Fire River Racing Partners with PGR

Throughout Proving Grounds history, there has been a long stride to the forefront we have today. In 2015 Proving Grounds Racing was born. Fighting tooth and nail in the 4500 class in Ultra4 True Grit fashion we climbed the ladder in success and growth as a team. The sky was the limit as John Snell brought the 4671 to life and battled amongst the stock class in Ultra4 and NorCal Rock Racing.

Proving Grounds Racing reached new heights in 2020 with a new Miller Motorsports Pro Chassis taking names in the 2021 Ultra4 season with multiple podiums through the regions. We were breathing success. This was the year we got to introduce Joe Gatlin as a PGR driver, finishing the 4570 in iron clad victory at 2nd place at the 2022 King of the Hammers.

With a power packed 2022 and Ultra4 being acquired by Mid America it’s been an upward climb with a 1st place at the Big Sky 200 and top two at the Red Bull World Cup in Crandon and we are craving more!

While racing has its ups and downs, it’s the teams, people, and families that make the trip, track, and time the most memorable. In 2021 we met Tom Prendergast, with Fire River Racing, and his family, who evidently ALL race! From the Kid 170’s, to Class 11 bug, to 4400 Unlimited car, this is a family of speed. Friendships grew over the years as our teams helped one another at the track.

With success comes growth, and with growth comes opportunities. This year we are linking Proving Grounds Racing and Fire River Racing into a joint venture. Joe Gatlin, PGR driver, will be saddling up in the new FRR 4400 class 4570 for this 2023 season. Fielding these 2 cars in the 4400 class is a team duo, but also a battle of man vs machine. With the Proving Grounds Hangar moved to Joe's shop in Arizona, both cars can be dialed in for what the season has in store.

FK Bearings Incorporated is a leading USA manufacturer of rod ends, spherical bearings, custom-engineered bearings and related products. Established in 1983, FK Bearings brings over 35 years of experience to the industrial and performance racing and off-road markets. Today, FK Bearings has grown to become the preferred source for motion control products to nearly every industry.

Tom and John, owners of their teams, are ecstatic about the pairing. “I am very happy to have TeKa (4570 Jimmys Chassis) be driven by Joe, and I am excited to see both FRR and PGR grow this year. But,” says Prendergast, “the thing that I am most looking forward to in the 2023 race season is to watch my wife Rosalie and my daughter Nora both progress as drivers. This joint effort is going to be an exciting for progressing all vehicles and drivers involved. This will not only grow the cross-promotional brands, but let Tom branch out into his new IFS machine that will be unveiled at this year’s 2023 KOH, focusing on his families trio alongside the partnership.