Best in the Desert has finished its 2019 season with the year’s final race: the Method Race Wheels Laughlin Desert Classic Presented by Jimco Racing. 2019 has been one of the most competitive seasons at Best in the Desert, with multiple class championships going down to the wire. Racer turnout, support and fan following have also never been stronger. To celebrate the champions, a special Year End Awards Banquet will be held in Las Vegas on Dec. 21st at the Sunset Station Hotel.
Bryan Folks, CMO/Co-Owner of Best in the Desert, commented, “2019 was very exciting, and hopefully a positive experience for our racers, sponsors, fans and the Best in the Desert staff. We had another great year in terms of participation with more excitement and more promise than any year in the 30 plus year history of Best in the Desert. We are looking forward to our 2020 season with renewed commitment and anticipation. I want to personally thank and congratulate all the racers who dedicated themselves to our series. We sincerely appreciate your support.”
“2019 could not have gone better. I want to personally congratulate all the champions, and more importantly thank everyone who supported us through another year of racing,” added Daryl Folks, CEO/Co-Owner of Best in the Desert. He continued, “I also owe gratitude to the BLM for working so closely with us throughout the year to assist us in managing our races.”
Donald Jackson, Best in the Desert Race Operations Manager, said, “We have worked very hard to get great sponsors involved with “The American Off-Road Racing Series” and we appreciate each one of them for supporting us and the competitors. We look forward to a great race program in 2020.
“Most of all,” Donald added, “I want to thank our hard working staff and all our volunteers who pour their heart and soul into keeping Best in the Desert the premier racing organization in North America. Without them none of this would be possible.”
Ford Motor Company continued the F150 Ecoboost Performance Awards in 2019, modified slightly to allow year end class bonuses. Ford included the Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Quads and UTVs as part of the “Ford Ecoboost Long Haul Award,” which is given to the competitors in these divisions who complete every mile of every race in the least amount of time.
“We are very excited about the relationship we have built with Ford Motor Company and the Contingency program they offer,” commented Donald. “Not only were we able to offer this program to Cars and Trucks, but with Ford’s help, we were able to expand this program to reach the Bike, Quad and UTV community.”
Ford Long Haul Year End Awards
For racers with the Ford Support Trucks that had the Lowest Elapsed Finish Time for the Year
Motorcycle/Quad – Danny Cooper
UTV – Michael Isom
Car/Truck – Steve Olliges
2019 Class Champions
Trick Truck Jeff Terzo 37
1500 CJ Hutchins 1527
1000 Conner McMullen 1020
2000 Christy Sizelove 2050
5000 Travis Chase 5001
6000 Travis Williams 6077
6100 Brock Heger 6183
6200 Nick Carolan 6206
7100 Todd Walter 7122
7300 Chad Hall 7330
Jeepspeed
1700 Rob Seubert 1724
3700 Robert Thomasson 3707
4700 Billy Bunch 4747
UTV
Turbo Mitch Guthrie Jr T951
Production Seth Quintero 1903
Unlimited Michael Isom 2939
Rally Jack Olliges U927
Motorcycle & Quad
Open Pro Skyler Howes N10
300 Pro Mason Klein X66
O-30 Pro Carl Maassberg P1
Quad Pro Erin Simmons Q1
Open Exp Ryan Parszik 314
Open Am Anthony Monachelli 356
300 Exp Daniel Markley 211
O-30 Exp Rhett Ogden 530
O-50 Exp Doug Clark 807
Ironman Exp Warren Healey O38
Ironman Am Dean Hawley O96
Quad Exp Bill Pierson 428
Grand Champions
For racers with the most points in their race category
Car Truck Brock Heger 6183
Motorcycle Warren Healey O38
Quad Erin Simmons Q1
UTV Mitch Guthrie T951
Rookie of the Year
Car Truck Jeff Bader 6166
UTV Billy Long T907
Trick Truck Challenge Cup Champion
Jeff Terzo 37
Camburg Best In The Desert Award
For the racer who achieves the highest average speed for the season
Steve Olliges 27