Kumho Tires Runner Up in PRO 2WD Championship Traxxas TORC Series
- Steve Barlow 2nd place PRO 4WD
- Ricky Johnson 2nd place PRO 2WD
- Scott Douglas 3rd PRO 4WD
- Chris Brandt 2nd place PRO Light
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., November 1, 2009—The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL wrapped up its inaugural season on the Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 23rd and 24th, finishing up 16 rounds of the most intense off-road racing on the planet. The track, located just a few miles north of the famous Las Vegas Strip, presented a dreadful challenge for not only the field of talented off-road racers, but also the track crews who battled hard all weekend to keep the dusty conditions under control. With championships on the line, a very unpredictable track, and the fact that it was the last race of the season, made for some very entertaining and heart stopping racing action.
The tightest points race of the weekend was the AMSOIL PRO 2WD class with Rob MacCachren and Kumho’s own Ricky Johnson battling it out until the end. MacCachren would take the win Friday night and the Oakley Bomb, with Johnson taking second. The results flip flopped on Saturday with Johnson coming out victorious and MacCachren taking second. Even after leading the entire race Saturday, Johnson would miss the championship by only four points. After a long fought season, Kumho Tires would also place second in the manufacturers title against the leading names in the tire industry that participated in the PRO 2WD category.
The Kumho PRO 4WD class had some of the most exciting action of the year as Steve Barlow’s Red Bull/Kumho Team battled with the leader the entire race, however it came down to the last corner and Steve Barlow came up short by only a few feet finishing 2nd. The Red Bull/Kumho Team placed 2nd on Saturday, while Scott Douglas and the Amsoil/Kumho Super Team placed 3rd on Friday.
PRO Light wouldn’t disappoint, as Chad Hord and Chris Brandt representing Kumho Tires are always a factor in every race. Chad Hord had a mechanical issue on Friday night that put him out of the championship running, however Saturday he rebounded to put the BOSS/Kumho truck 2nd on the Podium, and 3rd in the championship. Chris Brandt’s Rockstar Energy/Kumho Team, a recent addition to the Kumho Motorsports program, had everything go his way and placed 2nd and 3rd for the weekend.
While just missing the title in PRO 2WD, Kumho Tires did maintain an impressive record of 15 wins, including the Chairman’s Cup, 19 2nd’s, and 11 3rd place finishes for the 2009 season. Kumho Tires secured a championship in the SSR two wheel drive class with driver Keith Steele who also has the honor bringing home the 100th win for Kumho since it’s participation began in off-road racing. With consistent results through the year, Kumho Teams placed 2nd in the points with Ricky Johnson in the Amsoil PRO 2wd class, 3rd in points with Scott Douglas in the Kumho PRO 4WD class, and 3rd in points with Chad Hord in the PRO Light category. In addition, Kumho Teams received 10 Oakley Bomb Awards, which are given for fastest lap of the race. Ricky Johnson also received the year-end Oakley award in recognition of most Oakley Bombs earned in class.
Las Vegas Results Round 15 & 16
PRO 4WD
2nd - Steve Barlow
3rd - Scott Douglas
PRO 2WD
1st -Ricky Johnson
2nd - Ricky Johnson
PRO Light
2nd - Chad Hord
2nd - Chris Brandt
3rd - Chris Brandt
Kumho Tires 2009 Recap
Points Championship
3rd - PRO 4WD Scott Douglas
2nd – PRO 2WD Ricky Johnson
3rd – Pro Light Chad Hord
1st – SSR Two Wheel Drive Keith Steele
Tire Manufacturer Title
3rd - PRO 4WD
2nd – PRO 2WD
2nd – Pro Light
Podiums
15 - Wins, including the Chairman’s cup
19 - 2nd place
11 – 3rd place
