Crandon Calling: 5 Minutes with Mitch Covington
by Eric Johnson
"I'm just getting ready to head towards to the 'Big House'," said Mitch Covington into his Blackberry. Sun beating through his office window in Southern California, the co-founder of the TRAXXAS TORC Off-Road Championship Series, in his inimitable southern drawl, was talking to a sponsor representative, checking off one of the almost countless boxes for next weekend's 40th Anniversary BorgWarner World Championship Off-Road Races at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway. Also rounds 11 and 12 of the 2009 TORC Series, it's been the busiest week of the year for Covington and the TORC team as the fledgling new series prepares to makes its own land rush towards Crandon, Wisconsin and the most important closed-course off-road race, to a large extent, in the history of the sport.
Mitch, it's Thursday, August 27 and Crandon is a week away. How's your life right now?
It's pretty busy right now because I'm in California working on the 2010 season and at the same time, preparing for the biggest race event of the season for TORC–or I guess for all off-road racing.
As far as the Crandon race weekend goes, how are things coming together?
Things are coming together really well and, believe it or not, Crandon has not kept me that busy as the people in Crandon have been doing this race for 40 years. And the TORC team has come together really well and made my job really easy. Among other things, this week we've been meeting to make sure our sponsors who have stepped up to make TORC possible are being well taken care of at Crandon.
Crandon has always been the premier short-course off-road racing event in this nation. From what we're hearing, the depth of talent in the TORC classes at Crandon this year will be amazingly deep. Can you elaborate?
Pro Light, Pro 2WD and Pro 4X4–in other words, all three professional classes–will all feature past champions and future stars alike. We have stars like Rob MacCachren and Ricky Johnson who have not raced at Crandon in many years; Jeremy McGrath is also new to Crandon. We're bringing a lot of talent to the field that hasn't been there in quite awhile. To make matters even better, we have drivers like Chad Hord and Jeff Kincaid who are starts in their own right and who are making their debut in Pro 2WD and Pro 4x4. Oh, and I left somebody out. We're flattered to have Robby Gordon pull off a double this weekend where he'll do both the TORC race and the NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta on the same weekend.
Crandon is celebrating its 40 years of competition. In your opinion, what makes this race so great?
One of the things is the heritage behind it. Nobody can look forward to going to Crandon without having that great Land Rush start on their minds. The history behind this event is remarkable when you consider how the entire community is intertwined with this race. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced in all forms of motorsports. Just in the short five years that I've been going, I've made friends from parts of the nation far and wide who have been coming to Crandon for generations. You know, one of the most unique experiences and memories I have is talking with a girl in Jurassic Park (Note: The camping section at Crandon that takes on a Woodstock feel) who said that her grandmother and her mother all used to slip out of the house to party there at Crandon every year and she was just carrying on a family tradition. She just hoped that her mom didn't find out. The funny part is that she was standing nude after entering the nude slip and slide contest.
Mitch, would you consider this event a sport of pilgrimage for off-road fans all over the Midwest?
It's not only a pilgrimage for the fans in the Midwest, there are fans from California to Florida to Maine. This year we are expecting a large contingent from Southern California who want to make it Crandon to see the birthplace of short-course racing.
If you had to guess, how many fane are you expecting next weekend?
We’re expecting 50,000.
Why is this race so much more prestigious and important than the Crandon race that runs in June?
For one, it falls on a holiday weekend. Secondly, it's the race that people put on their calendars for their annual trek to Crandon. It's tradition. People place this on their calendars every year. And the BorgWarner Cup, which is a sister trophy to the Indy 500 Cup (Note: BorgWarner also sponsors the Indianapolis 500 Cup, is the most sought after trophy in all of off-road racing.
If I have it right, this is the first time Crandon will be televised live on national Network TV. What can you tell us about that?
ABC really wanted TORC to do a live event and the 40th anniversary of off-road racing at Crandon was the obvious choice. We're very excited to have been able to get this particular time slot for such an important race in the evolution of short-course racing. The show will be one hour in length and will kick off at 4:00 P.M. Eastern time. This should provide a great time slot to put short-course racing in the forefront of motorsports programming. As far as the racing featured, we'll run the Pro Light, Pro 2WD and Pro 4X4 classes. The people at Crandon and the TORC team have been working the entire season preparing for this race and this live television event.
Mitch, just how important is this race and broadcast to closed-course off-road racing? Can it actually help take the sport to higher ground?
It's definitely a milestone for the sport and we hope it to be just the first milestone because TORC is planning on a lot of surprises to bring the most intense form of racing on earth to the masses.
Who helped bring this whole event together?
Well, we wouldn't be here without the support of the PDG (Professional Drivers Group)and some key sponsors who stepped-up early like TRAXXAS, AMSOIL, Kumho Tire, Ford Trucks, Forest County Potawatomi, BFGoodrich, Oakley and KMC Wheels. While all the sponsors are very important, TRAXXAS, Amsoil, Kumho and Red Bull stepped up on day one and got this series off the ground. Without their initial support, we wouldn't be on our way to Crandon.
And TORC has a strong relationship with Monster and the Hansen Beverage Company, as well, correct?
The Hansen Beverage Company is a partner with Ricky Johnson and me. We could not be happier or more pleased to have such an innovative and supportive partner such as the Hansen's team. Monster Energy, one of Hansen's brands, has also stepped-up and been the host energy drink for our Midwestern events in 2009. The Hansen's partnership has worked out to be a great marriage and their commitment to off-road racing has far exceeded our expectations.
<< Next Article | Previous Article >>
|
 |
|
TORC Names Brian Biering as Official Videographer for 2010
|
|
KMC Wheels Returns as the Official Wheel of TORC in 2010
|
|
USAC Tech Notes: TORC PRO LIGHT V8 Rules Package for 2010
|
|
Brad Lovell to Tackle TORC Short Course Racing
|
|
Traxxas Names the PRO LIGHT Class in the 2010 TORC Series, Sponsorship To Include Largest Ever $200,000 Season Purse
|
|
Get the 2009 TORC PRO Season on DVD Now and Relive the Excitement from the Inaugural Season as it Unfolded on ESPN 2 and ABC Sports!
|
|
TORC Changes Tucson Race Date to May 1st and 2nd
|
|
USAC Tech Notes: Sportsman and Pro Buggy Rule Updates for 2010
|
|
TORC Stars to Perform at 2nd Annual Monster Energy Extreme Indoor Kart Challenge at Pole Postion in Corona
|
|
Monster Energy's Johnny Greaves Sets World Record with First-ever 300-Foot Truck Jump
|
|
TORC Launches 2010 Media Guide
|
|
TORC Adds Tucson's Famous USA Raceway to 2010 Schedule
|
|
USAC Tech Notes: 2010 Competition Modifications - APPROVED PRO LIGHT ENGINES
|
|
Traxxas TORC Series Holds Midwest Sportsman and Grassroots Banquet in Milwaukee, Steele and Keehner Receive Driver of the Year Honors, Johnson Named Rookie of the Year
|
|
Traxxas TORC Series Announces Big Event at the Re-Birth of Metrolina Speed and Sports Center - May 15th & 16th in Charlotte, NC
|
|
TORC / USAC to Display at Annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Tradeshow this Thursday - Saturday
|
|
TORC Drivers MacCachren and Gordon Set to Tackle the Baja 1000 This Weekend
|
|
Casey Currie LIVE In Studio on Speed Scene Live Webcast Tonight 9pm Eastern
|
|
5 Minutes with Casey Currie
|
|
TORC Announces Potawatomi Casino as Host to the 2009 Midwest Banquet
|
|
Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL Announces 2010 Race Schedule, Season Kicks-off in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway!
|
|
2009 Champions Honored at TORC Series Banquet in Las Vegas
|
|
Flips, Flats and Fires - Mayhem at TORC Series Season Finale in Las Vegas, MacCachren, Huseman, Kincaid Capture Championships
|
|
TORC Drivers to Visit Nellis Air Force Base
|
|
TORC Championships On The Line, Series Heads to Vegas for Season Finale
|
|
Long Time Coming: 5 Minutes with Rick Huseman
|
|
Steiner's Pub to Host Las Vegas Kick-off Event
|
|
Traxxas TORC Series Promotes Season Finale at Off-Road Expo in Pomona Fairplex, AMSOIL'S Douglas and Monster's Casey Currie Trucks on Display
|
|
Traxxas TORC Series Announces 2009 Midwest Sportsman/ Grassroots Class Champions
|
|
TROPHYLITE Class Teams Up with TORC for 2010 Season, Adds Low Cost Spec Truck to TORC Series
|
|
Rob MacCachren Assumes Top Spot in PRO 2WD, Huseman and Kincaid Widen Points Gap
|
|
AMSOIL Continues Ultimate Fan Contest in Perris
|
|
Traxxas Steps Up Big with PRO LIGHT Purse of $8,500
|
|
Perris Preview: TORC Championships On the Line, Inaugural Season Winds Down
|
|
TORC to Visit Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House
|
|
Perris Race Kick-Off Party at Roscoe's in Chino Hills
|
|
Heather Mravik Wins Ride with Legendary Off-Road Star, Robby Gordon at Crandon. Nine Others Receive Replica R/C Pace Truck by Traxxas
|
|
Traxxas TORC Series and Crandon International's 40th Excites Record Crowd, Live ABC TV Audience
|
|
Hord Outlasts Kincaid to Win 3rd Annual FCP 'Decision at Sundown'
|
|
TORC Announces South Point Casino as 2009 Banquet Location and FREE Four Night Stay for TORC Drivers
|
|
Hanging it Out: 5 Minutes with Johnny Greaves
|
|
TORC Makes Its LIVE Broadcast Debut on ABC
|
|
BFGoodrich and AMSOIL "First Turn Fans" Contest
|
|
CRANDON: It's Going to be the Biggest Off-road Racing Event Ever! 40th Anniversary of 'The Big House'
|
|
Traxxas Hosts Inaugural TORC Series Pro Pit Party and Official Autograph Session!
|
|
Crandon Calling: 5 Minutes with Mitch Covington
|
|
Drive-By Trucker: Robby Gordon Looks to Crandon
|
|
10 Minutes with Casey Currie
|
|
TORC Offers Ride-along with NASCAR/ Baja/ Dakar Standout, Robby Gordon, at Crandon on Labor Day Weekend
|
|
BARK RIVER II PRO RECAP: LeDucs Hit it Big in Bark River
|
|
TROPHYLITE Class to Make Its TORC Debut in Vegas
|
|
TORC Announces Date Change for Season Finale: October 23-24 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
|
|
Bark River Readies for Second Event at the Legendary 1.5-Mile Track
|
|
Rounds 13 & 14 to be Held at Perris Auto Speedway Instead of Pala, TORC Promises 'Fan Friendly' Arrangement with PAS, Shoots for Early 2010 Season Race at Pala
|
|
TORC Goes Under the Lights at the Oshkosh Speedzone July 24-25
|
|
TORC Bark River Recap: Greaves Sweeps Pro 4x4, Mac Passes McGrath on Final Lap in Pro 2WD Action, Kincaid Makes Great Come Back for Second Victory of the Season
|
|
Bark River Preview: TORC Drivers Ready to Attack the 1.5 Mile Clay Track of Bark River
|
|
Hansen Beverage Company Joins Forces with The Off-Road Championship Truck Racing Series
|
|
Pit Reporter, Leah Pruett, to 'Bring the Heat' to the TORC Broadcast
|
|
Monster Truck Driving Man: 5 Minutes with Rick Huseman
|
|
TORC-National Racing Series Converges on Crandon International, 24,000 Gather for First Race in the Midwest
|
RACE RECAP: Perris, California - Rounds 3 and 4
Johnson Sweeps Pro 2WD, Hord Makes Great Comeback, Huseman & Greaves On Top in Pro 4x4
|
Weekend Preview: Crandon, Wisconsin
TORC Series Heads to the 'Big House' of Off-Road Racing-Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
|
|
'DirtNewz LIVE' Radio Show at TORC's Perris Race Kick-off Party
|
|
Toyota Steps-Up as 2009 Contingency Partner for The Traxxas TORC Truck Series
|
|
Sportsman to Join the Pros for High 'TORC' Racing Action at Perris Auto Speedway May 29-30
|
|
KMC Wheels Named Official Wheel of TORC
|
|
Nothing Short of a 'Miracle', Rain Threatens Round 2-But Fans Step Up Big in Texas
|
|
Former Miss USA to Announce for TORC in Texas
|
|
Oakley Demolition Crew Creates the 'Oakley Bomb Run Award' for the Fastest Qualifiers
|
|
Racin' Dirty to 'Live Fast and Play Dirty' at TORC
|
|
Leatt-Brace® Neck Brace System Named Official Neck Brace of TORC
|
|
MacCachren Debuts New Rockstar Energy Ford F-150 Team in TORC Series Race at Texas Motor Speedway
|
|
ESPN and Traxxas TORC Truck Series Team-Up with ABC Networks for Extreme Truck Racing Inaugural Season – ABC to Air Crandon 40th Anniversary of Off-Road Racing LIVE!
|
|
VP Fuels Named Official Fuel of TORC
|
|
TORC Heads to Texas for the Big Show in Dallas
|
|
Joel Whitted Signs-on to TORC Staff for the 2009 Season
|
|
Eldorado Sales Named Official Motorcoach of TORC
|
|
PDG Awards Over $12,000 to Drivers Racing Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL
|
|
Forest County Potawatomi On-Board for 2009 TORC Series
|
|
PDG Practice at Perris Auto Speedway a Success
|
|
Robby Gordon to Race Select TORC Races in 2009
|
|
TORC Kicks-Off with Fanfare at 'Meet and Greet' Open Practice Session at Perris Auto Speedway
|
|
Monster Energy, Toyota, Send Johnny Greaves and Jeremy McGrath to 'Take Care of Business' in Traxxas TORC Series
|
|
TORC Partners with Terminal Velocity Processing for 2009
|
|
Traxxas and TORC on Display at Texas Motor Speedway
|
|
KC HiLiTes Signs On as the Official Light of TORC
|
|
Wes Kain Named Announcer of TORC Series
|
|
TORC Under the Lights at the Oshkosh July 24 and 25
|
|
BFGoodrich Tires Revs Up for The Off-Road Championship Series (TORC)
|
|
Good Times at PDG and TORC Event at Oakley, Big Turnout For Short-Course Racing!
|
|
TORC and VORE Bring the Off Road Racing Experience to the Fans
|
|
Greg Adler and 4 Wheel Parts On Board for 2009 TORC Season
|
|
United Trailers On Board for 2009
|
|
Oakley Watches Official Timekeeper of TORC
|
|
TORC and PDG Host PreSeason Kick-off
|
|
Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL To Open BIG IN TEXAS May 15th-16th at Texas Motor Speedway
|
|
TORC Announces Relocation of the Manzanita Raceway Event
|
|
PDG Changes TORC Test and Orientation to Sunday and Monday–April 19-20
|
|
AMSOIL Presenting Sponsor of Traxxas TORC Series-AMSOIL signs three year exclusive contract with premier short course series
|
|
TORC Establishes Series Headquarters in Crandon, WI, Home of the Big House, Tiffany Landru Named Director of Business Affairs
|
|
PDG Brings TORC TEST and ORIENTATION DAY to Perris Auto Speedway in CA
|
|
Kumho Named official tire of Traxxas Off-Road Championship Series
|
|
TORC Engages Paul Taublieb of Media X International, Inc. Leading Action Sports & Motorsports Producer to Forge Media Partnerships for TV and Digital Coverage of the 2009 Series
|
|
Crandon Raceway Announces 15 Year Exclusive Deal with Traxxas TORC Series
|
|
Traxxas, The Fastest Name in Radio Control, Named 2009-2011 Series Title Sponsor of TORC, THE Off-Road Championship Series
|
|
Off-Road Grand Prix is now TORC, THE Off-Road Championship Series™ (TORC series)
|
|
TORC Announces 2009 Race Schedule, Get Ready for Crazy Action and a National Championship Series
|
|
Off-Road Grand Prix Announces Unification of Short Course Off-Road Racing |
Advertise Here |
