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Huntington Beach, CA — May 7, 2026 — MRT Tires opened Round 1 of the 2026 National Off Road Endurance Series in dominant fashion, delivering a complete Pro Turbo podium sweep at the notoriously brutal Battle of Burma 250. Known for its unforgiving terrain, the Battle of Burma pushed racers through deep mud, jagged rock sections, tight wooded trails, and water crossings—while freezing temperatures and harsh conditions added another layer of difficulty, testing both machines and drivers from start to finish.
Where races like this are known to expose weaknesses, MRT-equipped teams proved exactly the opposite.
Ricky Johns (#26) led the charge in the Pro Turbo class, securing the overall win on 33″ MRT Desert Storm tires—one of the most trusted platforms in off-road racing for extreme terrain. Built with Kevlar reinforcement, the Desert Storm is engineered for both performance and durability, allowing drivers to stay aggressive without sacrificing reliability over long, punishing race conditions.
Behind him, Shawn Lighthart (#261) powered to a 2nd place finish on 32″ MRT X-Rox DD tires, with Jesse Simkovich (#616) completing the podium sweep in 3rd on 35″ X-Rox DDs. MRT’s flagship tire, the X-Rox DD has built its reputation on extreme durability and consistency across all terrains. Also constructed with Kevlar reinforcement, it excels in mixed conditions—absorbing heavy impacts, maintaining traction, and continuing to perform when others fail.
Three different setups. One result—total MRT control of the Pro Turbo podium.
The performance carried across additional classes, further showcasing the depth of MRT’s lineup. Mark Willman (#562) secured 3rd place in Pro NA on 32″ MRT Rocky RX tires, while Colin Kuz (#519) earned 2nd in Sportsman Turbo on 35″ Rocky RX tires. Stephen Raccomandato (#17) continued MRT’s winning momentum with a 1st place finish in Sportsman NA on 33″ MRT Desert Storm tires.
The Rocky RX continues to rapidly establish itself as the go-to tire across both racing and recreational use. Designed as an extreme rock and trail tire, it features a performance-driven tread pattern for maximum grip in technical terrain. Combined with MRT’s advanced Nycore® construction, the Rocky RX delivers exceptional durability and reliability, quickly becoming a top choice across MRT’s lineup.
“Battle at Burma is where mud, speed, rocks, woods, water, and freezing temperatures collide,” said Jesse Simkovich (#616). “To say this course was brutal would be an understatement. These tires took an absolute beating all day and kept going.”
Shawn Lighthart (#261), in his first season with the MRT Race Program, echoed that sentiment after his podium finish. “What a way to start off the year. The weather was definitely challenging. We usually have a ton of tire failures in a race like this—these MRT tires are definitely earning their keep.”
Races like the Battle of Burma don’t reward comfort—they reward durability, consistency, and proven performance under pressure. MRT’s Kevlar and Nycore tires are built specifically for these environments, giving drivers the confidence to push harder and go further without compromise. Every Kevlar and Nycore tire in MRT’s performance lineup is backed by a one-year sidewall warranty, reinforcing MRT’s commitment to reliability, dependability, and proven durability in real-world racing conditions. From a complete Pro Turbo podium sweep to multiple class podium finishes, MRT Tires once again proved why they are trusted by racers competing at the highest level of off-road endurance. Brutal conditions. Relentless terrain. Proven results.
