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place To Race - built Truck - Photo 27286993

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  • If you're anxious to get to the starting line, buying an already-built truck is the way to go. You can perform upgrades later on. Be careful: You might end up re-building everything if the truck wasn't built correctly in the first place. Matt Towery was fortunate to purchase one of two F-100s originally built for Frank "Scoop" Vessels: a solid build that was worthy of upgrades. This photo was taken at the '04 MDR 400. Matt later sold this truck and commissioned C&D Fabworks to build a Class 8 F-150 from the ground up.
If you're anxious to get to the starting line, buying an already-built truck is the way to go. You can perform upgrades later on. Be careful: You might end up re-building everything if the truck wasn't built correctly in the first place. Matt Towery was fortunate to purchase one of two F-100s originally built for Frank "Scoop" Vessels: a solid build that was worthy of upgrades. This photo was taken at the '04 MDR 400. Matt later sold this truck and commissioned C&D Fabworks to build a Class 8 F-150 from the ground up.
1001or 01 o+place to race+racing Even if you don't race, you'll benefit from organized events like the MDR Mojave 250. Holding organized events in OHV areas helps keep the land open for recreational use. MDR's California series takes place in the Stoddard Wells OHV area, the Johnson Valley OHV area, and the Spangler Hills OHV area. Racing in Baja is always an adventure, starting with the street party that surrounds the Tech and Contingency phase of the race. Bob Land Racing has had its hat in the competition ring for many years. Since this photo was taken, Land has retired his Class 7s Chevy S-10 and has moved into the Jeepspeed Class. Prerunning is an essential part of racing in Baja, and it's often more fun than the race itself. Take a cue from Travis Coyne and carry plenty of stickers with you in Baja. Think you need the latest and greatest equipment to race? You don't. What's essential are desire, motivation, and a vehicle that meets the safety standards of the racing series you're running. You can add better parts as time progresses. Short-course racing, especially at the top levels, is furious and intense. It's spectator-friendly because the fans can see the whole course almost all the time. The Mickey Thompson Side-by-Side series is grassroots-level short course racing. This particular round had dedicated short-course and desert trucks on the track at the same time. Dan Vance and his desert-bred Toyota were able to hold off the short course trucks for several laps before they got by. He won the desert truck class by a comfortable margin. If you're anxious to get to the starting line, buying an already-built truck is the way to go. You can perform upgrades later on. Be careful: You might end up re-building everything if the truck wasn't built correctly in the first place. Matt Towery was fortunate to purchase one of two F-100s originally built for Frank "Scoop" Vessels: a solid build that was worthy of upgrades. This photo was taken at the '04 MDR 400. Matt later sold this truck and commissioned C&D Fabworks to build a Class 8 F-150 from the ground up. Mike Koenig and his Toyota have been familiar sights on both the VORRA and the MDR circuits for several seasons. He's also made several forays into Baja.
Steve Herrera's '86 Ford Ranger was built for the desert, but has since been tuned for short-course events with a cut-down wheelbase and a short-travel four-link rear suspension. "Short travel" is a relative term, as the rear suspension cycles 18 inches and still soaks up the jolts in the desert. Steve topped his class at the '09 MDR California 200 night race. Steve started out in Class 11 (stock VW sedan) and has proven a formidable driver anywhere he shows up to race. Don't have the resources for a full-time pit crew? Show up to the right race and you might be lucky enough to have Locos Mocos help you out. Rory Ward brought his Class 1 "Trophy Truck killer" buggy to the '09 MDR California 200, using that race as a shakedown to prepare for the upcoming Best In The Desert Vegas-to-Reno competition. Nicole Pitell and the rest of the Locos Mocos crew played a key role in his MDR success. What are you likely to break during a race? Everything! Flat tires are the most common vehicular malady, but differentials, transmissions, and engines give up the ghost regularly, too. This spool cracked, necessitating a swap to the spare third member in Barry Karakas's Class 7 Toyota. Larry Roeseler has seen more podiums than most in his career, starting with a long stint behind the handlebars of Husqvarna and Kawasaki dirt bikes. Larry is one of the few with enough talent to make a living as a racing driver. More power to you, sir! Racing is often a family sport as long as the whole clan is into it. Joey "JoJo" Granatelli comes from a racing family that supports his passion for going fast. If you have the desire but lack the pedigree, you can often join a team as a crew member and work your way up from there. Persistence is the key to success.
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