News from Banning Motorsports

Qualifying Day

December 3rd Banning Motorsports was headed out for the final race of the Best in The Desert 2009 race season. Henderson Nevada was the destination for the event and team Banning is cocked and loaded ready for the time trials that were taking place shortly after. Lines were drawn in the sand by the team drivers to see who would take home the bragging rights for qualifying. The 1123 was driven by Lee Jr, and Andy Megaw, 1156 driven by Gary Williams Jr, and Rick Graf, and the 1178 driven by Bryon Folks and Chris Godfrey. We arrived in Henderson, NV to find the air just a little brisk and chilly, but perfect qualifying conditions. The whole crew for Best In The Desert had prepared a great course for everyone to compete against and show off what they had.
After the dust had settled Jake Jones was fast time followed by Lee Jr in the 1123 then Gary Williams in the 1156, 3rd was our competitor “Pinky” and then followed by Bryon in 1178, It was a solid qualifying effort by all 3 Banning Motorsports buggies ending up 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. With all the qualifying done, the cars were checked over and last minute adjustments were made for the big day.

Race Day

The team awoke early Saturday to a cool 28 degree temperature which made the cars a little temperamental. The cars were warmed up, while the team was still trying to get to temperature. The start was set to take place at 7 o’ clock am, and the fast qualifier Jones was having problems and was unable to make the start on time. It aloud Lee Jr and Gary Williams to start side by side which made for an exciting drag race to the first corner. Jr led Gary by a small margin heading into the first turn while Bryon Folks left the line just 30 seconds behind the two other Banning Motorsports buggies. The buggies were running strong and battling nose to tail for the first 2 laps up until the drivers change took place. Gary William got past Lee Jr just prior to the driver change and then cutting a tire. Team Banning is running strong and ready to make the drivers change and take a splash of fuel. Gary was first in the pit followed by Jr in second and Bryon pulling in 3rd. The whole chase team made quick work and got the cars out fast. Sr now taking the lead over with Tom on his bumper. The battle continued nose to tail for the next two laps with lots of dust and cars to pass. The course was challenging due to the amount of rocks and tight turns. It was a great testament to the team for there hard work and homework to have the proper setups on the vehicle that aloud the buggies to run so strong. 1123 crossed the line 15 seconds over buggy 1156. After the corrected time 1156 was put back to third 6 seconds behind 2nd place. 1178 finished 5th just a short time behind. All the 1100 cars finished the event but only one of them can take the overall, and that belongs to the 1123 Banning Motorsports buggy. At the end the 1123 was 1st in class and 1st overall. 1156 was 3rd in class and the 1178 was 5th. As always the whole Banning team continues to step it up with the pits stops and tire changes to keep all the cars running strong and having great finishes.

A big thanks to all that made the race and helped support Banning Motorsports. Tim West, Levi James, Cooper Erickson, Scoop Godfrey (Birthday Boy), Chris Miller, Las Vegas Levi, Andy Megaw, Danny Foddrill, Ty Goddie, Zach Banning, Gail Graf, Kathy Beesway, and all the others it was a great team effort, like always. We are proud of all of you and it was a great way to wrap up a super year.

We could not do it with out you and our great partners BFGoodrich, KC Hilites, Fat Performance, Banning Motorsports, Fox Shocks, Foddrill Motorsports, F&L Fuels, Mendeola trans axles, Weddle Gears, Action Auto Transmission, Ion Earth, Slime, IRC, Trail Ready, K&N Filter, and Foddrill Fabrication.

Sincerely,

Amy Perez-Banning
Banning Motorsports