SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/555623
of challenges to a lot of racers. Ours as a team would have to be logistics," says Schueler. "It is the big picture of racing. Know- ing where to send what (chase) truck and why, is a conversation that we have every race. We do our best to have a truck every- where we can, in order to have the most coverage on the race car as possible." Knowing and learning the ter- rain is also an important part of driving UTVs in SCORE races. Because the vehicles are limited to current technologies and tire sizes, the terrain can be tough on drivers and co-drivers. So for guys like Schueler, it's important to know how to drive in rough terrain. "In the UTV class you definitely have to drive differ- ently than all the other racers," says Schueler. "You have smaller tires and a different suspension design. So driving still has to be somewhat conservative. I would say the biggest part of it is line choice; you have to avoid the silt beds because you don't have as much power or travel." To date, Schueler is one of the many UTV racers who have chosen the Polaris as their race vehicle. So far, they've been very successful with this vehicle and continue to use it throughout the rest of the SCORE racing season. "The Polaris platform can provide a very competitive start for any racer," says Schuel- er. "With the obvious safety requirements, a few strength improvements, and some minor drivers adjustments like shocks and sway bars, you have a com- petitive Baja racer!" At a time when there's a lot of support for UTV racing, Schueler agrees that much of the push to improving a race vehicle like the Polaris has come from the man- ufacturers themselves. "Manu- facturer involvement may be the biggest asset to the progression of the UTV class," says Schuel- er. "They are always pushing to make their product the fastest and strongest they can be. With them striving to be the best, it will make us as UTV drivers that much faster on the race course." The growth of aftermarket racing parts has also helped to make the vehicles stronger on the race course. At the 47th Bud Light SCORE Baja 500, Schueler and the Jagged X racing team were part of the introduction of the new BFGoodrich KR2 tire that was designed specifically for UTV race vehicles. "The BFG KR2 UTV tire launched by Jackson Motorsports Group brings the best of the best in the tire world to UTV racers, says Schueler. "It is the perfect combination of the UTV tire and Light Truck tire. It is light and strong. I see UTV rac- ers making the switch and being amazed by its performance." With increased traction, pow- er, speed and durability, UTV race cars are getting faster and finishing races. At this rate, Schueler sees the competition getting better, and he's improv- ing his skills as a driver to stay on top of the competition. "The competition in the UTV class is stronger than it has ever been," he says. "It's one of the fastest growing classes in desert racing and is sure to bring out some of the best drivers. I hope to still be deeply involved in the UTV class. I enjoy the races and the com- petition, and I am beyond cu- rious to see what this class can grow to be." SJ "IN SCORE YOU DO NOT HAVE PITS EVERY 40 MILES LIKE IN OTHER RACES, WHERE YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CREW WORK ON YOUR VEHICLE. YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY NOT SEE ANYONE ON YOUR TEAM FOR 100 MILES OR MORE." BRANDON SCHUELER. 076 SCORE JOURNAL