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January 26, 2007
WSORR
PRESS RELEASE
First Major Contingency Sponsor Signs with WSORR for 2007
CRANDON, WI – The Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing (WSORR) announced today that Kumho Tires USA will fund a record contingency program for the 2007 season. The contingency dollar amount exceeds last year's posting and the Kumho program extends the program to 11 short course off-road racing classes in three divisions. WSORR divisions include the Heavy Metal Professional Division, the SRT Division and the Grassroots Division. The Heavy Metal Professional Division features the world's foremost professional short course off-road racers in high performance, high horsepower pickup trucks costing upwards of $500,000 each. The three Professional classes are Pro 4x4, Pro 2WD and Pro Lite Pickups. Kumho has posted $1,100 for a first place finish in any of the 14 Pro rounds of racing on WSORR's “Tour 2007”. In the WSORR SRT Division, Kumho is posting for six classes. The Super Truck posting is $750. The Stock Truck posting is $600. The Super Buggy class posting is $500, while two additional buggy classes -- 1600 and 1600 Lite -- are posted at $400 for a win. The Formula 4x4 SUV class is posted at $100. WSORR's basic entry level tier -- the Grassroots Division -- is also part of the Kumho package. Kumho has posted $100 contingency for the Enduro class while the "legacy" Classix racers can win $50 for taking the checkers on Kumho tires. Additionally, Kumho continues to post a special $1,000 contingency for a pair of the most celebrated off-road races in the country -- the BorgWarner Shootout and the FCP Chairman's Cup Challenge. These two "heavy metal" challenge races are in their 13th and 14th years respectively. They are held annually at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway (www.crandonoffroad.com). "We were never happier than paying Scott Douglas his special contingency prize for winning the 2006 BorgWarner Shootout," said Ed Cercek, Kumho Tire USA. "It was a great win for Scott, the Amsoil-Kumho Superteam and a significant victory for Kumho Tires in off-road racing’s most revered event," he said. Cercek said that Kumho tires is a "true leader in light-duty truck tires for both on- and off-road applications" and that "Kumho Tires are proven winners at tracks on the World Series circuit", he said. "We intend to be the leader at WSORR events again in 2007," he commented. "KUMHO's contingency package has grown with the onset of each year and we are looking forward to helping WSORR racers grow their programs with financial incentives," said Cercek. Besides winning the 2006 BorgWarner Shootout, Douglas, El Cajon, CA, also claimed the annual Pro 4x4 World Championship title on a set of Kumho Tires. Other key champions on Kumho Tires last season included Pro Lite Series class champion Chad Hord, Felch, MI, in his Lucas Oil Kumho Nissan Frontier; Michael Oberg, Eagle River, WI, winning the Pro 2WD World Championship and Jason Baldwin Cup race in his Amsoil-Kumho Chevrolet; and Craig Metz, Rhinelander, WI, winning both the 1600 Lite Buggy World Championship and Series Championship. Keith Steele, Madison, WI, won the Stock Truck Series Championship, rounding out an impressive year of off-road championships for the Kumho Tire brand. "The World Series welcomes Kumho Tires to our Series," said Jim Conner, contingency director, WSORR. "In a year full of 'firsts' for the World Series, we acknowledge that Kumho Tires USA is the first contingency sponsor in the history of our sanctioning body." Conner said that a special contingency page has been established on the www. wsorr.com web site. He said that as WSORR continues to build its contingency program to be the best in off-road racing, details will be added to the site. The Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing kicks off its inaugural season this coming May 19-20 at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna, MN. That race weekend is part of a 14 race circuit traveling throughout the Midwest. WSORR events will be broadcast nationally on SPEED TV Network in prime time viewing slots. WSORR features an expanded race purses across all classes in 2007. "We have considerably upgraded the purse structure at WSORR," said Conner. "With our massive World Series purses and contingency such as that offered by Kumho Tires, WSORR teams can expect some huge payouts this coming season," he commented. |
