Torchmate Jesse Haines Completes Every Bonus Line and Takes the Win at Cal-Neva Extreme
RENO, NV APRIL 11, 2011 The first ever Cal-Neva Extreme rockcrawling event was held this weekend at Exit 28 Motorsports Park in Reno, Nevada. Cal-Neva Extreme is a highly competitive rockcrawling series based in northern Nevada and California run by promoter Glenn Bonner, who successfully ran the CalROCs series from 2008-2010.
Thirty teams were in attendance this weekend, including 7 unlimited class teams that I would be competing against. Spotter AJ Seckman helped guide our team to wins both times we worked together last season, and he was back to try and make it 3 wins in a row. The weekend started off well for us and we ran strong and consistent all day Saturday. At Cal-Neva events each course has 3 gates and 2 bonus lines. On Day 1 we were the only team to complete every bonus line from all 4 courses. That helped propel Team Torchmate to a 16 point lead at the end of the day.
Day 2 started off a little shaky as we took a cone and a few extra backs on the first 2 courses. That opened the door and allowed 2nd place Brent Bradshaw to steal the lead from us. After the slow start we were able to get back on track and nail the next course. Luckily for us, Bradshaw faltered on his 3rd course of the day and gave us the opportunity to re-take the lead. As we began our last course we knew exactly what we needed to do to win. Everything on that course went exactly as planned and we drove through the end gate with a 10 point win!
Throughout the weekend were able to complete every bonus line we attempted. There were 16 bonuses, but we only attempted 15. We didn't need to do the last bonus of the last course to win the event. It was by far the wildest, most difficult bonus line, and I was disappointed we didn't get to try it. So, in true spirit, after the unlimited class finished, AJ and I attempted that last bonus line. We battled the bonus line for over 20 minutes while fans watched and Full Flex Offroad filmed all of it. Finally we made it to the time of the 50 foot tall technical climb. The climb was so difficult that at the awards presentation I told teams that if anyone can make that bonus line during their 10 minutes on course at the next event I will give them $1000. I'm hoping a few sponsors will step up as well making the bounty even larger.
Less than 2 weeks from now I'll travel to southern Nevada to race in the Best in the Desert Silver State 300. The BITD race is part of the Ultra 4 Tour. The race is also a King of the Hammers qualifier, where close to 30 Ultra 4 cars are expected to enter.
About Jesse Haines: Over the past decade Jesse Haines has established himself as one of the top fabricators in the off road industry while simultaneously cementing his legacy as one of the winningest drivers in rockcrawling history. Haines was first introduced to rockcrawling while competing at the legendary Four Wheeler Magazine Top Truck Challenge in 2002 and quickly developed a passion for the sport. Just three short years later, Jesse found himself atop the podium as the WE Rock Unlimited Class National Champion in a vehicle of his own design. To his record, Haines has won an astounding twelve rockcrawling competitions from Pennsylvania to California, a series championship, and had dozens of podium finishes. Between competitions, Haines has also built numerous championship-winning vehicles for both himself and other competitors. Haines has been on the leading edge of the wildly popular Ultra4 Racing explosion with respectable finishes at VORRA desert races, the Ultra 4 Stampede, and the King of the Hammers. Throughout his career Haines has been seen on Trucks TV, Extreme 4x4, Superlift TV, Lucas Oil - On The Edge, MTV's Megadrive, and Modern Marvels.
Marketing Partners: Torchmate, Maxxis, PSC, Superior Axle and Gear, Raceline Wheels, Branik Machine Shop, High Angle Driveline