WE Rock World 2006

What better place to host the largest and most exclusive rockcrawling event
in the world than the biggest party city in the world, Las Vegas. With 40
teams from 5 different countries competing for the titles of best in the
world, this is sure to be an event that will always be remembered. On Friday
night spectators watched the Modified Stock class and the Rhino Cup class.
Saturday was action packed with all classes competing and all classes
crowning their world champions.

The Modified Stock class saw the normal top competitors like Dan Patterson,
Derek West and Richard Bronsema. But we also saw a new face that nobody had
seen since the US Finals of 2005. David Egger, even though not competing in
a single event in 2006 still qualified for the Worlds because of his 2005
finish. David Egger ended up finishing in second place without a single
competition for over a year. Very impressive man! Very Very impressive! I
can’t wait to see what this guy has to bring to the table next year.
“Buzzy”, this is the name that people all over were hearing all weekend
long. Richard “Buzzy” Bronsema took a hefty lead into the Shootout and held
onto the lead to take the championship. Bronsema dominated this class with
wins in the Western Series, US Grand Nationals and now the World Finals.
Congratulations!! I’m sure we will see a lot more of him next year.

The Pro Modified class was already full of champions from all over the world
yet it still had its underdog. That underdog was Rookie of the Year and
former sponsor turned driver, Brian Ellinger. Ellinger drove amazing all
night and took a 28 point lead into the Shootout just ahead of Becca Webster
and Dean Bulloch. After 10,567 different position changes all Brian Ellinger
had to do was finish the course. A perfect -3 score was plenty enough to
take the throne as World Champion! Becca Webster finished 2nd, Danny Rorher
finished out the podium. BRIAN ELLINGER!! I say it like this because this is
a name you must remember. With in a year Brian went from sponsoring the
biggest names in rockcrawling, to becoming one of the biggest names in
rockcrawling. Fan-freaking-tastic!! We without a doubt will be seeing a lot
more from “Mr. Diamond Axle” himself. (Brian Ellinger is the owner of
Diamond Axle).

It seems that at every event, there is always that one course
that stands out. B3 was that course this time. (I know, I sound like a
broken record!) Only 3 drivers made it through B3. This course completely
changed all the standings except for the ones that completed B3. Going into
the Shootout after B3 destroyed everyone, Jason Paulie had a 28 point lead
and the rest of the field was separated by very small margin of points.
After the rest of the field completed the Shootout and kept the competition
tight, Paulie had an even smaller lead before his run. Jason Paulie ended
with a nearly perfect run of -8 and the World Championship. It seems as Lil’
Rich makes his courses more and more technical, rear steer might be the way
of the future. I think next year there might be a stiffer penalty for using
rear steer or maybe a bigger reward for not using it. I guess we will see!

Well all in all it was another amazing event and another unbelievable year
thanx to the Kliens. I had so much fun this year!! And it’s only
a few short months till next years Put Up or Shut Up!!
Congratulations to all the winners and thanx again to Big and Lil’
Rich for everything they do for this sport!!

words Kellen Otto
photos Brian Gray