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Lovells Punish Fabtech Rockcrawler
Team ALMOST Victorious After Hard Day
June 25, 2008 – Lovell Racing has returned from the second round of WE-Rock action in Cedar City, UT. The courses at the 3 Peaks OHV Park are always challenging and there was plenty of terrain to make this competition entirely distinct from the last. This, the third event in a series of four, was important for the Lovells so they could cement their series lead going into the final round.
Day #1 always seems to be the roughest day for the team. This event would be no exception. While the last two rockcrawls have been nearly mistake free, the FABTECH Ranger nipped a cone on the first course. The second course, A2, started with the pair easily missing a cone that was taken by all others. Regretfully, the effort was for not as a bad bounce left the truck hanging over the second gate with no way out but a risky front burn. Brad gave it his best but ended up on his roof in need of recovery. “At that point we knew we needed our best effort and some luck to get back in the game,” recalls Brad, “In two courses we were about 50 points behind where we should have been.”
The brothers kept their heads and cleanly 
navigated the remaining technical courses. In fact, all the pair had to do was exit the finish gates on the last course of the day. The lure of a bonus line caught Brad’s eye, however, and he lined up for what would be another costly mistake. Off a ledge and end over end the Ranger went. While the ledge was not huge, the impact was hard enough to fracture the radiator, bend tube, and leave bruises. The rough day left the Lovells in 6th place and scrambling to repair a damaged vehicle. Brad adds, “The whole family chipped in and we were lucky enough to have Above All Rockcrawling weld our radiator. We were done in time to get some rest and focus on day #2.”
Focus is exactly what the team did and it resulted in a remarkable second day. Brad and Roger made quick work of the remaining regular courses making all the right moves where others had difficulty. The team made up enough ground to be positioned in 2nd place going into the final round, but still a far cry from leader Brian Errea.
The Lovells watched in dismay as the final course deteriorated and holes were dug making the first climb impassible for other contenders. “We did not have much time to make a plan and it looked 
bad,” commented Roger, “We fell in the same holes but luckily I found some decent rock.” Roger muscled rock into the enormous holes and it proved just enough for Brad to throttle trough before stabbing the brakes to avoid a cone. They went on to a successful run and even cleared a treacherous bonus that nearly caused yet another rollover. “I saw my wife jumping up and down at the finish line and I knew we had done well. We put the pressure on Errea,” recalled Brad. Errea was under the gun, hit a cone, and had a heart stopping roll through the bonus line. Luck was with him though as he landed on his wheels and finished the course with seconds to spare. His efforts put him a well deserved 3 points ahead of the Lovells.
The 2nd place finish gives Lovell Racing a strong lead going in the final round to be held in Donner, CA on July 18th. Stay tuned as the team competes in their 3rd event in as many weeks at the R.O.C. Rock Race in Colorado Springs, CO this weekend.
Team note: One of our friends, Tom Guaraldo, died this last weekend while driving a new rock racer near Colorado Springs. He was not wearing his seatbelt while testing the transmission. He made a sharp turn, rolled, and was partially ejected. After my hard roll in Cedar City, I have little doubt that my seatbelt saved my life. Please, value yourself and your family – wear your seatbelt. If it is a custom application, check it regularly for damage.
