This past weekend marked the opening rounds to the 2015 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) and as such, we provided our readers with detailed coverage about the race in our race recap. For those of you that have never been to a LOORRS race, you really need to put it on your bucket list if you consider yourself an off-road enthusiast because pictures and TV coverage do not do the racing justice for how cool it actually is live.
The racing action is intense and with the combination of the loud V8s, fiberglass bodies that break apart, flinging mud, and a go for broke driving style, LOORRS races are truly unique experiences. In addition to the racing action you get to see when you go to a race, you also get to see a completely different side of the LOORRS racing experience that is seldom ever talked about – the open pits.
Unlike most forms of motorsports, the LOORRS races let you get right up close and personal with everything going on in the pits. As such, we wanted to bring you a mini photo-pictorial of what an average day is like at a LOORRS race from the time the gates open in the morning all the way up to showtime!
Early in the morning, the Tech Inspection trailer turns into a conference room/toy parking lot as drivers and crew members gather for the ever-important driver’s meeting. Safety concerns, rule changes, and basic driver etiquette are all discussed before the drivers head back to their trailers.
Shortly after the driver’s meeting, drivers are required to bring their race rigs to the Tech Inspection trailer where LOORRS officials check the vehicles for safety and adherence to the rulebook. If you fall outside of their set guidelines, you have some time to fix the issue or else you face not being able to race.
Once vehicles are approved from tech, they make their way out onto the track for a series of timed practices and qualifying rounds. Here, a small group of spotters and team members wait in the stands for their truck to make its way out onto the course.
The Kart classes are first to practice on race-day, followed by the pro classes. To save potential damage to the trucks, some teams elect to practice without the rear fenders. Others, like Kyle Leduc below, chose to practice with full paneling.
Drivers are constantly on the lookout for the fast line around the track and learn a lot from one another as they get deeper into practice and qualifying. Above, we see the #35 Pro Lite running the fast line around turn 1 which required getting all the way up to the safety fence.
The Rockstar Energy Zone sign serves as the main entrance into the midway.
If you are a fan of the Ford Raptor, then LOORRS races are for you. The parking lot, pits, midway, and hot pits are all littered with Ford Raptors – they are literally everywhere. We had no idea so many people had $60,000 laying around to buy them, the economy must be on the upswing!
Towards the end of practice, around 4:30 pm, the gates open to the public. Once admitted, fans are able to walk everywhere team members are allowed to walk. LOORRS even goes the extra mile and sets up a main midway behind the grandstands for fans and merchants to congregate.
As part of the midway, there are tons of vendors, sponsors, and displays that have everything you could imagine. There is a definite carnival-feel with the midway as there are a lot of food vendors that serve fare you would find at a carnival – health food, really.
Trucks like the Howe Performance Ford Bronco are on display to show off the advertiser’s products. You may even find this Bronco on ORX in the future.
Take a walk through the pits at any given time and you will find battle-scarred race trucks fresh from practice. Pictured above, Bryce Menzies’ Pro 4 sits missing half of the rear fender after qualifying.
Numerous companies display some of their latest and greatest both within the pits and also in the midway. From project vehicles to new products, there is something for everyone when roaming the pits of a LOORRS race.
Fans are able to get up close and personal with their favorite teams and racers as soon as the gates open. Whether you’re rooting for Brain Deegan or a lesser-known driver, you can find their pit space, visit them, and even get an autograph!
Some teams really focus on enhancing the relationship between their team and the fans. Above, you can see Sheldon Creed’s Traxxas/Maxxis display which features a cutout of half of his race truck!
Teams hustle right before showtime to make final adjustments from what they learned in practice and double check to make sure everything is in order for the race.
Right before the big show comes to life, LOORRS officials run the Pro Lite last chance qualifier (LCQ) for drivers to make the nightshow. There are normally fireworks in this race!
Drivers emerge from the LCQ in only one of two ways: making the night show for a chance to make some money, or headed back to the pits to pack up until the next race.
Displayed right in front of the podium is what every driver has their mind set on – the trophies. This isn’t kindergarden gym class though, so only first, second, and third earn a trophy in LOORRS.
Opening ceremonies kick off with some fireworks, literally, but they are only a small taste of the fireworks that are sure to come the rest of the night. Once opening ceremonies are complete, it’s race time!
LOORRS brings fans closer to the action than any other form of motorsports and offers a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. You owe it to yourself to go to a race, but if you live too far away, keep it locked on Off Road Xtreme for more LOORRS action!