SPEED TECHNOLOGIES BRINGS HOME A SECOND PLACE CLASS 1 FINISH AT THE BILEK RACING SILVER STATE “300”

Reno, NV (October 2nd, 2008)--Speed Technologies, one of the largest off-road race teams in the United States and Mexico, had plenty to celebrate last weekend at the Bilek Racing Silver State “300” in Mesquite. The HMS Avenger, driven by Chuck Dempsey and John Herder, took home a second place finish during the race --- the best ranking the team has achieved since they began their off-road journey two years ago.

“What a great day,” said team owner John Harrah. “We are finally making some serious headway with our car – our drivers are on target, our pit crews are in top shape and the entire team is really coming together.”

The race started off a bit bumpy for Dempsey and Herder after spending a day of hard work getting the car back on track after it had over heated during the qualifier (in which they ranked 7th). But once the team took to the track on race day there was no stopping them.

Herder ran the first part of the race hard and fast in typical John Herder racing style and managed to get the car into 4th place when he handed it over to Dempsey.

“When John got to the pit and handed the car over to me he told me that the car was running great, but you’ve got no brakes so do the best you can,” Dempsey said.

Dempsey was a little nervous because the course is very mountainous and challenging, but this seasoned driver is no chicken when it comes to challenges and jumped in the car ready to bring it home.

Although not having any breaks during the race certainly made it a challenge, it literally didn’t slow them down one bit. By the time Dempsey reached the pit in Calliente, he had passed two other cars putting them in second place. With the first place cars’ dust in sight, the race had ended with the HMS Avenger finishing only 2 minutes behind the wining car. A victory for any team and a win for Speed Technologies.

“Over all I think the whole team did great job and we were all winners because we are getting closer to a 1st place win,” Dempsey said.

The Jimco class 10 car, driven by Mark Levrett and Casey Currie, got off to a bit of a rocky start. It began with an electrical glitch and a dead battery at the start line. Their problems were solved with 30 seconds to spare before the green light thanks to the help of crew members and helpful spectators.

“By pit one,” Levrett explained, “we were breathing down the neck of first place, but they decided to make a quick stop at the pit to do a rolling visual check on an oil leak they had repaired the day before. This gave the car in first place a slight advantage on the Speed Technologies team.”

Within 10 miles they had caught up to the leader and were looking for a break which would allow them to take the lead and by mile 60 they had caught the leader.

“We had no dust and clear sailing to the finish in our Speed Technologies / Exotic Engine class 10 car,” Levrett said.

Unfortunately, the victorious feeling didn’t last long. By mile 80, in a long silt covered section of the course and with the second place car only 10 or so minutes behind, the motor blew up ending the race for Levrett and Currie, but not ending the drive and force behind the Speed Technologies team to be number one.



About Speed Technologies

Established in 2006 Speed Technologies is owned by John Harrah and headquartered in Reno, NV at Rancharrah. The team operates an off-road car and motorcycle team as well as developing cutting edge off road and aquatics products and designs. Competing in the SCORE Desert Series, Best in the Desert and Championship off Road Racing, Speed Technologies is a full-time operation supported by a full time staff as well as additional chase and safety crews. Speed Technologies is committed to safety both on and off the track. For more information on Speed Technologies please visit www.speed-technologies.com or call 775-851-7492.