TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Jan. 10, 2014) — Omni United USA's Radar tires brand is entering its sophomore season of short course off-road racing by expanding its program and signing Red Bull athlete Luke Johnson.
Omni United said the off-racing program will be broken into the Off-Road Championship (TORC) and Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Championship (LOORRS). Mr. Johnson, the 2013 TORC Pro Buggy Champion and driver/owner of the No. 14 Project648 Motorsports Dodge Dakota, will campaign the full TORC season and a partial LOORRS season on Radar tires.
Fresh off his first Pro Buggy championship, Mr. Johnson is returning to the Pro Light class for the first time since 2012.
"We are thrilled to have Luke Johnson representing Radar tires in 2014 and anticipate a great relationship with Luke both on and off the track." said GS Sareen, president and founder of Omni United.
"To have a driver of his pedigree and accomplishments campaign on Radar tires is a testimony to our products and what has been accomplished in our short tenure in motorsports. We made huge gains during our rookie season and we're looking to build on that program with Luke and the Project648 team in 2014."
Omni United said Mr. Johnson will use size LT265/75R16 and 32X11.50R15 Radar Renegade R5 tires in both TORC and LOORRS series this season.
"I am very excited to be joining the Radar Tires team for 2014," Mr. Johnson said. "Omni United is a very aggressive, young company that has already grabbed some big wins in the desert and I hope to earn Radar's first short course win."
The 21-year-old athlete won his first championship title in 2007 in the Super-Stock UTV class of Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR). That same year, Mr. Johnson competed in his first Baja 1000, Omni United said, and in 2009, he was named TORC Sportsman Rookie of the Year. He was recognized as the TORC Most Improved Driver of the Year in 2012.
In his 2013 championship season, Mr. Johnson won eight out of the 12 TORC Pro Buggy races, Omni United said, and capped his season off with a Class 8 win at SCORE International's Baja 1000 in November.
"Joining the Radar Tires team will benefit me both on and off the track," Mr. Johnson continued.
"Radar Tires proved last season in both LOORRS and SCORE that they can handle anything the track and competition throws at them. Plus the legendary tire guru Gary Blalock is heading their racing program and has already brought them great success in their rookie season."