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Pro Modified in Cedar
Brian Errea during The Shootout getting twisted... ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo | Pirate4x4.com
The Pro Modified was a tight battle in areas and blown wide open in others. This was due to great driving
by many teams, and the best driving by two others. Fact is that the Cedar City track was one of the most
difficult tracks to date and would really draw out the teamwork in every team. The courses were non-stop
difficult and many times would stump teams and bring a large amount of strategy into the game.
Becca Webster going over, see recovered and finished in time with a score of 11 pts ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo | Pirate4x4.com
The two teams at the top, the Lovell brothers who are seemingly similar to surgeons as they operate at an
amazing rate, and Jason Paule who has consecutively been at the top of the game in the most difficult
class of Unlimited but sat in for Hal Frost and Frost Racing after a single event hiatus. Without a doubt,
one of the best from each class battling it out on the rocks would be something legendary and it was all
the way down to the last minutes.
Nick Campbell airing out and rolling over for the crowd ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo | Pirate4x4.com
Jason Paule's methodical attack on every course kept him in reach of the Lovells and at one time came up
with a pass when the Lovell's hit a cone. Unfortunately it was a cone that was not seen by the judges and
ultimately effected the outcome of the final standings. When asked about the ruling, Lil' Rich explained,
"Whether or not a team hits a cone is what we state as a 'Judgment Call,' this cannot be overturned in
anyway for video, spectator/team sight, or event if I see it due to the lack of consistency that the
whole subject brings up. The only thing we can overturn is a misunderstanding of the rules." And so be it
Paule, even with the controversy, continued to put the pressure on the Lovells. What would come from this
epic bout will be discussed in a bit…
Brian Errea flying through the finish gates ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo | Pirate4x4.com
Despite the controversy the battles never ended. In the top ranks were Dean Bulloch in a vehicle that is
proven, but also sold. Bulloch had sold his vehicle after Perris, but kept in the contract that he must be
able to compete in it for the remander of the season. This would allow the Cedar City Local to pull in a
6th place finish. 5th place was won by Nick Campbell in only his second attempt at the Pro Modified Class.
His first in Hannibal 2 weeks prior struck him in fourth place, but this Cedar event we found him driving
extremely well in a vehicle that had been rolled on the second course of the event.
Dean Bulloch gunning for The Shootout ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo | Pirate4x4.com
4th place was a familiar face in Brian Errea and Joachim Schweisow. After taking consecutive National
Championships in 2006 and 2007, Errea is and will always be one of the top contenders. 3rd place was
another Cedar City Local in Troy Bailey and Travis Heslington. Bailey and Haslington went on to win the
Western U.S. Nationals in the Modified Stock Class in 2007 and made the move to Pro Modified for the 2008
season. His first finish found him in a tie for 4th that would result in a tiebreaker and a 5th place
finish. Coming out for vengeance was his thing in his local wheeling spot of Cedar, and if he keeps this
pace, look for him in the winner's circle sooner than later…
Brad Lovell finishing for the win ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo | Pirate4x4.com
Back to the battle for first… It literally came down to the final course in "The Shootout" where Jason
Paule pulled off the unthinkable, two of the hardest bonuses of the weekend and at that, completed them
flawlessly. Paule's final run was just enough to put an amazing amount of pressure on the Lovell brothers
who just had to finish with a score of 2 or better. In their run, fans saw the Lovells literally get
within inches from hitting a cones and determining Paule's fate, however inches stayed at inches and the
Lovells finished the course under points and time and therefore winning the event.
At the end of the day we saw some great wheeling on the world's toughest courses. The battles say it all:
Man vs. Man, Man vs. Machine, and Man vs. Nature; all equaling the greatest battles on the rocks. If you
happened to miss this event, make sure you make W.E.ROCK's next event as we revisit Cedar City, Utah on
June 21-22.
Related Links:
The Pro Modified Class Story |
The Unlimited Class Story |
The Modified Stock Class Story |
The Formula Toyota Class Story |
Live Coverage |
Itinerary, Directions, Weather |
Cedar City Event Poster |
Western U.S. Series |
Official Scores |
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