Kumho cleans up in the dirt, claiming several trophies during 2009 off-road season

As the Traxxas TORC Series wrapped up its inaugural season recently on the dirt track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kumho-sponsored Ricky Johnson battled with Rob MacCachren in the PRO 2WD class right up until the end.

MacCachren took the win Friday night, with Johnson taking second.

The results flip-flopped on Saturday with Johnson coming out victorious and MacCachren finishing right behind him.

After leading the entire race Saturday, Johnson would miss the championship by only four points.

After a long-fought season, Kumho placed second in the manufacturer’s title competition against the other tire makers participating in the PRO 2WD category.

In the PRO 4WD class, Steve Barlow’s Red Bull/Kumho Team stuck with the leader for the entire race. Yet it came down to the last corner, and Barlow came up short by only a few feet to claim second place.

Scott Douglas and the Amsoil/Kumho Super Team came in third on Friday.

Kumho’s Chad Hord had a mechanical issue on Friday night that put him out of the PRO Light championship running. On Saturday he rebounded to put his BOSS/Kumho truck second on the podium and third in the championship.

Chris Brandt’s Rockstar Energy/Kumho Team, a recent addition to the company’s racing program, placed second and third.

While just missing the title in PRO 2WD, Kumho claimed 15 wins, including the Chairman’s Cup, 19 second-place podium appearances and 11 third-place finishes for the 2009 season.

Kumho secured a championship in the SSR two wheel drive class with driver Keith Steele, who also brought home the 100th win for Kumho since it began participating in off-road racing.

In addition, the company’s drivers received 10 Oakley Bomb Awards given for fastest lap of the race. Johnson won the year-end Oakley award in recognition of the most Oakley Bombs earned in his class.

For more information, visit www.kumhousa.com.