Western Motorsports 2010 plans announced

Western Motorsports Announces 2010 Schedule/Drivers
Ready to Kick off Season at Parker 425

Escondido, CA-Western Motorsports announced today their 2010 drivers lineup and race schedule for 2010. The Escondido, California based team will compete in both endurance desert racing and short-course racing. Sean Backus has been tabbed as the primary driver of the 7200 Class #7265 Eleven Western Builders Chevrolet. Backus will compete for the Best in the Desert Racing Association championship along with a tentative run in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000. Secondary driver Brett Backus will share driving duties for the 7265 team including a primary start for the first race of the year. Sean Backus will not be able to make the first start at the Parker 425 due to an off-track injury. Filling in for the inured Backus will be long time veteran racer Danny Ashcraft. The 7265 team is also pleased to announce they will rely on the strength of BFGoodrich Tires for the 2010 season.

After finishing in the top five in both the Protruck and Best in the Desert series points championship, Western Motorsports will return for a championship chase in their #1265 Eleven Western Builders Ford Protruck. Rick Backus has been named the primary driver of record for 2010 with veteran off road racer Dave Mason splitting the driving duties with Backus.

The third Western Motorsports team is all new for 2010. Dave Mason Jr., who graduated from the Kart Modified Division in the Lucas Oil Series at the end of last year. Mason Jr. will pilot the new Western Motorsports #365 Alumacraft Chassied 1600cc Limited Buggy in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. The car was previously campaigned by Team Green Army's driver Mike Halliday and is being prepped for Mason Jr's debut. The first race of the 2010 season will be at the Lucas Oil Facility in Lake Elsinore Ca. on March 5th through the 7th. For more information on the Lucas Oil Series go to www.lucasoiloffroad.com

Western Motorsports hasn't had much of an off season. They moved into their new race facility this past week. The new location is shared with sponsor Eleven Western Builders retail services division and provides greater space and organization for the team. The shop will be Co-managed by PRO Truck Crew Chief Josh Nelson and #7265 Truck Crew Chief and Team Engine Specialist Steve Reeder.

"I think we have a good plan and solid organization heading into this year," said team owner Rick Backus. "Maybe more than we ever had in the past. All of the team leaders sat down at the end of last year to plan 2010. The first question I asked is why do we do this? We determined that winning was secondary to enjoying what we do. We off-road race because there is no other feeling like it. We all share a passion for it. With that phrase at the top of the list [enjoying what we do] we determined our approach to planning the year."

"Second on the list is winning races," added Backus. "But really it all comes back to enjoying the process of racing. I think we'll be more organized this year and have a structure for the team in place that keeps things fun, but efficient, and that ultimately will lead us to success."

The team will be testing all race vehicles this weekend with the first race kicking off February 5-7 at the Legendary Blue Water Resorts and Casino Parker 425. The race is known as the "crown jewel" of desert races. Western Motorsports has entered both the #7265 Chevy Truck and the #1265 Protruck Ford. Navigating the way for Brett Backus and Danny Ashcraft will be veteran co-driver Greg Atherton for the 7265 team. Dave Mason will start the race for the team's Protruck with Rob Fox riding shotgun to navigate. Rick Backus will take over the pilot seat along with co-driver Mark Moffatt near the midway point of the race. From the time trials run to the new Downtown Parker Experience to the race itself catch it all LIVE at www.bitd.com


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