Freitas Motorsports Back on the Podium at Silver State 300Alamo, NV
Northern Nevada must be a favorite location for Garrick Freitas and the Freitas Motorsports crew. They always do well on the high-speed point-to-point courses there. The team won back-to-back Vegas to Reno races on some of these same roads that were run at the Best in the Desert Silver State 300. Point to point races typically favor the unlimited open wheel cars like Garrick’s General Tire FOX Jimco. Multi-lap races are better suited to the big Trick Trucks. First, the heavy trucks tear up the course and then use their huge tires and long travel to overpower the lighter class 1500 cars. Not this time; the top five finishers at the Silver State had three 1500 cars and only two Trick Trucks. Garrick qualified 15th but called upon his Kroyer horsepower to charge all the way up to third in class 1500, fifth overall at the drop of the checkered flag.
“We were trapped behind Damen Jeffries for most of the race,” said Garrick, “He was running a good pace but we wanted more. We had plenty more speed on tap with our Kroyer Racing engine but it was too risky trying to pass in the dust. We made a charge a couple of times but one attempt resulted in us almost plowing over a tree. We got going again with no damage but it was a close call.”
Garrick kept hoping Damen would make a mistake but it didn’t happen. Just when things looked like they would have to play follow the leader the whole way, Garrick got his chance when they pulled into pit six. “We had a flawless day with no flats to our General Tires so the crew didn’t have much to do outside our normal fuel stops,” said Garrick, “When they had a chance they really stepped up. Even though we came in behind the Jeffries car, my team got us out in the lead. They dropped the jack and we were out before them. The crew made our podium possible, they made the difference.”
Once out in some clean air, Garrick put the hammer down all the way to the finish. He slashed his overall race time moving from his ninth in class when he started all the way up to third place on corrected time at the finish. “This race worked out well for us in the end,” said Garrick, “I really like the tighter more technical courses but we do well on these long fast roads. We have a little time before the next race, Vegas to Reno. We are taking advantage of the break to make some changes to our car. We will be going to larger 37 inch tires and 17 inch wheels. It will give us more ground clearance and make room for bigger rear brake calipers. Our Jimco is fast now but we think the changes will give us even more. We have a lot at stake with Vegas to Reno being one of our most successful races but you can’t stand still in racing. If you don’t continuously try to get faster, you won’t, it’s simple.”
The Freitas Motorsports team has already won the General Tire Vegas to Reno race two years in a row. A third victory at the race August 15-17 would put them in rare company. Moving up in tire size sounds simple but it affects the brakes, the transmission, the steering, the tune on their FOX shocks, even their gas mileage and pit strategy may have to be revised. One thing is certain, they will give 110% to make it happen.
Photography By Brian Binkert
Bink Designs / www.binkdesigns.comAdditional Photo By Jason Zindroski
HighRev Photo / www.highrevphoto.comAbout Freitas Off Road Motorsports
Freitas Offroad Motorsports is a group of off-road enthusiasts who are committed to excellence and professionalism in competitive motorsports. The team’s success is contributed to a strong family based team that draws on the dedication and expertise of their many team members and volunteers. The team’s Jimco, Champion racecar can be found running at the front in Best in the Desert off-road racing series events held throughout the southwestern United States. The team receives support from General Tire, in their quest for race wins and championship seasons. Sponsors Include General Tire, Jimco Racing, Fox Racing Shox, Kroyer Racing Engines, Dan Freitas Electric, JC Lansdowne, Mendes Calf Ranch, Johnston Trading, ProAm, SS Shirts, Cal State Distributing.