Dirt Riot Mountain Championship Won by Lovell Brothers

UTV Weekly | July 12, 2013

Colorado Springs, CO 7/8/2013 – The Dirt Riot Mountain Series finale was held this past weekend in the scorched landscape outside of Cortez, CO. The heat and short silty course made for the most challenging racing conditions of the Dirt Riot season. Coming into the final event leading season points, team Lovell and the #1 AMSOIL / Torchmate / BFGoodrich Tires rock racer were not only looking for a win, but a championship.

While Roger Lovell claimed victory in the Colorado Springs event, he had obligations due to the fires in Colorado and was unable to make the race. This left Brad solo in the car fighting visibility on a tight and twisting course. “Qualifying on the pole was really really important in this race,” said Brad, “It was basically a drag race and there are plenty of other teams with more horsepower. I had a solid run but it was only good for a 4th place start.” Limited classes took to the track and dust plumes billowed into the air as the soft silty course got torn up.

As the 4400 class started, temperatures maxed out near 100 degrees and visibility was near zero. “The first few laps were blinding. I would push hard into the dust but then see bushes or rocks where they didn’t belong. I hit boulders so hard I was sure I destroyed something. Everyone was getting flats. I really have to hand it to Method Race Wheels and BFGoodrich Tires – they were bruised but but didn’t fail!” Lovell was able to climb two spots in the first half of the race. “I knew we were in 2nd and then I got word that the leader had a flat. He got out of the pits just in front of me but we had the lead on corrected time so I just followed his dust trail and didn’t take any chances.”

Unfortunately, after a few laps, Lovell’s luck changed. Excess heat started to vapor lock the fuel pumps and cause the engine to cut out. The pit crew added fuel several times to compensate but temperatures kept climbing. “There wasn’t much to do. I couldn’t keep pace and the engine was barely running. I dumped all my water on the pumps to cool them and was able to limp it to the finish line in 6th. Not the finish we wanted but we had a great weekend either way. The camaraderie at these races is awesome. The guys from Jimmys 4×4 and Luck Dog Racing really helped us out and we passed on the favor to others.”

While the battle was a disappointment, Brad & Roger Lovell won the war and have been crowned 2013 Dirt Riot Mountain Champions! Brad explains, “It is really special to me because we truly won this together. We raced both individually and as a team. We wouldn’t have come out on top without Roger winning in Colorado Springs. This is our 9th team championship, thats something to celebrate!”

Lovell Racing once again switches focus to the Traxxas TORC Series July 19th & 20th in at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL. The #1 AMSOIL / Torchmate / BFGoodrich Tires Pro-Light is now 3rd in series points after a rough start to the season. Watch live on the Speed Channel as team continues their momentum built in Bark River and Crandon.

About Lovell Racing:

Lovell Racing is dedicated to winning off-road races at the highest levels of competition. The team is owned by brothers Brad & Roger Lovell. Together they compete in nearly every 4-wheel off-road venue including TORC short course races, desert races, rock races, and hill climbs. In 9 years the brothers have earned 8 championships and a Baja 1000 class win. In 2013, the team will defend their TORC Pro-Light Championship and compete in a variety of other races including King of the Hammers.

Follow the team at Facebook/44BradLovell .

Lovell Racing Team Partners:

AMSOIL, Torchmate, BFGoodrich Tires, 4 Wheel Parts, Nissan, Spidertrax Off-Road, Lincoln Welders, Method Race Wheels. WARN, Aeroquip, Fox Racing Shox, Magnaflow, FK Rod Ends, Howe, Motive Gear, Robinson Construction, Ron Davis Racing Products, Eibach, Powertank, ATD Transmissions, and Roush Yates Performance Parts