Positive post on Race Desert for UTV's - need your help!

[Ignore Amos]

We ran in the middle of the TT's until the very finish...and my comment to Casey at the end was how good the TT's were to us across the board..most went off the course to get around us... now most of you are saying, Why did they have to go around you? why didnt you pull over and let them by..I dont know anyone else's experience at this particular race, but it was a very silty- dusty course and we couldnt see 10 ft behind us from our own dust cloud we were sending up (most of the time on the open open roads- the washes were different). Once in a while we could see some very bight lights approaching but that was few and far between..they close SOOOO fast that they are on you...never heard one SIREN..and yes most run Sirens that I have seen. When we did get passed we would totally get dusted out and totally blinded and we'd have to pull over just in case a 2nd TT was in the 1st dust...its scary shit out there with them..rarely do we hear or see cars closing on us...when we do we do try to get over ASAP- I have said it before but I think most of the other UTV's need better horns too...I know Matt only has a hand held air horn... I never hear him before he taps (politely though)

[Bajaxp]

Originally Posted by Ignore Amos

We ran in the middle of the TT's until the very finish...and my comment to Casey at the end was how good the TT's were to us across the board..most went off the course to get around us... now most of you are saying, Why did they have to go around you? why didnt you pull over and let them by..I dont know anyone else's experience at this particular race, but it was a very silty- dusty course and we couldnt see 10 ft behind us from our own dust cloud we were sending up (most of the time on the open open roads- the washes were different). Once in a while we could see some very bight lights approaching but that was few and far between..they close SOOOO fast that they are on you...never heard one SIREN..and yes most run Sirens that I have seen. When we did get passed we would totally get dusted out and totally blinded and we'd have to pull over just in case a 2nd TT was in the 1st dust...its scary shit out there with them..rarely do we hear or see cars closing on us...when we do we do try to get over ASAP- I have said it before but I think most of the other UTV's need better horns too...I know Matt only has a hand held air horn... I never hear him before he taps (politely though)

Ahem...I have two air horns and a 112 db electic horn. I'll bet that is more horn than any other UTV.

[Ignore Amos]

Originally Posted by Bajaxp

Ahem...I have two air horns and a 112 db electic horn. I'll bet that is more horn than any other UTV.

We'll I stand corrected Mr Parks! (I still never hear ya) but we run a Trophy Truck setup (basically a Police Siren)...its LOUD... and you've never heard because I just haven't had the chance to pass you...yet...

[HDRA1]

I run 2 horns a siren type and PIAA horns 116db I only get to use them in tech:'(

[az_amsoil]

My buddy Trent Kendall at last years Baja 500...very experienced racer, but due to mechanical issues, he lost a lot of time and was caught by the lead vehicles. He said JJ #54 (1st to pass him) scared the sh!t outta him! Never heard a thing and was caught by complete surprise.

2011 BAJA 500, ATV 55A TRENT GETTING PASSED BY TRUCKS (just the passes) ContourHD Helmet Cam - YouTube

2011 BAJA 500, ATV 55A TRENT GETTING PASSED BY TRUCKS (just the passes) ContourHD Helmet Cam - YouTube

[SXSPerformance.com]

Originally Posted by crdesigns

I personally rode in the 1919 car with Brandon for several years and can honestly tell you that we got passed by many cars and trucks. We were informed by our pit crew of all the vehicles leaving the pits so we could be aware. Brandon and I have never been bumped by a car or truck. If you can't see in your mirrors to see if someone is coming and you are getting caught, you need to get off the course and go find a race with no cars and trucks racing. We always got off the course by 25' to assure we where out of there way. Sometimes we would sit parked for a minute or so till they passed just so the dust would settle. Brandon has as many miles in a utv than any one and if he has never been bumped you shouldn't be either. If you are not getting over then you are giving our class a bad name. I know there is you tube videos of cars behind utvs that show the utvs not getting over its sad. If we where all to get out of the way in a timely manner they wouldnt have anything to bitch about.

One of Brandon's most heard phrases over the radio during a BITD race in the UTV class is also "Where's Andy?"

Information from the PIT crews and IRC is extremely helpful in these situations and we knew exactly were the leaders where and how fast they were approaching. You could almost set your watch to them.

Also another thing we noticed over the years was it wasn't the CL1 and TT guys that were the problem when we were getting passed it was the lesser classes that all thought they were Robby Gordon that didn't have any respect.

[crdesigns]

Lol that is so true Mike it has became a inside joke of the teams. But it worked and we never got hit nor did we come close.

[dmurray]

Matt, I think your facts were pretty awesome. I would be upset if my race car cost 100k+ and was being beat in time by a UTV!!!

Really only SS300 and VTR are potential issues. Should we see if Casey can give maybe 1 extra hour to allow the course to clear?

Or start with the Trucks/Buggies? But can end later in the day?

Or just leave it alone and go race the way it has been?

Generally the UTVs don't get passed unless issues arise, or moving a tad slow. It is true that Most TT/Buggy guys do not want to hurt anyone, but the other classes can be a little more aggressive. But it does only take one "accident" So as a group we should determine what is the safest for all and present to Casey if it is in the best interest???

[facteryfmf]

I.say we swap races. Car classes at 6am then quad/mc/utv at 10am!!! Lol

[Bajaxp]

Originally Posted by dmurray

Matt, I think your facts were pretty awesome. I would be upset if my race car cost 100k+ and was being beat in time by a UTV!!!

Really only SS300 and VTR are potential issues. Should we see if Casey can give maybe 1 extra hour to allow the course to clear?

Or start with the Trucks/Buggies? But can end later in the day?

Or just leave it alone and go race the way it has been?

Generally the UTVs don't get passed unless issues arise, or moving a tad slow. It is true that Most TT/Buggy guys do not want to hurt anyone, but the other classes can be a little more aggressive. But it does only take one "accident" So as a group we should determine what is the safest for all and present to Casey if it is in the best interest???

Hi Derek! I was down for a guestimated hour and a half with my issues, but was never passed by an unlimited. After the race I was on my second beer after being interview by George and Joey D and then BJ came in. V2R is another issue. Not sure what the solution is. BTW...did you know that my 3 horns are not loud enough. Hahaha