News.bytes Extra, issue 482 

Car and Truck Race at Plaster City OHV Open Area draws a crowd

Off road car and truck enthusiasts competed in the 1st Annual Dethrone SoCal 250 race at BLM’s Plaster City OHV Open Area on Saturday, May 14.   184 racers from California, Arizona and Nevada braced windy conditions and blowing dust to race 5 laps around a 50-mile loop course.  An estimated 4 ,000 spectators enjoyed the event. (text continues below)

The course takes racers under the railroad trestle.  Racers must finish all 5 laps within 8 hours of their start time.

The race included 19 vehicle categories and was promoted through Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts (SNORE) under a special recreation use permit issued by the BLM El Centro Field  Office . BLM staff monitored the event to ensure safety and compliance with the permit.  There was one race-related injury.

Trucks line up for the start of the race. Racers leave the line in pairs at 20 second intervals.

- Joya Szalwinski, interpretive  park ranger, Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area/BLM El Centro Field Office, 5/24/11

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 482
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