take place a 3rd place last in their first track of the King Of The Hammers!In 2010, Brian decided that he, and Lonestar Racing had shaped his 2006 Yamaha Rhino into a car that could not only finish what has been described as the toughest off-road race in the world, but he believed he could run with the leaders (the whos who of UTV racing), and ending in the presence of the pack. Unfortunately, he runs a Rotax V-twin engine, and was ineligible due to the fact that this particular engine was never offered in a UTV from the factory. July 1, 2010, Can-Am released the all new Can-Am Commander which comes standard with the same popular engine that Brian, and many others currently run in their outdated Yamaha Rhinos. Brians first response to this word was that he would be in rivalry to introduce the 2011 running of the Power of the Hammers!The team ran the Whiplash Offroad Racing Series in 2010, and did surprisingly well for their first entrance into an entire race series. The Pro-Mod championship was theirs for the taking. The car that Brian built simply had 1 part failure during the whole series, causing their only DNF for the season. (Wheel studs)When it came time to make for KOH, there wasnt too often to do to the car. Brian installed a set of 3/8 UHMW skid plates from Factory UTV, a Quickshot spare tyre and jack mount from Pro-Armor, a set of Pitbull Rocker 26.5 tires, a second battery and bracket from Rhino Parts and Performance, and a hand-me-down winch from his friends at Freedom RV in Tucson.The two didnt take time to get to Hammer Town early enough to pre-run the race course. Because of this they were quite nervous and spent most of the dark before the race worrying, and reading race course maps and strategizing the run. I must say that the course markers were clearly and well laid out. Thanks to Reid Nordin for the sentence he invested in thisThe morning of the run was a cold one. Some were reporting temperatures below 30 degrees. Brian and Greg made their way to the starting job and were set in 16th position out of 18. Once they were rolling, and nervousness were settling, Brian began to get a finger for his taller ride height, larger tires, and no sway bar. By the first technical section they had passed two or three cars and were making their way over the first obstacle when they encountered stopped race traffic and a race car blocking the course. At this point Greg exited the vehicle to help the stuck racer. During this time, Brian shifted the car into reverse and now felt the shifter linkage break. With some fast thinking, he was able to take a part of the engine cover and observed he could change the infection by reaching into the engine compartment. By the time Greg was backwards to the car, at least five minutes had passed and the stuck race car was still blocking the course. Greg scouted an alternative route down and round the stopped traffic. Once the team made it kill the sight and into the valley, Brian put his foundation in it and didnt look back.
Save for the broken shifter, the LSR XTR-F suspended Rhino was working flawlessly and they were able to carry on some of the biggest whoops and ruts they had always seen. Not much was slowing them down. When they made their way into the first named rock section called Elvis, there were a list of stuck, and/or slow moving vehicles blocking the course. Again, Greg got out to help those drivers through this section. What took probably only five minutes felt like an eternity to Brian who was as patient as could be. Once these vehicles were moved, Brian quickly made his way downward through the rock section with Greg spotting him. Once back at race speed, Brian was driving as if he was release to win this race. They had no idea where they stood, but assumed it was towards the presence of the ring as they had already passed a smattering of cars, and about that were low on the face of the course. When they reached the second named rock section, Aftershock they now knew that this department was leaving to be the cause or break section of the course. After rounding the first box they were greeted with an excited audience that was comforting them on. While running this section, Greg was out of the car spotting for lines. Sometime during this division a list of spectators told Greg that our team was working in 1st place. Once done the section Greg reentered the race car and told Brian what he had but heard. Neither of them could consider that they were in first place as they knew that they hadnt passed 15 cars. At any rate, this intelligence was adequate to stir the two into believing that they would not only goal this race, but close on the podium.Nervously, Brian once again put his base in it as to not leave any other racers to get up. This was met with some opposition from Greg as he wasnt going to provide Brian to make it out due to his excitement. There were a few boulders that Brian hit so strong the car became partially airborne. We cant say enough good things about Factory UTVs UHMW skid plates.
Once the team made it ended the final fall and had a survey into Hammer Town, they slowed down for a minute to search for traffic up front, and behind. There was no mark of any traffic in either direction, and the team still didnt know for certain whether they were in the wind or not. What they did know, was that there was nobody behind them for miles. The final three or so miles was a heavily whooped out downhill sand section with the chance to give the car up, and put Lonestar Racings XTR-F suspension to the test. Brian set the cruise control around 55 mph through this part as it was obvious that we could have gone much faster, but doing so was risking throwing the run away and they were working low on fuel. When the two made it to the Green? flag, they were told it was the finish line and that they had placed third! This run was by far the best racing experience of my life! There is nothing cooler than high speed desert racing mixed with some of the most demanding and technical rock crawling that a UTV has ever encountered. I get done my part of rock crawling in UTVs, but never under race conditions. This only makes for an adrenalin rush like no other! Also, the fact that were able to run our UTVs at what is probably the biggest off-road race in the country, makes it all that much cooler.I would wish to thank my co-driver Greg Frantz for being flat out awesome! Hes a plane headed guy with the skills and forbearance to put up with me, and help guide me on the way. I want you guys could see our PCI intercom chatter. Were quite hilarious. Were either scared silent, arguing about something, or joking and laughing our ass off while we race! I wouldnt have had the successes that Ive had in off-road racing if it wasnt for him. You rock G.I would also similar to thank Ultra4Racing, Dave and Jeff Knoll, Reid Nordin, Joey DiGiovanni, Rusty Baptist, and Michael Green of Pitbull Tires for sponsoring this event!Congratulations to Jagged Extreme for taking place the win, and Mitch Guthrie for his second place finish!Special thanks to our friends and sponsors:Rotax Your RhinoLonestar Racingwww.UTVForums.net TCP Performance- Seizmik - PCI Race Radios - PRP Seats - Pitbull Tires - Muzzys - Banners Plus - Unisteer - Dalton Industries - UTV Offroad Magazine - AZ Amsoil - HJC Helmets
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