Interviews with Mike Klensin, Driver of #4431; and John Brock, Co-driver/Owner

The 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix – organized by Ultra4 Racing – will take place at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12, 2014.

Check the ULTRA4 schedule here: http://ultra4racing.com/event/4-wheel-parts-glen-helen-grand-prix-2/

KlensinGlenHelen
From King of the Hammers, 2012; photo by Patty Pinnell

“I look forward to that track. Last year we did really well – finished seventh – so we’re hoping to finish single digits again.” Mike Klensin

Mike and John had problems during qualifying laps at Metalcloak Stampede last month. Mike explained, “We were just about to try and make a fast lap when the rear drive shaft U joint broke, causing the drive shaft to bind up against the chassis; it resulted in a major shock load that threw the drive train and broke the trail housing on the transmission, ending our run.”

Since that time, “We got a new transmission housing. We went out again this past weekend, put another 50 miles on it, everything seems to be running good. We should be good to go.”

About Glen Helen Raceway

For Mike, the place is full of memories. “For a dirt bike guy, it’s a very well-known track that’s been around forever. It’s kind of neat to race there as well. I used to race dirt bikes so it’s kind of cool.

The track is really nice – partially short course and partially a short desert loop. There are a lot of jumps and turns. Most of the track is real smooth flowing so you don’t have a bunch of abrupt stops; a lot of flow makes it fun to drive.”

John continues to deal with the physical consequences of a serious accident; in 2003 his back was shattered when he was run over by a 12,000 lb. tractor. “The last track was so rough and brutal – all it was doing is tearing me up.”

Hopefully, Glen Helen will be better. “The track gets torn up pretty good during the race. It starts out nice and smooth and by the end of the race you’re getting beat to a pulp. The corners get torn up where everybody’s sliding through the corners; that digs it out, digs up rocks that are underneath – especially in sharp corners where we have to slow way down and accelerate out of it.”

Another concern for John  … “There’s quite a few jumps in the track. If we land correctly it doesn’t bother me. If they build the jumps right, you come down on all four wheels, which makes for a soft landing. If not, the back tires are pitched up in the air so you’re coming down harder, slamming down.

Typically, on that track, most of the jumps are built very well.”

The Main Event

The ULTRA4 Main Event takes place at 5:30 Saturday; it’s two hours straight with 40 cars on the track.

Will they make it to the Main Event? Mike says “Our chances are good. As long as we don’t break the car in the morning session, we should be in the afternoon session.”

What’s it like? “It’s fun! You have to be careful with open wheels – if you hit each other, someone is going for a bad ride. But most people are considerate of that because if you hit there is a 50/50 chance it crashes them too.

The goal for us is to finish top 10 of non-qualified KOH drivers; that gives us a guaranteed driver’s seat at King of the Hammers.”

See the full Glen Helen schedule at: http://www.glenhelen.com/events/ultra-4-road/

How will heat affect the driving experience?

This week temperatures in San Bernardino have ranged from 96 to 101 degrees. Saturday it’s supposed to be about 100. Imagine racing in the heat, covered from helmeted head to fireproof boots.

John says “It gets really hot in the helmets; but we have filtered air supply that brings fresh air into the helmet. It almost feels like air conditioning.”

Full multi-layer fire suits are something else again. “They’re quilted like a pair of insulated overalls a mechanic might wear in the middle of winter.” That sounds HORRIBLE! He agrees. “It is – but once you get going, you don’t think much about the heat.”

A great track for spectators!

Mike is looking forward to “a good turnout of fans. It’s a real popular area for offroad enthusiasts – outside San Bernardino, not a real far drive for anybody.”

John says “This track I think is one of the most fun races that we have. It’s a very spectator friendly track; probably close to being the most spectator friendly track that we have.”

Glen Helen Raceway has grandstand seating, concessions with food, soft drinks and beer, real rest rooms and more. Check it out at: http://www.glenhelen.com/about-us/

Join us in wishing them “single digits”

Cheer them in person at Glen Helen Raceway; support them online …

On Facebook at Team Crossed Up Off Road:

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