1982 - 1995

 

 


After the race.......

Meet the owner/driver, FRANK TURBEN

See the OFFROAD RACE TRUCK in action and read about it's specs

Meet the RACE TEAM

What is a RACE like?

Who are the SPONSORS?

WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY about this team?

Introducing
Frank Turben
E-mail Address



Frank Turben was born January 15, 1949. As the former owner of Turben's Auto Body, Frank comes by his interest in machines naturally.

In September 1984, he ran his first off road race in a truck he built himself. In December 1984, he raced in his second off road race, a 150 mile event in Mexico where he took first place and the rest, as they say, is history.

His skill as a driver goes beyond the implied physical requirements of quick reactions and steady nerves. Even without major factory sponsorship Frank, and his crew, have become master strategists in at being competitive in the SCORE (which originally was an acronym meaning Short Course Off Road Enterprises) scene.

This philosophy is what made the Frank Turben team the most consistent performer on the ADRA (Arizona Desert Racing Association) circuit for five years. It is also what will continue to put Frank, his team and his sponsors where they want to be; in the winner's circle at the larger, more competitive exposure of the SCORE series.

The Turben Offroad Truck

The Turben team currently races a new 1996 modified Chevy truck, which was built to replace an aging 1987 model. The new truck is literally a chromoly roll cage with a fiberglass "Chevy truck" body exterior. It is equipped with 14 Rancho "Lightning Rod" Shocks which the Turben race team helped Rancho develop in 1991.
The power plant is a 383 cubic inch stroker engine. It has Brodix aluminum heads, steel crank, JE pistons, chromoly rods, and an "ISKY" cam all combine to produce a 700 horsepower monster engine.
The truck rides on BFG, 35 x 1250 R15 Baja T/A, All Terrain radials.


Introducing the Race Team

Paul Rich: Co-rider/engine builder: Paul was also instrumental in the design and production of the race truck. Paul has been with the race team for 10 years.
Dee Ladd: Race team coordinator: She's in charge! She manages the "pit crew" portion of the race. She has been to every race we've ever raced.
Dave Gray: Co-rider/race preparation: Dave preps the truck and maintains all of the pit supplies. He's been a co-rider for 5 years and has owned a speed shop.
Kirk Brunmeier: Fabricator/mechanic: Kirk and his friends are the core of the chase team. They are responsible for getting the truck through the race. They perform the pit stops, service and refuel the truck at remote pit areas, and help in the race preparation.


THE RACE

Off-road racing is a challenging, fun sport that is rapidly gaining popularity in the western United States. Spectators, participants, sponsors and the media are all increasingly looking at the sport with gaining interest. The sport had its inception in the mid 1960's on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.

Prior to the race, many sponsors participate in contingency. They set up booths along a main street in the host town and display their products to the racers and fans. All race vehicles are pushed through this contingency row by the drivers and pit crews. A contingency is the commitment made by a contract with a sponsor to post a certain amount of cash or product as an award to contestants for using a certain product, or service and displaying the product's decal on the race car.

Thousands of spectators are present at such races as the Baja 1000, the Baja 500, the Parker 400 and the Nevada 400. From pre-race contingency, which is usually held on the "Strip" in Las Vegas or on Main Street in places like Ensenada Mexico, to the actual race, spectators cling to the thrill of racing engines and the smell of super high octane fuel. With media helicopters overhead and semi trailers lining the race course, competitors begin the race with a timed, staggered start and in the end the team able to finish with the fastest time wins.

Races vary in lengths from 150 to sometimes 1000 miles in length over unbelievable terrain. Unlike road racing, the first priority is to defeat the brutal beating taken by the truck and driver and to finish.


SPONSORS:
BFG TIRES:
    PRODUCT & RACE SUPPORT for the past 5 years
RANCHO SUSPENSION:
    PRODUCT, TECHNICAL & RACE SUPPORT for the past 6 years
VALVOLINE:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 8 years
ORC RACE RADIOS:
    PRODUCT, TECHNICAL & RACE SUPPORT for the past 12 years
ISKY RACING CAMS:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 5 years
SUPERWINCH:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 5 years
K&N ENGINEERING:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 8 years
ART CARR TRANSMISSIONS:
    PRODUCT & TECHNICAL SUPPORT for the past 12 years
KC HI LITES:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 8 years
HACIENDA HOTEL:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 2 years
PROGRESSIVE CUSTOM WHEELS:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past year
FAST SIGNS:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 2 years
AUTOFAB:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 5 years
MSD IGNITIONS:
    PRODUCT SPONSOR for the past 5 years


TESTIMONIALS:

"When my wife is asked about being afraid of me racing, her reply is always the same, 'No I'm not, because Frank Turben has an uncanny ability to drive safely and competitively.'", Dave Gray - Co-rider 2 1/2 years

"We've sponsored Frank and the team for ten years now. I can't remember a race that they didn't finish because of driver error. If that truck will move, he'll bring her home." Paul Sigmundson - President, ORC RACE RADIOS

"I remember when they first started. Built their own truck from a 74 Chevy truck frame. They've come a long way.", John Miguel - Owner, J & M Race Prep