Naaman Cardinal had a bird's-eye...
Naaman Cardinal had a bird's-eye view in the bogs. The S-10 pickup he built placed Fourth in D.O.T. Open, Eighth in Open, and 11th in 44-inch tire Mod.
The mud was flyin' high at the 5th Annual Mudfest over the Fourth of July weekend in Albright Shores, Michigan, just a few hours northwest of Detroit. The three-day event, put on by the Gladwin County Ice Carnival, attracted all levels of mud enthusiasts from 33-inch shod Cherokees to 454-powered trucks with 48-inch tractor tires. One thing's for sure, these guys are serious about their mud racing. Most competitors bring an array of different-sized tires to compete in the various classes from 33-inch street, to the wild and crazy open class. The festivities were followed by the rock band Sugar Buzz playing some chords and a pig roast on the 4th.
The nonprofit club that makes this event possible was founded in 1964 and is made up of about 275 people interested in all sorts of motorsports. They own the land that all of their events are held on and also organize sand and snowmobile drags, tough truck competitions, and even a lawnmower bog at the same location throughout the year. For more information on Mudfest or any of the other events the club puts on, visit www.albrightshores.com.
Bret Witte and Swamp Thing...
Bret Witte and Swamp Thing fought their way through the gumbo to come in Sixth in the 40-inch tire Modified Class.
Trevor Johnson and Nick Strayer...
Trevor Johnson and Nick Strayer drove this nicely restored CJ-5 to a 10th Place finish in the 36-inch tire Super Stock Class.
Pat Ehlert brought out the...
Pat Ehlert brought out the only true big rig. This Peterbilt was put on a Jeep Wrangler frame and screamed down the track for an 11th Place finish in the 40-inch tire Modified Class.
Scott and Rick Akin are some...
Scott and Rick Akin are some good drivers to take this open-diffed 3.73 geared '76 CJ-5 and win First and Second Place in the 36 Super Stock Class. Of course, the '66 327 Corvette engine didn't hurt either. The motor is backed up with a TH350 and a Dana 300.
Jason Campbell and his 460-powered...
Jason Campbell and his 460-powered CJ-7 from Midland, Michigan, spun their way through the bog to a Sixth Place finish in the D.O.T. Open Class. He had to compete with the open class rigs because of his lengthened wheelbase. The Jeep runs Dana 60s with 4.10 gears and 37-inch IROKs.
Terry Stenger and Rob Broderick...
Terry Stenger and Rob Broderick brought out the only Scout at the event. A 454 big-block Chevy bored out to 462 inches churns a TH350 into an NP208, which turns an International 3/4-ton Dana 60 and 44 front with 5.38 gears. Terry and Rob took Third Place in the 33-inch tire Modified Class.
Henry Cermak II and his truck...
Henry Cermak II and his truck Adrenaline from Elsie, Michigan, was the only entry to clear the bog in the 40-inch tire Modified Class. This is an incredibly fast truck with its 540 big-block engine. The TH400 and NP208 feed a Dana 60 front and a 14-bolt rear filled with 4.10s-which turn anything from 35s to 44s depending on the class.
Veteran bogger Ed Barror has...
Veteran bogger Ed Barror has been competing since the late '80s. He has a few trucks he races and has a Vega in progress. His newly rebuilt 454-powered '55 Chevy Bel Air on a Chevy truck frame took Third in the 44 Modified Class. The Chevy rolls on a 14-bolt rearend and a Dana 60 up front spinning 5.13 gears and 44-inch Boggers.
Kyle Gray has been bringing...
Kyle Gray has been bringing his Bronco to Mudfest for three years now. The vehicle has the ever-proven Ford 9-inch rear axle with a limited slip and a Dana 44 up front with 3.50 gears. A 390 big-block Ford bored 0.060 over coupled to a C6 tranny sits under the hood. The tires are 33-inch Gumbo Mudders or 36-inch Grand Prix's-depending on the class he races in.