Well after flying across the Pacific, I decided the best way to avoid jet lag was to beat it into submission with alcohol in Vegas at a desert race.

There's already a thread on Shannon's go at class 1: http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=842349&page=6

I went to this event planning to support Dave Cole's Ultra 4 team; however he was unable to race. Oh well, flights are booked, going anyway. Got in touch with DSI to see if he needed a hand. Organised to meet at Tech inspection once I got into Vegas.
Unfortunately DSI was still struggling with a few last minute to do's so had not even left Reno when I arrived in Vegas. Oh well, catch a taxi to a nearby hotel to dump my luggage. Cab driver said it was 1 block walk to the convention center. Tired and jet lagged after 40 minutes of walking I get there. It's late by now and the place is looking very empty. Looking around for a familiar face, I spot Brad Lovell and the Torchmate crew. Shortly after we're drinking beers and eating wings at Hooters. After dinner we head over to the driver's meeting, and once that wraps up check in with DSI and he's just left Reno and going straight to the track.

The Torchmate crew wanted to find out who was the best go kart driver, so after heaps of shit talking the challenge was on. Some close and dangerous racing was had with Nick the eventual winner.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC051617.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC051616.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC051619.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC051621.jpg

It was then back to the Sunset Station Casino where I actually got some time to relax, drink and gamble, unlike my previous trip in August for V2R. A massive night was had, especially when we started splitting 10s.

As DSI had gone straight to Jean, I had arranged to get a lift with Chad Jock to the course early the next morning so at 3:30am it seemed like a good idea to get some sleep. Luckily I had drunk myself a matrass, so the hotel carpet wasn't too bad. 3 hours later I'm sitting in Chad's truck, feeling a bit sorry for myself. We get to the course but it's too late to get to the start line so we go to a corner Chad wants to shoot at mile marker 6. This has the potential to be an awesome silt corner, but BITD have graded it and marked it with penalty cones. It still made for good viewing as several cars go disorientated in the dust and some did not handle the transition to the paved road well.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061629.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061633.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061631.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061636.jpg

DSI came past us, battling his way up through the UTVs that he had to start behind due to his late tech.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061640.jpg
After this we cruised around the course stopping so Chad could shoot various locations.
I tried to take a few pics, most came out like this:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061659.jpg

The Banning cars were leading the race and racing closely:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061657.jpg

There was also another awesome race on with some jeepspeeds, with about 6 cars within 30 seconds:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061654.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061653.jpg
These dudes were also hauling:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061645.jpg

We then went back to the main pit to see if we could find DSI's crew to see why he hadn't completed the first lap. They were no where to be seen, so I went and hung out with the Campbell crew as they were prepping the car. Soon after the Torchmate team showed up to set up as well.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061661.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061663.jpg

It was then down to the start where a jimco buggy was on pole:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061674.jpg
Andy M's TT looked and sounded sweet:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061673.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061680.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061681.jpg

The start was set up with dual starting lanes that lead into 3 tightish corners before roaring off into the distance. Some cars overcooked the corners a bit.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061690.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061692.jpg
Then Shannon staged:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061699.jpg
He was really fast out of the blocks and round the bends. Here's a video of his start and one of a trophy truck to compare:
YouTube - Shannon Campbell BITD Henderson Dec 09 Start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2cPD-Gd6Ek)
YouTube - Mastercraft BITD Henderson Dec 09 Start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w-vFpkvJvQ)
After the first 20 they started launching drag style from both lanes. If you had the inside lane you were at a big disadvantage as it was really torn up as the Torchmate guys found out:
YouTube - Torchmate BITD Henderson Dec 09 Start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6oJRiQAb_g)
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061717.jpg
I liked the Raptor:
YouTube - Ford Raptor BITD Henderson Dec 09 Start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1snsOywRQY)
Riot truck looked good:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061707.jpg

Once everyone was off I wandered back up to the pits to see if any help was needed. Shannon had to pit every lap so I pitched in helping where I could and also when Torchmate came in. It was great to see what the teams were doing and I have some good ideas to take to my KOH attempt.

I don't have many more pics, because the light dropped, but it was a great race and Shannon really took it to the class 1's, will be awesome to see what he can do next year.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061724.jpg
Congrats also to the Torchmate crew for a strong finish
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/BITD%20Henderson%20Dec%202009/PC061725.jpg

Then it was back to the Sunset Station for more partying. Highlight was a lingerie blackjack dealer asking Brad Lovell how his day went 'riding bitch'.
I played blackjack with the crew who build Jimco buggies. I hope their build quality is much better than their blackjack playing. They told me they are in the process of shipping half a dozen class ones down under. Will be interesting to see them hit the Australian scene.
Anyway, thanks to Chad for showing me round and the Torchmate guys for letting me hang and a bit of carpet to pass out on.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas..... except herpes!
Ben

Excellent writeup!

LOL!

Nice hangin' with you Ben.

http://www.chadjockphotography.com/photos/734758877_3CK2N-O.jpg

http://www.chadjockphotography.com/photos/734783466_FReiV-O.jpg

It doesn't count if you had the herp before you even got to Vegas :flipoff2:

LOL!

Nice hangin' with you Ben.

http://www.chadjockphotography.com/photos/734758877_3CK2N-O.jpg

Looks like a face that needs a tea bag....

:D

Dreamin' of KOH'10 I bet !!!




brooksy

Great story!:beer:

Great story Ben!!! So you shaved your Movember Stash??? WEAK!!!

yo, Movember is over, so it had to go. Raised nearly 1000 for charity tho!
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/ben_napier/IMG_3837a.jpg

For those who don't know, Movember is the Australian version of November, where males grow mostaches to raise awareness and money for 2 men's health issues - depression and prostate cancer: http://au.movember.com/mospace/199471/
My work doubled the money I raised, as long as I shaved it off on December 1st.

Thanks for sharing your story. Looking forward to watching your effort at KOH.

Sucks we didn't get a chance to meet up last weekend.

I'll get a hold of you as soon as I know when I can head south for some wheeling.

:beer:

nice write-up, thanks for posting.

Sounds like a great vacation.

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/pappawheely/bitd/fabtech%20400/IMG_4723.jpg

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/pappawheely/bitd/fabtech%20400/IMG_5033.jpg

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/pappawheely/bitd/fabtech%20400/IMG_5446.jpg

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/pappawheely/bitd/fabtech%20400/IMG_4301.jpg

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/pappawheely/bitd/fabtech%20400/IMG_3749.jpg

Ben you will fit right in with Badami with that Porn stash. Mike is going to grow his back for KOH and wear a Mustache rides Tshirt.

EDIT: LANCE pointed this out on a another thread, I'm just too slow today. Bad ass none the less!!!


HOW AWESOME IS THIS PIC???? I mean seriously how many Class1's or TT's have Cutting Brakes installed, and using them??? LOL GET IT SHANNON!!!!


http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/pappawheely/bitd/fabtech%20400/IMG_3749.jpg

Sounds like a great vacation.

Yeah, unfortunately I have been working all week in freezing cold Washington. A couple more days then it's down to the Hammers to play.

EDIT: LANCE pointed this out on a another thread, I'm just too slow today. Bad ass none the less!!!

HOW AWESOME IS THIS PIC???? I mean seriously how many Class1's or TT's have Cutting Brakes installed, and using them??? LOL GET IT SHANNON!!!!
One of the Class 1's down under has them that I have noticed, but I presume the majority of them run spools...

Yeah, unfortunately I have been working all week in freezing cold Washington. A couple more days then it's down to the Hammers to play....

It's cold (for us) down here too. Isn't it summer in Australia right now?


Speaking of cool.

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/pappawheely/bitd/fabtech%20400/IMG_8095.jpg

yeah, coming into summer when I left Sydney. It was close to 100, now it's 11 here... Fun.

Great write up and pics.....thanks :)