Peru, IN (07/14/2018) – Polaris RZR Factory Racing/Yokley Racing driver, John Barnes returned from summer break this weekend. The first half of the year saw great success for the team with 2 wins in two different series and top 10 finishes in the XC1 Turbo class at National events.
Barnes spent the month of May and June on special projects for his Polaris RZR’s. Barnes added, “We were successful dialing in our Elka Suspension to the Tee. William Yokley of Yokley Racing made some ride height changes and valving adjustment. The suspension couldn’t get any better.”
The team also focused on engine work and tuning on new race cars, XP Turbo and S 1000. CP Carrillo high compression pistons and rods were added along with Millennium Technologies Porting, Hot Cam Stage 2 cams, and Trinity Racing Stage V exhaust. The team took the unit to the dyno and utilized the Dynojet Power Commander V to obtain the perfect tune.
Round 7 of the IXCR was the chance to put the hard to work to use. The team would not get the chance to reap the rewards of the hard work on this date. Barnes was off to a great start. “We fired our Ballistic Battery on our Polaris RZR S 1000 to fight for the first turn holeshot. We would come out of turn 2 in second having to check up on the 1st place man. The STI Roctanes were gripping the ultra dry dirt nicely. The Dynojet Auto Tuner took into account the humidity and elevation change for the northern end of Indiana to allow the car to run perfectly.
“The team would be glued to the rear bumper of first in preparation for a pass. Barnes commented, “We mountain biked the track and picked out some hot lines.” Barnes would see the opportunity to make the pass for the lead. “There was a section of tight woods coming up. I was hoping no one else saw the line that required running over a couple small trees.” No one did. He took the opportunity and went flying around first into the lead. In the process, he made slight contact with a tree which bent a tie rod and knocked the power steering out. The team would continue to race, but the bent tie rod would break in the next lap ending the day.
Barnes is very optimistic for the remainder of the year as they have got a lot of bugs out. “A little less crazy driving by me, we will find our way to the podium again.”
