With one year of competition in The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Hill Climb under his belt, Black Forest resident Brandon ìBuddyî Tubbs II said he will compete in the Hill Climb on his quad (an all-terrain vehicle built for racing) again this year. At age 15, Tubbs was the youngest racer in the Hill Climb last year. However, he plans to phase into sprint car racing in the next year or so.ìThe sprint car is set up for a dirt track oval,î said Larry Carnes, Tubbsí grandfather. ìThe quad is set up for a dirt track oval or asphalt. Weíre trying to eliminate the asphalt for the quad and stick with the sprint car on the oval track.îCarnes, who used to drive sprint cars himself, said the sport is expensive to participate in ó between practices, traveling, purchasing and maintaining a tractor trailer to haul the vehicles. ìItís almost impossible to try to run it on your own nickel,î he said. ìItís pretty much strictly sponsor-based.îTubbs said he has obtained a new sponsor, Victory ì1î Roofing Co. of Falcon, which has committed to sponsoring him for the current season that started about three weeks ago.ìThereís definitely a big difference between the sprint car and the quad,î Tubbs said. ìItís two totally different feelings on how to handle the vehicle and the power each has.îTubbs will be participating in Fan Fest, the annual pre-race celebration for the Hill Climb, held in downtown Colorado Springs June 26, where he will be on-hand to sign autographs and showcase his vehicles. Additionally, Carnes said Tubbsí sponsors will be available to meet people as well. The other sponsors are Andy Holloman with American Family Insurance, Wiseco and Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza.
