DP4×4 Rock Crawling Team
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Team Dp4×4 is based out of Pleasant Hill, California having originally started as Club Dp4×4. Its original members are all still active wheelers. Out of this weekend rock crawling club developed Team Dp4×4. With a genuine love of rock crawling and a healthy competitive spirit, Team Dp4×4 always strives to be the best. The team driver Jason Willis along with his spotter Orlando Giannecchini have set their sites high for the upcoming 2008 season. This year will be busy as the team will be participating in W.E. Rocks Western National events, CalRocs and Superlift Pro-Rock Series.
As far as extreme sports go, Rockcrawling definitely makes the list, it is the newest form of motorsports! Crowds can expect to see some of the worlds best drivers on the most rugged terrain in the western division of the United States. Teams will travel to Washington, Utah, New Mexico and California to compete. Some may call it insanity while the competitors themselves call it sport! They will climb vertical 80 degree walls, drop into insane crevasses and embark upon some of the most incredible obstacles imaginable. Each event draws thousands of spectators from all walks of life. Some following a particular team, whereas others are in search of pure excitement. It’s the perfect venue for families, weekend rock crawlers and those looking to learn about this extreme sport.
Prior to the events the teams are categorized into different classes. Pro-Modified, Unlimited, Stock Modified etc. Then at each event the Rockcrawling teams will navigate through a predetermined course marked by cones and banners. These courses are designed to present challenges, they include steep rock walls, large boulders, loose dirt and rock, deep crevasses and steep drop offs. A team is made up of a driver, a spotter and a vehicle that fits the specifications of one of the above classes. The driver usually will have walked the course prior to the starting time and will rely heavily on his spotter. The spotter does not ride in the vehicle but rather walks along with the vehicle guiding the driver through the course. The spotter sometimes even puts himself in harms way to make sure the vehicle is on the right line. The driver and spotter often communicate of some type of two way radio. When communication isn’t enough the spotter will often stack rocks and pull on the spotter ropes and go to any extreme to help the driver cross the finish line. The goal is to complete each preset course within a predetermined time limit without hitting the cones or banners that mark the course. Teams will be scored on a point system and penalties resulting in the deduction of point will accrue for touching banners or cones, backing up or winching. The team with the best overall scores will be named champion.
Rockcrawling has continued to grow and with its popularity it has gained the attention of national media. All events are covered by Pirate 4×4 however it is very likely to see camera and video crews from local and national media venues. In addition to the media coverage most events are covered in popular magazines and newspapers. Crawl Magazine, Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Offroad and many others can often be seen on site at these events. In fact Team Dp4×4 was featured in several articles for the 2007 season. Please see our press releases for additional information.
Long before Team DP4×4 there was Club DP4×4, and out of this weekend rock crawling club developed Team DP4×4. With a genuine love of rock crawling and a healthy competitive spirit, Team DP4×4 always strives to be the best.
The Driver: Jason Willis
Jason Willis is born and raised in Orinda, California and resides in Pleasant Hill with his family. He is a graduate of University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Sociology. Jason comes from a large family of 3 brothers and 1 sister. Growing up with 3 very active younger brothers Jason learned very young the meaning of competition! One of Jason’s greatest accomplishments was his professional athlete status on the Buy.com golf tour. While golfing Jason also focused on his goal of initiating his own construction company. After retiring from the Golf tour, Jason put all his time and devotion into Willis Construction which today is a very well known General Contracting Company. Through the years Jason still maintained his interest in dirt bikes, 4-wheeling and camping. Jason and his brothers began weekend Rock Crawling trips as a family recreation at an early age. It wasn’t but soon after the modifying of their jeeps began. Jason began building a competition Rock Crawler and finished it in time to run the 2007 W.E Rock series and CalRoc event. Jason decided after his first season to move up to the Pro class and has finished at the top at most events entered. Jason’s enthusiasm is his most valued quality.
The Spotter: Brant Willis
Brant Willis, born and raised in Orinda, California. He is the younger but bigger brother to driver Jason Willis. Brant was also an original member of Club Dp4×4 and has been a huge asset to the team thus far. Brant brings his 10 years of rock crawling experience to help the team bring home the winnings. Brant is a serious competitor and works well with Jason. They have excellent communication, parallel ideas on which line to choose, and the most important factor in a rock crawling team, trust. Brant’s dedication to the team extends well beyond the duties of spotting. He is always involved the fabrication and design for the vehicle and has spent numerous weekends working on the buggy. Brant first got his feet wet in rock crawling when he and his brothers built a Jeep Wrangler that dominates all trails. Brant has been into motor sports since he was little riding the families quads, dirt bikes, and Jet Skis at Donner Lake. When Brant is not working, or rockcrawling he still remains outdoors. He has a love for Disc Golf and plays numerous tournaments around the bay area.
Team Owner: Jason Willis
Crew Chief: Brant Willis
Technicians: The entire Dp4×4 Club, Brant Willis,
Fabricators: Wicked Fabrication & No Limit Fabrication
Marketing: Kristin Willis
Driver: Jason Willis
Spotter: Brant Willis
