Media

Submission of a Media Credentials Request application does not guarantee media credentials. Best In The Desert will review all credential requests and reserves the right to approve or deny. Best In The Desert reserves the right to remove credentials onsite if any policies or procedures, safety or otherwise, are violated.

Best In The Desert is committed to safety of the entire venue, racers, spectators and media. Safety is of the utmost concern; therefore, Best In The Desert asks you to respect the media credential levels and process to help ensure the longevity of desert off-road racing.

Allowing media access to Best In The Desert races is a privilege, not a right, and your access can be revoked at any time.

ALL MEDIA is required to always stay back AT LEAST 100 FEET from the racecourse. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STAND IN THE RACECOURSE FOR ANY REASON. If you are found on the course or within 100 feet of it by a Best in the Desert Official, your media privileges will be immediately revoked, and you will be required to leave the event. You are also not permitted to drive on any part of the racecourse at any time. No Exceptions.

Tampering with any Best In The Desert racecourse markings, for any reason WILL NOT be tolerated and will result in immediate removal from the event, and you will be banned from any future Best In The Desert events.

Your course access for coverage of the race is governed by Best in the Desert and the BLM. You MUST ADHERE to these rules, or you will be removed.

Best In The Desert works closely with the BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM). They are simply enforcing rules and regulations that we all must live with. Members of the Media need to adhere to their guidelines in order to enjoy racing in the desert. Please work with us to maintain our great working relationships.

All Best In The Desert events that fall under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management require credentialed photographers and videographers to pay a per person BLM Photo Permit fee. The necessary permit is filed for and secured on a group basis. Fees vary based on the total number of credentials issued for each event. You will be notified in advance of the required fee amount due.

All requests for Media Credentials will be reviewed and you will be emailed or contacted directly, prior to each race, to advise you of the acceptance or decline of your credentials. All Media MUST fill out and submit a NEW Media Credential Request form no later than 10 DAYS PRIOR TO EACH EVENT date in order to be considered for inclusion. All media materials for approved media must be picked up in person at the MANDATORY MEDIA MEETING. There is NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION. Applicants will be notified via email within seven days of application receipt. You may be asked for additional information. If you do not receive an email, please contact mediabitd@fallads.com.

In the interest of fairness to all race teams, NO RACE TEAM PERSONNEL are eligible for Media Credentials allowing them access to the racecourse.

NO media credential requests will be accepted onsite. No exceptions.

Category A – Assigned Media – Media representing recognized accredited broadcast or print media outlets (Must have proof from an assigning editor).

Category B – Freelance Media – Professional freelance journalists and photographers. All applicants to be approved by the Best In The Desert. Level B includes recognized internet media outlets. Freelance media may be asked to submit samples of published work and/or a letter on letterhead from the assigning media source, editor, etc. Personal distribution on social media via a YouTube channel, Facebook, etc. is not accepted as “published media” and examples must be submitted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis for final consideration.

• Category B Media will be required to pay a BITD Media Fee per race, plus applicable BLM photo permit fees prior to credentials being sent out.

Category C – Professional commercial photographers and videographers – commercially reselling images and footage – Must present proof of an established professional business. Level C media includes independent professional photographers and videographers that have been contracted by a race team (Must have proof of assignment by race team owner).

• • Category C Media will be required to pay a BITD Media Fee per race, plus applicable BLM photo permit fees prior to credentials being sent out.
• CATEGORY C MEDIA REQUIREMENTS – All Commercial Media must supply Best in the Desert and/or their respective agencies, Royalty-Free copies of electronic media, and/or digital photography within 15 days of the end of the covered event. This footage and digital photography will be used by Best in the Desert only as part of their advertising, publicity campaigns and in the DirtVenture digital magazine. Failure to supply as outlined will result in the photographer or media outlet being denied from further coverage of Best In The Desert events.

NOTE: DO NOT SEND copies of all photos or footage you shot…only high-quality images and clips for Best in the Desert usage. You will be given Photo Credits.

As we strive to expand coverage of Best In The Desert events, we strongly encourage and rely on your participation in sharing images and videos during and after the race. As a requirement for Media Credentials, we ask that each member of the Media provides BITD with a minimum of 6 still photographs or, if you are a Videographer, five short clips within 14 days of the Event. When we feature your content on social media platforms, we want you to know that we will tag and credit you appropriately.

MANDATORY REQUIRED MEDIA SAFETY VESTS, MEDIA CREDENTIALS, WRIST BANDS, VEHICLE MEDIA PASS AND VEHICLE MEDIA FLAGS

All Media Personnel must have a numbered BITD specific Media Vest. This number will be required to be supplied to BITD prior to the event, and will be checked at the Media Meeting Prior to the race event. No media will be allowed to wear personal or other association bibs or vests. Failure to do so will result in revocation of your media credentials and you will be required to leave the course. This is IS NOT AN OPTION. All Media Personnel must purchase the BLM mandated BITD branded vehicle flag for each vehicle used to access the racecourse and post on their vehicle. All Media Personnel must register, wear the designated BITD Media Vest along with the issued Press Badge and applicable color Wrist Band, and display a Vehicle Media Pass and Vehicle Media Flag in order to be allowed any course access. NO EXCEPTIONS.

APPLICABLE FEES: You will be notified by email of all fees due. These fees will be required to be paid in full prior to receiving credentials. 

• RELEASE WAIVER: Each individual approved for media credentials must sign the required Best In The Desert Release Waiver prior to credentials being issued.
• Members of the media must be at least 18 years of age.
• All members of the media will be required to read and obey Best In The Desert safety guidelines.
• There will be a MANDATORY MEDIA SAFETY MEETING prior to each race. The time and location will be given when credentials confirmation notices are emailed out. Attendance is mandatory by anyone receiving media credentials.
• A MAXIMUM of four (4) media credentials will be granted per APPROVED media outlet unless otherwise arranged and authorized in advance.
• Media credentials are non-transferrable.
• NO media credential requests will be accepted onsite. No exceptions.
• Any and all media may be asked to move from a specific location by Best In The Desert officials for any reason. Failure to cooperate may result in your credentials being confiscated along with being denied credentials for all future events.

• Unprofessional behavior
• Unsafe behavior
• Ignoring requests of BLM rangers, Best In The Desert officials and course safety workers

Applicants will be notified via email within seven days of application receipt. You may be asked for additional information. If you do not receive an email, please contact mediabitd@fallads.com.

For questions, please contact mediabitd@fallads.com.