CALGARY, Alta. – This year’s North American Big Rig Racing (NABRR) campaign was the largest and most successful to date, but the organization plans to build on its success and is eyeing eastern expansion.

NABRR chairman, Ron Singer, told Truck News the organization is interested in hearing from racers interested in competing at oval events in Eastern Canada and the U.S.

The goal is to form several regional series, with the top trucks from each competing in a few key national events. Singer said some eastern promoters have expressed interest in hosting events, but it’s simply too far for Western-based teams to travel at this point.

“We’re becoming quite the draw and we’re really in demand right now,” said Singer. “There are just too many people wanting us and we’re a little bit overextended. We are looking at expanding and developing those teams that meet our standards.”

This year’s grueling schedule included 14 races in the Western Canadian provinces and the Northwestern U.S.

“The travel this year has been unbelievable,” Singer said. “It sure helps to be connected with the trucking industry because if you’re not conditioned for it, it will be more than you can handle.”

Most of the NABRR drivers are either truck drivers or they run their own trucking companies. That’s one reason why the series is looking to industry suppliers to jump onboard and sponsor trucks, specific race events or the series.

“We’re looking for long-term national sponsorships with suppliers in both Canada and the U.S.,” stressed Singer.

He added the series is willing to test parts and components made by industry suppliers.

The NABRR series was founded in 1989 and has continued to grow each year.

As word spreads about the series, it has been developing a loyal fan base that follows the circuit from track to track.

This year Singer said the NABRR proved to be the biggest draw of the season at 80 per cent of the tracks it visited.

As many as 15 big rigs competed at each of the events with races averaging about 12 or 13 rigs.

The level of competition continues to get more intense each year, Singer said, and this year provided some of the most exciting racing to date.

“The competition is just getting better and better every year,” said Singer, who fields a two truck entry under the name Heavy Metal Motorsports.

“You have to be at the top of your game to compete against these guys.”

This year resulted in a new champion being crowned (see related story, pg. 33), and Singer had serious praise for champion Darren Berdahl.

“Darren is an awesome representative with our series – I can’t say enough about him, he’s very deserving of the championship,” said Singer.

“I speak on behalf of the whole series and all the other teams when I say he’s an awesome competitor and very committed.”

Other notable names this year included Rookie of the Year winner Bobby Fowler who piloted the No. 12 truck.

The Crewman of the Year was Singer’s son, Ron Singer Jr. who also drove one of the two Heavy Metal Motorsports rigs.

Runner up to the champion was veteran Peter Van Dyck in the No. 63 truck while Heavy Metal Motorsports driver Kevin McMeckan finished in third.

“We would like to thank all our supporters and we look forward to an exciting season next year,” said Singer.

Talks with promoters are already underway and the 2005 schedule will be released in the upcoming months.

For more information about the series, contact Singer at (403)-531-0950 or visit the NABRR Web site at www.nabigrigracing.com