As the top off-road racers gather to take on the challenging second half of Best In The Desert’s 2012 6-race race season, racing icon Robby Gordon holds the overall, and Class 1500 points lead with 300 points in his bright orange RPM, Geiser Bros. truggy. Gordon leads the General Tire sponsored Class 1500 unlimited car of Mike Childress sitting in second overall and in class, with 273 points.

The Trick Truck standings are even closer with Mark Weyhrich and Steve Sourapas tied at the top with 242 points each. They are followed closely by Gordon’s RPM teammate, Juan Carlos Lopez with 238.

It’s only fitting that the second half of the season begins with perhaps the most technical and challenging race on the schedule. The 534-mile General Tire “Vegas to Reno” course, known as “The Longest Off-Road Race in the United States”, is the ultimate test of man and machine as they try to survive the demanding Nevada desert. This race will prove to be pivotal in so many racers’ quest at a season class championship. That’s why so many of them come to take on the historical event.

Entries are now up to 319 cars, trucks, motorcycles, quads and UTVs. With additional racer registrations being accepted up to the day before the race, this race could easily result in the largest field of the season. Racers from all over the world, including Europe, Canada, South America and Australia have already signed up for this epic adventure.

Here’s how the entries stack up at this point:
Car/Trucks – 197
Motorcycles – 79
Quads – 20
UTVs – 23
Total – 319

Activities leading up to the 2012 General Tire “Vegas to Reno” race will officially get underway Wednesday, August 15th, when the Trick Trucks and open Class 1500 buggies get set to go head to head at the Time Trials for a shot at the coveted “Team Ford” Pole Award and the $1000 in bonus cash from Steve Olliges of Team Ford Lincoln that goes along with it. Best In The Desert is the only off-road desert racing organization that holds this type of qualifying format for every race on the schedule. The special format really allows the fastest race vehicles, regardless of car or truck, to compete on equal ground for the “dust-free” first starting position and a great shot at the overall four wheeled race victory.

Contingency and tech inspection kicks off Thursday, August 16th, from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM at the Aliante Station Casino and Hotel in North Las Vegas. Race fans will have the chance to get up close to the race vehicles and drivers as well as check out thousands of awesome race related products on display as they weave their way through the parking.