Ellinger displays the '04 Tacoma 4-cylinder engine power during the Grand Nationals.

This past year W.E. ROCK received six new teams ready to battle professionals in both the East and West series, as well as be considered for the prestigious “Rookie of the Year” award. Former winners include Detroit Locker’s Cody Waggoner and BF Goodrich’s Peter Mazzoni. The recognition honors your first-year achievements and status as a professional rock crawl competitor. It’s a prelude of what can come in your off-road career: more wins, more sponsors, and more media attention.

PROFILE STATS

Ellinger and his spotter live 1,200 miles from one another -- it makes practicing nearly impossible.

Name: Driver Brain Ellinger (Spotter Dave Cole)
Team: Team Slow Speed (#54)
Location: Red Feather, Colorado
Class: Pro Modified
Competition Series: W.E. ROCK Western Series
Season Standings: 3 rd in the nation
Highlights: Grand Nationals – 3 rd place; “Rookie of the Year” for W.E. ROCK; Making it through the season
Sponsors: Trail-Gear, Diamond Axle, Interco tires, Longfield Super Axles, Rockstomper, Front Range Off Road, California Mini truck, RP Films, Marlin Crawler, High Angle Driveline, Yotamasters
Years in Competition: 1
Total Number of Years Wheeling: 12

I had to look at being involved in rock crawl from a business standpoint, said Ellinger.

I first got on board as a sponsor. I own Front Range Off-Road and Diamond Axle. Dave [spotter] lives in Southern California. He had been a customer a few years prior for his Toyota 4-Runner. This time last year, he called me up and told me he was going to run the Modified Legends class in W.E. ROCK. We decided to get on board and provide parts. I had always tossed the idea around before, at least once a year since the first ARCA event in Farmington. I had to look at being involved from a business standpoint because that is what it means to me. I thought of myself as financially better off at helping others already in the competition circuit. But the opportunity presented itself as an already-built vehicle, so it was too good to pass up. It was time to do it or quite thinking about it.

Before the first tube was even bent, Dave told me he was building a rig for the Pro Modified class. My brother runs Unlimited. I don’t know if I would want to compete with him. We cannot do really neat things, like rear steer, but then we don’t have rear steer penalty arguments. I think the courses for Pro Modified are nastier and harder. I also think the vehicle needs to resemble something. It helps the fan base. With Toyota fenders and grill, we get people coming up to us at every competition. Ours is modified to the fullest extent, but they can go home and look at their rig and think they are on their way to building something similar. Maybe is will get more people into competition. I joke and call the Unlimited the “freak show.” People want to see something that looks like a vehicle.

You’ve got some big sponsors. Does owning your own off-road businesses help makes connections?

I would say yes – I guess it could. The reality is all the sponsors we have are sponsors Dave has pursued. I know a lot of folks in the industry, but everything was kept very separate. I sponsor my brother. Not so much because he’s family, but to create a sponsor-team relationship. Dave is a very passionate guy. He talked to a lot of companies he bought products from in the past. Toyota is a tight-knit grouped of folk. He put out his intentions and asked if it was something they would be interested in. He is the kind of guy who knows everybody.

What has been the biggest challenge(s) for you as a driver?

Having zero practice time. Our buggy has not been driven between competitions, no recreational wheeling in between events. Dave came out one time and we were able to get in a half-day and another half-day at Rockstomper. I had no idea of what he wanted to do or his style of wheeling.

Team Slow Speed was the only rookie team to qualify for the 2006 W.E. ROCK World Championships.

Honestly, I would say placing 3 rd at Grand Nationals. We had a lot of things come together at that event. We finished the season, which is huge considering Dave and I are 1,200 miles apart. We talk about everything and go over exactly what do we need to know.

I would say in rock crawling, Jason Paule. I think his car is full of helium. I haven’t seen anyone else be able to touch the stuff he does. He creeps up without slipping a tire. He can control the way physics works. Probably Ivan Stewart of the Baja 1000. I almost got to meet him and I really want to.

Plans are up in the air right now. I’m not sure if I can make the commitment for the 2007 season. It’s put a strain on the business end of things and I’m sure a strain on my wife just to get things to fall into place. I’m not sure I want to make this commitment again. I cannot be making guarantees or promises.

What advice would you pass on to the next or newer generation with a desire to be involved in the sport?

If you want to do it, do it and don’t mess around. You’ll be helped as much as you can.

The Richs’ who run W.E. ROCK are great people and always answer your calls. I don’t want to look back and think ‘gosh, I wish I’d given that a shot.’ I want to look back and think I’m glad I gave it a shot.

Click here for the East Coast version of “Rookie of the Year” on Drew Goldie!