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S&S
OFF ROAD JUNE 2020 VOL. 38 NO. 9
MAGAZINE
FEATURES 8 10 18 21 22 24 26 30 32 34 38
COVER (Top) Jason Sneary defending the constitution and enjoying the Glamis dunes Photo by www.NealRideoutPhotography.com (Bottom) AMA District 38 racer Troy Barker. Photo by Judd Neves Nothing But Dirt Racing Photography CONTENTS AMA District 38 racer Justin Morgan is a part of the Through the Years desert racing feature by photographer Judd Neves who compiled photos from 2005-2020. View the rest of the photos beginning on page 102
Sherri’s Turn DirtBits Remember Freedom? Bike Shop San Diego Off Road Coalition News Blast from the Past 1974 Harley Davidson Baja 100 Restoration Dr. DeForest's Off Road Health Tips: Miller's Garage 4x4 Coach: Solar Power Systems Buying a Vintage Race Vehicle SCORE Fantastic Flashbacks
46 Off Road Dads 64 Tear Down Time 114 Classified Ads
COMPETITION
82 Tovar & Apple Flat Track Racing 100 The Mint 400: Revisited 102 AMA District 38: Through The Years
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The June 2020 Super Digital Edition is available in 8.5"x11" printed book format. For ordering info visit: www.ssorm.com/ super-digital/ Available on
W
e were still teenagers when I helped the guyin-the-garage realize that getting married would be a good thing. I wouldn't say that he seemed hesitant, but I would say that when we found a place to rent that had a garage he seemed to finally agree this was a very good thing.
It was part of the strategy as I had already learned months earlier that the way to this man's heart was through his tool box. Just keep stocking it with brand new tools and the relationship blossomed. If buying tools could do that for him, imagine what finding a garage to call his very own could do. That was the key to making this relationship permanent it seemed. After we were married, he pretty much lived in the garage, which was no surprise to me because he had done that before we got married. In his parent's garage and also in my mom's garage. She was once heard to say, "I've never had a garage since I met my son-inlaw." Once he had his own garage, that didn't stop him from keeping her's filled with projects since the single-car garage we had wouldn't fit everything he imagined he could build, modify or restore.
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Two days after we moved in he was building workbenches. Years later he confessed that he had been so worried we wouldn't be able to pay the rent the next month that he had left all the nails out a little bit so he could dismantle the workbench and take it with him if we had to leave. Admittedly money was a little tight when we got married and moved into this little duplex so we weren't able to get a telephone. If we had to make a phone call we walked up to the corner 7-Eleven to use the pay phone. But the day finally came when we got our own telephone. And then the real red letter day was when we had a phone installed in the garage. It was bright red and it was jut what the guy-in-the-garage needed so he hardly ever had to leave his haven. As the years went by we would occasionally check out other living opportunities. My mom often suggested we look for a six car garage with a bedroom attached. He would have loved that, I'm sure, but we never found that particular floor plan. And anyway we liked where we were and weren't in a hurry to go anywhere. Often I would sit in the garage and find ways to occupy myself while he worked on projects. I once found his label maker and spent hours making little plastic labels with the raised up white letters. I labeled nearly everything in the garage for him. Another time I dumped out his collection of nuts, bolts, screws and washers and created a masterpiece of art. On a piece of wood I arranged the hardware into the image of the guy-in-the-garage riding his motorcycle. It took hours to put all the little pieces together in just the right fashion and then glue them down so they would stay in place.
When I finished I couldn't wait to show him. He took one look at it and said, "That's a waste of good nuts and bolts." As more time passed we eventually graduated to a house with a double car garage and then a house with an over-sized double car garage, which was really exciting for him. Although nothing compared to the house we looked at, but didn't buy. It had a four car garage with access through the master bathroom as well as the usual ways to enter. I could just see it. He gets up in the night to go to the bathroom and never returns to bed. Not with the garage that close! If only the rest of the house and property had been what we wanted. I think he still dreams about that place. As you have probably sensed, his garage is of extreme importance to him. When we lived in the mountains and evacuated for two fires in two years, the majority of his packing was spent trying to move the entire contents of his garage and make it fit into one or two enclosed trailers, while I had the opportunity of checking the rest of the house to see if there might be other things of importance we would like to save. When we found our current house in the desert, we loved everything about the place except it had one major flaw. You guessed it! No garage. But he was not to be deterred. This was the place he wanted. And before we even got through escrow, he had already located his new super-garage and had it moved to our new soon-to-be home. One thing I can say for him is that he has remained consistent these many years we've enjoyed together (and even the ones we haven't enjoyed). Motorcycles, tools and a garage still rank high on his list of priorities. Summertime may be "tear-down time" for some folks who want to get their desert toys ready for next season. But for guys like him, every day is tear-down time. E
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OFF ROAD S&S
MAGAZINE
JUNE 2020 - VOLUME 38 • NUMBER 9
SINCE 1982
ssormag@gmail.com - 760-336-1512 PUBLISHER S&S Publishing Inc. EDITORS Steve Kukla Sherri Kukla COLUMNISTS Casey Cordeiro Dr. Gary De Forest Tom Severin Ed Stovin CONTRIBUTORS Jonathan Barrett Kathryn Caro Steve Caro Don-Rig'd Photography Michael Maher Judd Neves RNR Photos Scott Spinning Trackside Photo IN MEMORY C&C Race Photos - Carlos Avina Roy Denner • Harold Soens FIELD EDITORS Rory Townsley Tim Townsley VOICES OF ENCOURAGEMENT Regina Jensen • Jana Foley S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE is published monthly by S&S Publishing Inc., Ocotillo Wells CA 92004 (760) 336-1512; www.ssorm.com, email: ssormag@gmail.com. Reprinting in whole or in part expressly forbidden except by permission of the publisher. © 2020. We reserve the right to edit or reject any advertising and/or editorial copy. ADVERTISING Sherri Kukla (760) 336-1512 call/text or ssormag@gmail.com BACK TO THE DESERT® - TEAR DOWN TIME® SAN DIEGO OFF ROADER® SAN DIEGO OFF ROAD MAGAZINE® are registered trademarks of Steve and Sherri Kukla
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Dirtbits
results following the Virtual Town Hall with nearly 300 respondents and 92% confirming “Yes” they are ready to go racing. ` “We are super excited to get back to racing and want to thank everyone for taking time to fill out the survey,” commented Best In The Desert CMO Bryan Folks. “We couldn’t have made this decision without the support of the racing community and it’s just another indication of why off-road racers, and in particular Best In The Desert racers, are the most dedicated racers on the planet.” The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the race to take place near Alamo, Nevada as previously planned but with no pre-run, in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Additionally, Best In The Desert is working with a new host hotel to hopefully include all sponsors and vendors in the Event Expo and will announce more information in the coming weeks. fter significant deliberation The new host hotel has been and input from racers, confirmed as Boulder Station sponsors, staff and other Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. parties connected to the series, While Best In The Desert is still Best In The Desert is moving waiting to hear confirmation on forward with the VT Construction capacity, protocol for the Event Silver State 300 Presented by Expo, and room reservations, they Polaris RZR on June 25-27, 2020 expect to share that information as in Alamo, Nevada. The decision soon as it is available. However, was largely based on survey
The Race Is On: Best In The Desert’s VT Construction Silver State 300 Presented by Polaris RZR
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potential racers can begin to consider travel plans. The VT Construction Silver State 300 Presented by Polaris RZR will be a 300-mile pointto-point race starting just north of Alamo, Nevada, and is open to bikes, quads, cars, trucks, and UTVs. As stated at the beginning of the 2020 American OffRoad Racing Series, the VT Construction Silver State 300 presented by Polaris RZR will be a double points race for all classes. However, the current points system will see updates. Due to the recent events, Best In The Desert is allowing a throw-away race for the 2020 season. This throw-away race can be used for previous races that have already taken place in 2020 or used for the remainder of the series. “We feel that adding a throwaway race is necessary to adapt to the current conditions and not penalize any team that may still be affected due to travel restrictions,” stated Race Operations Manager Donald Jackson. “Racers and teams began the 2020 season expecting to be able to compete for a class championship. With travel restrictions potentially still in place, we need to be fair to all competitors and give them a chance to still go for that class
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championship regardless of their geographic location.” The decision to hold the VT Construction Silver State 300 Presented by Polaris RZR amidst COVID-19 anxieties is not one that Best In The Desert staff, volunteers, and race sponsors take lightly. There will be heightened sanitation precautions and recommendations in place to ensure the safety and sense of security for staff, racers, sponsors, and fans. Best In The Desert will be communicating additional safety measures as the event gets closer. Best In The Desert is excited to get back to racing and is confident that they can do so safely with the support of BLM and the Boulder Station Hotel and Casino Group. This decision has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from sponsors, volunteers, racers, and fans leading to the notion that everyone can participate mindfully. It’s time to “Go Racing” but to do so conscientiously. Best In The Desert will update followers with more information as soon as decisions are internally made. Competitors can enter the race here: https://bitd.com/raceevent/2020-silver-state-300/
Registration for 2020 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days opens
HOME LOANS Chris Wiley
M
otorcycle racers across the nation may now sign up to participate in 2020 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, which are July 10-12 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The annual celebration of America's motorcycling heritage features competition in hare scrambles, motocross, trials, flat track and road racing. Pit bike and holeshot exhibitions also are planned. Class winners in the trials, hare scrambles, motocross and road racing disciplines will receive AMA National No. 1 plates. The flat track race, which takes place on July 11 at the Ashland County Fairgrounds in Ashland, Ohio, is part of the AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series. In addition, two riders will be named AMA Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion and AMA Senior Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion for excelling in their respective expert-level-eligible classes. To register for road racing, visit www.wera.com/pdfs/ vmd2020pre.pdf. Pre-event registration closes July 1. For off-road disciplines and flat track, go to https://secure. tracksideprereg.com/amavintage/ index.asp?event=27. Pre-event registration closes July 6. For a complete list of racing classes, visit www. vintagemotorcycledays.com/page/ racing-2020. The AMA is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and restrictions on event gatherings. It is our hope that this event will be held as scheduled, but that could change. Watch for updates at www. americanmotorcyclist.com and on AMA social media channels.
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Racers may now register to compete in five competition disciplines at the 2020 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 10-12, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. (Credit: Matt Milanowski/AMA)
Established in 1990, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days has been held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course since 1995. The complex is a superb location for competition, accommodating road racing, trials, hare scrambles and motocross,
in addition to a full slate of noncompetition activities. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the gate during the event. A weekend pass is $60, a single-day admission for Friday or Saturday is $40 and a single-day admission for Sunday is $35. Children 12 and younger are free. AMA members can receive a $15 discount through DirtBits continued on next page
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Continued From Previous Page June 12 by visiting www. vintagemotorcycledays.com. Nonmembers may buy tickets online by visiting https://www. midohio.com/tickets/2/vintagemotorcycle-days-ama. Sites are available for tent camping and motorhomes. Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The mission of the Hall of Fame, located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling's legends and heroes. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame website at www. americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-offame/. Keep up to date on event announcements by liking and following AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days on Facebook www.facebook.com/ AMAVintageMotorcycleDays and using #AMAVMD on Instagram and Twitter. About the American Motorcyclist Association Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides moneysaving discounts on products
and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www. americanmotorcyclist.com.
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UTVWC UTV Festival Exhibitor Registration Now Open
O
ver the last six years, The UTV World Championship has drawn thousands of
racers and spectators to its prerace festivities including a massive Tech & Contingency highlighted by the top UTV brands displaying and selling the latest vehicles, parts and accessories. Re-branded The UTV Festival, the event has enjoyed a growing crowd of racers, OEMs, aftermarket parts makers and thousands of UTV enthusiasts and spectators. The UTV World
Championship UTV Festival is by far the biggest and best in the sport, and will take place on Thursday, October 8th in the heart of beautiful Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Click here https:// utvworldchampionship.com/ exhibitor-registration/ to reserve your booth. DirtBits continued on next page
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Living The Dream! Baja Veteran Mark Stahl's Take On The NORRA SAVVY Safari Expedition
M Dirtbits
Continued From Previous Page
Trophylite Heads Back To The Desert – And You Are Invited
T
rophyLite has been COVID-19 responsible and been nonexistent, as has most of the off road community since March 10th but we are back! The TrophyLite Series will start on June 25th at the BITD, Silver State 300 in Alamo, NV. This is a change to the original 2020 schedule, due to the pandemic which will be followed up by the BITD, Vegas to Reno. 2020 TrophyLite Schedule National Series Completed - BITD, Parker 425, Parker, AZ Completed Mint 400, Las Vegas, NV June 24th - 26th BITD, Silver State 300, Las Vegas, NV August 13th – 16th, BITD Vegas to Reno, Las Vegas, NV 14
September 4th – 6th, The Off Road Nationals, Wickenburg, AZ October 22nd – 25th, BITD Laughlin Desert Challenge, Laughlin, NV December 10th – 13th, SNORE Rage at the River, Laughlin, NV
offers a complete “Arrive and Drive” program that treats you like a factory race truck driver for any race in the US and Mexico. Call us today (623) 570-0474 and we will put together a program for you that you will never forget. www. trophylite.com
Ride and Drive Program Have you ever wanted to drive a fully prepped off road race truck in one of the most competitive classes in the sport, in the biggest races of the year? TrophyLite
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ark Stahl is a long time Baja traveler, and NORRA Mexican 1000 winner. He has won the Legend Era Truck class at the Mexican 1000, five years in a row. He also won the Baja 1000 in 1978 driving the entire way solo. Overcoming incredibly harsh conditions during the race earned him a prestigious victory, but also a coveted ironman award. He will be back on the starting line to defend his winning streak again this fall when the Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 returns to the starting line in Ensenada on October 3rd. When NORRA ran the NORRA 500 last year, it allowed Mark to branch out from his usual race program, and run in the SAVVY Safari class just for fun. The Safari class is not a race; it’s a guided tour of Baja that runs a similar route to the race course. It takes in the spectacular places along the way, but steers clear of the super technical sections meant to test the race cars. You won’t be stuck in the silt beds with a shovel on the SAVVY Safari. Group leader, and racing legend himself, Curt LeDuc will see to that. He knows Baja as well as Mark Stahl does. In fact, Mark was impressed that wherever they went, people recognized Curt right away. Curt’s racing career has spanned decades, and includes desert, and short course racing. He moved from back east to California in order to experience desert racing first hand. He was soon hired by Walker Evans because he had a reputation for being able to fix anything, with whatever he had with him. Curt is also an accomplished truck builder, and father to Todd, and Kyle LeDuc who are both champion drivers. So what did Mark Stahl think about the SAVVY Safari? “I get asked about the Safari class all the time,” says Mark. “There was a guy who said he had a Raptor DirtBits continued on next page
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Continued From Previous Page and he wanted to do whatever fixes it took to do the NORRA Mexican 1000. He wanted to bring his kids with him. And I said, I don't think you need to do any of that stuff. This isn't a class for racing. This is a class to go have fun. You're going along at a pace that will not tear up your stuff. You should have an FM radio to talk to the other drivers, some drinks, and snacks, and don’t forget your lawn chair. We were out at the NORRA 500 and knew where the leaders were on the course, so we went out by the big jumps outside Ojos and watched the fast cars come through. If you don’t have a tailgate, make sure you bring a chair.”
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We asked Mark if he learned anything new being so familiar with Baja. “Yes, we tried to share all of our experiences with the other people on the trip,” Mark continued. “I'm 68 years old, and when I was a little
kid, and I mean a little kid, we used to camp on Rosarito Beach when nothing was there. This probably would have been in the early 50s. We had a house trailer, and during the summer friends, and family would bring their house trailers down there to camp on the beach. My dad would go back to San Diego to work every day and then come home at night. You could cross the border in five minutes. So I've been going down to Baja for 65 years! That's something that I've always liked about the NORRA races; a lot of the routes I've never been on before. The other races use a different, rougher course. NORRA picks a different course that's not going to tear your stuff up. We just went along at a comfortable pace. With all five trucks last October, we all hung together because like I said, it wasn't a race; let's just do fun stuff. Curt knows what to do to make sure that the Safari class gets into town
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at a decent hour so everybody can have dinner, and drinks and enjoy the party that evening; then get to bed, and be ready to do it the next day.” “One of the best parts of racing NORRA is after the day’s racing is done, and you get to hang out and tell everybody about how fast you were. I finished second overall to Mark McMillin at the Baja 1000 in 1981, and until NORRA I never knew how he beat me. For years, I did not know what happened, and how it all came about. Because of NORRA, I’ve been able to spend time with Mark, and hear all the details about how his race went, and how he beat me. Everyone is hanging out with the guys that I raced against 40 years ago, you're hanging out, and having fun. It’s great to hear all the details. There's nothing like it I know of, that’s for sure. The main thing for me is my blood pressure goes down when I get into Mexico. When I cross that border, I get more relaxed. I’m like, okay, I’m in for a good time; It's gonna be fun. It's chill time. It’s time to relax and enjoy life down there.” If you’ve wanted to travel in Baja but never had the right circumstances now is your chance. You won’t find a better or more fun trip to take than to run the SAVVY Safari class at the Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000. You will travel in a group with a seasoned leader, and have the full support of the NORRA race organization behind you. You will see the most spectacular sights along the way, and enjoy the best food, and drinks ever. The Safari Class participants will run their events on much of the same course but not while the race cars are competing. They will take part in all the same opening festivities, attend Day 1 registration, technical inspection, and the Welcome Fiesta in Ensenada. The best part of each day will be reflecting back on the great experiences you had with fellow participants who run the gamut from regular Joes, to celebrities, icons, and professional racers. If you would like to take part in the “Happiest Race On Earth!”, you’re in luck! Registration is open now. Details about NORRA, their events, the history of the Mexican 1000, and answers to any questions you may have are all on the official NORRA website found here: www.norra.com E
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Replacing our regular EPA ABUSE column this month is a special feature commenting on the nationwide COVID-19 shutdown. As with EPA ABUSE these articles are reprinted with permission from www.Dailycaller.com
‘Operation Haircut’: Michigan Barbers Defy Lockdown, Offer Haircuts On Capitol Lawn By William David Posted May 20, 2020
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nti-lockdown protesters gathered in Lansing on the lawn of the Michigan
state capitol Wednesday to get a haircut. With barbershops and salons closed indefinitely due to the state’s coronavirus lockdown, barbers are scheduled to cut hair on the capitol lawn for three hours Wednesday afternoon. The protest, called “operation haircut,” was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, and is the latest example of Michiganders clashing with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has enacted some of the strictest coronavirus restrictions in the nation. The Michigan Department of State Police threatened to issue citations to those giving or receiving haircuts.
“All individuals engaging in haircuts are being educated on the law. Those who do not comply will be cited for disorderly conduct,” the department tweeted. Making an appearance at the protest was Owosso barber Karl Manke, who gained national attention last week for defying Whitmer’s orders and attempting to keep his shop open. The governor responded to Manke at a press conference last week, saying her shutdown orders are “not optional.” “I expect people to follow the law. These executive orders are not a suggestion. They’re not optional. They’re not helpful hints,” Whitmer said. Whitmer has continued to keep her state largely shtudown despite weeks of protests, saying Monday that she’s “not changing the way I run this state because of some protests.” Whitmer has also repeatedly threatened to lock down Michigan for a longer period of time if
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protesters persist, claiming— without evidence — that the protests are spreading the virus.
America Is Reopening, Whether Politicians Like It Or Not By William Davis Posted May 8, 2020
A
fter extended coronavirus shutdowns, the U.S. economy is beginning to reopen, even if some politicians aren’t on board. The government-mandated shutdown has put tens of millions
of Americans out of work, and is projected to lead to as many as 75,000 “deaths of despair,” which include drug overdoses and suicides. Americans are eager to regain their freedom, and return to some sort of normalcy, and it’s beginning to show. After a memo leaked last week, detailing Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plans to close all beaches and state parks, massive backlash ensued. Hundreds of protesters gathered in Huntington Beach to protest the order, while one rural Northern California county decided to let all businesses in their area reopen. Newsom ended up backing off the strict measures detailed in his memo, and proceeded to make a deal with local officials in Orange County, allowing beaches to remain open. Other states have been rocked by protests, including Michigan, which saw armed protesters storm the state capitol, demanding an end to the shutdown. While Michigan remains under a stay at home order, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did relax some restrictions on outdoor activities such as golfing and boating. After an adviser to Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam stated that Virginia could be closed for business for as many as two years, the state government quickly disavowed the remarks, and is now set to begin reopening next week. Northam announced that he will begin allowing some “non-essential” businesses, such as restaurants, and salons to reopen next week, with reduced capacity. Northam, Newsom and Whitmer have been three of the most authoritarian governors in the country throughout the crisis, but even they were forced to acknowledge the passionate protests demanding an end to the lockdown. Other examples of governors who have acquiesced to the pleas of protesters include Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. The left-leaning Republican had ordered his state shutdown until May 18, but announced earlier this week that he would allow
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outdoor activities such as golf to resume. Cara Cullen, who owns two golf clubs in the state told the Daily Caller Tuesday that she was planning to reopen, with or without Baker’s permission. As sick as the American people are of having to live under coronavirus restrictions, it seems like public officials are also tiring of enforcing the restrictions. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott decriminalized social distancing violations Thursday after Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther was jailed for refusing to close her doors. Dallas County Judge Eric Moye criticized Luther for “selfishly” keeping her business open before sentencing her, leading to a firestorm of criticism from Republican officials in the state. “Throwing Texans in jail whose biz’s shut down through no fault of their own is wrong,” Abbott said. The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (NYCPBA), a union which represents New York Police Officers, also came out against enforcing coronavirus restrictions this week after a video surfaced showed NYPD officers violently apprehending a citizen who allegedly violated social distancing guidelines.
www.sdiracing.com
“The NYPD needs to get are coming to an end, whether cops out of the social distancing politicians like it or not. E enforcement business altogether,” PBA President Patrick Lynch said in a statement. “The cowards who run this city have given us nothing but vague guidelines and mixed messages, leaving the cops on the street corners to fend for ourselves.” With Americans sick of living under coronavirus restrictions, and law enforcement becoming increasingly sick of enforcing said www.usnicom.com restrictions, it’s not hard to see which way the wind is blowing. The coronavirus shutdowns
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Bike Shop T
he most iconic motorcycle movie ever made inspired a generation to take up motorcycle riding. The movie On Any Sunday changed the way we looked at motorcycles and the people who ride them. Outlaws were out, while fun, healthy recreational motorcycle riding was in. I was a teen when I first saw the movie and the riders featured were set high on a pedestal. They were stars, while I was a nobody kid riding around on an old Yamaha enduro. I loved everything about riding motorcycles and stuck with it. I rode my first race at age 18, kept at it and am still ready to race. Stick with anything long enough and try hard enough and you are bound to improve. I've had the good fortune to have had interactions with three riders who were featured in the movie and I'd like to share the stories with you. I got into vintage motocross in 1999. I had (and still own) a 1971 Husqvarna 400cr. My first race was awesome, but I was surprised to discover that they had classes for evolution bikes as well as vintage (vintage is pre 1975, Evolution went into the 1980's). So I went looking for an evo bike to race and found a 1979 Maico 440 Magnum languishing at a friends house. I went though the wonderful process of getting it ready for racing and began doing well on it with Southwest Vintage Racing Group. We had a race, I think at Perris, where I had a good day with holeshots and moto wins. My friend came up to me after to say I had just beaten Dave Aldana, The Dave Aldana flat track star from the movie! He said Dave was a little faster than me around the track, but I was doing these two double jumps, and with my good starts I was able to stay ahead. I knew well who Dave Aldana was, but was a little shy to go up to talk to him. In the year 2000 I bought an early 1960's motorcycle, a Triumph 500 engine in a Jawa frame, at the Big Three Swap
By Clutch Roberts
Meet. I started going to shops asking if anyone knew about my unique bike and if anyone could help me rebuild the engine. I bounced around a while until I got the name and number of a guy who used to race Triumphs in older days. Johnny answered the phone and said he would help me. Every day after work I would drive down to Imperial Beach and we would work on it. There was a real interesting race coming up I wanted to ride, a vintage flat track mile at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and I was working and spending hard on the bike to get it ready. Johnny was a real nice guy and it was fun working with him. He was an old guy with a big belly and a long gray beard. After I'd been going over for a number of evenings he pulled a framed picture out to show me. I knew he raced in the old days, but didn't know much about it. The pic was of a young, handsome man in a leather racing suit with a pretty girl on one side and a first place trophy on the other. That was Johnny in the 1960's, (might have been Speedway 117). Another night there we were working on the engine, timing the racing cam I bought for it. Timing the cam was no easy task on that bike. At one point he asked me,
background just to prove he was "Ever see the movie On Any there. Sunday?" I am by no means the only I said "yes" (thinking to one to have had interactions with myself, of course I had, like 100 people from the movie On Any times!). "Remember that part in the Sunday, but I'm thrilled to have road racing scene where a rider had the ones I did. If you have had crashed and his glove went flying similar dealings with stars from off?" the movie, we would love to hear "Yeah of course I remember about them! Please go to the S&S that." Off Road Magazine Facebook "That was me," he said. Group and share your stories with The Sand Sports Super Show us, we would love to hear them. is a really big off-road show in Costa Mesa and you never know who will show up. Steve and Sherri had an S&S Off Road Magazine booth there for many years and have handed out thousands of magazine issues. Part of the attraction of their booth was showing off some beautiful old motorcycles that Steve restored. A few years ago I was in the booth talking when the star of On Any Sunday, Malcolm Smith, walked in and wanted to talk about old motorcycles. If you didn't know, Malcolm is really a nice guy and still loves motorcycles of all kinds. He told us a few stories about bikes he has owned and was as gracious as can be. I Malcolm Smith talking about old bikes with took a selfie with him in the Clutch at the Sand Sports Super Show E
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The Endangered Off Roader The newsletter of the
By Ed Stovin, President
T
he new normal has been constantly changing and with it off-road vehicle access. State Vehicular Recreation Areas are State Parks and have all been closed to slow the pandemic. As pressure rises to open the world again, so too is pressure to open off-road areas. State parks has given the go ahead for all SVRA's to open, provided each county's health officials agree. When will Off Road Areas Re-open? As of right now, only Hollister Hills and Onyx Ranch have been re-opened. We hear that 22
Hungry Valley and Prairie City will open very soon as of this writing with Carnegie not too far behind. Unfortunately, Ocotillo Wells and Heber Dunes will remain closed for a while longer. This is because Imperial County is not signing off to open them. I am friends with a nurse who works at Pioneer Medical Center in Brawley. That is where you will likely go if you are hurt in the dunes, Plaster City, Superstition or OW. She said they have a lot of COVID-19 cases now, their ICU is full and they have makeshift ICUs in other parts of the hospital. Apparently, infected people from Mexicali have been coming in for treatment. So until Imperial County gets their cases under control, OW and Heber will
remain closed. Over in Corral Canyon, not only are the trails open, but the staging areas are open again. Still no overnight camping though. Most of the BLM land in Imperial County is open now. There are
still some closed camping areas like Gecko Road and staging in Lark Canyon. You can camp off Wash Road and anywhere in the south dunes. In Lark Canyon the staging area is closed, but the trails are still open so you dual
San Diego Off Road Coalition members cleaning up their designated highway spot. Rick Moore, Ed Stovin and Doug McPheeters.
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sporters can have the place to yourselves. Lark Canyon Camping While on the subject of Lark Canyon, the BLM is proposing to make improvements to camping there. The BLM has begun the NEPA process with "Scoping" which means they present an idea of action they would like to take and solicit comments from the public. Here they are suggesting adding a loop road with pull through camping spots just east of the day use area. I was riding there right before the pandemic and asked a couple riders what they thought of the idea and they were not too thrilled about it. You can read about what the BLM wants to do here https://eplanning.blm. gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/ planAndProjectSite. While I have camped in Lark Canyon, camping is not that common for area riders. Funny thing, when hunting season starts in that area the campsites get filled with hunters. I do believe the BLM
wants to improve the area for us, so if you ride there and have ideas, please share them by emailing the BLM. They are nice people, so please show them courtesy when you write. You can send comments to aswilliams@blm.gov by June 5th. Legislative Business The legislature is back in business, but will not be looking at every bill introduced this session. The bills we are opposing as well as the bill we are sponsoring are all being postponed until next year. There is one bill of interest to us that our own friend Brian Jones is authoring that will be heard in committee soon. SB1024 will make a registration category for what was red sticker bikes after that program ends. The bill has been amended to read that race bikes with owners who have current racing licenses will be allowed to practice on public land. We support this bill, but I personally think that the air pollution people will shoot it down.
San Diego Off Road Coalition member Audrey Mason earlier this year at the State Capitol Building on behalf of off road rights E
Join San Diego Off Road Coalition to help protect off road areas. www.sdorc.org/join-sdorc/
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Blast from the Past
In honor of our Off Road Dads theme, we chose one of the reader photos submitted for the special theme to feature in Blast from the Past:
My dad, Fred James Jr. is pictured with my mom Jackie James in their Class 2 Unlimited back in 1975. They live in North Fork CA. I was two years old when these photos were taken by Trackside Photo. He has built, owned, sponsored, and/or raced cars for over 50 years. Off road buggies, midgets, and dirt champ cars primarily but has been involved in more than I can possibly list. His passion for racing has fueled my passion for off roading. He is the reason I love off roading and off road racing. Dad and Mom just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a few days ago. Pretty cool!!! - Sean James, North Fork CA
Photos by TracksidePhoto View more vintage photos at www.tracksidephotos.com
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1974 Harley Davidson Baja 100
With Love from Italy ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY STEVE KUKLA
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The making of a 1974 Harley Davidson Baja 100
B
This later model had the high fender and an extremely large rear sprocket so you could climb anything as long as you could hang on. It had folding footpegs and shifted on the left. The earlier models shifted on the right, braked on the left.
ack in late 1969 the dad of a fellow mini bike rider took him to the Harley Davidson shop and bought him a 125 Rapido, which was an on-off road motorcycle. He was the envy of the neighborhood. At least to the kids who were still riding mini bikes. It was like he graduated, only better. It was something you could see and touch. Not long after that things started to break. Like levers, shifter, normal stuff that happens when you ride dirt bikes. I had the privilege of going along to the Harley shop with my friend and his dad to buy parts. Lined up on the showroom floor were the Baja 100’s, a full on dirt bike, or so we thought at the time. It was a beautiful piece of machinery. I could picture myself riding it through the hills of South Bay. I knew absolutely nothing about shifting or using a
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1974 Harley Davidson Baja 100 CONTINUED clutch, but I did know at that period of time I wanted to ride a motorcycle. Well the years went by and I never did end up riding the Baja 100, but I never did forget the impression it had made on me that day sitting there all bright and shiny. In 2006 maybe to fulfill a dream or re-live a small piece of my childhood, we went online to search for a Baja 100 and eventually found one in Texas. We bought it for $450. It showed up here on a truck in pieces strapped to a pallet. Some of it was quite rusty. It was sold to us as a 1971. As I began to take it apart, I realized this project was going to take quite awhile to finish. New spokes and nipples had to be made along with re-chroming rims, handlebars and miscellaneous other parts. The frame and other related parts were sandblasted and powder coated gloss black. The gas tank was rusted out in the back and dented beyond repair so the search started for another tank which eventually turned up. Only this one was smashed in the front. It was a perfect match. We cut them apart and blended the two together. As the end of 2007 came along the project came to a screeching halt due to the economic turndown. Then in 2012 I mentioned to a good friend of mine that he could have the Baja project if he picked up the financial end of it. Really for me what mattered was to see it finished. He agreed and the project was back in full swing. I mentioned it had been sold to us as a ’71 when in reality it was a ’74, but that turned out to be a lucky mistake. The first and last year models are the most desirable. 1970 was the first production year, 1974 the last. The ’73 and ’74 models were considered special because they had a high front fender and folding footpegs. Also they went to an aluminum cylinder with a chrome liner. This saved about 14 pounds on the overall weight. Parts for this project were found all over the U.S. Some at Harley shops that have been around for a very long time. I have a lot of fond memories of riding through the hills and valleys of the South Bay in San Diego County. In 1969 we were 15 years old and ready to go. As far as motorcycles were concerned the fire was lit. E
In 1961 Harley Davidson bought 50 percent of Italian builder Aermacchi. Harley renamed the Italian built motorcycles Rapido, Baja and Sprint and sold them in the USA. Eventually Harley Davidson owned 100 percent of Aermacchi and several years later sold the whole mess to the Castiglioni brothers, who then changed the name to Cagiva.
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Nuts, bolts and washers. Most of them were re-zinc plated and some re-chromed.
Front fork tubes had to be straightened, re-hard chromed and ground. When this motorcycle was purchased it smelled like sea salt and looked like that's where it had spent the last 10 years.
The Baja 100 has a five-speed transmission, 2.5 gallon gas tank, upswept exhaust, 21� front wheel and a magneto ignition. These were all big pluses back then.
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Dr. De Forest took a little break from health tips back in May 2014, and we're reprinting his story about Miller's Garage this month for everyone's enjoyment!
F
or those of you reading this, if you are over 50 years of age, you just may remember a place down in Ocotillo CA called Miller's Garage. For many a traveler headed to San Diego from all points east on old Highway 80, Miller's Garage was the last stop you could get a drink, a bite, or some service before you headed up the grade to Jacumba. It was just an old two lane road, one each way, narrow and dangerous, taking a toll on many a car with overheating or poor brakes. Al Miller moved from Texas in 1926 and found work in a garage in Jacumba. Then he opened his own roadside service station and restaurant just west of Ocotillo in 1933. My neighbor and good buddy, 88-year-old Dick McCoy knew Miller well back in the 1940's and 1950's. McCoy was a Greyhound bus driver for 32 years after serving in the war.
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McCoy was driving a 1936 Ford coupe from San Diego to Imperial one morning. The old Highway 80 would wind through the local mountains of San Diego's east county at Jacumba. The highway at that time would go right past the Desert View Tower which still stands proud today. As the highway went past the Desert View Tower, much closer than today's Highway 8, it veered to the left and parts of the Old 80 can still be seen today as in the picture provided. As Mc Coy started down the grade past the Desert View Tower, he saw a big luxury sedan coming over on his side of the road into his lane. In a split second he could see the chauffeur of the big car had looked back over the shoulder to talk to his passenger and that had caused the car to come into McCoy's lane. McCoy had not much of a choice. He could hit that car darn near head on or he could swerve to the right shoulder which was not much if anything at all. Steering right to avoid the collision, McCoy went off the
side of the road and rolled down a By then, the Jacumba Fire steep ravine. With no safety belts Department guys were on the in cars back then, McCoy recalled scene. They lowered ropes over feeling like he was in a washing the side of the ravine and used machine rolling over and over. As boats-men like chairs to bring he kept some change in a sock in them back up to the road. McCoy the glove box, the change rolled was sore with bruises and scrapes and bounced around in the car but no apparent serious injuries. with the wreck, seemingly in slow Darn lucky once again he was motion. When the for sure, car finally came to With no safety belts especially a stop, it was all after surviving in cars back then, quiet and dark. He WW2 as an could not move underwater McCoy recalled much as he was frogman feeling like he was in pinned inside the and racing old Ford. He tried motorcycles a washing machine to move but he for fun. Miller was stuck, wedged rolling over and over. gave McCoy in the car. He was a ride down worried it might catch on fire. to his garage in Ocotillo. McCoy The folks up on the road thanked Miller and got a ride from asked a passing motorist to get his uncle to Imperial. He went to help soon as they could. No cell a chiropractor for a few days in phones back then, of course. One Brawley and made a full recovery of the motorists stopped at Miller's from his ordeal. at the bottom of the grade and McCoy would always stop at told Al Miller about the accident. Miller's Garage with his busload Miller packed up his tow truck of travelers after that fateful day. and headed up the grade arriving Folks could get out, stretch their before any help from the Jacumba legs, get a cold drink, a snack, use Fire Department. Al Miller used the bathroom. But Miller was no his tow cable to lower himself regular guy. Miller had a touch for down the ravine to where the showmanship and shenanigans to crumpled Ford had come to rest. say the least. Miller use to have McCoy could here Miller yelling a cactus out front that had a sign "Is there anyone inside the car?" "Cactus Spring Water, 10 cents." McCoy responded "I'm in here but Now mind you, a soda was 25 I cannot move, I'm pinned under cents back then and a burger with the dash against the firewall." fries was about 75 cents with a Miller tried to open the doors drink! Folks would get a glass of of the car but it was so crushed that water thinking it was special and crumpled he could not get but really it was just from the well inside to help McCoy. Miller told pump and it was plumbed so the McCoy to stay still and spigot came out of the cactus. he would be right back. Nonetheless, folks would pay Miller went back up to for that Cactus Water like it was his tow truck, got the something special! gas cutting torch he had There was another sign at the on the truck and came station as well to go along with back down to the wreck. this charade of comedy that read Miller told McCoy to try "Miller's Springs" with an arrow to yell and tell him if it pointing to a trail leading up a got too hot and started small hill next to the station. Folks cutting away the firewall would hike up the path to the top of the Ford from the of the hill and see a bunch of old engine side. Finally after bed springs and assorted other about 30 minutes, Miller springs and realize the Joker had was able to peel the played them well. On a hot day firewall back like a tin down in the desert, this was not can to allow McCoy to always amusing to many a person. get out of the wreck. But, what could you do? Some
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"This Miller's Garage is not listed as an official stop, Mr. Bus Driver!"
sense of humor ! old road. Eventually Miller was On another day, McCoy good enough to fly to meetings pulled his bus in to Miller's. There in El Centro for Texaco station was a couple there with a fancy operators. The newer Highway car and fancy clothes that had 80 was built in the 1930's and problems with the transmission went right by the south side of in their car. It would not shift. his station. In the 1960's, new Miller told Highway 8 as we see them to go see today, bypassed Miller used to have itMiller's his "springs" and his and he would a cactus out front business fell off to look at their the point he had to that had a sign car. Miller close. His son took often wore over the station for "Cactus Spring an all white awhile and Miller doctors smock Water, 10 cents." eventually got the and played the State to compensate part of auto A spigot stuck out him fairly for all the guru of sorts. business he lost due Miller told the of the catus to the new route of couple that the Highway 8. manufacturer When I was about of their car often put too many 10 years old, my grandfather, John parts on the shifter and that he had De Forest, would stop at Miller's fixed it for them now, dropping a once in a while. It was a few extra nuts and washers out of real treat after a day of his pocket on to the floor. In fact, looking for arrowheads, the cotter pin fell out that held the Indian artifacts and rock shift rod to the transmission shaft. hounding. We would He did not over charge them any pull the old Jeep in and extra but had a big grin as he sent maybe get an ice cream them on their way, telling McCoy or a candy bar and a cold of his stunts, laughing as they left soda. Once we broke a the station. McCoy saw Miller drive shaft and Miller pull gags like this all the time with had to come get us out folks, just for the fun of it. Maybe of a wash we were stuck the desert does this to folks. Keeps in near Ocotillo. I still them sane perhaps. remember Miller in his Miller even taught himself white work jacket. to fly, using the Old Highway 80, McCoy never forgot that was from 1917, on the north Miller and what he did side of his shop as a runway. for him on the fateful He would taxi a Piper Cub back day. McCoy drove a and forth training himself on the bus for Greyhound for
32 years after the war. When I was about 10 McCoy would always years old it was a real make sure to stop at Miller's Garage on his treat after a day of looking route from El Centro to San Diego and give for arrowheads, Indian Miller some business in thanks for rescuing him artifacts and rock hounding from the mangled '36 with my grandfather to pull Ford. One day, McCoy pulled into Miller's for the old Jeep in and maybe the stop. The passengers got out of the bus and get an ice cream or a started walking around. candy bar and a cold soda. One lady came over to McCoy in a bit of a If you are in Ocotillo, stop foul mood and said "Sir, by the newly opened Red Feather this here Miller's Garage is not Cafe, get a specialty sandwich or on our official Greyhound bus burger named after several of San tour pamphlet listed as a stopping point!" In typical McCoy fashion, Diego's famous motocross racers. The Marty Tripes Flying Burrito, he replied to the irate passenger the Bill Silverthorn, Marty Smith "Well, Ma'am, I'm the bus driver or Tommy Croft burgers are well here and it's on my list of stops worth the time to stop. The cafe and I always stop here." there has classic motorcycles And McCoy always did stop inside, pictures of the area's there as he was so grateful to be cut out of that wreck by Al Miller, famous motocross legends and even after many a year had passed memorabilia. Tell Frank and his crew that Dr D sent you. on by with the march of time. You can still see what is left Dr Gary DeForest is a San Diego of Miller's. It has a new owner based chiropractor in practice for who may restore it if he can get 35 years. He is always happy to past all the land use and permit speak with you about any health regulations that have dogged the property over the years. It's all run concerns. You can reach him at down, fenced off, just sitting there his clinic in Mission Valley at 619-261-2462 or e-mail him at on the north side of Highway 8. deforest192@yahoo.com E You can get off the highway and head in to Ocotillo, turn west on Old 80, it is right up the road.
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you need more on this topic. Solar panel There are two types of solar technology, monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Mono panels look black while poly cells have a bluish color. Mono panels are or most of us, off-road travel 15 - 20% more requires electrical power for efficient. Therefore, their footprint is an ever-increasing number slightly smaller for the same wattage. of electrical devices. Either style should last for at least 25 There’s the fridge-freezer, of years if properly cared for. Check the course. But also, a laptop (or two), size and weight difference to see if GPS receiver, two-way radios, mono or poly makes a difference for air compressors, air pump (for your application. mattresses), power tools, and such. Solar panels come framed or Power consumption isn’t an foldable. Framed panels weigh more issue while the engine is running: The and take up more space when stored. alternator keeps the battery charged The foldable style is easier to store, up. However, if you plan to stay in but may not be as durable. How you camp for several days, a constant drain plan to use a solar panel will influence on the battery can leave you unable to which format is better for you. start the vehicle or run devices. A solar A typical 100-watt mono framed power system keeps the deep cycle panel is about 21 inches by 46 inches battery charged up. Keep in mind, a and weighs around thirty-five pounds. typical lead acid battery discharged A 100-watt foldable can be folded too low can shorten its life. Thus it is to about 21 inches by 21 inches and better to keep it charged up. weighs just under 8 pounds.
Solar Power System for Off-Road Use
F
Important components of a solar panel charging system
Typical system for off-road use
Let’s look at the components of a typical solar charging system. While this topic can be very technical, I won’t go too deep. Even so, you will develop a solid understanding and feel comfortable buying the necessary components. Check out the internet if 32
Brands to consider Ramsond - https://www. ramsond.com/solar-products Powerwerx - https://powerwerx. com/bioenno-bsp-120-wattsolar-panel, Renogy - https://www.renogy. com/eclipse-100-watt-12-voltmonocrystalline-solar-panel/ Goal Zero - https://www. goalzero.com/shop/solar-panels/ ?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI28zws4a Y6QIVUfDACh0HGg9DEAAY ASADEgJls_D_BwE I have purchased panels from Ramsond and Renogy. Each has a 25-year warranty on the rated power output. All four companies are reputable brands. I tend to rely on Powerwerx for accessories, wire and connectors. Controller A 100-watt solar panel produces energy at a higher voltage than batteries can handle. A controller is
other connections, unless you need the watertight protection the MC4 affords. MC4 connections are a bit more difficult to work with. Some foldable panels assume you will not need the water tight properties and are supplied with other types of connectors. Additional items At $19.99 this is a basic PWM controller. Buy to buy include an two. extension cord at required to regulate this energy and least 30 feet long, a stand for the keeps the battery from over charging. solar panel, and wire to connect Controllers perform this using one the controller to the battery. Install of two processes, PWM (pulse width the controller in your vehicle wired modulation) or MPPT (maximum directly to the battery. This allows for power point tracking). You don’t convenient connections between the need to know the science behind controller and the solar panel. these processes. Either type will work well for your application. MPPT Positioning the solar panel controllers, which are more expensive, This chart has influenced how I tend to squeeze more power out but think about deploying a solar panel. It are only worthwhile if you have two provides the average results for four or more panels. I have been very strategies for deploying the panel. It happy with the inexpensive PWM also shows the difference between controllers. I recommend you buy winter, spring/fall and summer sun. two controllers. The second one is 1. Straight up – meaning the a backup and can also be fitted to panel is lying flat. provide you flexibility to charge 2. Perfect tracking – constant stray batteries (like your buddy’s car rotation and elevation to face the sun. battery). 3. Repositioning the panel every two hours to face into the sun and adjust the elevation. 4. Placing the panel in the ideal location for noon and leaving it there all day. How you position the solar panel determines its effectiveness. Reviewing the options above: 1. Mount on top of the vehicle. I don’t recommend this, because the This 10-watt PWM at $19.95 is a panel will take up valuable cargo better buy with more functions space unless you have a Hummer. but not quite plug and play. A PWM controller costs $20 to $30, while an MPPT unit runs $80 to $100. Connectors Solar panels use MC4 connectors. Remember to buy a bag of MC4 connectors with the other gear. You will need at least one pair (male and female) to connect to the panel. Once you have that connection, I recommend you use Anderson power poles for your
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Don’t care to build it yourself? Powerwerx has a solar MC4 to Anderson Powerpole Connector Adapter Cable for $19.99
Plus, the vehicle would always have to be parked in a sunny spot. That could be challenging in a wooded area. Also, parking in the sun warms the interior of the vehicle, causing the refrigerator to work harder (among other issues). 2. The second option entails a surface mount and repositioning every two hours. Place the panel on the ground (or other surface) at the proper azimuth and elevation. Reposition the panel’s azimuth and elevation every two hours to maximize the energy collection. Ideal if you plan to be in camp all day. 3. If you’ll be away all day, say on a hike, position the panel so that it will be in direct sunlight at noon. That way it will receive pretty good exposure from late morning into early afternoon. 4. Attach the solar panel to a rotator. The panel automatically tracks
www.signartgraphix.com
looking at something under $200 for the package. Of course, if you don’t own a deep cycle battery, you’ll need to buy that too. Armed with the information from this article, you can now design your own solar charging station. And start enjoying the benefits that solar power offers for an outdoor adventure.
Multiply the solar panel wattage to get a total solar harvest for one day
Tom Severin, 4x4 Coach, teaches 4WD owners how to confidently and safely use
their vechicles to the fullest extent in difficult terrain and adverse driving conditions. Contact him at tom@4x4training.com or visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skill. Copyright 2020, Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc E
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the sun throughout the day. This is the most effective process but entails the added cost, weight, and space of the rotator. You’ll note that options 2, 3 and 4 allow you to park the car in the shade. Remember to pack an extension cord. Fit the extension cord with Anderson power poles for easy connect and disconnect. Use it to connect the solar panel to the controller, which is kept in the vehicle attached to the battery. My recommendation for a solar panel charging system To help you get started, I recommend a framed or foldable 100-watt mono panel with a PWM controller. Add in the MC4 connectors and an extension cord, and you’re
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Photo by GetSome Photo
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ver wanted to go vintage off road racing, but didn’t know how to get started? The first step of course is to get a vehicle. Now that task has never been easier. Off road racer Rory Ward is one of many NORRA competitors who love history, and have been responsible for locating, rescuing, and then racing off road cars that were an important part of our history. That’s why he competes with NORRA. NORRA honors the past, while forging the
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future. No other sanctioning body celebrates vintage race vehicles like NORRA. Rory, and several other devotees of off road history, are constantly looking for vintage cars to save, and return to the fray. Rory did an incredible restoration of Mickey Thompson’s innovative Challenger IV race car, and returned it to action. The car was a prime example of racing Icon Mickey Thompson’s automotive ingenuity. The Challenger IV is only one of Rory’s impressive
restorations. It takes much more than just the physical labor required. Research, and at times detective work also plays a part. He has to track down rumors, investigate leads, and follow the evidence where it leads to unearth some of these cars. Luckily, you don’t have to. All you have to do is go to his Vintage Off Road Vehicles For Sale Facebook page - https:// www.facebook.com/VintageOff-Road-Racing-Vehicles-ForSale-253473822256097/ where
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anyone can buy and sell vintage off road vehicles. YOU can find a vintage race car there and return it to competition. Right now there are buggies, Baja Bugs, and trucks for sale. There are projects that need some TLC, and turn-key vehicles ready to go. Some of the trucks on the site right now could even be plated, and used for double-duty on the street. These vehicles are hand-built works of art. Having a vintage muscle car or collector vehicle is fun, but having Continued on next page
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Continued
an off road race vehicle is a blast. It’s something everyone can do, especially with NORRA. A popular search in the RaceDezert.com classifieds https:// classifieds.race-dezert.com/ might find you the right whip as well. Many of the potential NORRA racers found there have a well-documented history of winning. Take a look at this van that belongs to Sean Roper for example https://classifieds.racedezert.com/FOR-SALE:1975Ford-Econoline-4x4-PitVan-165256. This van was built by the legendary Russ Wernimont, and Darryl Jacques at Venable Racing. Venable racing has built vehicles for iconic racers like Robby Gordon, and Rob MacCachren. The engine is a 351 Windsor SVT crate motor from Patten Race Engines, and it has a Ford C6 from Culhane transmission.
It has 4 wheel drive, and custom long travel suspension. If you’re unaware, 4x4 vans are extremely hot right now. You can race it in NORRA’s RV class (that’s right, they have an RV class) or use it as your chase vehicle. There’s plenty of room for surf boards too. According to Sean, “This van was my daily driver for about 5 years until about 2 years ago. We have gotten this van dialed in to a science, and driving her off-road is where the real smiles come out. She eats up the whoops and the broken Baja roads. We have pulled fisherman out of the sand and towed a little bit of everything, from prerunners to trophy trucks.”
Another couple of sources for off road vehicles are moneypitclassifieds.com https://www.moneypitclassifieds. com/Classified/off-road-vehiclesbrowse-50.aspx, and the vintage classified section on offroadaction.ca https://www. offroadaction.ca/classifieds/adcategory/vintage-off-road-racevehicles/. Since NORRA has a class structure that corresponds with different eras of racing. If you
purchase let’s say a 1980’s race truck, you will be racing against other 1980’s race trucks. That’s what makes it so much fun. A 1980’s truck won’t have the latest technology shock absorbers on it, but a state of the art shock package today can cost over $20,000. You might spend near that for an entire vintage car. NORRA has great competition, but it’s also about having fun. The course travels all the way down the Baja 36
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Peninsula with stops in a unique part of Baja every night. After each day of racing you can do any maintenance needed on your vehicle, grab some great food, and then join the party. We celebrate the day, and recharge for the next day’s stage. Remember, the goal is to have fun; it’s not a torture test. Many people note the unique spots they pass on the trip down, so they can spend even more leisurely time at those favorite spots on the drive home. You can sign up today and join in on all the fun and adventure. Everything you need to know about the Mexican 1000 can be found at www.norra.com/ Go to the site and find out for yourself why NORRA has exploded in popularity. You can experience the same wonder and sense of achievement those early thrill seekers sought in the 1960’s today when you join NORRA in Baja. NORRA events honor the past, while forging the future. Don’t miss out on the fun! E
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SCORE Fantastic Flashbacks
SCORE Baja 500 July 26, 1974 — Fabulous Foundation for Lasting Legacy of SCORE International in Mexico
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NSENADA, Baja California, Mexico – To everything there is a beginning and the launch of SCORE International’s remarkable history in Mexico came on July 26, 1974 when what has become the World’s Foremost Desert Racing organization took over and officially produced its first SCORE Baja race – the SCORE Baja Internacional in Ensenada. The legendary SCORE Baja 500 is one of the top motorsports events in the world. The Baja 500 was actually started in 1969 by the NORRA organization but because of legal challenges regarding the use of the name after NORRA was removed as the official U.S desert racing promoter in Mexico by the government at the end of 1972, SCORE had to use the name SCORE Baja Internacional for over a decade. Eventually then-SCORE owner Sal Fish was able to negotiate the use of the original name of the race and it became duly trademarked as the SCORE Baja 500. In 1973, the Baja 500 was organized and produced by a local tourism group called the Baja Sports Committee. The first race in 1969 saw 163 total starters, 73 finishers. Fourwheel vehicle winner was the team of Bud Ekin/Guy Jones in an Oldsmobile-powered Baja Boot open wheeler and topping the twowheel field was the team of Doug Douglas/Jim McClurg who rode a Ducati motorcycle. It has turned
JULY 26, 1974 With tremendous assistance from Ensenada tourism advocate Nico Saad, Mickey Thompson FAST FORWARD and his fledgling SCORE With the 2020 season reduced International organization to three races while the battle rages were invited by the Mexican against Coronavirus (COVID-19), government to take over the Baja desert racers around the world are 500 starting in 1974. hoping to start the 2020 SCORE Thus came the birth of the season at the legendary 52nd SCORE Baja Internactional annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE (legal issues precluded SCORE Baja 500, presented by 4Wheel from gaining the rights to use the Parts, in Baja California. name Baja 500 until 1991). The Launching its 47th season first SCORE Baja Internacional as the World’s Foremost Desert (produced by Mickey Thompson Racing Organization, the seasonand Sal Fish) was held on July opening event of the three26, 1974 in Ensenada with 279 race internationally-televised official starters and 173 official 2020 SCORE World Desert finishers. But fans, media and Championship has been moved to racers alike have always called it July 14-19 in Ensenada. Ensenada the Baja 500. is a coastal city on the Bahia de Noted Hollywood stunt driver Todos Santos area of the Pacific and Off-Road Motorsports Hall Ocean, 80 miles south of the U.S. of Fame inductee Bobby Ferro border at San Diego. won the overall 4-wheel vehicle Most the world’s best desert title for the third of four times in racers will be in action at this his career in 1974, this time in year’s celebration of one of the top a VW-Sandmaster open-wheel 10 motorsports events in the entire desert race car. The fastest overall world. All three 2020 SCORE motorcycle in this race was the races will be run on the northern Husqvarna with Mitch Mayes and part of Mexico’s magnificent Baja A.C. Bakken sharing the riding California peninsula for the fifth duties. consecutive year. Ensenada, the off-road racing OVERALL CHAMPIONS capital of the world is the heart Legends are born at the and soul of the SCORE Baja 500 SCORE Baja 500. Of drivers with as the popular summertime race the most overall wins in the race, will start for the 47th time there Larry Roeseler is on top with 11 and finish for the 43rd time there. (including nine on a motorcycle and two in an open-wheel desert race car). out to be the only wins in this event for both an Olds-powered vehicle and a Ducati bike.
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Second is Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart with the most overall 4-wheel victories by far with 10 (and he also has race-record 17 total class wins including the 10 overalls). Third in overall wins with five overall 4-wheel wins is ‘Lightning’ Larry Ragland. With four overall 4-wheel wins each are Bobby Ferro, Robby
By Dominic Clark, SCORE Media Operations Director Photos by Trackside Photo and Paul Hanson, #Centerline Images
Legend Larry Roeseler is on top with 11 overall wins at the SCORE Baja 500, including nine on a motorcycle and two in an open-wheel desert race car. Trackside Photo
Gordon and Malcolm Smith (including one on a motorcycle). With three overall 4-wheel wins each are Dr. Bud Feldkamp, Troy Herbst, Mark McMillin, Mark’s brother Scott McMillin, Andy McMillin (Scott’s son) and Bryce Menzies. With two overall 4-wheel wins each are Brian Collins,
Bob Gordon (Robby’s father), Parnelli Jones, Rob MacCachren, Corky McMillin (McMillin family patriarch) and Dan Smith (including one on a motorcycle). Besides Roeseler with nine, the leaders in overall motorcycle wins are Steve Hengeveld (7), Johnny Campbell, Paul Krause,
Bruce Ogilvie and Kendall Norman with five each. With four each are Robby Bell, Ted Hunnicutt Jr and Justin Morgan and with three each are Scot Harden, Mark Samuels and Jonah Street. Also on the iconic overall winner’s list with one 4-wheel victory each are active racers B.J.
Baldwin (2008), Kory Halopoff (2009), Mike Julson (1995), Curt LeDuc (1995), Harley Letner (2009), Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez (2015) and Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Vildosola Jr (2016). Among active racers, with four motorcycle overall wins is active racer Justin Morgan (2015, CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
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Noted Hollywood stunt driver and Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Ferro won the overall 4-wheel vehicle title for the third of four times in his career in 1974, this time in a VW-Sandmaster open-wheel desert race car. - Trackside Photo SCORE Fantastic Flashbacks
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2017, 2018, 2019), with three is Mark Samuels (2016, 2018, 2019) with two motorcycle overall wins each on two-wheels are Max Eddy Jr (2014, 2015), Justin Jones (2018, 2019), Ricky Brabec (2014, 2015) and Colton Udall (2013, 2016). With one motorcycle overall win each are active racers Mike Childress (2005), Shane Esposito (2017), David Kamo (2013) and Roberto Villalobos (2017). MANUFACTURER CHAMPS In the battle of manufacturers, several categories are presented. Leaders in overall car/truck wins are Ford Truck (13), Chevy Truck (9), Funco, Chenowth and Toyota trucks with seven each, Jimco and Smithbuilt with three each, Sandmaster with two and 40
with one each are Baja Boot, Chaparral, Jeep and Tatum. Leaders in overall tire manufacturers’ wins for cars/ trucks are BFGoodrich Tires (32), Western Auto (5), Toyo Tires (4) and tied with two each are Firestone Tires, Goodyear Tires and Yokohama Tires. The leaders in overall motorcycle wins are Honda (21), Husqvarna (12), Kawasaki (11), Yamaha (4) and with one each are Beta, Ducati and Harley-Davidson. The leaders in overall engine wins for cars and trucks are Ford (15), Chevy (13), Volkswagen (13), Toyota (7), Porsche (5) and Jeep (1). CROSSOVERS Among the drivers from other motorsport disciplines who have tested the Baja 500 have been Indy Car racers Rick and Roger Mears, Parnelli Jones, Danny Ongias, Danny Sullivan, Jimmy Vasser, Roberto Guerrero,
Michel Jourdain Jr., Johnny Unser and Mike and Robbie Groff, NASCAR’s Robby Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Boris Said and Brendan Gaughan, SCCA legend Elliot Forbes-Robinson, Pike’s Peak Hill Climb record holder Rod Millen, Drifting and Pike’s Peak champion Rhys Millen, World Rally Championship’s Armin Schwarz, Armin Kremer, Andreas Aigner and Harri Pavanpera, world motorcycle champions Malcolm Smith, Larry Roeseler and Destry Abbott, Motocross legends Ricky Johnson and Jeremy McGrath, Dakar Rally Champions Ricky Brabec, Cyril Despres and Marc Coma, XGames star Travis Pastrana, Sports Car champion Larry Connor, drag racers Don Prudhomme and Larry Minor and legendary SCORE founder and motorsports innovator Mickey Thompson.
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BFGOODRICH TIRES UNMATCHED As part of their massive SCORE Contingency program for 2020, long-time SCORE sponsor partner BFGoodrich Tires is offering a large contingency bonus for each overall winner in the 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship. For the 52nd annual SCORE Baja 500, the contingency bonus is US $25,000. BFGoodrich Tires is entering its 44th year as the Official Tire of SCORE and in 2020 the company will also be the title sponsor of both the 52nd SCORE Baja 500 and the 53rd SCORE Baja 1000. Presenting sponsor of both of those iconic races will be 4 Wheel Parts. BFGoodrich Tires is celebrating over four decades as a major player in SCORE Baja racing. In addition to being the official tire of SCORE International for over four decades, BFGoodrich Tires has now produced the tire of choice
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Bud Feldkamp at the 1977 Baja 1000 has three overall 4-wheel vehicle wins at the Baja 500. Trackside Photo SCORE Fantastic Flashbacks
SCORE Baja 500 continued
for 30 of the overall 4-wheel vehicle winners in the SCORE Baja 1000, including 30 of the last 34 years along with a record-run of 20 straight from 1986 through 2005. In total, BFGoodrich Tires has now been the tire of choice for the overall 4-wheel vehicle winner in 92 SCORE Baja races including 32 in the SCORE Baja 500. SCOREscope 2020 SCHEDULE Here is the REVISED threerace 2020 SCORE World Desert
Championship (as of April 29, 2020) schedule of events, for the fifth consecutive year all races will be held in Baja California, Mexico: BFGoodrich Tires 52nd SCORE Baja 500, presented by 4 Wheel Parts - July 14-19, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico 34th SCORE San Felipe 250 - Sept. 22-27, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico BFGoodrich Tires 53rd SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts - Nov.1722, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Mike Julson won the Baja 500 overall in 1995, shown here at the 1978 Mexicali Parker 300. Trackside Photo
ABC TV AGAIN IN 2020 For the second straight year, the 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship will air on the ABC family of networks. The threeraces air as one-hour specials on ABC TV’s World of X Games program with replays on ESPN2. ABC first covered the 1967 and 1968 Baja 1000 races on the old ABC Wide World of Sports show with Jim McKay and again in the late 1980s with veteran motorsports journalist Sam Posey. All of the SCORE race coverage shows also continue to air internationally in nearly 25 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and South America
Curt Le Duc at the 1994 Baja 1000. Curt went on to win the overall SCORE Trophy Division in 1995, when the Trophy Trucks were running a separate series. Trackside Photo
via syndication and ESPN International. The shows are coproduced by SCORE International and SoCal’s award-winning BCII TV. SCORE SPONSORS Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire and Race Title Sponsor, Monster Energy-Official Energy Drink, 4 Wheel Parts-Official Off-Road Retailer and Race Presenting Partner, Ford-Official Truck and SUV, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber, Polaris RZR-Official UTV, RACELINE Wheels-Official Wheel, VP Racing Fuels-Official Fuel, Wide Open ExcursionsOfficial Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay CasinoOfficial Casino. SCORE Official Partners: PCI Race Radios, The Satellite Phone Store, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, Lucerna Hotel. Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Baja California Secretary of Sustainable Economy and Tourism, XXIII Ensenada Municipal Government, XXIII Mexicali Municipal Government, Mexicali and San Felipe COTUCO, Cruz Roja Mexicana. For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www. SCOREInternational.com.
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SCORE Baja 500 – Ensenada, Baja California Mexico All-Time Overall champions (1969 thru 2019) Year—DRIVERS/RIDERS, VEHICLE 1969—Bud Ekins/Guy Jones, Baja Boot-Olds Doug Douglas/Jim McClurg, Ducati 1970—Parnelli Jones, Ford Bill Silverthorn/Gene Fetty, Husqvarna 1971—Bobby Ferro, Funco-VW Malcolm Smith/J.N. Roberts, Husqvarna 1972—Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW Gene Fetty/Bill Silverthorn, Honda 1973—Parnelli Jones, Ford Howard Utsey/Mickey Quade, Husqvarna 1974—Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW Mitch Mayes/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna 1975—Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Harley-Davidson 1976—Bobby Ferro/Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW Larry Roeseler/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna 1977—Ivan Stewart, Chenowth-VW Larry Roeseler/Jack Johnson, Husqvarna 1978—Bud Feldkamp/Malcolm Smith, Funco-VW Brent Wallingsford/Scot Harden, Husqvarna 1979—Malcolm Smith/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW Jack Johnson, Husqvarna 1980—Bob Gordon, Chenowth-Chevy Bruce Ogilvie/Chuck Miller, Yamaha 1981—Malcolm Smith/Bill Newbury, Chenowth-Chevy Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Yamaha 1982—Larry Ragland, Funco-VW Larry Roeseler/Chuck Miller, Yamaha 1983—Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-VW Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna 1984—Larry Ragland, Chaparral-VW Dan Smith/Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna 1985—Ron Gardner/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW Kurt Pfeiffer/Scot Harden, Husqvarna 1986—Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche Garth Sweetland/Scot Harden, Husqvarna 1987—Bob Gordon/Tim Crabtree, Chenowth-Porsche Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki 1988—Mark McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche Dan Ashcraft/Kurt Pfeiffer, Yamaha 1989—Robby Gordon, Ford (no motorcycles) 1990—Robby Gordon, Ford Larry Roeseler/Danny LaPorte, Kawasaki 1991—Ivan Stewart, Toyota Garth Sweetland/Paul Krause, Kawasaki 1992—Ivan Stewart, Toyota Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr/Paul Krause, Kawasaki 1993—Ivan Stewart, Toyota Danny Hamel/Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki 1994—Ivan Stewart, Toyota (SCORE Trophy Truck) Dave Ashley/Dan Smith, Ford Paul Krause/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki 1995—Curt LeDuc, Jeep (SCORE Trophy Truck) Mike Julson/Bob Lofton, Jimco-VW Paul Krause/Craig Smith, Kawasaki 1996—Rob MacCachren, Ford (SCORE Trophy Truck) Troy Herbst, Smithbuilt, Smithbuilt-Porsche Paul Krause/Ty Davis, Kawasaki 44 S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE -JUNE 2020 - www.ssorm.com 44 S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE - JUNE 2020 - www.ssorm.com
Ivan Stewart on his way to winning the 1977 SCORE Baja 500. Photo by Paul Hanson, #Centerline Images
1997—Ivan Stewart, Toyota (SCORE Trophy Truck) Mark McMillin, Jimco-Porsche Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda 1998—Ivan Stewart, Toyota Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda 1999—Ivan Stewart, Toyota Jonah Street/Torsten Borstrom, Honda 2000—Larry Ragland, Chevy Jonah Street/Steve Hengeveld, Honda 2001—Mark McMillin, Jimco-Chevy Steve Hengeveld/Jonah Street, Honda 2002—Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, SmithbuiltFord Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda 2003—Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, SmithbuiltFord Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda 2004—Alan Pflueger, Chevy Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda 2005—Robby Gordon, Chevy Mike Childress/Mouse McCoy, Honda 2006—Brian Collins/Larry Ragland, Chevy Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda 2007—Larry Ragland/Brian Collins, Chevy Robby Bell/Kendall Norman/Steve Hengeveld, Honda 2008—B.J. Baldwin, Chevy Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda 2009—Harley Letner/Kory Halopoff, TatumChevy Bill Boyer/Donnie De Arman/Nicholas Blais/ Rudy Iribe, Honda 2010—Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Ford Kendall Norman/Quinn Cody, Honda 2011—Bryce Menzies, Ford Kendall Norman/Quinn Cody, Honda 2012—Bryce Menzies, Ford Robby Bell/David Pearson/Steve Hengeveld, Kawasaki 2013—Robby Gordon, Chevy Timmy Weigand/Colton Udall/David Kamo, Honda 2014—Bryce Menzies, Ford Ricky Brabec/David Pearson/Max Eddy Jr, Kawasaki 2015—Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez, Chevy Ricky Brabec/Max Eddy Jr/Justin Morgan/Ian Young, Kawasaki 2016—Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Vildosola Jr, Ford Colton Udall, Mark Samuels, Honda 2017—Andy McMillin, Ford Francisco Arredondo/Shane Esposito/Justin Morgan/Roberto Villalobos, Honda 2018—Rob MacCachren, Ford Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Justin Jones, Honda 2019—Andy McMillin, Chevy Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Justin Jones, Honda NOTE: From 1994 through 1997 SCORE Trophy Truck ran as its own series E
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Richard Gray II of Blythe CA. Happy Fathers Day and Happy Birthday from Kitty, Ricky and Gracy!
Carlos Lara, from San Diego CA, with son Sebastian on his 2019 TRX250.
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Zach Manista and Joe Manista in Jean NV riding their dirt bikes for a little father son two wheel dirt therapy - Journee Richardson, Ramona CA
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My father Tony P. Andre - Anthony Andre, Armona CA
Jesse Mcpheeters, of El Cajon, with daughters Sadie and Lilah at Boucher fire lookout tower on Palomar Mountain, after going up Nate Harrison Grade. August 2019 - Doug McPheeters, Santee CA
Bill Quackenbush and son Noah at the airplane graveyard near Ocotillo Wells.
Off Road Dad Marty Krohn always there leading the way and finding new adventures. Happy Father’s Day! - Jodi Krohn, Moreno Valley CA
Me and my son Vinny and my buddies with all of our sons out on a father son ride in Calico Mountains. Kids in the back row are: Jack, Vinny, Hayden, Alex, Tanner. Front row: Bob, Joel, Ray, Marty, Michael - Bob Massari, Cornerstone Insurance, Anaheim CA Turn the page for more Off Road Dads!
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Charles "Skip" Howard grew up in Riverside, riding all the dirt roads and hills. Then he started a family of 6 kids in Orange County. When the oldest was about 12, he bought dirt bikes and took the family out every chance he could. One trip after another. Our family grew into a tribe of off road warriors, known as The Howard Tribe Warriors. You could find him in his green 1776 sand rail racing up and down Blow Sand Hill in Ocotillo Wells, on any given weekend. We ALL love you. Thank you for sharing your time with us. In loving memory. Charles "Skip" Howard. July 29 1957 to May 23 2019. - Zeb Howard, Orange County CA
From our 2018 archives in memory of Matt Barney Giving some pre-race advice to his son Curtis Nugent - Lindsey Nugent, El Cajon CA
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My dad, Bud Riddle, before he passed away at 86. We've been going to the desert and off-road races together since 1967. - Robert Riddle, El Cajon CA
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My Dad, Don Ressell got his first motorcycle at age 19, a 1947 Indian Chief. He was an avid off road rider starting in the 1960's when he moved his family to Southern California. He would take his wife and four kids camping in the desert on weekends. Dad started us out on pull start mini bikes, moving up to Yamaha 80's, Hodaka's, etc. as we got older. Mom and Dad would drive all over the Western U.S. to pit for me while I raced desert during the 1980's. The photos (circa mid 1970's) show Don near Lake Elsinore on one of his favorite dirt bikes, a 175cc Kawasaki Enduro. The 2nd photo, taken in the 1960's, is Dad dressed for his 2nd job as a funeral escort . He took the job just because they had new BMW's to ride. With four kids he couldn't spend the money for a new Beemer, so this way he got to ride a nice bike and get paid for it. Dad would have turned 90 this year but sadly we lost him too early due to lung cancer. Lesson to young people, Don't Smoke cigarettes! Dad and Mom loved the Desert so much they both requested to have their ashes scattered over their favorite camping and riding area in the High Desert. Both are greatly missed. - Randy Ressell, Westminster CA
David "LaLo" Goodwin - July 7, 1951 to May 14, 2020. A father of three, he grew up in Orange County, going to the beaches and camping every weekend. A member of The Howard Tribe Warriors for over 25 years. - Zeb Howard, Orange County CA
Turn the page for more Off Road Dads! This is the guy that got me riding dirt bikes in 1970, my dad, Steve Miller. Photo from 1973 in Chula Vista. Thanks Dad! - Brian Miller, Prescott AZ
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My Uncle Byron giving his son, my cousin Wyatt, riding tips. - Summer Kukla, Ocotillo Wells
Bob Massari with Cornerstone Insurance and daughter Cheyenne on top of Wrightwood Mountain at Inspiration Point at the UpPipe Motorcycle Rally (P.S. Bob writes policies for off road vehicles!)
Joe Bohlen of Ramona CA with wife Judy and grandson Kellen
Jason Theriault with daughter Ally - Teresa Theriault, Chula Vista CA
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Happy Father’s Day to one amazing dad, Ike Warehime! I wouldn’t be the person I am without you! You started my love for the desert and riding and now racing! You have always been in my corner from day 1! From the desert to soccer games to softball games and everything in between I can’t thank you enough for all your support! I love you dad! - Love, Kera Berry, El Cajon CA
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My awesome dad, couldn't ask for a better father. Thank you for always being there for me. Love you Dad - Julian Hoefert, Chula Vista CA
Bill Morgan, got his start with motorcycles at the age of 10 working at his Uncle Mory’s motorcycle shop in Peoria IL. He is now passing along his love of off roading and motorcycles to the fourth generation in his family. We travel around supporting our grandchildren and their racing efforts. – Sally Morgan, Reseda CA
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www.autofab.com
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www.alphasitelogistics.com
www.quadstop.com
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Cody Perham his wife Candice and his little Jeepers, Payto and Emma. - James Perham, National City CA
Dave Hendrickson In Jean NV at the Mint 400. Dave has been like a father to me. I came into off road with nothing but me and my car. Showing up to races by myself and trying to make it work. He and his family scooped me up and took me under their wing. Always there to pass on all his priceless knowledge, fix my car and calm me down before and during races. I went from no crew to a race family. Took me in as one of his own and I couldn’t imagine life without him and his! Here he is calming my tears before we raced the Mint 400. He coached me through the whole race on the radio and we ended with the WIN! My biggest racing accomplishment yet! - Journee Richardson, Ramona CA
Daniel Maurer and Fernie Padilla With their dad Brad Maurer and Vic Ziegler who is like a dad, down in Baja on one of their many adventures. - Journee Richardson, Ramona CA
Off Road Dad Larry Wyatt and team after the SCORE Baja 500 2019 from left to right. Miles Wyatt driver, Eric Saltzer co-driver Lalo Viejo, Lalo Flako, Mari Becerra, Haleigh Wyatt and James Tigelo, pit crew. 7th place finish against all the big guys and girls. - Miles Wyatt, Somerton AZ
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Here is my dad Don, 78, and my son Tristan at Buttercup Sand Dunes. Dad is in Mesa AZ and I'm currently in Minneapolis, MN (soon to be in AZ) - Marc Tietjen
www.snoreracing.net
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Marty Eisen #22 and Dave Murphy #4—Two Dads at it again! - Ben Eisen, Tarzana CA
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CJ Hutchins with Dad Mark Hutchins prerunning down in Baja California. Mark started racing in the mid 80’s and CJ joined as soon as he could at 13. They have been racing off road ever since and have won many championships together! A true dream team. - Journee Richardson, Ramona CA
Great off-road dad! David Kamo changing Kobe’s diaper in the motorhome in between races at Glen Helen Last Dog Standing. Rhiannon Kamo, Caldwell ID
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(Above and right) My father, Sonny Gaynor, gave me the greatest love. The love of riding. - Michael Gaynor Bass Lake CA,
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My dad, Andy Treichel, in his 1963 Water Pumper. 406 SBC with a hydro 350 trans, and 9" rear end. Thanks for being the best off-road dad ever. Cheers to many more memories! - Ben Treichel, San Diego CA
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John Siple with his son Gordon - Susan Stephens, Ocotillo Wells CA
My husband Neil Caton is a great dad! Picture taken at Oceano, Pismo Beach CA - Sheri Caton, Julian CA
This is Hungry Valley S.V.R.A with my family in our 4x4 Suburban - Sean Aguirre, Montebello CA
Everything I’ve learned about motorcycles, racing and riding, I learned from the best, my grandpa. - Summer Kukla, Ocotillo Wells CA
Tim Nowak of Yorba Linda CA pitting for his son Travis at a West Coast Grand Prix presented by Hilltoppers at Twenty E Nine Palms CA
Thank you to all of these Off Road Dads and all the rest of you out there who step up and get the Dad job done!
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www.averacing.com
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D
esert season may be over but that doesn't mean it's time to park those broken down, dirty vehicles and forget about them till fall. You might have thought this season was called "summer" and plans include only things like beach-outings, baseball games and cook-outs (well, if they're ever allowed again anyway!) Think again. This is "Tear Down" season. Wash those vehicles and start working on them now. You won't be rushed. You'll do a better job. The mechanics at the shops will do a better job And next fall, when everyone else is rushing around waiting for parts and harassing the shops, you'll be loading up clean, well-maintained, wellbuilt off road machinery, and heading off to have some fun. The only thing you'll have missed out on is the last-minute stress and premium prices.
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Wondering Where to Start?
S
tart with a bucket of soapy water and a hose. Never tear down a dirty vehicle. Then move on to practical maintenance and safety issues. Are there cracks in the frame? Is suspension in need of repair? Go over the vehicles with a fine tooth comb looking for potential damage. After that, you're ready to move on to high performance on your current vehicle or maybe exciting new projects. But don't forget the tow vehicles. How's the wiring? Does the trailer hitch need repair or replaced? What kind of shape is the trailer in? Does the motorhome need a tranny rebuilt or engine repairs? What about the roof? It may not leak in the summer, but if it's in bad shape, it will surely let you know come the first rainstorms this fall. This is also a good time to make sure registration and insurance is up to date on all vehicles. Keep your current registration papers in the vehicle you most often tow your off road toys with. What about the ice chests, tents and lawn chairs? Do they need upgrading before the next desert season?
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We rolled this ’64 Bug out of my yard after sitting for 10 years.
31 days. Start to racing. - Dennis Sletten, Indio CA
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This is my ’88 XJ that now has Dodge Ram 1500 axles. It has a Dana 44 up front with a lunch box locker. A 9.25 rear with a lunch box locker. 2001 Ram 3500 steering. Front frame stiffeners, long arms, with 36x12.5r17 TSL Super Swampers. The rear leafs have Rusty's Off-Road No Lift Shackle Relocation brackets. It has four inches of lift. Front doors are removable with half tube doors and two sound bars. Have to be able to hear the tunes on the trails. This Jeep has been built in a back yard and does very well. - Marcus Cleghorn, Coolidge AZ
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’79 F250 Full Stock race truck build by @ bradfieldracing - Josh Bradfield, Washington UT
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The
Do-It-Yourselfer
BY DANNY DUNCAN Founder Duncan Racing International Reprinted from June 2002
I
have been working on motorcycles for 40 years. The reason I got started was out of necessity, because back then the bikes were not as reliable as they are now. I waned to be a racer, but my finances didn't allow me the pleasure of having a mechanic. So I decided to do the work myself. After all, it was only a motorcycle and a small one at that. So it couldn't be that hard. Or so I thought at the time. After breaking and replacing the same part several times I decided that I should figure out why it was breaking. I decided from this time on, all future repairs would start with finding out, if I could, what caused the problem. The act of taking an engine apart and putting it back together with a new part doesn't make you a mechanic. You are just another parts changer. When something breaks, there is a reason, whether it be little or no maintenance, poor design, abuse or any number of other reasons. It is up to the person doing the repairs to find the problem. As a do-it-yourselfer it can be time-consuming if you have to take it apart and put it back together several times. One of the most frequent comments I hear when it comes to describing a problem is, "I was just riding along easy and such and such broke." This may well be true, but
something had to happen to stress the part and cause the problem. Parts usually don't just break without giving you a hint somewhere along the way, like a vibration, a rattle, smoke, loss of power. The longer you wait to check or fix a problem, the more expensive and inconvenient it will be. In the past, I have had customers bring me a machine with a problem and want me to tell them it's okay for one more desert
When something
Air Filters
Whatever brands you use, make sure they are clean, installed and lubed properly.
Spark Plugs
Stick to the recommended heat range. When installing, put a drop of oil on the threads and don't over-tighten. If you are having tuning problems after installing a new spark plug, remember: just because a spark plug is new, doesn't mean it's okay. A new plug can be defective without the engine ever starting.
breaks, there is a
Chains and Sprockets Replace chains and sprockets as needed. If you're not sure, check your shop manual. If you replace the chain when needed, your sprockets will usually last longer. If your sprockets need replacement, check everything.
Cylinder Removal
Do not use a screwdriver or anything else to pry the cylinder loose from the crankcase. The damage done to the gasket surface is hard to repair. If it's a fourstroke, it may just leak oil. But if it is a two-stroke, the damage may
reason, whether it be little or no maintenance, poor design, abuse or any number of other reasons.
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trip or one more weekend. When you get the hint that it's going to break, it never tells you when. So the sooner you check it out and take care of a problem, it usually costs less in money and frustration to take care of it right away. Following are some of the things I've seen that can cause you problems.
Danny Duncan - Founder of @duncanracingint in #1977. Top tuner of 3 and 4-wheelers since original ATC 90. Still building winners! Celebrating his 85th birthday this August.
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cause an air leak. After a cylinder has been removed and replaced, the engine should be pressure checked for air leaks.
Flywheel Removal
Most flywheels are designed with a threaded section in the center of the hub which is also cut with a taper to match the crankshaft. There is also a keyway cut in the crankshaft and the flywheel hub. The keyway is just to index the flywheel, not to hold it on. That is the job of the taper
and the bolt or nut on the end of the crankshaft. If you use the proper tool to remove the flywheel, you should have no problems. If you use a gear puller that pulls from the outside of the flywheel, you may have a problem, as the flywheel is not designed to come off this way. If all of your off roading is done in the deserts, take advantage of the hot summer break to go through your equipment to check for needed repairs and do important maintenance. Don't wait until the fall and then expect the mechanics to rush your job
The longer you wait to check or fix a problem, the more expensive and inconvenient it will be.
through. When it comes to equipment reliability, a little advance planning and summer time work can make the next desert season your best yet. Danny Duncan has a rich history in the motorcycle industry in San Diego County, dating back to 1959 when he started racing. His motorcycle career began with working for Saylor Mayne and Edison Dye before settling in at Valley Motorcycles in El Cajon CA. In 1977 he started Danny's Machine Works, building three-wheeler aftermarket products. In 1987 he sold the business to his children and went to work for them. Today, the family owned and operated, Duncan Racing International (www.duncanracing. com) is world-famous. Danny is the machinist there.
Parts usually don't just break without giving you a hint somewhere along the way, like a vibration, a rattle, smoke, loss of power
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My current project is a 2001 Lincoln Navigator Prerunner. While I have been collecting parts for a couple years, the build began a few months ago and I hope to have it complete by November 2020. The "Hot Rod Lincoln" will have HM Racing long travel front suspension and swapping out the stock rear suspension for Deaver's and a Giant Motorsports 9" rear end. It will run 38" Falken's, McNeil Raptor conversion, and King's all the way around. Can't wait till November to put miles on it in Baja! Current Status: McNeil fiberglass is mocked up and setting the front suspension at full bump to install shock towers and bump stops. - Brian Homme, Rio Rancho NM
The front body and factory suspension removed and starting to install fiberglass.
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The HM Long Travel is almost installed.
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Down Time!
www.americansandassociation.org
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Where to go for all your
Tear Down Time needs . . .
The answer is right here! S&S Off Road is a source of info for all your off road needs. Shop at the businesses who advertise in these pages and let them know where you saw the ad. It is important for them to know!
1967 Torsten Hallman award-winning 250 Husqvarna. Heath Hibbard raced District 37 desert races and enduros, the Mint 400 and many SCORE Baja 500 and 1000’s back in the 70s - Jim DeKoker, Riverside CA
1969 Husqvarna desert bike being restored by Heath Hibbard of Montrose CO - Jim DeKoker, Riverside CA
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Here is my new project. Ongoing since 2004. It is a 1953 Ford F600 converted to a 4x4 CDF Fire Truck in 1956 by Marmon Herrington. Driven by me... once. Some day! - Norman Harris, San Pedro CA
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Changing the color to match the fiberglass
Got the Bronco around December but it had been sitting for about 10 years, so I finished putting in the fuel-cell that was never installed, re-doing the fuel lines, getting the motor to run and working on electrical issues. The Throttle Body Position Sensor was bad and the Map Sensor was bad.. Changed all the fluids and then it was cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Rusty cage work and more cleaning and then I finally painted the outside with some fancy spray paint from Hank’s Hardware. - Richard Calahan, Temecula CA
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Tearing down my YZ450 with Pedro Martines from Taller CRT in Los Algodones, Mexico. It needs a new crank. - Kevin Broadway, Yuma AZ
Ducati 350 vintage short tracker - Elliott Iverson, San Jacinto CA
My son Jared Macleod's 1960 Jeep FC-170 4x4 project. Jared rescued it from a California high desert ranch and is in the process of a complete rebuild to make it his weekend ride. - Keith Macleod, Camarillo CA
Here is my current project, a full restoration of a 3B Lightning Tri Moto 465 built by Ace Williams (my late uncle) in 1980. It’s a Yamaha YZ 465 in a hand built three wheeler frame. It was the first of its kind in those days and even made it on the cover of 3 Wheeling Magazine. I’m about half way done with it and it’s coming out very nice. - Julian Hoefert, Chula Vista CA
Daniel Winiecki making a new seat mount - Mary Winiecki, Ehrenberg AZ
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This project is our off-roading brand’s poster child if you will. She’s a 1983 Chevy K5 Blazer. Lots and lots of plans for this one, but as of now she has an SBC350 with an Edelbrock 650 four-barrel carb and an Edelbrock performance intake manifold along with DNA Shorty Stainless Steel Headers that run to a stainless steel custom 2-1/4 exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers. Vision wheels wrapped in 35 inch BFG Mud Terrain tires. Two-inch Rough Country wheel spacers in the rear, along with a 12 bolt rear end with Rancho 9000xl shocks, with the load springs removed in the rear packs for a better spring rate. Current plans are half doors, roll cage, custom center console, fuel cell and Raptor lining the whole thing. This is the SEND IT CREW OFF ROADING’S everything rig!! #hotmess #SIC_BLAZER - Curtis Chastain, Mesa AZ
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’99 XJ Build. I have been historically bad about taking pictures of the work getting done. This isn’t how I got it, it’s just the earliest pic I have of it. I trimmed fenders and got sliders almost immediately. This was the first time she held herself up after the lift. Found out QUICKLY more trimming was required. Glad I used old tires for the first trip because I wasted what was left of those. - Jon Gedman, San Diego CA
This is a JCR Vanguard bumper with a Smittybuilt Gen 2 XRC 9500 winch. The fog lights were meant to be recessed but it cut off too much of the spread pattern so I trimmed the holes to accept flush mounts. I actually like that better because the bumper is tapered so the fog lights illuminuate the shoulders of the road, rather than redundantly complementing the headlights. The light bars are cheap and really the only place I cut costs on this build, because I still lived with Mommy and Daddy for most of the build. Boy, I miss not having rent or utilities to pay. When I bought her, the only modifications were the mag wheels and tires. I have a complete build sheet on this thing with every modification since. I let my parents take her to Sedona 2 years ago and I still have a red mud undercoat, stained window trim and even a few mud splatters inside. I thought I was supposed to wreck their stuff?
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A lot has changed between then and now, but many of those changes are internal.
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1966 Toyota FJ40 as it sat before I took it home. It had been at this property since at least 1994. I finally got it down to bare bones. Next step is to remove the body and start on the frame. Everything else is torn down and cleaned. - Tim Wilson, Alpine CA
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Here's Phoenix, my dirt track quad we're finishing the build on. Got my shocks down at M&M Offroad getting rebuilt and set up for me to race. We'll be racing Flat Track Saturday and TT Scrambles Sunday. Rachael Weaver, Spring Valley CA
The guys working hard to get the new engine in and running before racing season starts - Kera Berry, El Cajon CA
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This is a car we are rebuilding for EMPI VW parts. This is a week into the build. - Dennis Sletten, 11 Brothers Motorsports , Indio CA
Your Technician says:
"I could do a better job if my customers would ... . . . Listen to my recommendation for their situation or needs. . . . Use quality fluids. . . . Don't wait till it breaks. Come in when it starts making the noise, not when it won't drive. . . . For repair, service or product, do it right the first time. A 10 or 20% savings could result in 100% disappointment. . . . Just tell you of any problems they are having instead of making you find them after a tune-up and service. . . . Clean their vehicles. . . . Buy the good parts the first time. . . . Listen, plan ahead and use common sense. . . . Believe that I only have their best interest on my mind when I made recommendations for their vehicles, i.e., tire changes, brake pad replacement. . . . Be honest about the problems they are having with the motorcycles or quads. . . . Not use me for a reference library and get to the point of their visit. . . . Pay more attention to their vehicle, like check it out after every trip. Check for cracks in frame, wheel cylinder blown out, inspect oil and clean filters. E
Got an Off Road Project of your own?
Post your photos on our Facebook group page!
Click here to Join
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#27 Jeff Apple and #17 Daltin Collie
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Judd Neves Photos
Ron Esau
Jason Bishop, kart B main winner doing his victory donut
Josh Huff
Keith Nishiyama
Joe Boyd
Jeff Apple - Track official, Grounds Keeper, Mr Awesome (according to wife)
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POSTERS
1971 Yamaha RT1 360MX Poster - 24"x18" - $17.80
1972 AJS Stormer 410 Poster - 20"x16" - $16.20
Vintage Motorcycle Collection Poster, 36x24 $26.10
DAIL SPECIA Y LS!!
1985 Yamaha RZ350 Poster - 28"x20" - $19.50
1968 Powell Challenge Mini Bike Poster 24"x18" - $17.80
The New Town of Ocotillo Wells - 1960s Brochure Poster - 13"x19" - $14.40
Desert Wheelie Motocross Poster - 30"x24" $26.05
T-SHIRTS 1960's Borrego Rough 100 Race Poster $17.20 - 17"x24"
ived I Surv ID-19 V the COlo Wells Ocotil down Shut
MUGS Faith, Family, Friends, Flag, Firearms T-Shirt - $24.25
S&S Off Road Mag Sprocket Shirt $24.25 I Survived the COVID-19 Ocotillo Wells Shutdown T-Shirt - $24.05
Vintage 360MX Motorcycle Mug - $20.05
Shop for all these products and more @
www.zazzle.com/ssormag
1968 Powell Challenger Mini Bike Mug - $16.75
1968 Powell Challenger Mini Bike Mug - $21.10
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Judd Neves Photos
Jim Ottele, A main winner
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www.shopsocalmotorcycleparts.com
Daltin Collie
Judd Neves Photos
Brian Pusey
Cameron Lankford
Brody Shaw
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Judd Neves Photos
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#48x Dan Brown and #7 Josh Huff were tire to tire during the kart A main, with #7 Josh Huff getting by #48x Dan Brown on a inside move with just a couple laps remaining.
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Judd Neves Photos
Daltin Collie, Michael Diffenbaugh, Steve Kukla and Ken Shilling
Josh Lopeman
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Judd Neves Photos
Dan Brown
Eduardo Santana
Josh Tovar
Joey Elms
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Judd Neves Photos
Dan Brown
Mike Lankford
Dan Shaw Adam Lesley
Jason Bishop Hooligan Race Bike
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Flags donated by the Larry Collie Foundation for Flagged Racing
Brad Roysdon
Daniel Ito
Michelle Rogers, daughter of Ken Shilling Charlie Rogers
Vicky and Josh Tovar
Lucas Roake and Mike Lankford
Judd Neves Photos
Michael Diffenbaugh
Miroslaw Kaimis
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Judd Neves Photos
Michelle Rogers
Lucas Roake
Josh Huff
#73 Mike Lankford and #35 Eduardo Santana
Steve Kukla
#66 Robbie Crean and #58 Joe Boyd
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Rich Silva, B main winner
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Judd Neves Photos
#39 Charlie Rogers and #510 Brian Pusey
#38 Jim Ottele and #221 Rich Silva
Flagman Ben Meyer
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Keith Nishiyama
Robbie Crean
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Josh Huff
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ONLINE ONLY!! ONLINE ONLY!!
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Judd Neves Photos
Tony Espinoza
Keith Nishiyama, Josh Tovar, Mike Lankford, Ivan Santana and Brody Shaw
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Judd Neves Photos
Ken Shilling
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The Mint 400 Photos by RNR Photos
In April when we published the Mint 400 coverage we were still the old print version, with very limited space. With the Super Digital edition we now have room to show the full series of this magnificent roll-over by CJ Cromwell racing in the UTV Rally class with the entire sequence captured by RNR Photos.
Revisited
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AMADistrict 38
Through t
Juan Ochoa
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By Judd Neves Nothing But Dirt Racing Photography
the Years
2005-2020 Part 1
Turn the page for more AMA D38 Memories
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Judd Neves Photos
Aaron Tuck
Anthony Fenton
In Memory: Asheton Good
In Memory: Brett Driscoll
Cody Rangel
Jarrett Slater
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Judd Neves Photos
Eric Hartell
Jeff Taylor
Tiffany and Ben Protas the Calculated Risk Race Team Cameron Corfman
Chris Whaley
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Judd Neves Photos
Ivan Delgadillo
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Turn the page for more AMA D38 Memories
www.calvmx.net
www.sherrikukla.com
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Judd Neves Photos
"Rocky"
Alex Hill
Racer and Lesar Rescue William "Doc" Middleton
Full Throttle’s Wesley Feeler
Braxtan Gallian
In Memory: Jason West
Kyle Hearold
Nolan Kennedy
In Memory: Scott Plunkett
Nick Quiroz
Jerry Jones
Juan Sanchez
Trenton Turner
Gabriel Rascon
Kyle Sheldon
Jeffery Smith
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Judd Neves Photos
Lance Crouch
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Judd Neves Photos
Janelle Feeler....what dust?
Mike Sandoval Robert Brown & Zoey Vance
Ron Lechien
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Judd Neves Photos
#5K Steve Penner and #25Q Danny Prather
Bobby Kirby
Judd Neves - the man to thank for all these awesome photos! www.facebook.com/JuddNeves. NothingButDirt.RacingPhotography/
Racer to Photographer. Judd Neves back in the day when he was on the other side of the camera
Turn the page for more AMA D38 Memories
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Judd Neves Photos
Marc Cruz
Matthew Martin
Josh Smith Robert Koch
Steve Carver
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Sydney Wright and Haley Barnhill
Judd Neves Photos
David Ponce-Dick
Max Drew
COMING NEXT MONTH AMADistrict 38
Through the Years Part 2
2005-2020 Ryan Haake E
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CLASSIFIED ADS
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2 inch Hitch Receiver Winch Mount. Heavy Duty, fits standard winch (was used with a Warn 8000. Can be used on the front or back of vehicle.) $50 Conrad Cox - 619-857-4635 - Rad4sand@aol.com
Send your ad to ssormag@gmail.com
Raw Motorsports Sand Storm, 460Â Â h/p LS1. Fresh Mendeola trans 930 German race preps 300 M axles, King bypass Sand Tires Unlimited tires, Beadlock Wheels, Pep seats 4. Crow padded belts, CNC, C&R Racing Rad. 4 wheel discs. Power steering wing trunk. $33,500 951-252-5597
Race Truck 6100 or Spec TT. SCORE tagged, 525hp turnkey, Fox shocks. Two sets of spares. Spare lower control arms. Call for info and pricing. 760-412-0654
1973 VW THING - CA Street-Legal. No smog needed. VW Thing body on full chromoly chassis & skid plates. Toyota 2.4L motor & Foltz bus box. Long travel front/rear & Fox coilovers. Power steering. Rear disc brakes. Professionally wired. Bimini top. Less than 3000 miles since built. Incl tow bar so trailer not needed. Ready to cruise Coast Highway or Ocotillo Wells. Why buy a UTV? $14,000. Call/text 562-328-3423 Mike
Great running bike, New FMF Q4 pipe, oversize front rotor, YZ exhaust cam, Race Tech suspension for 200 lbs as well as other bits. Last year to officially make street legal. $3100, Ed 858-822-8274
Send your FREE OFF ROAD AD for digital and web to ssormag@gmail.com or text 760-336-1512
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