Rod Hall Racing Off Road

#61 TROPHY TRUCK UPDATE - February 12, 2011

2011-03-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

Chad and Josh Hall took the TT to Primm, Nevada to test the truck with Thad Stump. Since Baja, the team doubled the front coilover spring rate, added a rear sway bar, added a viscous coupler, build axle minion seal retainers, limited the steering angle approximately five degrees and tuned the shocks. Chad reported they still have a little work and some additional suspension tuning, but "it is really fast."

The truck is currently being prepared for 2011 races and the following events are confirmed -

MINT 400

AUSTRALASIAN SAFARI RALLY

BAJA 1000

BAJA 1000 - #61 Update

2011-01-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

At 8:08 pm Friday November 19th, Rod Hall crossed the finish line at the 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 and continued his streak as the only person to compete in each and every edition of the legendary off-road race.

The 2010 Baja marked a new era for Rod Hall Racing, as Rod, Josh and Chad Hall, the most winning family in Baja with 33 wins, debuted the #61 HALL USA in the premier Trophy Truck class. The team has spent their successful career behind the wheels of production four-wheel drive vehicles and made the decision in 2009 to take their experience across the globe in search of overall wins in the top cross-country rally raids.

The new 4WD #61 Trophy Truck was completed a mere three weeks prior to the Baja 1000 and the team felt the demands of the race to La Paz would serve as an excellent proving ground for the vehicle. “We encountered issues that we fully expected, given limited testing before the race,” noted Chad Hall, eight-time Baja 1000 class winner. “We have additional tuning and work to do, but our goal was to reach the finish line, and we accomplished that.”

LONG NIGHT FOR TRUCK #61 BUT LOOKING GOOD AS THE SUN RISES

2010-11-19T07:25:00.000-08:00

It has been a long night for the Rod Hall Team but things are looking brighter as the sun starts to rise. Trophy Truck #61 has removed its 4 Wheel Drive and was stuck in a silk bed for about an hour at 3:00AM. The truck is moving smoothly now after great support with Josh Hall is the driver's seat.

Rod Hall and Team Race the 43rd Baja 1000

2010-11-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

This morning, at 11:39AM the first ever Rod Hall Racing Trophy Truck went off the line. Chad Hall and co-driver Sam Cothrun are currently running the truck and will make a driver's swtich at BFG pit 4 where Josh Hall will take over with Josh Ogg.

Sam Edgar and Emily Miller are looking good and preparing for their start later this afternoon in the Stock Full Class driving the H1 Alpha. Keep checking back here and rodhallracing.com for updates on the new truck, team and photos!

Rod Hall Racing and BFGoodrich Celebrate the Career of Off-Road Legend Rod Hall

2010-11-16T04:32:00.000-08:00

As the 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 quickly approaches, Rod Hall Racing and BFGoodrich will celebrate the history of off-road racing legend Rod Hall through a photo and story tribute during the month of October.

To date, Hall is the most winning driver in Baja, has raced every Baja 1000 since it’s inception in 1967 – winning it 21 times in his class. His records are impressive and span the globe. Hall is known for more than the Baja – for his consistency, an impressive finish record and the longest unbroken string of wins – at 35. To date, he has captured over 220 wins, and two years ago at the age of 71 he took home the SCORE Championships, the BITD Championships and the Toyota Milestone Award.

With the help of photographer and journalist David Vowell, the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame and BFGoodrich, we are able to present an impressive collection of historical photos from his entire racing career highlighted with his tales unique only to the colorful world of off-road. Throughout October, we invite you to www.rodhallracing.com where a new photo will be posted daily, along with facts and stories.

Rod Hall Racing Extreme Outlaws 250 Recap

2010-10-03T21:46:00.001-07:00

June 21, 2010 (Reno, NV) - The Xtreme Outlaws took over Reno, Nevada and the Grand Sierra Resort for a weekend of motorsports ranging from Freestyle Moto, Supermoto and a hair-raising 250-mile off-road race designed by Northern Nevada local and racing legend Rod Hall. The course covered four sixty-mile laps in the mountains east of the city. Last minute course changes took the racers through severe climbs and descents with spectacular views of the Sierra Mountain Range.

Rod Hall Racing fielded two teams for the first year event. Hall drove a vintage 1970 442 Olds formerly owned and raced by television star James Garner, most famously known as “Rockford.” Hall and the car were a highlight of the event as he led the field with police escort from the Grand Sierra Resort to the official start at the famous Mustang Ranch. Hall raced the car until he lost an alternator. A committed fan raced to a local parts store and bought a replacement. The fix was made and he continued on course to showcase and shakedown the vehicle with media and sponsors taking the co-driver seat.

Emily Miller piloted the HUMMER H3 inline-5 with co-drivers Damien Michelin and Rob Henderson. The four-wheel drive race truck was well suited to the course, however, she lost a brake line early on the third lap and ran over 60 miles through the mountains without stopping power. After a final fix of the brakes, they ran hard, narrowly missing the Class 7 win by a mere 2 seconds.

1970 '442 James Garner Olds

2010-04-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

Today, Rod Hall is in Mexicali for the start of the NORRA Mexican 1000. The competition is a tribute to the original edition that took place in 1967. This year’s race is a fully supported on and off-road rally open to vintage and alternative fueled vehicles.

Hall is teamed up with Ron Johnson of Tacoma, Washington and as going to be driving the 1970 442 Olds that was originally built for James Garner. Johnson acquired the car in 2007 and began restoration on what he described as a “incredibly beat up body.” Today the car is in show-worthy condition and even has the original race engine found by Mondello Racing. However, that is where the catch is. Although an "original race motor" sounds great in theory, the team encountered a major setback when taking it for it's final test before loading it on the transporter. They lost the race motor, forcing them to pull out of the race. So as of today, people will have to be content to just see the car at tech and contingency where it is on display. The 442 Olds will be on display next at the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame located inside the famed National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada. The tentative plan is the team will then enter the Extreme Outlaws 250 race in Reno on June 19th for a shakedown run.

Chad Hall Racing the Silver State 300

2010-04-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend - Saturday the 24th - Chad Hall will jump back into the Torchmate 7200 Ford Ranger - #7231 - to compete in the annual BITD Silver State 300. While race headquarters are in Las Vegas, the race promises to be not only a great course but a scenic one. The route runs trhough the Pahroc Summit, Dalamar Valley, Cathedral Gorge and Caliente. Although these names will be unknown to most of us, these are sites of amazing rock formations and serious mining history form the 1800's. As off-road racers, we race on the most beautiful course.

But enough about the scenery. There are 15 trucks in the 7200 class alone this year and the competition will be tough. However, Chad noted the truck was ready to race and he feels it is capable of the win. Since Parker, the front suspension has been reworked and the truck has a new engine with 500hp @ 7000 rpm.

You can follow the action live via Iritrack by clicking HERE.

Parker 425 - Recap

2010-03-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

The Parker 425 was a three lap race this year and Chad Hall described it as surprisingly rough. The youngest Hall was running Torchmate's 7200 class Ford Ranger in a field of 24 trucks. Hall was 9th off the line, but was running in third when he passed the truck off to DOR Greg Jones at the midway point through the second lap. Approximately 30 miles into Greg's run, the truck lost oil pressure and they lost the engine. Chad believed the connecting rod broke.

Hall had tested the truck last week and is eager to work with the Torchmate crew to continue shock testing and tuning which he believes will make the Ranger a true top competitor. The next race for Hall and the Torchmate mini-trick truck will be the Mint 400 - March 27th in Las Vegas.

Chad Hall Racing BITD'S Parker 425

2010-02-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

Chad Hall will race the Parker 425 in the 7200 class. Last year, Chad competed in the Speed Technologies Class 10 car. 7200 is an exciting class - unlimited mini / mid sized trucks, also known as mini-trick trucks. While suspension is unlimited, engines are limited to six cylinders and Hall noted the Torchmate Ford Ranger puts out 500hp.

Jake Povey who has been with Rod Hall Racing for many years is now managing prep of the truck at Torchmate Racing. To learn more about Torchmate, click here.

12.28.09

2010-01-19T09:51:00.000-08:00

It was incredible to wrap up the year with two exciting, close wins at the 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Many thanks to the entire team - on the ground in Baja and running logistics from the US. We appreciate all the great people and companies that are a part of our efforts.

We anxiously watch the developments in the sale of HUMMER and look forward to racing in 2010. Our eyes will be on Team Gordon at Dakar and send them best wishes for a successful race. Glad to see them returning in the Monster Energy Drink HUMMER.

Happy New Year and see you at the races in 2010.

Rod Hall Racing and H3 trucks take two unofficial wins at the Baja 1000!

2009-11-21T17:12:00.000-08:00

Mike Winkel and the H3 Stock mini crosses the finish line at 4:53pm to be declared the unofficial winner! This makes TWO unofficial titles for the Rod Hall Racing Team in the 2009 Baja 1000!

Both classes (Stock Full/Stock Mini) were tight battles for the drivers. Chad Hall completed the full course on his own with little to no errors during the race. Rod Hall, Emily Miller, and Mike Winkel all drove the H3 Stock Mini truck with mechanical issues and log jams but came through to take the win.

Congratulations to both trucks and the Rod Hall Racing Team!

Quote from the road...

2009-11-21T12:25:00.000-08:00

"WOW, this is something to see, all 3 trucks @ RM537.5 so close you can't tell who is in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd! Ivan Stewart got in @ BFG5. We will need grand spoters!" - Rick Grabowsky

Chad Hall named unofficial winner of the Baja 1000!

2009-11-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

At 10:52 this morning Chad Hall was named the unofficial winner for the Baja 1000 Stock Full Class! With a neck to neck race Chad remained calm and got the job done being the sole driver of the H3 for the full 672.85 miles.

The Stock Mini truck has been brought back in the race as well for a solid run by Emily Miller. We had a chance to touch base with Emily when she got out of the car, "I never felt tired and it was a clean run with great pace. I did my best to take care of the steering and I am confident that Mike Winkle will continue to catch up the lost time."

Currently Stock Mini #761 is 32 minutes behind the Honda Ridgline team and 3.5 minutes behind the Toyota team. "We are still in this!"

Congratulation to the entire Rod Hall Stock Full team, updates to follow about Stock Mini.

Early morning Update for the H3's!

2009-11-21T05:44:00.000-08:00

It has been a cold and dark night in Baja while Emily Miller in the H3 Stock Mini and Chad Hall in the H3 Stock Full continue to push through the evening. The sun is slowly trying to peak through at 5:46am and both teams are looking forward to it. Emily Miller, currently at RM371 has be making back miles she she jumped in the truck. She has almost made the full loop from Pit 2 to 4 and should arrive within the hour.

had Hall has been pushing for the lead and has taken it again against his Baja 1000 2009 rival of the day, Kent Kroeker (#861)! They are currently at RM515. Keep checking back to Rod Hall Racing and Twitter for up to the minute race details!

Rod Hall Teams Look Strong Even with Mechanic Issues

2009-11-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

Rod Hall Racing Teams are doing great and staying strong even through some mechanic issues. 10:09pm at the BAJA 1000 course and Chad Hall is sticking it out right behind the Factory Dodge team and driver, Kent Kroeker. He currently is at RM 319.

The Stock Mini truck #761 ran into a few issues with failed steering rack and pump power that has now been fixed and Mike Winkle is 40 miles outside of Pit 2 (RM167) where Emily Miller waits patiently!

For more updates follow the Rod Hall Team on Twitter at http://twitter.com/rodhallracing1!

Chad Hall in head to head race at the Baja 1000!

2009-11-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

It is 6:08pm and the Baja 1000 is well underway for our two Rod Hall teams. Chad Hall is in an impressive head to head race with the Factory Dodge car just half a mile behind them and in front of the Toyota and Honda teams. Chad currently is at RM191.

Our Stock Mini truck drove off the start line with Rod Hall in the drivers seat but shortly there after blew a steering rack seal and was not able to move for just under an hour. Rod stuck it out and was able to get the truck moving again and currently Mike Winkle is in the the drivers seat at RM111.

Josh Hall attentively sits at home as the two teams push forward. He calls it a typical Baja 1000...

"Looking at the way the race is unfolding it is a typical Baja 1000. No reason to be worried or feel like there is big drama because Truck 761 is 54 miles off the lead. This is the race."

Emily Miller just recently made it to Pit 2 and is suiting up to run her leg of the race in the dark.

Both teams sound good and the Baja 1000 continues...

BAJA 1000 BLOG - CONTINGENCY

2009-11-19T23:25:00.000-08:00

Contingency was smooth today for both H3s. The guys were up early and the trucks were finished and back to the beach houses by 1:00. However, the morning took a turn when we received word from Josh Hall that he would not be able to return to Baja for the race. Earlier in the week, he had a family emergency which cut his pre-run short.

Josh is the Driver of Record on the blue H3 in the Stock Mini Class. Our initial plan was that he would take the truck off the line to BFG Pit 2 and then would jump in Chad Hall’s H3Alpha in the Stock Full Class at BFG 4 and race to the finish. Josh is such a tremendous driver. He is so unbelievably fast and skilled that we knew he would shake things up right off the line. Chad has soloed the race plenty, but given how rough the course is, he was happy to have his brother sharing the driving duties.

Needless to say, it is a good thing that Josh is at home – doing the right thing by being with his family right now back in the US. However, it is tough to not have him here with us. He and Chad do so much of the organization and team management and he is such a vital part of the race plan in this year’s 1000. Fortunately, Rod and Chad have so much experience in Baja and they were able to construct a solid race day plan. So once again for his 42nd time, Rod will take the truck off the starting line.

Stay tuned and keep on the BLOG and TWITTER tomorrow and watch the Stock Class races unfold. Our trucks leave the line at approximately 12 noon. Good night for now from Ensenada.

BAJA - PRE-RUNNING DAY 4

2009-11-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

It's Tuesday morning and the team is having a home cooked breakfast at Rancho El Coyote - just west of Mike's Sky Ranch. This place is a must stay if you are in Northern Baja. It is completely off-the-grid and the hospitality is second to none. We spent the last two days on the San Felipe side and the course hasn't changed too much - rough and essentially huge whoops for miles. As Sam Cothrun called it, "the Mesopotamia of Whoops."

This is Day 4 of our pre-running and we have gotten alot accomplished. We are running the west side of the course today - and will stay in Erendira - a cool little village on the bluffs above the Pacific ocean.

The team meets us tomorrow afternoon in Ensenada. This year, we are happy to have Michelle Naranjo joining the team and covering the race and our progress via various outlets. You can find her posts at http://www.twitter.com/missmotormouth.

Race Update Information

2009-11-16T17:12:00.000-08:00

Baja 1000 race updates here. Check back throughout the week and race. Team updates will be posted approx. every two hours once the green flag drops on Friday morning.

Baja 1000 Pre-Running Begins for Rod Hall Racing Team

2009-11-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe it is already November and we are headed back to Mex. Saturday morning, Rod, Josh, Chad, Mike Winkel and Emily head to pre-run the course. This year marks the 42nd Baja 1000 and Rod's 42nd running of the race. He's making history again, but this year he'll be backing up his winning sons who are fielding the two H3 HUMMERS.

Chad Hall is Driver of Record of his silver H3 Alpha. He will be racing for his 8th class win and his 3rd win in this particular truck. The truck was built and debuted in 2007. Since then Chad has captured the 2007 1000 win, 2008 Baja 500 and Baja 1000 wins. Chad said that he's been wanting to get the suspension dialed in perfectly and finally after the Vegas to Reno (win), they were able to spend some time testing and tuning. "We made slight changes but they made significant impact and we are able to run a couple mph faster." The youngest Hall is tough to beat, consistent, fast and incredibly experienced in Baja. He'll be running against the diesel Dodge and the Lexus.

Josh Hall is Driver of Record on the blue i5 in the Stock Mini class. Josh sold the H2SUT this year to Greg Knowles of Perth, Australia and said "goodbye" to his truck in style by grabbing several selective stage wins at the Australasian Safari Rally - seven days through the Outback of Australia. Josh raced in the blue truck at the 40th Anniversary race and in an exciting run against the Millen's FJ, he was able to help his father capture the meaningful win. Josh was humble when talking to him, but make no mistake, he's known for his speed, skill and incredible focus. "I see it the same way again this year, I'm here to help Pops get his 20th win. But we have great, experienced competition, and we know it is a tough race to just get to the finish line."

Rod Hall, Emily Miller and Mike Winkel will also be driving the event. Thad Stump, Sam Cothrun and Dana Morris will be taking the navigator's seats.

We will be posting BLOGs throughout next week and constantly throughout the race as information from the team is available. We will also be posting Twitter updates and YouTube videos.

V2R Notes from Chad

2009-08-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

Looking back on the Vegas to Reno, I thought it was deceptively fast. The roads were not wooped up like San Felipe or Primm so the speeds we were running were faster. I assume that because of the speeds, it led to mistakes which would make sense by the number of broken down, rolled and wrecked vehicles. We averaged 40 mph each day, which is fast for a stock truck.

The rack seal blew on Day 1, but other than that, the H3A had no problems. I missed the 10 car from it’s ability to run so smooth through the rough, but it is amazing how fast the H3A with 8’ in the front and 11” in the back can go. Running that truck back-to-back for three days gave me a different perspective on it. It is a durable, fast, nimble truck. And even though it is fast, I think we can make it faster. I really think that the H3A is such a bad ass truck, that no one else can compete against it - especially in the long races. I look forward to getting it ready for Baja.

HUMMER forever…

Vegas to Reno #1

2009-08-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday and part of the team departed Reno this morning in route to Las Vegas. Tomorrow is Tech and Contingency for the Vegas to Reno. This year, the race is a three-day, 1000 mile event - starting in Beatty, Nevada and finishing near Carson City.

This year, Rod Hall Racing will be fielding two H3s in two stock classes. Chad Hall has been running a class 10 car with Johnny Harrah, but at the last minute had the opportunity to race his H3 Alpha in 4100. Chad tested the car this week and was happy with how fast it was running. His co-driver is Thad Stump who just returned from seven days of racing in the Outback with Josh Hall. Emily Miller will be running the blue H3 I5 in Class 3100 with Sam Cothrun in the co-driver seat. Sam owns SamCo Fabrication and has prepped both trucks for the event.

We will be updating from Vegas and on Twitter, so sign up today. Our Twitter name is rodhallracing1. Live tracking will be available on www.bitd.com.

FINAL - LEG 7 - KALGOORLIE TO KALGOORLIE

2009-08-08T01:37:00.000-07:00

It is a beautiful evening in the classic western style mining town of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The ceremonial finish just came to a close and the celebrating is about to begin. It was a short day with 2 Selective Stages and Josh was on fire. He and Thad were second off the line and quickly moved to the front when #100 blew an early turn. He set a blistering pace and won the first Selective by one minute fifty-five seconds over Bruce Garland.

At the start of the second Selective, he was running a similar pace, but had a flat approximately halfway through the course. We are waiting on the official results, but currently he is listed as 7th for the stage.

Thad noted the course was rougher - more similar to racing back home. It suited Josh perfectly and the team is happy to be celebrating another stage win - making it three days in a row of bringing home a Selective. Congrats to great driving and navigating. Amazing to think this is Thad's first time in this particular role.

The sun is setting and we will be packing up early in the morning to transfer back to Perth. The team has accomplished what it set out to do - scout the race, learn the nuances, and show Australia what the Americans and the HUMMER H2 SUT can do. Despite a few early setbacks that penalized the team's overall result, the goals were not only reached, but far exceeded.

Hats off to the great competitors and race organizers. Many thanks for the hospitality and fun. We've made great friends in Western Australia and look forward to coming back in 2010.

Posted by E. Miller

LEG 6 - LAVERTON TO KALGOORLIE

2009-08-07T05:57:00.000-07:00

SECOND STAGE WIN FOR JOSH HALL!

Another great day for Hall Racing! The Leg consisted of 3 Selective Stages - 86.99, 242.75 and 62.02 kilometers. The day was tight, technical and overgrown in many sections. As the race is nearing the end, the competitors were definitely pushing it. Several competitors suffered multiple flats. However, after yesterday's flats on the H2, Josh was running Slime and had only one tire lose air at the end of Selective Stage 2. (Technically, the Selective Stages were considered #15-17 as they are progressively recorded. But for ease of reference, we refer to the Selectives per day.)

Thad noted that Josh's driving was incredibly smooth and fast today. And by Stage 3, Josh had captured his second stage win by :19 seconds in a short 62.02 KM stage! Several trucks had difficulties and the previous race leader - #110 - is now out of the race after hitting a tree. The trees and brush were definitely thick, and when Thad stepped out of the truck, the crowd got a great laugh as heaps of brush came pouring out.

We are now in Kalgoorlie - the final stop of the seven day event. Tomorrow is a short day with two Selective Stages and three transit sections, for a total of 164.98 kilometers of racing. And on another note - Annie Seel, the Huseberg rider who rode into the pit at the end of the second selective with a large stick impaled in her leg, through her boot. The story around the bivvy is she tried to remove it herself on the trail, but was unable to. The medical team was able to remove it onsite and within a short period, she was on her bike and back on course. Congrats to Annie!

FOR RACE PHOTOS AND VIDEO - CLICK ON RODHALLRACING.COM.

LEG 5 - LAVERTON TO LAVERTON

2009-08-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

JOSH AND THAD CAPTURE SELECTIVE STAGE WIN

Today's Leg had Josh Hall written all over it - long selectives with next to no breaks. However, it was a rough start and before RK 60, Josh had two flats - leaving them with no spare. They were unable to get assistance at the refuel area as Marathon rules only allow Service Crews to fuel the truck. Competitors are not allowed any other assistance and exclusion is the penalty. Now we know why most of the trucks race with three spares.

The flats resulted in Josh running a little more conservatively until the last stage of the day - an 86.86KM selective. At that point, he turned it up. He took the tight, technical slalom style section all out and posted his first stage win! He beat out Bruce Garland by :19 seconds.

After a rough start in the first couple days, it was apparent the team refocused, decided to take each day at a time, set goals for individual stages and legs, and learn the nuances of this rally for a future return. Josh is a gifted driver, Thad the perfect co-driver and the truck is super capable. We look forward to the final two days of racing. Despite what happens now, it has been a tremendous experience for the team.

Remember to check out the You Tube daily recap videos by clicking here.

LEG 4 - LEONORA TO LAVERTON

2009-08-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

Good evening from Laverton, Western Australia. We are now spending two nights in this bivouac which will make our journey tomorrow a little easier. Today was another great day for the team - the HUMMER ran flawlessly, Josh was fast and Thad is nailing it in his role as navigator. In three Selective Stages, they posted 6th, 3rd and 2nd respectively. The overall result was third fastest for the day. Needless to say, the racers now know the team is truly competitive.

Tomorrow, Josh is third off the line. We have been told the day is the "toughest" out of the seven with 460 KM of Selective Stages and 85 KM of transit sections. Essentially, it is an all out race for the day with minimal breaks. It is also the second of three "Marathon Legs" - meaning the team has to perform their own service. Our support team can only refuel the truck. The long, all-out racing could favor Josh's experience with grueling endurance events.

Rod, Jason and I will be heading to various parts of the course in the morning to grab video, photos and update the action as cell service allows. Make sure you sign up for Twitter posts to keep up with the latest.

See you tomorrow!

LEG 3 - MT. MAGNET TO LEONORA

2009-08-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

GOOD NEWS!

It was a redeeming and rewarding day for Josh, Thad and the H2 team and we are happy to report great news. The longest day so far on the rally, the guys had 4 selective stages and 7 transit stages, for a total of 745.68 km. The first selective east of Mt. Magnet was 122.59 and they took it relatively easy with the goal to warm up, settle in and focus on completing the day. By the time they entered the Agnew Service Area around 4 pm, they had made considerable time on a substantial portion of the field.

We saw them approximately 30 km into the last selective stage and they were moving fast. It was apparent that they were running a very competitive pace. We are now at the bivouac and checking the results as they keep coming in. Although these results are unofficial, here are the team’s result from each competitive stage today – 6th, 2nd, 5th, 3rd.

Tomorrow, we travel from Leonora to Laverton. There are 3 selective stages for a total of 301.17 and 163.81 transit stages for a total of 464.98. The progressive total of kilometers covered for all three days is 2390.17. We are waiting on tomorrow’s starting list, and because of the strong results, the HUMMER will have a much better starting position.

Jason Jacopian is working hard to get video posted tonight, but internet speeds have been challenging. With tomorrow's shorter stages, we are headed in early to get the video out and a mid-race update posted.

Stay tuned and good night from the Outback!

LEG 2 UPDATE - GERALDTON TO MT. MAGNET

2009-08-03T05:37:00.000-07:00

It’s a tough day for the team. I’m writing this update from Yalgoo which is known as the entry into the Outback. The day was over 600 km with two special stages – the first 244.75 km and the second 134 km. We saw them pass approximately 25 km into the first selective stage and they were running hard and strong. Just beyond that point, they were able to pass the car that started 2 minutes before the #111 H2.

Rod, Jason and I headed from RK 25 to RK 134 – the start of the “Timed Crossing” – and were able to catch the race leaders and record splits. The first truck off the line started 36 minutes ahead of Josh, but last year’s winner (Riley #100) who started in third position had moved up to first place by this point and put almost 8 minutes on that first truck. Based on how fast Josh was running when we first saw him, as the clock kept ticking, we knew there must be a problem. He came through the “Time Crossing” at approximately noon, and told us he broke a brake line and needed brake fluid.

Approximately 20 km down the course there was a tough creek crossing with one stuck medical vehicle. The team stopped and surveyed the area, chose a line and proceeded on across the deep mucky bog. The section was seriously wide and the truck got stuck beyond their ability to get out on their own - up to the diff and skid plate. After several tries and assistance from other vehicles, a recovery vehicle with 20 feet of Snatch Um strap was able to move them a few inches – just enough to get #111 unstuck.

Needless to say, a disappointing day. However, despite a big penalty, tomorrow is a new day and it’s a long event.

LEG 1 UPDATE - PERTH TO GERALDTON

2009-08-02T05:41:00.000-07:00

FOR CURRENT RESULTS – CLICK HERE FOR THE SAFARI WEBSITE LIVE PAGE

Good evening from the coastal town of Geraldton. We are approximately 350 km north of Perth and settled in at the bivouac. The competition today consisted of short “special stages” (SS) – approximately 100 km total - as well as several transition stages. A "special stage" is where the competition happens essentially. The team ran into troubles midway through the stage when the insulation around one of the two mufflers basically had collapsed and clogged – causing the unit to become extremely hot and basically glowing when Josh was able to get a visual. After using one fire extinguisher, they made a wise decision to wait for the sweep to grab another extinguisher before continuing on. The team was down for approximately 30+ minutes but were able to pick off a couple trucks before the transition stage.

The second special stage was a short loop with many hard to see turns. In the first kilometer off the start, the team followed the deep ruts in the track, only to turn back as many teams had to do as well. Stories back at the bivouac confirmed that a majority of the field missed at least one or more turn. However, Josh reported that Thad did an excellent job navigating and we could tell from the in-car footage. There is no doubt that although he is new to it, he’ll make an excellent navigator for the long-haul.

The team is now working on the second muffler which was starting to develop the same problem as the left. Although the truck will be louder, the problem should be fully resolved. The H2 starts in 17th position tomorrow morning as we head east to Mt. Magnet. We have not been issued our road books yet, but will know the stages and distances shortly.

PROLOGUE

2009-08-01T05:09:00.000-07:00

We are wrapping up the first "official" day of the rally. The Prologue was a short stage intended to define the seeing for tomorrow's start. The course was 15.84 KM through a forested area east of Perth. The truck was running great but a navigational error cost the team 4 KM. Fortunately, the Prologue does not count against the team for the overall scoring, but does determine Leg 1 starting order. So tomorrow, they will be starting near the back of the pack. But then again, nothing new in the world of Stock Full racing back home. Veteran racer Bruce Garland ran the fastest time - 12:04 with an average speed of 78.8 kph.

The Ceremonial Start took place in downtown Perth at sunset. The H2 attracted alot of excitement and interest as it stood out from the Patrols, Pajeros, and other smaller traditional rally trucks. Definitely the absence of a windscreen sparked several discussions on the pros and cons for racing across the Outback. And a final highlight - Rod Hall was given the Australian flag to officially start the division.

Tomorrow's race - LEG 1 - heads north to the coastal town of Geraldton. The total distance is 575.03 KM and consists of two special stages. Josh and Thad leave the line at 8:55 am.

We will be posting as possible, but we understand cell service is limited once we depart Perth. We will do our best with updating as connections allow. However, if you can't find us here, click on the homepage for rally update links.

RACE SCHEDULE

2009-07-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

The truck prep is wrapping up and we head shortly to the designated scrutineering time - 1:30 pm Perth time - 10:30 pm PST - back home. The guys were able to rig up the turn signals required by the governing bodies' race regs, but it made for a late night. The driver's meeting is tonight and will clarify outstanding questions about rules, regs and schedule. We will post those specifics and the information about the Marathon Legs.

THE COURSE is a clockwise race starting in Perth and heading north to the coastal town of Geraldton, before turning east, then south to the finish in Kalgoorlie. Below is the general race schedule.

PROLOGUE - Saturday, August 1st

CEREMONIAL START - Saturday, August 1st

LEG 1 - PERTH - GERALDTON

LEG 2 - GERALDTON - MT. MAGNET

LEG 3 - MT. MAGNET - LEONORA

LEG 4 - LEONORA - LAVERTON

LEG 5 - LAVERTON - LAVERTON

LEG 6 - LAVERTON - KALGOORLIE

LEG 7 - KALGOORLIE - KALGOORLIE

FINISH - KALGOORLIE - Saturday, August 8th

Australasian Safari Update #4

2009-07-28T23:43:00.000-07:00

10:45am Wednesday 29 July (local time)

We’re here! After 36 hours of travel, including stops in L.A., Melbourne and Adelaide, it was a pleasure to step out of the airport in Perth to link up with Greg Knowles and Josh Ogg. His lifted H2 out in the parking lot was our clue they were there. From the airport, we stopped at Henley Saab/Hummer where our H3 was waiting for us. Thanks to Nick Richards (US Hummer Marketing) and his counter-parts in Australia, they have provided us with a Solar Flare H3 to use in the event as our primary support vehicle.

After some rest we are now down at the Race Torque race shop where Ogg is finishing up the UHF radio installation and Greg is completing the Monit rally computer and M.D. map reader electrical install. I’m glad that’s not my job! Jason is also installing all of the camera equipment inside the truck. So at the moment, it’s a full house around the truck.

In the next few minutes, Stump and I are heading to the mobile Safari HQ, which is located at the Ascot Racecourse near Perth, to finally meet Justin Hunt and his Octagon staff. According to Justin, that is to be the second thing we do today.

It really is great to be here! I’ll update this evening after we know what Justin has in mind for us.

Australasian Safari - Post #3

2009-07-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

The team is down to a few days now before the event kicks off. Seven to be exact. Our prep man, Josh Ogg, arrived in Perth a few hours ago and was greeted in Aussie style by Greg Knowles, the race truck owner and key team member. As neither one knew the other, Greg greeted Josh with a hastily created VIP sign as the crowd deplaned. Once in hand, both were off to the port of Freemantle to pick up the race truck in Greg’s H2. While the Australian Customs process has been a bit frustrating for Greg, the good news is that most of our items have finally been cleared and are ready to be removed from the port. After a little rest, Josh has a list of items that must be accomplished to the race truck in order to comply with the Confederation of Australian Motorsports (CAMS) safety requirements. Once at the race shop, I will update the progress of that list.

My friend Wes Richie – a combat veteran U.S. Navy SEAL - and his company, EXSTA® Advanced Hydration, will be partnering with us for this event to create a stronger competitive package. I used EXSTA® at the last Baja 1000 and will it will in my daily supply of water in the race truck. Hydration and nutrition is a key component to long, back-to-back race days. Check out exstaenergy.com and look for it on our website soon.

The truck is there, the team is complete and even our shirts our done. Justin Hunt authorized us to be able to reproduce the Australasian Safari Rally logo on our team shirts for this year. So with the help of George Thompson our Safari Edition shirts and hats will complete our team appearance. We even look like a team!

All for now, but expect more to follow soon!

Australasian Safari Update #2 - from Josh

2009-07-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

It's a little over three weeks away from the Safari and a few more details are ironed out. The race truck arrived in Perth over the weekend and now is on it's way to Freemantle on the western shore of the continent. The container is on schedule to arrive by the 11th and will then start the customs process. The race producer, Octagon, and Austorient have both been extremely effecient at helping us through
this process.

Our all important crew has been finalized as well. Josh Ogg (our SamCo prep guru) arrives in Perth on the 26th to start the final touches on the H2 SUT -"Tigger" as we refer to "him" in the shop.

I will arrive on the 28th with navigator Thad Stump and Jason Jacopian - our go to video pro.

Race truck owner Greg Knowles has lined up two additional Aussies to help with the cause. Daniel Villanova and Graham Jones both have extensive experience with Greg in the Australian Rally Championship and are a welcome addition to the team.

Add in the experience of Rod Hall and the talent of Emily Miller and our team is complete.

There are plenty of additional irons in the fire, so as those items become concrete, I will share that information as well.

All for now.

Australasian Safari Update #1

2009-06-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest on the Australasian Safari...

The H2 SUT was shipped out Thursday, June 11th along with spare parts and BFG race tires. So things look good and the team is continuing to prepare for the 8-day race through the Outback.

The race begins in Perth, Australia on August 1st. Josh and Thad Stump will be in the truck each day, with race support from Josh Ogg, Greg Knowles and three additional crew from "down under." From what we understand, the navigation is traditional rally raid format, not a marked course with full GPS routes we normally experience in US and Baja off-road racing. The solid history and experience as teammates that Josh and Thad have together over the past several years should pay off.

Currently, Josh is working with the rally to establish which class the H2 SUT qualifies for. It looks like it will fall into T1. However, as news occurs, we'll keep you posted.

Vehicle Profile - H1 Test Truck

2009-05-31T16:25:00.000-07:00

We just wrapped up the fifth Light Truck Tire Seminar this past Friday for Michelin and BFGoodrich Tires. Along with organizational duties and demonstration driving, I get the fun job - driving participants on a "hot lap" in one of Rod Hall's "rolling stock." The vehicle is Rod's original H1 HUMMER race truck that debuted at the 1993 Baja 1000 and won the Full Stock class.

The truck is a GM 6.5 Liter Turbo Diesel equipped with a set of BFGoodrich Mud Terrain KM2s and a suspension package that Rod Hall Products developed and distributes to the military. H1s with this suspension package can be driven at the same performance level that we push the truck on the hot lap course, but with approximately 16,500 of total weight. This is critical for soldiers' safety who need to load their vehicles with armor, artillery and gear. The truck's purpose when it isn't racing around the course for the LTTS program is to test durability and handling of new parts in severe conditions.

The "durability demonstration" - another term for "hot lap" is the best part of the job and great to see people's faces as we zig-zag across the course at speed and hit the new little table top jump. Most comments range from how surprised they are the truck handles so well or how big the truck is and how small I am. Some laugh, some yell, some sit quietly white knuckled, but most everyone walks away wanting more.

Posted by Emily Miller

Update from Chad - Racing Class 10

2009-05-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

I am running the 10 car this year with Johnny Harrah in all the BITD events. We have completed two races - I start and Johnny finishes. The first race was rough for us. The car was finished just in time for Parker and we had minimal time to test and tune. However, Primm was a different story and there were significant improvements in ride and handling.

Running Primm was a real eye opener for me. The car worked well so we could run it hard. It is very different from driving a full stock. It took a while for me to figure out that the whoops are really of no concern, and I can drive it as fast as the engine will pull through them. You really just have to work on keeping it on the road and not hitting rocks. I'm also much busier in the cockpit - shifting all the time and sometimes using the clutch. The car also has huge body roll and wheel travel, which takes getting used to. The HUMMER is very different - where we focus on not making any mistakes and saving the car to the finish. Course condition has a much bigger impact on stock trucks.

The Speed team is coming into it's own. Johnny is a good driver and we believe we will be the car to beat. We will be testing all next week and Thad Stump will be coming up to join us. I expect good things and am looking forward to moving into Class 1 next year. But I'm also ready to get back in the H3Alpha for the Baja 1000 and go for another Stock Full win.

Terrible's @ PRIMM Results

2009-04-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Chad Hall ran Terrible's @ PRIMM in Class 10 with co-pilot Thad Stump. The course was a three-lap 250 mile course just outside of Las Vegas. The event was divided into two races with the faster classes running second. Class 10 ran in the second grouping that included unlimited 7 trucks, 1500, Class 8, Class 1 and Trick Trucks.

Chad ran the first two laps and started in 10th position. The first lap went smooth and Chad was running in 2nd place. On lap two, he bent a wheel and had a flat. Lost the power steering near the end of the lap before handing it to Johnny. Harrah had a trouble free lap and brought it home for 4th place in class and 38th unofficially overall.

Chad noted, "the car is really fast and we are ready to win." The team will have the chance at the next race, the Vegas to Reno 1000 mile stage race - August 19-23rd. Check out the "new and improved" BITD.com for more info.

Have questions for our team? Send them to info@rodhallracing.com and we'll answer them on our blog.

Parker 425 - Update #3

2009-02-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

This just in from Chad -- He confirmed the information about the shift linkage. Took a couple hours to fix, but he did say the car was fast and they had a good run. He handed to car off to Johnny at RM 154, but about ten miles later, the car was hit and looks like it will be a dnf. Chad didn't have the details, but we are holding tight and hoping the guys are okay. More to follow as soon as we hear.....

Parker 425 - Update # 2

2009-02-07T11:52:00.000-08:00

It's tough to stare at #1055 , see the MPH remain at zero and wonder what is happening. But Josh just phoned in -- It's raining hard in Parker, and unfortunately Chad and Thad are stuck at Main Pit working to fix #1055. At race mile 131, the shift lever broke at the transmission. They were able to manually engage second gear and limp it in. The rain started at 11:30 and now at 1 pm, it is still coming down hard. The plan is to get the fix, hand the car off to Johnny at Graham Well and finish the race and get the points. Best of luck to the team!

Parker 425 - Update # 1

2009-02-06T20:54:00.001-08:00

Hello Race Fans!

Lots of exciting changes at Rod Hall Racing. This weekend, Chad Hall competes with trusted co-driver Thad Stump, at the Parker 425. No, he will not be driving his H3 Alpha, but the #1055 Class 10 car of Johnny Harrah and Speed Technologies. He will be competing the entire BITD series with Johnny and plans to return to the Baja 1000 in the stock full class behind the wheel of his race proven HUMMER. Class 10s are open-wheel buggies - with unlimited suspension and limited engines - quite a change from his H3 and H1.

Chad will leave the line at approximately 8:15 and compete against approximately twenty cars. He will drive the first 1 1/2 laps of the 3 lap race - and make the driver switch at Graham Well.

Rod and Josh are at Parker showing support for Chad's new endeavor. Rod is actually an "extractor" on the course - ready to pull out stuck, stranded vehicles. We'll be following on Iritrack and checking in with the Halls to get the latest on Chad's race.

It's Official - Rod Hall Racing Secures 3 BITD Championships

2008-12-06T16:53:00.000-08:00

It's Official, Rod Hall Racing won in three classes at the BITD Fabtech Desert Classic. In doing so, the team captured three championships, taking the season total to FIVE. This has definitely proven to be the best race year in the team's history. We are now heading to the SCORE Championship banquet in Primm, with just enough time to clean off the dust and celebrate!

Thanks to all our fans and sponsors for supporting us! Stay tuned for photos and a final news release.

Fabtech Desert Classic - Tech & Contingency

2008-12-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful day in Henderson, Nevada. Seems impossible it is only a few weeks before Christmas. The team pre-ran the course early this morning, which is a short 48-mile loop. Rod said it best, "the course covers the smallest amount of space of any race." A maze of a course, it essentially zig-zags through the desert on the outskirts of Vegas. We expect the visibility to be tough, especially if there is minimal wind.

Obviously the team is focused on grabbing three additional championships to add to the SCORE victories. However, it was a little bittersweet today as we know this is the last race of an incredibly successful year.

Joining Rod for the first lap is a very special guest to the team. KJ Howe ran the legendary Mint 400 for many years. The Mint desert race attracted over 100,000 people to Las Vegas and was the largest event in the famed city for many years. KJ is a dynamic, inspiring guy and we are excited to have him join us. In the photo above, KJ poses with a Mint 400 fan in the tech line.

More to come.

Posted by E. Miller

Fabtech Desert Classic

2008-12-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

The team is heading today to Henderson, Nevada - site of the final race of the 2008 season. All three teams under RHR are well positioned to bring home THREE class championships in the Best in the Desert (BITD) series. Not bad, considering Rod Hall Racing just captured the Stock Full and Stock Mini class championships in the SCORE series at the Baja 1000. This season truly has been the most successful for the team. And five series championships would be unprecedented.

In BITD, Rod Hall Racing runs in the 3100 class, 4100 and 8100. Essentially, these classes are stock mini, stock-full SUV and stock-full truck. In SCORE, Josh and Chad compete in the same class - where SUVs and trucks race together.

I just spoke to Josh regarding his H2 SUT as it experienced some damage at the 1000 to the cross member and right front corner. He reports the truck is prepped and ready, having been repaired this previous week - which also included some rewiring work and new steering parts.

He only has to finish his race to capture the class championships.

Stay tuned for more updates from Henderson.

Posted by E. Miller

Rod Hall Wins SCORE Stock-Mini Title

2008-11-22T09:55:00.000-08:00

In one of the most bizarre finishes I have seen in over 30 years of Baja racing, Rod Hall finished second in the Stock-Mini Class, clinching his third consecutive SCORE Desert Points Championship in the Stock Mini Class and qualifying for a share in the Toyota Milestone Awards for the 2008 season. Rod's friend and partner Mike Winkel was at the wheel of the #760 H3 SUV when the truck took the checkered flag.

What made this finish so unusual was the fact that Gavin Skilton, in the #779 Honda Ridgeline and Ryan Millen, in the #762 Toyota FJ Criuser, had been locked in a battle for the class lead during the entire race. As they entered the final 10 mile dash to the finish, fully an hour and a half in front of the apparent 3rd place winning #760 H3, Millen apparently hit a large boulder, resulting in a devestating crash and ripping the entire front end off the Toyota which brought it to a halt five miles from the finish. Skilton, now thinking he was on easy street, almost immediatly got buried up to his doors in a mound of silt just a few feet from Millen. Both vehicles remained in place, motionless, for almost an hour as the HUMMER H3 moved closer to the finish and the win. After an hour of race traffic coming by, all unwilling to stop and lend a hand, the #862 Dodge came by on his way to a second place finish in the Stock-Full Class. Driver Kent Kroeker agreed to tow Gavin Skilton free from the silt that restrained him, allowing the Honda to take their first SCORE Baja 1000 win. Millen was finally being towed out of the area, as Mike Winkel passed him by for the unlikely second place finish. It just goes to show you that, as Yogi Berra once said, "It isn't over til it's over".

Meanwhile, Josh Hall in the #863 H2 SUT broke another front suspension part (tie rod) back at RM 520 or thereabouts but got back in the race to finish third in the Stock-Full Class. Twenty four hours and forty nine minutes after they began the odyssey that was the 2008 Tecate/SCORE Baja 1000, Josh Hall, Sam Cothrun and Team HUMMER overcame most every obsticle that Off-road racing could throw at them to bring the #863 Team HUMMER H2 SUT home for the Checkered flag.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Team Owner, Rod Hall, a happy 71st birthday and to congratulate everyone at Rod Hall Racing and Team HUMMER for a great performance.

Good day from the 41st Annual Tecate/SCORE Baja 1000.

George R. Thompson
Rod Hall Racing

grt

Chad Hall Wins 2008 Baja 1000

2008-11-22T07:46:00.000-08:00

In a tough and diciplined race that demanded a trouble-free drive from start to finish, Team HUMMER's Chad Hall drove a perfect race in the #861 H3 Alpha to win the Stock-Full Class at the 41st Annual Tecate/SCORE Baja 1000. The win marks the 7th Baja 1000 victory for Chad Hall and the finish earns him the 2008 SCORE Stock-Full Desert Points Championship and a share of the Toyota Milestone Awards, which are awarded each year to each driver who finishes every mile of every race in the SCORE Desert Championship Series. Our congratulations go out to Chad Hall and the H3 Alpha crew for another championship season.

grt

Early Morning Problems

2008-11-22T05:33:00.000-08:00

As of 5:34 this morning, Chad Hall, in the #861 H2 Alpha, is at RM 582 and continues to lead in the Stock-Full Class over Kent Kroeker in the #862 Dodge, who appears to be parked on the side of the road at RM 560, giving Chad his biggest lead of the day. Josh Hall, who has been fighting problems with his front suspension in his #863 H2 SUT, broke an idler arm at 3:30 AM near race-mile 420. He managed to get it repaired in about 25 minutes and get back in the race in time to barely hold a one-mile lead over Clyde Stacy, in the #779 Dodge Ram. Currently he is running in third position at RM 460 with a 33 mile lead over Stacy.

As of 5:56 AM, Gavin Skilton is holding the lead at RM 562 in the Honda but Ryan Millen is reeling him in and is only a mile or two behind him in the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Mike Winkel, back at the wheel of the #760 Team HUMMER H3 SUV, had a couple of flats between Check Points #4 and #5, which slowed him down just a bit. Currently he is at race-mile 507 in third place and running well, now that he has two new spares on the truck.

grt

A Brief Update

2008-11-22T01:49:00.000-08:00

At 1:15 AM, after 1 1/2 hours of downtime, Josh Hall and Sam Cothrun got back in the race after replacing a broken pitman arm. This is a serious job at anytime but in the dark and in the dirt, it was very challenging. He is currently running in third place and is at RM 368, 102 miles behind Chad in the #861 H2 Alpha. The #863 H2 SUT is scheduled for a fuel only pit stop at BFG Pit #3 (RM 403).

The #862 Toyota is running again as of 1:20 AM and is currently 28 miles in front of the third place #760 H3 now being driven by Rod Hall. The #779 Honda leads the race by 40 miles over the H3 with about 215 miles remaining in the race.

grt

The Good, The Bad and the Unknown

2008-11-22T01:05:00.000-08:00

Well, here's what I know as of 1:05 AM. In the Stock-Mini Class, The #779 Honda Ridgeline is in the lead at RM 412. Ryan MIllen's #762 Toyota FJ Cruiser has stopped at their pit at race-mile 400. The rear of the Toyota is jacked up and the rear suspension appears to have sustained some serious damage from the "whooops" leading up to the pit area. The Millens have brought in some service vehicles and it looks as if #762 may be in the pit for awhile. Mike Winkel is running well at RM 365 and closing in on second place.

In the Stock-Full race Chad Hall is at RM 447 and continues to lead in the #861 Team HUMMER SUV by 14 miles over the #862 Dodge. Josh Hall, who was gaining ground in the H2 SUT, suddenly came to a halt a RM 360 and due to his remote location, we cannot reach the race-car or crew by phone or radio. An appropriate service vehicle has been dispatched to establish contact so we can determine the extent of the problem and I'll report those findings as soon as I hear back from the team.

grt

Hall/Winkel Move Into 3rd Place

2008-11-21T22:57:00.000-08:00

At 10:33 Mike Winkel, at the wheel of the #760 H3 HUMMER SUV, passed the #761 Ford to take over third place in the Stock Mini Class. Currently Winkel is at race-mile 294 with a 14 mile lead over the now 4th place Ford of Steve Kovach. The H3 remains about 65 miles behind both Millen in the #762 Toyota and Skilton in the #779 Honda, who are still running within sight of each other.

Chad Hall continues to lead in the #861 H3 Alpha with a five mile lead over Kroeker in the #862 Dodge. Of interest in the Stock-Full Class is the fact that Josh Hall in the #863 H2 SUT has made up 30 miles on the leader in the last hour and 10 minutes. This should develop into an interesting race as the night progresses.

grt

Josh Hall Back in the Race

2008-11-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

As of 9:45 PM. the #863 Team HUMMER H2 SUT is back in the race and running better than ever according to the pit crew at BFG Pit #2 (RM 282). Apparently, two bolts that fixed the right-side motor mount to the frame came loose and fell out, allowing the engine to rock from side to side. This movement caused the intake manifold to contact the engine support tubing, cracking the manifold. By 8:45 PM, after spending almost an hour finding something to use to support the engine in the frame, Hall and Chief Mechanic, Sam Cothrun were able to get it under power again and limped the H2 into the BFG pit, some 20 miles up the road. Once in the pit the crew was able to epoxy the intake manifold and install the proper bolts into the motor mount to secure the engine and fix the vacuum leak. #863 is currently 70 miles down to the leader, Chad Hall in the #861 H3 Alpha. With nothing to lose, you can rest assured that Josh will put the hammer down and make every attempt to get to the front in the next 300 miles.

In other news, Mike Winkel in the 760 H3 SUV is currently at race-mile 273, about 5 miles behind the third place #761 Ford driven by Steve Kovach. The H3 is currently 70 miles behind the leaders Ryan Millen in the #762 Toyota FJ Cruiser and Gavin Skilton in the #779 Honda Ridgeline, who are running neck and neck for the lead.

grt

Josh Hall Sidelined at Race-mile 260

2008-11-21T19:44:00.000-08:00

While enjoying a 5 mile lead over the #861 HUMMER H3 Alpha, Josh Hall's #863 H2 SUT sheared some mounting bolts on the right side of his engine which sidelined his truck just 20 miles from BFG Pit #2 located at race-mile 282. At the present time, Chad Hall is at RM 285 and leads the Stock-Full Class by four miles over the #862 Dodge while the #863 H2 continues to sit at race-mile 260, waiting for the crew to find a way into the area. More news as it develops but as of 8:22 PM, I am in the dark as to the exact nature of the problem and cannot contact anyone on the H2 chase crew to find out more details.

grt

Rod Hall Running Again

2008-11-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

After an hour of downtime, the Team HUMMER crew was able to reach the #760 H3 SUV, make repairs, and get underway with Mike Winkel behind the wheel. In spite of the quick repair, Winkel is about 50 miles down to the leader as darkness falls in Northern Baja. The H3 is currently running in 4th place but after considerable downtime to replace some suspension parts, the 3rd place #761 Ford driven by Steve Kovach is only 14 miles ahead of Winkel. I'll put a clock on them to see if Winkel is making up any time on the competition.

Josh Hall is in the lead in the #863 Team HUMMER H2 SUT with only 4 miles between him and his brother Chad in the #861 H3 Alpha. Closing in gradually is Kent Kroeker in the # 862 Dodge, with about five miles separating him and the 2nd place Chad Hall. Back at the Check Point (RM 140) Kroeker was about 8 miles back so he seems to be running a slightly faster pace then Chad. On the other hand, Josh seems to be holding on to his 9 mile advantage over the big Dodge.

Rod Hall Down with Steering Problems

2008-11-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

As of 4:45 PM, after changing a flat tire at Race-mile 98, Rod Hall has apparently broken his rack & pinion steering at race-mile 114. The chase crew is heading in to make repairs but they estimate that it will take 45 minutes to reach the #760 Team HUMMER H3 SUV and another hour to make the repair. Co-driver Mike Winkel is driving in with the chase crew to take over behind the wheel and give Rod some time to rest. "It's a long race," said Hall. "There's still 500 miles to the finish and a lot can happen by then."

Meanwhile, Chad Hall in the #861 H3 Alpha clings to a narrow lead in the Stock-Full Class over Josh Hall in the #863 H2 SUT. They are both at race-mile 125, eleven miles in front of the third place Dodge driven by Kent Kroeker.

HUMMERS Rescue Stuck Race Buggy

2008-11-21T14:15:00.000-08:00

At race-mile 53 stands Compadre Pass, a steep and rocky hill, which is narrow with steep walls along the sides that do not allow for easy passing. As the race was beginning to spread out in both the Stock-Full and Stock-Mini Classes, Chad was the first among these two classes to reach the pass only to find a Buggy stuck on the rocks in the middle of the hill. In no time the trucks started backing up behind the Buggy, Chad, Josh and everyone else in the S/F and S/M classes. Leads of 3, 4 and even 8 miles were quickly reduced to leads of 3, 4 and 8 feet as everyone found themselves in a traffic jam waiting for the buggy to dig his way out and get going again.

Chad and Josh in their H3 Alpha and H2 SUT combined to shove the buggy up and through the pass so the race could continue. As of 2:25 PM everyone is back in the race and both the Stock-Full and Stock-Mini Classes are spread out over an 8 mile area between RM 65-73 and running in a tight pack with Chad still holding the lead in the #861 H3 Alpha followed closely by Josh in the #863 H2 SUT.

I'll check back in a while after the race traffic begins to sort itself out, once again.

grt

One O'clock update

2008-11-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

Chad Hall in the #861 H3 Alpha continues to lead the Stock-Full Class at RM 35 as of 1:01 PM with his brother Josh right on his tail. The remainder of the class is currently about 8-10 miles back with #779, Clyde Stacy, from Bristol, VA running in 3rd place in his Dodge Ram.

Ryan Millen is leading in the #762 Toyota FJ and running about 4-6 miles in front of Rod Hall in the #760 H3 SUV who is in a tight race with the rest of the Stock-Mini Class. Rod is running well but merely running at his own pace knowing there is about 600 miles of bad road left to the finish line.

grt

They're off the line

2008-11-21T12:26:00.000-08:00

Team HUMMER's Chad Hall left the start line at 12:00 noon in the #861 Stock Full H3 Alpha followed by Josh Hall one minute later in the #863 H2 SUT. They are currently at race-mile 18 with Chad and Josh holding a slight lead over the field and Chad slighty out front.

Rod Hall got under way in the #760 Stock-Mini H3 SUV at 12:02:30, clinching his third consecutive SCORE Stock-Mini Championship. Currently Ryan Millen is in the lead in the #762 Toyota FJ with Rod in a fight for second about two miles back. Millen is at RM 21 as of 12:42 PM.

Everyone seems to be running fine at the present time. This early in the race it's all about taking your time and threading your way through the more than 200 cars and trucks to find your comfort zone while the race traffic thins out.

More news as it develops.

grt

Team HUMMER Ready For Baja 1000

2008-11-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

Good morning from Ensenada, Baja California and the 2008 Tecate/SCORE Baja 1000. Led by team owner, Rod Hall, Team HUMMER is at the starting line in downtown Ensenada waiting to take the green flag for the start of the 41st Annual Baja 1000. Chad Hall will be the first HUMMER to start in the #861 H3 Alpha. He is expected to get under way about noon today and only needs to finish the race to lay claim to the 2008 SCORE Stock-Full points championship. Starting third in the Stock-Full Class will be Josh Hall in the #863 Team HUMMER H2 SUT. Between them, the Brothers Hall have won the Stock-Full Class at every Baja 1000 since 2000 and 3 of the 4 SCORE races in their class this year with Chad taking wins at Laughlin and the Baja 500 and Josh winning the San Felipe 250.

Rod Hall is racing in his 41st Baja 1000 and will share driving duties in the #760 Team HUMMER H3 SUV with Mike Winkel. The veteran Hall is the only driver to have participated in a car/truck in every one of the legendary Baja 1000 events and will clinch his third consecutive Stock-Mini Class points championship as soon as he starts the race. He also holds the record for Baja 1000 Class wins with 19 victories. His goal this year is to make it an even twenty wins and win the 23rd Annual Toyota Milestone Award which is awarded yearly to each driver who finishes every mile of every race in the SCORE Desert Championship Series. Going into the final race of the season there are only 15 drivers still in the running for this prestigous award. Team HUMMER's Rod and Chad Hall are two of the fifteen eligible drivers.

As if this wasn't enough, team owner, Rod Hall, celebrates his 71st birthday on Saturday. Ride along with us and I'll bring you all the Team HUMMER action throughout the 41st Annual Tecate/SCORE Baja 1000.

George R. Thompson
Team HUMMER

Notes from Ensenada

2008-11-20T09:17:00.001-08:00

I'm sitting in a coffee house in downtown Ensenada while the race trucks slowly snake through the streets for tech and contingency. We wrapped up pre-running yesterday after five days out on the course. Although the race is a short one this year at approximately 640 miles, it is long in some respects. It is definitely a tough, tedious, technical loop - but well suited for our HUMMER race trucks. A highlight of the first 148 miles to BFG Pit 1 is the descent off La Ruma Rosa. The several thousand foot decrease in altitude is marked by sheer cliffs and stunning vistas. It will be an impressive sight to see over 300 trucks race it - knowing that a missed turn could be fatal. Multiple corners involve three-point turns.

The loop from Borrego through San Felipe is completely whooped out and the last portion of the course on the Pacific side is marked by several treacherous silt beds. We are very happy to have four-wheel drive vehicles and have marveled on several occasions at the Class 11 drivers who finish the race in stock VW Beetles.

We're happy to have George Thompson, veteran desert racer and Rod Hall Racing team member posting regular blog entries throughout the event. So check back. Thanks to all our fans and sponsors for your support.

Posted by E. Miller

Heading to Baja

2008-11-12T08:46:00.001-08:00

Rod, Emily and Mike Winkel head to Ensenada tomorrow and begin pre-running the course. The trio will meet up with Josh and Chad Hall, Sam Cothrun, Thad Stump and the GM crew on Friday at BFG Pit 1 at RM 148.

Sean Holman of Four Wheeler Magazine will co-ride with Josh in the H2 SUT. And this year, Rick Pewe from 4-Wheel & Off Road Magazin e will leave the line with Rod in the Stock Mini Class. Pewe has joined the team two years in a row, but unpredictable race dynamics and circumstances have kept Rick from jumping in the navigator's seat with Rod. He is incredibly capable and we are excited to have him experience the insanity a Baja 1000 start offers.

More tomorrow, before we cross the border.

BAJA 1000 Map Notes

2008-10-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 map is now live and the off-road community is ramping up for pre-running to begin on November 1st. For many, pre-running is the real highlight. Basically, it's everyone's chance to have fun in the dirt, enjoy the Baja terrain and a few Tecates with race buddies and rivals. But it is also work, marking the GPS, making notes and plotting race strategy.

This year's race is a mere 634 miles - starting and finishing in Ensenada. Once the green flag drops, the race heads Northeast toward Mexicali and the Mexico-Cali border. At RM 140, the course turns south at the top of Laguna Salada and heads toward San Felipe, approaching town and Checkpoint 3 heading from the south in a counterclockwise loop. San Felipe is approximately 350 miles into the race. With less than 300 miles to the finish, the course heads north about 50 miles then turns west heading through Mike's Sky Ranch. From this point, the course is similar to the 2008 Baja 500, dropping in to Santo Thomas and then on to Ojos Negros and the finish line.

Everyone at Rod Hall Racing sends out a huge thank you to Sal Fish, Sue Johnson, Oscar Ramos and the entire SCORE International team for producing this though, legendary race.

For more info on the race, log on to http://www.score-international.com and check back at RodHallRacing.com for more posts.

Race Post #7

2008-09-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Wrap Up -
"That was the most fun race I have had. Period. It was a fast course, but also technical through beautiful country I had not seen before," noted Mike Winkel. Winkel had no problems after passing Falkowsky and ran hard for the last ninety-five miles - where he crossed the finish line in first place, furthering Rod's class lead in the Silver State Points Championships. Co-driver Jake Povey also commented that it was one of his favorite races, with "minimal rough sections, yet plenty of silt."

Although a few minor problems arose for Josh, he clearly dominated the entire race. "Starting ahead of the 1100, 2000 and 7100 classes was definitely beneficial. We had one flat and hit a ditch that cocked the steering wheel 180 degrees, but other than that, it was a fun, fast course for us - perfect for the H2."

Chad just crossed the finish line and secured the second place finish in the 4100 class. So as our timing and scoring guru, Rick Grabowsky calculates, all three Halls are still leading the championships as the team heads to the final race - the Fabtech Desert Classic - December 5-7 in Henderson, Nevada.

Thanks for your support and good night from Mesquite.

Race Post #6

2008-09-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

#4111 Update -
Thad just reported that Chad left Pit 6. The chase crew assessed the damage and pulled the half shaft and prop shaft. He is now stuck in low range for the remainder of the race with a top speed limit just under 70 miles per hour! At this point he is just focused on driving it to the finish. At this point in the championship, it is critical for Chad to cross the finish line and secure finishing points.

Race Post #5

2008-09-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

5:30 - CONGRATULATIONS TO JOSH HALL AND SAM COTHRUN! Josh just crossed the finish line and captured the 8100 class win.

Chad Hall became hung up at approximately RM 204 in what some reports cited as a water crossing or ditch. Unfortunately, the front differential was blown so Chad limped in to Pit 6 for an assessment. Sunderland has gained significant time and is closing in on RM 280. Apparently, Chad has left the pit and is back up to speed. We'll be getting an update momentarily from the pit boss.

Mike Winkel and Jake Povey in #3111 had been closing the gap between #3101 but passed Falkowsky when he got stuck in the same location as Chad. At this point, Falkowsky is moving again, but Winkel has a substantial lead!

Race Post #4

2008-09-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

3:40 - We have an update from Thad Stump regarding Josh. He is approximately ten miles out of Pit 6 and has a substantial lead. Josh made an unexpected stop at Pit 3 with a repair to the stabilizer bar link. So his crew shortened his stop at Pit 4. Co-Driver Sam Cothrun has requested a quick stop at Pit 6 to look the rear suspension over due to a suspicious noise. The #8111's lead is large enough they feel comfortable taking the stop.

At Pit 5, Chad was two minutes ahead of Sunderland. He will be stopping for fuel at Pit 6. Currently, the team is calculating just how much fuel is needed to finish while paying special attention to the shortest stop possible to ensure Chad doesn't give up the lead.

Mike Winkel in #3111 encountered a deep silt bed shortly after Pit 3. Currently, Falkowsky is in the lead by approximately 10 miles, but Winkel is a fast, smooth driver and I'm sure he's completely focused on reeling him in.

Race Post #3

2008-09-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

Josh just left Pit 4 and picked up a load of fuel. His Iritrack is still down, but the Rick G. just reported that he has an approximate fifteen minute lead. Chad is still running hard with Sunderland and appears to be leading. In terms of the overall race, Josh is currently the first production truck and Chad is running in second. Rod pulled in to Pit 3 - thirty seconds behind Falkowsky, picked up a load of fuel and switched drivers with Mike Winkel. We just got word that Rod's truck is at mile 140 and in the lead.

Rod noted the silt was much worse than he expected and had to go to low range 4-wheel drive to get around a group of stuck vehicles. From the start to Pit 3, the course was "fast but the dust was so bad that it was difficult to pass." Mike is currently on a section of course headed to Pit 4 that climbs a mountain through a tight pine forest, littered with tight turns and big cliffs.

Race Post #2

2008-09-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

12:15 pm - All HUMMERs have cleared Pit 1 and the racing in all three classes is tight! Josh was the through the pit first with Merritt three minutes back. Chad came through one minute behind Sunderland and Rod 30 seconds behind Falkowsky. The course through Pit 2 is generally fast graded road. At this point, Josh and Chad are both about 20 miles out of Pit 2. Josh's Iritrack unit is not updating, so we will get a visual and time splits at the next pit.

Silver State 300 - Race Post #1

2008-09-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

We're fifteen minutes from the first truck taking off and the team is ready to go. Josh and Chad in classes 8100 and 4100 have moved up in the starting order. Best In The Desert determined that their trucks should start in front of 1100, 2000 and 7100 classes. In terms of competition and championship points, Josh will be watching out for Foutz's #8102, Rod is ahead of Falkowsky by four points and Chad ahead of Sunderland by thirteen points. So today is a key race for the team to hold and boost their class leads. The HUMMERs should be off the line around 10:30 am. Stay tuned!

John Pappenfort's Vegas to Reno Action Photos

2008-09-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

John Pappenfort is Rod Hall Racing's team photographer. He logs many hours on the trails - pre-running with Rod, supporting the team and capturing fantastic photos at the races. John snapped a collection of the most stunning photos at this year's TSCO Vegas to Reno including one amazing sequence of Greg Foutz's endo at Pit 1. Check the carnage and action out at www.rodhallracing.com/multimedia.shtml.

Team Profile - Sam Cothrun of SamCo Fabrication

2008-09-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

Sam Cothrun has been passionate about off-roading and off-road racing since he bought his 1972 Bronco at the age of 14. Honing his skills in welding, he rebuilt the vehicle and went on to work at Complete Truck and Four-Wheel Drive in 1997. Shortly thereafter, he went to work at Rod Hall International in repair, design and fabrication. He began co-driving with Rod in 2002.

Also in 2002, Sam stepped up and started SamCo Fabrication. Operating out of a 1,800 sq. foot shop, his first customer was Rod Hall Racing. Today, the new shop - located in Sparks, Nevada - is an impressive 11,000 sq. feet. Sam and his crew race prep the H2 SUT and H2 and he co-drives for Josh Hall. Cothrun is always professional and meticulous - but keeps it fun. When not working, we're sure Sam spends his time pumping his four-year old daughter up to race trophy trucks when she is old enough to see over the steering wheel.

For more info on SamCo - log on to http://www.samcofabrication.com.

Posted by E. Miller

Race Post #3

2008-09-06T16:09:00.001-07:00

It was a short day - 144 miles of fast, ROUGH course. In off-road racing, this would be considered a sprint distance. Both H3s took third in Stock Full and Stock Mini. The competition was running strong in both classes and it was critical for both trucks to get to the finish to maintain their points championship lead in the SCORE series. Rod is also one of only six drivers to still be in the race for the Toyota Milestone award - which is awarded to the drivers that complete every mile of every race for the year. We are gathering all the times and data from the drivers now and will have a full race recap available tomorrow.

Thanks fans and friends!

Race Post #2

2008-09-05T21:13:00.001-07:00

It's 9:00 pm and the team has wrapped it up. The wake up call in the morning is set for 4:00 a.m. Paige Hall will be taking the navigator's seat in Chad's truck for both laps. She's incredibly solid and rode 400 miles with Chad at the 2007 Vegas to Reno. Rod is driving the first lap with Jake Povey and will turn it over to Emily for the second lap. A smaller, yet uber-capable crew will be manning the three pits.

It's getting late so we will call it a night. Thanks for tuning in.

SCORE Terrible's Primm 300 - Race Blog #1

2008-09-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

It is a HOT day in Primm, Nevada - the stateline town at the Nevada-California border. This is the location for the SCORE Terrible's Primm 300 race. The race trucks just cleared tech and everyone is taking some time to escape from the blazing sun.

Rod Hall Racing is running two trucks at this race. Rod's blue H3 will run in the Stock Mini class and Chad's H3 Alpha in the Stock Full. These two teams are leading the SCORE Points Championship, so it is key both trucks start and finish. Josh is sitting this one out, but will be racing the H2 SUT at the end of the month at the Bilek 300.

The race course is a 72-mile loop - starting and finishing at Buffalo Bills. The race starts at 6:00 am and each truck will run two laps for a total of 144 miles. Both classes have some strong competitors including John Griffin and Jeremy Spirkoff driving the Ford in Stock Full and Gavin Skilton in the Stock Mini Honda Ridgeline. However, the course is extremely rough and will be well suited for both H3s.

We'll be posting again after the evening meetings - so check back. Online vehicle tracking is available by logging on to http://www.racetheworld.net.

Team Member Profile - Mike Winkel

2008-09-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

I want to profile an extremely important member of Rod Hall Racing. Mike Winkel joined the race team in 2002, co-driving with Rod, Josh and Chad for several races. (Winkel is pictured above in the black shirt - at the 2007 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Awards). Soft spoken and incredibly humble, Winkel is an accomplished pilot, former ski racer and all-around athlete. No wonder Rod determined Mike to be the right fit as a team driver. Debuting in the H1 at the 2004 Baja 1000, Mike helped Chad capture the class win. Since that race, he has continued to rack up victories in both the H1 and Rod’s H3 Stock Mini. Mike is incredibly fast and smooth and has become an important driver on the team.

“I am incredibly honored to race as Rod’s driving partner. Being a part of this team has been personally rewarding.” When asked about his favorite moment in racing, Winkel responded, “I have many stories, but Rod’s 40th Anniversary Baja 1000 win was the best. It was a big moment and a very exciting race. I think it was meaningful and rewarding to everyone on the team.” This year, Mike's successful share of the racing has been a key factor in the points championships - which Rod currently leads in both SCORE and Best in the Desert.

A dedicated businessman, Mike owns and operates Winkel Motors (a team sponsor), Sport Haus (featuring imports and exotic automobiles) as well as other successful endeavors. He splits his time between Lake Tahoe and the Palm Desert area.

Update & Thanks from Emily

2008-08-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a day...and night. Jake and I made it across the finish line, accomplishing our mission to finish the Vegas to Reno. To keep this blog shorter, I am writing an expanded version of my experience (for anyone interesting in a rookie's experience) and will post a link from our homepage. But here's the cliff note version - suffering a tough blow to the right front tie rod and wheel, we spent 2 hours at Pit 2 having the right front end rebuilt. In fact, we left the pit just 8 MINUTES BEFORE TIMING OUT. Needless to say, we were now in a position to just get it to the finish line and I could not afford to make one more mistake - we were now in a race against check point times. However, we had burned up our daylight and would spend almost 300 miles in the dark. One issue arose, we had one overhead light rack with 5 lights and our 2 stock headlights. There seemed to be an issue with the connector, and the lights immediately began to flicker on and off. We then lost 2 of our upper lights and one stock headlight. Needless to say, it was a disadvantage. In off-road racing, you drive what you see. Well, we couldn't see much. With night upon us, the dust hung thick and we often could only run on our 1 light, as our overhead lights made the situation worse - illuminating a total white out. But we did put a cushion between timing out, which provided some relief (we welcomed any break!).

When we finally pulled into the finish I was blown away to see the entire team waiting to greet us! Incredibly moved, I knew they gave us everything they had. Without them, it was impossible to finish. I've been with the team for some time now and have seen them in action in tough situations - they are the best at what they do. Period.

Let's talk about Jake Povey, my navigator, on loan from Rod whom he normally drives with. Jake instinctively knew exactly what I needed to accomplish our goal. It is much tougher to sit in the right seat for that many hours. He was my navigator, coach, mechanic, motivator and friend. It is much easier, motivating and more fun to run with other trucks. When nightfall hit, we were in for a lonely run. Most of the time, it was just us. I owe finishing to him - he is the man!

Thank you to everyone who made our run possible! I really wanted the opportunity to drive the entire race - start to finish - and it took many to make it happen. Thanks to Rod Hall for believing in me and providing me an incredible opportunity. To every team member, SamCo, GM-HUMMER, BFGoodrich (talk about tough tires - no flats!), Matt Laramie and Shannon Moore who were the first ones to jump under the truck at Pit 2, Darin Nelson & Austin Tischler (our main chase crew), Thad, Buffy, Doug Moore, Tom Heyl who always encourage me, and Chad, Hall, Josh Hall, Mike Winkel and Rod who set an incredible example. I would love to have half their skills behind the wheel! What an honor to be trained by Rod, and given the chance to be part of such an incredible team - the best in stock class racing.

Posted by Emily Miller

EMILY MILLER FINISHES IN THIRD

2008-08-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday Morning at 5:26, Emily Miller brought the #4110 H2 SUV across the line in Dayton taking a third place finish for Team HUMMER. More importantly, Emily finished one of the most grueling events in all of off-road racing and did it in great style after spending 16 hours, 44 minutes out on the course at an average speed of 28 MPH...Great job, Emily.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors without whose products none of this race, or any other, would have been possible: HUMMER, for the best truck in the world and all the support of the guys at the GM Proving Ground, BFGoodrich, which gave us no flats, Hella Lights for lighting the way through the darkness of the night, Fox Shox, which kept all of our trucks going in the right direction, MasterCraft Seats, for the comfortable ride, TIFCO Fasteners, for holding everything together, HUMMERStuff.com for keeping us in designer wear, Mile Marker Wenches for being there, just in case 4-Wheel Drive wasn't enough, Hydra-Matic for the great transmissions, Sign-Pros, who does all of our lettering, Off Road Warehouse for all the misc. stuff it takes to build these race cars and of course...The Checkers!

Good Night from Reno...

George R. Thompson

HALL/WINKEL WIN #3

2008-08-23T01:55:00.000-07:00

Just before 2:00 AM on Saturday Morning, Mike Winkel crossed the finish line in the #3111 Team HUMMER H3 SUV and made it three wins for Rod Hall Racing and Team HUMMER, sweeping all three production class victories at the 2008 Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno race. The unprecedented sweep of Classes 3100, 4100 and 8100 is a clear demonstration of the durability of HUMMER vehicles and puts all three Team HUMMER trucks alone atop their classes in the race for the 2008 points championship with two events left in the BITD Silver State Series. The #3111 Team HUMMER H3 SUV was on the course for 13 hours, 15 minutes and averaged about 34 MPH.

Emily Miller is about 80 miles from the finish and we estimate she will take the checkered flag somewhere between 5:00 - 6:00 AM.

CHAD AND JOSH HALL WIN VEGAS TO RENO

2008-08-22T23:02:00.000-07:00

For the second consecutive year, Chad & Josh Hall cross the finish line within a few minutes (6) of each other to win Class 4100 and Class 8100. Chad took the checkered flag in the #4111 Team HUMMER H3 Alpha at 11:49 PM, 70 miles in front of the second place #4101 Ford Expedition driven by John Sunderland. Chad spent about 11 hours, 9 minutes on the course and finished with an average speed of about 41 MPH.

Josh Hall finished at 11:55 PM, in the #8111 Team HUMMER H2 SUT with a 30 mile lead over the apparent second place finisher, Greg Foutz in the # 8102 Ford F-350 pick-up. Josh was out on the course for 11 hours, 25 minutes for an average speed of about 39 MPH.

At the final pit, at race-mile 410, Chad came through with a badly missing engine which was a matter of great concern after Josh had lost an engine in the H2 at the Baja 500, in June. The preliminary symptom at that time was that the engine started missing. As it turned out, the H2 had developed a problem in the fuel management system which caused cylinders 2 & 3 to run lean, a condition which, if left un-treated will cause the pistons to burn. Since the problem could not be diagnosed in the field, the cylinders burned and forced us to retire the H2 from the race. Fortunately, while the symptoms may have been the same the cause must have been different as Chad's truck climbed Pine Nut Mountain, the final obstacle between the final pit and the finish, without incident.

Currently Mike Winkle is at race-mile 415 in the #3111 H3 and has extended his lead over the #4101 Ford to 25 miles. Emily Miller is soldiering on in the H2 SUV and is at race-mile 285. Both Winkle and Miller appear to be running well and I will be tracking them until they cross the finish line.

TEAM HUMMER MAINTAINS LEAD

2008-08-22T22:13:00.000-07:00

At 10:00 PM, Chad Hall in the #4111 H3 SUT passed through the Top Gun Pit at race-mile 375 leading his class by 57 miles and running well. His older brother, Josh, was 3 miles back in the #8111 H2 SUT and leading the #8102 Ford V-10 pick-up by 31 miles. The team of Rod Hall/Mike Winkel, with Winkel at the wheel of the #3111 H3 SUV was at race-mile 305 with a lead of 11 miles over the #3101 Ford. Emily Miller is running well but is back at race-mile 238.

I doubt Emily weighs much more than 110 lbs but she has the Bulldog-like tenacity which is a requirement for anyone who chooses to drive the entire distance of the Vegas to Reno race in an 8000 Lb H2 even when everything is going well. The night wears on you and the longer you are out on the course the stranger it becomes. Shapes in the night become un-likely hallucinations jumping out at you like images from your worst nightmare and it's times like this that mistakes can happen...But Emily is tough!

9:00 PM TEAM HUMMER UPDATE

2008-08-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

Chad Hall in the #4111 H3 Alpha and Josh Hall in the #8111 H2 SUT are in sight of each other on the course. Of more importance, since they are team members, is the fact that Chad is first in Class over #4101, Sunderland, by 32 miles and Josh is 19 miles in front of Greg Foutz in #8102 and holding the lead in class 8100. Mike Winkel driving the #3111 H3 SUV has extended his lead over Falkowsky in #3101 to 6 miles. Chad and Josh are currently at race-mile 311 and Mike Winkel is at race-mile 276. Emily Miller is still running in the #4110 H2 SUV and is approaching race-mile 200.

LATE AFTERNOON UPDATE

2008-08-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

Rod Hall is at race-mile 178 approaching Pit#6, where he is scheduled to let Mike Winkel take over behind the wheel of the #3111 H3 SUV. Mike Falkowsky is at race-mile 176 in the #3101 Ford and has no plans to stop for a driver change so once Mike gets in and the #3111 is back in the race, the two class 3100 trucks should be running neck and neck. Riding with Mike is his brother, Rob Winkel.

Emily Miller has the #4110 H2 SUV back in the race and is currently in third place at race-mile 115. John Sunderland in the #4101 is holding onto second place at race-mile 200, about 85 miles in front of Miller but thirty miles behind Chad Hall who is in the lead at race-mile 230 in the H3 Alpha.

Josh Hall is at race-mile 225 and continues to hold the lead in the #8111 H2 SUT with 22 miles between him and the second place #8102 Ford driven by Greg Foutz. #8110 and #8131, both leading early in the race, have fallen back to race-mile 178 and are dueling each other for third place. We are still only half-way through the race, or less if you are Rod, and a lot can happen once the sun goes down. Chad, in the H3 Alpha, is now only five miles in front of Josh in the H2 SUT.

TEAM HUMMER UPDATE

2008-08-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Team HUMMER continues to do well in the marathon Vegas to Reno event. Rod Hall, in the #3111 H3 SUV, has been in a drag race with 2007 Class 3100 points champion, Mike Falkowsky in his #3101 Ford Escape, just about all day now with Hall leading the class by one mile over Falkowsky at Race-mile 103. The third place #3104 entry driven by Jesse Herling is back at race-mile 85.

In Class 4100, Chad Hall, in the #4111 H3 Alpha leads by 20 miles over John Sunderland in the #4101 Ford. Chad is currently at race-mile 135. Meanwhile, Emily Miller, in the #4110 H2 SUV suffered a right-front suspension failure as she was turning to enter Pit #2 at race-mile 70. A member of the chase crew said, "There was no apparent reason for the failure. She was making a right turn just before the pit and the suspension just collapsed." Emily pulled into Pit #2 an repairs are being made.

Josh Hall has taken the lead in the #8111 H2 SUT. Josh is currently at race-mile 151, a dozen miles in front of the second place #8110 Dodge who is in a tight race with Alden in the #8131 Ford. Hall was behind by over 26 miles after clearing the traffic jam at race-mile 45, so in 100 miles of racing he has made up the difference and added another 12 miles to his lead. At this point, Josh's next target will be his brother, Chad, who is currently 10 miles ahead of him in the h3 Alpha.

I'll keep an eye on their progress and find out more about the suspension work on Emily Miller's H2 and get back to you.

BACK IN THE RACE

2008-08-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone seems to have gotten past the traffic jam, now with varying results. Chad in the #4111 H3 Alpha is at mile 71, in the lead by 16 miles over John Sunderland in the #4101 Ford and Emily Miller in the #4110 HUMMER, who are in a virtual dead heat for second place in Class 4100.

Rod Hall in the #3111 H3 SUV and Mike Falkowsky in the Ford Escape are running neck and neckfor the lead at mile 47. In Class 8100, Kent Kroeker leads at mile 80 in the #8110 Dodge closely followed by Mike Alden at mile 79 in the #8131 Ford. Josh is at RM 68 in 3rd place with the #8111 H2 while Randy Merritt in the #8181 Ford is challenging him for his position.

TRAFFIC JAM AT MILE 45

2008-08-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

While running near the front of Class 8100, Josh Hall broke a rear track bar mount at mile 35 and was down for about 15 minutes while Doug Moore and Kelly Willis welded the mount back into the truck. Ironically, he caught up with the rest of the class at mile 45, where the entire class is stuck in a traffic jam which is apparently the result of a medical emergency which has caused them to stop the race at that location. #8110 and #8131 and Chad in #4111 seem to have gotten past it but Josh, Emily, Rod and the rest of Classes 3100, 4100, 8100, 7100, etc. are all stopped there waiting to be re-started.

News as it develops.

AND THEY'RE OFF...

2008-08-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

All of the Team HUMMER trucks have started on schedule and seem to be running well. Josh Hall, in the #8111 H2 SUT was first onto the race course at 12:30 PM. Currently Josh, Chad & Rod are leading their classes with Emily Miller running 3rd in the #4110 H2 SUV. It's early yet so I'll give them a little while to get everything sorted out. Riding in the navigator's seat today are Sam Cothrun in the #8111 H2 SUT, with Jason Jacopian in the media seat. Thad Stump is riding with Chad Hall in the #4111 H3 Alpha, Jake Povey is riding the second seat beside Emily Miller in the #4110 H2 SUV and Rob Henderson is in the #3111 H3 SUV with Rod Hall.

2008 Vegas to Reno

2008-08-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Vegas to Reno race is just around the corner and I am heading to the race soon to bring you a live report of our progress in the race as it unfolds. Team HUMMER has four vehicles entered in this year's Vegas to Reno race. Team owner, Rod Hall will be sharing time behind the wheel of the #3111 Team HUMMER H3 SUV with his friend and business partner, Mike Winkel from Reno, Nevada. Rod is currently tied for the lead in the Class 3100 points championship with Mike Falkowsky of Ramona, California who drives a Ford Escape.

Chad Hall will drive the #4111 Team HUMMER H3 Alpha and is currently the Class 4100 points leader by seven points over John Sunderland of Valley Center, California in a Ford Expedition. Chad won this race in Class 8100 last year behind the wheel of the H1 Alpha which went on to win the 2007 Best in the Desert Silver State Series Class 8100 points championship. He and his brother Josh, switched classes this year after new trucks were built for them at the GM Proving Ground in Mesa, Arizona which they debuted at the 2007 Baja 1000 which Chad won in the new H3 Alpha.

Emily Miller will be at the wheel of the #4110 Team HUMMER H2 SUV which was driven with great success for the past 3 years by Josh Hall. Emily lives in Encinitas, California and has been an important part of Rod Hall Team HUMMER for a number of years helping us with a variety of marketing and administrative tasks. She made her solo driving debut at Best in the Desert's Terrible's 250 at Primm, in April where she finished second in Sportsman Class 1800. Emily will move up to a pro class at this race and will drive the entire 455 mile distance in Class 4100 with Jake Povey in the second seat as navigator and team mechanic.

Josh Hall will drive the #8111 Team HUMMER H2 SUT and is currently leading the Class 8100 Points chase by 9 points over Larry Tunnell, Jr. out of Parker, Arizona who drives a Chevy pick-up. Josh has won the last four Vegas to Reno races in Class 4100 and this will be his first year racing the event in Class 8100. This will be a pivotal event for Josh, Chad and Rod since the leads in their respective classes are very close and each of them will need to have a very good finish to maintain their position on top of their classes.

I will be in close touch with the team and will issue progress reports throughout the race. You can also watch their animated image on Iritrack, an internet website that tracks the position of all the entries in the race by going to www.racetheworld.net or you can access a link to this site on the opening page of our website at www.rodhallracing.com.

The race will start on Friday, August 22, with the first of 215 cars and trucks off the line at 10:30 AM. The first Team HUMMER truck to start the race will be Josh Hall in the #8111 Team HUMMER H2 SUT. I estimate that he will start around 12:30 on Friday with our other three entries starting within 10-15 minutes after Josh.

I'll continue with this blog at that time but now, it's time for me to pack my equipment and head for the Silver State.

George R. Thompson

TEAM PROFILE - THAD STUMP

2008-07-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

Thad is the engineering liaison between Team HUMMER and General Motors. He has a long history with GM in new product development both on the car and truck side of the business. Duties with the Team are wide ranging including oversight of the construction of new race trucks, development and testing as well as copiloting in the H2 and H3 racers. Thad provides the link back to GM that ensures the lessons learned are considered and incorporated in future General Motors products.

On the personal side, Thad lives in Gilbert, AZ with his wife and two of his five children that haven’t yet flown the coop. Outside of the support for Team HUMMER a lot of his time is devoted serving as an elected member of the governing board for the 37,000 student Gilbert Unified School District. When given the chance, Thad likes to spend time with his family camping, hiking or just traveling to new places. He has been known to sneak into the woods with sharp sticks in search of the great Wapiti.

HUMMER - Why We Race

2008-06-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

This video, posted on our YouTube site, is a great commentary from engineer Thad Stump on why HUMMER races off-road. One of the greatest aspects of the race program is HUMMER translates the information into changes that impact the SUVs that hit the showroom floor.

For the latest Rod Hall Racing videos, log on to www.youtube.com/rodhallracingoffroad.

PHOTO CONTEST

2008-06-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

We've had several friends and fans send photos they have taken of the team at various races and events. We will be posting a section in our photo gallery titled "FAN PHOTOS." If you send us photos to media@rodhallracing.com, we'll add them. The team will be selecting their favorites at the PRIMM 300 Sept 5th & 6th. The winner will receive a Rod Hall Racing team hat.

We'll be running the contest throughout the year, so start snapping now. Looking for the team? We spend most of our time around Reno and Phoenix. However, the team will be pre-running the "TSCO Vegas to Reno" August 1st and 2nd.

Posted by E. Miller

ROD HALL DRIVES TO RECORD 18TH BAJA 500 VICTORY

2008-06-01T00:37:00.000-07:00

Mike Winkel crossed the finish line at 1:07 AM in Rod Hall's H3 SUV tonight after the duo spent over 14 hours on the course to win the Stock-Mini Class in the Tecate/SCORE Baja 500. The #760 H3 beat every production class vehicle, except Chad Hall's H3 Alpha but, more importantly, Hall's 18th Baja 500 win moved Rod Hall into sole possession of the record for Baja 500 wins over Ivan "Ironman" Stewart. The two had previously been tied for wins at 17 each.

Rod Hall now holds the record for most Baja 500 wins at 18 and the most Baja 1000 wins at 19. Rod hopes to move the Baja 1000 record to an even 20 wins later this year but, no matter the outcome of that race, it is unlikely that anyone will challenge Hall's amazing record of Baja race wins for quite a few years, if ever.

The H3's victory is the second win of the day for Rod Hall Racing and Team HUMMER. The combination of HUMMER and Rod Hall has proved to be the most formidable team in off-road racing, particularly in Baja!

Goodnight from Baja California...

grt

H3 ALPHA WINS BAJA 500 IN STOCK-FULL CLASS

2008-05-31T23:38:00.000-07:00

Chad Hall has won the Stock-Full production Class in the 40th Annual Tecate/SCORE Baja 500. The Rod Hall Racing/Team HUMMER #862 H3 Alpha SUV beat all the production vehicles to the finish in front of the historic Riveria del Pacifico Convention Center in downtown Ensenada. Chad spent just over thirteen hours on the course and his time was faster than all the Class 8 trucks, (modified production trucks), a feat not often accomplished. This is the second win of the year in the SCORE series for the H3 Alpha and extends Chad's lead for the year-end points championship.

Mike Winkel is currently in the lead in the #760 H3 Stock-Mini Truck at RM 410 and running well.

FAST TIMES IN ENSENADA

2008-05-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

To say that it is a challenging proposition to locate a spot in this town to blog, uninterrupted, would be a huge understatement, at best. Long story short, after taking a break for dinner, I returned to the quiet hotel lobby I had been working from, to find a huge crowd and no place to set-up. After an exhaustive search, I managed to locate a bar with a wireless connection fast enough to be useful, a plug for my charger and a place to sit...directly opposite the band, which sounded like rejects from an early audition of American Idol, only louder! Anyway here we are and much has changed since my last post.

Chad Hall is currently at RM 402 in the #862 Team HUMMER H3 Alpha having increased his lead over the second place # 860 Ford F-350 Pickup to more than 100 miles. According to reports I received from the crew, the alpha gradually added to the 40+ mile lead he had at RM 200 when the Ford was forced to stop to repair the power train somewhere short of RM 300. At last report, #860 was at RM 307.

Mike Winkel drove the #760 H3 SUV right by the #779 Honda Ridgeline while they were stopped in BFG Pit #3 apparently fixing a broken trailing arm. The H3 was is currently at race-mile 385 and the second place Honda still at RM 305.

ENGINE PROBLEMS RETIRE #861 H2 SUT

2008-05-31T17:38:00.000-07:00

Rod Hall pulled into BFG Pit #2 at race-mile 206 15 miles behind Gavin Skilton in the #779 Honda Ridgeline. The crew discovered that the #760 Team HUMMER H3 SUV had suffered a broken front sway bar. Normally, a broken sway bar does not pose much of a problem when racing off-road so driver Mike Winkel and navigator Jake Povey got the H3 SUV back in the race without replacing the broken unit after taking on a load of fuel. Mike felt confident that he could reel the Honda in with 250 miles left to go, so it looks like Winkel and the H3 have a race on their hands.

On a sour note, the H2 SUT was determined to have suffered internal engine damage at RM 195 and was retired from the race. Josh Hall was obviously disappointed after the time and effort the crew had put in getting ready for the race only to have to retire the truck while in the lead. "I'm going to San Felipe for a big steak and a beer but I'll be back next year to win this one". I think it's more likely that he will grab a taco at a roadside stand and head over to help his father win the Stock-Mini Class.

It looks like a long night for Team HUMMER but the Baja 500 is always the most grueling race of the year.

TEAM HUMMER CLOSE TO HALF-WAY POINT

2008-05-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

The #861 Team HUMMER H2 SUT has had some sort of electrical problem at race-mile 195 and is driving out to highway 5 to rendezvous with chase vehicles. I am waiting to hear exactly what the problem is and will pass that info on as soon as I know more, Meanwhile, Chad Hall in the #862 H3 Alpha has taken over the lead and has just passed through Pit #2 at RM 206 with a 30 mile lead on John Griffin in the #860 Ford F-350. Griffin is making up time on the leader, however, but there's still a lot of racing left to the finish. Conditions on the course are dry, dusty and tough putting a lot of entries on the trailer early in the race.

Rod Hall is about 15 miles back in the #760 Team HUMMER H3 SUV. Hall currently has a 52 mile lead on the #762 Toyota FJ and is running very well. Unfortunately, the trucks are in a very desolate area and no-one seems to know where the Honda Ridgeline is because his tracking device is not functioning. So Rod is in first or second but, either way, it's a close race. Just how close will soon be revealed as they are about to pass through BFG Pit #2.

More news as it develops...

JOSH HALL TAKES THE EARLY LEAD

2008-05-31T13:17:00.000-07:00

As of 1:06 PM, Josh Hall, in the #861 H2 SUT, continues to hold on to the lead in the Stock-Full Class by 3 miles over his brother, Chad in the #862 H3 Alpha. Josh is at race-mile 93 and Chad is just leaving the BFG Pit at RM 90.

Gavin Skilton's #779 Honda Ridgeline leads Rod Hall, in the #760 H3 SUV by two miles as they pass the road crossing at RM 84, Kevin Necessary in #762 follows in third spot about 6 miles behind Hall. Kevin drives a Toyota FJ Cruiser and and is from New Zealand.

BAJA 500 RACEDAY - THE START

2008-05-31T10:53:00.000-07:00

The 40th Annual Tecate/SCORE Baja 500 started for Team HUMMER when Josh Hall took the green flag at 10:23:30 this morning at the wheel of the #861 Team HUMMER H2 SUT with Chief mechanic, Sam Cothrun in the Navigator's seat. Along for the ride, in the third (media) seat is Mike Levine from pickuptrucks.com. Josh started first in the Stock-Full Class (stock,full sized trucks) followed 15 seconds later by his younger brother Chad, driving the #862 Team Hummer H3 Alpha, the current Stock-Full points leader. Riding with Chad until BFG Pit (RM 95) is Jonathon Ramsey of Autoblog.

Taking the start in the Stock-Mini Class at 10:25 AM is Team Owner, Rod Hall driving the #760 Team HUMMER H3 SUV. Rod has been Stock-Mini Class champion for the past two years and is way out in front in the race for his third consecutive class points championship, having won the first two races on the SCORE racing schedule. Veteran navigator, John Chapman is riding in the second seat with Rod.

The competition is tough for all three Team HUMMER vehicles at this year's Baja 500. In Stock-Full, John Griffin and Jeremy Spirkoff are only a few points behind Chad Hall in the H3 Alpha with their #860 Ford F-350 Pickup. Another truck to watch is Kent Kroeker in the #864 Dodge Ram Pickup. The Dodge is very fast but has suffered some problems in the recent past, however that can change at any time because Kroeker runs a quality racing effort. Gavin Skilton is back with his newly constructed #779 Honda Ridgeline in the Stock-Mini Class and the truck looks like it could be a contender. Steve Kovach, in the #761 Ford Ranger has been around for a long time and is always a tough competitor.

That's how it shapes up for Team HUMMER at the start. As the team reports back to me in Ensenada, I'll bring you updates as they become available...

GREETINGS FROM THE BAJA 500

2008-05-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Pre-race festivities are in full swing in downtown Ensenada for the 40th Annual Tecate/SCORE Baja 500. Various crew members will guide the trucks through the tech line while Rod Hall and sons, Josh and Chad, attend this morning's press conference at the Riviera Del Pacifico Cultural Center, in Downtown Ensenada. The race will start directly in front of the Cultural Center in the morning but for now, all the attention is focused on the loud, pulsating motors of the race machines as they combine with the ear-piercing assault of disco music pumped out of gigantic speaker towers. As you try to force yourself against wave after wave of people moving against you like the offensive line of the New York Giants, an amplified voice from a stage filled with scantilly clad Tecate Girls surrounded by 20 foot tall blow-up beer cans bids you, "Welcome to Baja!"

Although the tech and contingency line is a part of the pre-race activities at each event, nowhere does the local community greet the process as enthusiastically as they do in Mexico. Even the schools close so the children have the opportunity to take part in the Baja Fiesta. The actual purpose of the tech and contingency line is to check your vehicle to make sure you are in compliance with all the safety rules and that you actually use all the products that the series sponsors require you to have on your vehicle when the race begins. I'm not certain that the local population knows or cares what the reason for the inspection line might be, they just seem to want to have a good time and and add to their sticker collection while enjoying a day in town with their friends and family. The economy may be sluggish and the price of gas is a burden on everyone, but you would never know such problems exist during race week in Baja. They truly love off-road racing in Mexico.

And the party won't stop after the tech line closes. In the morning, the locals will line the race course by the thousands, creating a human wall on each side of the course as vehicles of every type and description hurdle past them, some at speeds well in excess of 120 mph. Some will try a touch the big trucks as they speed by in a demonstration of bravado only the locals seem to understand. There are just no greater fans in all the world than there are in Mexico and for our part, there's no experience quite like racing in the deserts of Baja...

ROD HALL RACES FOR RECORD WIN AT BAJA 500

2008-05-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

ROD HALL GOES FOR RECORD 18th BAJA 500 WIN

In a sport where a dozen major wins can define a successful racing career, no one even comes close to Rod H[Photo]all. Ten-time winner of the internationally recognized Mint 400, ten-time winner of the Parker 400, 12-time winner of the Fireworks 250, 17-time winner of the Baja 500 and the only 19-time winner of the Baja 1000. Over the course of his racing career, Hall has won 16 major class points championships in production 4-Wheel Drive vehicles and well over 160 major events. While many of these records may never be equaled, it is also unlikely that anyone will break his record of 37 consecutive race victories anytime soon.

The defending 2006-07 SCORE Mini-Stock Points Champion, Rod Hall has come to the 40th Annual Tecate/SCORE Baja 500 tied with Ivan “Ironman” Stewart for the most Baja 500 class wins at 17. When the dust settles, after this year’s event, the 70 year-old Hall hopes to stand alone as the only 18-time champion by winning the Baja 500 for the third consecutive year. “I won this race for the first time in 1970, when NORRA was putting it on,” said Hall. “Jim Fricker was my co-driver in those days and I was driving for Bill Stroppe in a Bronco. The next year we won in a factory backed Ford Maverick and I beat all the buggies.”

From 1970-1993 Hall won the Baja 500 fourteen times, mostly in a 4WD Dodge truck. In late 1993, Rod Hall Racing teamed up with HUMMER and the big 6.5-liter diesel powered Full-Stock 4WD Pickup won the race in 1994 giving Hall Baja 500 win number fifteen. His new HUMMER dealership in Reno and other business commitments caused Hall to limit the team’s racing in Mexico to one yearly appearance at the Baja 1000, so Team HUMMER sat out the Baja 500 for the next ten years. When Rod Hall Racing and Team HUMMER rejoined the SCORE Desert Series in 2006, Hall won back-to-back Baja 500 titles in the Mini-Stock Class with his son, six-time Baja 1000 winner, Chad Hall along as co-driver in the new H3 Team HUMMER SUV. Currently, Chad drives an H3 Alpha in the Full-Stock Class and Rod’s oldest son and four-time Baja 1000 winner, Josh Hall drives an H2 SUT, also in the Full-Stock Class.

With 19 Baja 1000 wins and 17 Baja 500 wins, Rod Hall had this to say about his unprecedented success in Baja and his plans for the future: “I think the reason for my success in Mexico is that I know it’s a long race, I understand how much the truck will take and I don’t make mistakes. I’m not fast but I just keep moving and I don’t have to stop and work on my truck. As for the future, my goals for 2008 are to win another championship, the True Grit Award and become the winningest driver in Baja 500 history. Can I do that? Well, probably not but you have to have goals and those are my goals for this year. In 2009 I want to have the option to drive when I want or just be a team owner and chase my team around the desert. I just want to pick and choose and not be as obligated to get behind the wheel as I am now. I want to keep racing but change my focus a bit and maybe go down and help Sal look for new trails or contribute in some way, but I’m going to stay totally involved because this is my life.”

And a great life it is for the legendary Rod Hall; ‘The King of Baja’…

posted on 5/21 by George R. Thompson

Photo by John Pappenfort
Labels: RH Baja 500

GEORGE THOMPSON COVERS THE BAJA 500

2008-05-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

George Thompson has been a part of Rod Hall Racing for almost twenty years. For most of that time he has done our newsletters, press releases and race reports. He will be covering the upcoming Tecate/SCORE Baja 500 on the Rod Hall Racing Blog beginning Friday, May 30 and will post updates throught the race.

George’s active roots in racing go back to the mid-sixties when he became involved in drag racing and later, drove his Porsche 356A in SCCA races at the old Riverside International Raceway. In the mid-seventies off-road racing caught his interest and he started attending races in Mexico and Nevada, helping friends with their racing programs. In 1982 he joined the Checkers Off-Road Racing Team at the suggestion of his friend, Hall of Fame inductee, Scott McKenzie, who sponsored his membership into the club. Soon after joining, he built a Class 1600 buggy, which he raced with partner, John Brooks in HDRA and SCORE races. Brooks-Thompson Racing had success at finishing desert races, including both the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 and took a 4th in class at the SCORE Off-Road World Championships in 1985.

From 1987-1994, George served as the administrator of the Competition Review Board (CRB), which heard and ruled on driver protests after each SCORE and HDRA event. He authored a Format and Guidelines for the operation of the CRB and assembled a group of racers to serve on the board after each race. Although he retired as administrator after 1994, the CRB is still in operation today basically unchanged from his original concept.

In 1989, George founded Sunrise Consulting, a company that specializes in motorsports management and communications for off-road racing teams. He has worked with a number of well-known companies and teams in the past 20 years, including Rod Hall Racing. In 1993, when HUMMER and Rod Hall Racing first joined forces to go off-road racing, AM General wanted TV exposure at the Baja 1000. Unfortunately, SCORE had a problem coming to an agreement with any TV production companies to cover the race. George obtained the TV rights from Sal Fish, CEO of SCORE International and made an agreement with Producer Jerry Garrett to co-produce the coverage for the 1993 Baja 1000 which was aired on ESPN. The event turned out to be a very successful off-road racing debut for Team HUMMER, as Rod and Chad Hall finished first and second in the Stock-Full Class.

George has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in Reno, Nevada since 2002. He has written many articles on off-road racing and has participated in Baja racing in one way or another since the mid-seventies. Given his background and experience with the team, it would be hard to imagine a more qualified guide to serve as the voice of Rod Hall Racing on race weekend...