S&S Off Road Magazine October 2024 Back to the Desert Super Digital Edition
Photos by
This was Sandstorm Racing's first DP4 racing event, excited to try a new series. Me and my codriver Rick Gentry went into the race feeling good, happy with our starting position. With the wind picking up, making for cleaner air up towards the start of the race, we knew it would be a fun, fast-paced race. The flag dropped, and we were off the start line. The car felt fast and smooth with the tight and challenging course; unfortunately, our race was cut short after coming into contact with another competitor, resulting in ripping our passenger side A-arms off the chassis. We both hopped out of the car to access the damage in hopes of a temporary fix. We quickly knew it was the end of our race and began talking about the fixes needed on the car and set our sights on SNORE Rage at the River in December.
Doug Mittag fourth Pro Unlimited
Alec Paula out of Las Vegas, racing in the Production Turbo class
I would like to give a shout out to DP4 for putting together great race events and also to all my support from Alsup, Method, ATC, Rugged and Chris Blais team. Can’t wait for the November race. We are gunning for our class 1st place DP4 championship.
Derrick Lutrell finished third overall and first Production Turbo
Cole Fike finished eighth DP4 Pro
Von Trunk, second overall and second DP4 Pro
The day race in January was flawless, 1st overall! But this night race in August: not so good. We had an issue with alternator pulleys eating the belts. We limped it around for 4 laps to get points. We had rebuilt the chassis in a 3 week time frame prior to the race as I rolled the car pretty bad leading the race in Barstow during Round 3
Eric Perkett, fifth DP4 Pro
Danny Sanchez, seventh overall, fifth Production Turbo
Started 20th overall and 9th in class. Finished all 5 laps and came in 12th overall and 8th in class in our first ever race in the car.
We started 7th on the line in the Pro class and had a great run on the first lap with little to no dust. The track was fast and fun, a nice change of pace. We did work our way up to a top 3 position on lap two but unfortunately we encountered a front passenger flat and lost time. We then
changed it and went back out for our third lap which would consist of us shearing a rear radius rod bolt and leaving us no choice but to just try and finish. We ended up finishing, but not where we wanted. Can’t wait for the next round! Thank you DP4 for the great course.
Matthew Duhamell Jr finished seventh DP4 Pro
Justin Altman, eighth Production Turbo, 12th overall
OVERALL: 1. Chris Blais (CAM) 2. Von Trunk (POL) 3. Derrick Lutrel (CAM) 4. Nick Brown (CAM) 5. Jeff Fox (CAM) 6. Jordan Adams (CAM) 7. Danny Sanchez (POL) 8. Jeff Taylor (CAM) 9. Austin Beck (POL) 10. Randy O’Neill (POL) 11. Josh Tanner (POL) 12. Justin Altman (CAM) 13. Bronsen Jones (POL) 14. Solomon Kiefer (CAM) 15. Beau Gasinski (POL) 16. Shaun Young (CAM) 17. Trevor Griffin (HON) 18. Jake Taylor (KAW) 19. Dave Simon (CAM) 20. Peter Rector (POL)
DP4 PRO: 1. Chris Blais (CAM) 2. Von Trunk (POL) 3. Randy O’Neill (POL) 4. Josh Fries (POL) 5. Eric Perkett (CAM)
PRO UNL: 1. Jeff Taylor (CAM) 2. Bronsen Jones (POL) 3. Beau Gasinski (POL) 4. Doug Mittag (POL)
PROD TURBO: 1. Derrick Lutrel (CAM) 2. Nick Brown (CAM) 3. Jeff Fox (CAM) 4. Jordan Adams (CAM) 5. Danny Sanchez (POL)
PROD 1000 NA: 1. Trevor Griffin (HON) 2. John Minnock (POL) 3. Keith Thompson (KAW)
STOCK 1000 NA: 1. Jake Taylor (KAW) E
Suspension Experts
Kim Krause
TThe AZOP Racing series brought its high-octane excitement to the Cinder OHV area in Flagstaff, Arizona on August 10th and 11th, where over 500 racers competed across two action-packed days of Grand Prix racing. The Cinder OHV area, known for its unique volcanic cinder terrain, provided a challenging and thrilling backdrop for the weekend's races. The weather was ideal, with temperatures in the mid-80s, making it perfect for both racers and spectators.
Racers and campers filled the area, with participants traveling from all corners of Arizona and neighboring states to take part in the event. Across the weekend, a total of 18 Grand Prix races—9 on each day—kept the energy high and the competition fierce.
Saturday saw a massive turnout for the bike races, with 120 bikes hitting the track, creating an intense and exhilarating atmosphere. Additionally, about 150 PeeWees, Minis, and UTV 170/250/570 racers combined took to the course over the weekend, adding to the excitement and showcasing the diversity of the competition.
The bike pro races were a highlight, with Zach Myer claiming the overall victories on both Saturday and Sunday, demonstrating his exceptional skill and consistency. In the Quad Pro class, Ian Kubik took the overall win on Saturday, while on Sunday, Andrew
Carter Dickey finished first in the 80/150cc "A" Class on Saturday and Sunday
#415 Tate Van Voorst finished first on Saturday in the Open "A" Class
Travis Sessions finished first on Saturday and second on Sunday in the Open Pro Class
Harvey Kleck won the 65cc Class on both Saturday and Sunday
Elizabeth Owen in the Sportsman Class racing in her first off road race at 36-year-olds
JUDD NEVES PHOTOS
Simmons emerged victorious in the Vet Pro class, securing the overall win for the quads.
In the UTV Pro Open class, Travis Sessions took the overall win on Saturday, narrowly beating Ian Sessions by just 23 seconds. The tables turned on Sunday, with Ian Sessions taking the overall win, finishing about 18 seconds ahead of Travis Sessions. The close competition between the two added an extra layer of excitement to the weekend.
#777 Aldan Collier racing in 80/150cc "C" Class - Big smile
Zach Myer, Pro class winner on both Saturday and Sunday E
Richard Heyer won the Master 50+ "A" Class on Saturday
Jason Morgan finished first on both Saturday and Sunday in the 1000cc NA Class
There is a lot of history to look back through as we celebrate the 42nd anniversary of S&S Off Road Magazine (formerly known as San Diego Off Road).
Reviewing previous anniversary issues I came across this article about a very special reader of ours, one who has been gone for almost ten years now. The story of Frank's life in some ways coincides with the story of the life of our magazine. I'm happy to share it for those who didn't see it the first go-round in 2015
or for those like me, who just want to read it again. I hope the bittersweet tale puts a smile in your heart.
Frank Vaughn was my friend. We talked several times a year. We laughed together. We shared difficult life stories. We both loved motorcycles. We both loved the Lord.
He was my friend. But if I had ever run into him on the street or out in public somewhere I would not have known who he was.
You see I met Frank through the magazine. We never had the opportunity to meet in person.
I can hear him now, the unforgettable friendliness. “Hi Sherri! It’s Frank Vaughn!” his enthusiastic voice would sound across the telephone lines every few months over the years. Often if he caught me unavailable, the same phrase was on my voice mail. Always upbeat. Always with something interesting to tell me or a question to ask.
Sometimes if I had the time available, we’d spend 20 or 30 minutes on the phone. Frank would talk of motorcycles, the Bible, his late wife, his family. He’d listen when I shared challenges we were going through caring for my mom. He understood the fears brought on by her dementia.
He once sent us a handmade gift. A gold and black etching of the 23rd Psalm he had made for us.
He was patient. Sometimes it would take me
weeks to return a voice mail he had left. But he always sounded happy to hear from me no matter how long it took. “I know you’re busy,” he’d say.
In fact when I got the email from his grandson that he had passed away, I felt a pang of regret because he had left a message a few weeks earlier checking to see if his subscription was still current and I had not called him back yet.
Frank was a special man. He shared with me on several occasions the care he gave to his wife in her final years of life. He left his job to devote himself full time to being her caregiver..
He said good-bye to his wife of 50 years in 2007 the same year we lost my mother-in-law. That shared grief may have even been the start of our telephone friendship. I remember him calling to talk about his loss and listening to his memories and his tales of the loneliness that followed
her passing.
I came very close to meeting Frank in person earlier this year. Knowing he lived near the Del Mar Fairgrounds, I had invited him to meet us at the motorcycle races in early March. Even though there were many weeks to go before the race, he sounded excited about the prospect. It never occured to me when I didn’t receive his call on race day, that he had passed away just a few days earlier.
His grandson wrote to me shortly after his passing with the news. I was honored to read his words about our friendship: “He spoke highly of you and often of you.”
It seems fitting to honor Frank Vaughn, our long-time subscriber, our friend, at the same time we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the magazine.
I like to think it’s one of the things that sets us apart from other publications. Our readers become friends. Whether it’s through pictures, emails, phone calls or a chance meeting at an off road event, you, who are reading this right now, are what it’s all about. Your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your good times and bad. The hope that we can make a difference through something we print or something we say or do, that’s the ultimate goal.
Frank’s family summed up his life with these words:
Simply stated, Frank was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Frank leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Frank James Vaughn Jr.
May that one day be said of all of us.
Frank’s Grandson Peter Balestrieri says: “This is me, my mother, sister and the great grandkids! He was one of the greatest men to touch this world. He is missed every day!” E
CALVMX Flat Track
#33 Brad Roysdon leads #94 Jeff Apple and #16 Steve Kukla in the Senior +50 class
Racing returned to the Camp Lockett Event & Equestrian Facility as Round 4 of the 2024 CALVMX/Fast Times At Camp Lockett series took to the 1/6th mile oval. Clear skies, temperatures in
the mid-90’s and a steady breeze throughout the weekend made for ideal racing conditions. A respectable cross section of two wheeled and four wheeled competitors kept the oval in action throughout the weekend.
Saturday’s program featured points paying main events for the two-wheeled competitors. Machinery ranging from 50cc minis to 450cc purpose-built racers
#3 Wyatt Reed & Chad Reed (just behind) with Wyatt the winner of the main event
with riders aged from 5 years old to adults with decades of track experience. The morning qualifying heat races set the starting positions for the
afternoon main events. One of the first group of riders on the track was the combined 60 Plus Super Senior Expert, 50 Plus Senior Expert and Plus 35
Intermediate classes. Timing the green flag start perfectly, Plus 50 entrant Brad Roysdon led the field into turn one, trailed by Jeff Apple and Plus 60’s Steve Kukla. Roysdon set a torrid pace as he powered his way around the oval, with Apple close behind. In a close duel which often saw Roysdon and Apple bar-to-bar, Roysdon prevailed to take the win, with Apple second. Scored separately, Kukla crossed the line third (first in his class), with Plus 35 entrant Jason Bishop crossing fourth and first in his class. The Pull-Start classes were on hand both Saturday and Sunday. Ranging in size from under 6 HP to the Open classes, the racing is always competitive amongst the various classes.
In their Saturday finale, five different classes were represented. At the start, Open Novice entrant Chance Rose began a race-long duel with Open Expert ranked Brian Kimmel. Kimmel held a slight lead over
#8 Jonathon Saffry Jr, second Youths 12&U Open Bikes Beginner
Rose as the two sped around the oval. The two were never more than a few feet apart throughout the race. As the two leaders entered the last lap, Rose pulled alongside Kimmel as the two exited turn four. It was a drag race to the finish line which saw Rose inch ahead of Kimmel and cross the line barely ahead of Kimmel. As with all mixed class races, Rose and Kimmel both were credited with individual class wins.
In the kart support classes, in the 100cc Kart B main, it was a Rose family affair, as Chance, Nicholas and Nathan Rose filled the top three places. Chance led the 100cc class at the start with Nicholas and Nathan pursuing. Chance pulled a few kart lengths ahead of the pack and went unchallenged the remainder of the race to take the class win, with Nicholas and Nathan second and third.
Also taking main event wins were Jaxon Rice in the Junior Open B Karts (13-15), Dustin Chapin in Adult Mini 150cc Expert, and David Kimmel in the Heavy Weight 125cc A kart final. Joining the list of main event victors included Caden Rose in Cadet Kart 8-12 B and Chad Reed took home the win in the Adult 100cc A kart finale.
Sunday’s program featured points paying finals for the kart racers. Nine of the fifteen main events featured all the different variations of karts. Included in the program were the pull-start bikes along with quads and three wheelers.
With the starting positions set in the qualifying heat races, the main events commenced at 2:30 p.m. In the Adult 125 cc “A” finale, it was a Kimmel family duel for the top spot. Coming off the pace lap, Brian Kimmel led David and the rest of the class into turn one. On a course that was beginning to roughen
up from the countless laps run on it, Brian held a slight lead over David. Brian maintained a rapid pace throughout the race, with David never more than a few lengths behind. Brian held onto his lead and took the win with David close behind in second.
The Run-What-You-Brung kart class main event was a wide-open affair with innumerable amounts of bumper and wheel banging as the field of 10 karts vied for space on the oval. Blake Reed took the lead early in the race, followed by Chad Reed. The field sped through the laps at a high rate, with Blake holding onto the lead. Chad clung to second as the race neared its end. At the checkers, Blake emerged with the win followed by Chad in second and Ray Roben third. Blake Reed continued his mastery of the Camp Lockett oval in the Adult 100cc A final. Leading from the wave of the green flag, Blake powered his way
#5 George Wolf, first Outlaw Karts A and #67 Brent Horstman won the Outlaw Karts B class
around the oval, pursued by Chad Reed and Ray Roben. Blake skillfully maneuvered his way around the course and flashed across the line with another victory. Roben was second and Jacob Gaddis in third.
Other main event winners on Sunday were Tucker Roben in the Cadet Cub 8-12 B class, joined by Kaylee Butler in the
Outlaw Karts A final and Kera Berry in the Open Quad A race. They were joined by Dan Brown in the Open Pull-Start Experts after a race long duel with Brett Miller.
Two rounds remain in the 2024 series. Several class championships are still undecided, and every point earned could prove valuable by the end of the season.
Adult 100cc two stroke "A" heat race with #159 Colton Howe, #24 Jason Rice heat race winner, #48 Ray Roben and #10 Drew Williams all leading the rest of the pack
#11 Lilirose Bishop, main event winner on Saturday in the Karts Cadet 8-12 yrs A class E
Welcome Back to the Desert
It's been a long hot summer, but now, for the 42nd year in a row we're welcoming you back to your desert home away from home!
Gf and I took an overlanding trip to Little Sahara from Orlando, Florida. Got there at sunset. - Cody and Emma, Orlando FL
Savannah and I at the 1st Annual Father Daughter desert trip at Glamis. - Doug Pope, Yuma AZ
Ocotillo Wells. Old guys taking a break. Bikes are 500 Beta's - Lance Kappner, Chula Vista CA
Cheryl Fusilier and Ted Kukla in Ocotillo Wells
- Brian Fusilier, Beaumont CA
Desert friends having a blast Thanksgiving weekend Ocotillo Wells. Sadie McPheeters, Charlotte Murguia, Lilah McPheeters, Trace Murguia, Blaze Smith and Jackson Brown. Photo by Jesse McPheeters, El Cajon CA
is from our run to a P2 finish at
Me and my dad in our buggy at Ocotillo, California - Troy Stollmeyer
Darin Clarke from Lakeside CA at Ocotillo Wells
This
the VORRA Stomping Grounds 300 in Yerington. - Matt Myres, Sparks NV
Garage weekend in Southern Utah at Sand Hollow State Park - www.youtube.com/@goldies_garage
road.
Richard Calahan from Temecula CA with his Bronco in his home away from home, Ocotillo Wells
Buggy ride in Ocotillo CA - Troy Stollmeyer, Ocotillo CA
Really off
Blue Angels fly by at Superstition, 2019 - Doug McPheeters, Santee CA
Goldie's
Goldie's Garage crew in Anza Borrego Desert
D Patton One Shots the Soup Bowl - Sand Hollow 5/2024 - Vicki Hahn -
This is my absolute favorite desert picture. Although it is 10+ years old, my daughter Emma was and still is my Ocotillo Wells partner. - Josh VanZante, Escondido CA
Donnie Pulliam riding on the American Trike Team at the BITD Vegas to Reno this year - James Dekoker, Ontario CA
Squeeze
Hemet
Visit www.gordonswell.com
Savannah Pope in the RZR racing her Grandpa, Kevin Pope, in his buggy at Gordons Well - Doug Pope, Yuma AZ
Chad Fettog at Dumont Dunes - Photo by Tim Tucciarone, San Diego CA
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Here is a picture of my Baja Bug named Chewbaja in the desert! And yes that is an R2 unit on the roof (functional backup camera in the eye of it) - Jake Krueger, Huntington Beach CA
Love to ride my 3 wheelers. - Dave
Martinosky, Yuma AZ
2024 RACE SCHEDULE
PARKER DAM 500
February 21-25, 2024 – Parker, AZ
Cars, Trucks, UTVs, Long Loop race, approximately 350 miles
FRONTIER 500
April 18-21, 2024 – Pahrump to Dayton, NV
Cars, Trucks, UTVs, Motorcycles, Quads
Point to Point race, over 500 miles
BAJA NEVADA
June 26-30, 2024 – Nevada
Cars, Trucks, UTVs, Motorcycles, Quads
Point to Point race, approximately 650 miles, Two Days
DIRT REBELUTION
August 2-3, 2024 – Cedar City, UT
Motorcycles, Quads, UTVs
Loop race, approximately 180 miles
UTV FREEDOM RIDE
September 19-21, 2024 – Location TBD
UTV Fun Ride – non-competitive – UTVs only
Multi day ride, approximately 300 miles
GOLD RUSH – Partnering with Vorra
October 10-13, 2024 – Virginia City to Tonopah, NV
Cars, Trucks, UTVs, Motorcycles, Quads
Point to Point race, approximately 350 miles
DESERT SHOWDOWN
December 5-8, 2024 – Pahrump, NV
Cars, Trucks, UTVs, Motorcycles, Quads
Point to Point race, approximately 250 miles
Pre-Run December 5
***Dates & Locations Subject to Change***
3rd Annual Memorial Ride for Offroad Safety Awareness October 19, 2024 2:00 PM
Please join us In remembering our Daughter Megan.
Megan’s legacy lives on forever! Her love for people is something to spread all around! Her care for her loved ones, friends, or even a bystander was incredible and is something to continue to pass along!
Megan’s cross is located on Shell Reef Expressway at mile marker 1.9 in Ocotillo Wells, CA on the west side of Devil ’s Slide.
If you see her cross please stop by and take a moment to remember her. Spread some love around at the time. Take a picture and post it to Meganslegacy#04 on Facebook for Megan’s family to see as well to know that Megan’s legacy lives forever! For
Glamis, about a mile west from wash 7, into the small dunes, just before Covid started 3/14/20 - Doug Hopper, Prescott Valley AZ
Antonio Cordova from Barstow, California, 16 years old, OSSRG 2023 Novice champion, racing for Mirage Motorsports
2021 Vegas to Reno start. First three wheeler to win it. 1986 Honda 350X. Goobtech Racing. - Wrangell Gubler, @goobtech_racing
OLD SCHOOL BACK TO THE DESERT: My wife Carol Martindale standing by our red Baja Thing in 1980 while camping in Laguna Hansen, BC. - Marty Martindale, Costa Mesa CA
Buttercup - Kera Berry, Boulevard CA
Third Annual Dirty Dubz meet - Kyle Gumke, Apple Valley CA
Nothing better than playing in the desert in So-Cal with your family and friends!! My wife, daughter and I in our bug and driving along with us are my dad and his wife in his car and plenty of friends in their bugs! We made the drive down to California City CA about 350 miles south from home for a few days exploring/testing and tuning my car and just unplugging from the world and enjoying the company of like minded off road enthusiasts! We can’t wait to get back out there! - Cody Crump, Carmichael CA
A visit to Megan‘s Legacy cross for off-road safety awareness Ocotillo Wells SVRA. The Whitneys, the Standifers, the Scriminger and the Menendez families - James Whitney, Ramona CA
Brandon and Benton Whitehead enjoying a lovely desert trip with Guncle. Guncle keeps things interesting in Plaster City.
- Jaclynn Whitehead, San Marcos CA
My bother’s Rat Rod made from a 1929 Chrysler Imperial. Picture taken at his property called Running Rock Ranch located in Ocotillo Wells. - John Frankovich, Ocotillo Wells CA
My stepmother Sue watching the 1980 Baja 1000 at Diablo Dry Lake. Green car belongs to our friend Denny Lhamon, Baja Thing belonged to me, Marty and my dad's yellow Baja Bug. - Marty Martindale, Costa Mesa CA
Superstition Mountain Lost Lizard event. - Simone Satto and Smasher, San Diego CA
Desert fun from Doug Hopper of Presscott Valley AZ
Wyatt Kukla launching rockets at Grandma and Grandpa's house in the desert - Sherri Kukla, Ocotillo Wells CA
First time you read the mag? 2000
What feature do you like best? The guy-in-the-garage and Sherri's Turn
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? It's all about what I like to do How did you first learn about it? Sand Sports Super Show - Vince Jaacks, Temecula CA
First time you read the mag? Don't remember, but many years ago
What feature do you like best? Sherri's Turn, SDORC's The Endangered Off Roader, and all the photos in the special features.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Don't remember but it was probably MX race results back in the 80s.
How did you first learn about it? Maybe thru SDORC - Rick Moore, El Cajon CA
First time you read the mag? 1982
What feature do you like best? Vintage motorcycle stuff
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? D38 Results
How did you first learn about it? I don't remember!
- Brian Miller, Yuma AZ
First time you read the mag? Early 80s I think
and also B&R Buggie was an advertiser
- Jan Haugley, Vista CA
First time you read the mag? From the beginning
What feature do you like best? Sherri's Turn, the guy-in the-garage, desert racing articles and results, upcoming desert event postings
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? D38 desert racing results, ATC results, Sherri's Turn, the guy-in the-garage
- James Dekoker, Ontario CA
How did you first learn about it? Social media
- Matt Myres Reno NV
First time you read the mag? Many years ago, I don't remember exactly. What feature do you like best? I absolutely love the Southern California desert stuff
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? I'm pretty sure it was a baja bug that got my attention
How did you first learn about it? I think Off Road Warehouse in Escondido used to have them
- Josh VanZante, Escondido CA
What feature do you like best? Love everything about it
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Fud race information
How did you first learn about it? From gas station in El Centro - Richard Calahan, Temecula CA
First time you read the mag? 1984
What feature do you like best? Sherri's Turn, Race Schedules
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Too long ago to remember
How did you first learn about it? Off road shops on counters
- Mark Beckenbach, Santee CA
First time you read the mag? Too long ago to remember but it was the San Diego Off Road for sure
What feature do you like best? Sherri's Turn, The guy in the garage, desert racing articles and results, upcoming desert event postings
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Articles about my races we were involved in, looking for articles and pictures
How did you first learn about it? Probably because it was the local spot to go to for info
First time you read the mag? 42 years ago when my dad brought the the first one home
What feature do you like best? Back to the desert was always a favorite, but guy-in-thegarage and Sherri’s Turn were always read
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
As a kid it was more looking at the photos of all the different races
How did you first learn about it? Dad and mom are long time friends of the creators
- Douglas Pope Yuma AZ formerly Chula Vista CA for 44 years
First time you read the mag?
Late 1990’s
What feature do you like best? Everything. They cover all aspects about the off road industry.
How did you first learn about it? Seen it on the shelf at a service station
- James Whitney, Ramona CA
First time you read the mag? About a year a half ago
What feature do you like best? The focus on the off road family and grass roots racing. Flavored with some of the big boy news. What's the first thing you remember about the mag? An article after we won the first race of 2023
First time you read the mag? 1988
What feature do you like best? Articles
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? SDEA Enduro at Plaster City
How did you first learn about it? District 38
- Marty Kamery San Diego CA
First time you read the mag? Probably 30 years ago
What feature do you like best? Everything very informative
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Sherri's Turn our favorite
How did you first learn about it? Used to get it at Off Road Warehouse and VW Paradise
- Theresa Collett, San Marcos CA
First time you read the mag?
I believe Rick Bates (a past President of CORVA and the American Buggy Association) let me look it over on a campout
What feature do you like best? The down home articles and features, great for local So Cal information including product descriptions. Always enjoy reading about the guy-in-thegarage.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Sherri’s Turn, good writing about real life issues and fun times, while supplying great content for all
How did you first learn about it? Off road show
- Terry Work Bullhead City AZ
1995 Ford Bronco at Ocotillo Wells - Richard Calahan, Temecula CA
First time you read the mag?
Probably as a teenager keeping up on the results of the local motocross races and seeing pics of friends
What feature do you like best? Sherri's Turn, and the local races. The legislative information.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Race results
How did you first learn about it? My adopted brother and his friends worked in the many bike shops around town and would bring it home.
- Lisa Kincaid La Mesa CA
First time you read the mag? OMG must have been 20 plus years ago
What feature do you like best? I love its home grown aura. I’ve been meaning to resubscribe just these last few years, have been consumed with family and moving!
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Sherri’s column
How did you first learn about it? Steve Kukla is one of my favorite people of all time. I think Jack Stanczak told me about it.
- Danny Johnson Broken Arrow OK
First time you read the mag? In the late 80s
What feature do you like best? Local people and riding areas
What feature do you like best? Just feels like a close knit community. Plus, I've never had a chance to be in a magazine before.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? That's a hard question. I suffer from CRS!
How did you first learn about it? On the Internet. I'm on a lot of off road, sxs groups.
- Ed Deringer, Lake Havasu City AZ
First time you read the mag?
Over 20 years ago
What feature do you like best? Race and club calendar, Sherri's Turn, current results, pictures
First time you read the mag?
Over 10 years ago
What feature do you like best? That you can see what other people are doing to customize cars
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
The front cover
How did you first learn about it? Sand Sports Super Show in Costa Mesa CA
- Rafael Pérez, Fallbrook CA
First time you read the mag? A long time ago.
What feature do you like best? All the different types of off road coverage.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Probably race results
How did you first learn about it? Used to be available in off road shops
- Lance Kappner, Chula Vista CA
First time you read the mag? Probably sometime in '82 or '83?
Either at Dick Cepek's, or that old bike shop in Clairemont at the Dianne Shopping Center? Eh, it's been a while, and I've been out of the area for some years now.
What feature do you like best? The nostalgia
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Probably some of the desert run reports, maybe some stuff from Tierra Del Sol
How did you first learn about it? Walked into a shop and saw it
- Greg Vokoun Trent, Meadow Lakes, Alaska
First time you read the mag? A few years ago
What feature do you like best? The trail rides
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Don't know
How did you first learn about it? I grew up in San Diego
- Bob Sullivant, Trinity, Alabama
First time you read the mag?
About six years ago
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Calendar
How did you first learn about it? Bike shop
- Chuck Minniear, Vista CA
First time you read the mag?
I believe it was September 1990 when I moved from San Bernardino to San Diego for my freshman year at University of San Diego. My family had raced a few Fud races and came across your fabulous magazine after seeing it and your familial references in Fud’s Crud. Your publication is an amazing backbone to the off road industry and community. Thank you thank you thank you!!! What feature do you like best? Everything! The event features and write up stories, the inclusion of what is going on in the desert off road communities, and especially the race write-ups when you have pictures outside of those who win or finish in the podium, the tenth place racer who had a great event and finished their first Vegas to Reno! What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Sherri’s Turn and the Kukla name!
How did you first learn about it? From Fud’s Crud, retail locations like Race Ready Products and RLH Enterprises. Honestly I don’t feel as old as that sounds lol! ;)
- Michael Cohen, Scottsdale AZ
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Truckhaven events
How did you first learn about it? Off road shows.
- Bryce Hove, Santa Ana CA
First time you read the mag? About 1979 or the initial publication.
What feature do you like best? Sherri's Turn, desert & 4WD articles
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
The guy-in-the-garage
How did you first learn about it? Desert racer, worked at Pacific Suzuki, own property in Ocotillo Wells
- Jeff Roberts, currently live in Gardnerville NV
First time you read the mag? 1987
What feature do you like best? Glamis features. Jeep builds
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Easy to read, large print
How did you first learn about it? Saw copy at Boardmanville
- Barney Bakara, Yuma AZ
First time you read the mag?
Over 30 years ago, when we still lived in San Diego County.
What feature do you like best? Quality of articles, including local events with larger scale events as well
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? FUD race results and race story
My name is Jake Harrison from Mclouth, Kansas. Racing Legacy’s Dirt Rebelution on August 3rd in Cedar City. Had an awesome time and won the Expert Ironman class that day. Can't wait to race with them again!!
Sadie, Lilah and Papa Doug McPheeters having fun on San Diego 4 Wheeler Jeep Run in Superstition. Photo by Jesse McPheeters, El Cajon CA
How did you first learn about it? Likely picked up a copy at Race Ready Prodcuts
- Mike McClintock, Yucaipa, CA
First time you read the mag? 1988 I believe?
What feature do you like best? Featuring local racing
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Barona Oaks MX racing back in the 80’s
How did you first learn about it? Motorcycle shop
- Darren Scott, Yuma AZ
First time you read the mag? 2023
What feature do you like best? The Off Road history, races, family
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? It's about family
How did you first learn about it? They reached out after our 2023 race at Glen Helen
- Rob Tygart, Yucaipa CA
First time you read the mag? SDOR - 1992
What feature do you like best? Many things...articles and local race coverage
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? I think it was Dirt Bits
How did you first learn about it? Carried it in my shop
- Jamie @ Clairemont Cycle Supply
First time you read the mag? 2009
What feature do you like best? How "real" it is. It's really neat to see how regular people are enjoying riding, gathering with friends and family, and finding new ways to make crazy off road vehicles even cooler. What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Hmmmm....I don't recall sorry. How did you first learn about it? Through CORVA
- Michelle Evans, Somis CA
First time you read the mag? Early 2024
What feature do you like best? There are some interesting articles and photos
of others having some cool adventures and some nice rigs. What's the first thing you remember about the mag? I don’t recall
How did you first learn about it? When I started getting the subscription after joining SDORC after the 2023 Lost Lizard Fun Rum
- Jim Shaw, Oceanside CA
First time you read the mag? 1991
What feature do you like best? Representation of regular amateur off roaders as well as the pros
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Some story on Ocotillo Wells. How did you first learn about it? Saw it in a store.
- James Veltri, San Marcos CA
First time you read the mag?
Around 25-30 years ago. I don't remember where I picked up the magazine.
What feature do you like best? Coverage of different events.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? I can't remember.
How did you first learn about it? Picked it up at an off-road type shop.
- Steven Syzdek, Parowan UT
First time you read the mag? 1984.
What feature do you like best? Back to the desert, watching my friends and my kids growing, and enjoying the desert
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Looking forward to newsprint copies in bike shops
How did you first learn about it? I knew the Kuklas from church. But I loved riding my ATC 90 at Miramar or Ocotillo Wells
- Doug McPheeters, Santee CA
First time you read the mag?
Seems like 30 or 40 years ago! What feature do you like best? I enjoy the articles & pics. Sherri, you do awesome! What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
A 3 wheeler story. My all time favorite stories!
How did you first learn about it? Racing
- Vicki Finch, Chula Vista CA
First time you read the mag? A few years ago
What feature do you like best? It has up to date information on local events, race news, information on new products, updated political issuses, good articles on people that are important to the off road community
How did you first learn about it? I'm a member of the ASA and saw it in an e-mail/newsletter
- Steve McGovern, Escondido, CA
First time you read the mag?
It's been about a year or so and I saw the digital copy was free. I felt it would be a great reading source for my then 7th grader who is a reluctant reader but loves off roading, dirt bike riding, four wheelers.
What feature do you like best? I like that it is a magazine that my teenage son, who is a reluctant reader, will read and enjoy.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
The first one that I read was the one with the featured pictures from each state.
How did you first learn about it? I saw an ad on Facebook.
- Melissa Johnson, Lima Ohio
First time you read the mag?
When you went digital
What feature do you like best? Digital version
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Looking at photos from readers
How did you first learn about it? Sand Sports Super Show years ago
- Jeff McPherson, Laguna Hills CA
First time you read the mag? Late 80's, early 90's
What feature do you like best? Sherri's Turn, race coverage
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Race results
How did you first learn about it? I saw it on a newsstand
- Greg Wright, Alpine CA
First time you read the mag? Late 80’s, early 90’s
What feature do you like best? Grass roots features on off roading and local events/ racing.
- Rich Roberts, Prescott AZ
First time you read the mag? Mid 80's
What feature do you like best? Sherri's Turn and race coverage
How did you first learn about it? Cycle Parts newsstand
- Vince Cook, Tucson AZ
First time you read the mag?
Long time ago
What feature do you like best? Interesting read
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Glamis articles
How did you first learn about it? Sand Show
- Victor Torres, Prescott AZ
First time you read the mag?
39 years ago
What feature do you like best? Local to San Diego area with local news, stories and race results.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
My race results
How did you first learn about it? Local bike shop
- Bill Quackenbush, Poway CA
First time you read the mag?
Many years ago
What feature do you like best? Family features
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Something we attended
How did you first learn about it? My daughter
- Lori Warehime, Santee CA
First time you read the mag?
Back in the late 80’s. We still have one of the original stickers on the tailgate of our enclosed trailer.
What feature do you like best? Love reading and seeing the old vintage photos and stories from past desert seasons
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
The accident that involved Robert (Ace) Williams. We went to school together and were in the same homeroom
How did you first learn about it?
Picked up a copy from Steve (Smitty) Schmitz at Smittys ATC’s in National City - Corky Weeks, Alpine CA
First time you read the mag? 2000
What feature do you like best? Covers a variety of events that you would not hear about otherwise. I enjoy everything from the racing to the laws/land use issues and family desert photos :)
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
There was a picture of my husband in the 'worst stuck' section once
How did you first learn about it? Motorcycle shop
First time you read the mag?
Back in the 80’s. Used to get the San Diego Off Roader from Daryl Smith Sand Tires every month in Lemon Grove
What feature do you like best? Back to the Desert issue is my favorite.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Articles about off road racing
How did you first learn about it? Fellow off roaders had a copy at Glamis
- Mike Wager, Spring Valley CA
First time you read the mag?
Whenever your first issue was. 1980 something.
What feature do you like best? It's all good.
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
District 38 racing info. FRT. Also South Bay Speedway stuff or 117.
How did you first learn about it? It was available at off road supply shops. I think it was Fiber Tech.
- Dave Martinosky Yuma, AZ
First time you read the mag? 10 years ago
What feature do you like best? All including advertising
- Robert Clements, Chino CA
First time you read the mag? I have been reading this magazine for about 20 years
What feature do you like best? Reading articles
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
Reading the experience of the editor with her daily life with the guy-in-the-garage.
How did you first learn about it? At an Off Road Show
- Tom McEntire, Chino CA
First time you read the mag?
Wow Way back at the beginning
And never stopped
What feature do you like best? Everything. Really everything. The photos, stories and classifieds
What's the first thing you remember about the mag?
That was a while back,but I think it was a race coverage How did you first learn about it? I picked up a copy at a rack and said "This is for me."
- Grant Gowen, San Diego CA
First time you read the mag? April 2024
What's the first thing you remember about the mag? My car
How did you first learn about it? When someone sent me a picture of my car being featured in it
- Kyle Gumke, High Desert/SoCal
First time you read the mag? Probably over 20 years ago. What feature do you like best? The Bible scripture and the user submitted photos for the theme of the issue. What's the first thing you remember about the mag? Probably race results. How did you first learn about it? You had booths at industry shows.
- Justin Holder, Moreno Valley CA
BACK TO THE DESERT PRIZE WINNERS
BEST PHOTO winning a 6 month print subscription
DOUG HOPPER
Prescott Valley AZ
Best Photo RUNNER-UPS winning a 3 month print subscription
JESSE McPHEETERS El Cajon CA
LANCE KAPPNER
Chula Vista CA
PHOTO DRAWING WINNER winning a 3 month subscription (all photo contributors went into the drawing)
BRIAN FUSILIER Beaumont CA
42nd ANNIVERSARY SURVEY DRAWING WINNER
winning an October 2024 Print Magazine (all survey participants went into the drawing)
ROB TYGART Yucaipa CA
Darian Young waiting for the maiden voyage in this just completed project truck wtih his soon-to-be in-laws. Thanksgiving 2023 - Sherri Kukla, Ocotillo Wells CA
Pair of Dice Trail - Vicki and Alan - Desert Splash 2023 - Parker AZ -
Thanksgiving weekend 2023
From San Diego CA, Dyno Dean Sundahl in Glamis, 1989
Cole McPheeters having fun in the dirt.
Ocotillo Wells. Photo by Jesse McPheeters, El Cajon CA
Neal Rideout captured this unknown driver at California City E
Kristin Baxter and friends at Superstition Mountain!
Article & Photos by Kim Krause
From September 13-15, UTV Offroad Adventures
hosted the Annual Fire in the Sky Fun Run in Heber, AZ, where 70 vehicles and 125 participants gathered at AJ’s Getaway RV Family Campground (3537 Buckskin Rd, Overgaard, AZ 85933). AJ’s Getaway proved to be an excellent host, offering fantastic support for UTV enthusiasts and providing ample and convenient RV parking, making it a great base for exploring the area's trails. Inspired by the infamous 1970s alien abduction of Travis Walton, this event combined thrilling rides with an extraterrestrial theme as participants kept their eyes peeled for sightings along the trails.
The weekend kicked off on Friday night with check-in, where attendees received swag bags and t-shirts, selected their rides for the weekend, and enjoyed a chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new faces. The night concluded with a 20-mile night ride that featured a special touch—aliens providing a great photo op, adding to the weekend’s extraterrestrial fun.
Each morning began with a delicious breakfast catered by East Coast Cheese Steaks, followed by drivers’ meetings to ensure everyone was ready for the day's activities. The rides were as follows:
One-hundred-mile ride to Christopher Creek: Riders navigated the scenic Mogollon Rim, experiencing the lush landscapes and rich history of Christopher Creek. Christopher Creek, named after early settler Christopher D. L. Johnson, is a popular destination for its serene beauty and recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, and the stunning views of the surrounding Rim Country. The creek’s
cool waters and vibrant riparian habitat make it a refreshing and scenic highlight of the weekend.
Seventy-five-mile ride to Chevlon Lake: Participants explored the serene and remote Chevlon Lake, known for its stunning views and wildlife. The lake was originally created by a dam built on Chevlon Creek and has since become a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, and wildlife observation. The surrounding forest offers a peaceful retreat, with opportunities to spot various bird species and other wildlife, adding to the lake’s allure. This ride led to a couple of old cabins and a bear cave.
Fifty-mile ride through handpicked forest trails: This adventure through the ApacheSitgreaves National Forest offered breathtaking views and opportunities to spot wild horses, all while fueling imaginations with the possibility of alien sightings.
Evenings were filled with excitement, starting with poker checkin and live music by local Steve
Tussey. Dinner, again catered by East Coast Cheese Steaks, was a hit with all attendees. The evening featured the announcement of the poker winner, and
recognition of the farthest travelers from Missouri and Montana. A portion of the poker pot was also donated to Christmas Angels Charity, emphasizing the event’s community spirit.
A highlight of the weekend was the celebration of Larry James, a cherished member of the UTV Offroad Adventures family, whose 76th birthday was recognized during the event. There was a big cake
in his honor with a photo of Larry and his SXS.
The weekend concluded with a memorable appearance by Travis Walton, whose alien abduction story inspired the event’s theme. Travis shared his incredible experience, which led to his book and the movie Fire in the Sky, adding an authentic touch to the extraterrestrial theme.
With fantastic weather, exhilarating rides, and a blend of mystery and camaraderie, the Fire in the Sky Fun Run was a weekend to remember. Don’t miss the next UTV Offroad adventure! Check out our website at www. utvoffroadadventures.com for more details on upcoming events. E
From the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Steve McQueen
• Actor, Motorcycle Enthusiast, Off-Road Racer
Steve McQueen was one of the leading movie actors of the 1960s and ‘70s, but he was also an avid motorcyclist and supporter of the sport. Among McQueen’s many contributions to motorcycling include financing the influential motorcycle movie, On Any Sunday, in which he rode with buddies Malcolm Smith and Mert Lawwill. McQueen also supported a team of off-road riders that included himself and Bud and Dave Ekins, who competed in the 1964 International Six Day Trial in Germany. McQueen’s unabashed enthusiasm for motorcycling did wonders for the
image of the sport during a time when the general public often looked at motorcyclists with disdain.
McQueen was born in the Indianapolis suburb of Beech Grove, Indiana, on March 24, 1930. He had a troubled youth and for a time was raised by a great uncle on a farm in Missouri. When he was 12, he moved to Los
Angeles with his mother. There, he became involved in gangs and ended up in reform school. Later in life he credited the California Junior Boys Republic for helping him get on the right track. After becoming a successful movie star, McQueen made generous donations to the institution.
McQueen joined the Marines and early on spent a good amount of time in the brig for various offenses. He later redeemed himself by diving in and helping rescue five servicemen who had fallen into the frigid Arctic Sea after their ship hit a sand bar. McQueen was promoted to honor guard and was honorably discharged in 1950.
After his stint in the service, McQueen drifted around the country supporting himself with menial jobs. It was during this time that he took up motorcycling. His first motorcycle was a 1946 Indian Chief. In a 1971 interview in Sports Illustrated, McQueen recalls that he was smitten by motorcycling from the start.
"I was so proud of that Indian that I rode it over to see a girl I was dating," he recalled. "She said, 'You don’t expect me to ride around with you on that, do you?' I surely did. The girl went and the bike stayed."
By the mid-1950s McQueen’s acting career began to take off and a decade later he had become the highest-paid actor in Hollywood. He was famous for portraying gritty characters in popular movies such as "The Magnificent Seven," "Hell is for Heroes," "Bullitt" and others. Despite his success as an actor, McQueen didn’t shy away from motorcycling. Instead, he became even more active. In the late 1950s, McQueen and a group of friends took a risky motorcycle trip across revolutionary Cuba.
"Batista and Castro were shooting it out across the countryside. There were uniforms everywhere, but we had a great adventure, which is one of the things that make motorcycling so great because it never fails to give you a feeling of freedom and adventure," he said.
In the early 1960s, he and another actor, Dennis Hopper, were riding their street bikes around Hollywood when they came across some off-road cyclists riding in the hills. They pulled over to watch and McQueen was awestruck by the skill of the riders motoring up incredibly steep hills. The very next day, he purchased a Triumph
500cc off-road bike from Bud Ekins. Ekins helped McQueen learn the ropes, and before long McQueen began competing in off-road events around Southern California. Later, his contracts with movie studios prohibited him from racing motorcycles. He got around that technicality by racing under the pseudonym of Harvey Mushman.
McQueen raced in many of the top off-road races on the West Coast during the ‘60s and early-1970s, including the Baja 1000, the Mint 400 and the Elsinore Grand Prix. According to Bud Ekins, McQueen became quite a respectable racer.
Steve McQueen's footprints at the Chinese Theatre
"He never could race enough, because of his movie commitments, to earn enough points for his expert license," Ekins explained. "He always raced as an amateur, but that was crazy since he usually finished ahead of the other amateurs and most of the experts."
McQueen and Ekins dreamed up perhaps the most famous motorcycle jump ever filmed when shooting the movie "The Great Escape" in Germany. He called good friend Ekins over to be his stunt double to shoot the climactic motorcycle jump in which McQueen’s character was trying to escape German soldiers by motorcycle during World War II. While shooting that movie, McQueen and Ekins took a break to watch the International Six Days Trial in Germany. The two would return two years later, along with Dave Ekins, to compete in the ISDT.
McQueen became so closely associated with motorcycling that Popular Science had him write a series of motorcycle reviews for that magazine in the mid-1960s.
In the early 1970s, movie producer Bruce Brown approached McQueen about helping him finance a documentary movie on motorcycling. McQueen, fully knowing that he would probably never profit from this type of film, nevertheless agreed to back Brown. The movie he financed turned out to be the classic, On Any Sunday, not only the best motorcycle movie of its time, but also a commercial success.
In 1971, a shirtless McQueen was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated jumping a Husqvarna off-road bike. Inside that issue was an extensive interview with McQueen on his love for the sport.
McQueen also became interested in collecting classic motorcycles. By the late1970s, his collection included well over 100 machines and was valued in the millions of dollars.
McQueen died from lung cancer on November 7, 1980. He was just 50 years old. His contribution to motorcycling helped the sport overcome its outlaw image and helped set the stage for the popularity of the sport during the 1990s.
EReprinted with permission from the American Motorcyclist Association, home of the AMA's re-imagined and re-engineered American Motorcyclist magazine, North America's largestcirculation and best multi-discipline motorcycle enthusiast publication. American Motorcyclist covers it all, from amateur and professional racing to events, rights issues and motorcycle history, and everything in between, including a monthly column by HOFer Malcolm Smith. Become an AMA member and get American Motorcyclist delivered to your door every month for just $4.08 per month. To learn more: www.Americanmotorcyclist.com
Kw’tsan
There is a new proposed national monument called Kw’tsan. It would go from east of the Imperial Sand Dunes to the Colorado River and run on BLM land from the Mexican border north about 40 miles. This land is currently undesignated BLM land and is what I personally like. Now the land is available for activities like driving, riding on the route network, amateur and large scale mining, rock hounding, cattle grazing and renewable energy. If it is designated as a national monument, most of these activities would be at least reduced. If it happens, the route network would be reviewed again and very possibly be reduced. I was recently invited to a meeting held by the Quechan Tribe in Winterhaven, California on the proposed monument. These are the people pushing the monument. At the meeting the tribal council presented their proposal and its justification. They want to protect
390,000 acres of land they believe contains artifacts from their ancestors. After the presentation I asked the council if they would put in writing that the route network stays intact in such a proclamation. They said no, because there could be significant findings along the routes. While a variety of activities could be curtailed, our main focus is in preserving the route network. If such a designation takes place, I would work with the tribe to keep as much of the route network open as is possible.
Bills
The two bills our lobby coalition has been supporting this year have made it to the governor's desk and await his signature. SB708, the red sticker bill and SB632, the bill to allow OHVs to go around Red Rock State Park both stand a pretty good chance of passing.
Our lobby coalition is also working on putting together a safety bill to require training for OHV
operators. The precedent has been set by Oregon, Utah and Arizona that mandatory safety training can succeed. Utah reports high compliance and a reduction in accidents. It is early and everything is on the table, but if you have strong feelings on mandatory safety training in California for some or all OHVs, please let us know at info@ sdorc.org.
Lost Lizard
The Lost Lizard Fun Run is coming and all the pieces are coming together. Online pre-entry is open until October 16 at https://sdorc.org/fun-run-2024/ You can save money and start the event quickly when you pre-enter. We are buying new route markers in deep red for easy visibility. We are known for having a great bucket drop raffle. This is where you drop your raffle ticket in the bucket for the prize you want to win. We have a large group of prizes that is growing. Here are prizes we have lined up so far. Tierra Del Sol 4X4 Club - a griddle and two Safari entries, Viking Bags - a motorcycle bag, All About RV - RV rental worth $600, San
Join San Diego Off Road Coalition to help protect off road areas www.sdorc.org/join-sdorc/
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER - BY SDORC PRESIDENT ED STOVIN
Diego Air and Space Museum - 4 tickets, San Diego Natural History Museum - 4 tickets, Sea World - 4 tickets worth $114 each, Zebra Off Road - 10 each $500 labor certificates, Rugged Radios - 2-way radios, BruteForce - 4 LED light covers, Dyno Shop - gift certificates for $300 and $180, San Diego 4 Wheelers - first aid kit, walkie talkies and 2 Superstition Run entries, ITW Global Tire Repair - cordless tire inflator and truck tire repair kit, Wayne Miller Tires$500 gift certificate. Prizes to be announced by Ruff Stuff,
King Shocks, Rhino USA, Whips and Shyt, Site Shades, Napier and Go Fast Girls. We would like to thank Desiree at Born Dirty for making our event trophies and sponsoring the cleanup. Companies sponsoring our event include Toyota of El Cajon, El Cajon Ford and Motoworld. I would like to thank Laura, Jeff, Diane, Rick, Simone, Rob, Kuuipo, Amy, Krista, our checkpoints: TDS, SD4Wheelers, Zebra Off Road, JeepHers, SD Jeep Club, Schoonies/MIT and everyone else who is helping to make this a fun event for our coalition.
Trans America Trail
I recently completed the western 2000 miles of the Trans America Trail on my DR650 motorcycle. https://www.transamtrail.com/ I rode from my house in San Diego to Oregon, started on the beach in Port Orford and rode to east Idaho, then south along the Utah/Nevada border. Most people who do it use a motorcycle, but a 4 wheel drive would be able as well. For me it was a dream to get up and ride on dirt roads all day to places I have never been. I camped some and stayed in hotels when conditions were less than ideal. Gas and food are available no further than 150 miles apart. The scenery is spectacular, and the roads are usually smooth. I used a Garmen Zumo XT2 with the route loaded in. If you love this kind of adventure, it is something to look into .E
Gary Taylor finished fourth Group T
JEFF WALDAIAS PHOTOS
Bruce Field out of San Jose CA finished third in Group T
Taryn McCalla, third OG Pro Stock Turbo
So that race didn't go as planned. Neither did the cracked windshield on my truck, and the double blowout on my trailer as we were on our way home.
After a fun prerun, and a 2nd in class during qualifying, we were confident that we could have a great race. The start went flawless and we were setting a good pace. The only issue we believed we could have, would be flat tires from all the rocks. Pretty sure every rock in Nevada was up and out watching the race. We were about half a mile out from Checkpoint 1, on a soft gravel service road just cruising along doing my best to avoid the rocks, until suddenly, BOOM. We
Sean Lowe, all the way from Nanaimo, British Columbia raced with the Group T class, finishing fourth
missed every rock we saw, and I may have been only 2 inches in the sage brush, but it was enough to find a boulder that would bend the spindle, bend the lower control and frame rail, ruin a wheel and tire, and ultimately end our day.
It was a heartbreaking moment. I felt this race was a perfect match for myself, Cory and the truck's capabilites. Unfortunately, it wasn't so.
On a positive note, the truck was still together and capable of rolling, so we changed the tire, reset the toe, then headed down the access road for about 5 miles until we reached Interstate 95. We hung a right and took the highway about 8 miles back to the pits!
Truck ran great, only blew one tire which, for what we saw out there, was lucky. First finish and a win for myself, however the podium is nowhere new to this ole red Ranger
Terry West out of Sparks NV, third Class 10
Ben Souders finished first Group T Lite
RESULTS
TOP TEN OVERALL 1. Tim
Fitzpatrick 2. Will Atkinson 3. Steven Scott 4. Rob Parsons 5. Steven Radtke 6. Andrew Rightmire 7. Zachary Kisman 8. Gil Medrano 9. Jeff Kary 10. Dennis Kordonoway
Unlimited Truck 1. Chris German 2. Jason Bellinger
Class 1 1. Rob Parsons 2. Jeff Kary 3. Shawn Aldridge 4. Brian Read
Group T 1. Richard Bachand 2. Darrell Johnson 3. Bruce Field 4. Gary Taylor 5. Sean Lowe
Class 10 1. Dennis Kordonoway 2. Kenny Ott 3. Terry West
Class 4400 1. John Hultsman
Class 9 1. Troy Robinson 2. Travis Weir 3. Maclain Mcbride 4. Eric Steiger
Class 11 1. Chris Wycoff
Cody Lindquist finished 13th overall and third Pro Stock 2
We had a great time at VORRA’s Stomping Grounds 300. We qualified 1st in class and were off the starting line 10th overall. We were able to move up to 4th overall, hanging with the fastest guys until losing 3 rear axles, dropping us to a 3rd in class finish and only a 2 point lead in the series points!
Tallon Harris, fifth OG Pro Stock Turbo
Group T Lite 1. Ben Souders 2. Mark Saum 3. Kelly Mcdonald
4. Derek Craft
Class 1450 1. Steven Dobbs
Sportsman Buggy 1. Brian Powell
Pro UTV 1. Tim Fitzpatrick 2. Will Atkinson 3. Sean Cook 4. Brian Tilton 5. Bud Walberg
Pro N/A UTV 1. Zachary Kisman 2. Matt Myres 3. Xzander Vejar 4. Johnny Vejar
5. Shelby Hall
Unlimited UTV 1. Steven Scott 2. Andrew Rightmire
OG Pro Stock Turbo 1. Scottie Hanson 2. Chase Rosenquist 3. Taryn Mccalla 4. Ronald Vegas
5. Lucas Bates
Sportsman UTV 1. Matthew Bertero 2. Steve Austin 3. Cody
Wolfe 4. Tristan Moerman 5. Jay Riley
Pro Stock 2 1. Gil Medrano 2. Kyle Kania 3. Cody Lindquist 4. Jimmy James Alford 5. Grayt
Myers
Stock Mod 1. Steven Radtke E
Kyle Kania finished second Pro Stock 2
Adam Vejar finished sixth Pro N/A UTV
Santa Veronica Grand Prix
Photos by Dulce Renée (Triplets Photo)
Jesus Navarro finished fifth in the Master class
Max Yee won the Expert class and finished fourth overall
TTwenty miles southeast from Tecate Baja Mexico, you'll find Rancho Santa Veronica. At the front of this famous hotel we have the race track on the Santana family property.
At 8:15 a.m. the motorcycle race started with 90 minutes on a nine mile lap. Albaro Ortiz led the race and completed six laps on his KTM.
The quad race began at 10:25 a.m. with four times around a seven mile lap. Estevan Ramirez led the race and never looked back
EMT services were provided by Condor Rescue Team, and many helpful friends on the course. It was a good day with race battles and family time for riders and friends all the way up to the end of the day awards
M/C OPEN PRO: 1. Albaro Ortiz (18), Dulzura CA 2. Adrián Ortiz (23), Dulzura CA 3. Luis Huerta (31), Chula Vista CA 4. Oscar Andrés García (21), Tijuana B.C. 5. Adán García (26), Ensenada B.C.
M/C OPEN EXPERT: 1. Max Yee (17), Chula Vista CA 2. Carlos Casas Jr. (16) Chula Vista CA 3. Humberto Ayala (25), Jacumé B.C. 4. Adrián Mercado (15), Jacumé B.C. 5. Juan Carlos Ochoa (24), Mexicali B.C.
Quad +30: 1. Daniel Muñoz (33), Tijuana B.C. 2. Mario Vargas (35), Mexicali B.C.
Quad Novice: 1. Paco Leyva, Mexicali B.C. 2. Sebastián Castro (24), Mexicali B.C. 3. Juan José Peralta H. (26), Ojos Negros B.C. 4. Kevin Pérez (28), Mexicali B.C.
Quad Women class: 1. Paulina Carrillo (29), Chula Vista CA 2. Ana Cacho, Tijuana B.C.
Sergio Marentes crossed the finish line in second place in the Pro class
Salvador Paniagua had a bad day at his first time in the ZR series, finishing 11th E
Ricardo Hoyos finished second overall quad and first place in the Expert class
Paulina Carrillo family
Paulina Carrillo won the Womens class in her first ZR race
Oscar Andres Garcia finished fourth in the Pro class
Juan Sanchotena took first place in the MC Open +50 class
California State Speedway Championship
Broc Nicol 1st, Aaron Fox 2nd, Timmy Dion outside, Max Ruml 4th
August 24, 2024 - Industry Hills Speedway - City of Industry CA www.industryhills speedway.com
BY HOWIE ZECHNER - PHOTOS BY KENNY LONNGREN https://kennylonngren.smugmug.com
Afull program with serveral different agendas at the 2024 Industry Racing Season Final brought out a packed house. Festive and merry spectators packed the grandstands, consumed food and drink, interacted with racers, and relayed stories from day one to the present. All knew this last event would bring a close to the 2024 speedway season as well as the retirement of one of our favorite racers here at Industry Racing in the City of Industry.
Top billing was the 47th California State Speedway Championship. A much desired title the field represented America's top Speedway jockeys including the current State and 2019 AMA National Champion Broc Nicol along with 11-time AMA National and 5-time CA State Champion Billy Janniro plus 2-time National Champion and 3-time CA State Champ Max Ruml, and 3-time U.S. National and 2-time State Bobby Schwartz. The remainder of the field was just as strong with 4-time U.S. Open Champion Shawn McConnell, 2-time U.S. National Champ Aaron Fox, the youngsters 2022 AMA Under 21 Champ Alex Martin, 2021 AMA Under 21 Slater Lightcap, plus a host of superfast riders that included Russell Green, Timmy Dion, Charlie Trana, Fast Eddie Castro, Tim Gomez, Mark Fillebrown, Justin Almon, Michael Wells, Jordan Vanderham and Ely Medellin.
Another major attraction on this night was the announcement by “Mad Dog” McConnell that after 50 years of racing he will retire and this event would be his last. A huge loss for our sport as Shawn McConnell is one of the most liked and skilled racers on the circuit. One of the wildest, his wheelies and hanging off the bike style has created a fan base of loyal spectator followers. Extremely popular with the other competitors the man with dice showing the number 6 embroidered in his race suit will truly be missed by all.
The Championship event format consists of 5 rounds that equal 20 heat races. Each heat pays 3 points for a win, 2 for 2nd and 1 for 3rd. Once completed the top scoring 8 riders go into two separate Semi Finals. First and second from each Semi make up the Main Event. The Main winner then becomes the California State Champion.
Simple, right? I don’t think so. Every rider wants this title and each heat is a war. There have been times when things are downright brutal but on this night the crashes were few and no ambulance trips were required. There’s a number of things that made it so, but probably the main is that during the pre-race riders meeting referee Steve Lucero laid down the law about over aggressive contact and how those guilty would be removed.
Called “Bad Boy” when he raced, Lucero is a 2-time National and 4-time California State Championship and knows the game. He understands that contact and racing
incidents happen but has no issue removing any racer crossing from fair to dangerous.
Round One had no surprises with #99 Broc Nicol, # 14n Billy Janniro, #30n Alex Martin and #1 Max Ruml winning each of their first, 4 heat races.
Round two saw more action as #23 Charlie Trana slid out in Heat 5 as Billy Janniro kept his perfect score alive. In Heat 6, #30n Alex Martin lost control after contact with #137 Justin Almon in turn one of lap one. The referee call was first turn bunching and ordered a full restart that was won by Broc Nicol. Heat 7 had #46 Aaron Fox claiming his first victory of the evening. Heat 8 saw #214 Michael Wells crash in turn 4 as #28 Slater Lightcap collected his first win of the meet.
Round three, Heat 9 was a first win for racer Timmy Dion as Billy Janniro took his third in Heat 10. Fierce racing continued as Slater Lightcap crashed after contact with Charlie Trana in turn three. A full restart saw Lightcap claim his second victory of the night as did Max Ruml who finished first in the last heat of round 3.
The fourth round saw more contact as Timmy Dion crashed after contact with Justin Almon in turn 2. A full Heat 11 restart gave Aaron Fox his second win. Broc Nicol made the start in Heat 12 and never looked back as Northern California racers Alex Martin won Heat 13 and Russell Green Heat 14. An honorable mention for reserve # 178 Eloy
KENNY LONNGREN PHOTOS
Slater Lightcap leads with Russell Green behind (pink), Michael Wells against the wall
Medellin who got his only ride of the night when he replaced Charlie Trana in heat race 14.
Having a good night the final round saw Alex Martin win Heat 15 as Broc Nicol took 16, Max Ruml 17 and Billy Janniro 18.
The eight high point Semi Final racers had Billy Janniro (14), Alex Martin (12), Slater Lightcap (10), Russell Green (9) in Semi 1 with Broc Nicol (14), Max Ruml (12). Aaron Fox (12), Timmy Dion (9) in Semi 2. First and second place winners from each Semi would transfer to the main.
Janniro on the pole got the start over Lightcap against the wall but the drive line proved to be in Slater's favor as #28 won the first Semi.
The second Semi required two starts as the referee was not happy with the first. Nicol on the pole took the start and held a commanding lead as Ruml on the outside got caught in a three rider sandwich that saw Dion crash in turn 4.
For the Main event one by one the four finalists walked to the starting gate as announcer Terry Clanton introduced each. This walk-about is a big deal as it allows the riders to feel the track. Each have their own ritual as they kick the dirt and read where the grip is best. The first rider starting position is decided by the high point racer. It’s followed by the 2nd high point choosing a gate, then the 3rd.
The lineup was Slater Lightcap on the pole, Billy Janniro in two, Max Rum three and Broc Nicol in the box next to the crash wall. When the tapes went up both Nicol and Ruml wheelied but Slater made a perfect start. Going into the first turn it was Slater, Janniro, Ruml and Nicol. Packed tighter than sardines in a tin Nicol was forced outside by Ruml and laid the bike down. Getting up Nicol thought the referee would do a restart but the restart never came.
Slater Lightcap led all four laps as Janniro and Ruml battled for 2nd. With a tremendous victory Slater gave notice that a new generation of youngsters will be a force next season.
While Slater took a checkered flag lap and soaked in the acolades of victory a not so happy Broc Nicol and referee Steve Lucero were having words. Not sure how civil it all was but body language indicates the conversation was tense. Still the race had run, Slater Lightcap was the victor and in the end Nicol, like every racer there, congratulated the new champion.
Do need to visit three other items. First, the birthday of announcer Terry Clanton’s mother Mary Ann who celebrated her 95th here at Industry. A wonderful person, everyone loves Mary Ann as she is the poster child of growing old with grace.
The second is the retirement of “Mad Dog” Shawn McConnell. In his last heat race of the night Shawn crashed and was plenty annoyed it happened. Fact is he was super mad at himself as he wanted to go out in glory not finding himself down on the race track. Still the crowd and his fellow riders would not allow any self-pity as Shawn is the gold standard of nice, talent, skill, sharing, and teaching.
Picking himself up after his crash all the riders rushed the infield. They applauded as Shawn took a checkered flag lap and then did the hanging off the bike wheelies that are his trademark. The Thunderdome lived up to its name as everyone cheered and lined up for pictures with the Superstar. A momentous happening, it will be told and retold for generations.
The third is promoter Kelly Inman. Very popular, all respect the amount of time and effort he puts into Industry Racing and Speedway. His change from nighttime racing on Wednesday to Saturday has been well received and grown the spectator base. Thanks Kelly, we and this sport are proud of your accomplishment. A new 15 event 2025 schedule has already been announced and rumor is more dates will be added. Keep up on all the Industry Racing happening on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ IndustryRacing E
Billy Janniro in font, Max Ruml 2nd and Timmy Dion, third
What It Means To Tread Lightly While Four-Wheeling
Tom Severin 4x4 Coach
take much to ruin the experience for others.
TThe term tread lightly is well known among four wheelers. (And, I hope, everyone who enjoys the outdoors.)
Many folks have joined Tread Lightly!, the organization. That’s great. But what does it mean to tread lightly?
It’s easy to remember the fundamentals with the help of this mnemonic based upon the word TREAD:
Travel responsibly and only on designated roads and trails, and launch your watercraft only in the proper areas.
Respect the rights of others, including private property owners, recreational trail users, campers.
Educate yourself by learning rules and regulations, obtaining travel maps and regulations.
Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes.
Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it.
Let’s take a deeper look at some of these concepts.
Littering leaves an ugly mess
Laws and rules against littering help keep our public spaces enjoyable for all. But that’s true only if people comply. It doesn’t
Let’s say Fred Four-Wheeler tosses his apple core at the campsite (or worse, somewhere off a trail). Is that really such a bad thing? In a word, yes. On the one hand, the action probably violated the law.
Compounded, it becomes a real problem. If everyone starts tossing apple cores, banana peels, and garbage, pretty soon the landscape looks really glum.
It’s not just apple cores, either. Campers enjoy sunflower seeds, pistachio nuts, peanuts… all sorts of snack foods. Sitting around the campfire, they like to toss the shells into the fire. That’s the plan, anyway.
The next day, the ground around the fire pit is littered with nut shells; it’s a real mess. The campsite is not only untidy, but there’s the risk of attracting unwanted pests.
Food items take time to decompose. A surprisingly long time, it turns out. Scientists study this sort of thing. Here are some examples of food and nonfood items.
• Banana peels: two to four weeks
• Orange peels: one to two months
• Egg shells: three to six months
• Cigarette butts can take up to 10 years to decompose.
• Single-use wet wipes can last up to 100 years in landfills. Yes, you read that correctly.
These are approximations. Many factors determine the rate at which a product decomposes. But there’s no denying that all products – food and otherwise – are slow to break down in the environment. Plus, it’s just plain unsightly to have that junk cluttering landscape.
You wouldn’t want someone leaving garbage in your backyard, would you? Refrain from tossing those food scraps in the “people’s backyard.” Haul it in, and then haul it out.
Dispose of “gray water” properly
“Gray water” – water left over from washing dishes – tends to get overlooked. Most people just toss it on the grounds. That’s a bad idea. That wastewater often contains food scraps that attract birds and other critters.
Strain the water using one of these materials:
• A large coffee filter
• A fine mesh of something
• Some knit fabrics filter effectively
• Paper towel. This is what I use, especially when dumping old coffee. I pour the water onto the paper towel, then throw the towel in the Trasharoo. The wastewater is filtered enough to pour onto the ground. Try to get at least 50 feet from the campsite, and never dump near a source of water.
Of course, if a toilet or utility sink is available, take advantage of that.
Another option is to pour the wastewater into an empty container, and take it home with you.
Bear in mind that one day we may be forced to haul out the gray water. It’s best to get accustomed to handling it now.
Be mindful of sensitive areas
Typical sensitive areas include wetlands and marshes. But all open areas should be treated with respect. Always stay on designated trails, whether driving, hiking or biking.
Two public areas in California bear specific mention. Racetrack Playa in Death Valley (often called the Racetrack) is very fragile when wet. Driving is never permitted on the surface. Walking is allowed as long as the surface is dry.
Another sensitive area is the State Vehicular Recreation Area
near Pismo. The concern here is the snowy plover, which nests on the ground. Its eggs are small and nearly the color of sand, making the eggs (and nests) difficult to see. At times, certain portions of the SVRA are fenced off to protect the nests.
Whether driving or hiking in the SVRA, always be on the lookout for snowy plovers and their nests.
How to reduce waste while off road
Reducing waste and the amount of material to be hauled out starts with preparation. Calculate how much food you’ll need for the trip, factoring in a little extra to be safe. Just don’t go overboard.
Focus on food items available in smaller packages. Avoid large packages, jars or cans. Once opened, you have to deal with the contents, which typically are perishable. Any food not consumed or saved by refrigerating or freezing would be wasted.
Fewer packages taken along and less food wasted equates to less garbage to haul out.
Regardless of how you enjoy the outdoors – four-wheeling, hiking, biking or boating – always adhere to the principles of Tread Lightly. Be mindful of your impact on the environment, and stay on designated trails. Proper preparation will help you enjoy that vacation while generating a minimal amount of waste that needs to come back.
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 2024, Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Inc E
Trasharoo trash container
DIRTBITS
MRT Tires Earns 5 Podium Wins at Crandon, 55th Polaris Crandon World Championships
Performance tiremaker Moto Race Tire (MRT), www.MRT.Tires, had a successful Labor Day weekend at the 55th Polaris Crandon World Championships which took place at the iconic Crandon International Raceway in Crandon Wisconsin, August 28th – September 1st, 2024. MRT’s growing race program achieved a combined total of 5 podium wins in the Champ Offroad short course racing series and Ultra4 off-road racing series on MRT Tires.
Cody Jones, a stronghold this season in the Champ Offroad Pro AM SXS Class, would take the first place win on Saturday followed by Derek Liebergen in the second place position. Both drivers on MRT Sidewinder™ tires specifically designed for short course racing. Jones, newly crowned Pro AM SXS World Champion, took second in points this season with many podium wins. “I’ve been running the MRT
Sidewinder tire all year and have been doing great!” says Jones.
Tyler Wusterbarth, a consistent class leader throughout the 2024 season, would take the first place win in the Sportsman SxS class on Saturday. The championship victory was a great wrap up to a highly successful year for Wusterbarth competing on MRT Sidewinder™ tires in the Champ Offroad series.
“After a successful year on the Sidewinder last year, it was a no brainer to stick with the combination” Wustrerbarth shares. “They are the perfect dry/slick tires and competed well even in the slop. With multiple wins and podiums every weekend the bar is set extremely high, this tire offers a ton of confidence and has the perfect amount of side bite which helps me as a driver trust the car more in the corners. The Kevlar sidewall really works well and in the two years on the tire we’ve never had a tire go down regardless of contact or damage. It’s truly a tire you can beat on at the track or run for years on your trail machine.”
In the famous Ultra4 Rage on the Rocks event Tyler Gibbs would podium 2nd in the UTV Open Class. Gibbs, racing the event with the MRT Sonora DS™ for the second time ever, achieved his second podium win on the all-new tire.
“We finally got the air pressure dialed after the last qualifying run, then we put the car on kill mode for our final races” states Gibbs. “The new Sonora DS tire has been Gibbs tested and it passes.”
The all-new MRT Sonora DS™ is the toughest UTV tire ever made presenting groundbreaking construction and a revolutionary design. The Sonora DS™ features a 6x Kevlar construction wrapped bead to bead, fortified with D-Fence Sidewall Protection and APEX FORCE Bead Pinch Protection. In addition to the MRT Backed 1 Year Side Wall Warranty, its strength combined with a performance designed tread pattern sets a new bar for innovation in off-road tire performance.
Jack LeTourneau would wrap up the UTV Open class podium in the 3rd position. LeTourneau running MRT X-Rox DD™ tires, a long-time MRT top seller popularized by its perfect balance for performance and durability, would prove them worthy in a tough race that featured rugged and sharp rocks as obstacles.
In addition to podiums with MRT Tires, the MRT Racing division would also gain several podiums from both Champ Offroad and Ultra4 events on Muscle Race Wheels. MRT’s premier performance wheel line, Muscle Race Wheels, are podium proven and designed for success; recognized as the lightest and strongest wheels on the market.
“We are proud of our racers and their performance! Our motto ‘Quality When You Need It’ is proven again and again on these courses. These tires and wheels pass the strictest of tests and scrutiny before they are released. It’s this focus that allows drivers to race with confidence. We accredit the Kevlar Armor Belt as the strongest best traction UTV tires on the market. And our continued innovation ensures our tires are always able to succeed through the toughest challenges” according to Mark Thornburg, president MRT.
‘Quality When You Need It’. What are you waiting for? For more information on MRT: contact us at: info@motoracetire. com; 844.884.9759, www.mrt.tires E