Something Happened On The Way To Rage At The River

If Ryan Klecka’s Tacoma doesn’t look typical, that’s because it’s adorned with extra-wide fiberglass that actually covers the sides of the cab in addition to the front clip and rear bedsides. Klecka actually did the ’glass work himself. Props, man. It came out great!

If Ryan Klecka’s Tacoma doesn’t look typical, that’s because it’s adorned with extra-wide

Racers shouldn’t have all the fun, especially when it comes to races in Laughlin, Nevada. After hearing about race fans taking the Mojave Road to get to Laughlin, fellow photographer Mike Ingalsbee (of Mike’s Race Photo) and I decided we were going to do just that. SNORE’s Rage at the River event was calling our names and the Mojave Road was the perfect avenue to get there.

A snippet of U.S. history is in order. The Mojave Road starts just outside of Barstow, California, and winds its way through the desert of the same name (Mojave), ending up just south of Laughlin. The route connects the dots of a series of water sources used by intrepid travelers during the 1800s. Back in the day, Anglo settlers risked attack by marauding native Paiute and Mojave tribes, so the U.S. Army built a series of forts to protect the water, as well as the travelers. Fast forward to the 21st century and the Mojave Road survives as an off-road route largely thanks to the efforts of Dennis Casebier and Friends of the Mojave Road.

Creepy-crawly trail groups often take two or more days to run the Mojave Road, especially when multiple sightseeing stops happen along the way. The speedier mindsets and long-travel suspensions employed by prerunner fans make the Mojave Road a quicker proposition. At the same time, speeds need to be kept reasonable, because others are watching, including Rangers with ticket books….

The plan was to run the Mojave Road just past Marl Springs and camp out at the base of the nearby Marl Mountains. The next day, we’d make our way into Laughlin to catch SNORE’s Tech and Contingency.

We needed a safe place to stash Mike’s truck. Hesperia resident and desert racer Steve Herrera came to the rescue and let us drop Mike’s truck at his place. Thanks again, sir!

We needed a safe place to stash Mike’s truck. Hesperia resident and desert racer Steve Her

But, things don’t often go as planned. We’ve alluded to the outcome already.

As for SNORE’s Rage at the River, it’s one of the best values stateside desert racers could hope for. Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts (SNORE) give participants a race course that combines jumps, bumps, twists, and turns in a short-course, spectator-friendly infield area, and then treats them to a big, fat helping of big-hit desert terrain. The desert section crosses the Needles Highway twice, adding miles to the course and value to the racing adventure. All the classes run on Saturday, and again on Sunday, giving everyone two days of racing for the price of one trip. When we finally got there, Rage at the River didn’t disappoint, and it’s easy to see why it’s becoming wildly popular.

Mike's got a lead foot and an aggressive driving style in the dirt, so he was a natural for the head of our two-truck pack.
Mike's got a lead foot and an aggressive driving style in the dirt, so he was a natural fo
Most Mojave Road travelers jump in at Afton Canyon, beginning the trek by crossing the Mojave River. For much of its distance, the Mojave flows underground, but there's almost always a good puddle here. This time it was extra deep thanks to a wet winter. I went ahead and snapped Mike as his Colorado forded the Mojave.
Most Mojave Road travelers jump in at Afton Canyon, beginning the trek by crossing the Moj
Mike went ahead at the next water crossing, intending to shoot a few frames of the 4Runner in midstream. We’d been through here before, but last time the water was way, way down compared to this. Mike’s Colorado is a 2WD, so he hit the gas hard in order not to get stuck. This sent a big cascade skyward, right into his high-flow air intake, hydraulically stopping the engine dead in its tracks. If we were lucky, we’d be able to pull the spark plugs, clear the cylinders, and keep driving.
Mike went ahead at the next water crossing, intending to shoot a few frames of the 4Runner

That’s one saturated throttle body!
I grabbed a wrench and turned the engine by hand. Everything felt smooth until…clunk! Mike crawled underneath and found this telltale window in the block, which turned out to be one of two. The Mojave had killed the Colorado.
I grabbed a wrench and turned the engine by hand. Everything felt smooth until…clunk! Mike
Here’s why you should travel with at least one other vehicle. Even though the 4Runner is a 4x4, it was a bad idea to backtrack through the water crossings and risk getting both vehicles stuck. Instead, we picked our way along the Mojave Road and found the nearest connector to I-15. This was Basin Road. A cell-phone call and an Auto Club card soon had help on the way.
Here’s why you should travel with at least one other vehicle. Even though the 4Runner is a

We needed a safe place to stash Mike’s truck. Hesperia resident and desert racer Steve Herrera came to the rescue and let us drop Mike’s truck at his place. Thanks again, sir!
We needed a safe place to stash Mike’s truck. Hesperia resident and desert racer Steve Her
We got a late start Friday after some R&R at our respective homes. Interstate 40 was a safer, tamer way to get to Laughlin.
We got a late start Friday after some R&R at our respective homes. Interstate 40 was a saf
Laughlin’s skyline is best viewed from across the Colorado River.

Rage at the River includes all the traditional truck and buggy classes. The classes run in groups, taking turns on the course throughout the day. Travis Bonazzo’s BMS Chevy took third in Class 7200. A 7200 is a bit narrower and is powered by a V-6, but otherwise it’s just as sophisticated and capable as a full-on, full-width, V-8-propelled Trophy Truck.
Rage at the River includes all the traditional truck and buggy classes. The classes run in
The big entry list meant that we had to wait until the sun nearly set to see the 1450 prerunner class hit the track. Dan Vance is a veteran of the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, and compared LDC to RATR. “Rage at the River isn’t as prestigious as the Laughlin Desert Challenge, but it’s a lot more fun,” he told us. Vance took his Total Chaos Toyota to podium standings on Saturday, but bad luck kept him from repeating the feat Sunday.
The big entry list meant that we had to wait until the sun nearly set to see the 1450 prer
Gary Oliver started his Ranger build with an LS V-8, FX Fabrication suspension, and Fiberwerx fiberglass. Like many other 1450 racers, he took it from there and finished the build himself. When he’s not racing, you can find Gary behind a welding hood at Wicked Creations.
Gary Oliver started his Ranger build with an LS V-8, FX Fabrication suspension, and Fiberw

Davis was back on his way soon thanks to Chuck Eichelberger’s capable K5. Eichelberger and co-driver Brian Bockius are SNORE volunteers, a dedicated group that deserves the credit for the smooth way SNORE races are run.
Davis was back on his way soon thanks to Chuck Eichelberger’s capable K5. Eichelberger and
Shane Davis makes the most of the moment after going rubber-side up in a hard corner.
If Ryan Klecka’s Tacoma doesn’t look typical, that’s because it’s adorned with extra-wide fiberglass that actually covers the sides of the cab in addition to the front clip and rear bedsides. Klecka actually did the ’glass work himself. Props, man. It came out great!
If Ryan Klecka’s Tacoma doesn’t look typical, that’s because it’s adorned with extra-wide

Kevin McMurray gives the double thumbs-down after being sidelined with fuel delivery problems. McMurray and his Ranger are blazing fast when they’re running. The rest of the field got a break this time.
Kevin McMurray gives the double thumbs-down after being sidelined with fuel delivery probl
Johnathon Libby’s Tundra qualified to race the Heavy Metal Class as well as Class 1450, so he raced both. Big travel, big power, and big skill all combine in a Tundra that Toyota never dreamed of.
Johnathon Libby’s Tundra qualified to race the Heavy Metal Class as well as Class 1450, so