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2011 |
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----- Mongo Racing Finishes Silver State Bilek 300 Strong Randy said, “We went to the SNORE General Tire Mint 400 with concerns about shocks and steering issues that sidelined us at the Parker 425, but the team put in some extra hours and it paid off as those issues did not reoccur in our win. After our win we did some more testing and were confident before the Best In The Desert Silver State 300.” The Best In The Desert Silver State 300 was held April 30, 2011, starting and finishing in the town of Alamo NV. The weather was a chilly 45 degrees and windy. On the morning of the race Randy was relaxed before the start of Saturday’s 300 mile race and was talking to the rest of the competitors before climbing into the black Eco Boost Ford F-150. Randy Merritt and the team at Mongo Racing had seen most of this course before as they are now in the middle of their 12th full season of Desert Racing and have started here before, several times. Randy started third in class and shortly after the start was running in second in class. But an electronic issue not previously experienced before by Randy and his long time Co-Rider Chris Golding caused the truck to go into a failsafe mode forcing the truck to idle only on the side of the course at race mile marker 11. Chris was able to quickly switch to the trucks back-up onboard computer or PCM and soon Randy was making up lost time. Approximately 15 miles later another electronic issue arose and again caused the truck to go to a limp mode forcing the truck to idle only on the side of the course in the desert. This time both Randy and Chris were unable to diagnose the concern due the unavailability of an adequate scan tool because of the newness and complexity of the new truck. Chris let the crew know where they were and the truck’s onboard computer was not indicating why it was limiting the truck to idle. The symptom did however seem to rectify itself after the truck cooled down and Randy was once again behind the wheel of the 2011 Eco Boost Ford F-150 and trying to make up time. But the excitement would be short lived as about ten miles later the truck again went into failsafe mode forcing the truck to idle only. “The 2011 Ford F-150 with the all new Eco Boost 3.5L V-6 direct injection twin turbo engine would run great for about 5 to 10 miles and then just go into failsafe mode and just idle. When the truck was running I was able to pass other racers with ease,” said Randy. At the first pit area Randy pulled the truck onto the trailer as the Best In The Desert official was closing the race course area. A disappointed Randy said, “This course was great and looked to be very promising, but an unknown electronic issue has sidelined us. The truck was running great until it would just go into a failsafe or limp mode forcing the truck to idle only. I don’t have a lot spare parts for this truck because it is such a new truck engine and drive train combination. Along with its newness, its popularity has made parts availability limited at our local Ford Dealership. In the mean time we are attempting the most aggressive race schedule for our team to date and learning what parts require additional maintenance.” For the 2011 Off-Road season we are on our own and out to prove we can do it. I have to purchase parts from my local Ford dealer when needed. It just might take a little longer to get this truck running consistent, but I know we will do it,” added Randy The Mongo Racing Ford F-150 is sponsored by Knock Out Energy, General Grabber Tires, KC Hilites, Sway-A-Way, Trail Ready Bead Lock Wheels, Yukon, EBC Brakes, Optima Batteries, Master Craft Safety Innovations, Lucas Oil, UMP, Camburg Engineering Products, MSD Ignition and Mongo Made Graphics. For more information on Randy Merritt or Mongo Racing please visit www.mongoracing.com. #### |
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