BITD: Olliges teams with McGillivray at Mesquite 300

Steve Olliges to Team-up with Kevin McGillivray for Best in the Desert's Silver State 300

Las Vegas, Nevada (Sept. 22, 2009) Looking to defend last year's Trick Truck class win at Best in the Desert's (BITD) Silver State 300, Steve Olliges has teamed up with Kevin McGillivray in the No. 56 Team Ford-sponsored Trick Truck for this year's race. Qualifying second during last year's event, Olliges will once again get behind the wheel during Thursday's Time Trials in hopes of repeating or improving over his starting position in the 2008 Silver State 300 race.

"When Kevin McGillivray asked me to drive part of the race and also qualify, I was excited to once again get behind the wheel of a Trick Truck and was honored that Kevin asked me to be a part of the team. After John Swift and I won this race over Jerry Whelchel by nearly two minutes last year and also placing second at Parker this year, it was a difficult decision to not continue racing in the Trick Truck class for the remainder of the 2009 season. When I was presented with the incredible opportunity to partner up with Ford and Rob MacCachren on the Raptor race program, it was a no-brainer so that is where I have been focusing the majority of my efforts. I am definitely excited to drive both trucks (the No. 56 and the Raptor) in the race this coming weekend," commented Steve Olliges.

Pulling double-duty during this year's Silver State 300, Olliges will start the race in the No. 56 SPD-built, Ford F-150 Trick Truck and will finish out the competition by bringing the Raptor across the finish line. After handing off the truck to McGillivray at race mile 190, Steve will get behind the wheel of the Ford Raptor for the remaining 131 miles of brutal Nevada terrain.

"Hopefully we can repeat last year's success and take home the overall victory in Trick Truck class and also the class win in the Ford Raptor. That truly would be an incredible race weekend," remarked Olliges.

Look for the No. 56 Team Ford-branded Trick Truck and the No. 8110 Ford Raptor at this weekend's Best in the Desert Silver State 300. Both trucks will finish out the 2009 BITD season at the Henderson Desert Classic race, December 4th - 6th.

About Best in the Desert's Silver State 300:

Starting in the historic cattle-ranching town of Alamo, the Silver State 300 race takes place in the high-desert of Eastern Nevada. Traversing through rocky and rough terrain, the Silver State race is a challenging 321 mile course featuring a variety of elevation changes, sandy washes, and water crossings. Incorporated into this year's competition is 110 miles of new racecourse taking the chase teams through some of the oldest and most legendary mining towns in Nevada. As the fourth race of Best in the Desert's five race 2009 season, the Silver State 300 is undoubtedly an important competition for racers in the points contention.

About Steve Olliges:

In 1994 Steve not only won the Baja 1000 and the SCORE International championship in his Ford Lightning F-150, he was also invited to join the Rough Riders with legendary and loyal Ford racers such as John Swift and Rob MacCachren. Steve's involvement with the Rough Riders and his association with the most accomplished off-road racers is what he attributes much of his race successes to.

In 2000 Olliges once again partnered up with Rob MacCachren and together they won the Best in the Desert Series championship in a class 7S Ford Ranger Edge. What began as a one year agreement to race Ford's newly launched Ranger evolved into a five year partnership with over 16 class wins and three championship titles.

With the launch of the Ford Raptor F-150 race program at the 2008 Baja 1000, life has once again come full circle. Staying loyal to Ford through their entire racing careers, Steve Olliges and Rob MacCachren have once again teamed up as the drivers of record for the Raptor race program for the entire 2009 Best in the Desert Series. Finishing second for the first three races of the season, the Raptor has already proven itself to be a formidable competitor with Steve and Rob continuing Ford's long-standing off-road racing heritage. With over 30 class wins and 7 championship titles to his credit, Steve has enjoyed numerous off-road race successes throughout his career.

-credit: soPR