September 5, 2008

News
Desert Racing Forum :: Classifieds :: 9/04 Score: #12 Brian Collins Likes it Rough 9/03 Score: Primm 300 Event Schedule 9/03 Score: Speed Technology Enters Primm 300 9/02 Score: Official Primm 300 Entry List 9/02 Score: Post & MacCachren Ready for Primm 300 9/02 Score: This Weekend, 127 Entries Headed to Primm 8/20 BITD: Dixon Brothers Optimistic about V2R 8/19 BITD: Speed Technologies Enters Huge Team in V2R 8/18 CORR: Cuffaro Pomona Race Report 8/12 CORR: Cuffaro Ready for Pomona 8/11 WSORR: Konitzer & Krieman Share Spotlight 8/10 CORR: Menzies Motorsports Ready for Pomona 7/25 CORR: Speed Technologies Ready for Action in Chula Vista 7/23 WORR: Oshkosh Night Races 7/23 WORR: Leading Money Winner Racing Oshkosh 7/23 CORR: Menzies Motorsports Ready For Chula Vista 7/23 WSORR: Matt Gearld Steps up to Pro 7/20 BITD: Banks Power Named as Sponsor 7/14 OC Meet: Orange County/Socal Buggy Breakfast 7/07 CORR: Menzies Motorsports Leading Points 7/07 WSORR: Probst & Vanden Heuvel Battle for Points Lead 7/02 MDR 400 Event Photos 7/02 BITD: Vegas to Reno Course Change 7/02 WSORR: E3 Driver Kevin Probst Wins 7/02 WSORR: Secures Traxxas® as New Sponsor 7/01 Ronn Bailey Reaches Great Wall of China 7/01 WSORR: Double-Header to Rock Oshkosh 6/25 Ronn Bailey Race Report #2 from Russia 6/24 WSORR: Kevin Probst Wins at Crandon 6/23 Ronn Bailey Race Report from Russia 6/23 SCORE: Las Vegas Cup CANCELED 6/17 CORR: Sway-A-Way Sponsored Teams Podium 6/02 CORR: Pomona Schedule of Events 6/01 Official Results SCORE Tecate Baja 500 5/28 SCORE: Team Hummer Attacks SCORE Tecate Baja 500 5/27 SCORE: Speed Technologies Enter Baja 500 5/26 SCORE: Collins Goes For Double Triple 5/26 SCORE: Official Baja 500 Entry List 5/26 SCORE: Racers Ready for Baja 500 4/26 CORR: Pomona Event Schedule 4/19 BITD: TT250 - 3 Lap Class Results 4/19 BITD: TT250 - 2 Lap Class Results 4/19 BITD: TT250 - 1 Lap Class Results 4/15 SCORE: Toyota Milestone Awards 4/15 BITD: Dixon Bros Ready for TT250 4/15 BITD: Offical TT250 Entry List 4/14 BITD: Terrible's Event Schedule 4/13 CORR: Douglas Motorsports Ready for 2008 4/13 CORR: Jeremy McGrath Racing CORR 4/01 Ronn Bailey Enters Worlds Longest Race 3/31 SNORE: MOPAR Wins Mint 400 News Archives Pokey: Where the rumors are...
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Solar Racing takes on the "Longest Off-Road Race in the U.S."!

Less than 3 weeks after competing in the famed BAJA 500, Team Owner/Driver Mark Handley teamed up with long time friend and former Ford Rough Rider Tim Casey to take on the longest off-road race in the U.S., from Las Vegas to Reno.

The race started northwest of Las Vegas in the town of Pahrump, and went almost 500 grueling miles of the some of the most incredible terrain imaginable (in every sense of the word). The course included quite a bit of elevation change, ranging from 3000 to 8000 feet . Most notable of the course was the extreme silt. The baby powder fine particles just starve the engine and coolers for air. This in turn causes extremely high temperatures, normally fatal for the everyday driver.

The course went along the historic Pony Express Trail for some section, along with going through the deserts of the southwest with it's car swallowing silt, then up the rugged mountains of northern Nevada to over 8000 feet. The finish line in was in Dayton, near Carson City / Reno.

The competition was great, and the Solar Racing F-150 started 3rd off the line in the Stock Full Class. Mark and co-rider Ignacio started the race. They started just behind last year's champ and current class points leader, Greg Foutz, and in front of the last race's winner, Charlie McDowell. In addition, there were a pair of very fast Hummers, as well as a couple of brand new F-150's. It was going to be a very competitive race.

After a 3rd place finish in last year's race, the Solar Racing Team was looking for it's first victory in the Best in the Desert (BITD) Series. Just 3 weeks earlier, the Solar Racing F-150 won it's class in the Baja 500. The "Baja" served as an excellent "shakedown" for the VTR. The truck performed excellent and was ready for another loop! With extensive prep on the truck and logistics, the Solar Racing team was expecting another great run in the VTR.

With last year's VTR still in our mind, we tried to anticipate the course's subtle, yet devastating, effects. The silt (throughout the entire state of Nevada) is so fine it went everywhere. Air filters clog, radiators clog, tranny and oil coolers clog. Given close to 100 degree temps outside, it didn't take long for the truck to run hot. With it early in the race, we knew we had to preserve the drivetrain. With off-road racing, the course itself is the most formidable opponent. Just finishing would be an accomplishment, but we were looking for a win.

Despite a few "minor" issues, such as 3 flat tires, engine overheating, transmission overheating, malfunctioning fuel pressure regulator, a broken axle, and a broken leaf spring. That was all after the collision with another race truck which had a broken axle and was stopped in it's tracks... on the race course... in the middle of a blinding silt cloud. The collision occurred in almost zero visibility. Since the other truck didn't carry a spare axle, and no outside assistance is allowed on the course, we loaned them one of ours so they could make it to the next pit. (We always carry spare axles, driveshafts, steering linkage, and other "potential victims" on the race truck.)

The collision caused damage to Mark's shoulder, which required Tim to get in the truck ahead of the planned driver's change. It was no problem for him to continue on to drive the remainder of the race from there. (If Tim had his way, he would probably do a second lap if they'd let him).

Despite the aforementioned "minor issues", Tim brought the Solar Racing F-150 across the finish line in Dayton at about 1:30am. The Solar Racing F-150 completed the 490+ miles in just under 15 hours and 20 minutes. This earned the team 5th place in the Stock Full Size Class. Of the 12 entries in the class, there were only 5 finishers! Only 68 of 104 trucks/cars made it to the finish, and only 72 of 101 bikes/quads made it. That's only 68% finishing rate!

This was the SECOND consecutive finish of the Vegas to Reno race, two attempts, two finishes (3rd & 5th). Also, two 500-milers completed in a row, with just 3 weeks in between. True testimony of a truck "Built Ford Tough"! With detailed prep before the race, a good logistical plan of attack, a talented and devoted team, and a desire to win, the Solar Racing Team has put together a competitive program! Still looking for that elusive BITD

Special thanks to our awesome sponsors that help made participation in these great races possible:
TheBestMortgageLoans.com, Tristar Capital Equipment Leasing, Goodyear Tires, National Spring, Bilstein Shocks, F&L Race Fuels, K&N Filters, Kartek, PCI Race Radios, MSD Ignitions, Mastercraft Seats, Sign Pros Lettering, DesertRacing.com, Ford Trucks.

Thanks to everyone that participated: Ignacio Sanchez - Co-rider and chase support, Tim Casey for picking up the extra driving duties and getting the truck to the finish. Jim Collins for the pit support and co-riding with Tim for the 2nd half of the race. Annie Noonan for the race day logistics, timing, (and a most excellent lunch, although that wasn't enjoyed until 6pm). Bob and Mary Childers for the chase and pit support. Mike Childers for coming out from Colorado for his first experience at an off-road race, he says he's ready to do it again! Mike McComas for the great prep and coaching, and to rest of the entire ACE Motorsports team for their assistance along the way. Also, to other competitors for helping us out, namely the crew of the Dircks and Porter Trophy Truck and the crew of Robert Hayley for use of their tools and personnel.

Upcoming Races:
August 14th - Mojave 250 in Barstow, CA
September 18th - Primm 300 - Primm, NV

News Flash:
SOLAR RACING TIED FOR 1ST PLACE IN SEASON POINTS FOR SCORE INTERNATIONAL!!!

For more information, contact Solar Racing:
Info@SolarRacing.com
SolarRacing.com

For more information, call or write:
Best In The Desert Racing Association
3475 Boulder Highway
Las Vegas, NV 89121
(702) 457-5775, (702) 241-6431 fax
www.bitd.com