Ross Hoek Motorsports Begins Greatest Challenge – TORC PRO-4×4

Holland, MI (May 28, 2013) – Ross Hoek knew coming into the 2013 season that his program would be facing new challenges racing at the pinnacle of short-course off-road racing, TORC PRO-4×4. After 13 years in the sport and racing in every truck division from Sportsman Stock to PRO-2WD Ross knew it was time to step it up yet again. Purchasing the Greaves championship PRO-4×4 chassis just before Christmas the team undertook the challenges of updating the truck. The 2013 season will be a year of learning, so the team took its time to make sure everything was ready and right before heading to the track.
 
After fitting the new engine, transmission, and adjusting the cockpit to accommodate Ross and his ISP seat, the truck was completed just before the Eldora event. Unfortunately, this left little time for any serious testing. After a couple quick tests in the shop parking lot and an afternoon in an open field, everything seemed to be working just fine so the team loaded up the hauler and headed for western Ohio.
 
Once the team set up shop at Eldora, Mother Nature decided to unleash heavy rainstorms. The excessive amounts of moisture in the ground caused TORC officials to cancel all of Friday’s practice and race activities as well as the Saturday afternoon practice sessions, allowing the track crew to take evasive action to dry out the racing surface.
 
The TORC race plan was revised for weather to have all four classes to go racing Live on Speed without any time on the track. With very little time driving time in the #10 Motive Gear/Auto Trans Design/Maxxis Tire/Toyota, Ross Hoek pulled into staging looking to gain some very valuable experience in his first ever PRO-4 event.
 
When Ross started the truck to follow the pace truck onto the track he immediately smelled something burning. With no time and no visible problem Ross hoped it was oil on the headers and pulled into the infield of the famed Eldora oval. A quick inspection revealed a glowing red alternator. A violent first lap crash damaging the catch fence gave the team time to disconnect the failed alternator and get Ross back in the truck for some valuable test laps.
 
With the race under a full course caution, Ross was able to re-enter the thirty lap feature only two laps down. The remaining laps saw the #10 Toyota gain valuable experience as he stayed clear of the leaders on his way to a sixth place finish.
 
“The weather really prevented us from getting any seat time,” remarked Ross Hoek. “If we had any type of practice before the race, the alternator problem would have been found and fixed before any green flag racing. We have over a month before the next race and we will find somewhere to go testing and feel this truck out. I know we have a great truck capable of running up front but getting me up to speed driving a four wheel drive is the greatest challenge in my career. The next step is Bark River which is my best track historically. Our performance there will definitely show improvement.”
 
The next race on the TORC schedule is June 15-16 in Bark River, Michigan.
 
RHM would like to thank its sponsors including:
 
Motive Gear, Jeff’s Bronco Graveyard, AMSOIL, Auto Trans Design, Maxxis Tires, 
R2C Performance, ISP Seats, RacerX, Allstar Performance, Auto Meter, MSD Ignition, Invisible Glass, Fox Shox, and REM Chemicals.