Second Annual ROC Race Podium for Torchmate Team in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Massive jumps, banked turns, punishing boulders and near vertical climbs set the scene for an endurance rock race in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Second Annual ROC Race in Colorado Springs, Colorado combined short course racing with rock crawling
Second Annual ROC Race in Colorado Springs, Colorado combined short course racing with rock crawling

Near vertical climbs were part of the course for Torchmate Racing Driver Roger Lovell
Near vertical climbs were part of the course for Torchmate Racing Driver Roger Lovell
The 2nd annual ROC Race was a blend of short course racing and rock crawling. The jumps sent trucks leaping into the air before they were ripped and dented by the various sections of rocks. The Torchmate Racing Team was in the middle of it all.
Buggy jumps ripped up the 2.6 mile course in the Second Annual Rock Race
Buggy jumps ripped up the 2.6 mile course in the Second Annual Rock Race

Torchmate Racing Team makes the podium in the 2nd Annual ROC Race in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Torchmate Racing Team makes the podium in the 2nd Annual ROC Race in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Roger Lovell made the call to tackle the race solos. “I wanted to see what I could do and push the limit while only risking my own neck,” he said. “It was a really important call. The unforgiving gap jumps stretched out to 35 feet.”

“Roger proved that consistency and precision are his strengths in a race truck,” said his brother, Brad Lovell. “He completed all seven laps of racing and multiple laps of practice with no damage to the vehicle. He also marked a fast time of 9:06:22 which put him in third place.”

Brad Lovell took the wheel of the No. 232 Torchmate Ford and quickly became the leader. Lovell lined up for the longest gap jump when one of his competitors went for the pass. The No.4 truck hit Lovell in the air and landed on him, fortunatley he did not get hurt. The crash ripped off the body and sent the No. 232 into a roll. The truck was badly damaged and Lovell was not able to complete the run. The pit crew repaired the truck enough to compete in the final two races and Lovell brought home the win.

“There is a lot of silt and fine dust on these courses but our K&N air filters keep the debris out of our engines,” said Lovell. “K&N also prevents our sensors from clogging up. We need K&N air filters on these difficult courses.”

The team will compete next in the Baja 500.

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