Team Falken, manufacturer of high performance on- and off-road tires, added two more team trophies to its off-road efforts with a win and second place at the W.E. Rock Round 2 Rock Crawl in Rangely, CO.
Matthew Messer, CEO and President of Trail-Gear, a Fresno-based 4X4 parts manufacturer, took home the top podium position in the Unlimited Class. Justin Hall of Team Tsuda/Rock Hard Racing, came within four points of Messer for a second place finish. Just three weeks ago, Hall, the series’ defending champion, drove his Modified 4500 Class racecar to first place in the Nor Cal rock racing series.
The two Falken Drivers competed on the all-new WildPeak MT 38X13.50R17 competition spec tire. With both rain and hail on Saturday, the WildPeak MT extremely capable with strong grip throughout the rock crawling event.
“We are very proud of the results that Mathew and Justin have been getting with our WildPeak MT,” stated Nestor Cabrera, Falken’s Off-Road Supervisor. “No one could have asked for a better launch to a new tire than what we have seen in our off-road racing efforts to date and we look forward to its continued success.”
Added Nick Fousekis, Falken’s Director of Motorsports Marketing, “It has been Falken’s goal to expand our off-road competitive efforts this year with our new WildPeak MT and clearly, it’s paying off. Every event in which Falken participates helps provide technical data as well as brand activation, so it’s a very beneficial two-prong push. We’re glad to have drivers like Matthew, his daughter Olivia, and Justin representing our colors and our products in this series.”
Once again, Messer’s vehicle did double duty as his 14-year-old daughter, Olivia, turned in a very respectable sixth place finish. “The WildPeaks are a seriously great rock crawling tire, Matthew noted. “I’m loving the traction and drove some lines over this weekend that amazed me.”
Hall agreed. “The new Falken WildPeak MTs were working fantastically and stuck to the Colorado sandstone like no other. Every climb I tried, the tires hooked up and pulled my car up, even when it was raining.”
