Team AMSOIL Lovell Looks for Vengeance at Area BFE

UTV Weekly | April 5, 2013

Colorado Springs, CO 4/1/13 – After failing to start King of the Hammers due to catastrophic engine failure the Lovell Brothers were out for vengeance at the second race of their season. The pair returned to defend their 2012 Moab Dirt Riot win at one of off-road’s premier playgrounds – Area BFE. This privately owned park is run through donations and for the second time, hosted the opening round of the Dirt Riot Mountain Series.

“I felt like we let everyone down at KOH and it really ignited a fire to get back on top,” reflected Brad, “Right or wrong, we were out to prove something.” The first battle went to team Lovell as they qualified the AMSOIL/Torchmate/BFGoodrich rock racer on the pole. The blazing fast run would benefit the pair as they would not have to fight dust in the first lap.

The brothers blasted off into the ruts, boulders, and ledges that make up Area BFE. They were quickly pulling away from the pack and soon battling lap traffic. Brad explains, “The dust was blinding in spots. We were running up hard on lap traffic and there is no room for error on this course. I didn’t see it or feel it, but somehow we grenaded our driveshaft on a rock.” Roger and Brad scrambled to replace the shaft but the damage was done as the repair took nearly 20 minutes. The team finished the first heat in a disappointing 11th place.

The second heat started and the team now had nothing to loose. In the first lap they forced their way to 5th. Roger adds, “Our Torchmate teammate JT Taylor got on the radio and told us we were making progress and to push it right to the limit. Brad drove harder than I have ever seen. We were risking it all.” Amazing’y the BFGoodrich prototype tires held up to the overwhelming abuse but the temperatures were climbing. The engine was nearing 240 degrees and the transmission was well over 260. “AMSOIL has told us not to worry about high temps so we showed it little respect. If the truck was willing to move, we were going to push it as hard as it would go.”

As the checkers flew, the team’s “risk it all” effort was good enough to land them in 2nd place. “We really wanted the the win but I’m pleased with the finish given the breakage, says Brad, “I love this course, its a true rock race and exciting – just what an Ultra 4 is designed for.”

Brad Lovell will defend his 2012 TORC Championship starting 4/12 & 13 at the opening rounds of the Traxxas TORC Series in Dodge City, KS. Catch the racing LIVE on the SPEED Channel at 9pm EST on Sat 4/13.

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