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ThePagan
April 17th, 2007, 03:33 PM
Repost from Pirate:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=573123

Thought it might be important for a few around here.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: UROC 2007 ProNationals
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:31:17 -0600
From: Ranch Pratt <ranch@uroc.com>
To: <ranch@uroc.com>


As many of you know UROC introduced a new form of rock motorsport at the Off Road Expo in Pomona known as Rockcross ?. The sport is a form of racing that is unique in that it pits teams against each other in head to head competition. The reviews and excitement from the introduction have been somewhat staggering and all of the UROC sponsors save for two have chosen to put their efforts and energy into Rockcross? instead of the rockcrawling efforts of the past.

We have just received word that a few key rockcrawling sponsors have recently made strategic changes in their marketing plans for 2007. The results of these changes have had a dramatic affect on their ability to support off road. This includes, among other things, rockcrawling, and while we are disappointed to hear this news, we certainly understand and express appreciation to them for their efforts in rockcrawling and helping it become a true motorsport over the past seven years.

These changes clearly have a profound affect on UROC and force us to make some logical choices. Choices that we know will have an overall positive affect on teams around the country. We have weighed in with sponsors and taken a close look at the sport. We have reviewed where the sport has come from, where it is going, the relationship to industry as well as the identification with and relationship to the recreational sport that it derives from. After weighing all aspects, we have chosen to cancel the 2007 UROC Pro National effective immediately. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause teams preparing for the season and recognize the proximity of this announcement to the first event.

At UROC, we feel that UROC RockCross? has a very bright future and addresses many of the concerns that rockcrawling has inherent to its natural format. It has the great aspects of rockcrawling but is not encumbered by the difficulty of understanding. It has short moto's that are exciting and action packed. It has a unique format in that teams are head to head and side by side. Everyone understands a green flag and a checkered flag and fans can get instant gratification with seeing a great battle and ultimately a winner of that battle. They don?t have to wait for scores or compare times. It is full on motor sports competition the way it was meant to be, multiple competitors on the same course with only one finish line. And while we are saddened by the changes with rockcrawling, we are excited about the future of RockCross? and the many upcoming announcements regarding Rockcross? and the synergy that it is building.

Should you have questions or concerns feel free to contact me via email at ranch@uroc.com, or by phone at 801-815-0088.

flashover
April 17th, 2007, 03:42 PM
Looks like we made the right choice going into W.E.Rock. Too bad for all the teams and their sponsors that were planning on running that series this year.

Ryan

Steve
April 17th, 2007, 03:44 PM
Wow! Not totally unexpected though.

What's the difference between UROC's "new form of rock motorsport" called Rockcross and the rock racing that's been going on for a few years now? :confused:

Camp
April 17th, 2007, 04:04 PM
As I understand it, the Rockcross is actually door to door racing of open wheeled vehicles designed to have the ability run over large objects, such as each other :eek:

I also believe that this late announcement is bad for the sport as a whole, not just the teams with promises/commitments to sponsors. The sponors that are going to get screwed in this deal by the inability of teams to make good because the sanctioning body closed up shop, are not going to look for new rockcrawling teams to support. They are going to view us as an unstable sport and their marketing dollars will go elsewhere :(

BajaBilly
April 17th, 2007, 04:09 PM
Seen this coming.....

RockCross has a slight edge over XRRA in that it will bring in more spectators since it is done in arena style settings that usually have grandstand seating.

rockfrog
April 17th, 2007, 04:45 PM
Not a surprise. Feel bad for the sponsors and the teams that poured hours into getting ready for this season. Ranch, YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!

JPGUY
April 17th, 2007, 05:07 PM
Seen this coming.....

RockCross has a slight edge over XRRA in that it will bring in more spectators since it is done in arena style settings that usually have grandstand seating.


RockCross is run by UROC :thumbsdown: so there goes ANY edge!!!! XRRA is planning on arena style racing in the future.

UROC and Ranch have srewed so many people I urge everyone not to support anything they do in the future. WEROCK and XRRA do a great job and need our support. XRRA will fill all your racing needs in the future trust me.

RACH AS ALWAYS YOU SUCK!!!!!!:thumbsdown: Way to leave all your competitors high and dry. Good luck getting teams to come out to your RockCross!!!

zukstur
April 17th, 2007, 08:21 PM
Seen this coming.....

RockCross has a slight edge over XRRA in that it will bring in more spectators since it is done in arena style settings that usually have grandstand seating.


I'll stick with the Weavers that have a perfect track record and alot more cool things comming in the near future.

BajaBilly
April 17th, 2007, 08:33 PM
Oh I totally agree.
I was just responding to Steve's q on the difference of the 2.

BajaBilly
April 17th, 2007, 08:42 PM
You know, now that I reread what I wrote earlier, it did come out wrong.
I was in no way trying to say UROC was a better venue than XRRA.
I was just comparing what Rock Cross vs. Rock Racing is.

I don't really even see UROC now, holding a candle in the wind to XRRA.
But brining the action to the fans, is a huge plus.

When we used to race arena truck, you would not beleive the difference in fans and response, and payout, to a comp at a stock car track, offroad park, etc...compared to when we piggybacked along with Pace Motorsports or USHRA and ran an arena event.

ThePagan
April 18th, 2007, 08:58 AM
Oh great now DirtNewz is posting this with the follow on to Craig Perrone's "Rockcrawling is Dead" and saying they were right.. that this is the beginning of the end for all professional rockcrawling.

http://www.dirtnewz.com/

UROC RockCrawling Closes The Doors on 2007 Season --- Before It Ever Started

Orange, California (April 17, 2007) In a predictable, but yet a stunning announcement, UROC CEO-Ranch Pratt sent out an email notification today ending the 2007 UROC rockcrawling season before it ever started. Facing a difficult sale to marketing partners across the board, Pratt expressed that UROC is receiving minimal support for 2007 season forcing him to make this decision.

DIRTsports Editor-In-Chief, Craig Perronne wrote previously that "RockCrawling is Dead" and so true to form, Perronne not only saw the writing on the wall but expressed his opinion throughout the rockcrawling world.

DIRTnewz has fielded a slew of telephone calls from sponsors, teams and associates involved in professional rockcrawling. The DIRTnewz Staff is currently at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, California covering the 2007 CORR season-opener where the likes of Jon Nelson came after moving away from the rockcrawling world.

Only minutes ago, a major corporation vice-president responded to DIRTnewz staffers when told of the decision by Ranch Pratt and he commented saying, "This is the beginning of the end for professional rockcrawling. This is the tip of the spike through the heart of rockcrawling."

DIRTnewz has published UROC CEO-Ranch Pratt's email below.

TwoDogs
April 18th, 2007, 09:09 AM
Wow! Could Dirt News sound a little happier about that! Very smug. Remind me not to buy Dirt News.

never wheeled
May 3rd, 2007, 07:50 AM
Dirt Newz is PROMOTING the SPORT. Tim Sanchez the owner of the site is one of the origional promoters of Rockcrawling and the sport owes him big.He promotes and manages teams like Twisted Customs and Team Carnage. He has taken it to the desert scene and beyond. They sound excited because its their job. If tim wrote "Ranch the:rainbow: Pratt started yet another attempt at duping the off road community today..." he probably wouldn't get too many more interviews and wouldn't get the stories you want to read..
Got a lot of Love for the Dirt Newz crew Tim and his daughter Britnay are the best kind of people.
Support Dirt Newz they support our sport No Matter Who they have to make look good.:D
The truth about UROC is that after YEARS of mismanagement, broken promises and lies everyone pulled out. Not because of a loss of love for crawling but because of a loss of love for UROC and what it has come to represent to the competitors. WEROCK is full to the brimm. I talked to Big and Little Rich at EJS and both stated that Rockcrawling is going no-where. And their series is full...UROC and Ranch Pratt have merely reaped the crop they sowed.
:flipoff2: Ranch and friends hope you go down hard.