New Ultra 4 Race Team is Born
Brendon Thompson, most known for his metal fabrication of motorcycle parts for Paul Jr. Designs, as seen on the American Choppers TV show. Residing in the“ Hub” of the Custom Car and Motorcycle scene near Sacramento, California, he has another“ Love”, Offroading. Home being near the Sierra Nevada Mts., it was a natural fit. He has a Rock Crawler and has built competition Rock Crawlers for others.
Recently Brendon was Co-Driver for Jake Yeoman in Ultra 4 race Car # 1977 at the“ Super Bowl” of all Offroad Races, the Griffin King of the Hammers, held in Johnson Valley, Cali., this past February.
Before returning from the Race he had the engine, transmission, and axles secured for his next“ Project” an Ultra 4 Race Care.
He is not alone, joined by“ Bro in-law” Coulton Gould and Brother Joe, combined they are a Team, both in the design and build of the car and as Pit & Support Crew. At the time of this writing the Team name“ hasn’ t been set in stone” yet, but, they are leaning towards“ Team Ego”. Next up, designing of the Chassis / Cage. Being a metal Fabricator, the design was already“ in his genes”, and soon scratched out on paper a basic mockup, and then the design of the Center Cage. Tubing was delivered, Joe and Coulton arrived for the upcoming“ welding fest”. Owning a well tooled shop cut down on the need to have the“ one off” parts made by others.
A mid- engine Jeff Grass built LS1, topped with Warlock heads and a LSX-R Fuel injection system, is backed by a 4l80e transmission, mated to a 205 gear driven transfer case.
Transferring all that horse power to the Maxxis 40” Tredapor tires is a pair of Torq Super 14 axles. H. K. Rodends is providing the“ tough hardware”, the Car requires. The chore of keeping the“ Growl” down to a manageable decibel falls to FlowMaster exhausts, while Trail Gear is providing a“ mess of their gear” including winches, for the build.
24 / WASTED TRAILS MAY 2013