Lucas oil steps up

thmterry

Toy Hauler Mag - UTVUnderground Approved
To the Off Road Racing Community:
>
> Lucas Oil Products has finalized an agreement with Tony and Sherry Vanillo to acquire complete ownership of the newly formed American Off Road Series. The Series has been renamed the “Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Seriesâ€ÂÂ. Lucas Oil will operate the Series under its racing division, I-10 Race Promotions, Inc. Lucas Oil currently owns and operates two race tracks, the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, California. Lucas Oil also owns and operates three racing series and sanctioning bodies: the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League and the Southwest Modified Series (currently entitled the Super Clean Modified Series-presented by Lucas Oil). Additionally, Lucas Oil is an integral part of the race team operations of Morgan Lucas Racing (NHRA Top Fuel Division) and Jason Patison Racing (NASCAR Camping World East Division). The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be added to the mix of these racing assets. The business structure is already in place to hit the ground running with this new Off Road series. Lucas Oil is committed to this new venture and will make all of its managerial, marketing, television and financial resources available to ensure the long term success of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.
>
> The 2009 schedule is still being developed. Confirmed race dates as of this announcement are as follows:
>
> April 4-5 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV
> May 2-3 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittman, AZ
> June 27-28 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA
> Aug 1-2 Kal Gard Motorsports Complex, Lake Elsinore, CA
> Oct 17-18 Speedworld Motorsports Park, Wittman, AZ
> Nov 14-15 Primm Valley Motorsports Complex, Primm, NV
>
> Racing venues in the Mid-West and Southeast are also under consideration, as additions to the 2009 schedule noted above. Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri is a strong candidate, as are several other sites in Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma and Georgia. It is imperative to the long term growth of the sport that a national footprint be established, if not in 2009 definitely in 2010. Lucas Oil will ensure that this in fact happens.
>
> The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be televised on SPEED, with 18 original hours of programming currently committed to the sport. The contract with SPEED is firm for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. The show will be co-hosted by Ken Stout and Cameron Steele. The production services will be provided by Lucas Oil Production Studios, with the most current state of the art High Definition equipment. Lucas Oil will use at a minimum: 10 stationary track cameras, 1 jib
> mount camera for top down angels, 3 ENG cameras for pit reporting and mobile shots, 3 Point of View cameras to capture jumps and speed shots and, multiple on board cameras for a behind the wheel perspective. Special effects, customized graphic packages and 3-D animation will be featured in each show to enhance the quality and entertainment value of these productions.
>
> Secondary airings of selected classes and special features will be produced for the Versus Network to further showcase this new Series and the Off Road Racing industry in general, currently 4 one hour episodes are scheduled. The Bully Dog Unlimited Super Lite class will be produced for Outdoor Channel, with a minimum of 10 half hour episodes. Following original airing network commitments, the shows will be distributed internationally through MavTV and will be seen in Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world. Lucas Oil is a major equity partner of MavTV, a new cable and satellite network focusing on programming for men. This comprehensive television package will provide the broadest and most diverse coverage ever afforded the sport of off road racing.
>
> Tony and Sherry Vanillo, along with their team of loyal supporters, will remain heavily involved in the Series, as key employees. Their duties will include race day operations along with tech and safety responsibilities. Tony and Sherry Vanillo have issued the following statement:
>
> “ In light of recent events and with the best interest of the short course off road community in mind, we would like to announce that we are conveying our ownership of the American Off Road Series to Lucas Oil Products, Inc. We will continue to be a large part of this endeavor and will be working very closely with the Lucas Oil staff. We feel this move will create the best possible foundation for the new series and will provide the long term stability that is so crucial in this unstable economic time. We look forward to a long relationship with Lucas Oil Products and are excited for the new prospects this company will bring to the short course off road community.†--February 4,2009.
>
> The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is open to all competitors and all sponsors. There will be a fair and level playing field for everyone. Participating sponsors will be pleasantly surprised with the marketing value they receive, as Lucas Oil is keenly aware of what is needed to justify a sponsorship commitment and to drive sales for those participating. There will be no restrictions imposed to prevent multiple OEM’s from participating and receiving fair and proportionate treatment, this applies to vehicles, tires, consumer goods, etc.
>
> NOTE: Lucas Oil Products will GUARANTEE all race event purse pay outs and, year end points fund.
>
> Anyone who would like to obtain additional information on the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series can go to www.lucasoil.com<http://www.lucasoil.com/> or, you are welcome to contact me at 1-800-342-2512.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Bob Patison
> Executive Vice-President & General Counsel
> Lucas Oil Products
>
>
 
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Wild Earp

50Fifty Racer - UTVUnderground Approved
Thats awesome. Lucas does so sooo much for the racing world. Jason Patison from Lucas is in our offices just about daily. Ill see if I can get him to convince them to add UTV racing back into their line up. As of before this announcement, they werent included.
 

dnf736

Retired - And Still UTVUNderground Approved!!!!
Jan 15, 2009
1,208
98
48
Alpine, CA
Thats awesome. Lucas does so sooo much for the racing world. Jason Patison from Lucas is in our offices just about daily. Ill see if I can get him to convince them to add UTV racing back into their line up. As of before this announcement, they werent included.
DONT HYPE THE SERIES THAT DROPPED UTV RACING.
They (Vanillo) told Benchmark they had to drop someone and it was UTV, my guess is someones kid high up is racing a TK and they kept the 8-10 TK Elites over 20+ UTV's...


Here a (my) spin, how long before Lucas gets rid of Vanillo?? He already said he doesnt play well with others, refused to work something out with RJ's ORGP, and was part of the in fighting at CORR.

Lucas now OWNS the series, how long will they keep him?

IF you can get them to pick up the UTVs then you my friend have some true power.
 
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bean dip

GabeZ - UTVUnderground Approved
Jan 15, 2009
243
1
0
Hemet, Ca.
DONT HYPE THE SERIES THAT DROPPED UTV RACING.
They (Vanillo) told Benchmark they had to drop someone and it was UTV, my guess is someones kid high up is racing a TK and they kept the 8-10 TK Elites over 20+ UTV's...


Here a (my) spin, how long before Lucas gets rid of Vanillo?? He already said he doesnt play well with others, refused to work something out with RJ's ORGP, and was part of the in fighting at CORR.

Lucas now OWNS the series, how long will they keep him?

IF you can get them to pick up the UTVs then you my friend have some true power.
That's OK, Just wait for the SoCal UTV Series! ;)
 

dnf736

Retired - And Still UTVUNderground Approved!!!!
Jan 15, 2009
1,208
98
48
Alpine, CA
OK, maybe that was a little harsh but Im still pissed about being dropped, especially when you compare the amount of UTV's at the last CORR race VS TK Elites. At least we have M4SX & RJ.

PLUS, The Stateline Supermoto had their contract broken by Herbst and got the boot from staging in the Wild Bill parking lot and using the area around the Casino for their Supermoto track like they did for the last three years so Vanillo could come in and use the CORR track. Guess which promoter has a UTV class? Stateline Supermoto. Last year Paul Tracy (yes that one) got schooled by Hobie O Conner in a stock Rhino.

Supermoto at least got to relocate on to the Primm Casion, thats where we'll be.

All right Im off the soap box & over it........for now;)


So whats this SoCal UTV series you speak of??
 
Last edited:
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bean dip

GabeZ - UTVUnderground Approved
Jan 15, 2009
243
1
0
Hemet, Ca.
OK, maybe that was a little harsh but Im still pissed about being dropped, especially when you compare the amount of UTV's at the last CORR race VS TK Elites. At least we have M4SX & RJ.

PLUS, The Stateline Supermoto had their contract broken by Herbst and got the boot from staging in the Wild Bill parking lot and using the area around the Casino for their Supermoto track like they did for the last three years so Vanillo could come in and use the CORR track. Guess which promoter has a UTV class? Stateline Supermoto. Last year Paul Tracy (yes that one) got schooled by Hobie O Conner in a stock Rhino.

Supermoto at least got to relocate on to the Primm Casion, thats where we'll be.

All right Im off the soap box & over it........for now;)


So whats this SoCal UTV series you speak of??
MORE INFO SOON! I'll post when I know more.
 

SoCal

I'm a Toy Haulin Hooligan - UTVUnderground Approve
Jan 16, 2009
331
6
0
55
Orange Ca.
DONT HYPE THE SERIES THAT DROPPED UTV RACING.
They (Vanillo) told Benchmark they had to drop someone and it was UTV, my guess is someones kid high up is racing a TK and they kept the 8-10 TK Elites over 20+ UTV's...


Here a (my) spin, how long before Lucas gets rid of Vanillo?? He already said he doesnt play well with others, refused to work something out with RJ's ORGP, and was part of the in fighting at CORR.

Lucas now OWNS the series, how long will they keep him?

IF you can get them to pick up the UTVs then you my friend have some true power.
I can understand why your upset but there was over 30 Elites and over 75 Jr1 and 2's at any given CORR race.

I would guess that since a good majority of the pro teams have at least one TK with them is the main reason for keeping them. Hell the Herbst has at least 6 them selves and the Fabtech team (including myself) had 3. If he wants the pros happy that would help.
 

07fj

Rainman - UTVUnderground Approved
Jan 19, 2009
1,383
25
0
59
Tonopah, Az
Still doesnt explian why they HAD to drop UTV's??? The sport is growing for UTV's, it makes no sense to do this...........

Thanks for sheding some light on this Doug!!!
Totally agree, and I disagree with over 30 Elites in CORR at anyone event for which I was at almost all of them ( except Primm)

FYI--- the side x sides run faster than single buggies and run pretty deep into Pro buggy speeds and with the large group of them at each race, they just get used to pack down the track for the pro trucks, what a joke, it was pretty sad that most of the UTV races were after TK racing.

Socal short course will be a joke also unless some big exposure can be had.

M4SX was OK, until they change the tracks to some boaring configurations, and perris is boaring to watch for any vehicle racing, just plain NO excitement.
 

07fj

Rainman - UTVUnderground Approved
Jan 19, 2009
1,383
25
0
59
Tonopah, Az
IMHO I love the big jumps on the OLD style elsinore track!! That made for th emost exciting racing ever!!! Had to have the cajones to launch those tabletops!!

This pic says it all for me!!


That is the stuff the UTV peeps want again to race on for short course!!!!!
Tight turns, table tops, banked corners, elevation changes

other wise it is just HP and boaring!!!!
 

SoCal

I'm a Toy Haulin Hooligan - UTVUnderground Approve
Jan 16, 2009
331
6
0
55
Orange Ca.
Still doesnt explian why they HAD to drop UTV's??? The sport is growing for UTV's, it makes no sense to do this...........

Thanks for sheding some light on this Doug!!!
No it sure doesn't. I dont under stand why they cant run UTV's. CORR did it so we know it possible to get them all.
 

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