Newport Beach, CA October 3, 2008 - CORR CEO-Jim Baldwin announced this morning that Rounds 13&14 of the 2008 CORR Series have been delayed because of economic woes that have handcuffed the American premier short course off road racing series. Citing a difficult decision for the growing series, Baldwin said the final date of racing, currently slated for December 6-7, 2008 at the Chula Vista International Raceway, will feature the final three rounds of racing, Rounds 13, 14, & 15. The original CORR schedule had only one round of racing in that final weekend and now CORR will feature three rounds of racing in the last weekend of the 2008 Series.
DIRTnewz spoke with the 2007 CORR Pro-Lite Champion, Robert Naughton who commented with the following, "I'm very disappointed without a doubt. Now there is only 15 races instead of 16 races and I've been stressed out all season long and I guess now I'll relax and just come out swinging in the final weekend in Chula Vista. I disappointed that some of the nation's biggest off road fans in Las Vegas will not have a final CORR race of the season. I'm disappointed but I'll be ready for Chula Vista."
Bully Dog Marketing Manager, Mike DeFord, a 2008 CORR Series Sponsor told DIRTnewz exclusively, "In 16 years of being involved in professional motor sports I've never seen this type of action from a promoter. I am horribly disappointed."
Menzies Motorsports driver, Cameron Steele said, "I'm super bummed, but I know that the Series is super badass and punk rock! The Menzies boys will be banging bars in Chula Vista for the championship and that combined with the solid television package all weekend long it will no doubt be a great weekend of racing. In 2009, you can be sure that the boys will be racing hard and crushing egos all season long."
A handful of drivers including Monster Energy's Johnny Greaves is still unaware of the unfolding events as he is in Minnesota riding motocross with his family. DIRTnewz called the Greaves Shop in Suamico, Wisconsin and spoke to the 2007 CORR Crew Chief/Mechanic of the Year, Curt Greaves who commented, "It's a mess. I feel bad for Jim and the circumstance that CORR is in and racing is what we live for. No racing until December is a long ways off."
STATEMENT FROM JIM BALDWIN
CHAMPIONSHIP OFF ROAD RACING CANCELS PRIMM, NEVADA RACE AND EXPANDS SERIES FINALE AT CHULA VISTA TO THREE DAYS
NEWPORT BEACH, CA – October 3, 2008 – Championship Off Road Racing CEO Jim Baldwin made the following statement regarding the organization’s decision to cancel its Primm, Nevada race weekend (October 25, 26).
“Championship Off Road Racing has made the difficult decision to cancel the Primm, Nevada race on October 25th and 26th. The current credit crisis has made it very difficult to cover CORR’s costs.”
“CORR is focusing its resources on expanding the ‘Series Finale’ event in Chula Vista, California from two- to three-competition days. This decision enables CORR to maintain the onsite and broadcast production quality our fans expect including two live days of television coverage. It also allows us to protect the integrity of the chase for the Series point championships.”
“The 2008 CORR season has been one of the most exciting ever. The Series has enjoyed a 170 percent increase in track attendance over 2006 and triple digit growth in television ratings. While this decision was difficult given our momentum, it is one that is in the best interest of the sport. We are excited about expanding the Chula Vista event and releasing our 2009 Series schedule within the next two weeks.”
Background on CORR
Championship Off Road Racing™ brings high-action, four-wheel motorsports, including two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive trucks to closed-course, off-road arenas. It traces its roots to the Short Course Off Road Drivers Association (SODA), which was born in the early 1970’s and featured races in the Midwest, primarily in Wisconsin and Michigan.
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