The vehicles used were primarily trophy trucks, buggies (which were based on the original Volkswagen Beetle called Baja Bugs), pickup trucks, and a few stock cars. All vehicles had heavily modified suspensions.
Most drivers from SODA moved to CORR (Championship Off-Road Racing) after the 1997 season, which basically ended SODA's existence. A greatly diminished series continued on for at least a few years afterwards.
Classes
Class 1-1600, 1600 cc engine buggies with driver only
Class 2-1600, 1600 cc engine buggies with driver plus co-pilot (Sometimes run with class 1-1600)
Class 3, 4-wheel-drive short wheelbase vehicles (Jeep CJ, Ford Bronco, etc.)
Class 4, 4-wheel-drive full-size trucks
Class 5-1600, buggies with driver only
Class 6 modified passenger cars, and later 2wd SUVs
Class 7s, 2-wheel-drive four-cylinder trucks
Class 8, 2-wheel-drive full-size trucks
Class 8s 2-wheel-drive full-size trucks (nearly stock vehicles, with restrictor plate V8 engines)
Class 9, modified buggies with up to 1914 cc air-cooled engines, or 1600 cc engines water-cooled
Class 11, stock 1600 cc engine buggies with driver only
Class 12, stock 1600 cc engine buggies with driver plus co-pilot (sometimes run with Class 11)
Class 13, 2-wheel-drive full-sized trucks with more restrictions than Class 8
Heavy Metal, combined race with Class 3, Class 4 and Class 8 trucks
SODA Light, small single-seat short-wheelbase buggies with small CC snowmobile engines
Television
The series was televised in starting with Crandon's race in 1989 on ESPN.[1] Series races appeared tape delayed on ESPN/ESPN2[4] (often during the winter months). ESPN covered the two trophy truck classes (4 and 8) along with 7S. ESPN2 started covering races in 1995.[5] It covered Classes 13, 9/10, and 1600.[6] The ESPN2 races featured Marty Reid as the lead announcer, Ivan Stewart as color commentator, and Jimmie Johnson as pit reporter.[5] In late 1996, SODA sanctioned the Chevrolet Off-Road Winter Series; drivers traveled across the country in the Glen Helen Raceway in California.[1]
