Vegas 2 Reno- The race features over 570 miles graded roads, deep sand washes, open dry lake beds, tight technical trails, and most notably, the infamous Nevada silt beds. Ron Whitton and co-rider Gerald King started the longest off-road race in the United States in 23rd and quickly made their way up to 6th before handing the wheel over at mile 290 to BITD Trick Truck Champions and teammates Garron Cadiente and Chris Godfrey. Garron instantly picked up where Ron left off, pushing the #39 up to 3rd place on corrected time before a late race off-course excursion crippled the steering system making the truck nearly impossible to drive. The G&R crew was determined to keep the dream of back to back championships alive by repairing the beaten truck and finishing after 13 hours and 49 minutes of non- stop racing.
Snowflake-With the #39 still in racing condition after the previous weekends Vegas 2 Reno the team decided to compete in the Whiplash Snowflake Night Race near Heber. An Arizona Labor Day off-road tradition consisting of over 500 truck, buggy, ATV, UTV, Trophy Kart, and motorcycle entries spread out over 2 full days of racing. With rain falling from a sun setting sky Ron and Gerald went to work on the wet and slippery 30 mile course leading all 4 laps to claim the overall weekend victory in 3 hours and 36 minutes.
On behalf of the entire team I would like to thank each and every one of our Dirt Squad newsletter members for taking an interest in G&R Racing. Enjoy the content and feel free to send me your comments.
Hasta Luego
Brian Godfrey
Team Manager
G&R Racing battle the elements and mechanical failure to 5th place finish
at Best in the Desert’s Vegas to Reno
Known as the “The Longest Off-Road Race in the United States,” The Best in The Desert Vegas to Reno features 570 miles of deep sand washes, open dry lakebeds, tight technical trails, and super fast graded roads. The race starts 2500 ft. above sea level, reaches above the tree line to 9000 ft. in elevation, and finishes at 5000 ft. The team of Ron Whitton and Garon Cadiente battled the elements and mechanical failure to an impressive 5th place finish.
The duo split driving duties in the number thirty-nine truck, and each had their fair share of challenges during the historical race. Ron Whitton drove the first half and had this to say about the race; “We started 30th off the line, so my plan was to steadily move up and get the truck to Garron in good shape and in the top 10. We had a flat early on in the race so that slowed us down, but we got it changed and kept moving. Shortly after that my engine started vapor locking because of the heat. Other than that we ran good, I was reeling them in. I had a straight out drag against the Lugo truck on the dry lakebed. I knew if I didn’t beat him to the silt I was going to get stuck behind him for a long time in the dust. I got him a few feet before the silt, I think he was pretty surprised. I got out just after Tonopah and Garron got in. I had fun even though we ran into some problems.”
Ron Whitton handed the truck over to Garron Cadiente at the midway point, just after Tonapah. Garron began battling to get the number thirty-nine truck to the finish. “I got in and started chasing people down right away, I was just trying to work my way up. Shortly after I got in though, the steering box broke, so I had to muscle it twenty-miles through mountain roads and switchbacks, with no power steering, to the next pit. I didn’t think we were going to make it. After we got the steering fixed we made it to Weeks before my co-driver got sick, so we had to switch co-drivers. We also high sided the truck in some silt and were stuck for little while. The funny thing is I had a great time, I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face.” stated the always positive Cadiente.
G&R racing’s next race will be the SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300 September 7th-9th.
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