Stadium Super Trucks will rage this weekend on a tight Homebush street circuit, in a triumphant return to the Sydney 500.
Upstaging a final round V8 Supercar title fight, the 650 horsepower machines will have spectators pressed hard against barriers, craning for a better look.
Why? Because there might not be a form of motorsport left in the world that demands as much, pushes as hard or elicits a passion as deep as Stadium Super Trucks.
Components and fitness are tested; every driver and truck bear the scars of battle.
Underpinning this vehicular combat, enduring 240km/h-plus speeds, five metre high jumps, two wheeling, rolls, power slides and perpetual paint trading, is the Toyo Tires Open Country A/T II.
“Stadium Super Trucks is harsh on tyres and the Open Country A/T II tyres take everything we can throw at them. There isn’t much I haven’t put these tyres through,” said series creator and legend Robby Gordon, after four days of racing on the same set of Open Country A/T IIs at the Clipsal 500.
The OPAT IIs are the same available at tyre retailers around the country, in sizes fans can purchase for their 4x4 or SUV. An unmodified off-the-shelf tyre so tough its limits have not been found on dirt or bitumen, by the SST’s.
The video below captures the spirit of endurance and toughness that defines SST. Fast forward to 1:10 to see the incident that put young racer Matt Brabham in the medical centre, but saw no damage to the OPAT II on his truck.
“These athletes put their skills, their bodies, and their sanity to the test,”
“The phrase ‘gentleman’s racing’ has no place on their race track, and they like it that way.
“Their bodies have paid the price and they have the scars to prove it. These modern day gladiators have traded in their sword and shield for a 650-horsepower chariot.
“From the streets of Surfer's Paradise, to the City Of Sin, drivers young and old span across the globe… this is their arena.”
