VIEW FROM THE RIDGE - BRYAN FOLKS 1996 VEGAS TO RENO

The 1996 Vegas to Reno was the first time BITD raced a true off-road event, and in addition, it was the first time BITD included cars and trucks in the series. For my father, this was a huge step and a coming of age so to speak. I remember speaking with him about it and the excitement was just oozing out of every part of his being. For me, it also meant something special.

It allowed me the opportunity to be a part of history while doing what I did best, race a motorcycle. It also allowed me to team with my brother for only the second time in our racing careers. We chose to race a KTM 300 in the Open Pro class. As for the race, it was long and challenging to say the least. So many things I can share about that day, but I will focus on just a few things. First, we were severely out- horse-powered by the bigger 500cc machines. Nevertheless, we held our own and ran in the top 10 overall all day long against a huge motorcycle pro turnout and the best in the business. Early in the day, we got hooked up with the Team Green Kawasaki 250 pro team of Steve Hengeveld and Oakley Lehman.

We battled back and forth for the remainder of the day. We had one chase driver, and we were switching riders at each pit. I took the longest section from Mina to Top Gun, to hand my brother the bike for the last time, for him to take us to the finish. I remember telling our chase driver on the way to Mina, “DO NOT let my brother fall asleep in the truck on the way to Top Gun!” I knew my brother, and I knew given the opportunity he would try to catch a cat nap. Daryl handed me the bike in Mina at 7th overall, about 30-45 seconds ahead of the 250-pro team. I had a really good ride in that section (it was the longest section of the day) and put a minute and half to two minutes on the Team Green team behind us.

To my dismay, when I pulled into Top Gun, our chase driver just finished filling the dump can and my brother was nowhere in sight. I threw the bike on the stand and yelled, “Where is Daryl?” and Chad replied, “Trying to wake up in the truck.” I ran over and opened the door and there was my brother half-awake or half asleep, whichever you prefer. I hurried him out and starting helping him get his gear on while Chad fueled the bike and looked it over. Knowing we were losing all of the time I just made up, I was in no mood to let Daryl take his time getting ready. Just as I finally got him ready and to the bike, I saw the Team Green come through the pits and pit at the other end. I hurried Daryl on the bike so he could beat them out of the pit, and as he started to leave, he looked at me with pure uncertainty. He throttled away (no speed limit back then) and the Team Green left at the same time. At the end of the pit was a hard right hander, and Daryl was on the inside. Still half asleep, he hooked the back wheel of Oakley Lehman’s bike, and they both went down. Oakley was up and going quickly, but Daryl was not moving quickly at all. I ran down to him and when I got there, I asked, “Are you ok?” He replied, “Yes, but I can’t wake up for some reason.” Moments later Daryl rode off and we ended up 8th Overall and 7th Open Pro on the day.

As stated above, the day was eventful to say the least. I am proud to have had the opportunity to race the first Vegas to Reno and equally proud to say I am a part of its continuing success. I look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s race, and with words of wisdom to the racers, “Don’t fall asleep between your racing sections!”