BRYCE MENZIES WINS OVERALL AT VEGAS TO RENO
ISSUE 8 VOL 1
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The Voice Of Off-Road Motorsports
r e n n i w k c a 2b
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: RACING THE 10 HOURS OF GLEN HELEN
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SEPTEMBER 2020
+ RAM’S NEW 1500 TRX + CLEAN DEZERT HODGE ROAD CLEAN-UP
MASTERPIECE OF METAL: DIRTBIKE TECH-GETTING THE POWER BACK: HOT PURSUIT- COPS TT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS REGULAR DIRT>
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WORD
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT
8
DIRT WORLD
10
NEW PRODUCT
44 CALENDAR
24
45 CHAPPY’S PIT STOP
FEATURES>
12 VEGAS TO RENO
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18 CLEAN DEZERT OFF-ROAD CLEAN-UP 21 ORMHOF CLASS OF 2020
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24 HOT PURSUIT: COPS TT 29 LUCAS OIL RETURNS TO WHEATLAND 32 10 HOURS OF GLEN HELEN
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35 RAM 1500 TRX: SUPERCHARGED
TECH>
39 DIRTBIKE TECH: GETTING THE POWER BACK Publisher DirtSports Inc. Editor-In-Chief Shaun Ochsner Sales and Management Dave Arnold Contributing Editors John Lehenbauer Anthony Nolen Steve Hanson FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA DIRTSPORTSWORLD
Contributing Photography Shaun Ochsner Eric Minks Polaris FCA John Lehenbauer Steve Hanson “Baja Nikki” Nolen Mark Kariya ORMHOF Email: dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com Website: www.dirtsportsworld.com DIRTSPORTSWORLD
DIRTSPORTSWORLD
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 3
WORD
DIVIDED WE FALL
T
he off-road world is divided again. A new series is sometimes healthy for the sport, but things have to be done right. August saw a major split between staff at Best in the Desert. Longtime operations manager Donald Jackson took some key players and went off to form his own series known as Legacy Off Road. See our news story for more. Many questions remain on racers minds. What will become of the current Best in The Desert Series. BITD quickly responded by naming a new operations manager. Within an hour after the Legacy announcement, BITD released the 2021 schedule. Sparks are already starting to fly. Both series now opening have dates within 1 week of each other. While some think this division is good for off-road racing in Nevada, it forces others to pick and choose sides. Sponsors and vendors who provide on-site racer support are scrambling to add dates to an already busy schedule. In the current state of affairs, both series will not be able survive. The question remains, which will fall? There are only so many permits BLM will issue throughout a year. Only so many courses to race on. Only so many dates to hold events on. Only so many sponsors to go around and only so many racers to show up and make a series successful.
Shaun Ochsner Editor-In-Chief Dirt Sports World
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NEWS Legacy Racing Association Launches New Series A new off-road racing series has been formed to host races in Nevada. Legacy Racing Association was created by Liz Marshall, Donald and Kristy Jackson. Donald and Liz most recently handled operations for Best in The Desert and have now left to form their own series. Legacy Racing Association will feature five events in 2021 which will include events in Pahrump, Laughlin, Alamo and Jean, Nevada. The series will have classes for buggies, UTV’s, Trucks, Quads and Motorcycles.
“Kristy, Liz and I are very excited to announce a new company with a whole new series of off-road races that cover some proven routes and several challenging courses,” said Donald Jackson. The first event will be held January 7th-10th in Pahrump, Nevada.
OFF ROAD NIGHTS Canceled The COVID-19 Pandemic is forcing the cancellation of the 2020 Off-Road Nights Dirt Lifestyle Expo. The event, which was supposed to take place at Del Mar Fairgrounds, had been moved from March to September. The event was unable to happen with all of the required health directives. California continues to ban large gatherings. “We are extremely disappointed to have to move our popular ORN Expo in Del Mar to next year,” stated event producer Rat Sult.
BFGoodrich Suspends Pit Support for 2020 BFGoodrich has made the difficult decision to suspend pit support for the upcoming 500. The ongoing travel restrictions and the COVID-19 crisis led to the company’s decision. BFGoodrich has been involved with SCORE races in Baja for 40 years. Support services affected include complimentary pit services and BFG radio relays. The company also will not have a presence at the Baja 500. BFG says they want to keep their employees safe and healthy and not risk their families getting sick. BFGoodrich will continue to monitor the situation and has not yet committed to providing services at the Baja 1000. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 5
NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT
Best in The Desert Moves Jagged X Desert Cup to Glen Helen: New Operations Director Named The Jagged X National Desert Cup has been moved from its Laughlin venue to Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. The decision for the move came after discussions with Las Vegas Events and the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce. “The great relationship we have with our partners at Laughlin Events made this a very difficult decision, however we felt this was our best decision based on the information available. At the end of the day it is always about our racers and making sure we give them the best outcome possible,� said Best
Polaris Cancels Camp RZR Polaris is canceling its annual Camp RZR event. Camp RZR has been held Halloween weekend at Glamis for the past decade. COVID restrictions from California State Parks, which issues the permit for the event is forcing the cancellation. Polaris says they expect to host the event in 2021.
Off Road Expo Postponed There will not be an Off-Road Expo at the Pomona Fairplex this year. The annual event held at the beginning of October has been postponed to 2021. California State COVID restrictions has forced Bonnier Events to make the difficult decision to postpone the event. Bonnier is planning on hosting an Off-Road Expo October 17-18 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Exhibitors who paid for booth space at Pomona can transfer their space to the Arizona show. Refunds are being given to spectators who bought tickets for Pomona. 6 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
in The Desert co-owner Bryan Folks. This is the first time the series has held an event at Glen Helen. The announcement comes as the series announced Jeff Phillips as their new race operations manager. Phillips has previously served as president of Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada (MRAN). Phillips is also the original cofounder of the WORCS series. Longtime operations manager Donald Jackson and other staff members exited Best in The Desert in August to form the Legacy Racing Association.
DIRT WORLD CHAMP OFF ROAD ERX LOORRS GLEN HELEN
Whats in the can?
Newest short course spotter.
LOORRS GLEN HELEN
CHAMP OFF ROAD ERX
You have been warned.
Just a Pro-2 driver and his dog.
LOORRS GLEN HELEN
Bring home the bacon!
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THE WORLD IS A DIRTY PLACE
It’s rough being a buggy dork.
LOORRS GLEN HELEN
Are these the ones that make my truck go faster?
LOORRS GLEN HELEN
LOORRS GLEN HELEN
LOORRS GLEN HELEN
The only “authorized” spectator allowed in the Lucas Oil Grand Stands
SU BM YO IT U PH R OT O SEND US YOUR CRAZY PHOTO OUT IN THE DIRT AND WE MAY FEATURE IT HERE IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE. Email to: Dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com
Lucas Oil Racing TV’s new pit reporter.
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 9
NEW PRODUCT
Polaris Releases 2021 Models The new 2021 models are out from Polaris. The line-up includes two new ATVs. The Sportsman 450 H.O. and Sportsman 570. Both ATVs include significant upgrades. The handlebar-mounted pod, headlights and front and rear racks have all been redesigned. The Sportsman 450 H.O. and 570 now have increased towing capacity. Polaris also upgraded the ground clearance on both units. The battery delivers 78 percent more coldcranking amps for reliable starting power. Larger 6-ply 25-inch tires were added to both units. Polaris also upgraded the braking and clutching system. The units are available with or without an electronic power steering system. Hunt enthusiasts can choose a Pursuit camo on the 570. Trail packages are also available. The Polaris Ranger also received new upgrades that include better clutching. The components Polaris uses are more durable. The front drive was also made stronger. A battery charging port was added to the dash to keep accessories charged while on the go. LED headlights were added to the Ride Command package on the Ranger XP 1000. The Trail-boss and Northstar Models now feature 29-inch Maxxis tires. Finally, new color and graphics options have been added to the entire Ranger line-up.
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POLARIS 2021 MODELS
The Polaris RZR Pro XP and XP 4 has been updated with new rear tender springs that last longer and improve suspension. The clutch alignment was also updated as with the other models in the 2021 line-up. The Rockford Fosgate Audio system has a greater output with better sound quality. New lightweight wheels were added to the RZR. Polaris also improved the rear shock guards to help avoid rotation. Polaris General now comes in new colors and dozens of new accessories are available for the unit.
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 11
BACK 2 BACK winner
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BRYCE MENZIES WINS SECOND VEGAS TO RENO RACE
story and photos: Shaun ochsner
COVER STORY
B
est in The Desert put on their most challenging event yet, this year. The Vegas to Reno event requires plenty of planning, logistics and challenges. Many agencies are involved in making the race happen. Best in the Desert deals with at least two Bureau of Land Management field offices. Then there are various law enforcement agencies in the different counties the race goes through. Coordination is also done with the Nevada Department of Transportation as the course crosses paved roads. Add in a pandemic and the race becomes nearly impossible to put on. Best in the Desert presented a detailed plan to the BLM on how they would keep people safe during the event and avoid the spread of COVID-19. Best in the Desert received last minute approval to host the race. Masks were required in pit areas, teams were asked to spread out and maintain social distancing.
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Non-essential people were restricted from coming to the start line. With all the safety precautions, the race went off without incident. Qualifying for starting positions was held in the cooler evening hours. For the first time, Class 10 and 7200 trucks were allowed to qualify along with the 6100 and Trick Truck classes. Cameron Steele posted the fasted qualifying time in Trick Truck. Steele started the 514-mile race out front, but it wasn’t long before Las Vegas native Bryce Menzies moved to the front. Menzies was a on a mission to back up his 2019 win with a back to back Vegas to Reno finish. He did just that, finishing the race in 7 hours, 48 minutes. Menzies beat the team of Kevin Thompson and Harley Letner by eight minutes. Luke McMillin and Jason Voss were also right
VEGAS TO RENO
right behind with close finishing times. Vegas to Reno was the second event in the Maxxis Triple Crown series, so Menzies win gave him a bonus payout of $25,000. In all, over $100,000 in prize monies were paid out. There were a record 394 vehicles that started the Vegas to Reno event. That number included 34 Trick Trucks, 38 class 6100, 53 UTV Turbo Pro vehicles and 111 other UTV’s¬– by far the largest class in all of Best ABOVE: Jake Johnson follows up his Silver State in The Desert. Ray Griffith made a statement 300 win with another victory at Vegas to Reno. in 6100 with a win. Griffith started 2nd, after qualifying behind Ryan Hancock. Griffith said his team had a nearly flawless run and only got one flat the entire race. In Class 1500, Jake Johnson was back on the podium, following up his Silver State 300 win. Johnson qualified second behind Brandon Bailey. The tightest race of the day was in the UTV Turbo Class. Phil Blurton beat Mitch Guthrie with less than four minutes separating the two. Seth Quintero was also another back
to back Vegas to Reno winner. Quintero, who won the race in 2019 was back on the top podium spot in the UTV Pro class. Quintero is one the factory Polaris racers, driving a RZR XP 1000. Wes Miller secured his first win of the season in the UTV Unlimited class.
DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 15
COVER STORY
“If you asked me if I ever imagined the challenges we just faced in putting on an off-road race I would have told you that you were crazy. All I can say is that I am extremely proud of our staff for persevering, our race operations team for never giving up, our volunteers for all their support and sacrifice, and most of all, our racers. Best In The Desert racers and their pit crews are some of the best people I know. They were true heroes rising to the occasion and helping us pull this event off. Somewhere, someplace I know my dad is smiling. My hats off to all.� -Daryl Folks, CEO Best in the Desert.
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Performance Products
PERFORMANCE IS OUR MIDDLE NAME! CBR Performance Products Inc has a number of years of hands on experience from Motocross Racing, UTV Racing, Road Racing and Off-Road Racing. Many Teams and/or individuals who use CBR products are winning championships and seeing podium finishes. www.cbr-performance.com
Clean-Dezert Hosts Hodge Road Clean-Up story and photos: Shaun ochsner
C
lean-Dezert hosted a clean-up event at Hodge Road in Barstow, California. The area is a popular hot spot for offroaders and people to come from the city and shoot guns. People bring whatever targets they can get their hands on. A large percentage of those people leave the shot-up targets, spent shell casings and other trash laying in the desert. The Clean-Dezert organization was founded 15 years ago by Adam Filbin and Ray Regno. The duo wanted to give back to the community. The pair were part of the “1450” or “white fender” crowd. Those who ran in those circles typically were given a bad rap by the rest of the off-road community for not caring about the deserts. A few bad apples left trash, and simply had a bad attitude. Filbin and Regno wanted to change that persona and soon had hundreds of volunteers showing up at their annual clean-up events. The Hodge Road clean-up was different than most of the events Clean -Dezert has hosted. Because the area is an active shooting spot, the event was held in the cooler nighttime hours for safety. The event was also held on a Friday night, so the organizers weren’t even sure they would get people to show up. At least 100 volunteers arrived with shovels, rakes, trucks, and trailers. One volunteer even brought a small skip loader with different
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DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 19
HODGE ROAD CLEAN-UP
front attachments for picking up large metal objects. Two dumpsters were filled to the brim with trash left in the desert. LED light bars lit up the area as volunteers worked for over 2 hours filling trash bags, pick-up trucks and trailers. Lowrance Motorsports hosted a BBQ filling the bellies of the volunteers. Sponsors donated product for a raffle held at the end of the night. The event was a huge success and the organizers are looking forward to their next event in November– an annual clean-up held at the popular Outlet Center Drive OHV area in Barstow, California. That event attracts 650 volunteers who spend the better part of the day bringing in loads of trash from the desert. For more information visit www.clean-dezert. org
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Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2020
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he 2020 inductees have been announced Nominees are required to have had fifteen for this year’s Off-Road Motorsports Hall years involvement in off-road motorsports. of Fame. Every year, off-road legends who Independent members of the off-road commuhave contributed to the sport are nominated nity and members of the Hall of Fame board of for induction. There are three categories that directors vote on the nominees for induction. include: Competition, Recreation and Pioneer. Bob Bower started his off-road career as a program manager for BFG in 1977. Since then he has held a variety of roles within the community that include pit volunteer, chase crew, team manager, co-driver, winning driver and even ESPN TV color analyst. Bower takes safety in Baja seriously, making detailed maps in the early days before GPS devices. His team at BFG would distribute those maps to the masses. Bower wrote a “What about you?” piece that is still included in many chase books today. The piece focuses on keeping you and your team safe during the race. Bower has been responsible for helping shape the careers of many bigname drivers today.
Dean Bulloch started his career with motocross and snowmobile drag racing. He built a NHRA drag bike with countless series wins. Bulloch built a rock buggy 1998, winning over 80 events, 16 titles and 5 championships. Bullock built a car worthy of competing in King of the Hammers and soon got involved with building Artic Cat Wildcat UTV’s to compete in a variety of series. Bulloch retired from the driver’s seat in 2019 but remains active as a team owner. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 21
ORMHOF
Danny Foddrill’s name is synonymous with off-road racing. Foddrill has designed, built, driven, owned, prepped and supported countless off-road vehicles. A well-known fabricator, Foddrills arms, spindles and other suspension parts have been used on thousands of off-road vehicles for decades. The vehicles he has been involved with have numerous wins and championships.
Cal Wells- In the early 1980’s, Cal Wells became involved with Toyota PPI, a factory backed team that dominated off-road. Cal Wells and the PPI powerhouse won countless Mickey Thompson Stadium races and championships, SCORE off-road victories and Mint 400 victories. Cal Wells team driver Ivan Stewart made Toyota PPI unstoppable. Other drivers under Cal Wells included Robby Gordon, Frank Arciero Jr, Steve and Rod Millen. Today Cal Wells continues to work as a motorsports consultant, recently working with Andy McMillin’s race team to increase efficiency and competitiveness.
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CLASS OF 2020
Jack Johnson began his 40-year professional racing career on motorcycles. If there was a race, Johnson was there to compete in it. By 1975, Johnson would beat the factory backed Team Husqvarna at the Mint 400. In 1977, Johnson joined the team he beat setting records. Johnson competed all over the world in motorcycle events. In the 1980’s, Johnson proved to be just as successful with four wheeled vehicles winning dozens of races. He was a driver of record for Nissan’s factory off-road program. Today, Johnson continues to ride motorcycles.
Roger Mears, the older brother of Indy-car champion Rick Mears, was one of the top competitors in off-road racing. Roger Mears also drove in the Indy Car series. Mears has over 20 World Off-Road Championships at Riverside International Raceway as well as 4 Baja 1000 wins. Roger Mears now lives the retired life in Mexico.
Tom White started his racing career doing flat track events. He opened a motorcycle shop with his twin brother. The company grew into a successful $40 million a year business with 200 employees. White created the World Vet MX Championship and World Four-Stroke Championship. White had a huge motorcycle collection that he sold off to help pay for his son’s medical expenses after a paralyzing accident. In 2000, White began collecting and restoring Vintage motorcycles again after selling his business. White was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away in 2017. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 23
MASTERPIECE OF METAL
T I U S R U P HOT OCHSNER N U A H S : S O T O H STORY AND P
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Whatcha Gonna Do When the COPS Trophy Truck Comes For You?!
W
e all know you are thinking it. Every time one sees a COPS racing vehicle, the Bad Boys theme by Inner Circle, made famous by the long running reality show comes to mind. You all sing it. We have even heard it played in the pits during a race. COPS racing now has a brand-new Trophy Truck in hot pursuit of the next championship. The truck was custom built by Eric Stewart at ES Motorsports specifically for John Langley. At 77, Langley plans on entering the truck in the TT Legends class in SCORE.
ABOVE: Large 4.5 King Shocks suck up the most punishing Baja terrain. Note the beefy reinforced upper and lower A-arms. LEFT: King Shocks are also utilized in the rear with 3.0 coil-overs. The shocks are kept cool with King’s finned reservoir technology. 26 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
HOT PURSUIT: COPS TT
ABOVE: One of the coolest features on the COPS TT is the Howe on-board jack system. The entire truck can be lifted with the push of a button, making rapid tire changes in the pits easier. There is also an on-board tire pressure monitoring system allowing the co-driver to keep an eye on the tires from inside the truck. RIGHT: COPS racing was one the first few teams to run to 40-inch BF Goodrich Tires.
ABOVE: The truck has a custom flat black paint job, completed in-house by COPS team members. RIGHT: A whole host of Baja Designs LED lightbars, Squadron Pros and ONX6 Light bars keep the path ahead lit-up when darkness falls in Baja. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 27
There is plenty of technology inside the truck. Driver and co-driver have a wireless communication system that allows them to talk to each other outside of the truck. A satellite communications system allows chase crews to keep comms with the truck in remote areas of Baja. Individual air conditioning and hydration systems from Maglock keep driver and co-driver comfortable. Fluids are dispensed by a push of a button.
BUILD SHEET Vehicle: 2020 ES Motorsports Trophy Truck Builder: Eric Stewart (ES Motorsports) Power Train: Dougan’s Racing Engine Ford 8 Stack Drive Train: Rancho Turbo 400 Suspension: King 4.5 Bypass/3.0 Coil-Overs Steering: Howe Rack Pumps/Power Steering Solutions Servos Exterior: US Action Trax Body, CBR Radiator, 40-inch BFG KR2 Tires, Howe 2 stage on-board jack system. Interior: Motec Dash, Maglock Air and Fluid Logic Hydration System, Lowrance GPS 28 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
SHORT COURSE
Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Shaun Ochsner Returns to Wheatland Story: Photos: Eric Minks
A
tornado swept through Wheatland, Missouri in 2019, destroying Lucas Oil Speedway. New grandstands had been installed at the off-road track. The tornado wiped out those along with other buildings on the property, scattering debris everywhere. It would take a year to rebuild from the damage. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, forcing the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series to postpone and reschedule races this season. As Missouri has given the green light for events to return, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is on a mission to complete the 2020 season.
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LUCAS OIL OFF-ROAD RACING SERIES
Pro-2 saw a different winner each round.
The series hosted a triple-header at the Speedway in mid-August. The track is known for its huge high-flying table-tops and overunder bridge. Jerett Brooks debuted a new Pro-2 nicknamed “El Diablo.” Brooks put in a ton of work on the truck in the off-season to get it race ready. Brooks struggled to make the podium on the first day of racing. RJ Anderson won the opener at Wheatland. By Saturday he was in the groove taking a victory. Sunday, Brooks was passed by Doug Mittag who finally grabbed a win. Brooks eventually would pull off the track with a mechanical issue. Elliot Watson was untouchable all weekend in Pro-Buggy. In Pro-Lite, Brock Heger grabbed a Round 3 win. He was unseated by Cole Mamer during Saturday’s Round 4. In Sunday’s Round 5, Heger was back where he wanted to be with another victory. The Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series will run triple-header events for the remaining two venues to finish off the 2020 season. 30 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
CAPTURED
Flying Higher: A UTV flies off a jump at Lucas Oil Speedway as a military transport plane prepares for landing nearby. Photo: Eric Minks
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RACE REPORT
Anthony Nolen In My Own Words: 10 Hours of Racing at Glen Helen
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wo weeks prior to the rescheduled 3-Bros 10-hour Endurance Race at Glen Helen Raceway, I had started to prep my race bike and asked some close friends of mine to team up and go race. Unfortunately, they were unable to race. At that moment I made the decision to race the full 10 hours on my own in the super mini as an Iron-man. A fellow teammate, Hunter Ray, from Las Vegas allowed me to borrow his KTM 105cc as a backup race bike. Three days before the start of the race my mother drove me down to Glen Helen Raceway. I haven’t been to Glen Helen since I was about 8 years old racing my KTM 50cc. This was my opportunity to test and finalize preparation on both race bikes
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10 HOURS OF RACING AT GLEN HELEN
and get to know the infamous track. As I was riding the spare race bike, I realized I had some suspension issues in the rear. I got the sag set properly, but something felt off. Ty Davis, who organizes this race, offered to help rebuild the shock the next morning. I am so thankful for his help. That same night Jon Kilbourne, with Dirt Days and Dan with Perry’s Motorsports had fabricated a custom light bar plate for me.
focused on my goal¬– finishing. My start was okay, and I came out of the first corner in second place. By the end of the first lap, I was in a solid 3rd place for my line. The race course was approximately an 8.5-mile loop. Coming into my first pit around 90 minutes into the race I felt great and didn’t feel like I was pushing myself.
Saturday race day came, and I was wondering “what did I get myself into”! I had a small problem with my throttle cable and had to replace it hours before the race. My Las Vegas teammates and parents had my back. Everything worked out and I was ready for the big race. David Schmidt from TBT Racing visited me, looked over the bike, gave me some pointers and told me the bikes were ready to race. Once I was all geared up and ready, my mother took my night bike, the Kawasaki 85cc to impound. At the start, I felt many emotions, but I DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 33
RACE REPORT
Four hours into the race the sun was setting, I switched to my night bike with the light bar and got my Task Racing helmet light situated. My very next lap, I went over the bars and crashed coming down a hill in the back section. This caused my light bar to come off the mount. I ran the rest of the lap with the light bar in my left hand. I came into the pits and my pit crew found a similar replacement bolt that broke and snapped. We replaced it, then took off to continue another 3 hours of the race. By the 7th hour, I really started to feel fatigued and drained of my energy. I got off the bike, ate food, re-hydrated and took a good 5-minute break. I told myself, I’m gonna finish. The last three hours I took 2-3 breaks that lasted around 1-2 minutes. My pit crew told me 3 times, I only had one more lap. When I saw the checked flag, I knew i conquered my personal goal and I thought to myself, was that really ten hours?
The final result was 2nd place in Super-mini Ironman and 7th place in the Adult Iron-man! A special Thank you to Ty Davis for putting on the junior race and helping me out throughout race week along with a huge thanks to my Las Vegas pit crew: Matt Canepa, Destry Stewart, Mason Decunzo, Ryan Marshall and their parents. 34 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
The New RAM 1500 TRX
Faster, Powerful and Supercharged!
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he RAM Rebel is FCA’s answer to give the Ford Raptor some friendly competition. RAM is stepping up their game big time with the announcement of the new 2021 RAM 1500 TRX. The TRX combines off-road agility, speed and power into one sweet package! Let’s start with the new 702-horsepower 6.2 Supercharged HEMI V-8 engine. RAM boasts this truck can move from zero to sixty in 4.5 seconds. The truck can run the quarter mile in 12.9
seconds at 108 mph. Oh, and it has a top speed of 118 mph. Impressive numbers for a halfton pick-up truck. Look closer at this beast. It has a high torque capacity Torque Flight eight speed automatic transmission. The air filter was designed with the dirty, harsh environment of off-road in mind. It was designed to use dual filter elements to trap dust. The TRX has 11.8 inches of ground clearance which is 2-inches more than the rest of the 1500 line-up. The upgraded DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 35
FASTER, POWERFUL AND SUPERCHARGED
clearance will accommodate the most popular 35-inch tires. Goodyear Wrangler Territory All-Terrain tires come standard from the factory on the TRX. Five skid plates protect critical components on the truck such as front axle, transfer case, transmission pan and fuel tank.
Bilstein Black Hawk E2 performance shocks come standard on the TRX.
An all-new independent front suspension system uses active damping for overall strength and durability. Front upper and lower control arms are made of forged aluminum. In the rear, the RAM TRX has a Dana 60 rear axle that helps increase durability and travel. Larger coil springs help the truck with greater payloads. The TRX comes standard with Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks with a custom tune for both on-road and off-road handling. RAM’s proprietary Active Terrain Dynamics suspension system controls everything via an onboard computer on the truck. RAM doesn’t stop there. The TRX is equipped with a custom Borg-Warner 4813 active transfer case. RAM gives you five dynamic drive modes on the TRX. Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow and Custom. The settings allow drivers to put the truck into the mode for their specific driving conditions. The different settings control the four-wheel drive system, throttle response, transmission, paddle shifters, suspension
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2021 RAM 1500 TRX
and electric power steering. Active slip control is engaged which prevents binding and excessive front to rear slip. In custom mode, you are able to set parameters on your own for your specific condition. There are also three dynamic off-road modes the truck can be set to that include Mud/Sand, Rock and Baja. Pricing for the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX starts at $69,995. A special launch edition has already been sold out. Only 702 units of the launch edition will be made. The interior is spacious with premium colors and materials.
The 12-inch touch screen on the TRX can be customized to display all of your drive modes, truck performance, apps, media and climate.
Three dynamic off-road modes can be selected for the specific terrain you are driving on. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 37
BRONCO MANIA
BRING ON THE SPECIAL EDITION BRONCOS Ford released the much anticipated 2021 Bronco in July. Since then, aftermarket companies have been busy designing special edition Bronco vehicles.
Saleen Big Oly Bronco Saleen is celebrating the Bronco by making available a limited edition Big Oly Bronco. The vehicle comes with livery that represents the original Big Oly Bronco, raced by Parnelli Jones in 1968. The vehicle features a modern touch with Saleen’s custom front bumper, LED light array. Other custom Saleen parts include a power hood, rear fenders and quarter panel, roof spoiler and rear tire carrier.
Maxlider Motors Midnite Edition Bronco Maxlider Motors is currently taking
deposits for the Midnite Edition 2021 Bronco. The vehicle is a tribute to the 1991-1992 model year Nite Bronco. The Nite edition was basically a very limited appearance package that was available. The Maxlider version will be available in two and four-door configurations. A BDS and Fox suspension package will be added to the Midnite edition. Instead of the multicolored stripe down the side of the vehicle, Maxlider is adding a Grey one.
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TECH
e h t ing
t t e G
k c a rB
e w Po
Cleaning a Dirty Carburetor Words and Photos: John Lehenbauer
R
iding a dirt bike is one of the most thrilling forms of off-road recreation and racing. Whether cruising down a single-track trail or blasting wide open across the desert in search of a championship there is nothing like being on two wheels. Keeping that off-road motorcycle (new or old) in peak form does require a bit of maintenance now and then. The amount of maintenance and severity of work needed are dependent on a number of factors such as an individual’s riding style, how the bike is used (trail ridden or Baja raced), where its ridden (sand, silt, mud, etc.), and amount of time spent in the saddle. Many times, it is as simple as cleaning the air filter or changing engine oil. There will be other times when maintenance means pulling the suspension apart or giving the engine a tuneup.
One item that will eventually need some attention is the carburetor. Things like sluggishness, hard starting, and leaking can make it necessary to pull the carb off, crack it open, and give a thorough cleaning. In the case of our 1996 Honda CR 500 we decided it was a good time to go through the carb while the bike was torn apart for some routine maintenance on the rear suspension. With the sub-frame, shock, and fuel tank removed the carb was easy to get to and work on. Though the bike has been used hard through the years the carb had never given us any issues, but staying on top of things makes sure it continues to be that way. Follow along as we give the 500’s Keihin carburetor a quick going through and cleaning to keep it in peak working condition.
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GETTING THE POWER BACK
Our ’96 Honda CR500 has seen some harddusty miles, so we decided it was time to clean the carburetor and make sure the bike is performing up to par. With the rear shock, subframe, and fuel tank removed the carb is easily accessed. Along with the carb having a good layer of dirt, the vent hoses have seen better days. The hoses are hard and yellowed from age and will need to be replaced.
First order of business with the carb off the bike is to use some carb cleaner and clean the outside. For the really caked on dirt, a soft bristle brush helps to get the grime off.
With no air box the carb is a lot easier to remove. Just need to loosen the clamp on the insulator and remove the top of the carb along with the throttle valve (slide).
We did find some varnish in the bottom of the bowl and a bit of dirt in the bowl drain plug, but overall it looked good.
Removing the main jet and the baffle plate, gives us access to the pilot jet and makes removing the float and float valve easy. 40 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
TECH
Then the air screw is removed. Make note of how many turns the screw is out. That way it can be easily set to the proper position upon reinstallation.
The bowl is blasted with some carb cleaner to get Any remaining gaskets dirt and varnish off. At some point someone had put are removed before some type of gasket cleaning. dressing on the bowl The carb cleaner is gasket. This took a little used on the main scrubbing from a soft bristle body. Every passage, brush to orifice, and surface remove. The bowl and plug are cleaned of dirt and are clean and ready to go varnish. back together.
A cutting torch tip cleaning tool is used to make sure there is no debris left in any of the passages. Everything is then blasted with more carb cleaner to make sure it’s clean.
The torch cleaner is also run through the jets to ensure they’re clean. Any remaining components are thoroughly cleaned. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 41
GETTING THE POWER BACK
Everything is laid out for reassembly.
The throttle valve, jet needle, and carb top also get a quick cleaning. The tops seal is also removed.
Many times, individual gaskets can be purchased (as needed) when working on carburetors. Since we were going through the whole carb we bought a kit from our local shop that gave us everything needed for a carb rebuild. The original bowl screws have taken a beating through the years, so the new ones will make assembly and future disassembly much easier. 42 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
New gaskets are installed in the carb top, bowl drain, and bowl.
The new jets and air screw are checked against the ones that came out of the carb. In our case they are the same, but many times the bikes jetting is different for performance reasons. Cleaning the original jets makes them ready to go if we needed to reuse them.
TECH
The new main jet and pilot jet are secured with the baffle plate before pinning the float and float valve in position. The bowl is then installed.
The bowl drain is installed along with the chock/idle adjustment (not pictured).
Cleaned, assembled, and ready to go back on the bike. A quick inspection of the insulator makes sure there are not cracks that could allow dirt into the engine. It is a good time to also clean the insulator, just make sure no dirt gets in the opening. The throttle valve and top are installed before the carb is mounted in the insulator.
New carb vent hose is cut to length and installed. To ensure the vent hoses don’t fall off Last step is to put rest of the bike they are secured in place with back together and feel the crisp safety wire. power a clean carburetor provides. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 43
CALENDAR
UPCOMING EVENTS september
Crandon World Championships/Championship Off-Road- Crandon International Raceway, Crandon, Wisconsin September 4th-6th M.O.R.E. PCI 300- Lucerne Valley, California September 12th
EVENT TO ATTEND UTV WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Round 6 & 7- Chandler, AZ (Wild Horse Pass Raceway) September 18th and 19th Ultra 4 Area BFE Beatdown, Moab, Utah September 18th SCORE Baja 500, San Felipe, Mexico September 22nd-27th BITD Jagged X Desert Cup- Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, CA September 25th-27th Championship Off-Road Final Rounds- Crandon International Raceway, Crandon, Wisconsin September 26th-27th
october
UTV World Championships- Lake Havasu, AZ October 7th-11th UTV Takeover- Boxcar Hill Campground, Coos Bay Oregon October 7th-11th UTV Takeover Sand Hollow State Park, Hurricane Utah October 21st-25th
Although still a month away, the UTV World Championships will be held this year for the first time along the back drop of Lake Havasu in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Havasu is the perfect recreation destination. It’s a place where watersports mixes with off-roading. The Arizona desert has some of the best off-road trails to play on. Many UTV’s are street legal here and they are driven on the local roads.
BITD BlueWater Desert Challenge, Parker AZ October 22-25 Ultra 4 National Championships- Crossbar Ranch, Davis, OK October 23rd Moab 4x4 Expo- Moab, Utah October 28th-31st 44 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM
Have an event for our Calendar? Send us an email: dirtsports@dirtsportsworld.com
CHAPPY’S PIT STOP
WE OVERWHELMINGLY CONQUER! Words: Steve Hanson
Romans 8:36 As it is written: “for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I
do not know about you, but I do not like thinking of myself “as a sheep ready for slaughter” when living in life’s battlefield. The context Paul is using does not match up very well with my thoughts of living victoriously when facing struggles & challenges. My mind drifts off to images of John Wayne’s Green Berets; triumphant soldiers pulling out grenade pins with their teeth and having guns ah blazing while the enemy scatters for cover. That is my idea of battling victoriously! Paul’s writing here in Romans paints a picture that resembles something more like the Battle of Bastown in the movie Band of Brothers. Instead of an impressive display of Marine power associated with success and victory. The Battle of Bastown is full of tribulation, affliction, pain, hardship, and hunger, along with a lack of sufficient clothing, and of course death. What also do you think of when reminiscing the blockbuster movie Band of Brothers; consistent inner strength, determination, confidence, security and unswerving selfless love?
Reread Paul’s writing and you will see it is more of a reflection of Band of Brothers then it is of the Green Berets. He wakes us up from daydreaming to remind us the Old Testament writings (Psalms 44:22, Ezekiel 34:31) still hold true today. Our victory comes, but not like a John Wayne movie script. It comes more like the Band of Brothers in tribulation, affliction, pain, hardship, and hunger; and even in death. What Paul is saying: It is IN and THROUGH these things that “we overwhelmingly conquer” because of what God has already done on our behalf. (Psalms 56:9-11; 118:6; Isaiah 33:21; Ezekiel 34:30; 36:9; Isaiah 50:8) We may be sheep finding it altogether essential to draw upon our Lord for persistence and power we need. But none of that is automatic. It is just as foolish to think that victory will “just happen” as it would be to imagine you can just show up to a race and find yourself on the top step. Just like in racing; as Christians we need to be deliberate. There is a process from start to finish that leads to victory. Victory is not automatic, and we have not seen many in 2020, remember it is through these things that “we overwhelmingly conquer”! Follow @rfc_dirtsportministry
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