Rock Crawling Season Opens for Calrocs!

Moses Ludel’s 4WD Mechanix© Magazine…June 2010, Issue #5 3 | Page Rock Crawling Season

Opens for CalROCS!

Truck traffic rolls steadily along I‐80 legends, a legion of specialized, hybrid east of Reno. Rising above the Truckee buggies and full‐bodied 4x4s has pitted River, distinct outcrops of basaltic rock line itself against Nature’s extreme challenges— the hills. A section of this high desert shear rock and near‐vertical walls! landscape is developing into the largest industrial park in the United States—and Since 2008, California’s sanctioning home, most recently, to a new wave of body CalROCS has raised the ante in the motorsports. Sierra and high desert region. Glenn Bonner and Kurtis Harryman have organized some Rock crawling, once a component of of the best rock crawling events in the hardcore recreational four‐wheeling, has West. Sponsors like Off Road Innovations gone competitive. With the enthusiastic (ORI), BF Goodrich and other notables support of Walker Evans and other racing helped CalROCS launch its 2010 season at McCarran, Nevada, east of Reno. Copyright © 2010 by Moses Ludel…This article may be distributed solely by download from www.4WDmechanix.com. Please refer others to the website for a free download copy!

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Steep and craggy, this is a typical crawl event. The Driver Bill Rowlette and spotter Mike Goodwyn begin buggies climb even steeper, near vertical faces. In a heart‐pounding ten minute race. Radio helmets this Full‐Bodied, 40‐inch tire class, many of the keep the team constantly in contact… CalROCS competition vehicles are legal for trail use on Sierra runs like the Rubicon.

The spotter provides “eyes” for the driver. Terrain is so steep and chasms so deep that the driver cannot Bill Rowlette’s “Welder Bill’t Fab Engineering” builds rely upon sheer memory of obstacles. custom steering knuckles for this Dana 60 front axle. Sponsors are vital. Sierra Gears and West Coast Differentials provide axle and differential support.

Here, Mike Goodwyn runs ahead of the vehicle. The track judge watches these Full‐Body Class vehicles closely, making sure they stay on the course. Mike Goodwyn talks steadily to Bill, a seasoned four‐ wheeler. Bill has picked his “line” for this obstacle.

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entertainment. (For more information, visit the www.calrocs.com website.) Jeep and Other Full‐Bodied Crawlers

The exotic, high‐horsepower buggy class vehicles became the rage over the last decade. Under the influence of W.E. Rocks, venues like Moab and King of the Hammers have become the buzz throughout the 4x4 community.

Gaining momentum, the King of the CalROCS judge observes every move. Cones mark the Hammers drew a crowd of more than course boundaries. The judge shouts out time left on the clock to keep the driver and spotter aware. 20,000 people this year. Grassroots, entry level competitors have a real shot at developing skills and a reputation, and CalROCS attracts a range of competitors.

Out of the Sierra region, with its Rubicon Trail, Sierra Trek and Fordyce Creek Trail as a training ground, seasoned ‘wheelers have gravitated to rock crawling competition. At the entry level, bobbed Toyota 4x4 mini‐ trucks and Jeep 4WD rigs have joined the CalROCS competitive ranks.

Here, the judge knows the 1970 CJ‐5 bodied crawler Jeep‐bodied 4x4s remain popular among is within bounds. He watches the spotter and stays to the grassroots competition and spectators. the high side of the vehicle. (Photographing this While the buggy classes tackle incredible event, I stood even higher, surrounded by tall rocks!) This is an adrenaline pumping competition for obstacles and angles, the trail running drivers, spotters, judges and the media. spectators can readily identify with a Jeep set up to conquer rock piles. NASCAR’s full‐ CalROCS’ emergence as a grassroots rock bodied cars coined the phrase, “What wins crawling series came naturally from its on Sunday sells on Monday!” For four‐ northern California base. For 2010, the wheeling, a full‐bodied Jeep plying a rock Reno, Nevada, and Donner Ski Ranch crawler course sends a similar message. (California) areas will provide the venues for five classes of racing: Stock Class, Full Body Much like NASCAR, the full‐bodied Jeep Class, Pro‐Mod Buggy Class, Super Mod in CalROCS competition is anything but Class and Unlimited Class. Adding to the “stock.” Heavily modified for the twisting, family appeal of these competitions, the vertical terrain of rock crawling, these four events will include “Radio Controlled highly altered vehicles face the rigors of Rock Crawling Competitions” plus live axle, frame, suspension, steering assembly and powertrain torture!

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Over a ten‐minute time interval, a vantage of all—the midst of the course. modified, full‐bodied Jeep must resist the Enjoy the drivers’ level view of a premier stresses of tall rocks, ravines, jagged walls form of four‐wheeled competition! and blind drop‐offs. Drivers rely upon the navigational skills of a trained spotter, Note: CalROCS’ second event of the 2010 whose role is to keep the Jeep on course, season will return to the Reno Area on June th th within the boundaries and moving quickly 5 ‐6 . Two additional competitions will enough to complete the obstacles before take place this summer at the Donner Ski the clock runs out. Ranch. See the CalROCS website for more information and details: www.calrocs.com. On the weekend of May 15th‐16th, 4WD Mechanix Magazine covered the McCarran, Nevada, CalROCS event from the best

Racing on the Ledge: Anatomy of a Rollover

will roll over. Included in the winning strategy of each team is a contingency plan for when the vehicle does roll.

Bill Rowlette and Mike Goodwyn make a formidable driver/spotter team. Bill, 38‐ years‐old, has been racing since 2000, initially under RCRA sanctioning. Since CalROCS began in 2008, he has boosted his record impressively: 1st Place Champion for This is a precarious moment for any 2008 and 2nd Place for 2009. Bill ranks well ‘wheeler! The front end has dipped into a after the 2010 season opener. steep ravine in the rocks. Mike watches as the left rear wheel begins to lift. The vehicle Given Bill’s driving talent and race car is already off‐camber on a side slope. Given fabricating prowess, the crowd expected a the conditions, expect the roll‐over! hot finish in each heat at McCarran. Bill and

In rock crawling competition, odds of Mike, dazzling the crowd in an early heat, rolling a vehicle run high. Any competitive encountered the inevitable…I captured the driver would insist that it’s not a matter of rollover sequence on camera. “if” but rather a case of “when” a vehicle

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The compromised center‐of‐gravity and drop of the right front wheel is too much. The Jeep has now committed to a slow rollover. Mike watches…nothing else he can do at this point. I wanted an undercarriage photo of a Jeep ‘Full‐Bodied’ race car. Not this way, however!

Spotter Mike Goodwyn, already in step with the rolling vehicle, heads downhill. Driver Bill Rowlette later reflected on the moment, “At this point, I wanted the Jeep to go all the way over…landing on its wheels!”

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Mike addresses his driver, asking whether Bill is okay. Promoter Kurtis Harryman (orange shirt) has already reached the vehicle…The driver and spotter’s well‐being is always a priority.

Bill Rowlette climbs from the cage opening and heads for the ground. Asked immediately whether he is okay, he sharply responded, “With a five‐point harness, helmet and a roll cage that I built myself, why would I be hurt? Of course, I’m okay!”…Bill is a specialized, professional welder and metal fabricator.

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Members of CalROCS rush to the vehicle and immediately check for fluid leakage and any signs of smoldering or fire. The rules are strict and geared toward preventing spillage into the environment and any risk of fire. There is no apparent trouble…

After some debate and effort to rock the vehicle uphill, the group follows the line of least resistance. In a minute, the vehicle is rolling downhill by hand…

Moses Ludel’s 4WD Mechanix© Magazine…June 2010, Issue #5 10 | Page

The momentum continues as pressure keeps the vehicle moving downward. During competition, the spotter crawls over, under and around the vehicle. This is high stakes competition and not without risk! Everyone signs a waver—including media photographers.

The vehicle continues to roll—right onto its four wheels! It doesn’t get any better. Bill Rowlette’s comment, “If it had done this during the roll, I could have completed the course in time!”

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Hood up, Mike Goodwyn and others quickly check for signs of smoke, fire, smoldering wires or spilled fuel. All’s well…The only effect of the rollover: the radiator overflow bled out onto the hood while the Jeep was upside down.

Bill Rowlette, an official “Pirate of the Rubicon,” gets ready to restart his vehicle. This is all in a rock crawler’s day: the good, the dicey and even a possible rollover! Bill and Mike made the next heat. The following day, Bill came from behind and finished within mere points of an overall 1st place. He goes into the next round of competition at 2nd place, and his plan is to close the gap. There are three more races in the CalROCS 2010 schedule, beginning June 5th‐6th.

Bill Rowlette’s Full‐Bodied ’70 CJ‐5 Jeep

A full‐bodied rock crawler, by the rules, must look like the claimed body type, right by a Griffin radiator; Howell engine wiring down to the hood, tub, tailgate and harness; Bill Rowlette built his own distinguishing features. Bill Rowlette has drivelines with custom mid‐shaft bearing. competed for nearly a decade. He knows All welding/fabrication by Bill Rowlette. the rules and how to win at rock crawling.

As a welder/fabricator, four‐wheeler and trail runner, Bill came into rock crawling competition after years of recreational four‐ wheeling. Having mastered the challenging Sierra trails, competition came naturally.

His 1970 CJ‐5 (body) provides the foundation for a highly competitive vehicle. Here is a rundown of the equipment and modifications it takes to be competitive in the Full‐Bodied, 36‐ to 40‐inch tire class:

The frame: Hand built by Bill Rowlette, TIG Transfer Case & Axles: Transfer case is an welded 2” Schedule 40 pipe, using pre‐ Atlas II with 4.3:1 ratio low range; axles forged fittings and elbows; body and frame are a Dana 60 front, using Bill Rowlette’s lengthened 11” at the doorways, narrowed custom welded steel knuckle system with in the middle. bearings on top (contact Bill by telephone at 916‐628‐9364 for details on his custom Cage and tub: TIG welded cage by Bill’s steering knuckles and bearing kits); Welder Bill’t Fabrication/Engineering; 4130 differentials by Sierra Gears/West Coast in 1‐1/2” tube braces; mid‐frame plating Differentials; rear axle is a Tera 60 CRD and thorough chassis protection; tub is ’70 high pinion; front and rear 4.88:1 axle CJ‐5 Jeep; Corbeau seats with five‐point gearing for 39.5” tire diameters. harnesses; helmets set up with closed circuit radio communication; vehicle Steering: Fully hydraulic, massive ram with designed for extreme trail running and 8” stroke and 40‐degree turning capability; competition. 2‐3/4 steering wheel turns each way from center; steering linkage is over‐the‐road Powertrain: LQ9 6.0L G.M. V‐8 truck engine truck components; pump is stock Corvette. (Gen‐III); Turbo 350 transmission built by Advanced Transmissions‐ATO Performance Tires and Wheels: B.F. Goodrich ‘Red Label’ (Rancho Cordova, California) with a 2,000 competition tires mounted on Walker rpm stall converter; engine rigidly mounted Evans Wheels designed for rock crawling and braced (6‐point system); engine cooled competition and extreme trail use. Copyright © 2010 by Moses Ludel…This article may be distributed solely by download from www.4WDmechanix.com. Please refer others to the website for a free download copy!

Racer Profile: Lisa Trent

Among the competitors at CalROCS’ first Lisa Trent rock crawling event for 2010 was Lisa Trent. Competing in this rugged form of racing Long before her life with Derek, Lisa would be enough in itself. In Lisa and Derek Trent was a Reno native. As Lisa Barrett, she Trent’s case, rock crawling is truly a family progressed through Sun Valley Elementary affair. Serving as spotters for each other and Trainer Middle Schools, graduating when not behind the wheel, the couple has from Sparks High School. In Lisa’s words, “I been totally committed to the sport, long am as local as they come in this area!” before—and since—the birth of their twins a year ago!

Lisa and Derek have earned high honors at rock crawling, and their Reno‐Sparks 4WD shop, Trent Fabrication, is widely known throughout the area. (For details on the 4x4 shop and racing program, visit www.trentfabrication.com.)

Derek Trent, a notable CalROCS driver, spots for Lisa since her recent move to a Lisa’s vocational involvement with the driving role. Behind the wheel, Lisa Trent automotive world began at the age of has fast become a rock crawling contender. fourteen. She worked six years for Kragen Years of spotting for Derek make Lisa a Auto parts before landing a position at savvy ‘wheeler and competitor. She knows rock crawling from the ground up! Copyright © 2010 by Moses Ludel…This article may be distributed solely by download from www.4WDmechanix.com. Please refer others to the website for a free download copy!

motorhead heaven—Summit Racing’s new Though she viewed the competition Sparks, Nevada facility—in 1999. from the spectator area during 2009, Lisa remained active as the team’s manager. Joe While in the thick of high performance Magliano served as Derek's spotter, and the equipment and racing parts, Lisa met Derek two captured the 2009 Championship title. in 2005. The resulting relationship and marriage now includes Jaylyn, 11, Woody, For 2010, Derek and Lisa decided they 10, and the fraternal twins, son Dylan and would each drive in CalROCS. They built daughter Camryn—who celebrated their Lisa’s 2004 Jeep Rubicon Wrangler into a first birthdays the day before CalROCS’ 2010 fully customized, competition rig. The Jeep opener near Reno! features coil‐overs, an Atlas transfer case, four‐link suspension, 40‐inch tires and all Lisa notes that Woody, true to the family the equipment of a bona fide trail runner spirit, started driving off‐road in October of that doubles as a competition rock crawler! 2009 at the ripe age of eight‐years‐old. Imagine the family’s racing future!

Lisa left Summit Racing in 2006 to work with Trent Fabrication. She became Derek's co‐driver for XRRA racing, and they competed as a successful top‐ten team. The couple built a brand new machine, the Trent Fab 100‐proof car, and made the pages of the four‐wheel drive magazines.

In 2008, Derek and Lisa tackled the new CalROCS program and quickly dominated, Derek as the driver, Lisa as the spotter. 2009 was Lisa’s timeout from crawling over This season, Lisa and Derek will each get rock courses, as she focused on a pregnancy wheel time. Derek has a brand new car, the and the birth of their twins. Trent Fab #151 buggy. Watch this team compete during CalROCS’ four‐race season. Best of luck June 5th‐6th at Reno!