ROUND TWO OF 2015 SEASON

(PLEASE NOTE TAMMIE LYNN IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS REPORT.)

PRAIRIE CITY (April 18) — As the sun rose and the racing was getting ready to start all the fans and racers were excited for the start of the only VORRA race held this year on the Prairie City track.

There would be 7 classes racing on this beautiful spring day with a car count of 28 slated to take the grid. The class to watch would yet again be Class 10 with the highest car count of 7 racers strong. Attrition would play a part by the final races of the day many of the field falling prey to mechanical as well as collision damage.

This race would see the return of the venerable Bradford clan. Unfortunately the class 10 buggy would have gear box issues so they wouldn’t make the field in their car, but Steve Jr. would get a chance to run in a fellow racers ride.

The winner in Class 10 Wes Harbor had a stellar day, the joke around the pits the night before was that he was walking around the pits with a scale trying to find the lightest person he could to put in the co-drivers seat “was looking for a 90 pounder”. But all joking aside the class winner/VORRA owner thanked all of the racers and VORRAteers, as well as Lucky 7 Speed Shop, and Jackson Rancheria for supporting VORRA.

Baggett’s #1042 leading the charge to the first corner. Photo by Tammie Lynn

The final race of the day was the one to watch as the top 4 racers in class went into the final moto tied with 8 points each. When the green flag dropped for Class 10 everyone was on the edge of their seats as they knew it would be a great battle between all of the veteran racers.

As the racers came up the hill and into the first right hand sweeping corner there was no doubt that all the drivers were putting it all on the line. Lap after lap Max Baggett in the #1042 would look as though he would be able to hold off his competition, but Wes Harbor in the #1029 Fibercraft buggy would fight for the number one spot all the way through, finally being able to pass Baggett for the lead and the win in the latter part of the race.

J.J. Schnarr in the Coast Aluminum #1062 racer, always a crowd favorite would take the number 3 spot on the podium for the day. Class winner Harbor thanked, his race team, wife Jenny for all of her support, and Fibercraft.

Then he said that going into the desert the competition in this class is going to be tough and with a grin “gotta prep the car this time”. In addition to winning his class Wes would receive a bounty of $165.00 from past announcer Garland Dyke and Steve Bradford Sr.

Garland said, “I picked the winner in class 10 last night – I lost, but still am putting up $100.00”.

Steve Sr. put up $65.00 to the winner in class as well.

Wes Harbor racing his Fibercraft buggy for the win. Photo by Tammie Lynn

To recap the day:

The Sportsman and Class 9 racers were the first to take the field.

Kurt Schnell’s #942 buggy would come out on top after a hard fought day of racing. Schnell gave thanks to his crew for all of their support

“They do all the work and I get to drive”, he said.

Kurt Schnell catching some air.
Photo by Tammie Lynn

The Sportsman winner Salvador Carrillo was a first time racer in VORRA in his #575 Baja Bug. The racer was great to watch and is looking forward to coming back soon.

Salvador Carrillo races his Baja Bug to the Sportsman victory.
Photo by Tammie Lynn

The UTV class grew to 5 strong at this event. These compact racers were quite entertaining.

The UTV to watch was the #125 of Phil Blurton, through out the day he would dominate the event taking two of the three Moto’s in high flying fashion. Blurton gave thanks his family for their support and was excited that this is the second 1^st he’s won in his ride.

Phil Blurton (125) and Beau Judge battle for the UTV win.
Photo by Tammie Lynn

Group T took to the field next; the ground pounding action of this class is always a crowd pleaser. The racer to beat this day was John Wood in the #1458.

Through out the day the action was strong, but in the end Wood would came out on top. Wood thanked his co-driver and his pops “With out him I wouldn’t be here adding VORRA is awesome”.

John Wood gets some air in his Group T truck at Prairie City.
Photo by Tammie L

Class 1 and Ultra 4 ran their races together.

The combination of these two classes became quite interesting as one of the crowd favorites the Punisher #6061 would fall prey to one of the heavier Ultra 4 buggies, taking the team out of the action for the final race of the day.

But the hits didn’t stop there as the winner in Class 1 Rob Parsons #111 would have issues in the final laps of the final moto as well, having fuel issues and slowing to a crawl. But the fact there were only 2 racers in class, he would go on for the win.

As Parson’s put it “Love racing VORRA, it’s way cheaper to race then it is for a Psychologist. Now I need to call the fuel injection psychic hot line to see what is going on with that”.

Rob Parsons gets some air time in his Class 1 buggy.
Photo by Tammie Lynn

Ultra 4 would be taken by Eric Miramon in #4215. When asked who he would like to thank Miramon smiled and thanked his family and J.J. Schnarr for keeping him on his wheels.

Eric Miramon kicking up some dust in his Ultra 4.
Photo by Tammie Lynn

As the racing wound down and all the teams loaded up and prepared for the awards it was clear to see that Wes, Jenny, and their VORRAteers put on another great show for the fans and racers on hand. There were VORRAteer veterans on hand to celebrate the wins with one of the all time favorite announcers making it out for the action. Thank you Garland for coming out and enjoying the show.

Class 10 podium, (L to R) J.J. Schnarr, Max Baggett and West Harbor.
Photo by Tammie Lynn

Former VORRA announcer Garland Dyke and Wes Harbor.
Photo by Tammie Lynn

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RESULTS

Valley Off Road Racing Association

Prairie City, Calif. — April 19

Sportsman:

Motos:

1 – 1. Mark Schaum, 2. Salvador Carrillo

2 – 1. Salvador Carrillo, 2. Mark Schaum

Main – 1. Salvador Carrillo, 2. Mark Schaum

Class 9:

Motos:

1 – 1. Kurt Schnell, 2. Eric Steiger, 3. Richard Palasik

2 – 1. Kurt Schnell, 2. Eric Steiger, 3. Richard Palasik

Main – 1. Kurt Schnell, 2. Eric Steiger, 3. Jimmy Sheridan

UTV:

Motos:

1 – 1. Beau Judge, 2. Phil Blurton, 3. Dennis Jean

2 – 1. Phil Blurton, 2. Beau Judge, 3. Dennis Jean

Main – 1. Phil Blurton, 2. Beau Judge, 3. John Duckworth

Group T:

Motos:

1 – 1. John Wood, 2. Kory Van Norman, 3. Miles Cramer

2 – 1. John Wood, 2. Kory Van Norman, 3. Miles Cramer

Main – 1. John Wood, 2. Kory Van Norman, 3. Miles Cramer

Class 1:

Motos:

1 – 1. Rob Parsons, 2. JJ Schnarr

2 – 1. Rob Parsons, 2. JJ Schnarr

Main – 1. Rob Parsons

Ultra 4:

Motos:

1 – 1. Erick Miramon, 2. Tim Preiss, 3. Brad Falin

2 – 1. Eric Miramon, 2. Brad Falin, 3. Tim Preiss

Main – 1. Eric Miramon, 2. Brad Falin

Class 10:

Moto:

1 – 1. Wes Harbor, 2. JJ Schnarr, 3. Jeff Richards

2 – 1. Jeff Richards, 2. Max Baggett, 3. JJ Schnarr

Main – 1. Wes Harbor, 2. Max Baggett, 3. JJ Schnarr