LOORRS Super Lite Truck Off Road Racer Dominates Track at Lake Elsinore, California
- 28 Jul 2009
Many people are defined by what they do instead of who they are. Ricky James knows who he is. James is a racer, an X-Games 14 Silver Medal Winner, an Iron Man triathlon competitor, a paraplegic and an inspiration to many who will never be able to walk again.
Ricky James Dominated the Super Lite Class at Lake Elsinore, California in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
Ricky James said his motocross background helped him compete and win in short course dirt off road racing
The 20-year-old was paralyzed from the sternum down at an amateur motocross race in Texas. At the time, he was on top of his game and only a few months away from turning pro. He and another rider mixed it up and James fell to the ground. The teen felt his bike crash on him as it crushed his spine.
Ricky James hopes his winning streak will carry through to the X Games where he will compete in this year's Adaptive Moto X event
The rest of the pack at LOORRS saw the back of Ricky James' truck at Lake Elsinore, California LOORRS race
Within one year of his spinal cord injury, he was competing at the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix in California. He raced on a quad that was equipped with a special shifter, made it to the top of the pack and his racing career began again. Since then he has continued to compete in various racing venues and win. “A lot of people believed in me,” said James. “Sometimes I felt like giving up but I knew I had to hang in there.”
He came in first place in the Super Lite Class at Lake Elsinore, California in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. (LOORRS). “Having a motocross background helps me compete in a truck,” said James. “Short course off road racing is motocross in a truck because of the sheer intensity of the racing. In motocross you also have to understand line traction jumps and changes. To be on the podium in first place was sweet.”
James only had about six hours of practice in his new truck. He steers with his right hand, but his left hand works the clutch, throttle, shifter and brakes. His truck has a manual transmission and a Master Shift built electronic shifting system that converts with the push of a button. “I took a conservative strategy at Lake Elsinore,” he said. “I set up in the corners, got my braking done, got the back of the truck loose and carried a controlled slide all the way through the lines.”
“Our goal was to make him comfortable and safe in our truck,” said Casey Coughlin, co-owner of SoCal Super Trucks. “Ricky is a talented kid and a born winner who has racing in his blood. We made a Pro Lite Truck to feed his passion for short course dirt track racing. We have the support from the finest companies in the sport, including K&N Filters, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, Bronson Motorsports, Speed Technologies, Alpinestars, MasterShift and Racing Plus. K&N is always on top of our list. K&N gives us excellent power and filtration and protects our engines.”
On Saturday James worked his way to the front and won in the LOORRS Series. On Sunday he came back and picked them off one by one and won. “He ended up leading the pack,” said Coughlin. “When you think about everything he does, Ricky has accomplished more than most able-bodied individuals do in a lifetime.”
This week he will go to the X Games for this year’s Adaptive Moto X event where amputees and spinal-cord victims compete.“He’s our main guy,” said Coughlin. “He’s a force to be reckoned with on the track. He’s also a great guy off the track and is an inspiration to all of us.”
“I'm stoked. LOORRS was my first opportunity in my career to drive a Super lite truck and show how well I can race in it,” James said. “My life now is about winning.”
His next Lucas Off Road Racing Series will be in Surprise, Arizona.
Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.
Ricky James Dominated the Super Lite Class at Lake Elsinore, California in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
Ricky James said his motocross background helped him compete and win in short course dirt off road racing
Ricky James hopes his winning streak will carry through to the X Games where he will compete in this year's Adaptive Moto X event
The rest of the pack at LOORRS saw the back of Ricky James' truck at Lake Elsinore, California LOORRS race
He came in first place in the Super Lite Class at Lake Elsinore, California in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. (LOORRS). “Having a motocross background helps me compete in a truck,” said James. “Short course off road racing is motocross in a truck because of the sheer intensity of the racing. In motocross you also have to understand line traction jumps and changes. To be on the podium in first place was sweet.”
James only had about six hours of practice in his new truck. He steers with his right hand, but his left hand works the clutch, throttle, shifter and brakes. His truck has a manual transmission and a Master Shift built electronic shifting system that converts with the push of a button. “I took a conservative strategy at Lake Elsinore,” he said. “I set up in the corners, got my braking done, got the back of the truck loose and carried a controlled slide all the way through the lines.”
“Our goal was to make him comfortable and safe in our truck,” said Casey Coughlin, co-owner of SoCal Super Trucks. “Ricky is a talented kid and a born winner who has racing in his blood. We made a Pro Lite Truck to feed his passion for short course dirt track racing. We have the support from the finest companies in the sport, including K&N Filters, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, Bronson Motorsports, Speed Technologies, Alpinestars, MasterShift and Racing Plus. K&N is always on top of our list. K&N gives us excellent power and filtration and protects our engines.”
On Saturday James worked his way to the front and won in the LOORRS Series. On Sunday he came back and picked them off one by one and won. “He ended up leading the pack,” said Coughlin. “When you think about everything he does, Ricky has accomplished more than most able-bodied individuals do in a lifetime.”
This week he will go to the X Games for this year’s Adaptive Moto X event where amputees and spinal-cord victims compete.“He’s our main guy,” said Coughlin. “He’s a force to be reckoned with on the track. He’s also a great guy off the track and is an inspiration to all of us.”
“I'm stoked. LOORRS was my first opportunity in my career to drive a Super lite truck and show how well I can race in it,” James said. “My life now is about winning.”
His next Lucas Off Road Racing Series will be in Surprise, Arizona.
Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.
