The RedBud MX Traxxas TORC Series Event is set for May 26-27 in Buchanan, Michigan, and our drivers are riding the winning wave. You can watch the TORC race on Mopar's Livestream app on Facebook. In the meantime, here are some interviews with the drivers:
Rob MacCachren
When did you start racing?
Started racing motorcycles at age 8. Then started racing four-wheel race vehicles at age 16
What made you choose TORC over other types of racing?
TORC has great track facilities for their drivers to race on, like Crandon International Raceway or Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Why Mopar?
They are long standing in motorsports and they bring knowledge and experience to the team to help put this MOPAR RAM on the podium.
What's your greatest memory of racing?
There are so many, but a few of my greatest would be winning the Baja 100 overall in 2007 or winning three consecutive Borg Warner races at Crandon Intl. Speedway.
You've won pretty much every race there is to win in off-road racing over the last three decades. What keeps you motivated and coming to the track week after week?
It's my life. It's what I know. I love the challenge, the adrenaline and the drive to be better and better. It's the passion that drives me to keep coming back. It also is a great family sport that keeps my family by my side through it.
Rob MacCachren.
Andrew Caddell
Andrew, this is your first year as a member of Team Mopar. What does it means to represent an iconic brand like Mopar?
It means the world to me that such an iconic brand like Team Mopar has faith in me to carry their colors and represent them in the 2012 TORC series. I am going to give them everything I have to deliver a championship for them this year.
You had a great season last year winning four times and finishing on the podium in 10 races, including in nine straight at one point on the way to winning the title in PRO Light. How do you follow that up?
I know we are going to have a bullseye on our back and I like that. I know the team is going to give me a great truck that can make it on the podium every race ... it is just up to me. I am ready to defend the title and I have before in other series so I know the pressure that goes along with it.
Is there any added pressure entering this season as the reigning champion?
There is always pressure to win races. Of course as the returning champion you do not surprise anybody like we may have last year so yes there is more pressure but I think we are well prepared.
You have Hall of Famer Rob MacCachren as a teammate. Will you turn to him for advice from time-to-time?
Rob is a legend in off-road racing. He is a member of the Off Road Hall of Fame already and he has already been a huge help to me as a driver during the last year and you can bet that I will be asking for all of the help he can give me. He is a great teammate and I can't wait to be a sponge around him and absorb all the information I can.
Bryce Menzies
Bryce, you have Mopar and Ram back on your PRO 2 truck this year. How important were they in helping you claim the championship last year?
Mopar and Ram play is huge part in our team being able to race. They provide tons of support and we are very thankful that they are on board for another year.
Last year was your rookie year in PRO 2 and you won the title. Did it surprise you with how strong your team was last year?
I have been racing Pro2 for a few years now, but it was my rookie year in the TORC series. The tracks are different then the LOORRS series and I had to set my truck up for courses that were completely new to my crew and me. It took us a few rounds to get everything set up and before we knew it we were on the podium and taking home wins. We have had the same guys on our team for years now and they know what it takes to win and part of that is sticking together in new situations and that's just what we did.
How do you back that up this year?
Keep winning. I'm looking forward to seeing what the other Pro2 drivers are going to be bringing to the track and am ready to defend the Championship.
Coming off a championship, do you approach the new season any different and is there any pressure on you?
We will approach the season just the same as last year but we will now be more familiar with how everything works at TORC, the courses and the drivers. The pressure is always on. These guys are going to be coming after the championship and I'm the one that needs to defend it.
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Bryce Menzies.
