Parker Live News from the Parker Strip since 2009.
At 11:30 a.m. on August 20, 2010 the Mongo Racing-prepped KC Hilites Ford F-150 from Parker, Arizona began the Best In the Desert Racing Association’s “Vegas to Reno”, also known as the “Longest Off-Road Race in the United States.” Taking the Green light was Tracy Rubio, of Kingman, AZ, and Mongo Racing’s longtime co-rider Chris Golding.
Tracy Rubio subbed for Randy Merritt in the Silver State 300 as Randy recovered from his injury incurred at the BITD “Parker 425” and was scheduled to drive the first half of the BITD “Vegas to Reno.”
Randy Merritt was scheduled to make his return to the driver’s seat of the number 8181 KC Hilites Ford F-150 in the second half of this 534 mile race across western Nevada.
Tracy piloted the KC Hilites Ford F-150 skillfully across the desert and around many it’s hidden dangers. The plan was to run a conservative pace for the first 300 miles and race to the finish if needed. The KC Hilites Ford F-150 was up to the task, but the Nevada desert posed a much larger foe than the competition. After the first33 miles the KC Hilites Ford F-150 was in first place on corrected time, but a large dry lake silt bed stopped several race vehicles including all the trucks racing in the Class 8100 near race mile 44.
At race mile 64, the Mongo Racing KC Hilites Ford F-150 was now in third position and was over 40 minutes behind the leader, but the Mongo Racing team said there was still a chance for victory.
Tracy piloted the KC Hilites Ford F-150 to race mile 263 where Randy Merritt got in for the first time under race conditions since February 3, 2010. Long time friend and Co-Rider Steve Solaiza joined Randy in this momentous journey. Randy left the pit in the middle of the desert near Silver Peaks, Nevada on a mission. Knowing he was 38 minutes behind the leader and 271 miles left to the finish line Randy drove the KC Hilites Ford F-150 harder than ever before.
Randy drove the KC Hilites Ford F-150 to within 18 minutes of the leader, but race traffic would prove to be his Achilles heel. “I could catch the other race vehicles, but getting around them was tough,” said Randy Merritt.
“The Goodyear Wrangler GSA Tires performed great and this is the fourth race in a row with no flats or tire problems and its great confidence booster knowing I can drive that hard without worrying about the tires,” added Randy Merritt.
In the end, Randy Merritt and Mongo Racing finished 2nd place in class 8100 at approximately 1:15 am on Saturday morning. The official finishing time was not available at time of release.
Randy Merritt said, “The KC Hilites 70 Watt Pod lights proved to be worth every penny as I charged through the darkness.”
“The new 3G seats and safety belts by MasterCraft Safety are incredibly comfortable and exclusive design make me feel that I could have drove this entire race myself,” added Randy at the finish line.
After the race Randy said, “We’ve raced this Ford truck for almost 7 years and I have never drove this hard for that long and it be in this great shape at the end of a 500 mile Off-Road race. Just goes to show – Built Ford Tough”
The next race for the Mongo Racing KC Hilites Ford F-150 is the Best In The Desert Blue Water Desert Challenge October 15-17, 2010 in Parker, Arizona, for additional team information visit www.mongoracing.com on the web.
HAVASU RESIDENTS ARE ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR TRAILS IF EVERYONE DOESN’T TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY!
BLM CLOSING (( ALL )) HAVASU TRAILS, PARKER COULD BE NEXT, WE MUST ACT FAST LESS THEN 30 DAYS LEFT PLEASE READ LINK BELOW IT’S FROM PARKER 4 WHEELERS !!!!!!!!
http://www.tciwest.com/trails.html
Two days ago BLM held a meeting to close most of the off road trails in Lake Havasu City. They did not advertise until two days before that they were having a meeting, in the middle of August when most of our residence (winter visitors) would not be in town. They pushed the already set meeting from November to August without notifying us and probably hoped no one would show up. Local clubs found out about the meeting and showed up for the meeting only to find that they were giving us 30 days to “justify” why they should keep the trails open. The maps they provided were poor topo maps that had no GIS features on them what so ever (no streets, land marks or any other identifying marks). We were unable to determine what or where the trails were due to there being no GPS coordinates on the trail identifiers. We also asked them to identify why the identified trails were being closed and they could not provide us that information. When we asked them how to obtain that information so we could go justify trails that need to stay open they told us it would take “60-90 days to figure that out and they were not even sure if they could get us the information that we need to justify keeping our trails open. Mind you we only have 30 days to do this, did I mention the average temperature has been around 115-120 out here in Havasu during the time we have to complete this?
We need all the help we can get, this ALL of OUR public land that we pay taxes to use and we are very close to loosing. This effects everyone, from the family who is riding bikes, quads, and side by sides to the hunter who is out trying harvest an animal on his/her dream hunt. What about the nature watcher or the geo-cacher? It affects us all, even the economy here in Havasu. Local gas stations, convenience stores, auto repair shops, off road shops, fabrication shops, motor cycle shops, etc.
Is there anyway you can forward this email link to your members, family and friends? Pirate4X4.com is assisting us by putting up a letter generator. What this does is it makes extremely simple for anyone to send Havasu BLM an email to let them know that they need to extend the Travel Management Plan from 30 days to more. All you have to do is click on the link and take one minute out of your day to let BLM know how you feel in your own words. This letter generator was set up from the same guys who helped save the Rubicon and they have offered to help us.
Go here: http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters/
Fill out the info here is an example of what I put in the letter.
Dear Local On The Ground,
I am writing to ask you to extend the comment and review period for the Havasu Travel Management Plan for 60 days beyond September 17. This additional time is important for proper review of the information and maps. for this process to be handled appropriately, everyone needs ample time to do a thorough study to make reasonable decisions instead of rushing because of a short timeline. An extended timeline will benefit everyone involved.
Sincerely,
Shane Miller Parker 4 Wheelers
PLEASE POST THIS ON YOUR MAIN PAGE AS BREAKING LOCAL NEWS THIS HAS TO BE DONE ASAP
BLM CLOSING HAVASU TRAILS !!!
LET’S STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING
http://www.tciwest.com/trails.html
Nick,
Keep up the great work. America needs more people like you. I bet none of our local politicians will step in to help. (And YES they can help. Because Parker then the Quartzsite areas are next.)
By the way people this is all part of the United Nations Agenda 21 project. WAKE UP AMERIKA!!!