Now I Know KOH is going to have some issues next year on who to have and who to add. Now I'm sure no team wants to drop out. And next year you will see teams really step up because 90% of us where real clueless on what to bring to KOH 08. How bout a small timed lap on Thursday? Maybe a little part of the course backwards type thing. Because of the BLM stuff and area allowed. Just a suggestion. $200 entry for the work to put it on then pay up rest when qualify? Any other ideas?


R.J.

I like it.....

now add in those that finished the race this year get automatic entry, and the promoter gets to reserve a couple of celebrity spots that do not have to qualify



:smokin:

Now I Know KOH is going to have some issues next year on who to have and who to add. Now I'm sure no team wants to drop out. And next year you will see teams really step up because 90% of us where real clueless on what to bring to KOH 08. How bout a small timed lap on Thursday? Maybe a little part of the course backwards type thing. Because of the BLM stuff and area allowed. Just a suggestion. $200 entry for the work to put it on then pay up rest when qualify? Any other ideas?


R.J.


They shouldn't have much issues honestly. If a team was unpreparred to compete in this race, they do not deserve to race. Jeff and Dave hopefully will see that names, locations, and rig mean nothing. It comes down to finding how committed a person or team is to finishing and winning. Next year, at least people have an idea on what to do. My guess is also that the trails will become insane. Running trails UP more than down, and more desert. I would venture to say that if we see a 100+ mile course next year, no one should be surprised.

All speculation of course.

But if you couldn't finish or broke so bad this year... why does the MEDIA want to see you back?



:)

T

But if you couldn't finish or broke so bad this year... why does the MEDIA want to see you back?



:)

Please tell me you're not serious.

Please tell me you're not serious.


Not entirely. Its cool for spectators to see broke ass junk everywhere though! Is it good for media? You tell me. I dont buy any mag outside of crawl :laughing: I dont see much coverage on events that were full on carnage fests. :flipoff2:

I see what you're saying, however it's not always about big names and those that finish the race. It's about those that can do the event/sponsors and fans good.

RJ Brown hasnt won anything in his Yellow Boatec clad taco, however he has MANY MANY fans because he goes and out and flat gets it. One of my fav pics from KOH is of RJ that will be running in the mag.

Tom Wayes broke his junk, fixed it and finished in the pack. I have some spectacular images of Wayes for people to see. He also did everything in his power to promote the event and his sponsors. He took every opportunity to talk to the media and inform about the race, Tom Wayes and why he's such a crazy ass! :D

So, yes I do want to see people back that didnt finish, or werent in the top 10. I want Larry Gipson to come back in a tested rig and get after it.

Now I Know KOH is going to have some issues next year on who to have and who to add. Now I'm sure no team wants to drop out. And next year you will see teams really step up because 90% of us where real clueless on what to bring to KOH 08. How bout a small timed lap on Thursday? Maybe a little part of the course backwards type thing. Because of the BLM stuff and area allowed. Just a suggestion. $200 entry for the work to put it on then pay up rest when qualify? Any other ideas?


R.J.

I totally agree with a pre-qualify deal. What I want to know is how a no-name team could enter and at least have a chance to qualify for the race?!?!
Also I would like to know this ASAP as a new rig is being built and we wouldnt want to be a team bringing an untested rig to a race of this caliber.

:D If we are comin back in 09 my team will be a lot more prepared and I will have a bunch more seat/air time in the Those Guys Rock rod! Already talked to RJ about next year. hehehe:evil:

I posted this in another KOH post, but it really applies in this one more....


I think you guys (KOH Productins) need to think real hard how you can allow as many entrants as possible. Limiting it to 50 rigs could end up pushing some folks away as it will obvoiulsy come down to politics & a bit of "who you know" for getting into the race.

One of the things that really attracted me to desert racing is that ANYONE can build a car that passes tech and run the Baja 1000! How cool is that! It does not matter who you are, who you know, or your connections. If you have the drive, you can make it happen.

I would explore options like maybe two days of racing. Maybe a vendor show on the dry lake bed? (Help cover costs & put up some prize/contingency money.) If it is an issue with permits, how about running the race from midnight to midnight? You could get alot of cars through the course in 24 hours.

I like your format of mixing rocks with open desert. You're definately on to something- keep with it.

I posted this in another KOH post, but it really applies in this one more....


I think you guys (KOH Productins) need to think real hard how you can allow as many entrants as possible. Limiting it to 50 rigs could end up pushing some folks away as it will obvoiulsy come down to politics & a bit of "who you know" for getting into the race.

One of the things that really attracted me to desert racing is that ANYONE can build a car that passes tech and run the Baja 1000! How cool is that! It does not matter who you are, who you know, or your connections. If you have the drive, you can make it happen.

I would explore options like maybe two days of racing. Maybe a vendor show on the dry lake bed? (Help cover costs & put up some prize/contingency money.) If it is an issue with permits, how about running the race from midnight to midnight? You could get alot of cars through the course in 24 hours.

I like your format of mixing rocks with open desert. You're definately on to something- keep with it.

x1000 :D

You guys are getting ahead of yourselves with talk of 100+ mile races and open entries. That is not what this was meant to be. Your pre-qualification is your resume in rock sports in general. Then there are a few underdogs that make it in, for example CRAWL Magazine snuck Larry Gipson (dovetail69 whatever) on to the list :flipoff2: and who let that Jeff Mello chick race? :D

The idea is that the Baja, as freaking awesome as it is, is long, grueling and doesn't incorporate rockcrawling. KOH is a whole 'nother situation. I think overall the race was damn near perfect, but I already see Jeff talking about some changes. Look at it this way, has CRAWL ever changed our format? Not really... we've stuck with what works and sales are off the charts, really. Pirate has been the same old Pirate for years and it works. Dave and Jeff, IMHO, need to stick with the format and the reasons they started with and carefully hone this into a gem. I agree it will be hard to get the list pared down, it was, from watching them and being there since day one, a pain to get it down to less than 50.

KOH kicked ass and I know Brandon (powdr7) and I are humbled to have been a part of it. Rock on Dave & Jeff.

I think when the puddin' gets to the cup, this is a great statement. I guess we all have a little idea on what to change, but really it comes down to the organizers and the goal they have assured us (as competitors and sponsors) is a potentially very successful thing.


:smokin:

Was I just hearing things or did someone say that the original guys that ran the pre-race in '07 had an automatic invite?

Was I just hearing things or did someone say that the original guys that ran the pre-race in '07 had an automatic invite?
yep the OG 13 - http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=660895

Thank you sir.

quote...They shouldn't have much issues honestly. If a team was unpreparred to compete in this race, they do not deserve to race. Jeff and Dave hopefully will see that names, locations, and rig mean nothing. It comes down to finding how committed a person or team is to finishing and winning. Next year, at least people have an idea on what to do. My guess is also that the trails will become insane. Running trails UP more than down, and more desert. I would venture to say that if we see a 100+ mile course next year, no one should be surprised.

All speculation of course.

But if you couldn't finish or broke so bad this year... why does the MEDIA want to see you back? quote...

Lets see......if someone broke they cant come back? Your a idiot! KOH didnt pick teams just on the best lookin rig or big money team or even if they thought all would finish. Part of it in my mind (could be wrong) is character and how a team would present its self in front of media, BLM, and future sponsors for KOH. I dont know any team that didnt spend countless hours and money to do this race. W/ your dumbass statement would keep all competitors out of all racing if they had a bad day. Pistol Pete not allowed to run Baja cause he broke the year before? He took 4th this past one. Robbie Gordon out of Baja cause he had shock failure but won the year after. I was honored to be picked to race KOH and think all 43 should have a chance back. I saw all kinds of broke junk....Blown motors, trannies, suspensions, a rig burn to the ground and only saw smiling faces. These teams where all top notch in every way.

Charactor counts.......You have non and hope to not see you at a KOH event.:flipoff2:

Was I just hearing things or did someone say that the original guys that ran the pre-race in '07 had an automatic invite?

Yes they do, forever, and here's why.

When Jeff and Dave first came up with this idea they wanted to do a 'pre-run' event, just to see if it was possible. They pleaded and BEGGED people to show up, it was a full awn open invite. On that day there were 13 rigs on the Lakebed, that's all:shaking: I was lucky enough to have been Hobies spotter that year in the Trail Gear backed F-Toy so I took a ride.

Fast foward a year later and the buzz on this thing is huge, now all of a sudden people are all butthurt that they didn't get an invite. Oh fucking well, where were all you 'big names' when this was just getting started?

I'm glad it is an invite only deal, they know who is down for the cause and who the posers are.

Yes they do, forever, and here's why.

When Jeff and Dave first came up with this idea they wanted to do a 'pre-run' event, just to see if it was possible. They pleaded and BEGGED people to show up, it was a full awn open invite. On that day there were 13 rigs on the Lakebed, that's all:shaking: I was lucky enough to have been Hobies spotter that year in the Trail Gear backed F-Toy so I took a ride.

Fast foward a year later and the buzz on this thing is huge, now all of a sudden people are all butthurt that they didn't get an invite. Oh fucking well, where were all you 'big names' when this was just getting started?

I'm glad it is an invite only deal, they know who is down for the cause and who the posers are.

:laughing::laughing:

I could not agree more!!

Yes they do, forever, and here's why.

When Jeff and Dave first came up with this idea they wanted to do a 'pre-run' event, just to see if it was possible. They pleaded and BEGGED people to show up, it was a full awn open invite. On that day there were 13 rigs on the Lakebed, that's all:shaking: I was lucky enough to have been Hobies spotter that year in the Trail Gear backed F-Toy so I took a ride.

Fast foward a year later and the buzz on this thing is huge, now all of a sudden people are all butthurt that they didn't get an invite. Oh fucking well, where were all you 'big names' when this was just getting started?

I'm glad it is an invite only deal, they know who is down for the cause and who the posers are.

i agree 100% and thats why Im glad we had a rig there to represent. May not have done too great that year but did finish! :D

I'm sure the organizers are going to have many agonizing hours determining who will be in the race next year. This is going to be so hot, with many quality teams that could run. But, we all can't have everything right away, this thing is going to have to grow. Wait till the coverage comes out in CRAWL mag, on Spike, and when the DVD comes out, that will also give big evidence to how popular this race is going to be.

I'm so glad we got included. We have not competed before, but I organize a bunch of events in the XJ community (including the Rockn' XJ Jamboree every Nov in JV....plug, plug), and we brought a lot of interest to the race from that sector. Tons of people have posted on our NAXJA forums that they spent the day watching the race coverage.

Also, we proved to ourselves as much as to anyone else that we can be competitive. If we're invited back, we're going to bring it hard. I already have a list of improvements, with plenty of time to fine tune things. The competion next year will be fierce, with many rigs and teams much better prepared than they were this year. But, it's still a drivers race, with many well set up rigs. The drivers are going to have to drive hard, and the rigs are going to have to hold together, and it still will be almost anybody's race.

You think people were butt-hurt this year, wait until next year when they don't get included :laughing:

Think about it, if they limit the field to 50, which I hope they do, since the traffic jams kill people in the rock. Then all 45 people that came last year will "assume" they get to come back next year.

Bender has already said he has been contacted by some top desert race guys about building a bad-ass car. With those guys come sponsors, TV and such.

Guys like Paule, Shaffer and Haines will want to participate next year with all this hype.....

What to do? Cut the little guy. They have to unless they figure out a way to pre-qualify like Supercrawl. But then the non-competetor type like Wayes and Rick M. don't get to play.

I would love to see it open to everyone and have them pre-qualify on a short course like Nascar for a place. Jeff already said the logistics for that would be a nightmare, so it goes back to invites and hurt butts :)

I love this race and have hung on every word the guys who ran it have typed and there are a lot of guys out there like myself that can't get enough of it. I am just glad I don't want to beat my junk like that and am happy being a spectator.

I do know that Dave and Jeff are top knotch promotors and will get this all ironed out.

I couldnt imagine 100 miles. Jeff and Dave if your listening leave your baby alone. This race rocked in so many ways. Once a year. Make it the pinnacle. Less is more. Let the hype and buzz stir itself and let the fans and racers wanting more. Dont dilute what you guys have created. I know that you wont.

What to do? Cut the little guy.

I doubt they'll do that, one of the things that was really important to the was including some 'average Joes' to race the big guys. Worked for me:D

Jeff and Dave if your listening


We are... might not be saying much, but we are definitely listening. The planning has already begun. Reality is, the planning for '09-'11 started before we ever dropped the green flag for '08. ;)

Dave

My big fear is this will turn into a big boy pony show--and us little guys will get kicked to the curb with no chance to compete again....

My big fear is this will turn into a big boy pony show--and us little guys will get kicked to the curb with no chance to compete again....

I hope not!!!!!!!!

QUOTE=DOUG38S Jeff and Dave if your listening leave your baby alone. This race rocked in so many ways. Once a year. Make it the pinnacle. Less is more. Let the hype and buzz stir itself and let the fans and racers wanting more. Dont dilute what you guys have created. I know that you wont.

I just wanted to make sure Dave and Jeff saw this :D

What about a small number of open spots up for grabs through qualifying? Do it the day before, week before, month before... whatever. Choose a far away trail like outerlimits or wrecking ball which exits far away. The idea would be to run a trail hard enough to break the posers yet require a decent amount of high speed too. Fastest # of racers get the spots.

What about a small number of open spots up for grabs through qualifying? Do it the day before, week before, month before... whatever. Choose a far away trail like outerlimits or wrecking ball which exits far away. The idea would be to run a trail hard enough to break the posers yet require a decent amount of high speed too. Fastest # of racers get the spots.

But what about those who travel long distances to get there?

Why do we have to wait anther year??? Why not run it again in the reverse direction this fall and a 3 race "series" in '09. Throw Pritchet Canyon to highway in the mix.

What about a small number of open spots up for grabs through qualifying? Do it the day before, week before, month before... whatever. Choose a far away trail like outerlimits or wrecking ball which exits far away. The idea would be to run a trail hard enough to break the posers yet require a decent amount of high speed too. Fastest # of racers get the spots.


One of the major problems with any kind of qualifying (which I am in favor of) is that it would have to be another day, which means twice the insurance, if it's on another week, then more infrastucture and manpower. Any event that BLM would consider an organised event needs to carry insurance...

Did you know that if you and your friends make plans to run together on a certian day and total more than 5 in the group, BLM considers that an organised gathering....

After them charging us $2000 for "security" at our last event at Cougar Buttes, W.E.ROCK decided not to do events on BLM property again anytime in the near future....

Big Rich

We're watching, don't worry.:D From what I understand a lot of people are watching.:smokin:

One of the major problems with any kind of qualifying (which I am in favor of) is that it would have to be another day, which means twice the insurance, if it's on another week, then more infrastucture and manpower. Any event that BLM would consider an organised event needs to carry insurance...

Did you know that if you and your friends make plans to run together on a certian day and total more than 5 in the group, BLM considers that an organised gathering....

After them charging us $2000 for "security" at our last event at Cougar Buttes, W.E.ROCK decided not to do events on BLM property again anytime in the near future....

Big Rich

yikes... :eek:

hmmmm... What if PBB got to pick the wildcard spots? Post up your best vid's proving you can get it KOH style. :D Oh I can see the 5,000 page thread already :laughing:

I was thinking it would be cool to have some sort of qualifying deal at the bender jambo since almost everyone is there anyways.

Why do we have to wait anther year??? Why not run it again in the reverse direction this fall and a 3 race "series" in '09. Throw Pritchet Canyon to highway in the mix.


Wow great idea, you seem extremely generous with Jeff, Daves, the Riches and the Volunteers time. :D

First off THAT WAS THE BEST RACE EVER !!!!!
I can see why everbody wants to race. rock crawling, rock racing, baja everything offroad. that gives you to many drivers to chose from. if I was to put a race on I would start with known drivers also. how do you know who will show up, or has what it takes, drivers that have already been competing, or that have already established some offroad racing credit. if you get rid of the teams that didnt finish, that doesnt mean the next group is going to do any better. it was tuff on both driver and vehicle. now the teams that have done have a better idea what it will take. everybody there was racing to win/finish. we took a rock in the motor nothing we could do. we chose to get it back to the base camp and get a pan under it instead of leaving oil all over the trail. you have know idea how hard it was to not keep going, I have been dwelling on it everyday. I cant wait for next year. we have never been to a single desert race and now we are talking about building a class7 and maybe a jeepspeed cherokee for the shop.
out of all the events that I have been two in the last three years this was it, difiantly the best. Jeff and Dave did one excellent job. I we cant wait till next year.
our shop is willing to help sponsor the event next year and help out in any way possible .............................

...another day, which means twice the insurance, if it's on another week, then more infrastucture and manpower. Any event that BLM would consider an organised event needs to carry insurance...
Hell, the insurance is the easy part of this (can I borrow someone's charge card!)... the permit is the tough part, especially since most agencies require 6 months advance notice.

Hell, I have just permitted trail rides... I don't even want to THINK what's involved with permitting a desert race. Google on "BITD cancelled" to see what's involved, or "SUWA EJS" to see who all is rooting against this. :( None of these osbtacles are necessarily insurmountable, but permitting an event takes time.

Randii

why was there only 43 rigs running, big country like usa and only 43 rigs running did they limit the entry some way or :confused::confused:

why was there only 43 rigs running, big country like usa and only 43 rigs running did they limit the entry some way or :confused::confused:

Invite only this year I believe

I'm looking forward to see how they pick/invite new drivers. I am looking into getting a rig together for this race.

Jason

You think people were butt-hurt this year, wait until next year when they don't get included :laughing:

Think about it, if they limit the field to 50, which I hope they do, since the traffic jams kill people in the rock. Then all 45 people that came last year will "assume" they get to come back next year.

Bender has already said he has been contacted by some top desert race guys about building a bad-ass car. With those guys come sponsors, TV and such.

Guys like Paule, Shaffer and Haines will want to participate next year with all this hype.....

What to do? Cut the little guy. They have to unless they figure out a way to pre-qualify like Supercrawl. But then the non-competetor type like Wayes and Rick M. don't get to play.

I would love to see it open to everyone and have them pre-qualify on a short course like Nascar for a place. Jeff already said the logistics for that would be a nightmare, so it goes back to invites and hurt butts :)

I love this race and have hung on every word the guys who ran it have typed and there are a lot of guys out there like myself that can't get enough of it. I am just glad I don't want to beat my junk like that and am happy being a spectator.

I do know that Dave and Jeff are top knotch promotors and will get this all ironed out.

What about seperating classes, Stock, mod, super-mod, & stupid-over budget totally ridiculous sponsored rigs. Make it a two day event. And let the finishers from 08 place them selfs where they think they belong.

Well, I would support anything that gave newb joe public's a shot. Aside from desert racing, this is the only offroad sport that has peaked my interest as a competitor.

This is how we wheel. Haul ass to the trail, run the trail and haul ass back to camp. This is the ultimate.

I was planning to build my new toy for my type of wheeling, and bam there erupts a sport for it.

I was planning to build my new toy for my type of wheeling, and bam there erupts a sport for it.

Bout two years ago ace.:laughing: And since talk is cheap, perhaps you would like to "buy in"?:D

Just checkin! :flipoff2:

Easy.

Raffle off one spot. $5 a ticket and buy as many as you want. The winner has to be the driver or passanger. Drawing is 60 days before the event so they can get everything figured out. The money raised can go to the promoters or go to a charity like FOPV or BRC or ??? That way for $5 you have a chance to be in the race.

One can only hope you have room for a michigan team or two...this is the first time i've been truly excited bout a race since the old erocc days - and its a year away - and its a long shot to get in...thats half the excitement!

If this is targeted towards the nation, not the region, letting people know in advance is key...I will be out to pre-run if i were to get in, thats for sure...but notice is needed.

Raffle off one spot. $5 a ticket and buy as many as you want. The winner has to be the driver or passanger. Drawing is 60 days before the event so they can get everything figured out. The money raised can go to the promoters or go to a charity like FOPV or BRC or ??? That way for $5 you have a chance to be in the race.

So you just raised the entry fee for anyone from 5-1000's of dollars. Not really fair for the average Joe if you think about it.:confused:

I don't know how they will pick 50, but they will. ;)

Rick.

I dunno Rick...it's one spot and that money could go to a good cause, like fighting to keep the Hammers from being taken over by the Marines...sounds like an idea worth considering to me.


And no, the Marine's comment isn't a joke. For those that didn't know, there's talk about us losing over half of the trails out there...

I dunno Rick...it's one spot and that money could go to a good cause, like fighting to keep the Hammers from being taken over by the Marines...sounds like an idea worth considering to me.


And no, the Marine's comment isn't a joke. For those that didn't know, there's talk about us losing over half of the trails out there...
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662802

thanks for all you guys that are so quick to want to turn this into a multi race event and two day events and adding 10x's the amount of racers. are YOU willing to pay a big enough entry fee to pay for all of my volunteers time and my time to organize them all, and plan for the contengicy for the people that just don't show up on raceday??

the race should stay limited in size just like it is. if we had every tom dick and harry out there it'd take us weeks to pull all of their unprepared ass's off the course.

do i think they should keep the little guys on the list. hell ya. should they throw some big names on it. hell yeah. most importantly they need to keep the race to the best quality that we can. you simply cannot pull something like this off a few times a year or 5x's the size without some serious practice.

thanks for all you guys that are so quick to want to turn this into a multi race event and two day events and adding 10x's the amount of racers. are YOU willing to pay a big enough entry fee to pay for all of my volunteers time and my time to organize them all, and plan for the contengicy for the people that just don't show up on raceday??

the race should stay limited in size just like it is. if we had every tom dick and harry out there it'd take us weeks to pull all of their unprepared ass's off the course.

do i think they should keep the little guys on the list. hell ya. should they throw some big names on it. hell yeah. most importantly they need to keep the race to the best quality that we can. you simply cannot pull something like this off a few times a year or 5x's the size without some serious practice.
pfft ... what do you know

pfft ... what do you know
good point.

we should just send 200 guys out there and let them race. no checkpoint or nothin. land rush start :)

good point.

we should just send 200 guys out there and let them race. no checkpoint or nothin. land rush start :)

That would be awesome! Start with 50 miles of desert into this years course and attrition would have the numbers down to 43 by the time they hit this years start line.

That would be awesome! Start with 50 miles of desert into this years course and attrition would have the numbers down to 43 by the time they hit this years start line.
make sure to funnel em down to 2 wide for the hole shot $1k prize :laughing:

Knowing Jeff and Dave pretty well I bet they have a plan that gives the little guy and the big$ guy a shot. The speculation is cool to read but have patients, they started planning 09 about 6:30 pm on feb 22nd. They will let us know soon what we have to do to get in.

Wayne

I think keeping it an invitational is a good thing for logistics. It would be great if everyone interested could be invited, but right now that does seem feasable. Jeff and Dave just need to figure out a way to trim the field, and in the end it may not be fair - be it the top 20 finishers from the previous year + top 5 in each series + wild cards or individual qualifiers (just using this as an example)... some people will get butt hurt and say it isn't fair, but you can't just walk in and compete at the X-games, PGA Tour or Pipe Masters either - Dave and Jeff are looking for the best interest in the event, I'm sure if this is a race you are passionate about running, stay in contact with them, they want what is best for the event and I dont think I'm putting words in their mouths when I say passion means a lot.

I have to laugh at some of these responses. Do you guys realize Jeff and Dave have full time careers besides KOH? On top of that Dave has a rock crawling team and Jeff has a desert racing team. They worked there asses off to make this race as great as it was. Unless they go into this full time, I wouldn't expect to see a series of these races. The hours they spent every day doing this race, after there real jobs is equal to the amount of time most people spend working there regular jobs.

The other problem with making this more than once a year is where would you hold it? The trails at JV would be trashed if multiple races were held there each year. The race is hard on the trails.
JMHO

why was there only 43 rigs running, big country like usa and only 43 rigs running did they limit the entry some way or :confused::confused:



I thought entry was limitied to 50. 2 weeks before the comp my buddy calls me and says he just got in!?! I guess the cap was 50 and not everyone invited comitted.

I thought entry was limitied to 50. 2 weeks before the comp my buddy calls me and says he just got in!?! I guess the cap was 50 and not everyone invited comitted.

I'm not certain, but I think they had a few spots reserved to cover VIP last minute adds.

__
Jeffs quote from KOH forum.

"As requested here is the final driver list for King of the Hammers 2008

rather then bury it in one of the other threads I figured it would be best in a new one.

race starts in one week Feb 22nd at 8:00 am


46 Drivers in all. we went over our goal by one driver.

At one point you would have seen a list with 55, but we knew we would have some people back out and in all fairness to the teams that needed to prepare we adjusted the numbers as such. "

Just a note from the "LITTLE GUY". We were there for the first year. On the day prior we were pre running the course when I broke the r/r Axle u-joint at the 1st waterfall on Outer Limits. We continued on in 3 wheel drive till the shaft spun enough to blow out the rear ball joints. With the entire wheel, hub and rotor lying on the ground, we had to catch a ride out and leave the rig behind. After several hours and many phone calls, the used parts arrived. We left camp around 11 pm with a couple of new friends from that day. Jeremy drove me back down to the rig with Dave following in his comp rig. In about an hour we were heading back to camp. It wasn't until 2:30 am that we returned. Up at 5 to check for further damage, then to ready for the run. After the previous days events I had chosen not to run for fear of not finishing.

However after a little prodding from Dave, I opted to run. We finished 3rd behind JR,and Tracy Jordan. It just goes to show that anyone can do well here.

This year we made some last minute upgrades because we were going to try and run a different vehicle that didn't work out. Long and short of it. We ran out of time and were not able to test the vehicle prior to showing up. Our demise was that when the shock mounts were upgraded for duals, they allowed for additional up travel. Unfortunately there was no tolerance for the additional travel and caused a critical failure of the front arms. Does this mean we should not be allowed to return? What about the effort on the previous run. We were short handed and I knew we could repair the arms, replace the crushed brake lines, remove the crushed exhaust and return to racing. But if there were another failure the recovery and impact on us, the race and the trail was not a comfortable decision. So we chose to tuck our tails and survive to race another day.

This is the only race I run. It will continue to be that way. Having seen the OG 13 return invite makes me glad we busted ass that 1st year. YES we will return with a new car and a new attitude.

Truly grateful for the chance

Bart Dixon
Team DRE
#26

The other problem with making this more than once a year is where would you hold it? The trails at JV would be trashed if multiple races were held there each year. The race is hard on the trails.
JMHO

i am with you joe. there are alot of post that just arent realistic