Author:

Derek West takes 1st Place
at the Pro Rock Racing Survival Endurance Race

Next up for Derek West &Team 20:

Outlaw Race #2 – April 7th South Pittsburg, TN
Ultra 4 East #1 – April 12-14 Parl Coal Township, Pennsylvania
Pro Racking – April 20-21 Stevenson, KY
Madness in May – May 25-28 Cass, AR

Big Thanks to our partners that make all of this possible!

Gear up and Roll out

Experience this story in real life with our PRP quality gear

By Maddie Wedeking

Last year was our first time racing King of the Hammers. We were sitting around the campfire and decided about three days before the race that we wanted to enter. My dad would drive and I would co-dog. We worked really hard for those three days to get our Can Am X3 ready, got the car to pass tech before the start, but had some technical issues during the race and didn’t finish. When we got home we said 2018 is going to be our year. We are going to finish KOH no matter what.

I am currently only 16 years old, but started desert racing RZR’s when I was 14. And as a driver I have never not finished a desert race. So our motto for 2018 KOH was “Let’s Just Finish”

But in the weeks leading up the race it quickly turned into “Lets Just Start!”

We started out by purchasing Mitch Guthrie’s 2017 XP Turbo RZR that he raced in 2017. This was a good start for us because the car already had a ton of work done to it. We just had to add a spare tire mount and window nets to pass the new rules for 2018. With our RZR ready to race and our entry fees all paid we listened to the Ultra 4 Live show and heard Dave Cole drop some hints about what trails will be included in this years UTV race. On January 19^th we headed out to the lakebed to get some practice. My dad made a few phone calls and found out some of the best guys in the industry were going to be out there that week as well: Jon Crowley, Reid Nordin, John Duckworth, Dean Bulloch, Karl Mumford, and both Mitch Guthrie’s.

This turned out to be a great chance for me to learn how to navigate through the rocks. It also gave my dad some practice on the Hammer trails. This weekend reminded me of playing soccer: just like any sport, you have to practice and put in the work if you are going to succeed. On the second day we ended up on Clawhammer and Jack North with Dean and Karl teaching us how to drive up the far right side of both waterfalls. We found out later that this would really help us during the race.

When we got home from the pre-run trip we gave the car a look over and noticed the diff housing was cracked. We called Mitch that night and he let us know he had a diff we could borrow. Matt Lasher, Frank La Paglia, Adam Moniz and Dad spent that week fixing the diff and replacing all of the suspension pivot points on the car. I had to get caught up on school work so I could only help them a few nights that week.

The next weekend my dad and his buddies went to Hammertown to drop off our camp trailers. His buddies got home before he did and they warned me and my mom that the motor blew up in the race car and your dad is really frustrated.

When he got home at 7pm on Sunday January 28^th we only had three days to find a motor and swap it out before we had to be back on the lake bed Thursday February 1^st to start pre-running. My dad called Mitch Guthrie and asked if he knew anyone that could rebuild a motor in three days. Mitch said he had an extra engine they just pulled out of Jr’s desert car, and that we could use it for the race. We were extremely thankful and excited that night thinking we might be able to get everything back together in time.

While my dad and Matt Lasher were putting the engine in they noticed the intercooler had a leak in it, and that was probably what caused the motor to overheat and blow white smoke. So we called Nick at Temecula Motorsports and he looked at every Polaris dealer in the southwest and could not find one.

So who did we call again…

Hey buddy ol’ pal Mitch “would you happen to have an intercooler”? No problem comes grab it. So Matt went back to the Guthrie’s the next morning.

Matt, Frank, my Dad, and I worked late Monday and Tuesday night, by Wednesday afternoon Matt had the car running and loaded on the trailer. But as soon as we unloaded it in Hammertown on Thursday morning a check engine light was on. In between trying to pre-run the whole course, we spent Thursday, and Friday wiggling wires, replacing sensors and ECU’s until we finally found the bad connection which was just in time for qualifying on Saturday.

My Dad did qualifying by himself… and he kinda sucked, 59^th out of about 90 qualifiers. He should have let me drive.

After qualifying we finished pre-running the last of the rock trails. It took us three whole days to pre-run this race, so we knew it was going to be the hardest UTV KOH ever.

Sunday morning we were looking over the race car one final time and we needed to pull the front diff and inspect it. While Matt was doing that he noticed that the front steering rack was cracked. At this point my dad had cracked a front diff, blown a motor, cracked an intercooler, chased a check engine light and now cracked the steering rack. We were thinking there is no way we are even going to get a chance to start this race. But we worked on the car while everyone else was watching the Superbowl, and got it running again.

Thanks to Rob at Warfighter Made for teasing my Dad about how he breaks every car he races in the desert, because Sunday night my Dad agreed to let me race the desert section!  Woohoo!  My dad was driver of record, but I normally race desert and knew I would be good at it. I was just not sure about Cougar Buttes and Back Door. So we drove out to Cougar Buttes and picked a fast easy line through there, then we drove over to Back Door and tried it just to see if I could make it. It was crazy. You can’t even see the bottom.  I asked Matt to spot me and my dad tied a rope on the back just in case. I slowly dropped off, then as soon as I lost control, I rolled onto the throttle and bam! I was down. That gave me even more confidence. Dad, I AM going to race the 1^st lap, and you can take the second.

Race Day

Lap 1 – Maddie Driving:

We started out 59^th off the line, and I was so nervous. I am a 16 year old racing KOH against all the big guys I follow on Instagram. But just like all the other desert races, as soon as the green flag drops all the butterflies go away. It’s just another day in the desert with my dad.

I took the hole shot and off we went. I passed a few cars, and then a few cars passed me. Some of the guys that passed me then broke down and we passed them again. When we got to Cougar Buttes there were cars everywhere that didn’t pre-run. So we shot through there in about 3 minutes passing 6 to 8 UTV’s. The rest of the desert loop was really rough, and as we got closer to Back Door I started praying. “Please don’t flip” “Please don’t flip”. Then we arrived and there was like a million people there all yelling at me hoping I would flip, but I did it just like we practiced: I let the front end drop and rolled on the gas. The crowd was screaming and it felt so cool.

We came up to the qualifying hill and I told my dad I am not driving up that, so we did the driver swap right there!  There were 4 guys stuck or winching so I jumped out and spotted him, and he drove right up it. We went into Dust Junky’s Main Pit and got fuel and an Uncrustable. I would like to get sponsored by Uncrustables someday. They’re amazing.

Lap 2 – Aaron Driving:

We started up the rock trails just like we practiced, trying to remember every turn. When we got to Clawhammer there was a pile-up at the waterfall. Bailey Campbell only had 2 wheel drive and Dean Bulloch had the other line blocked with some broken motor mounts. We waited for everyone to struggle up the waterfall, and in true Dean Bulloch fashion while smoking a cigarette on the top of his broken car he yells at my dad “I TAUGHT YOU HOW TO DRIVE UP THIS THING YOU BETTER ONE SHOT IT!”  Dad did just like Dean and Karl taught him and he drove up the right side, no problem.

We started knocking off the other rock trails like a boss. Our Tensor Tires stuck to the rocks and our Rhino 2.0 Axles took a beating and just kept working. Down Sledgehammer, up Chocolate Thunder, up Jack North like it was nothing.

Probably the fastest run #PRP1808 has ever had up #chocolatethunder. And it was a good thing we did too…… (wait for it) ・・・ #teamprp #koh18 #kingofthehammers #prpseats @polarisrzr #polarisrzr1000 @tensortire #tensortire @bajadesignsofficial #bajadesigns @walkerevansracing #walkerevansracing @superatv_com #superatv @speedstrap1 #speedstrap @warfightermade #warfightermade

A post shared by PRP Seats (@prpseats) on Feb 12, 2018 at 4:20pm PST

Then we screwed up on Jack Hammer and went left instead of right.  My dad got us stuck right around a bunch of media guys. We put down the Maxx Traxx and stacked rocks forever. We had to winch to get across some of these huge boulders. On the last winch spot I told my dad winch out then winch in, but I still had a small part of my finger in between the rock and the rope. The rope pinched the tip of my finder off and crushed my nail. I yelled at him and held my finger, it hurt so bad! But I was not going to quit I told my dad to put the winch rope away and lets go!

We took off into the desert, around the mountain to Hwy 19 and Hwy 20. We pre-ran those on Saturday after qualifying so no problem, we went right up. We pulled into the pits and they taped up my finger. Then we headed out to Aftershock.

We’ve got a story of perseverance from @maddie.wedeking at #KOH2018 that is inspiring. Head over to www.UTVGuide.net to read her whole story. @polarisrzr @ultra4racing #neverquit #rzrlife

A post shared by UTVGuide.net (@utvguide) on Feb 14, 2018 at 6:41pm PST

When we pre-ran Aftershock with Dean and Karl, they showed us where to put our tires on the rocks so we could go right up. Then it was off to Outer Limits. We knew this was going to be the hardest course, and it was. I had to run up the trail because my Dad needed a guide to get over most of it. Then came the last obstacle (when you see media guys you know it’s going to be bad). So I just told my Dad try it once and let’s winch the rest. We tried and winched for 30 minutes before we broke a radius rod. I knew we had one at Pit 2A so I started running. About 200 yards up was a guy in a RZR broken I asked if he had one and he let me borrow it. So I ran back. By then Wayland Campbell was there helping my dad change the radius rod. That family is awesome!

We got to pit 2A to put the correct radius rod on, and they told us that the race is over. The course workers had shut it down 15 minutes before, and had already left. We worked so hard to get here, no one was going to stop us. We we’re going to finish this no matter what.

We got the car fixed and kept going on the course. As the sun set, we bounced down Spooners across the desert and down Back Door one last time.

Just made it to Pit 2 A. Broke a radius rod, and didn’t make the cut off for time. But we’re still gonna fix it and finish the course. ????????#unofficialfinish. #1808 #teamprp

A post shared by PRP Seats (@prpseats) on Feb 7, 2018 at 4:42pm PST

Dropping down #backdoor at night just before #1808’s “unofficial” finish at @kingofthehammers Even though the race was called at the last pit. We kept going and crossed the finish line 2 hours late. ???? #didntgiveup #teamprp1808 #teamprp #kingofthehammers #koh18 @polarisrzr #polarisrzr1000 @tensortire #tensortire @bajadesignsofficial #bajadesigns @walkerevansracing #walkerevansracing @superatv_com #superatv @speedstrap1 #speedstrap @warfightermade #warfightermade @maddie.wedeking @mattlasher @zpres

A post shared by PRP Seats (@prpseats) on Feb 13, 2018 at 4:26pm PST

We crossed the finish line at 6pm with all the flood lights turned off. Waiting there in the dark was the people that matter to Dad and me the most. Our family and friends were there to wave the checkered flag and cheer us on!

We finished KOH 2018! Because we had a great crew of guys helping us and we had some support from  industries leaders like Tensor Tires, SuperATV, Baja Designs, Walker Evans, SDI Suspension, SpeedStrap, and Warfighter Made.

Dad said we’re not doing it again next year…

I say I think I’ll give him a few weeks, then try to get him to change his mind 😉

From Jeremiah Staggs Racing:

With just a short time to get the Yamaha ready for Silver State 150 after the Vegas to Reno, our team would spend countless long nights after work and on the weekends replacing the fuel pump and prepping the car. Racing has really made me appreciate the fact that “time” is out of our control. It never stops and the closer you get to a deadline the faster it gets. My son also races and finding time to make everything happen is a challenge.

We would get the car ready and loaded and hit the road at 6 am on Friday. Driving up to Caliente, NV we had time to talk about how this race was going to be cold and fast. We would have to push the car to the limits if we wanted the win. Winning is always the goal. But a consistent finish is the real measure of a solid team. Prep, logistics, rest and patience is what makes a team great.

We would arrive at tech around 12 noon. Tech went fast and easy. With time to kill before dinner and drivers meeting we explored the town of Caliente. The locals welcomed the race teams and shared their towns rich history. We had some kids asking for stickers but we did not have any. So we pulled some team shirts out and hooked the kids up. Size was not an issue as they walked away wearing a shirt 3 sizes too big. They were now part of the team. We would attend the Best In The Desert dinner at the local fire dept. With a awesome raffle and then followed by the drivers Meeting.

We would then make our way to the hotel and turn in for some rest. At 5am alarms started howling. Race day was here and the team was rested and ready. It was a brisk 30 degrees for the start and the weather made for a awesome day. We started 1st row 4 wide, a dead engine start into a all out drag race. We were pushing hard from the start as everyone was. I never seen so many utvs pushing so hard in the start of a race. Carnage every where, utvs upside down and broken with in the first 10 miles. We had moved into 3rd but clipped a cactus, tree, rock. We suffered a flat.  My co-driver and I decided it would take longer to get out and change it. We opted to stay in the car and run into pit 1 and have the crew change it. We radio the crew to let them know we needed a tire.

This is where patience comes in. Car after car are passing us, it takes everything you have to hold back and let them go. We pulled into Pit 1 and the crew changed the tire fast. I knew from racing Silver State many times it’s a fast course. We pulled out of the pits and pushed the Yamaha hard through thick dust chasing down cars trying to make up lost time. Some of the sections were tight and technical single track motorcycle trails but it made it challenging in between the fast sections. We would roll through pit 2 with no stopping and get back after it pushing hard trying to make up time. The scenery in this race is awesome and sometimes you wanted to stop and take a look around and explore.

We would pass more rolled over and broken UTV’s but never caught any cars in our class. Around race mile 86 the GPS would stop working and my co-driver and I would have to read the terrain to figure what was next and where to push and slow down. As we came approached Pit 3 the crew told us how far we were behind and we knew we couldn’t make up time but still kept pushing the Yamaha harder then ever. Not stopping in pit 3 we continued to push on. Still no GPS we ran hard down the canyon to the finish.

We crossed the finish line to see the top 4 utvs in our class there. They hadn’t been there two long telling us that without the mishap early in the race we would have been in the mix. Our custom fuel cell allows us run a short race like this without a fuel stop. We once again got 5th and have been staying consistent all year. The Yamaha platform and my teams dedication to prep makes our Yamaha a solid desert race machine. The 7 hour drive home gives you plenty of time to think. All I could think about was Tonopah 250 is only weeks away. And again it’s me vs the clock.

Thank you to my friends and family as always making our program what it is today. We have two races left and anything can happen. Thank you to all our sponsors as we couldn’t do it with out them and there solid products.

A big thanks to all the sponsors that helped me get here.

KMC Wheels . Walker Evans Racing . Alba Racing . PRP Seats . Yamaha Racing . Lonestar Racing . Rugged Radios . EFX Tires . STV Motorsports . Factory UTV . Suspended Fabrication . Magik Kustom Graphics .

Follow Staggs Racing on   Facebook   Instagram

Racing this years Vegas to Reno is father and son team Jason and Josh Cobb (18), the youngest Vegas to Reno winner in the TrophyLite class, racing Safecraft’s #6066 (TrophyLite class 6000). Josh is sitting 3rd in points for the 2017 TrophyLite Championship and is in a good position to challenge for the title. After last year’s solo trek and win, Josh will be sharing driving duties with dad, Jason Cobb, veteran racer and coach.

“The #6066 Safecraft truck has never been better and we are going to run this race harder than we did last year,” said Josh Cobb. “We will leave nothing on the table to bring home another win.” – Josh Cobb.

“I have a lot of pressure on me this year,” said Jason Cobb. “The kid did it all alone last year when I was battling cancer and brought home the win. I need to make sure I don’t hold him back.” – Jason Cobb.

About Josh Cobb

Starting his racing career at 5 years old on a 50cc quad, Josh quickly moved on to motorcycles and ended up winning his first race ever at the BooKoo Arena cross series. He was invited to the KTM Jr. Supercross at 7 years old at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ and in 2014, at 14, he made the switch to four wheels full time and has not looked back. Josh has accomplished some amazing things in just a couple of years of racing.

• The youngest Silver State 300 winner (Class 2000)
• The youngest Vegas to Reno winner (TrophyLite)
• Youngest TrophyLite winner
• The youngest championship podium finisher (2nd Place TrophyLite)
• Youngest Terracross Invitee
• The Fastest Growing Name in Off Road Racing

For 2017, Josh will race in the WORCS Series, Best in the Desert, SCORE International, SNORE Series and Terracross. Expect great results and an extremely bright future in racing.

About Jason Cobb

Jason Cobb began his career in 1988 racing quads in the southwestern desert. He raced ATV’s because at the age of 18, he couldn’t afford to participate in the coveted and expensive car and truck classes he dreamed of driving as a youth growing up in Parker, AZ. He quickly enjoyed victory on the ATV’s but yearned for a greater challenge. He exchanged 4 wheels for 2 and began his motorcycle racing career. Jason’s success was immediate; in less than 2 years, he won the Arizona Triple Crown by holding the #1 plate in Whiplash’s Desert, GP and Stadium Warz series. Jason revered in his accomplishments racing motorcycles, but continued to covet the off road race cars and trucks.

Late in 1993, Jason’s dreams came to fruition when he was invited to drive a Class 7S truck in the SCORE series. He was asked to drive in the Parker 400, his hometown race that provided the inspiration for his racing dreams. Jason won his class by more than 30 minutes, which launched a very successful career in off road racing. He went on to his second win in San Felipe, Mexico by more than an hour ahead of second place. Jason now enjoys racing with his son and teaching him how to be a champion. The two have become quite a dynamic duo.

Follow the Safecraft team during the race by visiting www.racingtrax.com, click on the Vegas to Reno race and select #976, #6120 or #6066 during this exciting event.

CGYS Motorsports: Ultra 4 East Round 2 Badlands

We loaded up and headed out about 9:30PM on Thursday night. We were making good time heading to St Louis. We were almost to Six Flags and we had our first flat. We pulled over and swapped it out quickly and were back on our way. Jeff had mentioned that the bus had a new vibration and it was very evident, but we couldn’t pin point it. In normal CGYS fashion we had hauled some parts to a customer in St. Louis to drop off. Shorty after our flat we made the delivery and Farmer took the wheel.

We pressed on wondering what the vibration was and trying to make time. It was just a short time later we heard an even stranger sound from the passenger side. I stuck my head out and could tell we had an issue, but couldn’t tell what it was. We pulled off the highway and got out to take a look. Well, it was pretty discouraging…as we walked back to the trailer. We had 2 flats on the passenger side (1 ruined wheel) and also a flat on the drivers side. We were shocked to see the situation at hand. We swapped some tires around, unloaded the race car and decided to gamble with the laws of current society and drive the race car 6 miles through town to the nearest Wal Mart.

We made it to Wal Mart without any law enforcement encounters and were pretty happy. We brought a few new spare tires, but had no good way to mount them ourselves. It was now 6am and Wal Mart opened at 7am. We hung out for a spell then got some tires mounted. Wal Mart didn’t have any trailer tires and I wanted all new at this point so we found a trailer shop and went after more tires and a wheel. Well, at about 2:30 PM we were finally sitting on all new tires and ready to press on. We stopped for fuel and decided to check the bus out again. This time Jeff noticed some play in the driveline u joints and we knew what our vibration was.

Since we were still in St Louis we located a Semi dealership and purchased 2 new u joints for the driveline. Pulling over on a side street nearby, we pulled the driveline, repaired it and reinstalled it. Happy as we could be, we loaded up and pressed on. Realizing we would miss the RCV dinner at the park we decided to stop and grab dinner and be ready for the weekend when we arrived. Arriving at 9:30PM 25 hours later (we lost an hour in time zone) we managed to get signed in and parked. We unloaded the trailer had a beer with friends and crashed for the night. The trip out was exhausting and time consuming.

Waking up bright and early for an 8:30 drivers meeting we were all in slow motion. We made the meeting on time and Tried to walk the qualifying course. We were called to the meeting before we could get a good plan for qualifying, but we were just happy to have some sleep and be on time. Qualifying began and we watched a few cars before lining up and taking a turn. We had a decent run, but knew that our backup would prob cost us a spot or two. We were right… we qualified 3rd in our class. Our race wasn’t until 4:15 PM and it was about 11AM so we had some time. We headed back to pits. We have been working with PSC motorsports to increase our steering speed and the box we had on wasn’t going to be quick enough for the woods sections so we pulled it off and put a faster box on. We had some time before our race began so Jeff and I loaded the course map on our GPS and went for a trail ride. We were pre running as well as testing the new box.

The car seemed great, the steering was nice and fast and the brakes were on point. We felt like we had a good chance to podium and possibly even win it. We have previously raced at Badlands two times and were yet to actually finish the entire race.

It was race time! We loaded up, got in line and patiently waited our turn. It was finally time… we started 3rd in our class, but around 16th in the race. We took the green flag and were soon to see the first car we wanted to pass. When we were finally close enough to pass them, they were being held by the last place car in the 4800 class. We were out of the woods and into the big bowl and rock section. We hit the rock with some aggression and accidentally bumped the car ahead and decided we would have to be very aggressive to pass to cars. Quickly out of the rocks and back into the woods we caught the 2nd place car and they pulled aside so we could pass. Driving pretty aggressively we managed to also pass two 4800 cars before gaining sight of the lead car in our class. Chasing the leader with all of our ponies and skills we were gaining ground. Into the desert sections we tried to go left when they went right and also tried right when they went left, but never gained rough ground to make a clean pass. Heading back into the woods it was mostly single track, but we split trees when we could and finally were close enough to make a clean pass. The leader graciously pulled aside and allowed us to pass and take the lead. We were stoked and beginning to drive even more aggressive because we knew the chase was on and it was exciting. We splashed through a huge mud hole waay too fast and lost visibility, but for just a second. Overshooting the turn and having to lock the brakes up to reverse and taking a mere second to wipe our visors, the OG leader was once again back in control and we were 2nd and on the hunt. The leader now knowing his pace wasn’t fast enough to stay out front was in full tilt race mode. We were close behind but not gaining much ground.

Trying to focus on clean driving and braking we kept our cool and the leader was in sight and we felt like we were gaining but very slowly. Racing through the qualifying course and back up the mountain , down the huge drop section and back around the WE Rock courses we found that the leader was being held up by a 4800 car. The small hold up allowed us the once again catch up and make another clean pass to once again regain the lead and check in the fastest 1st lap in our class. (Just short of the start finish line is a decent drop and while coming off that drop I felt the brake pedal go to the floor. Although alarmed, this has happened previously and the fluid was just hot and the brakes pumped back up fine.)

Passing through the starting line and checking the lap in felt good and we were once again in the lead. We headed up the first hill and back down the other side when the brakes hit the floor again. I pumped them several times and there was no pedal. We somehow managed to miss several trees and make the turn headed back up another good slick climb. Knowing we had no brakes and not wanting to stop at the bottom and cause a major cluster we decided to Baja the hill and pray we didn’t slide back down. Making the climb cleanly and working our car off the main track we pulled over and jumped out to address our issue. The OG leader was hot on our trail and regained the lead in a matter of seconds.

Jumping out and looking for a torn brake line! We were lost. No lines were damaged and we were a bit puzzled. Jeff pressed the pedal and we realized that somehow the drivers side rear caliper was leaking internally. Shit! We didn’t have a brakeline cap or vise grips so we decided to smash the line with a hammer. Upon completing this great idea we soon realized we had actually cut the line and it was leaking even worse. Great! Now what? We decided to cut the Stainless brake line, bend it over and hose clamp it to the link. This was an awesome plan until we realized our Hose clamp was too large. We decided to grab a short, fat stick and use it to take up the slack.

Man we are quick thinking guys now, im hear to tell ya.

Tightening the clamp tight enough to keep the line crimped and tight to the link we soon realized that the stick was crushing and it only took another turn or two and the stick collapsed into mush. Dammit man, we are pressed on time, several cars had passed us and we were stressing. We dug around in the tool box and found a 3/4″ bolt. We clamped it on, it took up the slack and we were headed to the pits for some brake fluid and a tire change. I failed to mention I KO’ed a huge rock with the drivers side front and compromised the tire just before the largest drop of the race. Oh well. Tire balls are awesome and we were still racing. Loaded in the car and driving Semi cautiously we raced to the pits.

We had radioed in what we needed and when we arrived Farmer was on point and had rallied up the Fults crew from Rockrock Express Racing. They pulled the hood, the cowl and the left front tire. Topping off the brake fluid, vise gripping the rear brake line for added security and a new tire. All super quick and efficient. We were off and running again. With no idea what position we were in we knew we had lost a lot of time and had to rally to gain position and finish well. We raced out of the pits back on course. We managed to catch another car or two and made quick aggressive passes. Having a lot better idea of the track we were able to go a lot faster with comfort and gained ground. We approached the start finish line for the second time and cars were still on the biggest climb of the track (we were required to make the climb 1 time, any lap before finishing the race) so we once again bypassed it in hope of it being open on the end of lap 3.

Checking in our second lap and driving even more aggressively we passed another 4800 car or two, several broken cars and even caught site of another 4500 car. Knowing nothing of our position we went into hunt mode and tracked the 4500 car we could see. Guessing he had caught sight of us in his mirror he added a bit more lead to his pedal and was running from the evil eyed #26 car.

Driving with not much regard for the car or our personal safety we tried to pass several times on dangerous lines before finally gaining an inside corner advantage and making an aggressive zero f’s pass. We still didn’t know our position or if the car we just passed had already made the huge climb so we pressed on hard and fast. Jeff radioed in to see if we could get a position and we were told we could back off a bit. The leader was in sight of the finish line and we were still 10 minutes or better out. With a lot of exhaustion and disappointment we peeled back a lot and decided to try to save the car and finish. We were still making good time and having fun, but we knew the win was out and a podium was the best currently available. The more we thought about the big climb we were gonna have to winch and still not 100% about our current position or who close had already made the climb we decided to gas it back up and finish strong.

We quickly made the last corner before the big climb and was super stoked to realize it was wide open and ready for us. Jeff was out quickly and we had already pulled winch line for a quick pull. When he pulled the line from the car and toward the tree it managed to spider web and seemed to be the end of our podium hopes. As I sit patiently in the car trying to not freak out I watched Jeff and his newly formed puzzle unwind. I could tell he was super frustrated and I radioed to the pits. I described the situation and explained that we were almost unwound (literally). Lol.

Jeff kept his cool, solved the puzzle and hooked the line. I calmly eased up the climb with our awesome Warn winch, General Tires, Yukon Gears, RCV Axles and Raceline wheels. Once at the top Jeff tossed the winch line slack in the car and I left him in hopes of gaining extra time and finishing faster. When we crossed the finish line we were told we had finished in 2nd place and couldn’t be caught (on corrected time).

Whew! What a relief… we finally managed to get the Attica Triangle monkey off our back and finished an entire race at the Badlands Offroad Park.

It was a long hard fought battle from all sides, but it was one of the funniest tracks we have raced in awhile. It was a great breakup of terrains. We had wide open desert style racing with tons of whoops, huge Sandhills, wooded areas, man made rock sections as well as big nasty drops and challenging climbs all the while having just enough mud and water to create visibility issues. It wasn’t the win we wanted, but it was super fun swapping leads, passing cars and enjoying the Ultra 4 Eastern Series second race.

Huge thanks to Aaron Faucher aka “Farmer” and my co-dawg Jeff Speer for all their dedication and hard work. Thanks for not giving in when everything is collapsing around us and always making each trip as fun as we can.

Duane Garretson
CGYS Motorsports

Congratulations, Adrian! Second place in the Pro UTV class of the 2017 Baja 500 is a huge accomplishment!

“Coming into Baja we had some bad luck prerunning and wrecked my buddy’s car..it was just a bad day in Baja for me. With that, we only ran 60 miles of the 516-mile course so needless to say we were going in blind.

We drew 4th out of 15 cars and felt confident we could make something happen car felt great and strong! Starting the race, we quickly saw that we would have our hands full keeping up with people who pre-ran the course but knew Baja is rough on fast pace cars! I was soloing the race so I knew my pace had to be solid! To sit in a vehicle for 500 miles and 16+ hours is one thing but to do it in a race and to finish top 3 is totally different! Only one way I could have lasted that long in a seat…PRP! Thank you guys so much for believing in me and MY program!

We knew we just had to keep moving no stopping. We hit the mid-way point and saw we were 2nd and 1st had me 22mins behind him. We closed the gap and got the lead by race mile 400 but killed the car doing it. We decided to let off just a bit to get a strong finish and battled with the 2nd place car for a bit. He eventually got the pass and beat us by just under 7 mins. We are pumped about our performance and Team efforts and know we couldn’t be here without our sponsors. PRP personally took a chance with us and I will be forever grateful. Thank You for making the most comfortable and durable seat in the game!!!”