Mark Handley / Solar Racing take 1st Again!
Barstow, CA - Wild Wash 250

The Solar Racing Off-Road Race Team took their efforts to Barstow for the Mojave Desert Racing Series' "Wild Wash 250". The race would take racers 6 times around a 38 mile track.

The Solar Racing F-150 raced in the "modified" 800 class, instead of the "stock" 850 class it usually races in. The modifieds are bigger motors and suspension, and have to run all 6 laps, although the "stock" classes were only required to run 4.

Mark Handley with co-rider Dan Candler started the race just after 7:00am. The 1st lap went pretty well, especially since at the end of it the Solar Racing F-150 was in first place.

Ignacio Sanchez and Marc Stein took over the truck for laps 2, 3, and 4. Since part of the mission of this race was to get Iggy seat time, Mark did start for driver of record points, and then let Iggy get his share in.

At Race Mile 24 on Iggy's first lap a rock tore off the entire front wheel assembly causing the truck to skid about 50 feet across the desert terrain. The chase crews were close by to make a swap of the wheel assembly and the truck was on it's way.

The only other repair needed (or at least performed) was the replacement of a bent tie-rod. The Goodyear MTAs stood up perfectly against the relentless rocks of the Barstow desert, enabling the Solar Racing F-150 to be free of flat tires.

Mark Handley and new co-rider Loren took over for the last two laps to bring the truck around for it's first MDR victory. Not only was the mighty Solar Racing F-150 the only finisher, it also secured the fastest lap time!

Special notes: 1st MDR Victory (now a victory for Mark Handley/Solar Racing in 3 of the 4 premier desert racing series: MDR, SCORE, and FUD. 2nd is the best finish in Best in the Desert.)

Iggy "The Rock"'s first race driving! Nice debut with a win!

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT WAS PART OF THE TEAM EFFORT:
Long time friend and Co-Pilot Ignacio "Nacho" Sanchez, and as always, the tremendous support of ACE Motorsports, led by Mike McComas, and accompanied by crash-test Marc Stein, Lorne, Pat, and Dan. And most importantly, racegirl Wendy for all of her support and understanding (or is it tolerance?).

THANKS TO THE SPONSORS OF SOLAR RACING:
TheBestMortgageLoans.com, Tristar Capital Equipment Leasing, Strider Knives, National Springs, DesertRacing.com

OTHER SPECIAL MENTIONS:
Contingency Sponsors - The following companies are very supportive of Off-Road Racing and pay reward racers for performance. For example, if we win and we use their products, we would get a certain dollar amount towards products. Solar Racing utilizes the following products and companies for our racing needs:

Goodyear Tires, Bilstein Shocks, F&L Fuels, Kartek, Sign Pros, RLH Communications, K&N Filters, AutoMeter, MSD Ignitions, and Mastercraft Seats.

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