Loves Park, IL – After nearly winning twice in Bark River, just weeks ago, the Northern Illinois racer found the top step of the podium at “The Big House” in Crandon, Wisconsin. The RCV Performance/”the Official” Brand Name Prescription Card/Sway-A-Way/Frana Vehicles Honda-powered AWD PRO Buggy led all nine laps and had a dominating victory.

Last year the 1.8 mile long “iconic” off-road track saw some changes, and at first the track didn’t seem much different. Now a year has gone by and the ground settled over the winter, and the Red Bull tabletop jump as well as the Skybox drop off really throw the racers up into the air and down the track. The RCV Performance PRO Buggy handled these sections well as Frana was able to get the power to the ground more quickly than most of his competitors.

Saturday’s Round Five saw the nine single seaters line up according to points, with the top six inverted, as Friday’s qualifying session was rained out. The start saw Frana take a conservative approach, and was in fourth place by the end of the first lap. At the mandatory caution halfway point of the nine lap event, the #907 PRO Buggy was in third place and preparing for a charge for the top spot.

When racing resumed the ignition box failed, ending Saturday’s race three laps from the finish in eighth place.

Overnight John and his team replaced the ignition box, rebuilt the transmission, and repaired a leaking shock and CV boot.

Sunday’s race was a completely different story. The land rush start saw Adrian Cenni edge out Frana as they headed for the Red Bull arch. As Cenni and Frana headed for the Mole Lake Chicane, the #907 AWD PRO Buggy had a definite traction advantage on the freshly watered track and drove right around Cenni for the lead. The rest of the nine laps Frana stayed out front and crossed the finish line nearly ten seconds ahead of the second place finisher.

“We’ve been fast all season, and came close to winning in Bark River,” remarked John Frana. ” Today we had the perfect Sway-A-Way chassis set-up and BFGoodrich tire combination for the track conditions. The wet track helped me take the lead early on and we had the fastest lap time in the race when it dried out. We ran well at Chicagoland last year so we are excited to run there again. Some of the guys from RCV Performance will be there again this year which makes it even more fun.”

After six rounds of racing, John Frana is in third place in the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL PRO Buggy Championship.

Next Race: July 12-13, TORC – Route 66 Raceway – Joliet, IL

Pictures by Scott Behnke