2004 Skyjacker UROC Pro National Series

Torbett claims victory at Shupe's Jellico Mud Pit

By Rock On Motorsports, Inc.

Jellico, Tennessee - UROC's Extreme East Super Modified competition was captured by Randy Torbet of Sale Creek, Tennessee. Torbet's spotter, Eric Nixon, tugged on the spotter rope all day long as they fought off Jerry Lee Perkins and Richard Schmaus in the final runs. Torbet finished the day with +10 over second place Schmaus who ended up with +27.

1. Randy Torbet +10

2. Richard Schmaus +27

3. Justin Smith +31

4. Jerry Lee Perkins +40

5. Tom Diviak +83

6. Buddy Carlton +85

7. Kevin Mc Glothlin +89

8. Brad Styles +94

9. Roy Purcell +94

10. Matt Deas +123

Jellico, Tennessee - Battling to the last obstacle of the day, these East Coast Extreme Super Modified competitors have demonstrated why they are the kings of the East Coast rocks. Jerry Lee Perkins, Richard Schmaus and Justin Smith have battled against each other all day long. And as they head down the home stretch towards the final obstacle of the day they are separated by only 11 points. Perkins is leading with +8, followed by Schmaus with +17 and Smith with +19.

Other notables are the infamous Rusty Bray with his spotter, Ken Shupe who are sitting in a tie at +92 in 11th place.

News of the day here in the rocks of Jellico was the presence of the photographers and writers from Newsweek magazine. Newsweek staffers had previously chosen top Skyjacker UROC Pro-National Super Modified Series Leader, Tracy Jordan, for a photo shoot that was shot in "Rock Runner Gully." Jordan was bantered by his teammates and competitors alike as the photo gurus placed him in pose after pose. Hecklers from the rock hill lined the upper terrace watching as the UROC Pro-National competitor struck poses as if he was posing for the cover of People Magazine's 10 Sexiest Men in the Galaxy. One of his teammates said, "Tracy always looks good."

Jellico, Tennessee - Threats of big rain drops gave way to the hot sun of Tennessee as the best rockcrawlers in the East fought there way to the top of each obstacle throughout the day. The throngs of spectactors that flooded into this UROC event is amazing. Walking shoulder-to-shoulder in some locations the crowds were estimated by some as nearing 5,000 strong. They came from all over the South East United States to watch their favorite rock crawling team rage on the rocks of Jellico.

Skyjacker UROC Scoring Update Exteme East Super Modified

1. Randy Torbett -3

2. Jerry Lee Perkins +8

3. Matt Deas +14

4. Justin Smith +20

5. Richard Schmaus +23

6.Scott Weiser +47

7. Buddy Carlton +51

8. Tom Diviak +52

9. Kevin McGlothin +57

10. Brad Styles +64

Jellico, Tennessee - Hindered by two broken fingers, East Coast rock crawling legend Ken Shupe is tugging hard on the rope of Rusty Bray here in Jellico. Shupe's barking out orders as if he was directing traffic in the main intersection of Traveler's Rest, South Carolina. The East Coast crawler's are putting on a show for the huge crowd that is jammed into the event.

Jellico, Tennessee - Mother Nature opened her arms up this morning and drenched the local area with big doses of hot rain. The quick burst of rain left the competition area with mud as far as the eye can see. The parking lot was filled with spectators walking barefoot in the competition obstacles to avoid the sticky mud issues on sandals, tennis shoes and more.

The East Coast UROC Extreme Super Modified's take to the courses here in Jellico under a canopy of clouds, humidity and wet weather. Currently, the weather is clear with patches of sunshine blasting through, however the threats of a southern down pour should be taken seriously.

Many of the Skyjacker UROC Pro-National Super Modified competition drivers are here at the event awaiting tomorrow's grand finale here in Jellico. Walker Evans, Jon Nelson, Peter Wells, Mark Berger, Tracy Jordan, Jason Paule, Don Robbins and many more are here watching the action of the East Coast competitors strolling with the big crowds that are stuffed into the area.

Ken Shupe is here working hard today as a spotter for Rusty Bray, his regular spotter in the Pro-National Super Modified class. Shupe jokingly told ORC staffers, "My uncle owns this neck of the woods and I've got a big advantage so I'm looking forward towards Sunday's big event." Shupe who resides in Traveler's Rest, South Carolina is a rock crawling legend in this area.

Also here, is a crew from Newsweek Magazine who are producing a featured story on Rock Runner Racing's Tracy Jordan and the entire rock crawling scene. The mud covered rocks of Jellico are about to explode and the action is going to be wild as the East Coast Super Modified gets underway soon.