UROC East Goes Mud Crawling

By Donelle Colville
Photos By Matt Callies

UROC Extreme East Series 2004 Finals: Jellico, TN

Competitors awoke to an intense rain on Saturday morning in Jellico, TN for the UROC Extreme East Series Finals. A storm had rolled through overnight and into the morning, which caused trees to falla cross the obstacles and turned dirt into sticky mud. The first drivers headed for their obstacles after a delayed start. They were met with more rain, which created another forty-five minute delay and even more challenging obstacles.

Day One offered for the first time a speed course: for every six seconds a driver was on the course they received 1 point. Talk about a challenge! A single hill climb "The Chute" was established. If a rig was able to place both axles through the start gate the driver received 0 points, but if the team reached the peak of the hill they received -20 points. Rich Schmaus of Badlands Offroad was the only team to successfully conquer "The Chute" on Day One.

The weather conditions caused once-passable courses to now become even tougher. One course, "The Crow's Nest," became a nearly impossible challenge. Not a single Super Modified driver that attempted that course received lower than 40 points on Day One. Only two Modified class rigs, less Allan of A&A Crawling and Chris Sonen of TJ's R US were able to complete it.

The Rock'n Rowlands rocked the "Battleship" course. Rolling through the bonus exit gate, they received -10 points for the run -- the lowest of the day. Other notables included Mike Colvile of Boss Motorsports attempting a bonus line on "Full Throttle" until his rear tires became wedged between a tree and a rock. When Day One was completed, both the drivers and spectators were covered in mud. The scores were the highest anyone has seen all season. Carl Headley snatched 1st place with 31 points, followed by Rob Stapleton of Ecko Racing with 35 points, and 3rd going to Jim O'Brien of ETO Racing with 62 points.

Day Two started off on a much better note weather-wise. The sun was shining and some of the mud had dried up. Randy Torbell came out and put on a great show. He was the only one to complete two of the three bonuses on "Full Throttle" and ended up with a -21 for the course. Jim O'Brien rolled on the same course and shattered his front axle, knocking him out of the competition. Randy Torbett, Jason Panazzo and Scott Schlapman of Rocket City Off Road finally tamed the "Crow's Nest" obstacle. Scott put up an obstacle best of -8 on this course. Other casualties for the day included Mike Smythe of Badlands Offroad's flop on the speed course, and Matt Deas' save from a roll on "The Boss Hill" obstacle. Deas of Deas Racing was going over onto his passenger side, when he threw the rig into reverse. His rear passenger tire caught, sending him in a 180-degrees sick, flying spinout. When he landed, parts and fluid flew everywhere, ending his competition in the event.

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