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By: Brian "FLASHLIGHTMAN" Gutierrez
Edited By:  Randy L. Wheeler

The Battle For Chimney Peak

Nestled between the ridge of the 1000-foot-high Granite Mountains and Rabbit Dry Lake, lies the 80 acres of the Lions Pride Park in Johnson Valley CA. The terrain here is rugged and unforgiving, seemingly out of this world, like the boulder strewn craters of some distant planet. BUT, due to the insight and planning of "Big Rich" Klein and Jimmy James, the Lucerne Valley Lions Club Event Coordinator, the steep canyon washes and solid granitic outcroppings of the park were transformed into an "Amphitheater of Pleasure" for hardcore 4wheelers as CalROCS presented THE BATTLE FOR CHIMNEY PEAK March 8th, 9th and 10th.

Hailing from Grass Valley Ca., and newcomer to the CalROCS circuit, was veteran rock crawler Daren Runion who's very unique, yellow 83 Yota includes CTM's, Detroit lockers and the only rear steer 44 in the competition. Keep an eye out for Daren during the upcoming CalROCS events.

The gates for the Modified Stock Class were set tight, on average 10 inches tighter then the courses that the Pro-Modified and Unlimited classes shared. The tighter gates forced the Modified Stock courses to be more technical, pushing the rigs and drivers to their limit, and in many cases beyond. Even though the 14 drivers of the Modified Stock Class ranged in age from 22 to 45 years young, they brought over 150 years of combined off roading experience to the CalROCS competition. The Modified stock class had qualifying runs on Friday and the best 5 teams advanced to the Finals on Saturday.

One of the best runs of the entire event was completed by Kathy Crook and Renee LeBaron of marquee CalROCS sponsor, JP Offroad Aluminum Bodies. On Friday the only "all-woman's rock crawling team" scored a PERFECT ACE, meaning they navigated the course with both driver and spotter strapped in their seats, not touching a gate, not stopping, and not backing up…all within the allotted time!! Excited, joyful screams echoed through the mountains and canyons as the ladies drove their jeep through the exit gates of course 3. It was exciting to say the least.

Cody Waggoner, with his dad spotting, drove his 71 CJ-5 in his first CalROCS competition and ended the qualifying day in first place. Kevin Hawkins, driving the Red Rocky Road Jeep of John Currie, kept the pressure full awn, trailing Cody by only 10 points.

Tony Kasabasich piloted his CJ-2A over the tough hill climb on Course 4.

Rising start and CalROCS Veteran Matt "MP" Padgett was making some of the courses look easy as he impressively piloted his Blue, flatbeded 81 Yota over the troublesome obstacles without chirping a tire. Here at Victorville as well as at Amador it almost seemed like Mike had brought his own cheering section with him, definitely a crowd favorite.

With his spotter working hard to keep their rig on course and rubber down, Tony Kasabasich from Lincoln CA., is pictured at right piloting his nimble and flexy CJ-2A along the off camber boulder course 3. Tony was the first driver to successfully negotiate the tough hill climb of course 4 on Saturday much to the excitement of the crowd!

Jeff "H8monday" Huelsman was fully pushing his wife's screaming yellow, HO 5.0 1989 wrangler to its limit. As Jeff's heavy foot caused the tires to lift and bounce, the boulders and unforgiving wall of course 4 quickly found the weakest link in his drive train. Repairs were made, but when Jeff volunteered to winch out a badly busted up Captain America, the destruction continued on the stretched jeep. SNORT member "Neckster" informed me that all in all "H8 broke a hub, a t-case yoke and eventually split the tranny case wide open" now that's getting it!!

Arizona Unlimited class driver Don Robins flopped his blue FJ40 on it's side up the treacherous sheer wall/hill climb of course 4 on Saturday. As the crowds cheered and patiently waited, Don took his time to set the rear steer and the hydraulics forced the articulation of his dual 60's to his advantage for the ensuing roll over. As he cautiously applied the fun pedal, the 44-inch bogger sidewalls finally grabbed some traction, spinning the rig around and momentarily standing her back on all 4 tires. Unfortunately or fortunately, he was positioned on a side hill and the initial momentum caused the Cruiser to continue a full 1-1/2 roll, landing once again on all four tires. Amazingly, Don and his spotter remained strapped in the rig, did not hit any flags during the rollover, and managed to finish the course with only a back up and a stop. This kind of experience is what separated the men from the boys.

Terry Sheetz showing the crowd how to get it done.

Terry Scheetz obviously learned a lot from his first competition at CalROCS Amador and apparently made the correct modifications to his softly sprung buggy allowing him to win of the Pro-Modified class at the Lyons Pride Park. On Friday I was lucky enough to interview Terry's dad Larry who proudly told me how he and his son had built the unusually looking rig from scratch Terry's' garage.

Lance Clifford heated up his brand new 37-inch MTRs until they softened up and shot him up and over the wall and onto his side in the sand. Lance was able pilot his S&N FAB Cruiser to a second place finish in the Pro Modified class.

Course 4 on Sunday lead into the mouth of Chimney Canyon and was by far the most treacherous of the competition. Caine Covert, his pregnant wife Erica, and spotter/brother Josh drove the 1500 mile round trip from Washington State for a shot at some of the $9000 in total purse at the CalROCS Victorville event and had the difficult task of running Courses 4 first. The course was quickly named "Caine's Canyon Course" as it devoured his ultra modified S&N FAB Scout buggy, by slicing a limiting strap and folding one of the 4-link Heim joints like a soft taco, then shearing off the 14 bolt pinion flange in the boulder garden. The tight wedge of the second gate on course 4 could best be described as a "tall tight spot between a boulder and a canyon wall". By the end of Sunday, only Kevin Yoder and Tracy Jordan were able to remain on course and navigate gate 2 of Course 4.

Grady McCleod and Kelly Clifford of Team Jackly both took turns in the drivers seat, and at the end of the strap.

Point-and-Shoot man Chris Durham impressed course designer Bob Roggy by completing the upper canyon course in an eye popping 38 seconds. As he was scooping out the steep canyon chute, I remember hearing fellow team JP OFFROAD team member Kathy Crook jokingly tell Chris, "Get it! It's a paved freeway up there!" From start to finish Durham dropped the hammer and never let up. 

For more information and all the scores, be sure to check out the CalROCs website.