Flying Dutchman Off-Road Race Team

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Flying Dutchman Takes Maxxis Tires to the Podium – Again!

Appleton, WI (June 23, 2009) - Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. continues to impress the off-road racing world as his #77 Flying Dutchman Maxxis Tire ATD Chevy PRO-2WD lands on the podium for the second time this year. The independent racer from Eastern Wisconsin continues to take his brand new ‘09 race truck the front of the pack race after race.

Rounds 5 & 6 of the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL were held at Crandon International Raceway in Northern Wisconsin. The most famous race facility in off-road racing had some changes in store for the competitors. The Gravel Pit Turn and the Argonne Loop were redesigned to improve passing, and a rhythm section was added just after the finish line, to present a new challenge to the drivers as they headed into the “S” turns. The addition of an outside berm to the Gravel Pit Turn played a key role in the Flying Dutchman’s Round 6 finish.

Saturday - Round 5
The starting inversion put the Flying Dutchman on the pole position for the land rush start. The start had the Wegner Performance Engine and ATD transmission put the Maxxis Tires to the test as the field of seventeen PRO-2WD trucks made the quarter mile long dash to Potawatomi Turn One. The Red #77 Chevy quickly moved into third place by lap two.

After the mandatory yellow and the following restart, the Maxxis Tire Chevy was battling for position with Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Johnson when contact caused a tire to go flat. This greatly reduced the pace of the race truck. At the checkered flag, the Flying Dutchman crossed the finish line in ninth place.

Sunday - Round 6
The green flag saw the Flying Dutchman get another solid start as the PRO-2WD field headed for Turn One. By lap three, the Maxxis Tire Chevy had moved into fourth place. Dan held the position until the final lap. With only two turns to go until the checkers, Dan rode the rim of the berm of the Gravel Pit turn, made his off-road race truck look more like a Sprint car, and executed a perfect outside pass of Ricky Johnson to grab third place. At the end, it was another podium finish for the #77 Flying Dutchman Maxxis Tire ATD Chevy.

“Did you see that pass in the Gravel Pit,” remarked Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. “It was a Saturday night pass at the local Sprint Car track. These Maxxis DOT tires sure perform like PROJECT tires. Last year I thought the tires were awesome, but even as competition has come up with new compounds, the Maxxis tires still get me to the podium. Our very limited budget prevents us from performing any extensive test time, so the development of the truck is taking longer than expected. The new truck is getting faster and faster every time out and the race results are way ahead of expectations. At this rate we should have a rocket ship on our hands by the time we get to Las Vegas.”

Once again, Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. wouldn’t be at the track if it weren’t for all the volunteer help from family and friends.

The Round 6 podium finish puts Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. in sixth place in the 2009 TORC PRO-2WD Championship.

You can watch all the exciting TORC PRO racing action on ESPN2, this Sunday, June 28, 12:30pm eastern time.

Next Race, June 11-12, Bark River, Michigan.

Flying Dutchman would like to thank the newest addition to the team, Independent Off Road. This is a new company specializing in fabrication, chassis design, and performance in the off road racing community.

Dan Vanden Heuvel Sr. and his team also thank the continued support from the following companies:

Maxxis Tires, ATD, AMSOIL, Mastercraft, HJC Helmets, 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.