Author: Cody Quattlebaum #33
Getting there
After the Kentucky race I had a few things to figure out on the machine to prepare for the hardest East coast regional of the year. Aftermarket assassins got me a new wastegate that was not threaded rod on the end, so we were sure to have all the power we would need to conquer the rocks. I also bought some new HCR suspension a arms because I was having issues bending a arms. Once I got the parts on Lindsey and I took the machine to Sunnyside ATV Paradise to pre-run and do a shakedown.
After the shakedown, I was feeling really good about how the machine was performing. I went ahead and did an alignment, got my ride height adjusted for some more clearance, and loaded up the trailer. This was the 1st time in my Ultra 4 racing career I was able to load the trailer days ahead of time and not have to worry about working on any last minute issues so I was feeling very good going into my 2nd race of the year.
Lindsey and I made final preparations, loaded up the dogs and headed North. We dropped the dogs off at Lindsey’s parents house on the way to Tennessee. It was a short 3.5 hour drive left until we pulled into Adventure Offroad Park that night. We pulled in before the sun had set and met up with our Friend Aaron Lynch (#113, 4900 stock) and his codriver David, who had saved us a spot in the fields, strategically placed so that we would have some afternoon shade from the large trees. We unloaded the trailer and setup our air mattress for what would be our home for the next 3 days. Jeremy Blackburn (#40, 4900 stock) pulled in the next day and met up with the rest of us as we prepared to begin pre-running the course.
Prerun
We had all morning Thursday to prepare for pre-running, since the course did not open until 12pm. We got everything settled, got plenty or rest, and prepared for what we knew would be a difficult course. Pre-run drivers meeting was impromptu at 12pm, we got a chance to hear from JT and thankfully were allowed to pre-run without our fire suits on since it was “hotter than hells hot tub”(Lindsey) Thursday.
After getting the course map, Jeremy, Aaron, and myself got in our machines to hit the course. We went in with a plan, pre-run the course at least 5x so we would have our lines and routes nailed down for race day. We had a lot of either-or lines to test and obstacles to carefully assess. The beginning of the course was not too scary but we quickly came up to an obstacle that had some traffic trying to maneuver through it. A 4500 machine was having a difficult time and we knew then that it would be a long pre-run.
Once the 4500 machine cleared the obstacle, we each gave it a go and tested which line we would take. We would all discuss line choices at various points in the pre-run and later that evening when we were back at camp. Coming down one of the trails we accidentally took a left instead of a right and began down the “Joker” line which was a 4400 only trail on race day. This would prove to be very difficult to navigate and we were getting concerned. Our race director, JT, yelled to us from a distance to let us know we were coming the wrong way but we were too far in to back out so we had to move forward. Once we made it down we exited the course, exhausted from having to spot each other through this extreme trail and concerned our machines may have gotten damaged.
We got back to camp and discussed what our 2nd pre-run lap would look like then headed back out. Roger King (#124, 4400) hopped in the Rzr with me for one of the pre-run laps and was quick to lend me some advice on what lines to take, this would be very helpful for race day. We made sure to take Roger’s suggestion on the next few pre-run laps, which went well and with very little issues. We did come up to an obstacle where Jeremy had an accident and flopped his RS1 on its side for the 1st time ever. I took that time to put my Warn winch to use and help him get back on all 4 and back to pre-running. The rest of Thursday went well and we headed to bed to rest for Friday, which would be filled with more pre-running, a drivers meeting, qualifying, and a racer appreciation meal from MidAmerica Outdoors and the Ultra 4 family.
We woke up Friday and pre-ran some more, the qualifying course was not open for pre-running so we each made sure to take a look at it as much as possible, starting in the front of the pack would be important for this course since it was tight and there was sure to be a lot of attrition.
Qualifying
The qualifying course was a quick 0.4 mile loop through the woods with 3 primary obstacles; a short creek/rock section, a rocky ravine, and a large drop off that would take us out of the woods to the finish line. I pre-ran the course about 5 times to be sure I knew exactly how I wanted to hit each obstacle, this game plan went very well and the results spoke for themselves. I was able to secure 2nd in class, 19th overall, off the line. This was the best qualifier I have had since starting racing UTVs and put me in the front half of the pack of 38 machines racings Saturday.
I had some friends and family show up after qualifying, ready to support me on the race Saturday. This, combined with my qualifier, gave me a lot of confidence and excitement going into the course.
Race
Line up for the race was at 11am Saturday, which put us just before the 4400 class on the schedule. This would make for a hot race but was a great time in the schedule to help us get spectators and viewers on the live stream. My family and friends, Jojo, Ngoc, Shane, and Landen, came out to watch the race and support me for what would be a very difficult 5 laps. The race course was a very difficult 6 mile loop and attrition would come in to play very early on.
Lindsey made me a quick breakfast so I would have some food in my stomach and I started getting dressed for the race. We lined up at about 10:30am, with the hot sun beating down on us. Hydration was important so I drinking water any chance I got. One machine after another left the line as the space between me and this treacherous course grew shorter and shorter. My time came and I was fully of jitters and nerves, tightly gripping the steering wheel ready to execute my plan, drive hard and fast and get a podium. I put the time in prepping, pre-running, and qualified well so I was ready as I had ever been to get a podium.
JT pointed at me, I responded with a thumbs up, he began counting down and the green flag dropped. All of my nerves were left behind at the starting line and I was flooded with adrenaline and purpose. I was ready and I was driving with a clear head. It did not take long for me to catch up to the machine in front of me and make a pass on the 2nd either-or line, where Roger’s advice helped me to make a fast and clean pass. I made quick work of the mud obstacle we had found the 4500 machine stuck on during our pre-run and I was on a mission.
At the bottom of the rocky creek hill climb there was another machine broken down on the side of the course, I saw the driver was ok and continued on. At the top of the hill I would see my friend Aaron paused on race course. He quickly took off as soon as he came into view and I knew this was who I had to beat to get 1st place so I was doing everything I could to keep up. As soon as we hit the 1st fast section we both hit the throttle and I found a rock with my rear driver tire that would cause a pinch flat. The flat was all my fault as I was running lower tire pressures to make climbing obstacles easier but I knew this would put me at risk for a pinch flat.
I quickly radioed in to Lindsey and Aaron’s pit crew, who was helping us out during the race and let them know I had a flat. I told Lindsey “this rim is going to be destroyed if I continue” and she replied “dont worry about the rim, make it to the pits”. I continued on my flat tire but came up a machine flipped on its lid, It would end up being our fellow racer Poppa Poe and his codriver Jamie Ewing. Jamie yelled out to me” he needs help, he is still l inside, help”. I quickly pulled to the side and jumped out to assist. A few other racers stopped and assisted as we had to cut Poe out of the machine and then all push the machine out of the race course, which took about 11 minutes.
I was thankful everyone was safe and the course was now cleared so we could continue on. ~5 of us were now bunched together on course and I was still driving on a flat tire. It didnt take long until another machine was on its lid, trying to push too fast from the pressure of having machines behind them ready to make a pass at the next opportunity. We had to back up and find a line through the woods to get around the racer on the lid, they had a slow rollover on a drop off and everyone was safe so the rest of us continued on. I would push the MRT tire and Muscle race wheel to the limit getting through lap 1 on the flat. I exited the woods, hit the Bronco boulders and the short course then finally pulled into pits.
Bronco Boulder with flat: https://fb.watch/dO0-Kg8LmJ/
Short course with flat: https://fb.watch/dO0JH_SC2i/
-Video by Ultra 4 crew
I had about a minute of relief and water, Aarons pit crew made very quick work of my bent rim and had my spare on in no time at all. I drove to the end of pitlane where my friends and family were and gave the the thumbs up as I was off on my 2nd lap, charging even harder to make up the time I had lost. My MRT tires were making light work of every obstacle and I was able to complete everything the course threw at me on the 1st attempt without having to slow down or back up. I was in the zone and was on a great pace but this would take a dark turn soon. In one of the tight wood sections I began having trouble steering and the flashbacks began as I had a good idea of what had happened.
I limped a little further and pulled off course a short distance after I lost steering. I jumped out of the Rzr and immediately saw the issue, my driver side tie rod was not longer connected to the front bearing carrier. This was exactly what happened to me at Nationals in Oklahoma in October of 2021. The tapered tie rod bolt had snapped once again and my race was over. I radioed in to Lindsey, Jojo, and my dad to let them know the bad news. I placed my helmet on the roof of the machine so my fellow racers would know I was ok.
A few minutes later Aaron and David pass by in the 113 machine and I could hear the disappointment in Aarons yell as he passed by my broken machine. Jeremey was not far behind Aaron and stopped to make sure he couldnt help and I waved him as I knew he was making a charge for the podium. Both guys had been great friends and examples of sportsmanship and we all 3 wanted to see one another make it to the checkered flag but it was not my day.
I began my walk of shame out of the woods to get parts for the post race repair and to see my friends and family. I walked over to the livestream for a quick interview with Miles on the to share the news about my breakdown and congratulate Jeremey and Aaron on there #1 and #2 finish, respectfully. My day was over but my friends made it on the podium which was awesome to see again. Later that day we all shared race stories as we watched the 4400 class scream through the course. We packed up, prepared to leave, and Aaron took me to repair my Rzr. Once I got back to camp we all said our goodbye’s and left for home.
A quick dinner at a local restaurant with Jojo and Ngoc would be a welcomed post race relief after a disappointing DNF. We laughed and ate too much and discussed what would be in store for the machine prior to the next race. Lindsey and I took off on our way home to rest before I would start the teardown and prep for the next race.
Thank you
I want to give a sincere thank you to everyone that helped me out.
- My wife Lindsey Quattlebaum for all of her support and killing it as the Bandit Offroad Media Manager.
- My dad, Shane, brother, Landen, and friends, Jojo and Ngoc, for coming to support me and spectate.
- Brian, Amber with Bandit Offroad Racing for everything they do for our team, making this possible
- Aaron for being a rad friend, awesome racer that pushes me to do better, and lending me pit support.
- Jeremey for being being a friend and continuing to set the bar for our class.
- My family and friends at the races and back home, whom there are too many to mention. The ones that answered questions, bought swag to support the team, spectated at races and online, and cheered me on as I chase my dreams.
- All the fans that watch the videos, follow the page, and help push me to continue to grow in the sport.
We would like to thank all of our sponsors in 2022 Ultra 4 Racing Series.
Warn: I had to use the winch a few times to help others that were stuck on course during prerunning, this winch and Factor55 recovery gear worked flawlessly I got several compliments on its performance.
Motorace tires and muscle race wheels: I could not ask for a better setup. I was extremely impressed with the traction I had on the rocks, even in the wet or muddy sections. I got a lot of comments about how the machine made obstacles look easy and I was able to climb most obstacles on the 1st attempt. Even as I rode most of a lap on a flat my rim did not bust and the tire help on via the beadlock. I would not have completed the lap if the rim had broken off or the tire had torn off, extremely impressive. The flat was entirely my fault as I was attempting to run low tire pressures to prioritize climbing obstacles over a safer, higher psi setup.
Casslake Metal: Josh built my grill, which is displayed on the Ultra 4 TN event T-shirt, my roof, and my savage utv case mounts. All of these parts held up to the brutal race course without issue.
Branik motorsport: I removed my front sway bar and run the Branik rear sway bar which helped my stay stable in the fast sections but flex in the technical sections. This sway bar has been amazing and really changed the handling of the machine.
KWT Filters: For keeping my engine clean and healthy
Ogio: for their high quality suit case that helped me travel to the races
Trinity Racing: For excellent belts, exhaust, and tuner that made me fast and sound good while doing it. The boost tube and BOV kept my power where it needed to be and helped me be faster than ever.
Aftermarket assassins: Their tune and wastegate had my machine screaming, faster than it has ever been before. I had zero issues out of the AA tune and parts in TN.
Kryptonite suspension: The kryptonite wheel bearings take a beating and dont complain. I did break and tie rod bolt but we will work with krpytonite to strengthen this area and be stronger than ever.
Keller performance: Best ball joints I could ask for. Being adjustable is a huge advantage and I am pleased to say I had zero issues with these.
Dalton Industries: The adjustable Dalton clutch kit was a huge help to get the power from the engine to the wheel. This is a must have for us running 33s.
Rugged Radios: Being able to depend on my radio to reach the pits and let them know I am coming in hot is a big deal. Rugged radios provides a clear line of communication for us and have never let me down.
PRP Seats: Riding in style and comfort with our custom seats, while keeping us safe with the 5.2 race harness.
Assault Industries: Provided mirrors and sway bar links for us to keep the competitors in our rear view.
Savage UTV: Awesome cases to keep the first aid supplies near by and keep my belt and belt tools organized and within reach if we ever have a failure.
banditoffroadracing.com 
