Fort Mill, SC – August 1, 2012. The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) will go under the lights for this weekend’s round 9 & 10 action at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, CA. After a month away from competition, team GT is looking to triumph over the daunting track and add to the win column in the second-half of the 2012 season. Known for its natural terrain, this track’s huge jumps and technical obstacles combined with a field full of determined drivers, is certain to provide lots of door-to-door unrest.
LOORRS champion Carl Renezeder will vie for two more wins to hit the century mark while up-and-comer Ryan “Fluffer” Hagy is knocking on the door of his first career win in LOORRS SuperLite action. In Hagy’s second year of LOORRS competition, the Metal Mulisha member has certainly demonstrated the tenacity, prowess and knowledge needed to succeed in a series that is notoriously taxing on even the best of drivers. We visited with Hagy and asked him about Glen Helen, his goals, and Renezeder, here’s what he had to say:
Q: What are some of the keys to getting around Glen Helen?
A: Glen Helen is a fairly easy track! The toughest part is the rhythm section so if you’re consistent you should be safe!
Q: How important is qualifying for a short course race?
A: The qualifier is very important! If you qualify first then you earn an extra point and at this point in the season, every point counts towards a championship. And starting in the front lessens your chances of any accidents in the first few corners.
Q: How does the track change from day one to day two? Does the intensity of the racing change?
A: The track can change pending on the weather conditions but overall it’s pretty consistent. The racing is the same for both days – intense!
Q: You currently sit third in the overall point standings, what’s it going to take to win a championship with just six rounds remaining?
A: I need to be consistent and try and gain as many points as I can. I have had some bad luck with mechanical issues this year so it’s made it extra hard.
Q: What are your goals for the second-half of the 2012 season?
A: To win races and try my hardest to win a championship! I’m also going to try and race a few races in a ProLite.
Q: What has been the highlight of your 2012 season so far?
A: Just the fact that I can set fast laps and get on the podium week-in and week-out.
Q: Your Team GT teammate Carl Renezeder is two wins away from win number 100. Have you looked to Carl for help as a still relatively new driver in the LOORRS series? What has he (or his career) taught you?
A: Myself and Carl talk a bit but we have never gotten into the technical side of driving. Although I do look up to his driving style and look forward to seeing his face on the podium for that 100th win.
Q: If you had to explain to a new fan what short course racing is like at Glen Helen, what would you tell them?
A: It’s a rush, a war. And it’s in the dark!
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Photo Credit – General Tire