Traverse City, Mich., – A little rain and new course did not faze Cody Robinson and Roberto Romo on Saturday in the SCORE International San Felipe 250 off road race. In their first Class 10 attempt, Robinson and Romo, three-time San Felipe 1600 Class winners, were crowned Class 10 victors for Radar Tires.
Looking to attack the season head-on, the Radar Tires Class 10 teams were eager to get the San Felipe 250 race rolling Saturday morning. Mother Nature decided otherwise as SCORE International officials delayed the start of the race more than two hours following harsh and torrential rain showers. Series officials re-routed the course to ensure a safe venue for the competitors.
The Robinson/Romo race win marks back-to-back podium finishes for Radar Tires at the San Felipe event and second SCORE Class 10 victory for the Singapore-based tire firm. In 2013, Mike Johnson and Mike Majesky earned a third place finish in San Felipe. Then in May, Johnson won the Baja 500.
In the No. 1016 Robinson Farms/Romo Race Prep Class 10 Buggy with special non-DOT size 33X10.50R15 Radar Renegade R5 race tires, the Robinson/Romo driving duo completed the shortened 219-mile event in 4:08:24, a mere 0.17 seconds ahead of the next Class 10 racer.
“The course had just about everything you could throw at us – rocks, sand, plenty of mud and even some silt, but the Radar Renegade tires had no problem getting through all of it,” said Robinson. “Our Racer Engineering Class 10 Buggy ran great all day long. We lost a little time due to some small issues, but had nothing major happen. Roberto and I are excited about our win at San Felipe. We look forward to the SCORE Plaster City race and to continue our quest for the SCORE Class 10 championship.”
Robinson’s co-driver Romo was equally thrilled with the win from two avenues – behind the wheel and in the team’s race shop.
“Winning the Class 10 San Felipe 250 as a driver is huge,” said Romo. “But to build the buggy and win in our first outing on those Radar Renegades tires, that handled everything we raced on today, I’m stoked! I am so very proud of everyone at Robinson Romo Racing. We put a lot of effort and dedication into moving up in race categories and this win today shows that we’re here to race and win. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Now in its second season of SCORE International competition, Radar Tires, the flagship brand of Omni United, will be used by two full-time SCORE teams in 2014. In addition to SCORE, Radar Tires are also competing in the full season of The Off Road Championship (TORC) and a partial season Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS).
“What a way to start our second season in SCORE!” said Scott Rhodes, Vice President of Sales, Omni United USA. “Congratulations to the entire Robinson Romo Racing team, especially Cody and Roberto. They certainly are a welcome addition to the Radar Tires and Omni United team!”
The engine gremlins of late 2013 continued to haunt Mike Johnson and Mike Majesky in the No. 1031 Radar Tires Buggy which was also equipped with special non-DOT size 33X10.50R15 Radar Renegade R5 race tires. Majesky started in 11th place in Class 10 and was racing strong early in the event. He ran as high as third place in class when the engine began to misfire. The Johnson/Majesky team retired from the event at race mile 72. The engine issues prevented Baja 500 champ Johnson from his driving stint in the buggy.
“We’re not sure what caused the engine issue this weekend,” said Majesky. “It is so frustrating to end one season with an engine problem and to start the next season with one as well. The buggy and the Radar Tires were handling the new course really well. We were running strong and all of a sudden the engine went soft on me. We were really looking forward to this weekend. Unfortunately, this stuff happens. We’ll take it back to the shop and come back stronger for the next one.”
Next up for Radar Tires in SCORE International competition is the Imperial Valley 250. The 249-mile event takes place in Plaster City, Calif., on April 25-27.