DirtVenture 2023 Q1

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF BEST IN THE DESERT RACING ASSOCIATION

Best In The Desert Racing Association Founder

Casey Folks

Co-Owner / CMO

Bryan Folks

Co-Owner / CEO

Daryl Folks

Event Coordinator / Race Operations Manager Interior

Megan Phillips

Media Directors

Donald Fall

email: donaldf@fallads.com

Russ Turner

email: russt@fallads.com

DirtVenture Magazine

Publisher / Advertising Sales

Fall Advertising

email: donaldf@fallads.com

phone: 619-742-9977

Editor

Don Fall

Content Mgr. / Creative / Design

Russ Turner

Editorial

Mike Ingalsbee

Advertising Sales

Krystal Fitzpatrick

email: dirtventuremag.krystal@gmail.com

On The Cover Adem Householder battled a huge field of Unlimited Trucks to claim the overall KOH Desert Challenge win.

Photo provided by Dirt Nation

Best In The Desert, BITD and DirtVenture are registered trademarks of Best In The Desert Racing Association

©2023 Best In The Desert Racing Association

KOH Desert Challenge competitors were bouncing off the rev limiter for miles on the dry lake beds of Johnson Valley in California.

Photo by Dirt Nation

Photo by Daniel Curiel

CARPE TERRA

THE NEW RAZR XT

A Tribute to Robbie Pierce

Racer. Builder. Innovator. Life Saver. 1960-2023

DirtVenture was saddened to hear of the passing of Robbie Pierce, the accomplished racer, builder, innovator, and life saver. Robbie and his companies developed many of the breakthroughs in safety equipment for a variety of industries, but most importantly to us, off-road racing. Through MasterCraft Safety, Impact and then Jimco Racing, Robbie contributed greatly to the iconic sport of off-road racing. Robbie Pierce was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Our sincere condolences to his family, and the countless off-road racing teams and fans who were touched by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of the sport.

Photo provided by Mad Media

FROM THE EDITOR

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

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

Let me tell you about this awesome Q1 2023 issue. Now in our third year of publishing, we’ve brought you race highlights, industry news, new products,

and some very insightful articles about people and companies that make this sport so exciting. There is a story this month, Trending in the Dust, that I particularly like because it combines a great read with definitive insight as to why Fox is so successful. It tells us all about the new Fox Desert Training Facility dedicated to Fox founder, John Marking. Another one not to miss is Under the Helmet, an in-depth interview by Mike Ingalsbee with Adam and Terry Householder. In A Closer Look, we review the most luxurious, advanced, and capable 2024 GMC Sierra HD.

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

There is a lot more to Krystal, however, as she is now heading up ad sales

Photo courtesy of Nimbl Vehicles

for DirtVenture magazine. Contact Krystal at dirtventuremag. krystal@gmail.com or call her anytime at 425-327-1724 for an update on what’s coming and how advertising in DirtVenture can be an integral part of your outreach to Best in the Desert’s immense off-road Universe.

NEW DirtVenture Website

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

equipment and logistics to excel.

Remembering Jim Ober

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

Since I know you, like me, can’t wait to see what’s really new, please check out the latest new products we found on page 92 to find some new gear. This issue’s adventure begins! Start clicking, exploring and enjoying.

Krystal Fitzpatrick

Jim Ober

By Mike Ingalsbee

Photo by Dirt Nation

The 2023 Best in the Desert series got off to an unusual start with the cancellation of the traditional season opener in Parker, Arizona. Instead of the deep sand, rocks, and dry river washes of Parker, competitors battled the deep sand, rocks, and dry washes of Johnson Valley, California. Racers would get points

in the Best In The Desert series while running the Desert Challenge at King of the Hammers (KOH). One feature that was very different from Parker was the dry lake beds in Johnson Valley. Instead of running wide open on the fast fire roads in Parker, competitors would be bouncing off the rev limiter for miles on the dry lake beds.

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Sunday’s main event. Each competitor was timed on a 40 mile course which was a shortened version of the roughly 100 mile loop they would run twice on Sunday. The 40 mile sprint gave everyone a sense of urgency that pushed the pace. We saw some favorites like back-to-back Vegas to Reno winner Ryan Arciero have

belt issues that cost him 15 minutes of down time. The prologue did not only set starting positions. That time was added to the cumulative time on Sunday. If you had problems on Saturday in the prologue you weren’t out, but you had a big hill to climb on Sunday.

The results of the prologue had

Kyle Jergensen took the top Trick Truck spot in qualifying but wasn’t able to repeat his 2022 win.

Photo by Daniel Curiel

2023 KOH DESERT CHALLENGE

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

It has always seemed unfair that the unlimited cars and trucks get to start first, 16

Q1 2023

Christopher Polvoorde grabbed the first spot in the prologue for the T2 trucks.

Photo by Daniel Curiel

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

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

Chase Warren was the fastest qualifier in the B2 buggies.

Photo by Daniel Curiel

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THE LEGEND RETURNS.

in the Desert champion Vito Ranuio, Branden Sims, Kaden Wells, AJ Jones, Seth Quintero and others. Chase looked unbeatable; running fast and clean through the desert. Then we saw him stopped, and taking off his helmet on the live feed; never a good sign. Dale Ebberts turned the car over to his son Ezra and Daughter Madison for lap two and they brought the car home for the win. Second to

Dale and Ezra Ebberts conquered the challenging course to take first overall in the Unlimited race.

Photo by Dirt Nation

Doug Mittag got third overall and second UTV Open.

Photo by Dirt Nation

Branden Sims took second overall in the Unlimited race and first UTV Open.

Photo by Dirt Nation

Vito Ranuio was first UTV Pro Mod and fifth overall.

Photo by Dirt Nation

cross the line was Doug Mittag in his Bilstein Polaris ProR, but Branden Sims, also in a ProR, had a great run to beat him on corrected time and finish second overall. “There’s nothing like winning the UTV Overall at the “King of the Hammers” desert race,” said Sims. “This year’s KOH desert course was one of the most demanding race courses that I had ever raced upon. Kudos to the KOH team for putting together a course that was able to test man and their machine.”

Ezra Ebberts’ B2 took the overall, but the B3 UTVs would take second through fifth places overall. In fifth overall was UTV Pro Mod winner Vito Ranuio. B2 racer Nick May edged out Peter Hajas for 6th overall, UTV Open winner Kaden Wells was eighth overall followed by Bruce Binnquist and then Rob Arciero to round out the top ten. The debate over who is faster the class 1000 buggies or the UTVs will continue because both were so competitive in the Desert Challenge. The UTVs have the edge in the tight stuff; the Class 1000 buggies do better on the top speed sections. Q1

Dustin Jones was the UTV Stock winner.

Photo by Daniel Curiel

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Tim Herbst took over the lead after Kyle Jergensen dropped out and went on to finish second T1, fourth overall.

Dustin Jones was the UTV Stock winner and 14th overall. Michael “Bud” Ward took the win in Vintage Buggy 16. Bobby Croy was first in Vintage Buggy 5U and was followed by Bailey Cole who won T4 –Desert Stock OEM in his Ford Bronco. John Ferrari was the Trophylite winner and Ken Tichy in Jeepspeed.

Once the Limited vehicles had their day, it was up to the unlimited classes to show what they could do. Kyle Jergensen was looking to be a repeat

JP Gomez was the third T1 and fifth overall.

Photo by Dirt Nation

Photo by Dirt Nation

winner and used the all-wheel drive in his Brenthel T1 truck to get the hole-shot over Tim Herbst in a two wheel drive Herbst truck off the start. Kyle took off at the same pace that clinched the number one starting position during the prologue. He was checking out on lap one when the same problem that plagued Ryan Arciero bit him hard. He lost the belts which starved his engine oil. He got back on course but the damage done was eventually terminal. Tim Herbst took over as the rabbit with Adam Householder, JP Gomez and several T2 trucks trying to chase him down. When the leaders came into Hammer Town on lap one it was a tight battle between Herbst and Householder. Tim Herbst got bitten by the turn 19 curse again, spinning out in the tight 180 degree left hander that cost him 10 seconds. Householder pitted for fuel and tires which would be his only stop. On lap two, Herbst had a flat so he had to stop in the remote pit for a fresh spare and a splash of fuel. By that point, Householder was already pushing full speed for the finish. He was driving a Herbst truck with Joe Gibbs powerplant so

Adam Householder took the lead heading out for lap two and went on for the overall win.

Photo by Dirt Nation

Dustin Grabowski was the top finishing T2 (6100) truck and a great second overall.

Photo by HighRev Photography

it was a bit ironic for Tim Herbst. He was beaten by some of his own technology. The T2 race was a toss-up. Polvoorde, Dustin Grabowski, Ray Griffith, and Thor Herbst were all clawing through the desert hungry for the win. Polvoorde looked strong until he started to fade. He developed an engine issue which was limiting his power. He kept moving, but it was at a crawl. Grabowski and Griffith traded paint when they started side by side. Grabowski muscled his way past and held that advantage to the end. He took the win, Griffith was second. Polvoorde made it to the finish, but in the 38th overall position.

The top ten finishing order was Householder, Grabowski, Griffith, Tim Herbst, JP Gomez, Thor Herbst, Travis Williams, Eric Hardin, Pat Gailey, and James Scully. It was amazing to see how punishing the course was; even to these unlimited vehicles. Trucks were crashing solely due to the terrain. As mentioned, Adam Lunn and RJ Anderson repeated their win from last year. RJ ran the first lap and Adam decided it was best to keep him in the car for lap two. They finished 16th overall. Gluttons for punishment, several of the Terra Crew Rush trucks entered the desert race for more abuse. At one point Darren Parsons was laying on his side

against a refrigerator sized boulder on a steep hill, but persevered to take the win. With a steel cab and working doors, he’s going to have some work on his hands making repairs to his severely dented cab. Rob Seubert was lying on his side a few feet away from Parsons on the same hill

and also managed to finish the race and take the Jeepspeed 4700 class win.

The Desert Challenge was an incredible nail biter even after the physical finish. Overall times were still being calculated to determine the winners. It was amazing how aggressive everyone was driving

Ray Griffith grabbed third overall and second T2.

Photo by Dirt Nation

RJ Anderson driving all the way for Adam Lunn was the B1 (class 1500) winner .

Photo by Dirt Nation

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Rob Seubert recovered from an on-course incident (at left) to continue on for the Jeepspeed class 4700 win.

Photos by Dirt Nation

Ken Tichy was the Jeepspeed class 1700 winner.

Photo by Dirt Nation

Nick May took the second B2 spot and sixth overall in the Limited race.

Photo by Dirt Nation

in such difficult terrain. Most were looking at this as a win at all cost proposition. This combined points format had competitors from several series all racing against each other which gave the victors huge bragging rights. Will this launch Adam Householder, Adam Lunn, the Grabowski Brothers or Ray Griffith into a Best In The Desert championship run? Let’s hope so as the racing at KOH was incredible to watch.

The third B2 spot went to Peter Hajas.

Photo by Dirt Nation

TRENDING IN THE DUST

FOX’s new test facility is fully operational in Ocotillo, California. The 5,000-square-foot compound is dedicated to the late fearless innovator, John Marking. FOX’s Marking Proving Grounds (MPG) is the ultimate location where FOX engineers test the latest technologies in real-world conditions and in real-time. Over the course of his 30-year career as an engineer at FOX, Marking developed 51 patents.

Photo courtesy of Fox Factory, Inc.

FOX engineers continue to advance performance shock technology in the same dirt where Marking honed his craft and enjoyed off-roading with his family. John used to say tuning suspension and driving an unlimited desert truck is done by the seat of your pants.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” veteran off-road racer Steve Olliges says about MPG. “I don’t think there’s another manufacturer that does anything like this.”

Steve Olliges

TRENDING IN THE DUST - FOX's MARKING PROVING GROUNDS

The project began with John Marking three years ago. He had a vision of building a test facility in the desert where FOX could develop products with the necessary resources. Working out of a compound located in the dirt is vital to pushing product advancement.

Bobby Smith, Director of Motorsports and protégé of John Marking, says, “Our premier technology that we’re investing a lot of time and effort into is Live Valve, which is a semi-active system. Being able to have a facility out here where we can come out,

Bobby Smith

fly around the desert in the trucks, and then come back to the garage to go over data and really analyze what the system is doing is a huge, huge benefit.”

Racing applications and advanced suspension technology require a lot of fine-tuning. The MPG compound allows FOX engineers to test products efficiently by investing more time in the dirt and less time on the road. Every technology tested in the desert ultimately makes its way into a consumer-level product.

“It’s going to help with continually improving the Live Valve shock technology that FOX has been doing,” racer Rob MacCachren says. “Kudos to FOX and all the development the engineers have worked so hard on. This is badass. It’s bringing the technology and the speed of unlimited desert racing to another level again.”

“We showed everyone what these trucks are capable of doing,” FOX sponsored driver Justin Lofton says. “I’m excited to see what we can learn with this new facility right here in our backyard.”

“It’s really the tip of the spear for all of our technology,” says Tom Fletcher, President of FOX Powered Vehicle Group. “This place is intended to be where engineering

FOX Live Valve

Rob MacCachren

and racing come together. We have the terrain where we can get feedback from drivers, such as Justin Lofton, and input that information directly into our product to make us better.”

Marking Proving Grounds gives FOX engineers an advantage while developing new technology, like Live Valve for racing

applications and collaborating with OE partnerships such as Ford and Polaris. The building’s location brings the most demanding off-road terrain directly into the lab.

Chief Executive Officer, Mike Dennison, proudly stated, “We’ve been in desert racing and innovating for the life of the

Justin Lofton

Tom Fletcher

company. And to finally have a facility here that not only embodies the legacy of who FOX is, people like John Marking specifically, but brings that race heritage and innovation together is so important

to us. It’s so important to not only where we came from, but where we’re going.”

Mike Dennison

From Battlefield to Backcountry: Why Many Are Converting Military Vehicles for Off-Roading Adventure RVs

Having a well equipped RV can take your camping or off-roading experience to the next level. If you are considering overlanding, adventure exploring, or simply want a bad ass weekend recreational vehicle that can haul your off-road toys off-road, you just might be looking into a BIG rig. If that’s true, you aren’t alone.

Off-roading adventure RVs are becoming more popular than ever. People are seeking out unique and versatile ways to explore the great outdoors, and many are turning to the rugged and reliable vehicles that were originally created for military use. DIY’ers and expedition vehicle manufacturers are leading this wave of adventure seekers.

Conversions are not new to the market. The well-known Acela Truck Company

is known for refurbishing former tactical trucks to provide a vehicle with war-zone capability to navigate rough terrain. Hunter RMV specializes in repurposing ex-military LMTVs, Acela, Ford, and International vehicles into “Go Anywhere” Expedition Trucks and off-road RVs. Adrenaline Industries is known for creating a few show stoppers as well.

The acronym LMTV stands for Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, and the acronym FMTV stands for Family of Medium

Tactical Vehicles. Both were originally designed for military use, but many have since been adapted for commercial use, off-roading and other recreational uses.

The DIY crowd seem to favor Stewart and Stevenson’s Family of 4x4 and 6x6 tactical trucks with 2.5-ton, 5-ton,

Author Krystal Fitzpatrick and her converted M1087 FMTV “BANTHA”

9-ton, and 10-ton payload vehicles. It’s most likely because they are readily available from Government Auctions and a few private resellers. If a person has the patience to go through the auction process, you can snag a capable vehicle for a fair price. Stewart & Stevenson offer a variety of different models; one of the more popular models for camper conversions is the M1079 LMTV 4X4. Equipped with CAT engines and Allison transmissions make it easy to find parts or be serviced anywhere in the world. Automatic tire inflation (CTIS) is a standard feature, controlled from the cab, and allows you

to increase and decrease tire inflation depending on the terrain, making it a no-brainer for off-roading adventures.

The M1087 FMTV 6x6 is gaining popularity, albeit a tough one to get your hands on because they are still in service. The M1087 was originally created as a mobile office to be used in the field. The van’s sides pull out from the main body to form the office complex, offering interior space larger than most expedition vehicles. Currently, there are only a handful of 1087s in civilian possession and only one has been fully converted to an expedition vehicle.

Dirt sport enthusiasts aren’t immune; King of the Hammers sells thousands of RV passes every year as seen in the photo of Hammertown. These vehicles provide some much-needed R&R, respite from dust, office space, and are critical to having a great experience. The same holds true for Burners at Burningman in the hot, sandy Black Rock Desert, weekend off-road campers and full-time boondocking families.

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Check out these DIY conversions:

“Bantha” Converted M1087 FMTV - Zack & Krystal full-time Overlanders, U.S.

Drive the Globe M1079 - Michael Ladden, bike packer and adventurer, explored 70+ countries on 5 continents

Patrick Whitt Racing - 2020 Trophylite Champion, Trophy Truck Spec #6191, half Race Support and half Zombie Response Vehicle

Globe Trekker - Providing USA made quality recreational mobile shelter kits to the everyday offroad enthusiast, adventure camper, and tiny home aficionados

6x6tortuga - Brian Anthony dirt bike enthusiast, outdoor explorer, 6x6 Stewart & Stevenson Military Truck

Traditional RV owners and adventurous people who have been living the van life or experiencing RTT (Roof Top Tent) exploits, seem to be craving more space, as well as increased off-road ability. Why not have all the comforts? When they see a capable vehicle we are hearing, “Let’s take that extra step. I’ve had some time behind the wheel, now I’m looking to go further off-road.” Of course, this too, creates circumstances for more of us to be “way out there” - so we may have to work harder to get even further removed from the crowds. This is yet another reason off-roaders need to support organizations

like ShareTrails/Blue Ribbon Coalition, TreadLightly, and others to keep public land use open.

If you’re not a DIY’er, stay tuned! We’ll be introducing you to some of the newest and most exciting expedition vehicle manufacturing brands out there, giving you the opportunity to explore the great outdoors in style. We’ll be taking a deep dive into the established industry giants down to the small conversion companies, asking the eternal question: Is bigger better, does size matter? Stay tuned and get ready to hit the road and experience adventure like never before!

By Mike Ingalsbee

DirtVenture Magazine recently learned about the unveiling of a brand new adventure rig designed and built by 27North. We sent our adventure vehicle expert, Krystal Fitzpatrick, to check it out for us. Krystal travelled to Springfield, Missouri, to the home of 27North conversions who has been building custom adventure vehicles since 2020. 27North is the latitude of Mount Everest. Owner, Pavel Bosovik, chose that name because he always wanted to be at the top, building the highest or best expedition trucks. 27North quickly set themselves apart from the many builders with their quality, engineering, and quick turn-around times. They didn’t get their prompt delivery reputation by cutting corners. Instead, they simply perfected the build process.

The builds go smoothly because they take the time to think of everything they need to be successful.

That brings us to their latest creation, the Ascender. The Ascender is also the product of thinking about everything you need to be successful. There is not one thing on the truck that was not fully researched, tested, and optimized right down to the paint. It’s a special blend from Fine Paints of Europe. The paint is non-toxic, and is applied in 8 coats. On the exterior, it contains Kevlar. The Kevlar paint applied to the composite panels works with the unique shape of the living quarters to deflect impacts. The shape comes in handy whether you are avoiding tree limbs in the forest, overhanging ledges in a desert canyon, or strong

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headwinds in the plains. The cabin slips through the wind, and it doesn’t plow through it like a barn door. Because of the interior layout, it’s small on the outside, but big on the inside.

The interior spaces are luxurious without being fragile. One thing that immediately catches your eye is the beauty of the wood. The wood for cabinets, tables, and accents is hand selected from locally harvested slabs of walnut. Through 27North’s personal relationship with the mill, they can select only the finest wood with the most beautiful grain patterns. They don’t use veneers on engineered wood, it’s all solid, and finished by hand. The angular shapes of the cabin are incorporated into the interior as well. The windows are custom shapes, and features found within are akin to modern architectural design as opposed to the cookie cutter parts found on other builds. One example is the pass-through to the truck cab. Instead of a plain rectangle, the opening has interesting angles that make it a design feature as well as a functional opening. What isn’t there to please the eye is designed for functionality and comfort. The bed is extremely comfortable because why wouldn’t it be? They reserve the walnut for the trim instead of giving you a cheap mattress that feels like you’re sleeping on a bag of walnuts. The linens are custom

embroidered with the owner’s initials. Inside the galley, the hand built drawers and cabinets are designed to securely store your dishes and utensils just like in the finest yachts.

In addition to taking care of comfort, the Ascender is also a technological masterpiece. Just as the capable FORD F550 chassis and solid construction of the cabin gives the occupants peace of mind, so does the GOST security system. There are 360 degree cameras mounted on the vehicle. 27North also includes a military grade tracking system on the vehicle. It is installed early on in the build process and is accurate enough so that owners can track the progress of the build as it moves through the construction process. The truck also comes with a radar system with a 25 mile radius. You can see any approaching vehicles from a long ways out. If a threat is identified, such as a zombie hoard, there are two separate SOS buttons; one hidden and one clearly visible. They are connected to both private and public security if a rescue is needed. You could of course use the Wet Sounds audio system to repel them. The design criteria given to Wet Sounds was to create the loudest sound system possible, and they did. Of course, everything electronic, including the lighting, can be controlled remotely using the handheld electronic device of your choice including the specially

designed roof hatch that opens when you want to launch the drone. The Ascender is a true world traveler. It’s a luxury home on wheels that you can take anywhere, and it will get you back if that’s really what you want to do. With its capability, comfort, and features, you may want to bug out forever, or until you run out of food and water. Then it’s on to resupply and head to the next incredible location.

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B20 Transmission TorqShift 10-Speed

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397 Dual Amp Alternators

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Heavy Duty Steel Bumper

Custom Grile with Winch Mount

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50” LED Light bar & 30“ Bumper Mount

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Adem Householder on his way to the overall win at King of the Hammers Desert Challenge.

Photo by Daniel Curiel

A Conversation with Adam and Terry Householder

By Mike Ingalsbee

Adam Householder won the T1 Desert Challenge overall at this year’s King of the Hammers. Since points from KOH are being applied to the Best In The Desert series, Adam sits at the top of the Trick Truck points’ standings. His father, Terry, was also racing, but in T2 (6100 class); finishing 15th in class, and 23rd overall. We decided to go under the helmet with this father and son duo that have been racing for many years.

Mike: Who was the first to start racing? Were you a racer when Terry got Adam into it, or was it the other way around?

Terry: I started racing back in ‘75 or ‘76. I raced from ‘75 until ‘80 and then I quit, started a family, did that whole thing right there. Then Adam came

Adam celebrating his KOH victory .

Photo by Dirt Nation

along in ‘84. As he got older, we started racing micro sprints when he was 14. Then he made the transition to 1450 trucks.

Mike: Micro sprints, I’m somewhat familiar with those. They have a motorcycle engine in them?

Terry: Yes, exactly.

Mike: Was that winged, or non-winged?

Adam: We ran both, but mostly winged.

Mike: Wow, so you have a lot of stuff going on in those cars, right?

Adam: Oh, yeah. I started in ‘99 till 2005 or 2006. We traveled all over to race multiple nights a week. That’s where I cut my teeth going racing.

Mike: Was that based mostly on dirt or pavement?

Adam: On dirt.

Mike: Would you say that gave you your car handling abilities in the dirt?

Adam: When I was growing up, I remember going to Glamis as a young kid, that’s where my off-road side comes from. We won a few championships with the micros and then, as I got older, in high school, I started going to Glamis on my own. I met more friends that were truck guys. That’s how I was brought into offroad racing. My dad was already way out of it at that point.

Mike: Terry, was that the 70’s and 80’s?

Terry taking on the 2010 Mint 400.

Photo by Mikes Race Photo

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That was the hardcore time for off-road racing. We didn’t have 4.0 shocks and 40 inch tires.

Terry: You had probably six and a half inches of wheel travel for a swing axle if you were lucky.

Mike: What do you think about these guys today who say it’s rough, you know, in their nice seats and their super suspensions and their GPS and their onboard drinking systems and everything else?

Terry: They don’t have a clue (laughing). They don’t pre-run and use beer cans or tie ribbons to trees to find which line they’re going to do.

Mike: So Terry, Adam got into racing, and then he kind of pulled you back in?

Terry: That’s exactly how it worked. I tried everything to discourage him from going off-road racing. I was willing to step up to a sprint car and do more dirt stuff, but it didn’t pan out that way. That’s how we got into it. Adam - what was your first race; MDR in 1450?

Adam: Yeah, the MDR night race in a 1450 truck.

Mike: Do you still have that truck now?

Adam: No, that truck is long gone. Before we got into the Trick Truck, I ended up crashing the 1450 truck out at Glamis.

Adam at the 2010 Mint 400.

Photo by Mikes Race Photo

We scrapped it because it wasn’t worth saving. It started as my high school truck. It was my daily driver. One weekend my Dad caught me in the shop and it was all torn down.

Terry: I remember that part.

Adam: I was fortunate enough that my dad allowed me to use the shop and gave me the tools. I built my own truck back in the day. I learned every aspect of the truck by building the suspension, building the roll cage and fabrication. And you know, I know how to do it all and I enjoy doing it. I like working on them just as much as I do racing them.

Mike: They say the best drivers are the guys who are fixing their own stuff because they really know the truck inside and out.

Adam: There’s the good and the bad take on it. When I hurt it, I gotta fix it. It keeps you calm a little bit. You learn real quickly when you start running into stuff; you’re gonna keep spending late nights fixing it. That’s not the case as much nowadays; we have employees, but I still don’t want to hurt my truck. So like I said, there’s good and bad to it.

Mike: I remember when you raced the Playtech car.

Terry: Yeah, we actually leased their car in 2008. Our trophy truck at that time wasn’t done so we ventured into class one for a little bit. We ran that car for a couple races, and then I took a liking to that car. We continued to campaign that car for a while once we got the trophy truck up and running.

Mike: Those were some rough courses back then.

Adam: Give me bumps. That’s what I like, the more whoops the better. I think that’s where I have an advantage because I set my truck up to work well. You get some people that get overly comfortable and don’t want to get beat up all the time. I can keep a good solid pace. I definitely prefer it rough over smooth.

Mike: I ask everybody; what’s your favorite part of racing? Is it the logistics? Is it the speed? Is it the jumps? What really stands out in your mind, or is it a combination?

Terry: It’s probably a combination. I enjoy racing. I enjoy watching Adam race. He’s very good at what he does. I enjoy the competition aspect of it. I think the start to the finish, the whole thing. I think finishing a race is an accomplishment. I don’t care if you win, or come in second, fifth, or tenth, just finishing a race is an accomplishment. Today, it’s a little easier to finish races than it was before because equipment is a little

Terry at the helm of their 1500 car for the 2011 Parker 425 .

Photo by Mikes Race Photo

Ken Tichy

2023 King of the Hammers Desert Challenge Jeepspeed Challenge Class Winner

Photos by RnR Photos

better than it was. We have a pretty good finishing rate with our trucks in our shop here.

Mike: And what about you Adam, what’s your favorite part?

Adam: Mine is the racing. You hear where people like to pre-run and I like a little bit of pre-running, but I like to go racing. That’s where I think we excel a little bit better here in the states because we don’t get “out pre-run” by people. You get the guys that go down to Mexico and they’ll spend two weeks running down there back and forth. That’s where I think racing in the states really suits me. Sometimes you only get a day of pre-running and then

go straight into the race.

Mike: Adam, when you’re racing on a dirt track in a sprint car, you have to be able to read that dirt, right? Out in the desert, it’s more about reading the terrain?

Adam: I had a difficult learning curve going from micro sprints to desert racing. When you hit the dirt oval, and that green flag drops, you give it 110%. You put your foot to the floor and go and make it work. There were quite a few desert races where I didn’t make it one lap because I broke my equipment. I didn’t know how to keep it alive. I learned how to keep stock parts alive on my Chevy truck. In the micro sprint you were reading dirt, but in desert

Adam taking on the 2012 Silver State 300.

Photo by Mikes Race Photo

racing, you’re reading terrain and at a lot higher pace. You have to read it right because it can hurt you. It’s just a different style, and I consider myself pretty good at reading terrain now.

Mike: And I assume you’re kind of the same, Terry? Being old school, you guys didn’t have GPS and all that kind of stuff, so it was pretty critical to be able to read the terrain.

Terry: Honestly, I wish they would throw that stuff away. One of my favorite races is Vegas to Reno. I mean, that’s a good race. It’s a fast paced race, but you still have to endure the nine hours plus to finish that race. Two years ago, we ran the last 50

miles with no GPS. It was challenging, but it was good. I think everyone relies too much on GPS these days. That’s my take. It will tell you every corner, every rock, and you wind up looking at the GPS more than you do out the window.

Adam: This is how it is nowadays; the pace is so incredibly fast now that your co-driver needs to be on point all day. It’s getting harder and harder to find good codrivers. The co-driver works harder than I do. I can admit that. When I get a flat, I can relax for a little bit and be good to go. When he hops back in, it’s straight back to work. They are such a vital part.

Mike: I’ve noticed that you guys don’t

Terry qualifying for the 2021 Vegas to Reno.

Photo by RnR Photos

have huge sponsors on your race vehicles. Is that on purpose?

Mike: You have nice equipment Adam, what’s your current truck now?

Terry: I wouldn’t say it’s on purpose. I think it’s fine. We are always looking for the right company to partner with. We are very fortunate that we can fund the majority of our racing efforts. We do have a few people who help us out with the small things, but we’re mostly self-funded.

Adam: In desert racing, sponsors are harder to come by. We live our lives to go racing, and we’re fortunate to be able to do it. I’m fortunate that my dad is able to support our racing habits and still have fun, but we also take it very seriously.

Adam: Both of our trucks are identical trucks. They are both Herbst Smith trucks. The only difference between my Dad’s and mine is the motor and transmission package. Since mine is unlimited, I have the Gibbs motor with the Albins sequential in it. And my Dad’s, being a 6100 spec truck, has the crate LS3 with a turbo 400 and underdrive. Other than that, everything else is identical: coolers, shocks, steering, fuel cell, etc.

Mike: They’re two identical trucks? That must make it a lot easier to work on the

Terry at this year’s KOH Desert Challenge.

Photo by Dirt Nation

trucks if they’re identical.

Adam: It does because I don’t have to stock multiple different parts. We are able to grab from one pile instead of everything being separated.

Mike: There are a lot of builders out there now. What made you decide to go with Herbst Smith?

Adam: When the opportunity came up to get a new truck, we looked and we talked about it a lot. The Mason stuff wasn’t even out yet and the all-wheel drive stuff wasn’t there. We looked at the Herbst, and after seeing them up close, I mean, they’re gorgeous trucks. I was looking for a little

bit of a more lightweight truck because my old BMS truck was a little bit on the heavy side. Then we started looking at their finishing rate; they had an unreal finishing rate. Their program was stepped up. How quickly they could have a truck for me; just a little over three months was unheard of back then. And, they’re local. They’re close by in Huntington Beach; our shop is in Anaheim.

Mike: Do the Herbst’s prep your trucks too?

Adam: No, we do everything in our Householder Motorsports’ race shop. We have three full time employees who work for us preparing our race cars and chase

Inside the Householder Motorsports shop.

trucks and keeping everything maintained.

Terry: I have a business that I run out of the Householder Motorsports shop. I prep and maintain cars for other customers that mostly go to the sand dunes. So we’re not just racing, we’re an actual shop.

Mike: It’s always good to make what you love your business, right?

Adam: Oh, without a doubt. We have the freedom of being able to go to the races. Our customers who bring their stuff in might have only seen off-road racing on TV; they get exposed to it. They get to see it up close. I get more followers and more friends out of it, so it’s always a lot of fun.

Mike: During the King of the Hammers race, Terry, you were out on the course racing. Did you hear over the radio that Adam had won?

Terry: I did! I think I was probably 25 miles from the finish when it came over the radio. They said they thought he had it. It was pretty exciting, but we were trying to deal with our own issues at that time. We were eight miles from the finish when we got a flat that set us back a few spots. Today, in our class it’s so competitive, you can’t even afford a single flat tire.

Terry: Yes, we’ve shared a truck a couple of times. It depends how we’re doing. We were fortunate enough to win the Mint a couple of years back. We were going to share the ride there, but Adam was having such a good day he just continued on the whole way.

Mike: Congratulations. Adam, you won the Silver State race too I believe.

Adam: Yes, Silver State was my first win in 2011. I also won the Henderson 250 that year. Those were my first two wins. Then I had a bit of a dry spell until the Laughlin Desert Classic in 2020.

Mike: That Henderson race; that’s another really rough course, right?

Adam: Yes, that definitely fits my driving style.

Mike: Is it technique, or is it having the knowledge to know what the right pace is to win?

Mike: Do you ever race together in the same truck?

Adam: It’s kind of both. It’s how you manipulate your truck through this terrain. The hardest part is figuring out the pace at every race. No matter what you do, you’re trying to figure out what the pace is. It’s every time, every race. You run where you think you need to put a blistering pace out front or to run them down. That’s always the hardest part. If you’re somewhere in

the pack, you want to get split times so you know if you have to pick it up. If you’re running up on them you know you’re running a good pace. It takes a little bit to figure out.

Mike: Then there are those certain racers who just have one speed. It’s either on or off; there’s no throttle modulation at all.

Adam: Those are the days that hurt when you get beat by them. In the back of your head, you’re thinking they’re gonna break. They’re not gonna make it. When they do, you’re like man, we did something wrong that day.

Mike: I think that’s a strong attraction for most people to desert racing; it’s just so hard. It’s so hard just to finish a race.

Terry: I take whatever you give me; I’ll just roll with whatever you give me. I’m not a good qualifier, so I end up starting mid pack anyway. I’ll take it either way; I just like racing.

Mike: Well, I wish you guys the best of luck for the rest of your racing season. It’s been really great learning more about the both of you.

Adam on the throttle of his Joe Gibbs powered Herbst Smith Trick Truck to the KOH Desert Challenge overall victory.

Photo by Daniel Curiel

A CLOSER LOOK 2024 SIERRA HD

Led by the first-ever Sierra Heavy Duty Denali Ultimate, the 2024 model year takes the Sierra HD lineup to new heights with premium luxury and comfort, turbocharged pulling power and elevated.

In addition to the debut of the Denali Ultimate trim, the 2024 Sierra HD will build upon GMC’s premium off-road offerings, introducing the off-road optimized Sierra HD AT4X trim later in the model year.

2024 Sierra 2500HD AT4X

2024 Sierra 3500HD Crew Cab

2024 Sierra 2500HD AT4X

Heavy Duty Highlights:

• Enhanced power with the combination of the available 6.6L Duramax TurboDiesel V-8 and 10-speed Allison transmission delivering 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque and providing 25% more low-end torque vs. the current model for a greater feeling of power on demand

• Max towing across the lineup, including:

- Up to 21,9002 pounds on 2500HD Crew Cab

- Up to 22,5003 pounds on 2500HD –a 4,000-pound increase

- Up to 36,0004 pounds on 3500HD

• GMC’s ProGrade trailering system, offering up to 14 camera views

• Updated technologies including an available new, 13.4-inch-diagonal tablet-style infotainment touchscreen

The 2024 Sierra HD lineup includes 2500HD and 3500HD models, in Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab configurations — with dual-rear-wheel models available on 3500HD. Available trims include Pro, SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate, with the AT4X trim coming later in the model year.

2024 2024 Sierra HD Denali Ultimate 16-way power-adjustable and massaging front seats

Fresh and Bold - Inside and Out

The 2024 Sierra HD lineup is elevated with styling and design updates, inside and out.

Inside, GMC designers set apart Sierra with unique, new interiors on SLE, and SLT trims, as well as unique GMC premium interior designs for AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate trims. There are also new color and stitching designs throughout, with more premium materials throughout the cabin, further elevating the Sierra’s premium look and feel.

First-ever Sierra HD Denali UltimateThe first-ever Sierra HD Denali Ultimate

is the most premium, luxurious and technologically advanced Sierra HD yet, equipped with unique enhancements to the overall design and premium interior appointments, more standard technologies and standard turbocharged performance with the enhanced 6.6L Duramax TurboDiesel and Allison 10-speed transmission.

The Denali Ultimate is distinguished by an exterior featuring a unique grille and GMC badging in exclusive Vader chrome, along with exclusive 20-inch Ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels with High Gloss black accents, and unique fender badging featuring topography of Mount Denali, the highest point in North America.

2024 Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate

Additionally, Denali Ultimate will include a six-way MultiPro Tailgate with a standard Kicker audio system. Power assist steps also come standard.

Inside, Denali Ultimate’s exclusive Alpine Umber interior reaches new heights of premium luxury and comfort in a heavyduty truck. Full-grain leather appointments and open-pore Paldao wood meticulously adorn the interior trim.

More power, greater refinement for the Duramax Turbo-Diesel

The available enhanced 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel, paired with the 10-speed Allison transmission, now delivers 470 hp

(at 2800 rpm) and 975 lb-ft (at 1600 rpm) of torque, offering more power across the entire operating speed range. Specifically, low-end torque production increases up to 25% compared to the current model for improved towing performance.

Additional changes and upgrades were designed to produce a more efficient combustion and enhance overall performance.

10-speed Allison transmission enhances gas-engine trailering capability

The Allision 10-speed automatic transmission is now paired with the Sierra HD’s standard 6.6L gas engine. It replaces

2024 Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate

the previous six-speed automatic, offering smaller “steps” between the gears, which enables the 6.6L gas engine to hold closer to its peak power (401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque) for longer periods. That translates into a more confident feeling of on-demand power, regardless of whether the truck is towing a trailer.

Elevated and Purposeful Trailering Assistance Technologies

The ProGrade Trailering System includes a suite of available intelligent trailering assistance technologies designed to help streamline the hitching and towing process. In total, the 2024 Sierra Heavy Duty offers up to 14 available camera views.

2024 Sierra 3500HD Denali interior

High-Tech Digital Displays

The centerpiece of Sierra’s hightech interior cabin is the new available 13.4-inch-diagonal tablet-style touchscreen. Situated in landscape orientation, the touchscreen offers a user-friendly, customizable experience. An available multicolor 15-inch-diagonal head-up display and a new available 12.3-inch-diagonal digital instrument

cluster are also added in 2024 model year. Together, this creates over 40 inches of immersive digital displays helping to provide an engaging, customizable and comprehensive driving experience.

The all-new touchscreen infotainment center can be configured to a user’s preference, including the ability to operate multiple apps simultaneously in a “splitscreen” view (e.g., a Navigation app

2024 Sierra 3500HD Denali touchscreen

running on the left side of the screen and a Music app on the right). Sierra HD’s infotainment system will also integrate Google built-in (on all trims except Pro) allowing customers to connect virtually every aspect of their daily lives within their vehicle. The system is compatible with both Wireless Apple CarPlay10 and Wireless Android Auto.

Premium Safety Features

The 2024 model year will offer the standard, Sierra HD Pro Safety suite of driver assistance technologies, including:

• Forward Collision Alert

• Lane Departure Warning

• Automatic Emergency Braking

• Front Pedestrian Braking (new for 2024)

• IntelliBeam auto high beams

• Following Distance Indicator

Also available on the 2024 Sierra HD is the Pro Safety Plus Package6 which includes new driver assistance features Rear Cross Traffic Braking and the Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert.

Coming Soon

The refreshed 2024 GMC Sierra HD arrives at dealerships in the first quarter of 2023, with the AT4X coming later in 2023.

Left to right; 2024 Sierra 2500HD AT4X, 3500HD Denali and 2500HD Denali Ultimate

2024 Sierra 2500HD AT4X

Photo provided by South Racing

Your Safety Between the Checkered Flag and Green Flag

By David Nehrbass

Many of our topics are focused on the things that are all about Race Day life. But what about all that time in your race program when you aren’t racing?

The moment the checkered flag flies, and the vehicle comes to a stop, racers, crew, and family typically celebrate their moments and start the methodical removal of all the safety aspects of their program. The helmets and fire suits come off. The extinguishers get stashed in a cabinet and all the required items for "safety" get stashed in bags and put away.

From tear down in the shops through race prep, often these items are never looked at, inspected, or even given a second thought. Then as the vehicles finish prep and hopefully get to test prior to race day, a few pieces of the gear come out for the Driver and CoDriver and the miles are put on while either a non-existent or minimal crew stands by.

For racers with pre-run capabilities in roll caged vehicles, often safety is a side thought as comfort for long hours is often more paramount for the occupants. Teams will

spend days to weeks in the middle of nowhere making notes and getting ready to race, all the while, putting their personal safety at elevated risk.

For some the risk is part of the reward. The danger, remoteness, and solitude are what draws them to the experience. The reality though, is as a culture we can still make successful memories in the dirt, while still be conscious of our personal safety.

The moment you start the prep and repairs of your race vehicle after the race, start the process with all your personal safety equipment as well. Have the suits

professionally cleaned and inspect them for tears, especially in any area that flexes. I have seen fire suits with tears in the waist, crotch, and arms. A tear in a suit is critical. It allows flames, and potentially fluids, a rapid access through the barriers meant to protect you. It doesn’t mean the suit is junk, but it gives you time to get it repaired. Inspect your head and neck restraint. Just because the date hasn’t expired, does not mean it is perfect. The forces our sport puts on things can stress devices the moment it takes a hit. If you aren’t sure if it’s a problem, send it to someone that can tell you. Inspect your helmet. Look at

Tear down time should never be idle time when it comes to inspecting and cleaning your personal safety equipment.

Herling Racing shop

photo by Daniel Noble

the exterior and if it is cracked, put it on a shelf and order the next one. I have heard hundred of stories over the years of racers that take a brand new helmet and use the superstition that they throw it to the ground immediately to protect them at the next race. Congratulations, with the composites used, the foam protections and various materials, you just lowered the protection level for the most important portion of your body. Inspect every piece of your wardrobe and make sure it is the right stuff to protect every inch of your body.

While you are ensuring your safety, make sure you do the same for each

team member. With most of the teams now having their support teams properly protected in the pits with suits and aprons, you must make sure each of those is also safe for the next race. Inspect, clean, and replace anything that isn’t going to keep your team safe come race day. Inspect every aspect of the safety items in your vehicle. Inspect the fire extinguishers. Inspect the first aid kit. Inspect the seats and mounts. Inspect the window nets and belts. The date on a certification isn’t the determining factor on if something needs repaired or replaced. The condition of the item is.

When out simply pre-running, you should still be conscious of personal safety by utilizing the proper gear.

Photo courtesy of Method Race Wheels

So, the vehicle is prepped and ready to go. We take it out to test in the desert with sometimes just a driver and co-driver or a skeleton crew and push the vehicle hard. Checking shocks, engines, and did we get everything nice and tight? Truly testing before a race after prep is one of the most critical times for any team. Do you and your team treat it like it’s race day? Are your driver and co-driver suited with every aspect of equipment they will be wearing on race day? Is your team ready to respond should something happen? Does your team have a method for tracking and following you? Do you have necessary equipment ready to go if something happens? Do you even have a plan? Or are you one of many that will call 911 and hope for response should something catastrophic happen?

Every single time a racer climbs in the car, the team should treat it like it’s race day. They should be ready for anything, properly suited in their personal protective equipment and always have a plan in place should something happen. Go through the what ifs and hypotheticals of the day. Know who to call. Know where the closest appropriate medical facilities are. Know access roads or meet points for emergency services.

Some teams will do practice pit stops prior to the race. Does your team get in all their required safety gear each time they practice? Why not? I have heard teams say they don’t want to damage the gear. They don’t want to rip a suit. It’s too hot. The reality is that if the suits limit their mobility or potentially cause problems, you want to find that out now before the

Even when out testing, no vehicle is immune from potential accedents. Always be ready for the unexpected.

Photo by RnR Photos

Cheers to Best in the Desert. From the best on the River.

Welcome back racers and race fans. After the thrills of the competition, kick back and relax or keep the excitement going. With entertainment, casino gaming, dining, luxurious spas, outdoor activities and more, in Laughlin, it’s easy to have a good time, no matter what speed you prefer.

race. They need to acclimate themselves and get more familiar with how they will be performing on race day. Treat each moment like it is the race.

Then in some cases, we go out and Pre-Run the racecourse. Or for you U.S. based teams, many refer to it as Bird Watching…you are out in non-race vehicles but vehicles that are often roll cage equipped but less than race speed going on. In any vehicle with a roll cage, you need to protect your head. Even quarter-million dollar luxury pre-runners can roll over and your head is no match for a roll cage. Do you have people that know where you are going, and when you will return? Are you alone with minimal

communications taking an alternate line?

Again and again, develop a plan, communicate the plan, implement the plan, execute the plan. Then afterwards, review the plan for next time.

The time from when the checkered flag flies, until the green flag / light happens, is by far the most critical and dangerous times in your race program. You have limited resources, no or limited tracking on you and limited response resources from the promoters or emergency services. Take that time seriously and plan for your safety. Plan for the safety of your team and entire race program.

Always inspect all safety gear for every team member, from the drivers to the pit crew members.

Photo by Dylan Foley

NEED TO KNOW

Race-Ready Direct-Fit UTV Performance Shocks

offroad.bilstein.com/en-us/products/black-hawk-powersports/

WET SOUNDS Unveils Jeep® Concept Vehicle

Wet Sounds has taken a 2023 Jeep Wrangler

Unlimited Rubicon and modified it to house a full Wet Sounds audio system. The entire kit utilizes the factory mounting locations. There is no cutting or modification of the vehicle. New speaker grilles were created that integrate into the factory mounting locations. The design matches the aesthetics of the factory interior. The goal was to make it easier for the users to install and reveal a seamless installation. A new wiring harness was designed specifically for Jeep vehicles, and it is compatible with any aftermarket radio or OEM integration pieces. For user discretion, a tower and subwoofer master control unit was added to the center console.

Click to learn more Wet Sounds Powersports, Marine, Golf Cart & Outdoor Audio Systems: wetsounds.com

The NIMBL Evolution

As intimated by the name, the Nimbl Evolution is constantly evolving. The engineering & design team strives to improve technology, sourcing, and production and remains the world’s greatest truck camper. This new-generation camper bridges the gap between the luxurious traveler and an extreme rugged camper by incorporating the amenities one might expect of the most universally capable home on wheels. The habitat is functional with no compromise in the way of convenience and day-to-day living.

The most discerning outdoor adventure enthusiasts recognize and appreciate the construction of their habitats as providing a comfortable home base. With all the necessary resources such as water, bathroom, shower, a kitchen, a bed & a dinette area; one could easily retreat from a long day of exploration, hiking, biking, kayaking, or just globetrotting to a comfortable space to call home.

Click for more Information: nimblvehicles.com/vehicle/nimbl-evolution

SUPERWINCH SX10SR Winch

The SX10SR is engineered to provide users the ideal combination of power, speed, innovation, and proven performance they demand from Superwinch. Innovative features such as a patented drum light, relocatable die-cast aluminum control box, 3/8” diameter synthetic rope, a 12’ lighted wired remote, and wireless handheld remote. SX Series winches exceed the most demanding standards of today’s modern vehicles, while delivering an affordable and stylish design which incorporates many class leading features not found in other high-performance winches. Providing 10,000 lbs. of raw pulling power, the new SX10SR synthetic rope model has a sleek modern look and is built to last. With an IP68 rating for dustproof and waterproof operation, and a durable metallic graphite powder-coated finish this winch has it all.

Click for more Information: superwinch.com/en/winches-hoists/sx-series

SX10SR 12V DC 10,000lb Synthetic Rope Winch

NEED TO KNOW

GMC Expands Capability of 2024 Sierra 1500 AT4X with Addition of 3.0L Duramax Engine

GMC announced that it will make the rugged and refined second-generation 3.0L inline-six Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine standard on its extreme off-road Sierra 1500 AT4X trim, allowing customers to go further and explore more in their off-road adventures.

First introduced on select 2023 Sierra 1500 trims, the updated 3.0L Duramax engine comes standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission and delivers max power of 305 horsepower (a 10% increase compared to MY22), and max torque of 495 lb-ft (a 7.6% increase from MY22).

“The 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine has long been a favorite of Sierra light duty owners,” said Will Mellon, marketing manager, GMC Sierra. “Since the launch of the refined Duramax for the 2023 model year, around 20% of all Sierra 1500s sold have come with the engine and we expect its addition to the AT4X trim to take mix even higher.”

The Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine’s advancements are made possible through several key component upgrades, including:

• New steel pistons with a revised combustion bowl

• Retuned turbo compressor

• New fuel injectors

• Improved temperature control features

The Duramax engine will continue to be assembled at GM’s Flint Engine Operations plant in Michigan1 and will be available on the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X later this summer.

Details on all models are available at: gmc.com

JEEP® Brand Introduces New 2024 Wrangler

Most Capable Wrangler Yet Delivers Even More Legendary Jeep 4x4 Capability, Available Factory Warn Winch, New Iconic Seven-slot Grille, Standard Side Curtain Airbags and 12.3-inch Uconnect Touchscreen Radio

• Wrangler Rubicon models add even more legendary 4x4 capability with an available factory-installed 8,000-lb.- capacity Warn winch, up to 100:1 crawl ratio and new Dana 44 HD full float solid rear axle that allows for tire upsizing by customers and up to 5,000-lb. maximum towing

• New Willys model delivers more capability with larger tires, more ground clearance, high fender flares and improved traction

• Iconic Wrangler exterior features new seven-slot grille, windshield-integrated trail-ready stealth antenna, 10 all-new wheel designs and multiple open-air freedom options, including exclusive Sky One-Touch powertop

• Refined interior with more technology and amenities, including available 12-way power adjustable front seats, all-new instrument panel featuring Uconnect 5 system with 12.3-inch touchscreen radio and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• Wrangler now delivers standard first- and second-row side-curtain airbags, standard forward collision warning (Sport S and above) and standard advanced cruise control with stop (Sport S and above)

• New for 2024, Wrangler 4xe offers Jeep 4xe Power Box, which features four 120-volt outlets with 30 amps of total output, allowing the battery pack to power external devices

Two new models expand Wrangler’s portfolio:

• Sport S 4xe brings lower entry price point to best-selling PHEV in America

• Rubicon X elevates Rubicon nameplate with standard 35-inch tires (2.0- and 3.6-liter automatic powertrains), integrated off-road camera and steel bumpers

Info on all Jeep® models are available at: jeep.com

Vito Ranuio weaves his way though the boulders above Johnson Valley at the KOH Desert Challenge.

ISSUE Q1 2023

PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS:

Bink Designs

Daniel Curiel Photographic

Daniel Noble Photography

Dirtfocus.com

Dirt Nation

HighRev Photography

MikesRacePhoto.com

RnR Photos

Q1 2023 97

Photo by Dirt Nation

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