7 replies to this topic

[loki]

Looks like "Jens ol' boy" is going to run both the Baja 1000 and the Mint 400 off road races.  The Mint is next month.  I usually go.  He's in Spec Trophy Truck for the Baja 1000 (SCORE sanctioned) and the 6100 class at the Mint 400 (BITD sanctioned).  It's basically the same class though. SCORE has trademarked some of the class names like Trophy Truck so BITD calls that class Trick Truck.  Both are called commonly called TT.  TT is the F1 of desert racing.  SpecTT/6100 is an unlimited truck with a spec engine.  That is everything but the engine is unlimited.   Engine on SpecTT/6100 is about 500 hp, TT about 1100 hp.  Front suspension travel 24", rear 30".  The engine is sealed spec.  SpecTT/6100 would be like F1 but using the Indycar spec engine.   A SpecTT/6100 is about US$250k and a TT is US$350-400k.  A few are in the half mil US range.  Each race will need US$20-50k in parts and prep depending on how far up the grid you run.

 

Button will run under the Rocket Motorsport banner (his late father's karting team) with the program being run by off road stalwart manufacturer Brenthel Industries.  Brenthel has won that class in both races (as well as the big dog class).  They're Mercedes/Ferrari/Red Bull level in off road.  Brenthel, Jimco and Jeffries are the gold standard in desert endurance racing.  There will be three drivers, Button, Chris Buncombe and Mazen Fawaz.  No world yet on the co drivers or navigators as you lot might call them.  In the sport they're commonly called "co-dawgs".  As it's a Brenthel ride buy my guess would be some in house Brenthel co-dawgs or one of the many independents that are available.  A co-dawg will make or break your race.  They'll do well to finish.  He's not going to come anywhere close to winning.  In those cases where drivers from other disciplines come in they have a hard time with the pace and destroy the vehicle before the end.  It's still mega cool though.

 

The news...  https://www.motorspo...rocket/4338103/

 

The specs for the SpecTT/6100 they'll drive... http://brenthelindus...ophytruck-6100/

[ViMaMo]

Awesome !!

[loki]

Of the 31 class 6100 trucks that showed up at qualifying (in a class of 50 entries) Button placed 30th about 1 min 21 sec off the winning pace.  It's going to be a tough race for them though at least they'll start almost mid pack.  The trucks that choose not to qualify (it's optional) will start using a draw behind those that did make it to quals.  My picks for the class win would be Brock Hegar, Blade Hildebrand or Sara Price.   If Button and the boys finish it will be a good accomplishment.  

 

 

[loki]

He's off the line just now, 14:14 local time.  Rough start, bogged through the ruts though the opening infield section.  The announcers are saying he didn't test with full fuel loads in Barstow last month.  He's piloting a 5500# brick.  It's a state of the art brick with 36" of travel but a brick none the less if you are from formula cars.

 

EDIT: Button on the broadcast right now in commentary booth.  Buncombe started the race.  These guys are serious about this.  Button has a good handle on where they are strong and weak.

 

Not a rental, Button bought the truck and uses Brenthel for support after pricing rental vs purchase.  Over three testing days Buncombe has 60 miles, Button 100 miles testing.

 

Announcer: "Did you guys qualify?"

 

Button: "I don't know that I would call that qualifying..."

 

Button to drive 2nd lap.

Edited by loki, 10 March 2019 - 21:44.

[loki]

Sat tracking on the truck has been offline since just after the start.  The transponder is not showing them making it to the 60 mile mark.  Transponder loop triggers at 60 mile (half the lap) and start finish.  Most of the 6100s are through the 60 mile mark.  Haven't heard that the truck is off course of has been recovered.  I'd reckon based on the limited time he's had in the truck it's slow going.

 

EDIT:  Announcers are saying Button has just gotten into the truck and starting lap 2.  Both the transponder and tracker are not posting.  They'll time out at midnight local time if they don't finish.  At the current pace they may finish around 10 pm local time.  It will be dark in an hour or so so that should slow the second half of Button's lap and all of Fawaz' lap.

Edited by loki, 10 March 2019 - 23:40.

[loki]

They just showed him on the stream.  The 2nd and 3rd place TTs (Rob Mac and Brett Sourapas) were coming through and had to nerf him to get by.  Looks like he had his hands full.  A nerf is when the faster truck is on your tail and give you a slight bump to let you know they are there and to let them by.  He was good and respectful about letting them through.  Based on where it happened and the pace it looks more like 11 pm or so local time for them to finish.  If they can't keep this pace they may not make it.  The truck looks in good shape, they haven't had any unplanned stops so all in all I'd say all in all they're doing pretty good.

 

EDIT:  Lofton takes the overall win.  Coverage is mostly over but they should have the unofficial results posted in the morning.

Edited by loki, 11 March 2019 - 02:04.

[loki]

They made it, 8 hrs 34 mins about 2 hrs behind the winning 6100.  They were 55th overall and 19th in class.  Well done chaps.

[paulb]

thats some devotion there loki. good on Jenson for breathing a whole lot of silt. i suspect he had a blast.