Kumho-sponsored driver Scott Douglas dominated with a first place class finish at late September’s Traxxas TORC Series at California’s Perris Auto Speedway. Although the daytime weather was a scorching 106 degrees, by the time racing got underway at 6 p.m. temperatures and a light breeze made the evening ideal for the 12,000 off-road fans in attendance.
During Douglas’ run he did “a lot of banging and bumping along the way” with Kyle LeDuc.
On lap 6 LeDuc finally succumbed to the contact with Douglas and was forced to park his PRO 4x4 due to damage. LeDuc was visibly upset, but in the end chalked it up to “just racing.” Adrian Cenni finished second behind Douglas, and veteran Johnny Greaves would take the final podium spot. Steve Barlow’s Kumho Tire/Red Bull team 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 PRO 2WD by taking the win on Friday. Ricky Johnson finished second on his Kumhos, fellow supercross legend Jeremy McGrath took third and the Oakley.
Chris Brandt, a recent addition to the Kumho team, Jeff Kincaid, and Marty Hart were the victors in the PRO Light class Friday evening; the Oakley went to second-place finisher Kincaid.
TORC newcomer Todd Cunningham took his first podium spot, a third place finish. Luke Johnson made his PRO Light debut, placing fifth overall.
On Saturday, Rick Huseman brought the Kumho-sponsored PRO 4x4 class into submission with an eight car-length lead, a first place finish and the Oakley.
Huseman is looking good to secure the 2009 championship. Kyle LeDuc took second and follows behind Huseman in the points race. Douglas netted the final spot on the podium for Kumho after running second for most of the race.
The event was not without drama, with “Wild Man” Adrian Cenni breaking and then spinning out in front of competitors and almost causing a full car field wreck.
The PRO 2WD was the last race of the evening. Greg Adler was taken away via ambulance after an incident with 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. In the end Rob MacCachren would take the win, Dan Vanden Heuvel second and Todd LeDuc third. Ricky Johnson received the Oakley on his Kumho tires; he will have to work hard during the final two rounds to recover his points lead.
Justin Davis competed in his first TORC race in his Green Army/ Kumho-sponsored PRO 2WD. Davis, who is just 16 years old-is the youngest driver on the PRO truck racing circuit.
The next and final stop on the 2009 TORC race schedule is Oct. 23-24 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the season’s the champions will be crowned.
For more information, visit www.kumhousa.com.
