Record Number of Entries for 2012 Las Vegas to Reno Off-road Race

Best In The Desert (BITD), the largest off-road desert racing organization in the world, recently announced that a record-setting 306 entrants have already signed up for the longest point-to-point race in the United States. With two weeks remaining before the race begins, the number is expected to grow as applicants can register up until the day before the race. Best In The Desert has promoted an off-road desert race over 500 miles long from Southern Nevada to Northern Nevada for 16 years of hardcore desert racing. Starting north of Las Vegas in Beatty and finishing in Dayton, just south of Reno, the race course traverses 534 miles of the most challenging terrain the great state of Nevada has to offer. From rocky trails dating back to the original “Pony Express” days, to vast silt beds, and climbing to elevations well in excess of 7,200 feet, the General Tire “Vegas to Reno” off-road race tests endurance of the two wheeled and four wheeled racers and their machines; and treats them to the most incredible adventure of their lives.

24 of the premier 800-plus horsepower Trick Trucks will take their shot at the overall win when the race gets underway. The strong field includes the likes of 2011 Trick Truck champion BJ Baldwin, Steve Sourapas, Rob MacCachren, Steve Olliges, John Swift, Adam Householder, Tim & Troy Herbst, Jason & Rich Voss, Kevin McGillivray, Chad Ragland, Rick D Johnson, Mark Weyhrich, Scott Whipple, Mastercraft’s Robbie Pierce and Jarit Johnson, little brother of NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson. Many of these same drivers will also be going for a piece of the $19,000 in bonus money paid out as part of the 2012 $120,000 Trick Truck Challenge.

The fast and nimble Class 1500 unlimited buggies will also be shooting for the overall finish. Entries in this class include current overall and class point’s leader Robby Gordon, Chuck Hovey, Sam Berri, Ray Griffith, Mike Childress, Shelby Reid, Harley Letner, Garrick Freitas, Damen Jefferies, Pat Dean, TJ Flores, Justin Lofton, and Todd Tuls..

Other large classes for the race include 24 Class 1000 cars, 18 Class 7200 Mini-Trick Trucks and 24 Class 1900 UTVs. The 2012 General Tire “Vegas to Reno” race features 19 Car and Truck classes, 3 UTV classes, 4 Quad classes and 10 Motorcycle classes.

The 2012 General Tire “Vegas to Reno” race begins early Friday morning, August 17th, in Beatty, NV, with the Motorcycles, Quads and UTVs starting at 5:45 AM. For safety purposes, after a roughly three-hour delay from the last UTV leaving the start line, the Car and Truck classes start at 9:30 AM.

2012 General Tire “Vegas to Reno” Schedule of Events

Wednesday – August 15, 2012
11:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Registration for Time Trials for Class 1400 & 1500 Only
Aliante Station, Scottsdale Ballroom

1:30 PM – Staging for Practice Lap
Time Trials for Class 1400 & Class 1500
Time Trials will start immediately after the practice run

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Welcome Party & Time Trials Results
Cabo’s Bar, Casino Floor, Aliante Station

Thursday – August 16, 2012
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Drivers/Riders Registration – Scottsdale Ballroom, Aliante Station

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Car – Truck – Motorcycle – Quad – UTV
Contingency Inspection and Technical Inspection
Aliante Station Casino Hotel – Parking Lot

5:00 PM
MANDATORY Drivers/Riders/Pit Crew Meeting
Scottsdale Ballroom, Aliante Station Casino Hotel

Friday – August 17, 2012
5:15 AM
Motorcycle/Quad/UTV Staging

5:45 AM
1st Professional Motorcycle Leaves the Start Line

8:45 AM
Car/Truck Staging

9:30 AM
1st Professional Car/Truck Leaves the Start Line

Saturday – August 18, 2012
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
General Tire “Vegas to Reno” Awards Presentation
Grand Sierra Resort Convention Center

myatvblog

I have been riding motorcycles since I was 9 years old. I bought my first ATV in 1984. I have been an addict ever since.

I have also been active in Utah's Jeep/Off road communities since 1993.