"Vegas to Reno" Post Race Information

 

To all our team members, friends, and fans:

 

The "Vegas to Reno" Race is in the books and history from this point on. This being the longest off road race in the United States, and also being a point to point race makes it a huge challenge for our chase teams and everyone involved during the race.

 

On race day everyone is up by 7am, chase trucks are off to their first pit assignments, the race cars are on the starting line at 11:00 am, and the race is on. The 1123 car was off at about 11:03, the 1178 car was off at about 11:06, and the 2009 car was off by 11:18. All was going good, the cars were making their way with no issues, and everyone was having a great race. The 1123 car was leading by pit 2 (on corrected time), the 1178 was running 3^rd ,and the 2009 car was a little behind after getting up on its side in a deep rutted turn. From there we raced on with everyone running real strong.  The 2009 was behind because it took awhile to get it back on all 4 wheels. The 1123 had dropped to 3^rd place after a flat rear tire, the 1178 had taken the 2^nd position, and the 1151 Plowman car was still running in first. By pit 3 everyone was still strong. Just out of the pit the 1123 lost a power steering belt but made quick time of replacing it. The 2009 car was falling a little further back as the 2 - 1100 cars were running very strong and setting sail as we passed pit 4. The 1151 car was in the pit with some issues so that put the 1178 car first on the road, the 1123 car second,  and the 2009 car was about 4^th in class.  We all raced on and the 1123 car caught and passed the 1178 car while climbing a steep rocky hill.  The 1123 was now first on the road and leaving the pack. The 1178 stopped at pit 6 for a drivers change and had some issues and fell a little behind.  The 2009 car stopped at pit 5 for a drivers change and headed on with no issues.  The 1123 car stopped at pit 7 for a drivers change and on we all raced.  The 2- 1100 cars were running real strong and ahead of the chase trucks, in fact the trucks had to skip a couple pits to get back ahead! The 2009 car was in back because it had to wait at pit 7 for another chase truck to come with a spare tire, setting it back just a little. By now the 1123 is starting to runoff from the field, the 1178 is 30 minutes back, and the 1151 was another 30 plus minutes behind it. The 2009 was gaining ground and making its way along to pit 10 by now, the 1123 was past pit 12 headed to pit 13 arriving about 5 minutes ahead of the chase truck and having to wait for fuel. The 1178 was just out of pit 12 running a little weak and the 2009 was changing drivers at pit 8. From there the 1123 was headed to the finish passing the next 3 pits with no problems.  The 1178 broke a left rear hub just before pit 13 and its race was over.  The 1123 crossed the finish at about 10:30 pm Friday night. The 1178 car ended their race at pit 13 with rear hub problems and a motor that we could not re-fire. The 2009 was still running strong to the finish. Just after pit 13 the alternator quit on the 2009 causing them to turn off most of the lights and run in the dark about 50 miles before the finish.  They were having troubles keeping the car running with low voltage to the ignition and they were pushing and coasting the car.  It was a real challenge getting to the finish but the 2009 car finished at 3:30 am on Saturday. The race was a great race and a real challenge for the team. We all arrived at the motel at about 5:30 am on Saturday with everyone ready for showers and sleep since we were up about 22 hours in total.

 

After a good rest we met up on Saturday around noon for breakfast and then headed back to Las Vegas for the night to try and cut down on Sundays drive to Phoenix. Amy and Ali stayed back for the awards and flew home on Sunday. This was a great team effort!! We want to say a big thanks to all of our team: Scoop, Cooper, Chris M., Tim, Dennis, Panayiotis, Rick G., Gail G., Kathy B., Terri P., and Gerald.  Along with drivers 1123 car: Lee, Lee Jr., Kyle D., and Clayton B., 1178 car: Gary Williams Jr., Bryon F., and Chris G., and in car 2009: Amy, Ali, Zach, Jake D., Andy M., Rick Boyer and Chris Boyer. Also, we

want to thank the Boyer team who came along to help and drive:  Rick, Cory, Chris, and Ferine, thank you!  We had a great crew and appreciate everyone for coming and helping.

 

The 1123 car finished 30^th overall and 1hr 1min ahead of second place.  The 2009 car finished 6^th in class and 79^th over all. A great race for Banning Motorsports!

 

Till the next race, keep it safe and have fun. 

 

 

Sincerely,

Lee Banning