BLM Gives Green Flag Approval To 20th Anniversary Running Of “Vegas to Reno”
ORS Staff
August 17 – 20, 2016
After holding public hearings and accepting thousands of comments and letters from interested parties on both sides of the controversy surrounding the proposed racecourse through sections of the Basin and Range National Monument in Nevada, the BLM granted full approval to go ahead with the race last Friday, August 12.
The BLM issued the following official announcement:
After careful consideration of the proposed race, which was analyzed in an environmental assessment that evaluated the race’s potential impact, the BLM has issued a Special Recreation Permit to Best in the Desert Racing Association.
Stephen Clutter of the BLM stated, “The BLM is proud to provide diverse recreation opportunities on the incredible public lands we manage here in Nevada,” said BLM Nevada State Director John Ruhs. “We have done a careful evaluation of the race and built in specific mitigation measures to minimize potential impacts. I’m pleased that the race will move forward.”
One of the longest races of its kind in the U.S., this year’s event will begin on Aug. 19 near Alamo, Nev., and end the next day near Dayton, Nev., in Lyon County. The approved 643-mile route, most of which crosses BLM-managed lands, is entirely on existing roads. Some race segments pass through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and private lands. Race vehicles, which will include cars, trucks, utility vehicles and motorcycles, will not race through the Basin and Range National Monument. Instead, the vehicles will cross the Monument while observing a 35-mile an hour speed limit and while following other reasonable controls, including a prohibition on passing while traveling across the Monument. Vehicles will resume their participation in the race once they leave the Monument. The popular event is expected to draw 5,000 off-road racing enthusiasts to public lands across the state. This is the 20th year that the Best in the Desert race has taken place in Nevada.
There are currently 342 race teams signed up for the General Tire “Vegas to Reno” The Long Way!!! presented by FOX. This will truly be a epic adventure for all of the enthusiastic racers that have accepted the challenge of the “Longest Off-Road Race in the United States”.
The General Tire “Vegas to Reno” The Long Way!!! presented by FOX race activities get started this Wednesday, August 17, for the Trick Trucks and Unlimited Class 1500 Cars when they qualify for their starting positions at the Time Trails to compete for the $1000 “Team Ford” Pole Award.
Festivities continue in North Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday, August 18, at the Aliante Casino Hotel. There, racers will continue signup and head through contingency and vehicle technical inspections where race fans will have the opportunity to see the most unbelievable collection of high-tech cars, trucks, motorcycles, quads and UTV.
The 2016 General Tire “Vegas to Reno” The Long Way presented by FOX will start early Friday morning, August 19th near Alamo, Nevada, northeast of Las Vegas. First off the line will be the Motorcycle classes followed by the Quads. After a substantial delay for safety reasons, the Car, Truck and UTV classes will head out in their quest for victory.
Follow the action of the Lucas Oil Production Studios broadcasts of Best In The Desert events on the NBC Sports Network and MAVTV.
2016 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, Azunia Tequila, Fall Advertising and Prerunner Maniac.
The American Off-Road Racing Series…Best In The Desert!
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Top photo provided by Jason Zindroski, HighRev Photogaphy
Class 1000 car photo provided by MWilsonPhoto.com
Important notice:
THE USE OF DRONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT ANY BEST IN THE DESERT EVENT. Please be aware, Drones are VERY DANGEROUS to the safety of all concerned, both people in the air and on the ground.
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