Traxxas TORC Series Announces 2009 Midwest Sportsman/ Grassroots Class Champions, 148 Drivers Took the Track in Inaugural Season

By Mike Reusche, MTG

October 6, 2009 (Crandon, WI)-In 2009, the evolution of short-course off-road racing saw the creation of The Off-Road Championship Series or TORC Series. The TORC series, along with the sanctioning body of the United States Auto Club (USAC), created a Midwest race series that was separate from the national touring PRO series. The Midwest series not only gave long time Sportsman racers a place to race, but also a place for the "stars of tomorrow" to develop their talents.

The ten round series made four weekend stops in conjunction with the PROs; two events in Crandon, Wisconsin and two events in Bark River, Michigan, along with a stand alone event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL–Midwest Series, had 148 drivers, representing thirteen states and Canada, competing in eight different classes. This was an excellent turnout, considering the economic condition of our country.

All class championships, except one, were determined on the final weekend of racing at Crandon's 40th Off-Road Racing Celebration, during Labor Day Weekend. Here's how all the 2009 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL–Midwest Series Championships finished.

Super Buggy

The Super Buggy division came down to a three man race, going into the final round of the year. California's Doug Fortin won Round 10, but fell one point short of the championship. Shawn Morris from Colorado and Tim Lemons, from Michigan actually tied for the top spot, with Morris winning the tie breaker and the championship. Fourth place in the standings went to Wisconsin's Scott Schwalbe.

Stock Truck

The Stock Truck division is probably the most competitive and entertaining class of the series. During the season, five different drivers actually held the top spot, and it took the final round before the champion could be named. In the end, Scott Beauchamp took his Chevy to victory in Round 10, to win the championship by one point over last year's champ, Ford driver Eric Ruppel. Don Demeny made Dodge owners proud, coming in third, and Craig Metz rounded off the top-4 in another Ford.

1600 Buggy

In 1600 Buggy, the veteran Mark "Steiny" Steinhardt garnered enough points with his Round 9 third place finish to clinch the title, with one round to go. The runner-up spot saw a tie between the Upper Peninsula's Marc Erickson and Nebraska's John Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald won the tie breaker thanks to his victories in the final weekend. Fourth place in the standings was a former class champion, Mike Seefeldt.

1600 Light Buggy

The 1600 Light Buggy division is where momentum is king. These limited displacement and limited suspension buggies are very similar to road racing's Formula Vee racers. As the championship started the final round of racing, four drivers had a shot at the crown. In the end, it was Wes Frehse taking the top spot with Matt Gerald one point back in second, followed by Greg Stingle and Jeff Virnig.

Limited 2

The only division that had a champion named before the final weekend in Crandon was Limited 2. Keith Steele won the first eight rounds of racing, and then finished second both days in Crandon. The "Man in Black" from Madison, Wisconsin took home the title after Bark River's Round 8. Second place was rookie Luke Johnson. The seventeen year old California high school senior spent much of his summer away from family, while racing and prepping his Limited 2 Chevy. Third place in the championship saw the successful return of Jerry Edgerton to off-road competition. Edgerton, a former champion, took a few years off to put his latest race program together.

Enduro Truck

The Enduro Truck division is another "driver" class where the fastest truck in a straight line rarely wins the race. These vehicles are the closest version to a true street truck. As the field lined up for the final round in Crandon, four drivers had a shot at the championship. In the end, Bob Rinehart in his silver Ford took the title with "Young Gun" Matthew Ives in second. The second place finisher in Round 10, Shaun Bruski finished the year in third, and the final race winner of the season, Bob Birkholz, held the fourth spot.

Classix

The Classix division had a three way battle, literally to the finish. Many of the Classix sedans look like your local circle track Hobby Stocks, with multiple shocks on each corner. Justin Keehner took the top spot in Round 10, which gave him the 2009 title. Robert Weiland finished second in Round 10 and one point behind Keehner in the championship. Finishing third for the year was Dale Chestnut. Chestnut was only three points behind Keehner for the year.

Formula 4x4

The Formula 4x4 division is very closely related to the old desert Class 3 racers. In fact, over the years several desert competitors have come to the Midwest to try their skills at short-course racing. In 2009, Indiana's Dave DeMaegd took home the championship. Dave Miah and Jim Ridderbush were in a battle for second place, but a strong showing by Miah in Crandon gave him the runner-up spot, with Ridderbush in third.

There you have it, a quick rundown on the 2009 Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL–Midwest Championship. By the looks of the number of competitors and how strong the 2009 competition was in the Midwest, racers and fans can look forward to an even better 2010 season.

The Traxxas TORC Series- The Off Road Championship, presented by AMSOIL is the world's premier short course off road series. TORC drivers push the limits with 900 horsepower, action-packed fender pounding on challenging natural terrain racetracks. The 2009 season schedule includes stops in Texas, California, Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin. For more information on TORC please visit www.torcseries.com.