The Blog of Spidertrax

Normally we just forward relevant Spidertrax press releases to Twitter & Facebook, but this news was so awesome we felt it deserved a spot here on our blog. Team Lovell Racing has secured a sponsorship deal with Nissan Motorsports for their 2011 TORC Pro Light series. The Lovell’s Pro Light short course racer is powered by Spidertrax Spider 9 axles and is now entering its second full season of competition. Their 2011 TORC debut will be on May 28th at Buchanan, MI with live coverage typically hosted on http://www.torcseries.com/. Here’s a copy of their press release and congratulations guys!!!:

Lovell Racing Teams with Nissan Motorsports
Lovell Racing Press Release

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO APRIL 20, 2011 – Lovell Racing today unveiled the redeveloped AMSOIL Nissan Frontier Pro-Light in preparation for the opening rounds of TORC in Red Bud, MI May 28th – 29th. The partnership with Nissan Motorsports is a highlight in the team’s preparations for 2011 and team co-owner Brad Lovell expressed his enthusiasm, “The racing heritage at Nissan runs deep. They have amassed plenty of championships and we are proud to be on the team. Nissan is passionate about racing as has some really exciting things in store for 2011.”

A year ago, Lovell had a tough start adjusting to the breakneck pace and intensity of short course racing but returns stronger and better prepared. The team has completed hundreds of test laps, built a barrage of spare parts, and finely tuned the truck. 2011 will take every bit of grip the team has as the burgeoning TORC Pro-Light class continues to draw new talent. Lovell added, “Last year was pretty hectic for us and I was not satisfied. We have been focused all winter quietly preparing to come out of the gates strong.” Nissan Motorsports Manager Ron Stukenberg commented, “We’ve followed Brad’s activities for the past few years and have been impressed with his performance and team operation. Nissan is thrilled to have Brad and Lovell Racing as part of our Nissan Motorsports team in 2011!”

In addition to the regular TORC schedule, Lovell will pilot the #44 AMSOIL Nissan in the 89th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and attempt to better his 3rd Place effort of 13:17 to the top of the 14,110 ft mountain. Roger Lovell will headline the team’s rock racing effort by chasing Ultra 4 season points and joining Brad for various rock crawling, desert, and short course events. Additionally, Brad will continue to pilot the #232 rock racer in choice rockcrawling, desert, Ultra 4, and hill climb events.

AMSOIL returns as the team’s title sponsor along with BFGoodrich Tires, Torchmate CNC Cutting Systems, Spidertrax, and 4 Wheel Parts. The team’s sponsors include TrailReady Wheels, Aeroquip, Fox Racing Shox, Eibach, FK Rod Ends, Dynotech Driveshafts, Howe Performance Steering, Motive Gear, Powertank, Proformance Unlimited, Robinson Construction, and WARN.

Brad & Roger Lovell, also known as the Lovell Brothers, have done something over the past six years that others have only dreamt about. They’ve taken a passion of theirs, in this case professional rock crawling and rock racing, and turned it into a full time career. This passion fueled by the reality that winning keeps their lights on propelled these brothers on a fast track to success. Although rock crawling and rock racing is still a big part of their lives (both are very active in the 2010 rock crawling & racing season), the need to push and sharpen their skills further remains vital for staying relevant in the ever changing off-road competition world. So, when we got the news that Brad decided to take on short course racing, we were not at all surprised.

At first, it may seem that short course racing is as far from rock racing as underwater basket weaving. After my trip out to Crandon, WI this past weekend to witness Brad’s first short course competition, I can safely say rock racing and short course racing have much more in common then I initially thought. In summary, short course racing takes a dirt track with tight turns/jumps/whoops, puts a dozen or so 900+ horsepower trucks on course, and has them race to the finish. To get an idea of just how fast these guys & girls are racing, check out the quick video below of my standing, arguably to close, on course at the start of one race.

Brad is officially taking on the Traxxas TORC Off-Road Series this year with his brand new Pro Light truck powered by Spider 9 axles & components.  Last weekend was Brad’s first ever short course race and all things considered it went rather well.  The truck is still in one piece (hard to pull off your first time out), our Spider 9 axles performed amazingly, and Brad is one step closer to mastering the art of short course racing.  Although I wouldn’t expect many podium finishes from Brad this year, rest assured he is the kind of driver that will push and push until he’s on top.

I have posted two videos below (Part 1 and Part 2) of Brad’s first race out in Crandon, WI on June 19th.  Although he did race on June 20th as well, he was taken out very early due to a busted tie rod from contact by another vehicle.  Because his time on course was literally about 1 minute I have elected not to post this race online. Brad’s next short course race will be at the Bark River Raceway in Bark River, MI on July 10 & 11th.

2010 Traxxas TORC Round 1 – Brad Lovell (Part 1 of 2)

2010 Traxxas TORC Round 1 – Brad Lovell (Part 2 of 2)