Spy photos of the new Mark Newhan class 8 truck

[Curtis Guise]

Ok so maybe they aren't really spy photos since Mark knows I am posting them, but here are some pics of the class 8 race truck he is building for the 1000.

Nine weeks ago there was only a pile of tubing and parts. He has been working on it seven of the nine weeks and these pictures were taken today. Mark has been building it on his own.

[Curtis Guise]

more.

[schofox racing]

wow, i cant wait see finished

[younggunracer]

Ewww....Awww.....Another cool class 8 to add to the mix. Looks like some cool ideas and design, good luck!

[Racicali]

looks great :cool:

[E&S Racing]

Looks really good Mark. Can't wait to see it complete at the 1000

[Dezertpilot]

Very nice!

[CaptinCrash]

wow i've never seen that hole sub frame with supension coming of it before looks rad

[Johnson328]

Looks awesome! Talk about getting it done, WOW!

[FABRICATOR]

Cool! Every rule maximized! :)

[pappawheely]

Viva class 8! Was the truck designed on a computer?

[tltony]

Beautiful job Mark. Should be nice and low.

Tony

[reverhart]

that is beautiful, lot of work to go before the 1000--good luck!!!!
what is the body going to look like?

[Jerry Zaiden]

Looks like a fun build. Can't wait to see it haul down in Baja!

[bcampbell04]

looks great. good luck finishing the truck mark. i'm sure it will be just as nice as everything else you've built

[Curtis Guise]

here are some more Mark just sent me.

[DUMP!]

Looks nice Mark. Should be a real contender. Keep up the great work!!

Dump

[mark@PhotoAhead]

I don't see him on the draw list but Matt Towery was planning on racing the 1000 with his new truck.

Class 8 looks to have a good turn out and should be some good racing down there.

[Curtis Guise]

I guess you missed the news in the start order / drawing thread. Mark decided to race the truck in TT for the 1000 because class 8 got pushed behind class 10 and 12 for starting positions. No reason to sit behind more dust...

[PBR]

wow mark the new truck looks really nice!!!

i want to know what ramsey thinks.

[Grunion]

Very cool. Good luck at the 1000

[Ramsey_ElWardani]

i want to know what ramsey thinks.

It looks like there is a frame somewhere in the middle of all that tube - so it is all good. No rules - no violations!

[Rory]

I hope those are old pic's because that looks a loooooong ways away from being done in 2 months. All the best Mark, can't wait to see it run. Maybe Laughlin? ;) Don't worry Ollie, I knew Ramsey wouldn't mind, he's racing a 1600 at Baja, not the "8"!!!

[Mark Newhan]

Pictures were taken last Friday... I did not start building the truck until Memorial Day... it'll be done.

[Dezertpilot]

Pictures were taken last Friday... I did not start building the truck until Memorial Day... it'll be done.

Atta boy! I have faith!:)

[younggunracer]

Pictures were taken last Friday... I did not start building the truck until Memorial Day... it'll be done.


Any new updates or pics?

[StGeorge-Motorsports.com]

Keep up the hard work!! Lets see it at baja!

[mark@PhotoAhead]

Not to highjack but on the class 8 theme just saw where Matt towerys new truck is for sale.
Just 2 or 3 races that's a real surprise.

[PBR]

Not to highjack but on the class 8 theme just saw where Matt towerys new truck is for sale.
Just 2 or 3 races that's a real surprise.

he said in another thread that the housing market is killing him and he needs some $

[Bryan_D]

So is the DT for Doetch tech? Or am I shooting into the dark on this one..

[Curtis Guise]

So is the DT for Doetch tech? Or am I shooting into the dark on this one..

DT = Dirt Tech
They make the lower rear suspension arms and rear end housing.

[Big Oly TT]

DT = Dirt Tech
They make the lower rear suspension arms and rear end housing.

I'm running the same stuff on my "BIG OLY" BRONCO TT. Great looking and a great price!! There's no reason even thinking about designing or making your own. I see more and more of his arms and housings popping up more and more at races.

[Big Oly TT]

he said in another thread that the housing market is killing him and he needs some $

Its not just killing him, but alot of others as well. Thats too bad, when you have to sell your passion.

[Bryan_D]

DT = Dirt Tech
They make the lower rear suspension arms and rear end housing.

Ahh that makes more sense.... Gracias...

[Dezertpilot]

he said in another thread that the housing market is killing him and he needs some $

WOW:eek: He must be talking about some major shortage in home building for a 120k truck to do anything for his bank account. After all it is Towery homes and they I bet were making millions during the boom, crazy:eek:

[Curtis Guise]

here are more recent pics.

[Curtis Guise]

some more

[Curtis Guise]

last ones

[ErikShallbetter]

wow, its nice to see a build come together that fast and not sacrifice quality. I assume the design is not being done on the fly and that much of this truck was designed before any metal was even cut?

[NIKAL]

WOW! Thats all I can say. Mark has done a great job. There was a lot of thought into building this truck and it shows. I really like the body too. It's clean and it looks like a Chevy.

[Mark Newhan]

I would like to thank everyone for the kind words. As you can see I have been busy. I began laying up this truck on Memorial day. About 2 P.M. that day (day 1) while squaring up the rear end, it fell. The wheel stud landed right behind the toe nail of my big toe on my left foot. Needless to say it was not pretty. The bone was split down the middle and had another pretty good size chip detatched from it. I missed the rest of that day, went to urgent care, and the next day at the doctor's. As you may know there is nothing you can do with that kind of injury, except let it heal. I went back to the shop the next day, Wed, and started bending and fitting tubes. The first pictures that crutis posted we taken shortly after that.

Well I am no fan of pain med's so I just cut the back of a shoe and worked as fast as I could, which was about 1/2 speed. I was however taking an over the counter antianflamitory to keep the swelling down, Aleve, and about the time Curtis posted the first pictures I had an allergic reation to it and broke out with a form of rash first on the toe that was broken then spreading to both feet and then to my hands. Not very cool.

So as it goes I have been working on the truck for about 4 months. The actual time of fabrication is about 3 months due to the unavailability of some of the componants. It has been a good time and yes the truck was in my head well before I ever cut the first piece of material. Someone asked earlier if the truck was design on a computer. No, allthough the human brain is still the fastest computer there is.

I tell some of these details at this time because as I write this i have to acknowledge that due to the lack of some of the componants I have decided to withdrawl from the Baja 1000. I became evident last Thursday, when my wife and I returned from Cabo on a cruise that with the time left we would not be adequately preparred to race this historic event. I have been planning this for about 2 years and it was a pretty hard decision to make. But I am a competitor and did not merely want to show up and not be ready to compete. It is not enough for me to start any race unpreparred, just for the sake of being there.

We will be finishing the truck and racing it next year. We do not have a debut established at this time. I have business commitments that need my attention over the next several months so we will have to table any news of the maiden race for the truck. We do however intend to get'r done and thoroughly tested before we enter it in any race.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals for the effort and assistance and for the following contributions:

Bob Gall for the space to build it, Paul Cosner (PAC Motorsports) for taking an interest in teaming, Gabe Agana for the aluminum work, Gabes partners Dana and Billy for the expert TIG welding as well as Jared welding talents (I can weld but not as good as them!) Joe Biro @ Vision X for the lighting, Brian Skipper and Chris Ruh @ Sway-A-Way. Greg Grosset @ Total Performance Racing Engines. And of couse my wife Tonya for EVERYTHING...

Curtis will be posting pictures as we get this truck done. I am proud of this vehicle and it should represent itself well at desert races in the near future!

Til then...

[baja619]

Sorry to hear that Mark:(

It looks like you are making the right decision, and we all are looking forward to seeing the truck finished and running through the desert.

[bcampbell04]

bummer to hear, but totally agree with that decision. best of luck finishing the truck mark.

[Alex Paterson]

Man my toe hurts......eek! sounds like that one sucked for sure, surprised you got anything done.

Alex

[Fourstroker]

Everything designed in your head is absolutely impressive. Not a huge truck guy but your truck looks amazing and you now have a new fan. Congrats and good luck when it is done.

[steveG]

Mark, what a bummer that you won't make the race. I know from some of your previous posts that you were looking forward to it. Keep your chin up. The truck looks great!

I'm curious about the trailing arms. Did you stray from your traditional boxed trailing arm because of time?

[scottm]

Looks great Mark, too bad you will miss the 1k. When you are finished, can you come over and finish mine real quick?

How some details - what year frame, what engine, whats the width and wheelbase?
Also I see the seat is right on the frame rail... Nice! It should handle like a tt. Is this the first truck built since the score trophy-8 rules came out last year?

[Grunion]

Not to hijack but what score trophy 8 rules are you talking about?

[scottm]

Last year score updated the class 8 rules to allow lowering the cab relative to the frame, ie, the way Gieser Bros built the P&B and CWI trucks.

[Grunion]

ok thanks I new the gieser truck was legal just didnt know they changed the rules for it.

[StGeorge-Motorsports.com]

Hey mark any new updates on the truck??? Love the work!!

[Old School 8]

I too, am curious to see more !

[Curtis Guise]

Here are a few shots Mark sent me a couple of weeks ago. It's now a roller and is at the fiberglass shop having some work done. The dash is next. The engine should be in after the first of the year.

[Mark Newhan]

I have not worked on the truck since before the B1K. I have had some business related work to attend to.

Our plan for the truck is to get it assembled, tested and preped before it ever enters an event. The engine is done and dynoed. It made some very good, usable, HP and Torque. The Sway a Way shocks are ready to be bolted on as well as all of the usual high end racing parts. In all reality Our team will not have sufficent time to get on it until after the first of the year. It will debut in 2008, just not sure exactly when. You guys will be the first to know!!!

Thaks for all of the support, I really want the truck to have a fighting chance when it makes its first race, without the new truck blues.

[Waldo]

I have not worked on the truck since before the B1K. I have had some business related work to attend to.

Our plan for the truck is to get it assembled, tested and preped before it ever enters an event. The engine is done and dynoed. It made some very good, usable, HP and Torque. The Sway a Way shocks are ready to be bolted on as well as all of the usual high end racing parts. In all reality Our team will not have sufficent time to get on it until after the first of the year. It will debut in 2008, just not sure exactly when. You guys will be the first to know!!!

Thaks for all of the support, I really want the truck to have a fighting chance when it makes its first race, without the new truck blues.
Truck is looking good Mark. Any idea as to her debut?

[Curtis Guise]

He already answered that.

"It will debut in 2008, just not sure exactly when. You guys will be the first to know!!!"

[bcampbell04]

truck looks great. will be looking for it next season.

[StGeorge-Motorsports.com]

Looks awesome Mark!!! Can't wait to see it running in 2008!

[Mark Newhan]

A quick word on our program!

The truck has not had much attention since the last update that Curtis made. The engine is done and Dynoed. It makes about 700 Hp and has a torque curve that doesent ever end. All the parts are sitting in either my shop or Pauls. My business interests will have me tied up for another couple of months, so I will be unable to devote the nescessary time to get it done in the short run. This is not the worst of it. Paul woke up December 27, 2007 with an abnomality in his face which turned out to be Bells Pallsey (sp). Bells Pallsey is a condition that paralyzes, usually, half of your face. He has no control over the left side of his face. The worst part of it is he cant blink or squink his eye, which dries out his eye and causes headaches. The good news is that it is pretty treatable and he should recover over the next several months, allthough this first month has shown no measureable progress.

Till Later

[E&S Racing]

That sucks Mark. Sorry to hear about Paul. I hope everything goes well over the next several months. Good luck to you and Paul

[Mark Newhan]

That sucks Mark. Sorry to hear about Paul. I hope everything goes well over the next several months. Good luck to you and Paul

Thanks Ed. I was none to happy to hear about the 29... Racing takes enough resources, but to just throw it away takes a toll on everyone.

I wont race the truck without Paul... It is a brotherhood thing!

[E&S Racing]

Thanks Ed. I was none to happy to hear about the 29... Racing takes enough resources, but to just throw it away takes a toll on everyone.

THX Mark. Yeah it really sucks..

I wont race the truck without Paul... It is a brotherhood thing!

Much respect for you. Good luck with everything

[hangten33]

Nice!!:D :D

[DirtyHarry]

Sorry to hear about Paul, Best of luck on a speedy recovering.

What make of glass are you running? Is it a Boatec?

[9rocky]

Very nice!!

[Sid_Racer]

what is the wheel base and track of the truck? the body and the truck looks great!

[Mark Newhan]

125 " wheelbase & 90" track

[PBR]

sorry to hear that mark, i can't wait to see you new creation go, go, go!!!

[WELDTEC DESIGNS]

one day?hurry up i want to see it done. maybe this 1000?

[Mark Newhan]

Just a quick update for you guys. I am happy to announce that we have a new team mate. Joe Totten is my brother in law. I have known him for about 20 years. Joe is a rare individual. He has an attention to detail that is second to none. He has an uncanny ability to come up with quick solutions in the field. He has set up the rear gears in all of my racing vehicles and pre runners. Recently Joe and his Brother Robby have been prepping and providing race support for a fairly prominant CORR Pro 4.

Joe, with help from Robby, will take on the responsablity of assembeling, plumbing, wireing and all the general preparation. Joe calls me periodically with some great ideas for things that we need to do before and at the races, to make the team sucessful in our racing venture.

Just a quick story to give you an idea of what I am talking about. In 1995 we raced the Baja 500. We finished 4th or 5th. We stayed at the finish for a quite a while waiting for the rest of our team. Joe was watching some of the other cars finish. The lead 7 S truck came coasting in down the long hill into Santo Thomas. The final 50 yards had an obstacle, a steep incline. Try as they did , the driver and co-driver pushed until the could no longer. Joe came over and got me and told me to try and convince the guys that they should remove the drive shaft, grab a ratchet and a socket (joe knew the size) and have one guy work the ratchet while the other guy applied the brakes so the "ratchet guy" could reset the ratchet, and propell the vehicle forward over the incline. With the 6.0 ring and pinion it would be easy on the "ratchet guy". They would have still won the race. But they gave up. That is kind of thinking that Joe brings to our effort. He will undoubtedly be a very big asset to our team and with his abilities will help to insure victories in future races.

Thanks Joe for having the interest and welcome to our team.

BTW,

Paul is slowly getting some tingling in his face. That is a good sign.


We will update with photos periodically.

[steveG]

Just a quick story to give you an idea of what I am talking about. In 1995 we raced the Baja 500. We finished 4th or 5th. We stayed at the finish for a quite a while waiting for the rest of our team. Joe was watching some of the other cars finish. The lead 7 S truck came coasting in down the long hill into Santo Thomas. The final 50 yards had an obstacle, a steep incline. Try as they did , the driver and co-driver pushed until the could no longer. Joe came over and got me and told me to try and convince the guys that they should remove the drive shaft, grab a ratchet and a socket (joe knew the size) and have one guy work the ratchet while the other guy applied the brakes so the "ratchet guy" could reset the ratchet, and propell the vehicle forward over the incline. With the 6.0 ring and pinion it would be easy on the "ratchet guy". They would have still won the race. But they gave up. That is kind of thinking that Joe brings to our effort. He will undoubtedly be a very big asset to our team and with his abilities will help to insure victories in future races.

Solutions like that are what I grew up admiring in my Dad and other mechanics. My dad was the shop foreman on a large farm for longer than I can remember. The crew he put together over the years was incredibly talented. Ingeniously simple ideas like ratcheting a truck over a hill were an absolute necessity with the amount of vehicles and equipment on the farm.

It sounds like you're lucky to have Joe on your side. It's good to hear that your race effort is once again gaining momentum.

Good luck to Paul. My thoughts are with him.

[Mark Newhan]

Just a quick update! I have been back on the truck for about a week. Its coming along. We will post some photo's soon. Paul is getting better. He still cant blink his left eye, but is getting movement back in his forehead and mouth. We will be testing after the summer heat.

Talk to you guy's soon.

Mark

[E&S Racing]

That's great news about Paul. Paul get better everyone is pulling for you...Good luck with the truck guys

[Curtis Guise]

I just got these latest pics from Mark to post.

[DSRacing]

Nice pics, can't wait to see it out there. What's the timetable for it's first race?

[Mark Newhan]

We will be testing when it cools down out in Plaster City. We may race it at the New Years race...

[Jerry Zaiden]

Looking good Mark! You got to love how it is all coming together and you will really love it when you fire up that V8 and take her around the block.

[partybarge_pilot]

Mmmmmm, look at those headers, that thing is going to sound gooooood!

[BHTool]

haha i was staring at those for a half hour when they showed up in my email yesterday.... lookin great mark, can't wait to see it in person :)

[DSRacing]

We may race it at the New Years race...

Cool, hope to see you out there.

[Mike @ pit b]

You gotta get a giant sticker down the sides that says: Built, not bought.

[NicksTrix]

nice! let's see more pics!

[Gadget]

The low rider look is really going to throw everyone off on this trucks capabilities. You're always thinking out of the box. Mark. (hehe)

[Curtis Guise]

some more I shot a week or two ago

[Curtis Guise]

more.

[Jkrell]

awesome work mark -- all business. Looking forward to seeing it run.

[Curtis Guise]

new pics of the aluminum work that was just finished.

[reverhart]

that looks awsome!!

[Mark Newhan]

Gabe Agana @ ASC came up with the layout. He is very good with his imagination. His # is 619.813.0329

[Rory]

Mark, how far away is the light at the end of the tunnel? 2009 season? Can't wait to see it up close.

[BajaFand]

Looks great Mark, very nice I like it alot. Is that your Bronco parked behind it? Any pics of it?

[NicksTrix]

awesome work mark

[Mark Newhan]

Rory,

It should be running pretty soon. We have alot going on right now. Paul has almost fully recovered from the Bells Paulsey. We may try to race it at the New Years MDR race. Then we will make a plan after it is fully tested and repreped. It will be going to plumb,prep and wiring in a couple of weeks.

Bajafand,

That is Paul's other pre runner. He has the ex-walker/saropus Ramcharger and the Bronco.

[jrtorres]

wow i've never seen an upper arm setup like that...i need to get out more.

[Mike @ pit b]

That is one REALLY nice looking truck.