Funco Motorsports’ Chad George Partners with Discount Tire & Traxxas

Simon | March 27, 2012

Rialto, CA (March 26, 2012) – Funco Motorsports’ driver, Chad George, will campaign new colors this racing season in the #42 Discount Tire / Traxxas / Yokohama Pro-Lite Unlimited; and will debut this weekend at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Arizona for the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORRS) opener. Chad’s teammate & cousin, Garrett George, will round-out the short-course duties while contending in the fierce Pro-Buggy Unlimited class with his #71 FUNCO / Anenberg / Yokohama race machine.

As the reigning SuperLite champion and a 4-time UTV champion, Chad George’s championship charge in 2011 on the track with off-the-shelf Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T-S tires didn’t go unnoticed. Now, Discount Tire – the largest independent tire retailer in the US, Traxxas -The Fastest name in Radio Control®, and the championship winning Yokohama are aligning themselves with the top of the class. It’s clear that the new force behind Funco Motorsports is looking for nothing less than victory, and the same high standards that Funco Motorsports has held for over 30 years of their racing heritage.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Yokohama and supporting Chad for the 2012 season. He is coming off a great 2011 season and we are confident he will continue his winning ways” – Discount Tire

“Chad George was born into a tradition of off-road racing and he eats, breathes and lives the sport with enviable passion and energy. Traxxas is excited to partner with Chad as he ascends into the Pro Light ranks and my team looks forward to seeing him on top of the podium.” – Mike Jenkins, Traxxas – President

“We’re excited to be back with Funco and Chad George for a full Pro-Lite Unlimited season in 2012. Chad did an amazing job winning the 2011 SuperLite championship on Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T-S tires last year and now we have a great opportunity to show what we can do together in ProLite. The Funco team is always well prepared and Chad is clearly a very talented driver. We fully expect him to continue his winning ways this season. ” – Andrew Briggs, Yokohama Tire Corporation – Director of Product Planning and Motorsports

While the excitement has been building off-track, Chad had the opportunity to do some pre-season testing before the Round 1 opener on March 31st. Chad commented, “After Saturday’s test session, I’m really excited and confident that we have the right package; I’m ready to buckle down and put the Discount Tire/Traxxas/Yokohama dirt slayer on the podium!” Besides seeking the coveted 2012 Pro-Lite Unlimited Championship, he will be chasing the Rookie of the Year award, an award earned by a driver for his accomplishments as a first-year contender in that respective class.

Meanwhile, Garrett, the son of the multi-time short course champion, Greg George, is looking for his break-out season to carve his own path as a George racing champion. For off-season warm-up, he’s been attacking grand-prix style races in his factory backed Kawasaki Teryx UTV; and with impressive lap times during his 2011 late season debut to Pro-Buggy Unlimited, this young 22 year-old athlete is showing he has the desire and talent to battle for the championship and Rookie of the Year.

Funco Motorsports and the George Family extends a special thanks to friends, Abu Dhabi Unlimited and all other partners for their exceptional support to build Funco Motorsports into a powerhouse contender for the 2012 Pro-Lite Unlimited Championship, Pro-Buggy Unlimited Championship and Rookie of the Year in each class.

Join Chad on Facebook and Twitter (@chadgeorgesxs)

Chad George – #42 Discount Tire / Traxxas / Yokohama Pro-Lite Unlimited:
Abu Dhabi Unlimited, Lucas Oil Products, King Shocks, Bull BBQ, ASL Builders, ProAm Racing Products, MB Wheels, PUS – Performance Utility Supply, Speed Energy, Kawasaki Motor Corp., CBR, UTVunderground, C&G Performance, Fiberwerx, California Performance, Oakley, Vision-X, Anenberg and PayDirt Media

Garrett George – #71 FUNCO / Anenberg / Yokohama Pro-Buggy Unlimited:
Kawasaki Motor Corp., C & G Performance, Bull BBQ, King Shocks, California Performance, ProAm Raing Products, Lucas Oil Products, PUS- Performance Utility Supply, ASL Builders, UTVunderground, Speed Energy,Vision-X and PayDirt Media

Watch for Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series television coverage on MAV TV, SPEED, CBS Sports, NBC Sports throughout the 2012 season, or visit www.lucasoiloffroad.com

About Discount Tire:
With more than 800 stores in 23 states, Discount Tire Company, founded in 1960, has grown to become the world’s largest independent tire and wheel retailer today. Discount Tire’s professionals are expertly trained in the latest product offerings, vehicle fitments, installation techniques and safety and quality issues. Discount Tire’s commitment to auto racing has been seen across the globe through sponsored athletes, Brad Keselowski in NASCAR, Dai Yoshihara for Drifting and Chad Reed in Supercross. Visit www.discounttire.com

About Traxxas:
Traxxas is The Fastest Name In Radio Control® and builds the fastest Ready-To-Race® R/C models in the world. Its fastest cars and trucks can top 100mph, with powerful nitro-burning 2-stroke engines and state-of-the-art brushless electric motors. Traxxas models are sold in hobby stores worldwide and online at www.Traxxas.com

About Yokohama: Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes the all-new AVID® Ascend™ – the first mass-market tire using Yokohama’s breakthrough orange oil technology – as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com

About Funco Motorsports: Founded by Gil George over 30 years ago, FUNCO Motorsports is the leading manufacture of high performance sand, off-road cars and custom UTV’s . Their unique designs and family oriented service has sold over 400 custom Big 5 Model cars and their entry into the UTV market has been explosive too. With 4 consecutive championships, FUNCO Motorsports has proven that their experience on the track translates into quality, race-proven products for all UTV enthusiasts www.funco-motorsports.com

About Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series: The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) is the evolution of the long standing support of short course racing by Forrest Lucas and Lucas Oil Products. Steeped in the Midwest tradition of short course off road racing infused with a West Coast influence, LOORRS brings intense four wheel door to door action to challenging, fan friendly tracks. Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series: This is Short Course. For more information please visit www.lucasoiloffroad.com

2012 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Schedule
Rnd 1 – March 31 – Firebird Raceway – Chandler, AZ
Rnd 2 – April 1 – Firebird Raceway – Chandler, AZ
Rnd 3 – April 21 – Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, Lake Elsinore, CA
Rnd 4 – April 22 – Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, Lake Elsinore, CA
Rnd 5 – May 19 – Speedworld Off Road Park, Surprise, AZ
Rnd 6 – May 20 – Speedworld Off Road Park, Surprise, AZ
Rnd 7 – June 23 – Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, UT
Rnd 8 – June 24 – Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, UT
Rnd 9 – August 4 – Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, CA
Rnd 10 – August 5 – Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, CA
Rnd 11 – August 25 – Wild West Motorsports Park, Sparks, NV
Rnd 12 – August 26 -Wild West Motorsports Park, Sparks, NV
Rnd 13 – September 22 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV
Rnd 14 – September 23 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV
Rnd 15 – October 27 – Firebird Raceway, Chandler, AZ

Lucas Oil Off-Road Challenge Cup
October 28 – Firebird Raceway, Chandler, AZ