May 15, 2005– The Championship Off Road Racing Season is set for the season opening rounds of racing May 21-22 in Lake Odessa, MI at the I-96 Speedway. The I-96 Speedway is one of the new venues for this year along with an undisclosed location in Southern California. The California race was brought about by the sale of CORR to Jim Baldwin. This expansion of short course racing into an area of the country which already has seen the popularity of desert racing rise will undoubtedly draw in new fans. There will be other changes in the coming years as CORR expands its market out of the Midwest.

2004 Pro-2 Champion Scott Taylor

2005 will be the first year for a tire manufacturer championship in the series with Kumho, BF Goodrich, Goodyear, Toyo, and Pit Bullsupplying the rubber. Toyo tires, a new series manufacturer, islooking to make an impact having signed several drivers in thesportsman and pro divisions. Pit Bull Tires, the other new series manufacturer, is the rookie of the year sponsor. Look for the new tires to perform well in all divisions this year.

The line-ups in each division will also look a little different to fans familiar with the series. The Pro-4 division will miss the Rancho Ford of Scott Douglas who is moving back over to the Pro-2 division. However, Rick Huseman is making up for that lost entry by making the jump from the Pro-Lite division to Pro-4 division in the Fabtech backed Toyota Tundra. Huseman’s experience with 17 victories over the last 4 years will aid in his transition to the bigger trucks. Jason Baldwin will have plenty of challengers while defending his title this year.

2004 Pro-Lite Champion Kyle LeDuc

The Pro-2 division is also seeing some changes this year in the driver line-up. Scott Peterson is making the jump to the pro division with the new Hart Motorsports Pro-2 and will also be driving a Super Buggy in 2005. With the addition of Peterson and seasoned veteran Douglas, the Pro-2 division is wide open, and current champion Scott Taylor and his Skyjacker Ford team will have their hands full defending his title. Dan Vanden Huevel will be vying for the top spot with a new Kuhmo Tires truck, and Kevin Probst and Larry Gourlie have once again teamed up with Gourlie in the US Marine Corp colors truck and Probst carrying the US Army colors.

Pro-2 will have a healthy field of trucks with the changes and newcomers in 2005. Pro-Lite continues to be a stepping stone into the Pro divisions. Drivers like Chad Hord in the Boss Snowplow Nissan have demonstrated their ability to adapt to Pro-Lite and will be a force to be reckoned with after a strong year in 2004. Jeff Kincaid returns to try and regain the title in the Forest County Potawotami Toyota Tacoma and Kyle LeDuc in the SkyjackerFord Ranger will be back to defend his title and go for two in a row. CORR is looking very strong this year and continues to grow and increase the fan base for off-road racing. New fans interested in visiting a race should check the schedule below for the seven weekends of racing.

Off-Road.com will be bringing you live daily coverage direct from Lake Odessa. Look for a report saturday evening covering the first day of racing.

Event Schedule
May 21-22 Lake Odessa, MI Pro & Sportsman
June 11-12 Antigo, WI Pro & Sportsman
June 25-26 Crandon, WI Pro & Sportsman
July 8-9* Topeka, KS Pro & Sportsman
Aug. 13-14 Bark River, MI Pro & Sportsman
Sept. 3-4 Crandon, WI Pro & Sportsman Sept.
(TBA) San Diego, CA Pro Series
*night races