http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/this-is-the-most-spectacular-race-finish-ever-2015-03-11

Adelaide, South Australia ( February 16, 2015) – Clipsal 500 Adelaide organizers today announced the full driver line-up for the Toyo Tires Stadium Super Trucks Presented by Traxxas (SST) race, which will be the Australia debut of the world’s newest and most exciting form of racing.

SST founder and two-time series champion Robby Gordon will be the star attraction when these 600 horsepower V8 trucks line up on the starting grid for next week’s Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

The Toyo Tires Stadium Super Trucks race will see high profile local and international drivers racing side by side in 10 high powered off-road trucks. The trucks approach speeds of up to 140 mph and ramps can launch the trucks 20 feet into the air and 150 feet down the track.

The starting line-up for the debut of the SST Series in Australia includes five drivers who have competed in the Stadium Super Truck Series previously; Venezuelan IndyCar driver E.J. Viso , rising star Keegan Kincaid, Charles Dorrance, Bill Hynes, and the future of off-road racing, 17 year-old Sheldon Creed.

The Australian contingent eager to impress in their first outing behind the wheel of a Stadium Super Truck consists of; off-road motorcycle racer Toby Price, off-road racing legend Brad Gallard, former V8 Supercars driver and 24-hour Bathurst winner Nathan Pretty and Australia’s most prolific stunt rider Matt Mingay.

Although accustomed to off-road racing on two wheels, Toby Price will be on a high heading into the Clipsal 500 Adelaide after recently becoming just the second Australian to stand on the winners’ podium at the grueling Dakar Rally, clinching third overall after the final stage in Argentina.

The SST’s will hit the track at the 2015 V8 Supercars season opener on Thursday, February 26th, with specially designed jumps added to the iconic Adelaide street circuit and racing scheduled to run over four days.

“Stadium Super Trucks have become hugely popular at motor racing events in the United States and we’re very excited to be hosting the first ever Stadium Super Trucks event outside of North America,” said Clipsal 500 CEO Mark Warren.

Toyo Tires has acquired the naming rights sponsorship of the Australian debut of Stadium Super Trucks presented by TRAXXAS at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide. Supporting sponsors of the series include; Clipsal By Schneider Electric, Traxxas, Hoggs Breath Café, Jet Pilot and GoPro.

Competition on track is set to be fierce as the trucks literally fly through Victoria Park, featuring drivers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.

2 – Matty Mingay (AU)
3 – Charles Dorrance
5 – E.J. Viso
7 – Robby Gordon
47 – Keegan Kincaid
57 – Bill Hynes
74 – Sheldon Creed
87 – Toby Price (AU)
454 – Brad Gallard (AU)
TBA – Nathan Pretty (AU)

AutoMatters+ covered three of Robby Gordon’s “SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road SUPER Trucks Presented by Traxxas” events in 2014. The last of these was at a new venue: a challenging, purpose-built racetrack at MGM Resorts Village across Las Vegas Boulevard from the Luxor. This provided the room for a much longer track, as well as better vantage points from which to see the racing, than did last year’s location at Caesar’s Palace.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but an encounter I had while still in the parking lot would be very meaningful by the end of the evening. Shortly after I parked my car, another pulled up right beside me. I started a conversation with its occupants and learned that the family — which included two little kids — was visiting from California. This was not their first SUPER Trucks event and everyone was really excited to be there. Hold that thought and we’ll come back to this near the end.

In addition to SUPER Trucks racing, fans enjoyed a full evening’s entertainment that also included Legend car racing, live music from “The Roxy Gun Project” and Traxxas R/C scale models.

The SUPER Trucks racing was wild. Trucks launched off of high jumps and often careened into each other, lap after lap. The most exciting feature of the track was an over-and-under jump. It literally sent SUPER Trucks flying directly over other SUPER Trucks that were racing along the track right in front of the jump — and yes, there were some spectacular crashes there, too.

Many spectators watched the spectacle from atop what looked like a huge, flat-topped water tank. I was absolutely blown away with the event — especially the final SUPER Trucks race. The action got so intense and there was so much going on all over the track that I didn’t know where to look, or where to point my cameras (and speaking of cameras, hopefully they’ll have more light next time).

If you love racing, do yourself a favor and go to the SUPER Trucks event in Las Vegas this year. It is motorized mayhem!

Since this was their season finale, Robby and the drivers had one last, very special treat in store for their fans. They did something that I have never seen done before. After the racing was over, the drivers drove their trucks to where the fans could get next to them and check them out. Then some of the crew members removed colorful body panels covered in racing graphics from their SUPER Trucks and gave them to several very lucky and appreciative fans as souvenirs! They, in turn, got them autographed by the drivers. Then they carried away their treasures, which included huge truck hoods.

I asked a crewmember whether the panels — some of which were undamaged from the racing and others which were repairable — are expensive. They said yes, but that they were giving them away to show their appreciation for their fans.

One fan walked up to Robby and proceeded to show him a two-page document that he had written. Robby actually took the time to read it. Then, with a warm smile on his face, Robby shook his hand. I have never seen race fans treated nearly as well as they were that evening.

Remember the family that I told you about earlier? Well, shortly after I returned to my car in the parking lot after the races, they just happened to walk up to their car. I asked them whether they had gotten any souvenirs, to which they excitedly told me that they had. Then the woman showed me the racing number plate that Robby had given her from his personal SUPER Truck — the one that he had raced that evening. She told me that Robby had explained to her that those number plates were hard to come by, yet despite that, since her family members were loyal, long-time fans, he not only gave her that number plate but offered to give her family the other one, too!

Needless to say, the whole family — kids and all — was absolutely thrilled. The mom told me that they will hang them on the walls of their kids’ rooms. She added that their garage walls are covered in colorful racing body panels.

Thanks to Jan Wagner – AutoMatters+ #370

Original story link

Add Microsoft to the list of companies joining the rapidly expanding list of enthusiasts of SPEED Energy Stadium Super Trucks presented by TRAXXAS. The company has added Robby Gordon’s No. 7 SPEED Energy Stadium Super Truck (SST) to Forza Horizon 2’s new Storm Island expansion pack for Xbox One.

Storm Island was built with the Forza Horizon 2 engine and infused with brand new technology that showcases the beauty of the world. New features like swaying trees in extreme windstorms and the rays of the sun cutting through thick fog bring the adventure and splendor of Storm Island to life in ways players have never experienced before.

Gordon’s SST truck is one of five new vehicles included in the expansion pack. Storm Island also features five unique events to race in various challenging conditions.

The Forza Horizon 2: Storm Island expansion is available now exclusively on Xbox One and can be purchased from the Xbox Live Store for $20. Forza Horizon 2 VIP owners will receive a 50 percent discount on the expansion, making the price just $10 for VIP members.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (December 8, 2014) – SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS announced today its 2015 schedule, which will feature a diverse and exciting mix of venues and track layouts including popular stadium venues, several prominent Verizon IndyCar Series races and prestigious international events.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Nov. 6, 2014)- Sheldon Creed drove his TRAXXAS truck to victory over Robby Gordon in the season finale of the SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS race at the sold out MGM Resorts Village along the Las Vegas Strip.

The race, which was sponsored by Las Vegas Events, featured three segments of eight laps in the final race, with Gordon and Creed fighting nose to tail trading the lead regularly throughout the event. RPM Off Road driver and X Games Austin winner Apdaly Lopez drove a steady race and navigated through traffic on the tight circuit to finish third.

Keegan Kincaid, who drove a second TRAXXAS truck, finished fourth with 15-year-old Gavin Harlien rounding out the top five.

The Las Vegas victory was the 16-year-old Creed’s third of the season. Two roll-overs had the crowd gasping, the first of which involved Dave Royce whose Criterion Cars truck clipped the front stretch wall causing the veteran driver to roll onto his roof, and later, Royce again was involved in an incident, this time with Travis Pecoy who ended up on his roof after sliding off the side of the massive cross-over jump in the middle of course.

SST will begin its 2015 season at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, Australia Feb. 27-March 1 and follow that with a full slate of races with a schedule that will be announced in the coming weeks.

The SST race from MGM in Las Vegas can be seen on NBCSN Nov. 21 at 12:30 a.m. ET and 9:30 p.m.PT and (Nov. 20).

MGM Resorts Village Las Vegas

SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS

Final Results

Finish Truck No. Driver Sponsor Hometown
1 74 Sheldon Creed TRAXXAS Alpine, Calif.
2 7 Robby Gordon SPEED Energy Orange, Calif.
3 18 Apdaly Lopez VisitMexico.com/RPM Tecate, B.C., Mexico
4 47 Keegan Kincaid TRAXXAS Crandon, Wisc.
5 55 Gavin Harlien A3 Bars/GoPro/Slick Products Mesa, Ariz.
6 91 P.J. Jones Terrible Herbst Scottsdale, Ariz.
7 57 Bill Hynes LIVE/UFD Nazareth, Pa.
8 5 Scotty Steele Discount Tire Peoria, Ariz.
9 4 Dave Royce CriterionCars.COM Gurnee, Ill.
10 19 E.J. Viso LIVE/Momo Caracas, Venezuela
11 50 Burt Jenner Gladiator Los Angeles, Calif.
12 3 Travis Pecoy Loma Linda, Calif.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Nov. 1, 2014)- Robby Gordon capitalized on an uncharacteristic mistake by IndyCar veteran E.J. Viso and won Saturday’s SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS race at the MGM Resorts Village. The same Stadium Super Trucks will conclude their 2014 season Thursday night at the MGM Resorts Village at 8 p.m.

Gordon held off an aggressive run by TRAXXAS driver Keegan Kincaid who took a spot on an SST podium for the third consecutive race. Burt Jenner in the Gladiator/House Beer truck came home third marking the first podium finish in his SST career.

“I had my sights set on E.J. Viso and Keegan who were running great races right in front of me,” said SPEED Energy driver Gordon when asked if he saw the great racing in his rear view mirror. “E.J. was running a great race and he clipped the K-Rail there a little bit – actually he clobbered it – and we capitalized. Viso’s contact forced the LIVE driver behind the wall.

“I really can’t wait until Thursday when we run our final race here in Las Vegas. It’s going to a great night with the SEMA Show in town and all the great Las Vegas race fans here for what will be the main event. If tonight is any indication Thursday night’s racing is going to epic.”

Crandon, Wisconsin’s Kincaid, who is a second generation dirt racing expert, ran the mostly asphalt circuit like a pavement expert. “I’m getting more and more comfortable and better on asphalt and I’m learning. I can’t wait to come back Thursday and put it on top of the podium.”

Jenner celebrated his first podium finish after many near misses throughout the season.

“I’m 36 years old and since was about five years old I have waited for this,” Jenner said. “I always felt I could hang with these guys and this proves it. I have in my pocket now and you can’t take it away from me. Hopefully this is the start of good things to come.”

The race course at MGM Resorts Village made for fantastic racing with wide sweeping turns and a jump that allows the high-flying truck to cross over opposing lanes of traffic directly in the middle of the circuit. Saturday’s completion among 10 drivers was as intense as any event in 2014 and Thursday night’s races will likely follow the same pattern.

“Racing in Las Vegas is one of the coolest things we get to do all season,” series promoter and founder Gordon said. “The course we have built at MGM is amazing and next week we will make it even better and with the SEMA Show in town the crowd will be electric. Being able to race in front of the off-road community and knowledgeable Las Vegas fans is a great way for us to finish our season.

SST will begin its 2015 season at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, Australia Feb. 27-March 1 and follow that with a full slate of races with a schedule that will be announced in the coming weeks.

The SST race from MGM in Las Vegas can be seen on NBCSN Nov. 21 at 12:30 a.m. ET and 9:30 p.m.PT and (Nov. 20).

MGM Resorts Village Las Vegas

SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS

Race 1 Results
Finish Truck No. Driver Sponsor Hometown
1 7 Robby Gordon SPEED Energy/ Toyo Tires Orange, Calif.
2 47 Keegan Kincaid TRAXXAS Crandon, Wisc.
3 50 Burt Jenner Gladiator Los Angeles, Calif.
4 74 Sheldon Creed TRAXXAS Alpine, Calif.
5 55 Gavin Harlien A3 Bars/GoPro/IronClad Mesa, Ariz.
6 5 Scotty Steele Discount Tire Peoria, Ariz.
7 4 Dave Royce CriterionCars.com Gurnee, Ill.
8 57 Justin Lofton LIVE/UFD Westmoreland, Calif.
9 18 Apdaly Lopez VisitMexico.com/RPM Offroad Tecate, B.C., Mexico
10 19 E.J. Viso LIVE/Momo Caracas, Venezuela

Stadium Super Trucks Partners with SEMA, Moves Las Vegas Race to Nov. 6

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 28, 2014) – As a result of a new partnership between
Stadium Super Trucks (SST) and SEMA – the premier automotive specialty products
trade event in the world – SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS
has moved its Nov. 5 race date in Las Vegas to Thursday, Nov. 6.

The event’s additional race date (Saturday, Nov. 1) and location remains the
same with races taking place at the MGM Resorts Village. A full schedule of
racing will take place both nights with other racing series joining the SSTs,
including a full field of high-powered Legend Cars.

“Collectively we decided that having an additional day of promotion at the SEMA
Show will be beneficial to our partnership,” said series President Robby Gordon.
“Our mutual goals are to continue to build the off-road industry as a whole and
moving the SST race from Wednesday to Thursday allows for an additional day of
promotion within the SEMA Show, which is a benefit to the entire off-road
industry.”

SEMA attendees can purchase tickets at two SST kiosks located at Show
Registration in the North Hall and New Product Showcase in the South Hall, Level
2 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Tickets are also available through www.stadiumsupertrucks.com and the MGM box
office (877-274-6958 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. PST) and are $25 for adults, and $15
for children (12 and under) and military personnel with proper ID. Gates open at
5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 8 p.m. for both events.

For more information on the SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS
series, visit www.stadiumsupertrucks.com.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 16, 2014) – Stadium Super Truck series founder Robby Gordon and South Australian Tourism Minister, Leon Bignell, announced today the SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS 2015 season will start in Adelaide, Australia, in conjunction with the Clipsal 500 Adelaide.

The Clipsal 500 Adelaide attracted more than 273,600 spectators over four days in 2014. The invitation from Australia’s premier motorsports event is a testament to the rapid growth and popularity of the TRAXXAS-sponsored Stadium Super Trucks (SST).

“The fast growth of the SST series has been incredible and for us to take our series outside North America for the first time is a huge accomplishment, so we were very selective with which event we chose,” Gordon said. “The Clipsal 500 is one of the biggest and best entertainment events in Australia, so for us it was a perfect fit. We know how much Australians enjoy sports, and particularly auto racing, and we know that our TRAXXAS SSTs will put on a great show. It will be nothing like anything race fans in Australia have ever seen before.”

The SSTs will be introduced to the Australian public on Feb. 26 with two practice sessions, followed by one race each day Feb. 27-March 1. Each race will feature a mix of some of Australia’s most popular and well-known drivers and an equal number of drivers from the SST series who compete regularly in the United States.

The 14-turn street circuit at Victoria Park will be a spectacular venue for the SSTs to fly over man-made ramps placed strategically throughout the circuit while reaching speeds of nearly 150 mph (240 kph) on the longest straights. The trucks will race the same course as the V8 Supercars.

“We expect Robby Gordon’s Stadium Super Trucks to attract new audiences to South Australia from around Australia and even overseas with its cult following,” Bignell said. “The Clipsal 500 will be the first event in Australia to feature Robby Gordon’s Stadium Super Trucks which is a terrific endorsement for the event and the State of South Australia.”

Clipsal 500 CEO Mark Warren said his team is always looking to introduce new categories to Australian motorsport fans: “We introduced utes to the motor racing scene back in 2001, which regularly rates as the second most popular category for Clipsal 500 fans in post-event polling. Stadium Super Trucks was a huge hit at X Games Austin and we expect they’ll be one of the most exciting categories to race around Adelaide’s iconic street circuit in 2015.”

Finishing only its second season of competition in the United States, the series has raced in major metropolitan cities, including: Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Detroit; Toronto; San Diego; Las Vegas; St. Petersburg, Florida; Indianapolis; Phoenix; and others. The SST series will complete its second season on Nov. 1 and 5 in Las Vegas racing directly alongside the famed Las Vegas strip during the annual SEMA Show, the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world.

The identically prepared, purpose-built race trucks provide an amazing platform for competition, with drivers from a variety of backgrounds battling side-by-side in a test of the best driver rather than engineering. Each highly specialized truck makes approximately 600 horsepower and races on DOT-approved all-terrain Toyo Tires. In addition to Gordon, among the drivers that have competed in the SST series include: IndyCar drivers E.J. Viso, Paul Tracy, Townsend Bell and Arie Luyendyk Jr.; NASCAR driver Justin Lofton; off-road stars B.J. Baldwin, Sheldon Creed, Scotty Steele and Keegan Kincaid; and sports car drivers Aaron Bambach and Burt Jenner.
More information about Clipsal 500 Adelaide: http://www.clipsal500.com.au/

CORONADO, California (Sept. 21, 2014) – Robby Gordon captured the Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS race at the Coronado Speed Festival on the historic Naval Air Station North Island Sunday in front of a full house of military personnel and local San Diego area race enthusiasts. The crowd included thousands of new Stadium Super Truck (SST) series fans who witnessed one of the most amazing feats possible in a race car at the conclusion of the second race.

EJ Viso held off Sheldon Creed from nearby Alpine, Calif. in heat race competition, with Arizona’s Scotty Steele taking third. In the SST final, Creed again finished second with fellow-TRAXXAS driver Keegan Kincaid finishing third the night after winning his first SST race in Orange County.

The TRAXXAS SST race on the massive Navy Base across the Glorietta Bay from downtown San Diego, marked the third consecutive day the trucks raced in Southern California, with the first two races coming at Orange County’s Sand Sports Super Show Sept. 19-20.

Gordon and Kincaid shared top honors in Orange County. The overall weekend win went to Gordon, followed by Kincaid and Steele.
Following the second race at the Coronado Speed Festival, 16-year-old Creed, who’s Alpine home is only 30 miles from the Navy base, hoisted his TRAXXAS SST truck onto its right two tires and bicycled his truck around the 1.7-mile, 13-turn race course to the delight of the crowd. Never once did Creed let his left side tires down to the ground as fans clapped and yelled during the nearly five minute slow lap around the circuit.

Despite the great racing the trucks produced on the converted airport runway, Creed all but stole the show with his amazing effort. Almost unbelievably, his Toyo Tires kept their grip and maintained their integrity as Creed rode on the sidewalls of his Toyo’s.