As the dust settles on another great year for the General Tire TROPHYLITE Race Series a new champion is crowned. The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree in the Messer family and Troy Messer is living proof. Troy takes the rein as champion from his father Gary Messer who was our 2011 General Tire TROPHYLITE Race Series Champion. We saw some of the best and closest racing in the 2011 season for the TROPHYLITE R-4 class and it brings us yet another champion to add to the coveted list of winners.
The racing at the Best in the Desert Transit West Ford Henderson 250 was great and started out with some tight battles for the lead early. The Championship battle going into this event was between Troy Messer and the team of Steve and Joe Hengeveld. An early electrical problem caused an early retirement for the Hengeveld team. This was a shock to everyone since the Hengevelds have finished every race they have entered since joining the TROPHYLITE family. “We always finish races, this is just not who we are” commented Joe Hengeveld when asked about the problems they encountered.
Troy Messer crossed the finish line first in class and won the race and that was exactly what he needed to clinch the championship. At the finish line Troy was interviewed. “First I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I also want to thank everyone on the Messer team and everyone from TROPHYLITE for an awesome year of racing. Its great to win and get the championship. I know my dad and my team will be excited. ” commented Troy when asked about his win.
With the close of another great season for the General Tire TROPHYLITE Race Series we set our eyes on the future. The 2012 race schedule will be one of the toughest in the history of TROPHYLITE and teams will have to endure 3 of the longest and toughest races in all of off-road racing. Look for some new teams in the TROPHYLITE family for 2012 and some great racing.
2012 General Tire TROPHYLITE Race Series
Race Schedule
Round 1
Best in the Desert
Blue Water Resort and Casino Parker “425”
February 3 – 5
Location: Parker Arizona
Round 2 **Bonus points
Best in the Desert
General Tire Mint 400
March 23 – 25
Location: Las Vegas Nevada
Round 3
Best in the Desert
Canidae Tap It Silver State 300
May 4 – 6
Location: Mesquite Nevada
Round 4
Best in the Desert
General Tire “Vegas to Reno”
August 16 – 18 (race on Friday)
Location: Las Vegas Nevada – Reno Nevada
Round 5 **Bonus points
Best in the Desert
Blue Water Desert Challenge
October 12 – 14
Location: Parker Arizona
Round 6
Best in the Desert
Transit West Ford Henderson “250”
November 30th – December 2nd
Location: Henderson Nevada
**** 2012 General Tire TROPHYLITE series championship will be calculated on the best 5 of 6 races for each participant