PDG Test Session at Perris Valuable and Informative

Perris, CA (April 22, 2009) – The two day Professional Drivers Group (PDG) test session at Perris Auto Speedway served many purposes for racers looking to compete in the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL. Over forty PRO and Sportsman drivers were on hand to take advantage of the free test session. The fine folks at AMSOIL picked all the costs involved in the two day test session. A special thanks goes out the AMSOIL Motorsports director, Jeremy Meyer for getting behind this event.

Along with the racers, representatives were on hand from AMSOIL, Traxxas, TORC, the PDG, USAC Racing, Kumho Tire, BFGoodrich Tire, King Shocks, Fox Shox, Walker Evans Racing, Pro Power Racing, Fortin Racing, Ford Trucks, Roush-Yates Engines, and Phil’s Incorporated, as well as several members of the media. The entire event was streaming live, over the internet, thanks to www.trackinginternational.com.

At 12 noon, on Sunday, PDG representatives held an informal meeting explaining how the group was formed and what the reasons for creating such an organization. This was similar to the January meeting that was held in Abrams, Wisconsin. Then the founders of the TORC series, Ricky Johnson and Mitch Covington said a few words, and talked about the future of short course off-road racing. The rest of the TORC staff was introduced, Office Manager, Tiffany Landru, Media Relations, Christine Lunniss, and Technical Directors, RJ Anderson and Terry Severson. USAC Racing was represented by Jason Smith. Mike Jenkins from Traxxas, and Jeremy Meyer of AMSOIL, said a few words to the crowd expressing their enthusiasm for the inaugural TORC season.

The two day affair also gave racers, team owners, and media personnel to sign up and pay their dues for PDG and USAC membership. After all the formalities, two afternoon test sessions and one under the lights were scheduled for all TORC classes. Then the event finished up on Monday with one more midday session. All divisions of racing, PRO-4WD, PRO-2WD, Pro-Light, Super Buggy, Single Buggy, UTVs, and Trophy Karts, were well represented.

Each session went smoothly as teams really went to work trying different suspension and tire grooving setups on the very challenging .7 mile layout at Perris Auto Speedway. More than a couple competitors put their race vehicle through some unintended aerobatics. Others experienced mechanical failures that, thankfully, happened before the season started. For many it was the first time back behind the wheel in almost seven months.

The Traxxas two-seat PRO-2WD truck, as well as the Vegas Off-Road Experience truck, were trackside offering ride-alongs throughout the day.

After Sunday’s full day of testing, Scott Douglas invited all PDG members for an informal meeting back at his hospitality to talk more about the PDG and get more feedback from the West Coast racers.

The final Monday midday test session saw several PRO drivers, including new arrivals Jeremy McGrath and Brian Deegan, take advantage of the time to fine tune their trucks for the final time before heading to opening round of racing at the Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway on May 15. The tracks at Perris and Texas are very similar to one another.

After one o’clock on Monday, everyone packed up and headed home. All in attendance were impressed with the organization of the event as well as the Perris Auto Speedway facility.

Short course off-road racing will be returning to Perris May 29 for rounds three and four of the Traxxas TORC series presented by AMSOIL.

For more information about the Professional Driver’s Group, visit: www.pdgoffroad.org

For more information about Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL, www.torcseries.com

– Mike Reusche, MTG