5 minute read

FROM THE EDITOR

from DirtVenture 2023 Q1

by bestinthedesertmag

from DirtVenture 2023 Q1, page 95

The NIMBL Evolution

Let me introduce myself, DirtVenture Editor-In-Chief, Don Fall

To start, let me say I am a true off-road and high-performance enthusiast, a handson techie, writer and marketer. From my earliest days, I have been obsessed with every form of motorsports, especially off-road. As one of the developers of DirtVenture, along with Bryan and Daryl Folks and Russ Turner, we have created the magazine to deliver to you, our racers and fans, an innovative and meaningful publication packed with ideas, words and images that truly fits your outdoor-off-road lifestyle.

Let me tell you about this awesome Q1 2023 issue. Now in our third year of publishing, we’ve brought you race highlights, industry news, new products, and some very insightful articles about people and companies that make this sport so exciting. There is a story this month, Trending in the Dust, that I particularly like because it combines a great read with definitive insight as to why Fox is so successful. It tells us all about the new Fox Desert Training Facility dedicated to Fox founder, John Marking. Another one not to miss is Under the Helmet, an in-depth interview by Mike Ingalsbee with Adam and Terry Householder. In A Closer Look, we review the most luxurious, advanced, and capable 2024 GMC Sierra HD.

Our article, The Overland Way presents a new ongoing feature section for DirtVenture, as we recognize many of our readers and fans enjoy this adventurous lifestyle. The story is written (and lived) by Krystal Fitzpatrick, who is an “overlander” herself, in her M1087 FMTV “BANTHA”.

There is a lot more to Krystal, however, as she is now heading up ad sales for DirtVenture magazine. Contact Krystal at dirtventuremag. krystal@gmail.com or call her anytime at 425-327-1724 for an update on what’s coming and how advertising in DirtVenture can be an integral part of your outreach to Best in the Desert’s immense off-road Universe.

NEW DirtVenture Website

If you are interested in reading more about the magazine itself, check out the new DirtVenture website here: DirtVenture. tech We chose .tech for our URL as this magazine is all about the technical advances that have taken place over the years in off-road racing, especially at Best In The Desert. The personnel and association recognize the growth of the sport relies heavily on advances in equipment and logistics to excel.

Remembering Jim Ober

On a sad note, we recently heard of the passing of Jim Ober, one of the early pioneers in action sports’ photography, and founder of Trackside Photo. Our condolences to his family and the arsenal of photographers who had the pleasure of working with or for him, and the fans who enjoyed his images over the years.

Since I know you, like me, can’t wait to see what’s really new, please check out the latest new products we found on page 94 to find some new gear. This issue’s adventure begins! Start clicking, exploring and enjoying.

The 2023 Best in the Desert series got off to an unusual start with the cancellation of the traditional season opener in Parker, Arizona. Instead of the deep sand, rocks, and dry river washes of Parker, competitors battled the deep sand, rocks, and dry washes of Johnson Valley, California. Racers would get points in the Best In The Desert series while running the Desert Challenge at King of the Hammers (KOH). One feature that was very different from Parker was the dry lake beds in Johnson Valley. Instead of running wide open on the fast fire roads in Parker, competitors would be bouncing off the rev limiter for miles on the dry lake beds.

Terra 4500sr

features and benefits:

- universal mounting plate

- 3-stage planetary gearing with 198:1 ratio from water and dust

- aluminum hawse fairlead

- 10’ handheld remote

- sealed solenoid

- ip67 protection synthetic rope with handlebar rocker switch with circuit breaker

Sx 10sr Winch

features and benefits:

- Ergonomic pull-and-turn clutch handle

Allows hassle-free operation free spool

- Patented drum light

Provides superior visibility in low light conditions

- relocatable die-cast control box

- available in 10,000 and 12,000 lbs. versions

Heavy-duty aluminum contruction with 18” leads Synthetic / wire models

Sunday’s main event. Each competitor was timed on a 40 mile course which was a shortened version of the roughly 100 mile loop they would run twice on Sunday. The 40 mile sprint gave everyone a sense of urgency that pushed the pace. We saw some favorites like back-to-back Vegas to Reno winner Ryan Arciero have belt issues that cost him 15 minutes of down time. The prologue did not only set starting positions. That time was added to the cumulative time on Sunday. If you had problems on Saturday in the prologue you weren’t out, but you had a big hill to climb on Sunday.

The results of the prologue had

2023 Koh Desert Challenge

several racers poised to repeat their performances at KOH last year. Sitting at the top of the T1 class (Trick Truck), was last year’s winner and 2021 BITD Trick Truck Champion Kyle Jergensen in his Brenthel all-wheel drive truck. In T2 (6100) it was the same. Christopher Polvoorde was looking to repeat his victory from last year and sat on the pole. Chase Warren was top qualifier in B2 (class 1000) for the third straight year and was looking for a consecutive win. In the B1 class (1500), Adam Lunn and RJ Anderson were back and looking to repeat as well. Spoiler alert, they were the only team to pull it off.

It has always seemed unfair that the unlimited cars and trucks get to start first, 18

Q1 2023

and the limited cars and trucks have to race on a tougher course due to the ruts and holes created by 40 inch tires and one thousand horsepower. At KOH they flipped the script. The limited classes raced in the morning, and the unlimited classes went off in the afternoon. While it did provide a little relief, the course was still properly chewed up, rutted, filled with rocks, and with loose berms on the outside of the turns.

Chase Warren would lead the top ten limited class qualifiers into the desert. He was chased by the B2 cars of Ezra Ebberts (Father Dale started), Tom Coons and Michael Taylor, as well as a long list of heavy hitters in UTVs like Best