Befitting its status as the event’s official tire, General is fielding a number of drivers covering several classes at this weekend’s Best In The Desert Vegas to Reno Race.
“It’s certifiably the longest off-road race in the United States at nearly 550 miles in length,” reports race director Casey Folks, “with tough, challenging terrain, extreme elevation changes and a monumental battle of the top racers in the sport.”
Participants “must fight their way through narrow canyons, boulder lined paths and deep silt beds,” Folks continues, “from the high desert floor at 2,500 feet elevation to mountainous heights of over 9,000 feet, forcing competitors to adjust to the changing atmospheric pressures and endure extreme hot and cold temperature variations.”
It starts near the Death Valley town of Beatty, Nev., 115 miles from Las Vegas. The course traverses a part of the legendary Pony Express Trail made famous 148 years ago and finishes up in Dayton, just east of Reno.
Speeds of more than 100 mph on the dry lake portions of the route are typical, according to Folks.
“We are pleased to announce we have nearly 250 cars, trucks, motorcycles, UTVs and quads entered in this tough event,” he says. Competitors are coming from more than 25 states and as far away as Hawaii, Canada and South Africa.
“The challenge and adventure of competing in such a long ‘point to point’ race with no stopping until you reach the finish line always brings out the top off-road racers,” notes Folks.
General’s sponsored combatants include “Ballistic” BJ Baldwin, Rick D. Johnson, Jerry Zaiden, Jason Campbell, Jason Voss, Rich Voss, Marc Burnett, Mikey Childress and Jimmy Tucker.
“Team GT is performing better than ever this year on our Grabber competition tires” says marketing director Travis Roffler, “and we are proud to be official tire of Best In The Desert Series.”
He further observes that “our teams are fired up and ready to win this race.”
Real-time up-to-the-minute information about the Aug. 18-21 festivities can be found at www.twitter.com/teamgt; tracking and live streaming video is available at www.generaltire.com.
For more information, visit www.bitd.com.
