2008 W.E.ROCK :: Grand National Championship

Derek West and Ritchie Keller, Your 2008 Grand National Champions : Pro Modified Class ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo/Pirate4x4.com

In 2008 W.E.ROCK saw instances in the season that have never happened before. Fans saw a team go 4 straight wins in the upper two classes, a team go with back to back championships, a team win two Grand Nationals in the Unlimited Class (Only done in the Pro Modified Class prior to 2008), over 80 lead changes in the Grand Nationals, and over 400 lead changes throughout the 2008 season. Fans would also watch a rookie team go and nearly dominate every event in their path winning two series events, the Eastern U.S. Nationals, and the Grand Nationals. The year was definitely one to remember.

Brad Lovell and step in spotter Sean Lazell : 2nd Place Pro Modified Class ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo/Pirate4x4.com
Topping out the season every year is the largest event in all of Rock Crawling labled "The Grand Nationals" The Grand Nationals of old consisted of teams throughout the country that wanted to compete against the best in the Nation, all at one final event. With event hours running late into the evening W.E.ROCK Officials were torn to make the Grand Nationals into more of a show. With this the event time would have to lower to a realistic 5 hours and to do this, teams had to qualify, truly bringing the best of the best to battle on the toughest terrain in the nation. With limiting the classes at the event, W.E.ROCK officials were able to lengthen the courses and allow teams for more strategy. Some teams found this releaving, others found it aggravating.

Brian Errea and Joachim Schweisow : 3rd Place Pro Modified Class ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo/Pirate4x4.com
Proving yourself in competition year after year is tough enough but doing it in the Modified Stock Class is somewhat overlooked by most all other teams in other classes. Derek West and Ritchie Keller did just this. West and Keller won three Eastern U.S. National Championships in a row in the Modified Stock Class, this huge feat was overlooked by just about every person within the culture because Modified Stock was considered a "Stepping Stone" for the other classes. If this is the case, it could infact be the perfect place for a new team as it has boosted the moral and confidence of West and Keller before they entered the hottest class known as the Pro Modified. The major talk within the sport was "IF" West and Keller could repeat in a new class with a new truck. All doubts were blown out of the water at the first event of the season in Hannibal, Missouri. After such West and Keller would move on to win one more and place in the top 3 in two others earning the right to be titled as Eastern U.S. Nationals Champion. The next step was the Grand Nationals in Hannibal, the same place he had won for every W.E.ROCK visit since it became a regular stop on the schedule. May sound easy but being pitted against not only the Eastern Pros but also the Western Pros becomes a feat all in itself. Especially as a "Rookie."

Nick Campbell and Jason Berger : 4th Place Pro Modified Class ::: Photo Cedit: England Photo/Pirate4x4.com
Cambell's trek this year has been all over the board. Just about everything has happened to Campbell and the crew in the 2008 season. After a 5th place in Perris, CA in the Unlimited Class for the Western U.S. Nationals openner, Shannon focused his effort on the Pro Modified Class. While Shannon went to CORR for a few racing, Brother Nick would file the points under the truck and campain the Pro Modified on the East Coast. Shannon would make appearances in the #5 Monster Energy Jeep Liberty winning in Dayton after Lightening Cancelations and taking 2nd to West in Jellico after Rain dumped on Shannon moments before his run. The Truck, after placing 2nd in the Eastern U.S. Nationals Series would have a spot in the Grand Nationals. The Campbell crew's Western U.S. Nationals effort was a great one winning the season finale' in Donner Ski Ranch, though his victory was overshadowed by the fact that he was not a series runner. Shannon would then find out he had obtained a spot due to a Champions Provision that allowed the reigning champion a seed in the Grand Nationals as well. This would set the stage for Shannon running in the Unlimited Class and Nick in the Pro Modified Class. Shannon's entire goal: Beat Jesse Haines. This would be after Shannon took the Championship in 2007 and Haines was second by a mear 3 points. This was also after Jesse came back in vengence with an undefeated regular season play as well as beating Shannon at Perris by 127 points. Even with Shannon being a previous Dirtsports "Driver of the Year", it was not going to be an easy task by any means.

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