The Longest Off-Road Race In America Will Push Teams To Their Limits

The 2012 Best In The Desert General Tire “Vegas To Reno” off-road race will take place on Friday August 17^th 2012 in the harsh Nevada desert just East of the California/Nevada boarder where teams will battle through 534 miles of some of the most spectacular terrain that this country has to offer.  319 race vehicles will begin to leave the starting line in Beatty Nevada at 5:45am (Pacific Time) sharp and begin the trek North towards Dayton Nevada (east of Carson City, Nevada) where the race will come to an end.

Weyrich at the 2012 General Tire Mint 400.

The points battle is heating up among the Trick Truck and 1500 (Class 1) rank.  With Mark Weyhrich and Steve Sourapas tied for first in the points battle, the Mexican national Juan Carlos Lopez (aka “Pin”) is a mere four points behind currently sitting in the second place position.  Not to be outdone, NASCAR star Robby Gordon will once again pilot the Geiser Brothers Class 1500 Truggy and make his attempt at yet another Best In The Desert Over-All victory in 2012.

Robby Gordon took the overall victory at the 2012 General Tire Mint 400.

The Best In The Desert “General Tire Vegas To Reno” will see Trick Truck newcomer and Off-road super-teen Justin Davis make his debut in the teams brand new Jimco built Trick Truck.  Originally built for the late Steve Appleton, Green Army Motorsports acquired the new ride with high hopes of winning a championship in 2013.  Needless to say, this will be one heck of a test for Davis and crew.  Also making an appearance among the Trick Truck ranks is that of the fan favorite “The Fly’n Hawia’n” Alan Pflueger.  Pflueger has sat out the better part of three race seasons and has been hinting around the idea of making a comeback; it looks as though he will try his luck in “The Longest Off-Road Race In America”.

Steve Sourapas shares the lead in points with Mark Weyrich.

Staying true to the roots of Best In The Desert, Casey Folks (owner of BITD) and the BITD crew have mapped out an unbelievable course that is not to be taken lightly.  With elevation changes, miles of silt beds, tight twisty tree topped forests, rocky cliff drop-off’s and ultra high speed straight-aways, the 2012 BITD General Tire Vegas To Reno is standing true to it’s name as; The Toughest Race In America.

Words by Adam “Gunnslinger” Gunn

Photography by Vincent Knakal of Mad Media