WEST VALLEY CITY — Jason Scherer rode a 30-feet stiff cliff up and down flawlessly to win the 2006 UROC ProNational Pacific Division Super Modified title and a chunk of the $25,000 purse at the Rocky Mountain Raceway on Sunday.
"It's the toughest crawling obstacle you can find in the sport," Scherer said after his conquest.
"Natural terrains are never so stiff," Scherer said, referring to the man-made rock elements of the UROC Proving Grounds. "It's good for the environment and good for fans."
"The track is very challenging, and the competition was crazy," added Scherer, who registered his first-ever win at the ProNationals getting the better of 20 top rock crawlers. "But we had a good time."
In the modified class, world champion Brad Lovell beat Brian Errea by 24 points. Steve Bulloch took third.
"It was hard with three rough courses at the beginning," said Lovell, who is in his second ProNationals season. "We missed cones here and there."
"But we are happy to make it at the end," said the 29-year-old from Colorado Springs, who won the Supercrawl last year.
Lovell is planning to compete at desert racing apart from returning to at next year's rock race. "It's a bug that gets on you," he said.
"The sport has been growing phenomenally. The support of fans is crazy," said Scherer, who hails from Alamo, Calif.
Ranch Pratt, the CEO of United Rockcrawling and Off-Road Challenge (UROC) agreed. The UROC, based in Salt lake City, is the leading sanctioning body in professional rock-crawling in the country.
"We will simplify the safety and vehicle rules next year," said Pratt. "Shorter events and quicker elimination will help attract more spectators." He said he plans to bring riders from Japan, Australia and Mexico at next year's UROC event.
In the Super Modified class, former national champion and world championship Supercrawl winner Tracy Jordan finished second and Cody Waggoner placed third. Longtime top contender and All-Star Jason Paule placed fourth while 2005 series champion Shannon Campbell took the sixth place.
Rock-crawling is described as having the sight, smell and sound of stock car racing, the vertical element of Supercross and the adrenalin rush of bull riding. Modifieds resemble an identifiable OEM (original equipment manufacturer) vehicle while Super Modified class is unrestricted.
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