Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Winner Crowned at General Tire TROPHYLITE Glen Helen Race...

San Bernardino, California
July 3, 2009

The Glen Helen Baja Cup Challenge heated up San Bernardino as rivaling TROPHYLITE® racers took to the track and defied the unique terrain of the legendary Glen Helen Raceway. Featuring two rounds of excitement, The Baja Cup Challenge was held on June 28th at Glen Helen's famed AMA National Motocross track and is the third race of the five race season for the 2009 General Tire TROPHYLITE® Series.

Nestled along a mountain and situated on 256 acres, Glen Helen Raceway integrates aggressive hill climbs and mountainous terrain into the challenging Baja Cup race course. With almost two miles of spectator-friendly track, the entire venue provides for nearly uninterrupted viewing of the entire race course. Friends, family and race enthusiasts experienced the high-flying fun of the numerous jumps and the riveting action of the switchback turns - making Glen Helen Raceway a favorite venue for spectators and racers alike.

As the trucks lined up and the racers set the stage for Round One, many of the competitors chose to immediately hit the hot pits for the mandatory tire change while others scrambled for the top position during the land rush start. Whether or not the early pitting strategy would pay off was anyone's guess!

During Round One's action, the highest spot on the podium went to last year's defending Champion in the No. 6000 piloted by Louis Chamberland of Oak Hills, CA. Brian Antle of Spreckles, CA followed closely behind with a second place podium finish in the No. 6077 while Justin Mamer of Tucson, AZ rounded out the top three in the No. 6060 TROPHYLITE®. John Murray of Lake Hughes, CA in the No. 6025 and Billy Worthing of Chino Hills, CA in the No. 6056 earned the fourth and fifth place positions, respectively.

As the competition once again staged for Round Two's racing, the checkered flag went to the driving team of Vance Smith and the infamous Mikey Childress of Team Honda two-wheel fame. Claiming the highest spot on the podium in the No. 6011 TROPHYLITE®, the Vance/Childress team placed 7th earlier in the day - earning the driving duo the third overall spot during both rounds of racing action. No stranger to a podium finish, Louis Chamberland claimed second and was declared the overall winner for both races. Earning a total of 32 points for both rounds of racing, Chamberland's earlier first place finish provided him with a comfortable five point lead and the overall title in the Glen Helen Baja Cup Challenge. Rounding out the podium, Brian Antle once again made a great showing by claiming the third place finish during the final round of competition in the General Tire TROPHYLITE® Series. Antle's third place finish, coupled with his previous second place podium earned him the second overall title. The father/son team of Bruce and Ryan Finchum of Gilbert, AZ in the No. 6084 and Randy Blacker of Fresno, CA in the No. 6069 TROPHYLITE® rounded out the top five finishing positions during Round Two.


TROPHYLITE® Finishing Grid for Glen Helen's Baja Cup Challenge


2009 Glen Helen Results Grid


Extremely pleased with his overall finish, Louis Chamberland thanked Triple X Posse for what he described as "an amazing truck prep." Chamberland also thanked his Mom and Rick L. Johnson for their support of his racing program and added, "I think for Greg Foutz's first race it was absolutely spectacular! The overall structure of the program is very racer friendly and Greg has definitely taken the TROPHYLITE® Series to a whole new level. The track was 100% better than I have ever seen it and the Glen Helen officials did a great job of maintaining it throughout the day."

Earning second overall at the General Tire TROPHYLITE® Baja Cup Challenge, Brian Antle contributed his two race podiums finishes to his crew and was very appreciative of their truck prep and fast pitting. "The land rush start is controlled chaos but it is definitely a fun way to start the race! I started dead last during the second round and was able to work my way up to the fifth position during the land rush start. After passing a few trucks we finally settled into third and that's where I ended up at the finish," commented Antle on his second overall title. "Also, if it weren't for the support of Toro Petroleum, Taninura & Antle and Ocean Mist Farms we would not be out here competiting and I cannot thank them enough for their generous support. Branding Iron Designs did a great job with the graphics and the truck looked exceptional at the starting line," added Antle.

Trading in his handlebars for a steering wheel, Mikey Childress stepped into the driver's seat of Vance Smith's TROPHYLITE® during the second round of the Baja Cup Challenge. Claiming third overall - Childress commented, "Vance did the first heat and lost the power steering pump and was forced to limp the truck in for a 7th place finish. I got in for the second round and just powered down for the first. The track was perfectly suited for my usual motorcycle style racing. There were some great jumps we could get a lot of air off of and it made it interesting for the fans. I would like to see more short course type events for this series because it is great for the spectators and fun for the racers."


The final two races of the General Tire TROPHYLITE® Series will be here before you know it! With a very close points chase and a purse of $65,500 on the line, the final two rounds are sure to be exciting. Be sure to visit the TROPHYLITE® website often for the latest news, updates and photos!


General Tire and TROPHYLITE® - Making Headlines!


http://www.trophylite.com/frames/TROPHYLITE_News_06152009_DS.pdf



2009 SERIES SCHEDULE


Round #4
Ricky Johnson Off-Road Grand Prix October 29-31
Las Vegas, NV

Round #5
BITD Henderson Fabtech Classic
December 4-6 Henderson, NV

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