Off-Road Championship Gran Prix : Harris Finally Scores First Victory in Race at Rose Bowl

Pole-sitter Glenn Harris of Camarillo went wire-to-wire to win the featured mini-pickup truck race Saturday night in Mickey Thompson’s Off-Road Championship Gran Prix before an estimated 40,000 fans at the Rose Bowl.

Harris, 27, drove a rotary-powered Mazda to his first victory in the class that has been dominated by Toyota factory drivers Steve Millen and Ivan Stewart. Harris held off a late charge by the two to get the checkered flag.

Millen finished second and Stewart third. Jeff Huber, driving a Ford, was fourth in the 10-lap race.

Only three days ago, the veteran driver wondered if he was ever going to get a victory following a practice session on the man-made course. Harris’ previous best finish had been second at the Houston Astrodome.

“We’ve been giving up a little horsepower to the Toyotas,” he said. “The bottom end horsepower is really important on these tight courses.”

Harris had earned the pole position by finishing second behind Millen in his heat race. He came into the event trailing Millen in the points standings.

“There was some contact out there and I had a little assistance from the slower trucks,” he said. “It sure helps to start up front. Guys were knocking on the door, but I didn’t let them in.”

It was a frustrating day for two of the sports most celebrated drivers. Walker Evans rolled his Dodge on the fourth lap of his heat race and failed to make the main event.

Roger Mears, who has won more off-road races than any other driver, failed to finish in the main event. He lost a steering box in an afternoon qualifying session and was forced to start on the last row of his heat race.

“A course like this was really hard to pass on,” Mears said. “I had to play it by ear. I tried to do a little leaning on the other drivers, but it was an uphill battle all day after losing the steering box.”

The event also featured a 10-lap motocross that Honda factory rider Ricky Johnson easily won. Johnson delighted the crowd with his aerial acrobatics, often holding onto his bike with one hand as he sailed over the jumps. Kawasaki rider Jeff Ward was second.

Other class winners included Tommy Croft in the in VW Super 1,600 cc race, Rob Tollenson in the Class 1-2 1,600 cc and Greg George in the Ultastock.