As we blasted through the siltbeds that covered the racecourse a few clicks shy of Tonopah, Nevada, the scene looked worse than a Saharan sandstorm. It was all we could do to catch our breath. We struggled violently to get a visual in the side mirror and faintly caught a glimpse of something fast and furious coming up behind us. While wiping the dust from our burning eyes and fumbling for a water bottle to wash down the silt that coated our throats, we told Haas Racing's winning driver Joe Custer about our situation. "Joe, Fabtech's Ford truck number 7120 has been on our tail for the last couple of miles, is less than a hundred yards away, and is steadily gaining on us." That's all Joe needed to hear. He immediately put the hammer down in our modified Ford Ranger, increasing the distance between our pursuant - for the time being. Then, the unthinkable happened, as it frequently does in the world of off-road racing. Joe barked through his microphone, "We've lost our power steering." As we limped off the course like a whipped pup, Craig Turner and truck number 7120 blew by us with the fury of a cyclone, leaving us in a cloud of dust.
The RouteFrom its start just north of Las Vegas, a competitive spirit burned like a river of spilled racing fuel, surrounding the participants of the Vegas to Reno race, an off-road adventure of unparalleled proportions. "The unforgiving 500-mile course follows the old Pony Express Trail and twists through some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet, making it the longest off-road race in the United States," says Best in the Desert Director Casey Folks. From the sweltering desert floor, the route heads north through twisty sand washes, 100-mph dry lakebeds, and treacherous mountain passes. The Old West towns of Beatty, Scotty's Junction, Goldfield, and Tonopah could be seen in the distance as racers fought their way to finish line in Reno, The Biggest Little City in the World.
The SpiritWith more than 250 entries, the turnout for this event was overwhelming in spite of the recent terrorist attacks. Patriotism seemed to be on the minds of everyone, a vibe that remained deeply felt throughout the competition. During the driver's meeting at the Suncoast Hotel in Las Vegas, Casey Folks introduced a stunning video presentation, a symbolic reminder of the horrific event. The film honored the fallen victims of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon along with the heroic actions of firefighters, police, and volunteers who raced to save lives. The same patriotic spirit that brought our nation together engulfed the off-road racing family at the Vegas to Reno race, which symbolized winning a war for our freedom.
The RaceThe American flag flew on nearly every chase truck as crews headed off into the Nevada desert toward pit No. 1, a few miles north of Pahrump. Dale Ebberts led the way in his Class-1500 No. 1 car with Troy Herbst and Mark McMillin not far behind.