Robby Gordon lit up the Los Angeles Coliseum with his announcement of his new Stadium Super Trucks (SST) shortcourse series that will commence in 2013. Details are yet to be finalized but initial information about the series says it will include SST spec trucks, Monster Trucks and UTV’s racing on a shortcourse style track. The SST trucks will all be built to identical specs and the engines will be dyno tested to insure parity before each race. Drivers will draw for their truck and then be able to choose the body style, wheels and tires and to adjust shocks and springs.

Robby shared some unique details about the series at the press launch including a g-force sensor mounted to the front bumper of each truck. If the sensor sees too many G’s indicating that the driver is hitting the truck in front, it puts the engine in limp mode and also triggers a light mounted to the roof so fans would know the driver was getting too aggressive. When Ricky Johnson said he would brake check Robby, he told Ricky that he would place one on the front and rear of Ricky’s truck which sent laughter throughout the crowd.

Colleen Campbell, Mickey Thompson’s sister and Mickey’s son Danny were both present touting the series as a sort of re-birth of the MTEG shortcourse series started by Mickey in 1979. Also in attendance were Glenn Harris and Cal Wells who along with Robby, Danny and Ricky all competed in the original MTEG series. Robby won the MTEG championship driving for Cal Wells in 1988. Robby interviewed a bevy of current King Shocks off-road drivers that are looking to compete in the series including Andrew Caddell, Mike Jenkins, Lalo Laguna, Casey Currie, Justin Matney, Samuel Hubinette and Danny Thompson.

One thing that really stands out about the series is the prize money at each race and a whopping $500,000 dollar prize for the season points champion. Monster Truck fans will get more chances to see the big trucks in action and by combining those fans with the off-road crowd it will expose new people to our sport. The original MTEG series was successful in getting a diverse crowd to come out and watch the races. Many people feel that if anyone can bring back that kind of enthusiasm Robby Gordon can. His experience as a racer, team owner and promoter has all gone into planning the SST series, which looks to have something for everyone.

Photos by: Mikes Race Photo.com

Different race courses have different challenges. San Felipe is known for miles and miles of brutal whoops. The old Mint 400 course is rough and rocky. The Best in the Desert, Silver State 300 course is mostly flat but that does not mean it’s easy. The long straight stretches of flat terrain have their own set of challenges. Most of the course is wide-open, high speed running with tight technical sections and deep silt beds mixed in. You need plenty of damping control but precise handling is also critical. The course is narrow and when the corners come up, you can’t afford to lose time slowing way down to get around them.

During the Silver State race, BJ Baldwin was racing at the front with Robby Gordon and Rob Mac. After over five hours of flat-out racing he was able to take the overall victory by a mere 14 seconds. When the racing is that tight, you need to be confident in the handling of your vehicle. “We spent time fine-tuning our King shocks in San Felipe to the point where the truck isn’t just super fast, it’s comfortable to drive” said BJ, “ The truck is now better than it has ever been. I can run wide open with total confidence.”

Bj is not the only driver happy with their King shocks, King drivers took ten first place finishes at the Silver State race.  Robby Gordon and Tim Casey have both won their classes three races in a row this season. “The high speed sections can easily lure a driver into a costly mistake,” said Tim Casey, “there are tons of silt beds that can stop you dead in your tracks and on the tight mountain sections you are just inches away from disaster. We almost got stuck in the silt three times; there is no room for error on this course.”

Congratulations to the following King Shocks drivers who won at the Silver State 300:

BJ Baldwin, 1^st overall, 1^st Trick Truck

Robby Gordon, 1^st class 1500 *Third win in a row

Eduardo Laguna, 1^st class 7200

Cody Freeman, 1^st class 1000

Macrae Glass, 1^st class 8000

Tim Casey, 1^st class 8100 *Third win in a row

Nick Bayes, 1^st class 3000

Perry Coan, 1^st class 1700

Hal Deschamp, 1^st class 4400

Bill Bunch, 1^st class 3700

Whether you are in the heat of competition or driving to work, you need King’s precise handling and performance damping control. When you ride on Kings you’ll know, there really is a difference. Nothing rides like a King.

Photos by: Mike Ingalsbee, Mikes Race Photo.com