Racers Eager for the Green Flag to Drop at Best In The Desert’s VT Construction Tonopah “250” presented by Polaris RZR this Weekend

160 race teams to date are chomping at the bit to take on the challenge and adventure of the Tonopah “250” long distance racecourse this week, October 19th thru 22nd. Best In The Desert founder, Casey Folks, had an absolute passion for long distance desert racing. When the opportunity arose late last year to change the venue for Best In The Desert’s traditional October race, Casey jumped on it.

Donald Jackson, Best In The Desert’s operations manager said, “With the introduction of the Laughlin Desert Classic in 2016 in place of the Silver State “300”, we lost a great point-to-point race. The VT Construction Tonopah “250” presented by Polaris RZR is taking Best In The Desert back to its roots in long distance racing.” He continued with, “The racecourse for the Tonopah “250” will offer racers an exciting challenge. I feel that the Tonopah “250” course may very well be the “BEST” and one of the most epic racecourses we have ever laid out! There is no question in my mind that the off-road racers who participate in the Tonopah ‘250” will be in for the off-road treat of a lifetime. With a point-to-point 250 mile loop, this will be true long distance off-road racing at its highest level that will tax off-road racers’ skills to the limit!”

While the VT Construction Tonopah “250” presented by Polaris RZR is open to all Best In The Desert classes, the entry list so far is dominated by nearly 20 Trick Trucks and 53 UTVs. Plus, Best In The Desert really upped the ante for fully paid racers entered in this race by raffling off a brand new RZRXP^® 4 1000, thanks to Polaris. The winner of the Polaris RZR XP^® 4 1000 must be present to win when the lucky recipient is announced at the drivers’ meeting, this Friday evening, October 20th.

TONOPAH CAN’T WAIT…
Vern Hee of the “Pahrump Valley Times” reported that the Tonopah town board approved the race in March of this year and it was a unanimous 5-0 vote for approval. The town board is banking on Best In The Desert filling the town like they did during the 20th anniversary Vegas to Reno race last year, where thousands of off-road racers filled the town.

Also racers, families, race crews and fans will be able to take in Tonopah’s First Annual Oktoberfest for food, beer, music and fun this Saturday, October 21, beginning at 3:00 PM in historic downtown Tonopah. Hosted by the town of Tonopah, the Mizpah Hotel and the TLC, event goers can treat themselves to food specials, food trucks, a scavenger hunt for prizes and much more.

With the VT Construction Tonopah “250” presented by Polaris RZR being a new Best In The Desert race featuring many sections of the course that have never been run in the past, plus the chance to take home a brand new RZRXP^® 4 1000, racers who make it to Tonopah this weekend are in for a truly extraordinary event.

LIVE TRACKING…
A link for satellite race vehicle tracking will be available on the Best In The Desert website, or log on to www.RacingTrax.com to check it out.

LIVE STREAMING COVERAGE…
If you’re unable to make it to Tonopah this weekend for the race, you can tune in to the live streaming coverage of it on DirtLive2. From exciting race action and updates, to finish line interviews, Best In The Desert announcer George Antill brings it to you in his unique and entertaining way on your home computer, tablet or mobile device. Beginning Saturday morning, October 21, George will be broadcasting live from the start/finish line of the VT Construction Tonopah “250” presented by Polaris RZR.

Check out the link that will be posted on the Best In The Desert website prior to the race, www.bitd.com.

VT Construction Tonopah “250” presented by Polaris RZR Schedule of Events:

Thursday – October 19
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Registration for Time Trials – Trick Trucks and Class 1500
Tonopah Station Belmont Room

11:30 AM Staging – 12:30 PM Escort Starts
One Escorted Practice Lap for Time Trials for Trick Trucks and Class 1500
Time Trials immediately follows escorted practice lap

5:30 PM
Welcome Party
Tonopah Brewing Co. 315 S Main St

Friday – October 20
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Drivers / Riders Registration
Tonopah Station, Belmont Room

9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Contingency and Technical Inspection
Behind Tonopah Station on Airforce Road

6:00 PM  
MANDATORY Drivers / Riders / Pit Crew Meeting
Joe Friel Sports Complex – Baseball Fields

Saturday – October 21
6:15 AM
Motorcycle / Quad Staging

6:45 AM
Escort to the Start Line Motorcycle / Quad

7:00 AM
1st Professional Motorcycle / Quad Leaves the Start Line

10:45 AM
Car / Truck / UTV Staging

11:45 AM
Escort to the Start Line Car / Truck / UTV

12:00 PM
1st Professional Car / Truck / UTV Leaves the Start Line

Sunday – October 22
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast, Tonopah Station, Belmont Room

9:00 AM
Awards Presentation, Tonopah Station, Belmont Room

About Best In The Desert
Best In The Desert is recognized as the largest professional desert off-road racing organization in North America holding multiple off-road desert races. The philosophy of the organization is to provide top quality, World Class Off-Road Racing events, and more importantly to make those events exciting, spectacular, fun, different, well paying, and most of all, affordable. Based on over three decades of experience, and on years of sponsoring and promoting successful local and national events, Best In The Desert has achieved new levels in the sport of off-road desert racing. Best In The Desert, along with its racers and sponsors, enjoys recognition and exposure that sets it apart as “The American Off-Road Racing Series”.

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Best In The Desert official sponsors: Ford Motor Company – official truck, General Tire – official tire, Lucas – official oil, Sunoco Race Fuels – official fuel, KC HiLiTES – official light, Polaris RZR – official UTV, Beta Motorcycles – official motorcycle, Fabtech – official Suspension, Rugged Radios – official communications, 212 Performance Gloves – official gloves, Method Race Wheels, McKenzies, Kartek, Sportsman Cycle Sales, Slime, Team Ford Lincoln Las Vegas, Fall Advertising and Prerunner Maniac.