Zan Sharp in Shape for RMCS Title Run

BOISE, IDAHO (May 6, 2011) The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series returns to action this weekend at Rocky Mountain Raceways located outside Salt Lake City,Utah for round two of the 2011 campaign. The series known for its 20-car invert will stage the 24th series event at the ultra-fast and wide 3/8-mile paved oval that has seen 13 different race winners.




Zan Sharp of Wellsville, UT is coming off a victory in the opening round of the CarbonX backed series two weeks ago at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho and knows the layout at RMR well. Sharp has three career victories at RMR but his last win at RMR was back in July of 2009. "We are really confident about our package for RMR," Sharp said. "We are really focused on our racing program this year and it would be great to get the win at our home track and have the rest of the guys chasing us all season."



While Sharp is always one of the fast guys in the series and historically has started near the tail of the field, it has been nearly six years since he has captured a Sharp Powder Coating Fast Time Award in the series. "It is hard to believe it has been that long but this series has had a lot of really competitive teams over the past several years," Sharp said. "We got behind but now I believe we are back at the top of our game."



One of the guys that will give Sharp a run for his money, not only in the race this weekend, but for the championship is 2010 defending series champion Steve Jones out of Boise, Idaho. Jones knocked down the fastest qualifying lap at Magic Valley and was poised to challenge Sharp for the win until a broken distributor sidelined his efforts mid-way through the event.



Jones scored two victories at RMR last season en route to the title and believes he has a car to beat at Rocky Mountain Raceways. Jones built a brand new Lefthander Chassis over the winter and based on his debut two weeks ago, he may be right. "I am really looking forward to all the races this season," Jones said. "We still have a few bugs to work out but based on the race at Magic Valley I am really happy with the car."



2010 A-1 Heating and Air Conditioning Rookie-of-the-Year winner Eric Rhead of West Jordan, UT has a new car of his own, purchasing the 2009 championship car from John Dillon. While getting use to the new ride has been an adjustment for Rhead, he comes to RMR with a lot of confidence having won two races in the series at RMR last season.



"I am excited," Rhead said. "The new car is a lot better than I am. I am still figuring out how to drive it, but I am pretty pumped. This car is the best racecar I have ever driven and when we get it figured out, I think we will be right there with the top guys."



James Eaton has four career wins at RMR in RMCS action followed by Sharp with three. Rhead, Jones, John Dillon, Lynn Hardy, and Dave Minegar all have two wins apiece with six drivers sharing one win each.



Brian Levant from Calgary Alberta, Canada is the track record holder at RMR with a quick lap of 14.906 seconds/90.568 mph set last May. Racing action gets underway at 5pm with RMCS qualifying and a whole host of local racing action.





The RMCS utilizes a racing format not found in ANY other regional touring series around the country. The top 20 qualifiers are inverted for every race putting fast time in the 20th starting position. This format ensures race fans see what they paid for and that is passing. Each driver is awarded three points per position gained in the event. Points are also awarded for qualifying and heat race finishes. Through the history of the series, the winning driver has averaged a 15th place starting position. To ensure competition, the RMCS pays it purse based on total point accumulation for the event and provides several special performance awards at each race.



The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series is a regional touring series that allows all competitors to race and gain experience on different types of racetracks. It is a high-quality professional racing series that offers maximum opportunity at an affordable price serving the intermountain West. The motto of the series is to “Race Hard and Have Fun!” For all the latest news and information regarding the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series log on to our website at www.rmcsracing.com . Century Boatland is a major sponsor to the series.