Just wrapped up these lightweight Pro Light uprights for Brad Lovell of Lovell Racing. We’re banking that all of these little tweaks, including the stainless steel rotors we made a few weeks back, help push Brad to the front of the pack. After his recent 2nd place finish at the first short course race of the year, it would appear Brad is on his way! Next TORC short course race for Brad is May 26th, so mark your calendar.
Not a bad way to kick off the TORC season. Last weekend, Brad Lovell of Lovell Racing grabbed a 2nd place spot on day one and a 6th place spot on day two for the Pro Light class. This was Brad’s first time out with our new prototype Pro Series Rotors and from what he’s told us, they worked flawless. Always a good thing! Anyhow, below is an after race press release direct from Lovell Racing. Next date for TORC is 5/26 & 27 in Red Bud, MI.
LOVELL GAINS FOOTHOLD IN 2012 TORC POINTS BATTLE
Colorado Springs, CO 4/25/12 – The TORC banners are now coming down at Charlotte Motor Speedway but the excitement of high-flying door-banging action will not soon be forgotten. Tensions betweens teams was evident as each looked to determine where they would fit in the 2012 pecking order. Looking to prove themselves as a top team, the AMSOIL / Lovell crew had a weekend of highs and lows.
Friday qualifying was a bit of a setback for the team placing 4th and down nearly a second from the pole-sitter. “We got a lot of practice and hit the track at 100%,” said driver Brad Lovell, “I kept searching for the fast line because there was no groove worn in the track yet. I must have missed it.” Fortunately, with the starting inversion, the #44 AMSOIL / Torchmate Nissan started in position 3.
Lovell got a huge run off the start to push through the first turn to take the lead. As the rest of the pack battled Lovell sprung free and led the race for 4 laps before pushing wide in a hairpin allowing 2011 champion Andrew Caddell through. Lovell then faced pressure from CJ Greaves who put up a fight for the whole race but was unable to get enough grip to pass the BFGoodrich shod Nissan. The 2nd place finish is a strong statement from the Lovell team. “We have made substanial improvements to the truck in the past few months,” adds Brad,”It leaves a lot of time to wonder where you will end up once the season starts. We’re getting confident and know we are a podium team. Once we get confidence from that first win – watch out!”
With the inversion for round 2 racing based off of finishing positions of round 1, Lovell found himself on the 3rd row. The aggressive nature of TORC racing is always higher on the last night of racing and there was a lot of bumping and banging with Lovell in the middle of the fray. “It seemed like I would climb up a few spots then get nailed or have a spun truck in my line. It was frustrating but I stayed patient right up to the last few laps.”
Lovell was pushing on the bumper of the 3rd place truck on the final lap before an assault from Greaves sent him off the course and into a tire barrier. Undaunted, Lovell gained control looking to salvage a finish but got spun and pushed sideways off a jump by yet another truck. The #44 AMSOIL Nissan again went careening into the infield. Able to save a race ending roll, Lovell was forced to settle for 6th place. “Our finish was unfortunate but they wouldn’t be taking us out if they didn’t think we were a threat. We’re clearly focussed on our goal and not going to be intimidated.”
The AMSOIL hauler is back in Colorado with the team preparing to race two trucks in the CHCA Temple Canyon Hill Climb on May 12 & 13th in Canon City, CO. Roger will return to driving duties in the #232 rock racer after retiring the #4423 Ultra 4 in a violent crash on Pikes Peak last year. Brad will pilot his #44 Nissan pro-light in the high horsepower Comp Truck class. With class wins in this race, the brothers look to be highly competitive. The crew will then re-gear for TORC action in Red Bud, MI on Memorial Day weekend.
Spy shot of our prototype Pro Series rotor.
So, we had a guest blog post two days ago by Lovell Racing. TORC kicks off tomorrow, and we completely forgot to share something new we’ve been work on for Brad’s Pro Light. This photo shows our very first prototype Pro Series rotor. This guy is manufactured out of 400 series stainless, heat-treated, double disc ground, and finishes at a thickness of only .230″. The result should yield a highly heat & wear resistant, light weight rotor. Of course, we’ll find out this weekend just how well they work.
Nothing like sneaking something new in last-minute, but there you have it. Live coverage of all the short course action should be available tomorrow over at http://torcseries.com/ . Best of luck Brad and team Lovell Racing!
We have a guest blog post by one of our favorite teams, Lovell Racing. Below, they talk about the upcoming TORC short course season with Brad Lovell and his Spider 9 powered Pro Light. With two seasons under his belt, there’s no surprise all eyes are on Brad this year. One thing that’s worth pointing out from his post, the Crandon, WI race on 6/16 & 17 will also include Ultra4 vehicles. From what we’re hearing, there could be a big turnout for the Ultra4 class so be sure to stay tuned right here for that developing story. So, without further delay, enter Lovell Racing.
AMSOIL LOVELL RACING STAGED FOR 2012 TORC OPENER IN CHARLOTTE
Colorado Springs, CO 4/15/12 – The Lovell Racing team is proud to announce their return to the Traxxas TORC Series Presented By AMSOIL. 2012 will mark their 3rd year chasing the Pro-Light championship and best shot at accomplishing their mission. The season starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and will be aired live on Speed this coming Friday night, April 20th.
“We are here to win the championship,” driver Brad Lovell asserts, “We struggled to gain a foothold in 2010, we proved ourselves in 2011, and now its time to produce. We have the resources of a top tier team, we have the expertise, and we are focussed. No excuses.”
Brad’s confidence stems from assembling a firm foundation of sponsors and dedicated crew. Longtime supporter AMSOIL has committed to a 3-year title sponsor agreement that firmly roots the team in TORC short course racing. Nissan is bolstering support with Lovell joining teammate Chad Hord as a Nissan factory backed driver. The team also welcomes Lincoln Welders to their pit and shop. BFGoodrich Tires, Torchmate CNC Cutting Systems, 4 Wheel Parts, Spidertrax Off-Road, Motive Gear, Fox Racing Shox, TrailReady Wheels, and a host of other loyal supporters rejoins the team for 2012. “Our team is about being the best,” explains Brad, “We’re not about validating second rate products. We use the best, have developed associations, and are proud to represent the premier brands in off-road.”
Torchmate Ultra 4 racer JT Taylor will return as Lovell’s crew chief along with crew of Kyle Bigford and James Plant. Lovell adds, “Ultra 4 guys are awesome and have given us a nationwide network of volunteers for TORC. We welcome them all back and I am also excited to add continuity between races within our core team.”
TORC made a major announcement only weeks ago that all 18 episodes of “The Off-Road Championship” will be moving to the Speed Channel with both the 4/20 Charlotte and 7/20 Chicago races airing live. The move reaches a much wider audience with what has been hailed as the best coverage the sport has to offer. It kicks off this Friday night with live coverage from Charlotte.
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.