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No Brakes, All Throttle for New Formula 4x4 Race Trucks at Crandon Raceway
CRANDON, WI -- Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, in cooperation with Johnsonville Sausage, is featuring a new class of semi-pro 4x4 race trucks this season.
According to Jay Schaefer, who helps manage Crandon sanctioned events, the Formula 4x4 class is expected to be a real growth area for off-road short course truck racers. "We had a 'test' race last season at the annual Crandon BorgWarner World Championships," said Schaefer. "That race drew 14 Formula 4x4 race trucks and was a crowd favorite," he said. Formula 4x4 trucks are a hybrid class incorporating Class 3 and Stadium Pro Tuff Trucks. Winner of the inaugural 2001 World Championship Formula 4x4 race was Mike Falsetti, South Bend, IN. . Schaefer and other Crandon officials worked closely with Baja 1,000 Class 3 4x4 truck racer Chris Raffo, Chicago, IL, on creating Formula 4x4. "We were pleased with the turnout last season," said Raffo. "We are expecting at least 24 trucks and perhaps more at Crandon this year," he said.
"Fast 4x4s, built and maintained by grassroots racing teams, are the legacy of off-road racing at Crandon," noted Schaefer. "The Formula 4x4 drivers who raced at Crandon last year were blown away by the track and the size of the spectator crowd," he said. "Crandon is looking for semi-pro drivers who want to compete for the prestige of winning at Crandon, some money, a World Championship title and a prize package from Johnsonville Sausage that is unique in the world of motorsports," said Schaefer.
Formula 4x4 Race Trucks will race exclusively at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, Crandon, WI, in 2002. Plans for definite expansion to the U.P. 100 Raceway in Bark River, MI, for one race in 2003 have been finalized. Crandon has worked closely with Bark River off-road track personnel for many years. "We are excited about having Formula 4x4 race trucks in the Upper Peninsula next season," said Richard Ault, Bark River track promoter. Further expansion to other race venues is being explored.
Johnnsonville Formula 4x4 race events in 2002 are:
June 22-23, 2002, Crandon Raceway
Forest County Potawatomi Brush Run Races.
a. One race Saturday, June 22 for points and cash purse.
b. One race Sunday, June 23 for points and cash purse.
Formula 4x4 trucks are also eligible for participation in the 9th annual Heavy Metal Challenge race for the Forest County Potawatomi Governor's Cup. First Formula 4x4 truck to cross the finish line wins $900, second $600, third $500, fourth, $400. Entry fee is $90 for the race.
August 30-September 1, Labor Day Weekend, Crandon Raceway
2002 BorgWarner World Championship Off-Road Races®:
a. One race Saturday, August 31 for points, cash purse and World Championship Formula 4x4 title and ring
b. Final race Sunday, September 1 for points, cash purse. Points winner named Sunday.
Formula 4x4 trucks are also eligible for entry into the annual BorgWarner Shootout. The Shootout will have similar procedures to those for the Governor's Cup race.
Formula 4x4 drivers must race two class races at the June Crandon race and two class races at the Labor Day weekend World Championship Off-Road Races to accumulate points.
The Johnsonville Sausage Formula 4x4 events at Crandon are definitely unique in racing! Formula 4x4 drivers will race for the coveted Formula 4x4 Crandon World Championship Title on Saturday, August 31 at the BorgWarner World Championship Off-Road Races. Winner will receive a special World Championship off-road ring. Crandon has been awarding World Championship rings in various classes for the last 18 of the track's 33 years of racing.
The Johnsonville Sausage Formula 4x4 Series Points Purse is a total of $2,000. The Points Champion will receive $1,000 cash. Runner-up will receive $600 cash. Third place in overall points will receive $400.
In addition, Crandon has announced the following commitments by Johnsonville to the Formula 4x4 Series Points Champion:
1. A one year supply of Johnsonville brats! Every month, Johnsonville will deliver a case of brats so
the F4x4 Crandon champion can celebrate all year long with family and friends!
2. An official Johnsonville Weber grill to cook all those brats on all year long!
3. A limited edition Johnsonville cooler to match the Johnsonville Weber grill!
2. Four Johnsonville Team Racing polo shirts for you and your team members
3. Four Johnsonville Team Racing baseball caps for you and your team members
4. One Johnsonville windshirt.
Additional prizes have been posted by Johnsonville for the runner-up to the points champion
"This is definitely a very unique and special sponsorship by Johnsonville Sausage," said Cliff Flannery, president, Crandon Raceway. " It is unique in racing. We think there is no question about it: if you like duct tape, 4x4s and Crandon, you also love Johnsonville brats," said Flannery.
Official sponsor for the Crandon Raceway Formula 4x4 Race Truck program is Johnsonville Sausage, maker of Johnsonville brats and other fine meat products. Johnsonville has been a long time sponsor at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway. "We are excited about working with Johnsonville and Formula 4x4 racers to make this official debut of the Formula 4x4 class a success," said Flannery. "Johnsonville is a Wisconsin-based company supporting the country's largest off-road race facility in the country, which also happens to be in their 'backyard'," said Flannery.
Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, located on U.S. Highway 8 in Crandon, WI, is compared favorably to the Indy 500 or Daytona 500 for its niche in the world of professional motorsports. Situated on 400 acres, the raceway features a 1.75-mile track surrounded by amenities ranging from spacious campgrounds to luxury skyboxes. Crandon is approximately 25 minutes from Rhinelander, 80 minutes from Wausau and 90 minutes from Green Bay. The track's Web site address is
www.crandonoffroad.com.
Further information on the Formula 4x4 truck racing class is available toll-free at 1-888-611-6092 or by email by contacting
trackoffice@crandonoffroad.com.
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