TORC: Scott Taylor Crandon event summary

Scott Taylor Shows Speed at TORC Opener

Belvidere, IL (June 21, 2010) - The epicenter of short course off-road racing is Crandon, Wisconsin, and was the perfect venue to begin the 2010 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL. The most successful PRO-2 driver in the track's history, Scott Taylor, was well prepared and looking to keep his reputation at the Big House intact.

The off-season saw several changes to the off-road racing landscape. The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL is now under the full control of USAC. The track Scott Taylor considers his home, Crandon International, made several changes to the layout. Several corners were made wider as clay banking was added. Then TORC also brought back the "trademark" that made Crandon famous, the land rush start. Late this winter, Scott Taylor redesigned his 2008 built Wernimont PRO-2 chassis. Subtle changes were made to improve the truck's balance and weight in direct relation to the size of his RoushYates powerplant.

Saturday Round One

After early morning practice, the team felt very confident with the performance of the #8 Miller Welders BFGoodrich Ford F-150. Scott and crew chief Mike Kasch, decided to make a gear change in an effort to get that "something extra" on the competition. Quickly the crew went to work and had the truck ready well ahead of schedule.

The land rush start saw the Miller Welders Ford come out of Turn One in third place. The pace of the race was the fastest ever for a PRO-2 race. By lap three Scott was applying pressure to the second place truck. The gear change was really working, actually too good. The truck was getting that extra bite, but it was really stressing the left rear tire. Just after the competition yellow Scott knew it would be a race to the finish in more ways then one. The last two laps saw the #8 fall back and finish sixth.

"You do know our BFGoodrich Tires have incredible traction," exclaimed Scott Taylor. "I took a gamble with the gear change, but there are times when too much traction can be a hindrance. This was a lesson learned."

Sunday Round Two

The Taylor Racing crew went through some notes and selected a gear set more suitable to the new found hardness of the track.

The land rush start saw the blue Miller Welders RoushYates BFGoodrich Ford F-150 speed past the front stretch in second place. By lap three Scott a slight puff of blue smoke came out the side of the #8 Ford. Then suddenly the transmission input shaft broke, leaving the truck powerless.

Immediately after getting the race truck back to the transporter, Mike, Dustin, Alan, Kevin, and Scott all went to work replacing the transmission for the weekend's big money event, 17th Annual Crandon Cup Challenge.

Crandon Cup

As usual Taylor Racing had Scott lined up and ready with plenty of time to spare. The start was clean as the #8 Ford was leading the pack heading the Ford Trucks Skybox back stretch. As the pack of PRO-2 trucks came into Calamity Corner, Scott caught a rut and nearly rolled. By the time he gathered it up; the rest of the PRO-2 field went by, putting him in the line of fire for the fast approaching PRO-4 pack.

As Scott attempted to make up the lost ground, there was quite a bit of contact with a couple of PRO-4 drivers over the next few laps. At one point Scott and Johnny Greaves made contact causing both to roll over simultaneously without ever stopping. Eventually damage to the truck's steering made the truck impossible to drive at race speeds, ending the weekend early for the former Crandon Cup champion.

As the teams were packing up, Scott took a few moments to look back on the weekend.

"This weekend our team showed everyone we continue to be one of the elite of the class. Hats off the Jeff Kincaid, it looks like he has made the transition to the full size trucks fairly quick. Once again the best drivers in short-course racing are here with TORC. Our truck is really working well right from the start. We had a couple bumps in the road this weekend, but you can guarantee we will be right in the mix for the top spot at Bark River."

Next Race: July 10-11, Bark River, Michigan.

-source: - www.taylorsoffroadracing.com