​​The Perfect Rally Car Recovery Rig Is a ZR2 Bison. Any ZR2 Bison​

The kickoff to the U.S. rally season is the Sno*Drift Rally in Montmorency County, Michigan. That is in the upper portion of the lower Michigan Peninsula, and the rally takes place in the first week of February, so it is no mystery how the rally got its name. Almost the whole rally takes place on snow or ice, and studded tires are not allowed. Mishaps are inevitable and expected, and when they occur, which vehicle rushes out for assistance? The Chevrolet line of ZR2 models, of course. Twin Falls Chevrolet elaborates on these hero trucks.  

The vehicles were part of GM’s Off-Road Driving Team, and they consisted primarily of: 

• Colorado ZR2 Bison 

• Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison 

• Silverado HD ZR2 Bison 

• Two Traverse Z71s for additional support 

When one of the rally vehicles slid off into a place it wasn’t supposed to be and couldn’t get out on its own, the first recovery vehicle on the scene was usually the Colorado ZR2 Bison “Sweep truck.” With a medically trained individual in the front passenger seat, the Colorado’s smaller size and high off-road capability made it the ideal vehicle to reach the scene quickly. Sweep duty also verifies that all vehicles have cleared the stage route, signaling the end of racing for that section. 

Following the Colorado would be the Silverado ZR2 Bison, which handled both sweep and recovery duties. If the wayward rally vehicle just needed a little help, the Silverado could often give it a pull to get it back in the game. 

“The suspension of the Colorado ZR2, with the DSSV dampers, was phenomenal on the rally stages,” said ORDT member Doug Shepherd, who is also an organizer for Sno*Drift. “The power delivery and torque of the Silverado 1500 ZR2 with the L87 V8 definitely gets the job done, and spectators loved how it sounded.”  

When vehicle recovery proved a bit more challenging, ORDT would bring out the big gun, the Silverado HD ZR2 Bison, which had little trouble pulling vehicles weighing half its own weight out of drifts and ditches.  

 “And then the Silverado 2500 HD ZR2, it was just an absolute unit pulling the rally cars out of the snow banks and ditches. It was exactly what you want for a recovery vehicle,” added Shepherd.

Together, these trucks showcased Chevrolet’s tough, capable, and winning vehicles by transforming demanding volunteer work for the ORDT into a live demonstration. In actual winter rally conditions—rather than a testing ground or simulation—these trucks proved their capability and durability, meeting the high standards our customers expect from Chevy pickups. 

Your off-road needs may not include rally vehicle recovery, but if you off-road frequently, you will likely be helping someone out on a regular basis. Do it with a vehicle the rally organizers trust, and while you are at it, enjoy the impressive DSSV dampers, which make off-road shenanigans easy to handle and provide a smooth highway ride on the drive home. You can check out the ZR2 that fits you at Twin Falls Chevrolet.