So. Cal racing series

[tonico]

Hi everybody

I need some feed back on the possibility of starting a DESERT racing series in Southern California.
This would be dedicated to UTVs, Stadium lights type buggies and Motorcycle engined buggies.
At this point everything is up in the air. What I am trying to ascertain is if there is enough interest for such a series. In other words “If I build it, will you come?”

The races would be shorter than the normal off-road races already in place which are really meant for full sized vehicles. I am thinking loops of about 25 miles and race length of about 100 miles possibly 150 miles.

The most likely area would be Barstow but other areas in So. Cal are not out of the question. Probably 5-6 races a year.

Rules would be pretty much standard as used by existing series.

Please let me know just how interested you would be. I would like to know just how many already race in other series and those who may consider entering but still have to prepare a vehicle.
Thoughts, suggestion, opinions, concerns are all welcome

Thank you very much
Tony
mojaveUTV@gmail.com

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[racer56]

Organize a series that races with existing organizations and they will come. Also, you might try and organize some races at Cal City.

[tonico]

Organize a series that races with existing organizations and they will come. Also, you might try and organize some races at Cal City.

Hi Racer56
Thank you for replying.
When you say race with existing organizations do you mean together in the same races such as MDR and DRIVE do?

As far as Cal City goes. I know that AVE had a series last year but it appeasr that they only had a poker run at the beginning of this year. Do you know if they are still active? Ridgecrest is in the list of possible areas but it could just as well be CalCity, specially considering that the city is seems to welcome the OHV community.
Have a great day
Tony

[TreyP]

Contact Doug at DRIVE racing he will be more then happy to put something together for you guys. It's how he rolls.

[JoeyD23]

If you want a higher car count you have to try and let guys come race with semi stock vehicles. Meaning if you can find a way to allow for stock fuel cells and keep cage modifications to a minimum you could probably get a solid car count. Obviously you never want to sacrifice saftey but th emost succesful UTV turnout in recent years was at the Feb. Soboba GP in which they have very little ehicle requirements. "high dollar" desert cars will go where the money is and I am sure they will give a few of these smaller races a try if the schedule permits but series like BITD, Whiplash, and WORCS will get the bulk of their attention. So IMO you need to also try to attract the weekend warrior type who cant afford to throw $30K-$50K into a desert UTV and allow for them to put some door bars, skins, nets, and harnesses in and come out and run. Loop races work well for logistics so I would also say if you can keep the lap/loop length shorter and add more laps I think it makes it better for spectating and logisticly easier for the teams.

At the end of the day this is just my personal opinion. The racers will tell you thier opinion which is what should be the most valued.

[tonico]

Hi joeyD23
Thanks for the advice. My thoughts exactly as far as a stock class. I am not too sure about the fuel cells. In the other hand when I raced a Class 9 with the now defunct HDRA we did not have to have fuel cells or required DOM tubing either. Maybe allow fairly lax rules the first year with the understanding that if the idea catches on there will be more strict requirements the second year. I am getting interest from the bike powered buggies side too. There I will probably allow cages at 1.250" for under 1500lbs cars.

There will be an open class where most anything goes withing a given wheelbase.
One other thing that I am considering and getting some positive responses is a get together of interested parties at Barstow and do a little "expedition" following one of the tracks (Powder Puff) so that everybody could get an idea what they are letting themselves in for. Afterwards we can sit and talk.

[JoeyD23]

awesome. Yeah Idea would be lax the rules year 1 and let some guys catch the racing bug. You may want to go post a thread on www.UTVUnderground.com, most of the UTV racers hang there.

[07FJRog]

If you want a higher car count you have to try and let guys come race with semi stock vehicles. Meaning if you can find a way to allow for stock fuel cells and keep cage modifications to a minimum you could probably get a solid car count. Obviously you never want to sacrifice saftey but th emost succesful UTV turnout in recent years was at the Feb. Soboba GP in which they have very little ehicle requirements. "high dollar" desert cars will go where the money is and I am sure they will give a few of these smaller races a try if the schedule permits but series like BITD, Whiplash, and WORCS will get the bulk of their attention. So IMO you need to also try to attract the weekend warrior type who cant afford to throw $30K-$50K into a desert UTV and allow for them to put some door bars, skins, nets, and harnesses in and come out and run. Loop races work well for logistics so I would also say if you can keep the lap/loop length shorter and add more laps I think it makes it better for spectating and logisticly easier for the teams.

At the end of the day this is just my personal opinion. The racers will tell you thier opinion which is what should be the most valued.

I totally agree with this thinking, Drive blew it it IMO, factory fuel tanks in UTV's are tough, but could add Alum shrouds over/around them, but these things are doing the same thing they do every weekend for thousands of peeps. we prob had 5 or more UTV's that wanted to race the first Drive race and because of fuel tank issues, none of us showed up. I do give it up to them for setting up a shorter lap course for the UTV's in the interest of logistics, that was a great idea to have them kinda on there own course within the series.

two classes would be good also. Stock/mod and Open/full race chassis cars.

[450grl]

You had my interest until you said "Barstow" - lol!! I don't know if I can run that course more than once a year without some serious chiro bills!! (jk! - sort of!)

[JoeyD23]

We need to get you out to Superstition Corry!!!! You would love it!