LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The 2010 King of the Hammers race is in the books after entertaining some 25,000 fans who flocked to the Mojave Desert’s famed Johnson Valley for the weeklong festival on the rocks.  Off road racing champion, Rob MacCachren, led the Rockstar/BFGoodrich/BlueTorch Fabrication backed race team in the #21 Blue Torch Fab-built two-seat rock racer.  MacCachren spent the better part of the month tutored by BFGoodrich rockcrawling champions, Jon Bundrant and Larry McRae.

After only a couple days on the rocks of Johnson Valley, Jon Bundrant deemed MacCachren as the consummate professional who learned the tricks of rockcrawling faster than anyone he’s ever tutored.  Volunteering for duty in the right seat of the #21 rock racer was Larry McRae, Bundrant’s longtime teammate and the spotter for the championship rockcrawling team.

The two rockcrawling champions spent countless hours teaching the off road racing champion the precision of rockcrawling and he proved to be a great student.  McRae explained, “I have spent many hours in the rocks and dirt trails throughout the United States teaching people the techniques of rockcrawling and by far Rob picked it up quicker than anyone else.”  McRae is the CEO of Poison Spyder Customs and a lifelong rockcrawler.

With the largest crowds ever experienced at the King of the Hammers event, Rob MacCachren charged off the start line in 87^th position in the Blue Torch-built rock racer.  Following the live race action on the BFGoodrich-sponsored live leaderboard, MacCachren was unofficially the third fastest through the first third of the race course.

However, that was short lived when the #21 Rockstar/BFGoodrich/BlueTorch car suffered a few minor mechanical setbacks.  MacCachren arrived to the main pit as the Blue Torch crew went to work on the brake system.  After a short delay, Rob began making up time heading towards the first of many rock obstacles and then suffered a broken ring and pinion.  MacCachren limped back to the main pit and the crew began changing out the broken parts.

Shortly after making mechanical repairs, Rob returned to the race, but a short time later the race car suffered terminal engine failure ending his run at the 2010 King of the Hammers race.  MacCachren made it to race mile 92.6.

MacCachren reflected, “It’s all part of racing, but I really felt we had a good run towards a top performance.  It’s unfortunate that we ran into some mechanical issues.  King of the Hammers is certainly a race that I’ll be back for in the future. Jason and his Blue Torch crew were great all week long and we punished our BFGoodrich Tires today didn’t have a single problem.  Many of our sponsors stepped up to help make this happen and I want to thank them for their continued support. They include BFGoodrich Tires, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink, FOX RACING SHOX, Mastercraft Safety, Blue Torch Fabrication, KC Hi-Lites, Pro AM, Racin’ Dirty, DIRTnewz and especially my new friends, Larry McRae and Jon Bundrant.  We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Rob MacCachren and his Rockstar Energy Racing team returns to the desert on February 20-21, 2010 to defend the SNORE Overall Championship that he earned in 2009.  MacCachren will race his Alumi Craft ½ 1600 FAT Performance powered buggy in one of the largest fields seen in many years as nearly 50 ½ 1600 cars are entered in the 2010 SNORE Battle at Primm held at the Primm Valley Resort & Casinos in Southern Nevada.

About Rockstar: Bigger. Better. Faster. Stronger. ROCKSTAR is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blends of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is scientifically formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles—from athletes to rock stars. PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR!

2010 Rockstar Energy Racing Sponsors: Rockstar Energy Drink, BFGoodrich Tires, FOX RACING SHOX, Mastercraft Safety, Rancho Drivetrain Engineering, AlumiCraft, Pro AM, KC HiLites, FAT Performance Racing Engines, Dave Folts Transmission, Nevada Off Road Buggy, Racin’ Dirty and DIRTnewz.

Rob MacCachren Racing: Rob MacCachren’s career accomplishments include winning three consecutive Borg-Warner Championships, as well as three Governor’s Cup Championships, all at Crandon International Raceway in Wisconsin.  Rob has also accumulated 5 SCORE Baja 1000 victories and another 5 SCORE Baja 500 wins.  MacCachren was heralded as the premier driver after winning the longest distance (1296 miles point-to-point) SCORE Baja 1000 ever held in 2007.  Rob MacCachren earned consecutive short course Pro 2 Championships in 2008 and 2009.  The multi-disciplined championship racer has accumulated over 165 victories and 19 championships between closed short course and open desert racing.

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Due to consumer demand, BFGoodrich recently expanded its line of Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 tire sizes, which are part of the 10 sizes eligible for the contribution.  The tire sizes are as follows:

LT345/75R16 LRD – 38X14.50R18 LRD
LT365/75R16 LRC – 40X14.50R18 LRC
38X14.50R17 LRD – 38X14.50R20 LRD
40X14.50R17 LRD – 40X14.50R20 LRC
36X13.50R18 LRD – 42X14.50R20 LRC

“The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tire has set the standard in the world of off-roading, both for competitive and recreational uses” said Gary Enterline, senior product category manager, light truck tires for BFGoodrich Tires.  “What better way to give back to the community that made the tire what it is today than by teaming up with the BlueRibbon Coalition to help preserve our off-road trails.”

As a respected national recreation group that represents more than 600,000 recreationists nationwide, the BlueRibbon Coalition is dedicated to protecting responsible recreational access to public lands and waters.

“This generous donation from BFGoodrich Tires will help the BlueRibbon Coalition continue working to keep public land open for use, whether you recreate on a mountain bike, snowmobile, motorcycle, personal watercraft, ATV, four-wheel drive, horse or your hiking boots,” said Greg Mumm, executive director of BlueRibbon Coalition.

Inspired by the BFGoodrich Tires Krawler(tm) T/AKX tire, which is the most successful tire in rock-crawling history, BFGoodrich Tires incorporates Krawler TEK(r) technology into the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 TriGard(r) sidewall.  Krawler TEK technology consists of three main components:  aggressive sidewall lugs, cut- and chip- resistant sidewall compounds and sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/AKM tire.  These advancements allow for more bite and sidewall protection along with increased strength and resistance to bruising caused by rocks and rough trails.

More information about the BlueRibbon Coalition is available at www.sharetrails.org.

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock-crawling.  BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle.  Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – With only one month away from his first ever King of the Hammer’s race, Rob MacCachren has assembled a trio of past champions on his King of the Hammers race team. Joining Rob MacCachren will be legends of the sport and past rockcrawling champions Larry McRae, Jon Bundrant and Jon Nelson.

Larry McRae will join MacCachren in the co-driver’s seat of the Blue Torch KOH rock racer, which features BFGoodrich Tires and FOX Racing Shox. McRae’s extensive history in professional rock sports and his keen expertise on the rocks of Johnson Valley, California made him an easy selection for the right seat of the Rockstar/BFGoodrich/BlueTorch rock racing vehicle.

In 2003, McRae and his teammate, Jon Bundrant, captivated the world when they were victorious in 13 of 18 rockcrawling events they competed in. They joined forces with motorsports legend, Jon Nelson, who designed and built the single-seat VW-powered rockcrawler named, “Tiny,” a car and design that revolutionized the world of rock sports. Together the trio earned championship titles at Cal-Rocks Put Up / Shut Up, 2003 Pro Rock Series, 2003 UROC Series, 2003 RCCA Series and the invitation-only granddaddy event of the year, SUPERCRAWL II.

Jon Nelson, Jon Budrant and Larry McRae

Seven years later, the trio will return together in an effort to support off road racing champion, Rob MacCachren. The Las Vegas veteran off road racer has earned 19 different season champions and has accumulated 164 victories, encompassing 28 years of off road racing. However, this will be his first ever rock race.

MacCachren commented, “Jon Nelson, Larry McRae and Jon Bundrant are the best of the best and I’m glad to have rockcrawling champions help lead our rock race program in the right direction. Of course, the rockcrawling aspect is new to me and that’s why it is so important to have the support of this trio of champs. I might have the desert side of this race figured out, but the rockcrawling obstacles are going to take some expertise to navigate through and that’s where Larry’s experience will be so important.”

Nelson, McRae and Bundrant have already started working on race strategy when it comes to the rocks. All three have spent an enormous amount of time in the rocks at the Johnson Valley both professionally and for personal recreation.

In early October, an opportunity for MacCachren to race the Blue Torch rock racer was put into action by BFGoodrich Tires and by the time SEMA 2009 rolled around, MacCachren and McRae had outlined the possiblities.

Larry explained, “I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to navigate the King of the Hammers race with Rob. All racers know you need a great car, driver, crew and a little luck to win. I think we’ve got the first three covered, we just need to see what kind of luck we can create on race day. I’m especially honored to be able to introduce Rob to my passion, the sport of rock crawling. He’s been successful at every form of off road racing he’s been in. I don’t think the rocks will be any different for him.”

Champion Rock Crawler Jon Bundrant – All Pro Off Road

Overcoming challenge is nothing knew for each of these racing champions. In past decades, they have each succeeded individually and as a team, both on and off the racecourse.

Nelson, Bundrant and McRae will be extremely challenged over the next month, as they will run MacCachren through a crash course in professional rockcrawling.

Supercrawl II Champion Jon Bundrant reflected, “Rob is obviously a talented motorsports champion and he will adapt to rocks very quickly. In 2003, my rockcrawling teammates, Jon Nelson and Larry McRae, were part of an unforgettable championship run and I don’t see any reason why we can’t bring back the magic of that season while supporting Rob MacCachren in his quest for the King of the Hammers victory. It certainly will be fun trying.”

The King of the Hammers DREAM Team is supported by BFGoodrich Tires and each of the champions involved on this team have raced their entire careers on BFGoodrich Tires.

Championship Rock Crawler Larry McRae

MacCachren explained, “BFG has been part of my racing career for 20 years and I know they have been a supporter of Jon Nelson, Jon Bundrant and Larry McRae for their entire careers as well. It was very important to me to surround myself with not just champions, but those that operate with the same principles as I do. As part of the BFGoodrich Tires program, we all lead our careers within the same boundaries and many of us share the extreme desire to be victorious and never give up. I know that having Jon, Larry and Jon on my team definitely makes up what I would consider the BFG DREAM TEAM. I’m excited for this race and you can be sure that we will be working extremely hard over the next month in hopes of success at the 2010 King of the Hammers.”

Rob MacCachren Quick Racing Facts:
Rob MacCachren- 28 year racing career
2009 TORC Pro 2 Champion
2009 SNORE Overall Desert Racing Champion
19 – Off Road Racing Championships (Desert and Short Course)
164 – Off Road Racing wins
5 – SCORE Baja 1000 Victories (Longest 1296-miles in 2007)
5 – SCORE Baja 500 Victories
3* – Borg Warner Cup Trophies – *Only racer to win three consecutive BW awards.
3 – Governor Cup Trophy’s

2010 Rob MacCachren Racing Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires, Rockstar Energy Drink, Mastercraft Safety, Blue Torch Fab, FOX RACING SHOX, Pro AM, KARTEK, Nevada Off Road Buggy and DIRTnewz.

Rob MacCachren Racing: Rob MacCachren’s career accomplishments include winning three consecutive Borg-Warner Championships, as well as three Governor’s Cup Championships, all at Crandon International Raceway in Wisconsin. Rob has also accumulated 5 SCORE Baja 1000 victories and another 5 SCORE Baja 500 wins. MacCachren was heralded as the premier driver after winning the longest distance (1296 miles point-to-point) SCORE Baja 1000 ever held in 2007. Rob MacCachren earned consecutive short course Pro 2 Championships in 2008 and 2009. The multi-disciplined championship racer has accumulated over 164 victories and 19 championships between closed short course and open desert racing.

Full length feature film directed by Pinned Productions Mike Badami. This second installment is already being compared to the greatest desert racing movies. The Second Crusade shows this amazing sport in a whole new light. Fast paced action, and amazing cinematography will leave you begging for more. The film features the heroes of rock sports head to head against desert racers. East vs. West. Wyatt Pemberton, Adam Woodlee, Adam Carter and Doug Bigelow, take on Tracey Jordan, Shannon Campbell, Brad Lovell, Pistol Pete Sohren, Casey Currie, and more. 100 miles of the most brutal racecourse ever set in the California desert.