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Hoek Adds Exposure with Added Seat Time
in Wheatland
June 3, 2008 (Holland, MI) - Ross Hoek Motorsports began the
2008 Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing season with an
ambitious plan; to compete in the Super Truck and PRO-2WD
division with the race truck. The Skyjacker Suspensions
Herculiner Raybestos Brakes Goodyear Tire race truck would be
configured to the Super Truck rules, minimizing the prep work
between each round of racing. In the past, Ross has been a top
competitor in both full-size truck divisions, the additional
racing made for an exciting weekend for RHM fans and
supporters..
“Our program really came together the second half of last year,
competing in PRO-2WD and Super Truck was designed to maximize
the exposure for our marketing partners and give me more seat
time this weekend” explained Ross Hoek during a brief Saturday
morning meeting. “Wheatland is very technical which will allow
us to be competitive in both classes.”
The race facility in Wheatland, Missouri has to be one of the
premier stock car short facilities in the country. It offers the
very best amenities for the racer and the spectator. The Lucas
Oil Speedway is truly a “Diamond in the Dirt.”
Saturday – Round 1 – Super Truck
The afternoon practice session saw everything go very well for
Ross Hoek and his #210 Skyjacker Suspensions race truck. After a
few minor adjustments, the team waited patiently for the evening
festivities to begin. Unfortunately Mother Nature did not want
to cooperate. Rain began to fall late in the afternoon.
Eventually the rain stopped around 7:30pm, and by 9:00pm WSORR
officials brought out the Super Trucks out for the first race of
the 2008 season.
With the main grandstands and skyboxes nearly filled to
capacity, the Super Trucks were lined up ready to go. The rain
showers made the entire track a quagmire. The first race of the
season became as much of a battle with the track conditions as
with the other racers. Once the green flag was waved, the Super
Truck field quickly spread out over the track. Within a couple
of laps, Ross Hoek was in a battle for the second position with
Keith Steele. The two swapped positions a number of times. At
the finish, Ross landed on the podium with a hard fought second
place finish.
Just after the completion of Super Truck race, heavy rain,
accompanied with lightning, began to fall. The WSORR officials
cancelled the rest of the Saturday night program.
Sunday – Round 1 – PRO-2WD
The rain had stopped sometime before dawn, and the track workers
did their best to put the track into some type of racing shape.
The WSORR officials started the race program mid-morning in
order to finish all the first round races and still have enough
time to finish the second rounds. Fortunately the weather
cooperated, the sun came out and the show went on.
The starting grid for PRO-2WD had the #21 on the outside of row
1. As the field headed for Turn One, Hoek narrowly missed
disaster, as #99 Probst, barrel rolled in front of the Goodyear
Tires equipped Skyjacker truck. Kevin was unharmed and the race
continued. The track conditions were ideal, as the track was dry
and dust free. After the ten lap affair, Ross Hoek finishes in
sixth place.
With only an hour to prep, for Round Two racing, the Ross and
the crew immediately went to work.
Sunday - Round 2 – Super Truck
The race started with Ross quickly moving into the third
position. As he was beginning to challenge for the second spot,
when his fuel pump began cutting out, slowing his pace
considerably. At the finish, the #210 Skyjacker Herculiner
Raybestos Brakes Goodyear Tire Super Truck came home in fifth
place.
Sunday – Round 2 – PRO-2WD
Quickly the crew went to work replacing the fuel pump, as the
team made the PRO-2WD starting grid with only minutes to spare.
The final race out the weekend saw Ross run hard and clean, as
his Goodyear Tires were really working well with the Missouri
clay. In the end, Ross crossed the finish line in fifth place.
Once the hectic day of racing was complete, Ross commented on
the opening weekend of the 2008 World Series of Off-Road Racing.
“Last night the water and mud really made that first race, an
exercise in survival. Then to come out here and race today it
was unbelievable. Everyone at WSORR did an incredible job. If
you saw what the track looked like at 8:30 in the morning, you
would have never believe we could go racing, but we did and the
condition were great. Hats off to my crew, the pressure we were
under, running both classes, great job. Our Goodyear Tires
really worked well with our Skyjacker Suspensions truck. Wet,
dry, muddy, whatever, they performed flawlessly. This was our
first race with Raybestos Brake and never had a problem all
weekend long. Thanks again to Herculiner for their continued
support as well.”
Currently Ross Hoek is in third place in 2008 WSORR Super Truck
standings, and fifth place in the PRO-2WD division.
The next race for Ross Hoek Motorsports is the Forest County
Potawotomi Brush Run, June 21-22, in Crandon, Wisconsin.
Ross Hoek would like to thanks all his partners including:
Skyjacker Suspension
Goodyear Tires Herculiner Truck Bed Liners Raybestos Brakes
Royal Purple Synthetic Oils Fox Racing Shox Allied Racing Wheels
Lane Automotive All Star Performance Motor State Distributing
ATD Transmissions Jeff's Bronco Graveyard C&R Racing Radiators
T&D Machine Products Dart Blocks ARP
MSD Ignitions REM Chemicals Auto Meter
Racer-X Motorsports Miller Electric Welders G-Force Racing Gear
Stoner Products Optima Batteries Finishmaster / PPG
The Printery Peterson Fluid Systems Cimatron CAD/CAM systems
For more information please visit: www.rosshoek.com
-Mike Reusche, marketing, MTG – mike@mt-graphics.com
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