Ross Hoek Motorsports

June 3, 2008 (Holland, MI) - Ross Hoek Motorsports began the 2008 Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing season with an ambitious plan; to compete in the Super Truck and PRO-2WD division with the race truck. The Skyjacker Suspensions Herculiner Raybestos Brakes Goodyear Tire race truck would be configured to the Super Truck rules, minimizing the prep work between each round of racing. In the past, Ross has been a top competitor in both full-size truck divisions, the additional racing made for an exciting weekend for RHM fans and supporters.

“Our program really came together the second half of last year. Competing in PRO-2WD and Super Truck was designed to maximize the exposure for our marketing partners and give me more seat time this weekend” explained Ross Hoek during a brief Saturday morning meeting. “Wheatland is very technical which will allow us to be competitive in both classes.”

The race facility in Wheatland, Missouri has to be one of the premier stock car short facilities in the country. It offers the very best amenities for the racer and the spectator. The Lucas Oil Speedway is truly a “Diamond in the Dirt.”

Saturday – Round 1 – Super Truck

The afternoon practice session saw everything go very well for Ross Hoek and his #210 Skyjacker Suspensions race truck. After a few minor adjustments, the team waited patiently for the evening festivities to begin. Unfortunately Mother Nature did not want to cooperate. Rain began to fall late in the afternoon. Eventually the rain stopped around 7:30pm, and by 9:00pm WSORR officials brought out the Super Trucks out for the first race of the 2008 season.

With the main grandstands and skyboxes nearly filled to capacity, the Super Trucks were lined up ready to go. The rain showers made the entire track a quagmire. The first race of the season became as much of a battle with the track conditions as with the other racers. Once the green flag was waved, the Super Truck field quickly spread out over the track. Within a couple of laps, Ross Hoek was in a battle for the second position with Keith Steele. The two swapped positions a number of times. At the finish, Ross landed on the podium with a hard fought second place finish.

Just after the completion of Super Truck race, heavy rain, accompanied with lightning, began to fall. The WSORR officials cancelled the rest of the Saturday night program.

Sunday – Round 1 – PRO-2WD

The rain had stopped sometime before dawn, and the track workers did their best to put the track into some type of racing shape. The WSORR officials started the race program mid-morning in order to finish all the first round races and still have enough time to finish the second rounds. Fortunately the weather cooperated, the sun came out and the show went on.

The starting grid for PRO-2WD had the #21 on the outside of row 1. As the field headed for Turn One, Hoek narrowly missed disaster, as #99 Probst, barrel rolled in front of the Goodyear Tires equipped Skyjacker truck. Kevin was unharmed and the race continued. The track conditions were ideal, as the track was dry and dust free. After the ten lap affair, Ross Hoek finishes in sixth place.

With only an hour to prep, for Round Two racing, the Ross and the crew immediately went to work.

Sunday - Round 2 – Super Truck

The race started with Ross quickly moving into the third position. As he was beginning to challenge for the second spot, when his fuel pump began cutting out, slowing his pace considerably. At the finish, the #210 Skyjacker Herculiner Raybestos Brakes Goodyear Tire Super Truck came home in fifth place.

Sunday – Round 2 – PRO-2WD

Quickly the crew went to work replacing the fuel pump, as the team made the PRO-2WD starting grid with only minutes to spare. The final race out the weekend saw Ross run hard and clean, as his Goodyear Tires were really working well with the Missouri clay. In the end, Ross crossed the finish line in fifth place.

Once the hectic day of racing was complete, Ross commented on the opening weekend of the 2008 World Series of Off-Road Racing. “Last night the water and mud really made that first race, an exercise in survival. Then to come out here and race today it was unbelievable. Everyone at WSORR did an incredible job. If you saw what the track looked like at 8:30 in the morning, you would have never believe we could go racing, but we did and the condition were great. Hats off to my crew, the pressure we were under, running both classes, great job. Our Goodyear Tires really worked well with our Skyjacker Suspensions truck. Wet, dry, muddy, whatever, they performed flawlessly. This was our first race with Raybestos Brake and never had a problem all weekend long. Thanks again to Herculiner for their continued support as well.”

Currently Ross Hoek is in third place in 2008 WSORR Super Truck standings, and fifth place in the PRO-2WD division.

The next race for Ross Hoek Motorsports is the Forest County Potawotomi Brush Run, June 21-22, in Crandon, Wisconsin.

Ross Hoek would like to thanks all his partners including:

Skyjacker Suspension
Goodyear Tires
Herculiner Truck Bed Liners
Raybestos Brakes
Royal Purple Synthetic Oils
Fox Racing Shox
Allied Racing Wheels
Lane Automotive
All Star Performance 		Motor State Distributing
ATD Transmissions
Jeff's Bronco Graveyard
C&R Racing Radiators
T&D Machine Products
Dart Blocks
ARP
MSD Ignitions 		REM Chemicals
Auto Meter
Racer-X Motorsports
Miller Electric Welders
G-Force Racing Gear
Stoner Products
Optima Batteries
Finishmaster / PPG

For more information please visit: www.rosshoek.com

Mike Reusche, marketing, MTG – mike@mt-graphics.com