Best in the Desert Henderson 400 Wrap-up

[Blanco]

Chuck Hovey takes First Overall at Henderson’s Terrible “400” along with the 2007 Grand Champion Title
Las Vegas, NV December, 2007



Under cloudy conditions just outside of Henderson, Nevada, 174 cars, trucks, motorcycles, quads and UTVs took the starting flag for the 2007 Best In The Desert Henderson’s Terrible “400”. Heavy rains on Friday before the race took its toll on the land causing some last minute alterations to the car and truck course, but the race officials got the course diverted and the race went off without a hitch. The rain actually created an off-road racers paradise as there was no dust to be seen. The racers were in heaven, as Steve Olliges said, “The conditions could not have been better, the course was perfect.”

Capturing the coveted first overall finishing position for the cars and trucks was Chuck Hovey of Escondido, CA. Chuck piloted his Jimco, class 1500 unlimited buggy to take the overall win, just under 4 minutes ahead of the second place buggy driven by Shawn Croll. The third overall spot went to Steve Olliges of Las Vegas and Wayne Lugo, driving a Ford, the first Class 1400 Trick Truck to cross the finish line, not only winning their class for the HT400 race, but also Year-End Class 1400 Championship. With his finish, Chuck Hovey also took home the Best In The Desert Racing Association 2007 Grand Champion title for finishing the year with the most points among all classes.

The top ten finishers were:
1 – Chuck Hovey (Class 1500 unlimited buggy, Jimco)
2 – Shawn Croll (Class 1500 unlimited buggy, Ford)
3 – Steve Olliges (Class 1400 Trick Truck, Ford)
4 – Ron Whitton (Class 1400 Trick Truck, Ford)
5 – Bruce Greer Jr. (Class 1400 Trick Truck, Dodge)
6 – John Swift (Class 7200 Mini-Trick Truck, Ford)
7 – Derrick Sproule (Class 1500 unlimited buggy, Aceco)
8 – Larry Roeseler (Class 7200 Mini-Trick Truck, Ford)
9 – Mark Beeler (Class 8000 modified production full size truck, Ford)
10 – Tom Gilchriese Sr. (Class 1500 unlimited buggy, HMS)

A complete list of results can be found on the Best In The Desert website, www.bitd.com under the “2007 Race Results” pull-down menu.

Best In The Desert Racing Association kicks off the 2008 season for cars and trucks at the BLUEWATER RESORT & CASINO PARKER “425”, February 1, 2, 3, 2008, along the banks of Colorado river in Parker, Arizona.

Off-Road Racing’s Best-Run Series … Best In the Desert!

Further information available from:
www.bitd.com
email: bitd@lasvegas.net
(702) 457-5775

MEDIA CONTACT:
www.fallads.com/bitd
email: mediabitd@fallads.com

[Yikes]

Beeler's are fast. :D

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/590010/fullsize/vo37882.jpg

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

We had a great time at the BITD Henderson Terrible's 400. BITD does a pretty good job organizing an event. It's definitely not Baja, but still a lot of fun. It rained ALL DAY Friday and Friday night and then NO RAIN on Saturday (race day). Contingency was dead (partially cuz the rain and partially just the venue/location I guess). Jeff and his cousin started the race.....with all the rain...... mud puddle heaven.... no dust or silt, but nasty mud. The dry lake bed was a WET lake bed and they re-directed the course around it. Lots of rocks, some nasty rock climb hills, bla bla bla. We were scheduled for (2) 82 mile laps. They made it to RM 80 and tore off a lower rear shock tower that took them out. They limped it in the last 2 miles (1 hour)......We took a good look at it, but it was pretty bad and pretty sure the shock was trashed also so we called it. That metal is very soft and it just tore it apart (no broken welds). There is an upgrade for that issue that is now available and also now legal so Jeff will fix it with that upgrade. Good times. Freezing cold and a nasty wind all day long. Made for a REALLY long day in the pits. They got NAILED one time pretty good from one of the TT's. It really sucked because they moved over and gave them a full lane plus 3' and when they were passing they HAMMERED the throttle and kicked their rear end sideways plowing into Jeff with their 40" tire and caved in his left rear fender/light/and bumper. Totally unnecessary. (Might have contribued the the torn off shock mount, not sure). At some points they had WAVES of water coming up the hood and nailing them. They used their new electric heated vests and LOVED them!

We made it the farthest in our class (sportsman 1800). Lee Orr started first, then a pretty built class 8 type truck, then something else, then us. I think we had the most cheers going through infield at the start. Everyone screeming 'Go Herbie, go!' :) Here's a few pics of our class 11 at the 400 sportin' our new light bar.....
http://www.tracksidephoto.com/gallery/index.php?module=media&category=gallery/2007/BITD/2007BITDHenderson400/Buggies&start=210

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

yeah, Yikes, that's a very cool "Old Skool" truck! I didn't get a chance to see it up close (not under 50 MPH anyways...) but looked very cool.

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

I met Lee Orr a few minutes before the start of the race. He raced the same class as we did the 11 car.... sportsman class 1800. I took a few pics of his bronco and he asked to get a few of the CLASS3RACING STICKER and post them up. I did take them and I will post them after I re-size them. I thinkg he might need a few new ones now though. I knew he DNF'd before us, but didn't know why until I stumbled across this.......

http://www.tracksidephoto.com/gallery/index.php?module=media&category=gallery/2007/BITD/2007BITDHenderson400/Trucks&start=240

By the looks of the last couple of pics, it appears that they are both OK. Sorry for your loss/damage, Lee. Glad you guys are ok.

[Blanco]

DAMN IT! :mad:
That steeeeker was looking so cool up there away from mud being splashed on it & all! :rolleyes:

Just kidding!
Glad they were ok & bummer about the damage they may have suffered.
I wonder if they're gonna run toppless now?

[Yikes]

That hurts to look at. They haven't got many hours on that rig do they? It appears a knuckle may have failed??? Good to see they were ok.

[billy1911]

Beeler's are fast. :D

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/590010/fullsize/vo37882.jpg

That truck was fast at V 2 R to

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

Yeah, and that thing is just plain COOL! It was great watching that thing come blasting by! Cool Old School! Very cool!

[JPhillips]

Im Lees co dog, We were not planning on running the race, but monday night before the race he calls and tells me to go tho the shop and prep the truck!Yikes! Needless to say only the parts that were damaged from the last race were repaired.After that jump the spindle gave out and we went over. We were both bangged up pretty good, but ok.New plans for the truck hopefully we will make Parker!