By Mike Henle

To most auto racing journalists, off-road racing would have to be considered one of the toughest assignments. Considering the logistical challenges along with the fact that the sport is based on individual times, the sport is unique.

However, to the late John Calvin who died at the age of 81 July 29, off-road was the best assignment of all for the man who racked up thousands of miles covering events in Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico.

Thus, the John Calvin Memorial SNORE 250 scheduled Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. in Jean, Nev. has aptly been named in honor of the man.

Calvin didn’t just attend off road races. His love of the sport and the field of journalism combined to make him a huge part of the off-road industry. He could commonly be seen giving out copies of Dusty Times at tech inspections throughout the Southwest; and when the green flag dropped to start a race, you could be sure that he would be near the start-finish line getting quotes for the next edition of Dusty Times.

Racers, their friends and every pit crew member within many miles knew that Dusty Times was the Bible of off-road racing. Until only recently, the newspaper was published monthly before finally going on-line at www.dustytimes.net.

Journalism and off-road racing were definitely in the man’s blood. A quiet gentleman who wasn’t one to talk about his own personal successes in various arenas, Calvin worked day-in and day-out doing what he loved – following off-road racing and the people who make the sport so wildly-popular.

When Jean died more than a decade ago, John Calvin carried on in spite of the fact that he had just lost his best friend.

“He was always happy to be in the shadows,” said his wife, Pat, “except when he was story telling. He was always extremely proud of Jean and all of her accomplishments.

“In fact, John raced cars about 50 years ago,” Pat added. “Many people didn’t realize that John was multi-talented.

“Dusty Times was Jean’s innovation and she was the one who nurtured it and made it what it is today.”

John carried on the legacy of the publication.

“He did so much for off-road racing,” said Bill Shapley, tech director for SNORE and an enthusiast of off-road racing since 1974. “Off-road racing simply does not get a lot of credit when it comes to the traditional media; and John filled a huge void. It is true that off-road racing requires a special kind of person and John was that person the sport needed.

“He was definitely passionate about off-road racing. He covered every major off-road racing sanctioning body and he didn’t play any favorites; he was good to all of us.”

Shapley said SNORE’s board of directors decided to name its oldest race after John Calvin not long after the man’s death.

“It was the fitting thing to do,” said Shapley adding that the race will draw about 100 entries from several states.

In fact, a flyover has been scheduled at the race with Calvin’s ashes being spread where Jean’s were spread several years ago. The plane will waggle its wings over the race course to pay tribute to SNORE and all of those attending.

Bekki Wikel has worked for Dusty Times since 1994.

“John was more than a boss,” Wikel said. “He was my neighbor and a friend of our family for 37 years.

“John took great pleasure in helping others. If it was in his power, he would assist his friends. He often talked (and bragged) about his off-road family like they were his children. They were all the best, the smartest, the fastest. I will forever miss his knack of story telling. His memory was like none other.”

Former Mint 400 Race Director KJ Howe said Calvin was as instrumental as anyone when popularizing the sport of off-road racing.

“His reportage of every race was a significant factor in gleaning publicity for drivers, sponsors and manufacturers,” Howe said. “Along with his late wife, Jean, an Off-Road Motorsports Hall Of Fame inductee, they seemed to be everywhere. Their presence was felt in every race of any significance throughout the years.”

Now in its 44th year, the SNORE 250 hosted by the Gold Strike Hotel and Casino will be staged behind Gold Strike about 30 miles south of Las Vegas.

CAPTION: John Calvin, left, was a huge proponent of off-road racing and the 44th annual John Calvin SNORE 250 Saturday in Jean has been named in his memory. (Photo courtesy of Trackside).

CONTACTS: Mike Henle, The Idea Company Public Relations, 702-279-3483.

 
VW STUFF, DUNE BUGGY STUFF, TRUCK STUFF, CAR STUFF

SAND BUGGY STUFF, ANYKIND OF STUFF HERES YOUR CHANCE TO CLEAN OUT 

YOUR GARAGE AND MAKE A LITTLE CASH$$

ALL PROCEDES WILL GO TO MAKE A WISH

$20 DOLLAR SPACE FEE

$2 DOLLAR ENTRY FEE

LOCATION: NEVADA PIC A PART 

110 W. Rolly St. Henderson ,NV

SATURDAY September 28th. 2013

FROM 7 TO 5

CONTACT INFO TOM HIGH 702-683-6957 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BILL SHAPLEY 702-438-4689 OR This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nevada Pic-A-Part

This is the second in a series of SNORE old-timers.

Today: Ken Freeman, Sr.

By Mike Henle

Ken Freeman may be the best-ever example of a desert rat who for decades not only lived in the open spaces, but raced in them, too.

While the 81 year-old native of Riggs, Ida. is now living more than 200 miles away from his old stomping grounds in Las Vegas, his home on State Route 14 east of Cedar City is filled with memories of the old days of SNORE.

When the man ran in off-road races, no one was more determined to win. One photo shows him flying high over a Highway 93 road crossing north of Apex. Yesteryear can be seen throughout the house and a garden in front of the home is flush with every conceivable vegetable.

Only a few miles south of his home is a Southern Utah cabin that is utilized with friends and family during the spring, summer and fall before the cold winters send the man down the hill for State Route 14. Freeman bought his house in 2003 before the boom and the bust and he’s undoubtedly one of the happiest men on earth.

The man doesn’t want anything to do with computers and while he has a cell phone, you’re going to have a tough time getting him to answer it. He loves the quiet life and doesn’t miss Vegas although he will attend an occasional off-road race in the area.

While serving as a fan of off-road racing back in the 1960s, the energetic Freeman caught the bug. The next thing he knew, he had left the sidelines and jumped behind the wheel of a Class 9 entry in a sport that may look easy, but is very difficult to master.

All of Freeman’s competitors remember him as a fierce competitor and a good-hearted man, too.  From the early days of SNORE when the club was founded in 1969, the man was part of a dedicated group that also included Denny Selleck, Don Dayton, Bert Vaughan, Charlie Crunden, Walt Lott, Ray Potter, Bob and Ruthe Jensen and Bob MacCachren, among others. 

In fact, one of his favorite stories revolves around the time he escaped to the desert in his dune buggy; only to be seen by the local law enforcement which never caught him. One of the founders of SNORE, Freeman may not attend each of the races nowadays, but he still reigns as one of the toughest-ever drivers who has a houseful of stories.

“They never caught me,” laughed Freeman of law enforcement officers.

His own story might be the off-road version of “Smokey and the Bandit.”

If Freeman wasn’t foot-to-the-floor in his off-road car, he was telling anyone and everyone about the sport and its benefits. He’d work hard to beat his competition before joining those same people at SNORE meetings to keep the club alive. 

The old Mint 400 used to run near his home in Vegas and Freeman couldn’t wait for the race. The legendary Parnelli Jones ran out of water in his race truck near the Freeman home and Ken responded by providing the badly-needed water. 

“He was really thankful for helping him out,” Freeman recalled. “He had someone fly us a case of beer to our house.”

MacCachren, who has lived in Las Vegas since 1961, still operates Nevada Off Road Buggy, a 33-year-old business with endless stories about the sport of off-road racing. Once he jumped into an off-road buggy, he didn’t want anyone beating him, especially the young kids.

“Ken was a very competitive gentleman,” said MacCachren, whose son, Rob, is now one of the nation’s top Trophy Truck drivers. “He was very aggressive and he didn’t take very well to losing.

“The entire Freeman family was very tight knit. They were a terrific family.”

Indeed, the Freeman family has been one of the reasons for SNORE’s long existence dating back to the club’s formation in 1969. While many others living in the desert escape to other parts of the country, the Freeman family has been either competing in the sport or volunteering to run hundreds of race events for more than 40 years.

“My dad is really something,” said Freeman’s son, Kenny, who gave up the sport for the past two years to become race steward for the club. “He’s a wonderful inspiration and Lord knows, he’s also one of the toughest men on earth.

SNORE has survived its share of ups and downs over the years and it has most definitely created memories that won’t soon be forgotten.

“Those of us now involved with SNORE now are really thankful to our parents who paved the way for us to be involved,” said the younger Freeman. “We all have jobs and responsibilities and I know that every one of us is thankful for our parents who combined to start SNORE more than 40 years ago.”

Ken Freeman Sr., 81, shown at his home just east of Cedar City, Utah, remains one of SNORE’s all-time greats.

 
This years event will be held on October 19th in Primm, NV. More details are available in the Make A Wish Ride menu in the left column underneath the Midnight Special menu.

We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to The Dusty Times family and his wife Pat, his longtime companion, for the passing of a true off road racing legend, friend, promoter and off road icon, John Calvin. Owner, chief editor and publisher of the Dusty Times News. John was always one of the biggest fans and promoters of SNORE from the beginning. His face and friendship will forever be missed at all of our future events! Rest In Peace John

By Mike Henle
www.mikehenle.com
 
The annual Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts KC HiLites 250 presented south of Las Vegas near Jean June 8 presented the typical challenges that one would find in an off-road race especially considering that the event was run during the evening hours to offset the heat of Southern Nevada.
 
But the heat was even worse for the 2013 event since temperatures soared ten degrees above normal in the first week of June. In fact, it was more than 100 degrees when SNORE officials dropped the green flag for an 8:30 p.m. start.
 
However, though it all there were two winners that being (a) overall winner T.J. Flores in an Unlimited Truck and (b) SNORE, which capitalized by drawing a good field of 80 entries for an event that many years ago was the brainchild of the late SNORE President Denny Selleck.
 
Racers are undoubtedly a hearty breed, as evidenced by the strong turnout that gathered in SNORE’s third event of the year in a prestigious chase for the $25,000 season-ending bonus money provided via the Terrible Herbst Motor Sports Garage fund.
 
Even with conditions so hot that even the reptiles seemed to be missing from the environment, the likeable Flores and his co-driver Jesse Gerlach ran roughshod over the rest of the field.
 
Flores, a native of Southern Nevada and a graduate of Rancho High School in North Las Vegas, was the first off the line and the first competitor to run five laps to get the checkered flag. The victory was his second straight after capturing the Silver State 300 in May.
 
“We literally didn’t do anything with the truck for this race,” said Flores, beaming with a smile that has become his trademark after taking the ID Designs Chevrolet to the huge victory. “We won the Silver State race and brought it here from the shop.”
 
Flores lapped all but two drivers in his Unlimited truck for an overall time of 4 hours, 53.14 minutes to finish about 51 minutes ahead of UT runner up Dallas Luttrell of Salt Lake City over a 54-mile course that featured a great combination of new layout combined with some of the old stuff.
 
Adding even more to his resume’ was the fact that Flores also finished about 22 minutes ahead of overall runner up and Class 10 winner Bryan Freeman, a Henderson, Nev., who has long been known for his consistent and well-timed talents.
 
“We had no issues at all,” said Flores, who will next run the Vegas to Reno event Aug. 15. “The course was very rough. It was dusty and rocky and a true desert race.”

 
Flores said co-driver Stephanie Reynolds rode the first lap while Jesse Gerlach rode the last four laps.
 
“They both have ridden with me in the past, so they’re used to my driving style,” said Flores, who added that the team also received sponsorship help from Vision X Lighting, McMurrough Racing, King Shocks, Kroyer Racing Engines, Champions Race Works, Magnum Ink, BF Goodrich and Jugz Eyewear.
 
Other winners included Richard Boyle of Ridgecrest, Calif., Class 1; Randy Jones of Simi Valley, Calif., Class 12; Mike Montes of Las Vegas, Class 13; Josh Taylor Logandale, Nev., Class 1450; Kelly Suiter of Henderson, Class 15; Justin Smith of Capistrano Beach, Calif., Class 1600; Colton Gubler of Caliente, Nev., Class 18; Kevin Mc Keown of Henderson, Class 2000; Daryl Kysar, Class 3000; Michael King of Menifee, Calif., Class 3000; Keith Minnicks, of Irvine, Calif., Class 7; Nick Lantz of Las Vegas, Class 7S; Derek Bradley, Las Vegas, Class 8; Corey Torres of Las Vegas, Class 9; Steve Bertrand of Las Vegas, Stock Bug.
 
The event also featured bonuses including the following:

• $1,000 KC Lights Cash to the first vehicle to finish with KC Lights and decals.
• $500 KC Lights Cash to first official finisher of combined classes of 9, 5/1600 or $1,800 to finish with KC Lights and decals.
• $1,000 KARTEK cash to the first winner in Class 1/2 1600 with KARTEK stickers.
• $1,000 Drykef Cash to first in Class 9 with Drykef stickers.

 
SNORE KC HiLites 250 off road race Results of Saturday, June 8 At Jean, Nev.

• Overall: 80 TJ Flores, Las Vegas, 4:53.14.
• Unlimited – 1. 80 TJ Flores, Las Vegas, 4:53.14; 72 Dallas Luttrell, Salt Lake City 5:44.38; 93 Eric Palacious, 6:07.53.
• Class 1 – 188 1. 188 Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif., 5:43.37; 2. 130 Steve Hengeveld, Flagstaff, Ariz., 4 laps.
• Class 10 – 1. 1002 Cody Freeman, Henderson, 5:15.39; 2. 1021 Rick Boyer, Bakersfield, Calif., 5:21.02; 3. 1087 Gary Messer, Kingman, Ariz., 6:10.56; 4. 1016 Tim Pangborn, Las Vegas, 6:10.56.
• Class 12 – 1. 1216 Randy Jones, Simi Valley, Calif., 6:40.12; 2.1210 Jason Peterson,, Granite Bay, Calif., 4 laps; 3. 1255 Kyle Cox, Caliente, Nev., 3 laps; 4. 1244 Eric Palacious, 3 laps.
• Class 13 – 1. 1360 Mike Montes, Las Vegas, 4:00.16; 2. 1388 Dustin Hellstrom, Las Vegas, 4:03.23; 3. 1380 Bill Shapley, Las Vegas, 5:54.48; 4. 1307 Richard Robinson, Sandy Valley, Nev., 5:59.54; 5. 1378 Dave Nelson, Henderson, 6:59.26.
• Class 1450 – 1. 1484 Josh Taylor, Logandale, Nev., 4:03.42. 2. 1448 Jeremy Deakins, Norco, Calif., 4:52.17; 
• Class 15 – 1. 1503 Kelly Suiter, Henderson, 4:27.15; 2. 1551 Samantha Richard, Las Vegas, 2 laps.
• Class 1600 – 1. 1619 Justin Smith, Capistrano Beach, Calif., 5:52.15; 2. 1612 Blaine Conrad, Las Vegas, 5:52.51; 3. 1663 Christopher Adamik, Las Vegas, 7:03.52.
• Class 18 – 1. 1801 Colton Gubler, Caliente, 1 lap; 2. John Pellissier, Las Vegas, 1 lap.
• Class 2000 – 1. 2028 Kevin Mc Keown, Henderson, 5:01.50; 2. 2055 Derek Tenney, Las Vegas, 5:57.44; 3. 2015 Kenneth Leavitt, Santa Paula, Calif., 6:32.04.
• Class 3000 – 3079 Darryl Kysar, 6:18.04, Oxnard, Calif., 6:18.04.
• Class 5-1600 – 1. 555 Michael King, Menifee, Calif., 1 lap.
• Class 7 – 1. 7234 Keith Minnicks, Irvine, Calif., 6:19.43.
• Class 7S – 7177 Nick Lantz, Las Vegas, 5:54.31.
• Class 8 – Derek Bradley, Las Vegas.
• Class 9 – 1. 989 Corey Torres, Las Vegas, 5:28.49; 2. 928 Kyle Vizzo, Barstow, Calif., 5:39.05; 3. 966 Jeff Johnsen, 5:47.12.
• Stock Bug: 1. 1180 Steven Bertrand, Las Vegas, 5:43.00.

TJ Flores, right, and his co-driver Jesse Gerlach celebrate their overall and class victories after SNORE’s annual KC HiLites 250 June 8 near Jean, Nev., south of Las Vegas.

The world of off-road racing can be very serious as evidenced by a stout $25,000 purse generated by Terrible Herbst Motor Sports Garage.

Highly-respected Justin “Bean” Smith, 28, could race just about anywhere, but the native of San Clemente, Calif. is headed for Saturday’s KC HiLites 250 scheduled south of Las Vegas.

Smith, a hard-charging Class 1600 driver, has a five-point lead heading into SNORE’s third race of the year. Knowing full well that second place Class 10 driver Cody Freeman of Henderson is clamoring for a chance to overtake him in the run for the money.

With Southern Nevada suddenly facing a heat wave about 10 degrees above normal, SNORE’s event will provide several challenges considering that the race starts at 8:30 p.m.

Between the heat and the night driving, Smith knows first-hand that while he could be most anywhere, he needs to be at SNORE’s race considering the big-time money generated by the prominent Herbst family.

“No question about it,” said Smith, who grabbed the 1600 victory at Ridgecrest, Calif. April 13, before quickly heading off to a wedding. “I need to be there no matter what the challenges or other events.

“The points fund is really good and one of the reasons I’m running SNORE all year long. I’m a self-funded racer, so I race off what I win. It can be a make or break for us.”

Smith is highly-recognized for his talent in the desert. He’s also involved in the construction and repair of off-road racing equipment.

Smith competed in the X Games as the FMX rider in 2003 and moved into off-road racing in 2004. He has more than 30 victories and five championships.

“I keep fighting for more and more wins,” he said. “But with the KC HiLites race, we still have a little bit of an uphill battle simply because this course is in the backyard of racers like Brian and Cody Freeman.

“It’s going to be a rough course.”

With all of the challenges, Smith feels good about his night racing talents.

“I feel really good about racing at night,” he said. “I have good vision.”

Smith said his 1600 car is ready for the race.

“It’s looking perfect,” he said. “Major Performance went through the motor and JG Transworks got us ready to go. We’re set up and planning a light test before the race Thursday.”

Justin Smith of San Clemente, Calif., has a narrow five-point lead heading into Saturday’s KC HiLites 250 presented by SNORE south of Las Vegas.

Jackson Motorsports Group to Provide Tire Awards Program for World’s Oldest Sanctioned Off-Road Racing Organization, S.N.O.R.E

GREENVILLE, S.C. (May XX, 2013) – Leading event and motorsports management and service company Jackson Motorsports Group (JMG) is pleased to announce a partnership with Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts (S.N.O.R.E). Through this partnership, Jackson will provide a tire awards program to all S.N.O.R.E. series competitors for qualified tires. JMG will also provide S.N.O.R.E competitors the opportunity to buy other BFGoodrich® tires, including support tires for vehicles directly affiliated with a race program, such as chase trucks and tow vehicles, from JMG at special racer program prices.

Founded in 1969, S.N.O.R.E is the world’s oldest sanctioned off-road racing organization and has grown to be a premier force in the Southwest racing arena. With a committed and very active membership base, the organization offers races from 250-400 miles throughout Nevada and Southern California, suitable for wide range of vehicles, from buggies and pickup trucks to high-end vehicles. Upcoming series races include the KC Hilites 250, the Midnight Special, the S.N.O.R.E 250 and Rage at the River.

“Based on our strong ties to off road racing and our status as the exclusive distributor of BFGoodrich off- road tires, we feel that JMG is a great fit for S.N.O.R.E.,” said Darrell Jackson, president and chief executive officer, Jackson Motorsports Group. “We are happy to be working with such a prestigious and committed group of racers.”
 
Jackson Motorsports Group works closely with a wide range of similar racing groups, including serving as the official sponsor for Porsche Club of America’s (PCA’S) National Points Championship. For 2013, JMG has also partnered with Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series driver Geoffrey Cooley and Alumi Craft Racing.
 
“Our members love off-road and desert racing and expect to work with vendors and sponsor who are as passionate about the sport as they are,” said Brittany Burgos, president, S.N.O.R.E. “Based on their extensive off-road racing experience, knowledge of the products and dedication to providing top-notch customer service, we are pleased to partner with Jackson Motorsports Group.”
 
About S.N.O.R.E.S.N.O.R.E. (Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts) is a family of off-road desert racers helping to promote desert racing in and around the Las Vegas, Nevada area. Formed in 1969 for fun, friends and family, the organization has grown to be a premier force in the Southwest racing arena.
 
About Jackson Motorsports Group
 
Jackson Motorsports Group has experience in some of the world’s leading racing series, including NASCAR, NHRA, American Le Mans, SCORE, Best in the Desert, Ultra4 and AMA. With offices in Greenville, S.C. and Charlotte, N.C., its experience includes working for clients such as BMW, Volvo, Wiley X and Race Ramps. Simply put, whatever your motorsports needs, from event management and activation to on-site tire support services, JMG offers the products and services to make your life easier. For more information, please visit our Facebook page.
 
Contact: JoAnne Laffey Abed (864) 272-3014 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Mike Henle

RIDGECREST, Calif. -- The Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts, a group of dedicated souls who have been presenting desert racing events since 1969, could not have written a better script than the one that wrapped up the annual Motion Tire Ridgecrest 300 that was run here April 13.

In SNORE’s second race of the Terrible Herbst Motor Sports Garage Series touting an estimated $25,000 in prize money, the club drew rave reviews from members of the Bureau of Land Management for another stellar performance; while also attracting a strong field of 83 entries in several classes.

In perfect style, the Overall and Class 1 titles were won by friendly and hard-charging Richard Boyle, whose company Motion Tire is a highly-respected business in Ridgecrest. Just so happens that Boyle also sponsored the sixth annual SNORE event here, which was initiated when another Ridgecrest off-road racer approached SNORE about the possibility of presenting an off-road race near China Naval Base in the High Desert.

Boyle 48,  running a ground-thundering two-seater, turned in a five-lap time of 4 hours, 35.36 minutes to dominate the event that featured 50-mile laps that included everything from traditional dust to boulders so big that you’d swear the area was formerly the ground for old Roy Rogers movies.

While many others struggled in what was termed a very technical layout that ate up a huge part of the field, Boyle was pedal-to-the-medal during an impressive showing that saw him score a narrow victory over fellow Ridgecrest resident Joe David, who finished a little more than a minute behind.

“We started off easy because that car just ran the HDRA race last weekend. So it had 250 hard miles on it. We just tried to bet to the finish line and we won it. We will be at the Baja 500 the first weekend of June.

Highly-touted Justin Smith, a talented 29 year-old competitor out of Capistrano Beach, Calif., powered to the 1600 win with a time of 5:05.49 to finish more than an hour ahead of his nearest challenger.

“We had a good draw,” explained Smith, who was headed to a wedding not long after recording the victory. “We were second off the line and by Mile 6, we passed (two other cars) and took over the lead.

“We didn’t have much radio communication at all, so we just tried to pace ourselves. I wasn’t seeing anyone or hearing from anyone, so I just figured that no news was good news. The Goodrich tires were hooking up and we didn’t have any problems. Our Foxx shocks worked well all day.

“But man, SNORE put a heckuva course together. It was one of the roughest courses I have ever raced in my life.”

Bill Shapley, tech director SNORE, said the race was a huge success.

“We didn’t have any problems with anything,” said Shapley, 56. “It’s always fun coming to Ridgecrest and this was no different than ever before. This city opens its arms and the course is bitching. It’s rough and there is a lot of fast stuff, but it’s fun. What a great way to get out of Vegas for awhile.

Race director Kenny Freeman, now sitting out his second year to handle participating in the presentation of SNORE events, concurred with Shapley.

“We could not have hoped for better,” he said. “We will be back again and really enjoyed working with this particular BLM district. They were very cooperative and the city of Ridgecrest loves having us each year.”

Also key to the blockbuster weekend was the purse posted by SNORE. As an example, Class 9 winner Michael Goltz of Covina, Calif., pocketed $3,200 for his triumph to highlight the big winners.

Overall, SNORE presented checks for a total of $15,000 in prize money and KARTEK cash.

Las Vegas automobile executive Steve Olliges, who owns Team Ford in the northwest Las Vegas valley, was among the drivers who not only complimented SNORE and also pointed out the challenges affiliated with the race.

“The race was awesome,” said Olliges, who finished runnerup to defending champion Mike Voudouris of Austin, Tex.. “I drove the first three laps and had no problems at all. Three minutes from completing my third lap, I got a flat tire on the front. I didn’t want to take a chance of tearing up one of our Trail Ready wheels. Brittany and Kenny do a great job of setting up the course, which was very technical. Lot of it was really good for an old I-Beam truck and some of it wasn’t that gets really rough for an old I-Beam truck.

“The course was very rocky and tough. There were a lot of people pulled off to the side with broken suspensions and flat tires. The boulders are all over the place.

“The old BFG Fox 4 did great. Sometimes you have to straddle and be careful that you don’t tear your car apart.”

Other winners included Cody Freeman, 10; Ken Taper, 12; Bree Cloud, 13; Sal Gomez, 1450; Kelly Suiter, 15; John Pellissier, 18; Ken Leavitt, 2000; Bruce Frisen, 3000; Jerry Fisher, 5-1600; Dallas Lutrell, 7287; and Michael Brenner, Stock Bug.

SNORE Motion Tire Ridgecrest 300

Results of Saturday, April 13

at Ridgecrest, Calif.

Overall – 156 Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif., 4:35.36.

Unlimited Trucks – 1. 70 Mike Voudouris, Austin, Tex. 4:40.30; 2. 27 Steve Olliges, Las Vegas, 5:02.01.

Class 1 --- 1. 156 Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif., 4:35.36; 2. 115 Joe David, Ridgecrest, Calif., 4:46.50; 3. 199 Mike Thurlow, Kingsburg, Calif., 5:22.13; 4. 188 Jason Whipple, Lancaster, Calif., DNF; 5. 108 Dennis Boyle, Ventura, Calif., DNF.

Class 10 – 1002 1. Cody Freeman, Henderson, Nev., 4:41.36; 2. 1092 Cody Jeffers, Barstow, Calif., 4:41.52; 3. 1081 Jason Saran, Tucson, Ariz., 6:26.17; 4. 1095 Patrick Gailey, Norco, Calif., DNF; 5. 1011 Mike McGee, Ridgecrest, Calif., DNF; 6. 1014 Blaine McDonald, Las Vegas, DNF; 7. 1076 Gerardo Tribe, Santa Ana, Calif., DNF; 8 Sammy Ehrenberg, Las Vegas, DNF; 9. 1071 Darryl Kysar, Oxnard, Calif., DNF; 10. 1071 Tony Nguyen, Anaheim, Calif., DNF; 11. 1029 Chris Wakim, Simi Valley, Calif., DNF; 12. 1087 Gary Messer, Kingman, Ariz., DNF.

Class 12 – 1. 1230 Ken Tapert, Henderson, Nev.; 2. 1299 Vic Bruckman, San Diego, Calif., 6:11.15; 3. 1227 Justin Buckley, Long Beach, Calif., 4 laps; 4. 1280 Matt 14 McBride, Brea, Calif., 4 laps; 5.1215 Michael Benedict, North Las Vegas, 4 laps; 6, Randy Jones, Simi Valley, Calif., DNF;  7. 1277 Zac Reish, Riverside, Calif., DNF; 8. 1210 Jason Peterson, Granite Bay, Calif., DNF; 9. 1259 Bob Dziurawiec, Prescott, Ariz., DNF; 10. 1272 Jason Davis, Pinon Hills, Calif., DNF; 11. 1271 Keith Rogovin, DNF.

Class 13 – 1336 1. Bree Cloud, Las Vegas, 3:47.18, 3 laps; 2. 1380 Billy Shapley, Jr., 4:06.37, 3 laps; 3. 1360 Mike Montes, Las Vegas, 4:23.13, 3 laps; 4. 1355 Scott Davis, Moreno Valley, Calif., 1 lap; 5. 1378 Dave Nelson, Henderson, DNF.

Class 1450 – 1. 1413 Sal Gomez, Anaheim, Calif., 3:28.00; 2. 1433 Allen Byma, Bellflower, Calif., 3:31.09; 3. 1447 Darren Parsons, Ridgecrest, Calif., 3:38.35; 4. 1498 Steve Fike, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 4:08.53; 5. 1472 Dustyn Loppnow, Yucaipa, Calif., DNF; 6. 1479 Chris Freas, Simi Valley, Calif., DNF; 7. 1412 Jeff Eveler, Lincoln, Calif., DNF.

Class 15 – Kelly Suiter, Henderson, 3:33.45.

Class 1600 – 1. 1619 Justin Smith, Capistrano Beach, Calif., 5:05.49; 2. 1612 Blaine Conrad, Las Vegas, 6:11.07; 3. 1616 Rick Boyer, DNF; 4. 1664 Jonathan Burnworth, Holtville, Calif., DNF; 5. 1614 Andrew Neal, LaVerne, Calif., DNF; 6. 1697 Matt Depue, DNF; 7. 1632 Greg Boyer, DNF; 8. 1621 James Dean, Las Vegas, DNF.

Class 18 – 1800 John Pellissier, 5:27.21.

Class 2000 – 1. Ken Leavitt, Santa Paula, Calif., 1 lap; 2. 2015 Laralee Wagstaff, Santa Paula, Calif., 1 lap.

Class 3000 – 1. 3050 Bruce Frisen, Kingsburg, Calif., DNF; 2. 3003 Eric Trondle, Anaheim, Calif., DNF.

           Class 5-1600 – 1. 562 Jerry Fisher, Riverside, Calif., 3 laps, DNF; 2. 555 Michael King, Menifee, Calif., 2 laps, DNF; 3. 567 Jeff Goorsky, Hemet, Calif., DNF.

Class 7 – 1. 7287 Dallas Lutrell, Salt Lake City, Utah, 4:59.47; 2. 7235 Keith Minnicks, Irvine, Calif., DNF; 3. 7298 Jonathan Brenthel, Irvine, Calif., DNF.

Class 9 – 1. 968 Michael Goltz, Covina, Calif., 533.27; 2. 928 Kyle Vizzo, Barstow, Calif., 5:35.07; 3. 911 Brandon Heald, Barstow, Calif., 5:48.52; 4. 989 Corey Torres, Las Vegas, DNF; 5. 920 Kurt Davidson, Madera, Calif., DNF; 6. 922 Jacob Davidson, Madera, Calif., DNF; 7. 987 William Dalton, Sahvarita, Calif., DNF; 8. 966 Jeff Johnson, DNF.

Class Stock Bug – 1. 1179 Michael Brenner, Costa Mesa, Calif., 5:19.03; 2. 1138 Christian Anderson, Phelan, Calif., 5:21.02; 3. 1127 David Gunn, Ridgecrest, Calif., DNF; 4. 1162 Dennis Sletten, Salton Sea Beach, Calif., DNF; 5.1148 Jim Juneau, Torrance, Calif., DNF; 6. 1100 Robert Johnson, Ahwahnee, Calif., DNF.
 

Ridgecrest, Calif., charger Richard Boyle won the Class 1 and Overall titles during the annual Motion Tire SNORE Ridgecrest 300 April 13 near China Naval Base in the High Desert of Southern California.

Dave Conklin/Trackside

Southern California racer Michael Goltz won the highly-competitive Class 9 and pocketed $3,200 for his efforts at the Motion Tire SNORE Ridgecrest 300 April 13.

Dave Conklin/Trackside

By Mike Henle

A Class 9 driver is off to a great start in the  Terrible Herbst Motorsports Garage Championship series heading into SNORE’s Motion Tire Ridgecrest 300 April 12-13.

Young charger Jacob Davidson picked up 772 points in the season-opening Beehive Sports Bar Battle at Primm Feb. 22-24 at Primm, Nev., and his performance in a very competitive class has certainly caught the attention of the off-road racing fraternity.

Since its inception back in 1969, SNORE has had several Class 9 drivers collect the overall championship. The list of winners is impressive and includes the likes of the late Luther Kutcher along with Bryan Pennington.

And you can bet that Davidson, a 21 year-old Central Valley, Calif., air conditioning technician, would love to add his name to the list of champion Class 9 champions when SNORE wraps up its 2013 season later this year.

Granted, one race only accounts for a fraction of SNORE’s six-race series, but Davidson is going to give it his all after a sparkling effort to kick off the season. A former desert motorcycle competitor, he’s all-in during the effort to collect SNORE’s cash prize, which is certainly significant.

“Everything went very smooth in the first race,” said Davidson, who beat talented competitor Harley Young by only 37 seconds in a huge field of 29 Class 9 entries at Primm. “It was a very clean race all day long and we had no issues. We had a minor repair on the front end and we got hit one time, but other than that, everything went well.”

With a great attitude and huge support from his family, Davidson doesn’t hesitate when discussing his goal.

“Oh yeah, we’re going for the championship,” he said knowing full-well that Class 9 has high numbers and excellent competition. “The car isn’t even mine.  It’s owned by my dad Kurt and my brother, Kurt, Jr. and my youngest brother, Beans.”

In fact, the Davidson family is coming in full force for the Ridgecrest event.

“We will be running two cars at Ridgecrest,” Davidson said. “Kurt will running the “Flagship” while I’ll be running the “Red Headed Step Child.”

When discussing his biggest competition, Davidson quickly adds that it’s his brother who will be among his biggest challengers.

“He can definitely kick some butt when he’s not too busy keeping his camera clean,’ Davidson said of his brother. “He has been racing since 2005 and he has quite a few years of experience and seat time over me.

“Ridgecrest is all new to me, but Kurt has raced it so he has an advantage.”

Davidson’s efforts have been helped by sponsorships from Mohr Performance, Transaxle engineering, Doug Silcock and Purls Sheet Metal and Air conditioning.

The course at Ridgecrest is situated near China Lake Naval Base in northeastern Kern County in Southern California. It consists of significant challenges including huge rocks reminiscent of the old Wild West movies from decades ago.

With four surrounding mountain ranges, the area includes the Sierra Nevada on the west; the Cosos on the north; the Argus Range on the east; and the El Paso Mountains on the south. Situated approximately 82 miles from the Lancaster/Palmdale area, Ridgecrest is about 145 miles from Bakersfield and San Bernardino.

SNORE officials said 93 drivers were pre-entered earlier in the week for the event that is that is wildly-accepted each year. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Last year’s event at Ridgecrest was won by hard-charging Mike Voudouris of Austin, Tex., who captured the SNORE PCI Radios 300 Saturday in a classic showdown that included a three vehicle race down to the wire.

Voudouris, driving a Trophy Truck prepared by Collins Motorsports, had
a five-lap wining time of 5 hours, 18.50 minutes to beat the No. 105 Class 1 car of the husband and wife team of Kelly and Tom Mather of Ridgecrest, Calif., with a time of 5:20.09.

Voudouris will return to defend his title this year.

Adam and Terry Householder finished third at 5:21.50 in one of SNORE's all time close finishes.

Pit Notes

--- SNORE’s dedicated club members numbering about 15 headed for Ridgecrest last week to mark the course, which covers 52 miles. Of the total, approximately 15 miles is different from last year’s event.

--- The Terrible Herbst Motorsports Garage points fund continues to grow thanks to the strong field of entries SNORE has attracted through the first part of the year. By the end of the year, the end-of-the-year banquet should boast of a total purse of about $30,000.

--- The field in Ridgecrest will include a list of very strong competitors including Tom Koch, who owns an automotive recycling plant in Ridgecrest. A former winner of the both the Mint 400 and SNORE 250, he will compete in a Class 1 at Ridgecrest.

--- Among the top Class 10 chargers will be Las Vegas driver Sammy Ehrenberg, who will race in a very competitive class that will also feature names such as fellow Las Vegan Cody Freeman. 

--- One of the top classes will be 1600 which will include drivers such as Justin Smith of San Clemente, Calif.; Rick Boyer, of Bakersfield, Calif.; and Las Vegas drivers James Dean, Darin Anderson, Bryan Freeman and Blaine Conrad.

Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts

2013 Terrible Herbst Garage Championship

Pro Standings

Class 1 – 1. Tony Murray 672; 2. Pat Dean 610; 3. Richard Boyle 573; 4. Tony Nguyen 570; 5.  Brad Vicic 430; 6. tie between Tom Mather Jr. and Allen Cluck,  335 each.

Class 7 – 1. Keith Minnicks 660; 2. Larry Shiells 606; 3. Frank Napoli 469; 4. Mike Koenig 448; 5. Broc Hersam 340.

Class 9 – 1. Jacob Davidson 772; 2. Harley Young 739; 3. Kyle Vizzo 672; 4. Christopher DeSousa Dias 652; 5. Ron Rash 632; 6. Jorge Ventura 612; 7. Kurt Davidson Jr. 602; 8. Brandon Heald 600; 9. Dan Bergen 582; 10. Travis Staley 572.

Class 10 – 1. Michael LaPaglia 725; 2. Cody Freeman 670; 3. Cody Jeffers 615; 4. Sammy Ehrenberg 595; 5. Patrick Gailey 575; 6. Roger Starkey 525; 7. John Hsu 555; 8. Jason Saran 545; 9. Frank Baird 535; 10. James Dean 415.

Class 11 – 1. Scott Wisdom 688; 2. Michael Brenner 622; 3. Robert Johnson 590; 4. Dennis Sletten 580; 5. Chris Anderson 573; 6. Gregory Piraino 520; 7. Jason Gutzmer 410; 8. Michael Cote 400; 9. David Hendrickson 30.

Class 12 – 1. Randy Jones 697; 2. Michael Benedict 670; 3. Justin Davis 580; 4. Beau Rash 568;  Todd Stemmerman 540; 6. Ken Tapert 470; 7. Justin Buckey 410; 8. Bob Dziuawiec 400; 8. Kyle Cox 340.

Class 18 – 1. Thomas Morales 648; 2. Dustin Hellstrom 498; 3. John Pellissier 390.

Class 3000 – 1.  Eric Trondle 675; 2. Dana Dague 605; 3. Allan Lee 571; 4. Neal Drickey 545; 5. Anthony Kilian 425; 6. Mike VanNewkirk 347.

Class 1-2 1600 – 1. Luke McMillin 767; 2. Bryan Freeman Sr. 749; 3. Justin Smith 713; 4. Jason Coleman 643; 5. Kurt Geer 623; 6. Jordan Poole 603; 7. Lorenzo Rodriguez 593; 8. tie between Corey Torres and Blaine Conrad, 583 each; 10. Darin Anderson 573.

Class 5 Unlimited – 1. Scott Wagstaff 582; 2. Carl Rohrer 344.

Class 5B – 1. Vic Bruckmann 707; 2. A.J Martin 634; 3. Zac Reish 594; 4. Billy Gereghty 570; 5. Scott Moldenhauer 550; 6. Ben Swift 530; 7. Todd McMinimen 520; 8. Chris Lazenby 510; 9. Steven Hall 390; 10. Jim Varshay 340.

Class 5-1600 – 1. Raul Solano 673; 2. David Hendrickson 608; 3. Mark Lundberg 560; 4. Jeff Goorsky 440; 5. Chris Sarris 340.

Heavy Metal – 1. Joe Patelli 631; 2. Joey Diaz 349.

Stock Full – Steve Schwab 511.

7S – Nick Lantz 511.

Unlimited Truck – 1. Justin Davis 713; 2. Jake Povey 615; 3. Jim Price 575; 4. Nathan McBride 555; 5. Jonathan Swift 537; 6. TJ Flores 455; 7. George Pondella 340.

Sportsman Classes 

Class 1450 1. Steve Olliges 873; 2. Ryan Dunn 742; 3. Darren Parsons 702; 4. Brad DeBerti 682; 5. Josh Taylor 662; 6. Nick Tonelli 662; 7. Chris Isenhouer 632; 8. Mike Koenig 622; 9. Juan Carlos Calderon 612

Class 2000 – 1. Kevin McKeown 680; 2. Trevor Messina 639; 3. Vievin Baugh  628; 4, Kevin Benali 460; 5. Jeremy Henderson 440.

Limited Sportsman – 1. Bree Cloud 747; 2. Bre Bradley 635; 3. Michael Brister 597; 4. Dave Nelson 585; 5. Desirae Jones 575.

Unlimited Sportsman – 1. Scott Rasmussen 689; 2. Dean Defreeze 612; 3. Johnny Burns 570.

Next race: Motion Tire Ridgecrest 300, Ridgecrest, Calif., April 12-14.

Further information: www.snoreracing.net.

The Davidson family will converge on the annual SNORE Motion Tire Ridgecrest 300 April 12-13 in Southern California. From left, Kurt Davidson Jr., Beans Davidson, Jacob Davidson and Kurt Davidson Sr. Jacob Davidson leads the SNORE Terrible Herbst Garage Championship series after one race.

CONTACTS: Mike Henle, The Idea Company Public Relations, 702-279-3483; Brittany Burgos, President, SNORE, 702-325-9623.