Falken Tires: Jon Schaefer Takes 2nd Place in ULTRA4 Eastern Conference Championship

The Beast in the East

Falken Tires veteran driver, Jon Schaefer, wrapped up his year-long competition in the ULTRA4 series at the “Legends of the Fall” Finals in this resort community, earning enough points to finish second in ULTRA4’s 4600 Class Eastern Conference Championship.

Schaefer, an Ohio native, who later moved to Alabama, owns an offroad shop that specializes in Jeep JKs, going so far as to install GM LS V8 conversion kits in them. Though he previously raced snowmobiles in the Midwest, his first experience in professional off-road competition started in 2017 working for Savvy Offroad, leading him to purchase one of the team’s 4600 entries in 2019. His first race was in one of the toughest off-road events, King of the Hammers (KOH). His adeptness off-road proved second nature, and since that time, Schaefer has earned two 2nd place finishes at KOH, three ULTRA4 Eastern Conference Championships, and an ULTRA4 4600 Class National Championship.

“We spotted Jon’s incredible talent pretty quickly,” stated Douglas Fletcher, Falken’s Supervisor, Light Truck and Off-Road Events. “My predecessors knew he would be a great ambassador for Falken Tires and he continues to be. We’re extremely proud to have Jon and his team as part of the Falken Racing family. His second place in the Eastern Conference Championship this season again testifies to his competitive skills and ability to push for every win.”

Schaefer and co-driver Sergio Pinillos finished the year in their 4688 RPM Extreme Jeep with two wins – at the Tennessee Tear Down and the South Pittsburg Race – while consistently running Falken WILDPEAK M/T tires.

“Competition has been tough this year,” Schaefer admitted. “We were the first independent in the Finals race after the three factory-backed Ford Broncos. They are very good and honestly, in another league compared to the rest of the 4600 Class. But that just makes me hungrier and more determined during the off-season to get my equipment up to their level. I’m coming back in 2023 ready to put those three boys in my rearview.

“Overall, however, we had really good, clean races all season,” Schaefer continued. “We have had zero flats and that says an incredible amount about the quality of our Falken WILDPEAK tires. They just run strong and do what we expect – provide plenty of traction all race long. I’m extremely grateful for the partnership I have with the folks at Falken.”

The first round of the 2023 ULTRA4 Racing Series runs Feb. 2nd – 11th at King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, CA.