2017 Luhtala Vaquero 200 w/ Ultra4

[TORRA]

Sierra Blanca, Texas - April 7 - 9, 2017

In this thread, you will find continually updated (Pre and Post Race) information about the rapidly approaching Luhtala Vaquero 200 dedicated to #288, Mark Luhtala. We were very honored to have Mark and his team attend our very first Vaquero race in 2016, coming out all the way from Florida. Naming this race in his honor is one way we can show our appreciation for a brother in our sport.

This unique race will offer a combination of Ultra 4 and desert racing as the course will be shared with competitors from both series. The Ultra 4 racers will have alternate sections of course to provide them a healthy mix of terrain to their liking. The loop starts off on the pavement in historic down town Sierra Blanca and heads south, racing towards the border and the rest of the approximately 95-mile loop.

We look forward to having competitors, teams, and spectators out to watch both series participate together in the biggest off road race yet to be seen in Texas.

Details about the events will be posted here and can be found at the following locations as well:

Tejas Off Road Racing Association - TORRA | Facebook

TEJAS OFF ROAD RACING ASSOCIATION

212 Performance ULTRA4s @ Vaquero 212

 

[924motorsports]

This race is going to be big for Off Road Racing in Texas.

 

[TORRA]

 

[TORRA]

Here is a link to our website with Hotel and town information for Sierra Blanca and Van Horn (the next closest town).

Luhtala Vaquero 200 - Hotel and Town Information

Directions and a schedule of events is coming soon!

 

[TORRA]

Follow this link for pre-registration Online.

Luhtala Vaquero 200


Remember that ALL Drivers and Co-Drivers must also purchase a TORRA membership if you haven't raced with us before. This membership is good for one year from the purchase date.

 

[TORRA]

Partnering with Ultra4 Racing during the Luhtala Vaquero 200 has come with challenges but also rewards, one of the benefits to this partnership comes in the form of NBC Sports covering the race!!

That's right racers, Sierra Blanca and desert racing in Texas will have an opportunity to be featured in the national television spotlight!

Be sure to come out and #makesomedust!!

 

[TORRA]

Here is a link giving directions to the Main Pits and to Remote Pit 2/B at Tiger Truck Stop.
http://www.torraracing.com/torra-news/directions-to-pit-areas-and-to-ag-barn-tech-registration
Directions to Pit Areas and to Ag Barn (Tech/Registration)

 

[TORRA]

Here is an over lay to show the additional course added for the Ultra 4 racers (In Red) inside the Indian Hot Springs Ranch. The rest of the course is shared.

The Yellow line shows the Rio Grande and everything to the south of that is Mexico!

 

[TORRA]

Luhtala Vaquero 200


2017 Luhtala Vaquero 200/212 Performance Gloves Schedule of Events (Subject to change)

ALL TIMES ARE MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME.

Thursday – April 6, 2017

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm – - Pre-run Number 1 consists of 1 lap behind lead vehicle at 55 MPH or less. Unescorted pre-running is not allowed . Must be lined up and ready to leave at 2:00 pm


Friday – April 7, 2017

8:00 am – 10:00 pm - Registration and Tech Inspection.

Note: Everyone utilizing the public pits must leave all fuel and spare parts at the Registration Desk prior to 10:00 pm. Everything must be tagged or labeled in water proof ink with their vehicle number, UTV for UTVs, B for buggy or T for truck or U4. They must be left in the area designated Pit A or Pit B near the registration desk. Your fuel cans and spare parts can be retrieved at the registration desk at 2:30 pm if you are racing Morning Race.Your fuel cans and spare parts can be retrieved at the registration desk at 8:30 am Sunday Morning if you are racing Afternoon Race. Reasonable care will be taken to insure your property is returned to you in good shape but, TORRA/U4 will not be responsible for stolen or damaged property.


Pre-running Friday for Motorcycles and Quads


9:00 am to Noon – Start/Finish at Gun Range


Pre-running Friday for all Cars and Trucks

12:00 pm – 4 pm - Pre-run Number 2 consists of 1 lap behind lead vehicle at 55 MPH or less. Unescorted pre-running is not allowed. Must be lined up and ready to leave at 12:00 pm. Pre-running highly recommended but not required.

3:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Pre-run Number 3 consists of 1 lap behind lead vehicle at 55 MPH or less. Unescorted pre-running is not allowed. Must be lined up and ready to leave at 3:00 pm. Pre-running highly recommended but not required.

Motorcycle and Quad Race Friday

1:45 - Begin staging at Gun Range

2:00 – Start Race (Sportsman Class – 2 laps) (All other classes – 4 laps)

Must finish by 6:00 pm – No laps started after 5m


Qualifying Friday

3:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Saturday – April 8, 2017

5:00 am – Sweep track from Start to RM 64.8 where course drops off into the Bayuca.

5:30 am - All Course, Recovery and Public Pit Personnel in Place

5:30 am - Begin staging Race 1 vehicles

TORRA Classes –Desert Trucks, Air Cooled, Pro/Stock UTV, Bro-Lites

U4 Classes –4500, 4600, 4800 and UTVs

6:00 am - Start Race 1 -

Note: Sunrise at 6:46

Must Finish by 1:00 pm – No laps started after 11:15 pm

11:16 am - All teams needing to retrieve disabled vehicles may do so from start finish line along course route through Indian Hot Springs around to where blacktop starts on 192. Disabled vehicles down course from start of pavement on 192 can be easily extracted by our recovery people and taken to a safe position for them to be retrieved by their teams. The course will be swept from the air before the start of second race.

The second race cannot start until the course has been cleared from the air!!

12:30 pm - Begin staging Race 2 vehicles

TORRA Classes – Unlimited, Terra 4, Water Cooled

U4 Class - 4400

1:00 pm - Start Race 2 -

Note: Sunset at 7:46 pm

Must finish by 8:00 pm. No more laps started after 6:15 pm.

Track sweep begins at 6:15 pm. All teams needing to retrieve disabled vehicles may do so from start finish line along course route through Indian Hot Springs around to where blacktop starts on 192. Disabled vehicles down course from start of pavement on 192 can be easily extracted by our recovery people and taken to a safe position for them to be retrieved by their teams.

11:00 pm - Awards Ceremony



Note: There will be No Chasing Allowed on race course and No Unauthorized Vehicles are allowed on the race course until after designated retrieval times noted above. Failure to comply will result in Disqualification.


Make sure you carry enough water and foodstuffs in the event you must wait it out.

 

[TORRA]

NOTE: Saturday times have moved later by ONE HOUR:

Saturday – April 8, 2017

6:00 am – Sweep track from Start to RM 64.8 where course drops off into the Bayuca.

6:30 am - All Course, Recovery and Public Pit Personnel in Place

6:30 am - Begin staging Race 1 vehicles

TORRA Classes –Desert Trucks, Air Cooled, Pro/Stock UTV, Bro-Lites

U4 Classes –4500, 4600, 4800 and UTVs

7:00 am - Start Race 1 -

Note: Sunrise at 6:46

Must Finish by 2:00 pm – No laps started after 12:15 pm

12:16 am - All teams needing to retrieve disabled vehicles may do so from start finish line along course route through Indian Hot Springs around to where blacktop starts on 192. Disabled vehicles down course from start of pavement on 192 can be easily extracted by our recovery people and taken to a safe position for them to be retrieved by their teams. The course will be swept from the air before the start of second race.

The second race cannot start until the course has been cleared from the air!!

1:30 pm - Begin staging Race 2 vehicles

TORRA Classes – Unlimited, Terra 4, Water Cooled

U4 Class - 4400

2:00 pm - Start Race 2 -

Note: Sunset at 7:46 pm

Must finish by 9:00 pm. No more laps started after 7:15 pm.

Track sweep begins at 7:15 pm. All teams needing to retrieve disabled vehicles may do so from start finish line along course route through Indian Hot Springs around to where blacktop starts on 192. Disabled vehicles down course from start of pavement on 192 can be easily extracted by our recovery people and taken to a safe position for them to be retrieved by their teams.

11:00 pm - Awards Ceremony

 

[TORRA]

Alright Racers!

We've been informed that there is an experienced Co-Driver coming to Sierra Blanca who's original ride has backed out of the race.

Martha Tansy is looking to pick up a seat to get around this incredible course during the Luhtala Vaquero 200 / Performance Gloves Vaquero 212! She's already got her travel booked from ALASKA!

She's experienced as a Co-Driver in Ultra 4 as well as having time in Class 1 and Class 10 buggies and is bringing all her own race equipment.

If you can make room for her to co drive with your team please shoot us a message and we will forward her contact information over to you! Feel free to share this post and tag drivers/teams who you know might have something available with either Ultra4 or TORRA.

Thanks everyone, lets show her that world famous Texas hospitality and let her out to #makesomedust!

 

[72class5]

Interesting article with more details about Martha: Home - Xtreme Adventure

 

[H8pvmnt]

Coming in with the LetzRoll Offroad 4493 Ultra 4 Team. Looking forward to this race.

 

[pwerwagn]

This is gonna be a rad race. Good job torra for keeping racing alive in these parts!

 

[H8pvmnt]

Race ended up being awesome. The town and people were great. We finished 9th in the ultra 4 race. Can't wait till next year already.

 

[TORRA]

Race ended up being awesome. The town and people were great. We finished 9th in the ultra 4 race. Can't wait till next year already.

Thanks for coming out!

We appreciate Ultra 4 believing in this incredible area and setting up a huge show for the community.

 

[TORRA]

For all you desert racers out there who didn't know, 85% of this race course is the same as TORRA's Vaquero 400/200 and Buffalo Soldiers 200 race course. Another 8-9 % used by the Ultra 4 teams is part of TORRA's UTV/Motocross track on Indian Hot Springs Rance. We are extremely pleased that so many high profile racers came out and liked the course. We have others and are expanding with new courses every few months. If you love to desert race, or have thought about getting into desert racing but don't have the desire to travel so far west to find first class racing then TORRA is for you!! Y'all come #makesomedust!!