SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/485293
race class participation, with room for growth and can also provide a great learning experience. THE CLASS 8 LEARNING CURVE Both the Sidewinder and Flatiron racing teams are relatively recent arrivals to Class 8. Even though the teams have many years of Baja and desert driving experience in various race classes in smaller vehicles, there is a learning curve in going up to an V8 powered, full-size, two-wheel drive, truck class. "The trucks are heavy, but you build and set it up to work for you," Shelley said. "It's the same challenge all classes face. There are sponsors too. You have to be willing to help them out as well as they help you by attending their events and representing them well." Burman has experienced some differences in running a full-size Class 8 as opposed to his seat time in a physically smaller vehicle. "I found it easier to get stuck than the 7sx was. That was a surprise! Everyone dwells on the weight thing with the frame rails. As far as weight is concerned, it's a bit of a double edged sword. Physics tells us that lighter is better, but you cannot ignore the fact that as the Unlimited Trophy Trucks get bigger and heavier, they go faster and faster too." As an example, Burman explains his experience during the Bud Light SCORE San Felipe 250 race. "In San Felipe, I noticed that I was just plain better in the whoops than all the lighter spec trucks that I came across. I won't dwell on weight as long as I'm racing other Class 8 trucks. I see some being built light and some heavier, so we will all see this experiment together. Sponsorship has also been easier since switching classes. This may be because of crew chief Wally Shelley's efforts and our surge of confidence." "We have seen more interest in the class as the economy turns," says Shelley. "Of course if there are only three to five teams entered in your class, you stand a pretty good chance of being on the podium. That is if you can beat "The Mistress" Baja. That's a challenge in itself." "I do see a resurgence in Class 8 presently, and on the horizon," Burman said. "These trucks just make sense. The spec guys are realizing that it takes serious money to compete in that class. Lots of rumbling about how much those spec motors cost and that you can't repair them. I don't know if the racing world is ready to hear this yet, but I'm seeing that we're as fast as the Spec trucks we've raced against so far. At San Felipe, we found ourselves ahead of the entire spec class at the halfway point in the race." Burman realizes they may have also had trouble. "I was straight up stoked though, being that it was my first race in an unlimited type truck. A friend of mine who's been racing Stock Full in another series, is neck deep in a SCORE Class 8 open build, and I've seen several other new entries lately. This class is growing right now and will prove to be popular again. The upside has to be the bang for the buck." SJ MIKE MEEKS, PART OF THE MILLS RACING TEAM, PILOTED A MODERN DODGE RAM CLASS 8 TRUCK TO WIN HIS CLASS AT THE 2014 BAJA 1000. GETSOMEPHOTO 081 SCORE JOURNAL