4x4wire, RCAA, March 14-16, 2002, Farmington, New Mexico

Photography by: John Foutz
Article by Bart Jacobs and Randy Wheeler
Edited by: Randy Wheeler

The Season opener for the newly re-named Rock Crawlers Association of America (RCAA) got underway the weekend of March 14-16 in Farmington, New Mexico. From the look of the rigs that showed up as check in, this was gonna be one heck of an event. It seems the rigs this year went on some kind of Slim-Fast diet as most of them were leaner and meaner than previous years. Take a look at some of the rigs lined up during check in.

Chokecherry Canyon in Farmington New Mexico was the final venue for the 2001 ARCA, and was chosen to open the 2002 season and officially inaugurate the re-named RCAA series. To commemorate the event RCAA revised some of the rules and implemented a hybrid bonus point system to deduct points from bonus gates completed, making scores closer, but obstacles more fun.

New rock crawling vehicles were abundant and were a statement to the fact that this sport is changing and progressing. Randy Ellis’ new independent suspension rig looked like a cross between a Formula 1 car, a desert racer, and a rock buggy, all in one. Competitors are having to push the limits and think outside the box, to stay competitive in this dynamic sport.

Three events marked the first day of competition and brought a stark realization that safety is an ultimate concern. Donny Campbell (father of competitor Shannon Campbell) was seriously injured when Shannon laid his rig on its side on obstacle A4. The throttle stuck open for a moment causing the vehicle to contact a tree, which in turn dislodged a boulder. The boulder rolled down a steep embankment striking Don, causing numerous injuries including compound fractures to both legs. Despite the seriousness of the injury, Don was in good spirits when he was air lifted to a local hospital where he underwent surgery. He was flown home to Arizona the following day to undergo additional medical procedures. Our hearts and prayers go out to Don and the Campbell family.

For the first time in RCAA history a spotter was injured. Eric Filar was spotting for Ian Liljeblad when the rig started to roll. In an effort to get out of the way, Eric jumped off a 10 ledge and broke his ankle on impact. The third event happened when Rich Hudson was attempting his first obstacle, A7, on Friday. He got a bit too close the edge and rolled 4 times before coming to rest at the bottom of the 25 foot ledge. RCAA officials decided to move a gate away from the ledge, thus changing the course and allowing Rich to regroup, get the rig running, and retry the obstacle. He managed a perfect score the second time through.

Despite the unfortunate incidents on day one, the event was a hit with most of the competitors, and fans braved unseasonably cold temperatures to enjoy the show. The bar has been raised and this dynamic sport will progress accordingly. Hats off to Ranch Pratt, Phil Collard, and the entire RCAA organization for a spectacular event, and what seems to be fantastic prelude to the rest of the season.

Place	Rig Number	Name	Course A	Course B	Total
1	6	Mike Shaffer	15	-9	6
2	5	John Gilleland	-6	19	13
3	4	Joel Randall	-1	18	17
4	30	Ken Shupe	18	13	31
5	3	Jason Paule	-10	45	35
6	54	Nantz/Bonney	48	3	51
7	1	Currie/Waggoner	4	50	54
8	34	Ian liljeblad	49	8	57
9	208	Mitch Guthrie	60	15	75
10	9	Rich Hudson	71	5	76
11	36	Chris Durham	23	62	85
12	41	Charlie Copsey	12	73	85
13	2	Don Robbins	17	72	89
14	20	Walker Evans	89	11	100
15	46	Wilson/Harris	63	38	101
16	211	Amy Bulloch	24	81	105
17	115	Neil Lillard	72	35	107
18	141	Bart Jacobs	59	50	109
19	204	Jason Bunch	38	74	112
20	8	Shannon Campbell	57	56	113
21	207	T.Faber/J.Faber	69	47	116
22	119	Mike Palmer	89	34	123
23	10	Randy Ellis	91	42	133
24	112	Tracy Jordan	59	81	140
25	242	Bryan Hamilton	73	68	141
26	59	Harold Off	70	74	144
27	136	Jeff Price	81	74	155
28	235	Howe/Lizzelle	85	71	156
29	40	Mike Harmuth	93	82	175
30	24	Dan Dunaway	79	97	176
31	231	Monk, Chris	73	111	184
32	206	Jeremy Faber	109	93	202
33	221	Jeff Baucom	83	119	202
34	230	William Roulette	45	166	211
35	155	Eddie Casanueva	116	103	219
36	32	Sisson/Sisson	113	124	237
37	251	J. Scott Gadsen	124	115	239
38	145	Mattingly/Lindberg	114	125	239
39	253	Dallas Luttrell	100	146	246
40	142	Curtis McNeil	135	118	253
41	140	Dan Brown	131	124	255
42	49	Matt Burkett	39	218	257
43	238	Drew Barber	47	232	279
44	139	Mike Weaver	87	216	303
45	241	Jake Hallenbeck	226	102	328
46	245	Chris Forenbaher	216	118	334
47	133	Brandon Johnson	184	156	340
48	113	Dave Knight	248	96	344
49	222	Todd McCullen	88	274	362
50	47	Bernier/McMahan	211	158	369
51	103	RJ Brown	101	276	377
52	252	Parker Garrett	276	102	378
53		Joel McClure	108	280	388
54	240	Brannon Feldt	209	182	391
55	244	Jack McCullen	122	276	398
56	236	Jan Nilsen	217	181	398
57	26	Curt Hildebrand	280	130	410
58	205	Kerry Campbell	241	173	414
59	249	Ron Christensen	135	280	415
60	227	Cathy Baucom	280	141	421
61	58	Ted LeBaron	252	188	440
62	247	Gary Tidwell	280	190	470
63	225	Cassie Johnson	258	228	486
64	117	Robert Mecchi	242	280	522
65	215	Jason Tharp	280	280	560


Day 1 Check in...These rigs are fit and trim and ready to ROCK!


As these images show, rigs can get out of control in a hurry. This is the main reason why spectators are kept a safe distance away from the action.


John Foutz was right in the middle of the competition to bring you these exciting photos.