Ensenada, Baja California Mexico
Christopher Polvoorde improved his 2019 Pro Lite Ranking by leaps and bounds while racing in Ensenada, Mexico for Rounds 3 & 4 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. A 2nd place podium on Saturday and a 5th place finish on Sunday, combined with six additional bonus points for qualifying 3rd fastest for both rounds, pushed Polvoorde up in Pro Lite points from 6th place into 4th.
“Overall, it was a decent points weekend for us,” commented Christopher. “We made some big moves on the track with the #94 STEEL-IT / Kicker Audio / General Tire Pro Lite, capturing a podium and a Top 5 finish. The net result is that we moved up to 4th in points. Off the track, we did our thing, which is community outreach and blessing those who we can. We were able to host a group of girls from the El Refugio and got to hang out with them all weekend. That was cool because I had my own cheering section making all the noise, and then I brought them all up on the podium too! It is always fun racing south of the border, in Mexico. The fans are passionate about off-road, and that makes it much more fun.”
Christopher’s race weekend started out well with everything falling into place. “Friday’s practice day showed us having a fast truck with top 3 results all day,” stated Polvoorde. “Jimmy had it dialed in, and we were making small adjustments going into race day. We cannot ask for it to be better. Being down here, racing in Baja puts everything else into perspective. I realize how lucky I am to be here doing what we do, and it makes us want to give back.” After practice, the Polvoordes’ headed to El Refugio, a small non-profit ministry that operates a girls home for teens and pre-teens who are fleeing abusive situations. Currently 17 girls live there, and the Polvoordes’ “adopted” them for the weekend which started with a Walmart shopping spree.
“Many of these girls have never had the chance to experience this,” Christopher shared. “It was super fun spending the evening shopping and eating with them. When we got back to the house, we outfitted all of them with our race team apparel so they would be ready to watch short course off-road racing in style.”
With everyone waking up in great spirits Saturday morning, Polvoorde could feel it was going to be a good day. “For Round 3 Qualifying, we had a fast truck with the 3rd quickest lap time and only .461 off the pole,” explained Christopher. “We made a few more adjustments before the race and buttoned up the #94 STEEL-IT truck to make it even better! For the race, I started 4th and had a great battle with Ronnie Anderson and was able to get past him and into 1st. I was leading the entire field from Lap 2 into the competition caution. At the restart, I had another intense battle with Brock Heger, and I was still able to finish strong finish capturing a 2nd Place podium.”
Polvoorde continued, “During Qualifying for Round 4 on Sunday, we knew we still had a good truck, and I went out and qualified 3rd again. With the inversion, I started 4th, but unfortunately, on the start, I got pushed back in the shuffle. On Lap 3, I was back in 6th position trying to make moves and start working my way through the pack. The track was extremely wet, which made it very muddy and difficult to see. Soon after catching the front pack, going into the corner after the rhythm section, my truck stalled, causing me to lose several positions before I could get it re-fired. Lap 6, I was back in 7th, but from there onto the finish, slowly but surely, I worked my way back through the pack. The race ended at Lap 10, and I just ran out of time. I finished in a respectable 5th place.”
The El Refugio girls were back to witness the racing on Sunday. “Having all the girls hang out in the pits and to be involved with the truck all weekend was a lot of fun, the entire team enjoyed the opportunity,” admitted Christopher. “We finished the weekend off with a great dinner at the Estero Beach & Resort’s restaurant and said goodbye to the girls until our next Baja visit.
To get involved with El Refugio visit: http://therefugemx.com
Christopher Polvoorde is supported by STEEL-IT, TIS Wheels, General Tire, King Shocks, Brembo Brakes, Rigid Industries, Simpson, Rugged Radios, FK Rod Ends, Kicker Audio, Maxima Racing Oils, K&N Filters, Optima Batteries, Camburg Racing, Magnaflow, MPI Steering Wheels, VP Racing Fuels, ARP, Smart Whipsand The Palms River Resort.
Photography By: Bink Designs
About Christopher Polvoorde 18 year old Christopher Polvoorde is constantly on the move. When he is not racing short course in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS), he is training and competing cross country on a mountain bike. An academic over-achiever currently attending University of San Diego, he is a quick study on the track as well. He earned the 2014 Modified Kart rookie of the year title. In 2015, he surpassed that by winning the LOORRS Modified Kart Championship and a TORC series World Championship trophy at the birthplace of short course racing; the “Big House” in Crandon, Wisconsin. Racing his Mod Kart in 2016, he won both the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup race and a second world championship in Crandon. In 2017 he won the Lucas Oil Rookie of the Year title in Pro Lite. When he is not racing or studying, Christopher enjoys working in the race shop, snowmobiling, RC car racing, and skiing. In 2018, Christopher was able to capture 3rd in Pro Lite Championship Points and will be racing towards the 2019 Pro Lite Championship.
Visit // www.christopherpolvoorde.com
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