CRANDON - Thrills, Spills, and high octane competition! The Off Road Championship series, also known as TORC, sped into town last weekend.

Drivers in the sportsman class compete in 10 races over the summer....but their favorite place to drive...the course affectionately known as 'The Big House' in Crandon.

"Racing heritage throughout the Northwoods is second to none," says Rhinelander's Mark Steinhardt. He races in the 1600 Buggy division. "Especially the Crandon facility is the premiere racing place to race off road."


"It's such a phenominal place to race," adds Eric Lear of Minocqua. Lear competes in the 1600 Light Buggy class. "If you've never seen racing here, you really need to come out here. Alot of good local drivers come out here."

Scott Schwalbe of Sugar Camp - a Pro Buggy driver says, "It's really good to come out here. And the people here have always been so good to us."

In addition to the premier course, for the drivers, the fans in Crandon are second to none.

"No matter rain or shine, people come," is how Crandon's own Jeff Kincaid - a Pro 2WD Truck racer describes the support. "It's all about the racing."

After watching all of the exciting racing...the big question is...what's it like, behind the wheel?

"It's an Adrenalin rush like no other," says Steinhardt. "I've done this for 25 years, and I still get just as nervous as I did 25 years ago."

"To me, being behind the wheel of 850-horse (power) - turn it loose. It's a little scarey sometimes," adds Kincaid. "But, once you do it, you're hooked for life."

But these guys are quick to point out the need for speed does not carry over on the highway.

"No, I'm not. I don't think I've had a speeding ticket in my life," says Steinhardt.