July 2007

You can still hear and feel the pounding hooves slamming uneven landscape… soon to be overcome by the pounding of thousands of horsepower. In the late 19th century, 183 extremely brave men (some as young as 11) on ponies challenged the terrain and elements the racers in this year’s Vegas to Reno race are attempting to conquer. Running over some of the same trails that the original Pony Express ran from 1860 to 1861, this year’s “Vegas to Reno” – certifiably the Longest Off-Road Race in the United States, is creating tremendous excitement among the off-road racing community.

Casey Folks, Director of the Best in the Desert series, said, “Our momentum is continuing to grow. 2007 has been a great year for Best In The Desert and the sport of off road desert racing. We are excited that the TSCO “Vegas to Reno” event, our flag-ship race, will carry on that momentum. Not only is this going to be a big event but it’s also the 11th running of Vegas to Reno. This race is open to all Best In The Desert classes – cars, trucks, UTVs, quads and motorcycles. And, we expect over 300 entries.”

While the Pony Express changed horses every 10-15 miles, and had 150 stops along the nearly 2,000 mile route; this year’s Vegas to Reno race features 15 gas stops, and spreads out over 570 miles.

Contingency is set for Thursday, August 23rd at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The race will start in Johnnie, Nevada early Friday morning, the 24th of August. The TSCO “Vegas to Reno” race takes competitors from the high desert floor at 2,500 feet elevation to mountainous heights of over 9,000 feet, forcing competitors to adjust to the changing pressures, and endure extreme hot and cold temperature variations.

Speeds over 100 MPH are achieved on the dry lake bed portions of the route; and then racers are forced to fight their way through narrow canyons and twisty sand washes – some of the toughest terrain in the world.

Time Trials for the top 20 starting positions will be Thursday morning, August 23rd in Las Vegas. Class 1400 Trick Trucks, and Class 1500 Unlimited Cars only. The traditional BBQ and an after-race party will be at the awards presentation in Reno on Saturday, August 25th at the new Herbst Sands Regency Hotel.

For more information, visit www.bitd.com or call Best in the Desert at (702) 457-5775