Nevada. The TSCO "Vegas to Reno" race takes racers from the high desert floor at 2,500 feet elevation to mountainous heights of over 9,000 feet, forcing competitors to adjust to the changing atmospheric pressures, and endure extreme hot and cold temperature variations. This course features some of the toughest, and most varied terrain in the world. On the dry lakebed portions of the route speeds over 100 MPH are typical. Racers must fight their way through narrow canyons, boulder lined paths, and deep silt beds.Live tracking Vegas to Reno BitD race. (Best in the Desert) Not confirmed are the following standing from the time trials on Wednesday, 18.8.2010 :

• 1 1549 Sam Berri
• 2 97 BJ Baldwin
• 3 1581 Chuck Hovey
• 4 1588 Brian Hess
• 5 21 Gustavo Vildosola
• 6 1570 Harley Letner
• 7 1557 Pat Dean
• 8 71 Rick Johnson
• 9 1551 Todd Jergensen
• 10 1501 TJ Flores
• 11 1572 Greg Freitas
• 12 6 Steve Sourapas
• 13 1554 Shannon Campbell
• 14 70 Bryce Menzies
• 15 1531 Adam Phankuch
• 16 51 Cory Scheeler
• 17 35 Jason Voss
• 18 19 Tim Herbst
• 19 49 Troy Herbst
• 20 1543 Chris Kemp
• 21 Steve Croll
• 22 Drew Belk
• 23 Shawn Croll
• 24 Tony Smiley
• 25 Eric Jacobs
• 26 Roger Norman
• 27 Mark Ewing
• 28 Mark Weyhrich
• 29 Jason Shipman
• 30 Steve Raskett
• 31 Chris Appleton
• 32 Sean Mecham
• 33 Bonestroo
• 34 Vince Galewick
• 35 Adam Householder
• 36 Jim Tucker
• 37 Ron Whitton

BitD - Best in the desert released the GPS coordinates for the upcoming TSCO Vegas To Reno desert race held at August 19., 20. and 21. 2010 - (the race is on Friday) - The off-road course offers an entire gamut of desert racing; from fast desert floors, switchback mountain roads through the pine forests and incredible vistas high in the mountains getting closer to northern Nevada.

This is the longest race in the United States - the one and only TSCO "Vegas to Reno"
Off-Road One made the released data as a Google map available. Visit the Vegas to Reno race map page
here to view it as well other V2R race course maps.

He is arguably the best stock car racer in the country and now, he’s going head-to-head against the best racers in the world. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch is scheduled to make his Pro 2WD off-road racing debut in the Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL Aug. 24-25 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill.

The 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion will face drivers such as seven-time AMA champion Ricky Johnson; off-road star Rob MacCachren; and motocross legend Jeremy McGrath, who is being inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America that same week. Many drivers have raced in off-road prior to their careers in NASCAR, Brendan Gaughan and Jimmie Johnson to name a few. Busch has previous dirt racing experience, driving a dirt late model in the annual “Prelude to the Dream” race founded by NASCAR champion Tony Stewart.

“I’ve always wanted to try out one of the Traxxas TORC Series trucks, so being able to race one at Chicago is going to be a lot of fun,” Busch said. “Racing an off-road truck has been on my list of vehicles I wanted to try out before my racing career was over, so I have to thank Traxxas for giving me a chance to come out and race one of these short course trucks for the first time.”


The event, held the same week as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ and IZOD IndyCar Series’ events at the speedway, puts the The Traxxas TORC Series and its drivers right in front of a whole new group of enthusiastic motorsports fans. It’s an unprecedented week of “must see” horsepower and action. Chicagoland provides an incredible backdrop for the series’ television show, “The Off Road Championship,” premiering on Discovery’s HD Theater Sept. 2.

“The Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL is the premier short course off-road series offering incredibly exciting racing at iconic venues, but it's the class of drivers that make our series so special,” said Kevin Miller, president of the series’ sanctioning body, USAC. “When you add someone like Kyle Busch into the field, not only does it draw new fans to our sport, but it raises the game of every driver in the field. No one wants the new guy to come in and win and I think anyone who knows Kyle knows he’s not coming in to Chicago with the intent of just racing. He's there to take home a victory and leave with the trophy."

To purchase tickets for this event, visit TORCSeries.com for online advance ticket purchases.

For more information on the Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL, visit them on the Web at TORCSeries.com. For information on the United States Auto Club, visit USACRacing.com. Both sites will also feature live free streaming of all the events on the TORC Series schedule courtesy of GoPro cameras and eBay Motors.

Visit Off Road Short Course Racing for updated info on short course racing events.

The Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL will invade American homes this fall on the Discovery's HD Theater network. The series will air every Thursday at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. EST, meaning primetime series coverage on both the east and west coasts. The new HD Theater Series, "The Off Road Championship," will provide viewers with in-depth coverage of the series' drivers with both on- and off-track action covered. The racing is being captured on multiple high-performance RED digital cine cameras, offering viewers an extraordinary viewing experience. Additionally, a combination of on-track and in-truck GoPro cameras, along with such innovations as the RC helicopter cam, provide a view of the sport fans have never seen before.

“The Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL is an incredible experience live and Discovery HD Theater has captured that atmosphere for their television audience,” said Kevin Miller, the CEO of USAC, the TORC Series’ sanctioning body. “While nothing can top actually being there to witness a TORC Series event, what HD Theater has done is the next closest thing.”


The Sept. 2 world premiere episode, airing prior to the TORC Series’ finale in Crandon Labor Day weekend, details the Crandon Cup race from the season opener at the "Big House," featuring the PRO 2 and PRO 4 drivers together in the classic shoot-out. A premiere party is being planned for VIPs and competitors for the broadcast as teams arrive in Crandon.

For more information on Discovery’s HD Theater, check out DHD.Discovery.com.

For more information on the Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL, visit them on the Web at TORCSeries.com. For information on the United States Auto Club, visit USACRacing.com. Both sites will also feature live free streaming of all the events on the TORC Series schedule courtesy of GoPro cameras and eBay Motors.

Because Best in the Desert always has SAFETY in mind for their competitors, they are
looking at a new safety device called the PASS ALERT for a trial at this year’s
TSCO "Vegas to Reno" event in August. This device is designed to assist in alerting drivers or riders that a quicker competitor is approaching them from the rear and wishes to initiate a pass on the slower competitor. The device also has a broadcast option that can be triggered by the rider or driver in the instance of breakdown or accident in the course and will alert all oncoming vehicles of a hazard situation ahead and to proceed with caution.


This device has the potential to help reduce the number of impacts between competitors
during passing maneuvers, breakdowns and accidents. These units have single handedly
been responsible for a significant increase in the safety of countless racers around the world, and have since become a mandatory safety element on All vehicles in FIA, ASO, Dakar, and all European Baja style races.

The competitors tell us over and over again that they can't imagine racing without them…..

Best in the Desert and International Racing Consultants have collaborated for this test with the 25 top qualifying cars and trucks and the amateur motorcycles and Quads to leave the line. This initial trial of the PASS ALERT system will be conducted at no cost to the participating competitors. If successful, the equipment will be available for purchase for the next Best in the Desert event.

Image credits: BitD - Best in the desert

It was no surprise to EnduroCross fans that after only two months back on the bike Red Bull KTM rider and defending EnduroCross Champion, Taddy Blazusiak, came out swinging at the opening round of the AMA EnduroCross Series to take the holeshot and eventually the overall win.
It was Christini/KTM rider Geoff Aaron who set the fastest lap time earlier in the day for first gate pick going into the heat races. The first heat was a good battle between Aaron and Blazusiak with Blazusiak eventually taking the win and Aaron qualifying in 2nd. The second heat race was won by FMF/KTM rider Mike Brown. Kyle Redmond finished 2nd behind him to qualify into the main. The top qualifiers in the third heat were winner Cory Graffunder and 2nd place Kyle Redmond. RPM/KTM rider Kevin Rookstool squeaked into the main event at the last second after taking the win in the final semi race.
It was Blazusiak who would grab the holeshot (earning the $750 Girardi Wealth Management Holeshot Award) at the start of the main event followed closely by Geoff Aaron. Both riders battled for the first few laps until Aaron went down in the rock section and handed Blazusiak a lead he would keep all the way to the finish line. Aaron eventually recovered from his crash to finish in 2nd while Graffunder finished 3rd just barely edging out a hard-charging Brown in 4th.

2010 Las Vegas EnduroCross Expert Class results
1. Taddy Blazusiak KTM
2. Geoff Aaron KTM
3. Cory Graffunder Husqvarna
4. Mike Brown KTM
5. Justin Soule Kawasaki



Calendar 2010

• Vegas, NV 07/17/10 - Orleans
• Guthrie, OK 08/14/10 - Lazy E Arena
• Indianapolis, IN 08/27/10 - Pepsi Coliseum
• Everett, WA 9/11/10 - Comcast Arena
• Denver, CO 10/30/10 - National Western Complex
• Las Vegas, NV 11/20/10 - Orleans Arena

Content and image credits: KTM Newsletter

Chrysler Group LLC arrived with truckloads of head-turning, "Moparized" Jeep® and Ram Truck vehicles to showcase at the 44th annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.
"Our customized production vehicles show how Mopar can accessorize Jeep and Ram vehicles that are on the road today while our image vehicles showcase directions we could take in the future,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. “We will gauge reaction to these vehicles. And as we develop our next generation of new Mopar parts and accessories, we will listen closely to this dedicated group of hard-core off-road enthusiasts."
Jeep Design Studio, Chrysler Group LLC. The Mopar design team has been customizing production vehicles since 2002 and has introduced nearly 20 concept vehicles to enthusiast crowds at the Moab Jeep Safari.
The Mopar off-road engineering team is led by Keith Montone, Manager – Mopar Jeep and Ram Off-road Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. This experienced group of vehicle engineers is dedicated to providing Jeep and Ram customers with the best off-road parts and accessories. The team has introduced many new parts and played a key role in developing the first aftermarket lift kits available from an automotive manufacturer.