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Flying Dutchman Off-Road Race Team |
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Incredible Comeback Lands Flying Dutchman a TOP 5 Result
Appleton, WI (August 11, 2009) – When you see Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. you would not know he had major surgery a month ago. Just after the last TORC visit to Bark River, the Flying Dutchman went under the knife to take care of a health issue. The doctors reminded him he could try going back to work in a month or so, but the medical caretakers really didn’t understand how Dan makes a living. Three weeks after the surgery, the familiar red #77 was on the track with Dan behind the wheel. The second visit to Bark River International Off-Road Raceway began with practice on Friday evening. After a few laps, Dan felt he was ready for real-time racing. The practice session was necessary to learn the additional changes that the Bark River Lions Club and TORC officials made to the 1.2-mile long all terrain track. New additions for the August event was a six foot tall table top in front of the grandstands and additional banking in a few more of the corners. The banked corners really suit the handling characteristics of the red #77 Chevy. Round 9 on Saturday, saw Dan searching for the best lines in his Maxxis DOT Tire equipped PRO-2WD truck. The end result was a ninth place finish. The following day, Round 10, the #77 Maxxis Tire ATD AMSOIL Chevy grabbed the lead right from the start. He was using the cushion on the banked turns to his advantage as Johnson, Leduc, and McGrath all mounted serious challenges, but could not keep up with the red #77. With two laps to go, fatigue finally set in and a few of the PRO-2WD hard chargers got around the Flying Dutchman. At the finish, Dan Vanden Heuvel took the checkered flag in fifth place.
Man, this truck was really hooked up,” remarked a notably exhausted Dan Vanden Heuvel. “I knew the banked corners could be used to my advantage, and that first half of the race was just awesome. I have been sitting around doing nothing since the surgery and my stamina is not was it was a month ago. With a couple laps to go I made a couple of mistakes and I realized that was all she wrote. Then I just settled in to get to the finish. Getting a Top 5 is almost a victory for the team after everything that has happened. When we get to Crandon and I’m one hundred percent, look out, this red hot rod will really be flying!”
After completing ten of the sixteen rounds of the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL PRO-2WD Championship, Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. is in sixth place in the nineteen-truck field. The next race on the TORC schedule is September 5-6 in Crandon, Wisconsin. This event marks the fortieth year of off-road racing in the Northern Wisconsin town. The week leading up to the racing is filled with special events, so if you are in the area, get to the track early and join the celebration. You can watch all the Round 10 PRO Truck action on ESPN this Sunday, August 16, at 11:30pm eastern. Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. and his team also thank the continued support from the following companies: Maxxis Tires, ATD, AMSOIL, Mastercraft, HJC Helmets, Independent Off-Road, MSD Ignition, Autometer, Catco, Loctite, AirGas, Jaz Products, Miller Electric, and Phil’s Inc. Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. and the Flying Dutchman Off-Road Race Team still have marketing opportunities available for the rest of the 2009 TORC season. For more information about Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. and the Flying Dutchman Off-Road Race Team, visit: www.flyingdutchmanoffroad.com or email: flydtmn77@aol.com - Mike Reusche, race report – www.mt-graphics.com
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