Team Falken shines in Vegas to Reno race

Falken Tire once again proved its strength and durability in demanding racing conditions running “off the shelf” WildPeak All-Terrain tires in the punishing 534-mile Vegas to Reno off-road event.
 
In fact, Falken-supported entries in the longest single-day race in the U.S. – sanctioned by Best in the Desert – earned a first place in the Sportsman Class UTV with Driver Bill Schueler and Co-driver Craig Scanlon.  In the Pro UTV Class, Jagged X Racing Driver Matt Parks and Co-driver Mike Carr took second.
 
Falken also united with 4400 Class entry Ultra4 Team Race Prep Racing, supporting the team as it finished 12th without a single tire problem.  Key to the team’s accomplishment was fielding the only race vehicle entered on all-terrain street tires.

“Falken is building tires tough enough to compete in North American off-road racing,” declared Andrew Hoit, Falken Vice President of Marketing.  “And the WildPeak A/T is quite capable of meeting the needs of our customers in their everyday driving.”
 
“The 1932 Polaris RZR of Parks and Carr competed on 30X9.50R15 WildPeak tires and the 1991 of Jagged X ran on 235/70R15 WildPeaks,” noted Nestor Cabrera, Team Falken’s Off-Road Supervisor.  “Both sets of tires are off the shelf; the same tires that can be bought by customers through our Falken retailers.”  The Polaris finished in 12 hours, 8 minutes, while Schueler and Scanlon took their class victory in 13:01.  More than 300 teams competed.

By completing the event in the 4400 class, Race Prep Racing earned a spot in the 2013 King of the Hammers event.  Race Prep ran off-the-shelf WildPeak A/T tires sized 37X12.50R17.  “It was long and grueling race, and the 4474 racecar crossed the finish line just before sun-up with a respectable 18:19 minute finish time,” Cabrera added.  “The WildPeaks proved up to the strenuous job of conquering the Nevada desert as the team finished with no blow-outs or flat tires. This race tested man and machine. Every component of the car was pushed to its limits, and we’re proud of the total accomplishment and Falken’s achievements.”  
 
“We continue to push the limits of our product line,” stated Nick Fousekis, Falken's Director of Motorsports Marketing and Events.  “Although the racecars and their drivers are the focus of our efforts, it’s critical to acknowledge the unsung heroes in off-road racing; the support crews who chase the race teams and ensure their racecars are capable of finishing. All support vehicles were also equipped with Falken tires, again a testament to our product’s toughness and endurance.”