W.E. ROCK :: World Extreme Rockcrawling

W.E.ROCK Put Up or Shut Up Shootout ::: Congress, AZ

Tom Haman making the A1 Drop, one of two drivers that "Put Up" ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

The Put Up or Shut Up Shootout (PUSU) has been an event in the past were teams get a chance to get their feet wet or test new parts and products for the next season before they get into the thick of action.

This year it was much more like a battle of Man vs. Machine vs. Mother Nature (terrain and weather). Surprisingly even with the bad weather the spectators still came out in droves offering W.E.ROCK a record attendance at the PUSU event.

The action started with the National Anthem and the new voice of W.E.ROCK, Dustin Webster giving play-by-play commentary for all that showed. Webster's previous careers involving the combination of live entertainment acts and an all-star showing as one of Rock Crawling's premier drivers proved to be a perfect match as rock fans, teams, and partners alike all had entertaining live results within a moments notice.

Covering the Competition Marshall's roll was long time veteran and highly respected Rachel Benoit who has about revolutionized the art of the W.E.ROCK rules in every aspect. Her on and off course decisiveness has set the tone for all competitors under the W.E.ROCK Brand creating a fair and level playing field for all participants.

The introduction of the two W.E.ROCK staff members is crucial, as you the reader will soon find out throughout this event write-up and the following write-ups throughout the year.

The Voice of W.E.ROCK, Dustin Webster signing autographs for the young fans of W.E.ROCK ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

Ok, Back to the battles So what happens when you get 20 of the top teams from all over the U.S. in various classes and let them compete head to head? The PUSU, which allows all classes to complete against each other in the only "open" event in the world of Rock Crawling, allows for the real battles to occur and takes a once thought domination by any certain class to a real test.

All classes against each other, how to do it and challenge all participants? Course Designer Lil' Rich explains, "All the courses had a close look to various lines that would offer a fun factor to everyone involved." Protégé Chris Pilafas added, "We kicked out 2-3 different lines for every set of gates, it has the opportunity to challenge everyone that shows."

The rain added to the lines making every one of them more difficult and some of them nearly impassable. Through all this teams still pushed their vehicles to the absolute limits giving the fans an amazing show that was worth the headache of rain. Jody Everding said it best, "It's amazing what we drive when it's dry, now that it's wet it only gives us more of the ability to run the piss out of our horsepower!"

Matt Messer with Team Trail Gear kickin in his new Unlimited vehicle. Matt will join a handful of rookies in the upper two ranks of the Pro Modified and Unlimited class ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

The courses... A1: Two people recorded the lowest score at 3 points. 2006 Grand and World Champ Jason Paule in a Twisted Customs Rear-Steer Unlimited and Hometown Hero Bruce Zeller in the famed "Scrapper" Unlimited fought hard to pull in their low score; Bruce even went to the extent of dropping off a 11 foot -10 pt bonus for the tie. The next lowest score was 13 pts recorded by 2006 Western U.S. Nationals Champ Tracy Jordan and Darren Runion who took two years off, both of which were driving Unlimited vehicles. 5th overall score was the Pro Modified team of Weston Blackie and Dave Schider.

Darren Runion sizing up the Bonus Line on Course A2, Runion will be making a comeback to the Unlimited Class in his Chris Durham Chassis after sitting out for nearly two years ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

A2: Consisting of a wicked loose rock and dirt hill-climb with an off camber, left hand turn over huge belly hanging rocks; Formula Toy Champ and new Unlimited Rookie driver Matt Messer of Trail Gear stole the lowest score with a -1. Next with a score of 0 was the two Pro Modified Drivers of former Mod Stock Champ Jody Everding and 2 time World Champ Dean Bulloch. Zeller and Jordan in Unlimited vehicles took the next best score with 3 pts.

Weston Blackie avoiding a cone on a -10 pt Bonus on A3, Blackie scored lower than most in a Pro Modified vehicle and looks to have a successful year as one of the top drivers of the 2006 rookie class ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

A3: This course nearly dominated every team; the only three that finished was 2005 Grands Champ Jesse Haines with a score of 5, Tracy Jordan with a 12, and Jason Paule with a 14. The lowest scores were controlled primarily Rear-Steer Vehicles with two drag axles in Messer and Blackie earning only progress points with no finish or bonus points.

Tracy Jordan kicking it sideways while attempting the Regular Gates that only 3 teams completed ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

A4: Registering as one of the most difficult courses of the weekend, only the 2006 World Champion was able to pull it off, while even doing it with style. Jason Paule finished with a -8 while the next closest was Jesse Haines (who couldn't finish the final climb due to time) and Unlimited Rookie Mark Ruffing (who broke a Ring and Pinion on the last climb). Most teams were denied on the first set of gates, which consisted of an off camber, throttle assault climb which Paule and Haines crawled.

A simple miscommunication between judges and staff made for easier navigatable routes for teams ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

B1: One of the easiest courses of the weekend, B1 had several bonuses that still temped many teams and cost several to not finish. Matt Messer who went for two of the three bonuses and came out with a -14 and recorded the lowest score. Next was Jesse Haines with -8, Paule with a -7, 2007 PUSU 5th place Bill Kreisel with a -6, and Jordan with a -5.

Jason Paule checking his route while navigating one of the courses ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

B2: Claiming many with the temptations of Bonuses scattered like piñata candy, B2 would throw a curveball in the field. The top guys stayed consistent for the most part, but we saw big names being in unfamiliar places. For example, Weston Blackie and Jody Everding recording a 19 while Dean Bulloch recording the second lowest score in virtually the same Pro Modified vehicle (minus motor, tranny, t-case setup) with a -3 beating many other top names.

Jody Everding rolling in the exact place as Jesse Haines, Everding however somehow managed to stay in bounds clearing a path for his future 5th place finish ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

B3: B3 surprised many like B2. It took Jesse Haines, who was 10 feet from recording the lowest score of the weekend, and placed him with one of the highest scores and a spectacular roll over. However, it also place Tracy Jordan within Striking Distance from 1st place Jason Paule.

Jesse Haines driving The Shootout and bumping up from 4th to 3rd ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

B4: Only five teams recorded a finish on the B4 course. The lowest and attempting another comeback was Tracy Jordan at -4 while blowing his LS motor. Next lowest was Jody Everding in a Pro Modified with a score of 0. Messer recorded a 7, Paule recorded a 24, and Nicole Johnson in her new Pro Modified recorded a 28.

"The Shootout" and the top 6 teams that made the event one to remember in order from left to right: 6th Place Bruce Zeller & Chris Rea, 5th Place Jody Everding & Kevin Carey, 4th Place Matt Messer & Tim Florian, 3rd Place Jesse Haines & Matt Deas, 2nd Place Tracy Jordan and Jason Jordan, 1st Place Jason Paule and Mark Berger ::: Photo Cedit: England Photos

The Shootout: The Shootout consists of the most difficult and entertaining course for the top 6 teams to battle for the final win. W.E.ROCK runs sixth place at that time on the course first, while first runs The Shootout last. First up was Jody Everding. His driving style is among the fans favorite due to his heavy right foot and his high horsepower Dart Motor. Everding had a difficult time with the first set of gates and would soon record a score of 26 pts. Zeller was next with alternate spotter Chris "Redneck" Rea. The two attempted every line possible in true Zeller fashion only to walk away with a score of 36 and a bump to 6th place. Next was Jesse Haines who executed the entire course with pure precision and recording the lowest score of 3 pts. Messer came in at 3rd place only to get bumped to forth after a crazy run and Haines flawless run, regardless, get used to hearing his name in the 2008 season. Next was Jordan who even with a blown motor was within stiking distance of first place. While on his was to attempting the comeback, the tranny puked fluid which caught fire on his headers, he was without adequate power and had to bow out after only the first set of gates. All of the acts lead up to Jason Paule who without a doubt earned the win after completing every bonus and registering a score of 14.