General Tire TROPHYLITE teams prepare for Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno Race

Las Vegas, NV
August 12, 2009

Billed as the longest off-road race in the United States the annual Vegas to Reno off-road race holds a twist this year. This year Casey Folks of Best in the Desert is raising the bar and making it the "Vegas to Reno - the long way". In simple terms he is turning the normal longest off-road race held in the United States into a 1,000 mile race held over a 3 day event.

With the event starting in Las Vegas with festivities held at the South Point Hotel and Casino the teams will cross much of the state of Nevada on a 3 day trek to end up in Reno to crown class winners. Teams will race each of the 3 days and stop at the end of each stage for the night. The teams will be given only one hour per night to perform repairs and maintenance on their vehicles making this a very difficult event.

While this event is not one of the General Tire TROPHYLITE® points races it is still one of the biggest events of the year. Two teams from the TROPHYLITE® family are setting out to compete. Past Winner Gary Messer will pilot his TROPHYLITE® truck against others in class 7200. Gary will be the underdog on horsepower by challenging the 7200 class trucks which have more open rules on the engines. Most of the 7200 trucks are equipped with bigger V-6 engines yielding substantially more horsepower then found in the 2.2L engines that the TROPHYLITE® trucks are equipped with. Gary commented "We have a great group of guys who have been working together to prepare for this exciting race. We are all looking forward to a great time and meeting at the finish line in one piece." Gary is no stranger to finishing races and has a plan in place to work through the 3 day event and attempt to emerge the winner in this very competitive class. Many of the trucks entered will suffer mechanical problems over the 3 day event which Messer believes will favor his TROPHYLITE® truck and team.

Russ Phillips and Tom Davis each own TROPHYLITE® trucks and will be teaming up to tackle the 3 day event in a combined effort. Russ and Tom have teamed up together for the last several races and recently acquired a second truck so they can both drive in the General Tire TROPHYLITE® races. The team will compete in the newly formed Best in the Desert class 3000. Class 3000 is a combined car and truck class that is focused around the 2.2L GM echotech 4 cylinder engines that are found in the TROPHYLITE® trucks. This combined class will have various types of trucks and cars competing with each other making it a very difficult and competitive class. When we asked Russ about his plans for the race he had this to say. "We feel that if the 2 rookie drivers can keep from making too many mistakes this tough little truck can out race and out last all comers in class. We want to thank our sponsors, Jesus Christ is the primary sponsor and Ground Mobility Solutions is secondary.we have room for others if anyone may be interested.... and thanks for your support" Russ is always quick to share his faith in his Christian background especially in his race efforts crediting success where it should be given.


The final two races of the General Tire TROPHYLITE® Series will be here before you know it! With a very close points chase and a purse of $65,500 on the line, the final two rounds are sure to be exciting. Be sure to visit the TROPHYLITE® website often for the latest news, updates and photos!


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