Off Track Motor sports preps for BITD Vegas to Reno!

[Avanteone]

Thought I'd post up for those of you who are interested in following along, a bunch of local Jeep'ers are going desert racing... in a Toyota. :D

Long story made short.... I was given the opportunity to assemble a team of guys to prep and race a Toyota FJ Cruiser owned by 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine. I've included many of my friends in this adventure, and we are gearing up for our biggest race of the year: The Best in the Desert 500+ mile Vegas to Reno! We had some good success at a couple of smaller races last year, and then DNF'd in last years V2R after a failed clutch and throwout bearing took us out of the race at around race mile 350. We're more experienced, better prepared, and getting ready to tackle this year's race. If you're interested, follow along with us here, or on the team's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/offtrackmotorsports

We have a huge list of sponsors, not the least of which are Master-Pull Recovery Gear and Yukon Gear and Axle. They're the major players in making our racing dreams into reality!

Here's a couple pics of the rig from earlier this season:

And how it looks as of tonight, as we prepare to disassemble, rebuild, repair, and go over the entire rig before Vegas:

John

 

[WA-Wheeler]

Did you ever regear??

 

[Avanteone]

Did you ever regear??

We're running it 2wd and stuck with the 5.29's.

 

[CHOP SHOP]

Looks and sounds like ALLOT of fun!

Good luck guys and keep it together!




PS, toyotas like NOTHING but Asain/Seco clutches from Japan. No parts store clutches or they will puke them out. Make sure the TO bearing is Jap too.

 

[crash2]

Very cool John... I enjoy keeping up with what you guys are doing--looks like a good time...

 

[Avanteone]

PS, toyotas like NOTHING but Asain/Seco clutches from Japan. No parts store clutches or they will puke them out. Make sure the TO bearing is Jap too.

Yeah, it's got a custom built Centerforce unit in it now with an OE Toyota throwout bearing.

 

[Avanteone]

Bump! We've got 5 days left until the team rolls out for Vegas. We're taking 12 guys and 3 chase trucks total. The racecar is getting closer! Today it was at Those Guys Rod & Customs in Bremerton, WA where Pat fabbed us up a killer mount for our 42" LED light bar.

Before we leave, I'll post up links for the live satellite tracking for anybody interested in following along at home, and we'll try to keep our FB page updated as much as possible while on the road. I don't have a fancy smart phone but several guys on the team do. hahahahahaha

www.facebook.com/offtrackmotorsports


John

 

[1 grumpy]

looks like fun give them hell:awesomework:

 

[Avanteone]

So, we roll out tomorrow AM for Vegas. For those of you on FB, you can follow along at www.facebook.com/offtrackmotorsports

I don't have a fancy phone so I won't be able to update all the forum threads, but that page will be updated by the team as often as we can. If someone wants to cross-post stuff from there to here, that'd be cool too.

There is live satellite tracking at www.racetheworld.net. We are truck number 1828. It sounds like there will be some killer live coverage too at http://www.race-dezert.com/home/2012-bitd-vegas-to-reno-live-coverage

They say they're going to have cameras at the starting line, on course, as well as the tracking info. Keep in mind, we're running sportsman, so don't look for us at the front. hahahaha We probably won't even start until noon or so Friday, and with any luck should be in Reno by early Saturday morning.

Thanks!

John

 

[TreeClimber]

And........ ??

 

[thursday]

It appears they broke a rear diff. Sorry john

 

[Drone637]

Did they at least do better then my last trip to the USA 500? I made it 100 miles before calling it a day/night.

 

[WA-Wheeler]

It appears they broke a rear diff. Sorry john

Ohhh no. Bummer.

 

[Avanteone]

Sorry, been trying to get here to update, been crazy busy playing catch-up.

We made it 292 miles, broke rear diff. on course. If we could have limped it to a pit, we would have been able to swap rear diff, but since it broke on course and it's no outside assistance allowed, there was nothing we could do.

Truck worked awesome up until that point though. This truck is still owned by Toyota, it was a program/test vehicle, and most likely going back to them to be crushed, so that's why money hasn't been spend to upgrade from the stock rear housing. We're TRYING to work out a deal to keep it, but nothing solid yet.

 

[crash2]

Huge A for effort guys........