For the second time in three months, the Battle Rock Off-Road Park, located west of Cortez in McElmo Canyon, hosted a major off-roading event. And for the second time in three months, the event turned out to be a rousing success.
Taking place Sept. 27-29, the W.E. ROCK Grand Nationals drew competitors from around the country, as well as one local team headed by Cortez resident Jason Feuilly.
In the sportsman class, the team of Charlie Vacha and Justin Keilman finished first overall, followed by Harold Lisonbee and Victor Buness. Mike VanZyl and Troy Lafee finished third.
Leading the Modified Stock Class, Duane Garretson and Matt Allen took the top prize while Scott Angell and Josh Theile finished second.
Branden Blume and Kyle Bruso won Pro Modified class ahead of local competitors Jason Feuilly and Cody Folsom.
According to Feuilly, the course at the Battle Rock Off-Road Park was in great condition, making the always-difficult sport of rock crawling all the more challenging.
“The site that we competed at is one that we raced on six years ago,” said Feuilly. “The course had a lot of technical, big rocks that we had to go around. You do stuff that you would never try otherwise.”
Heading up the Unlimited Class were Justin Hall and Mark Hall, followed by Matt Messer and John Gabriel.
By the end of the three day competition, there was little doubt that a good time was had by all, leaving Feuilly hopeful that similar Rock Crawling events will return to Cortez in the future.
“I really hope to come back next year,” Feuilly said. “I go everywhere from Arizona to Washington to Tennessee. It’s nice being home.”
imaclaren@cortezjournal.com