PRIMM, Nev. – You might say that the 43rd annual SNORE 250 presented by EXA 94.5 here Oct. 20-21 was a true testament to a hearty group of off-road enthusiasts who refuse to surrender. The event venue had to be moved from Pahrump in early September to a ten-mile course behind Buffalo Bill’s after a breakdown in negotiations with Bureau of Land Management.

Pahrump, situated about 80 miles northwest of this city, had been primed for a Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts event only to see the certain economic boost escape because of a breakdown with the BLM.

Race Director Kenny Freeman explained that the BLM wanted an outlandish amount of money to permit the race; adding “they wanted more for our race than the Mint 400 was this year. It was insane.”

Nonetheless, one of the nation’s longest-running off-road events was completed after attracting an impressive field of about 70 entries in several classes.

And in virtually every case, drivers, their crews and the fans all concurred that SNORE again pulled off a dandy effort despite a monumental challenge.

In an area where magicians are a dime-a-dozen, SNORE literally pulled a rabbit out of a hat.

“We are very happy with how everything turned out,” said SNORE’s first-year president Brittany Burgos, who saluted club members for a true teamwork effort while also thanking executives with Buffalo Bill’s for accommodating SNORE’s fourth race of the season. “It certainly got a little tense, but it all turned out fine.”

The EXA 94.5 SNORE 250, which originated in southwest Las Vegas on what is now the posh Spanish Trail Country Club, was non-stop action. With heat races starting at 7 a.m. each day, the weekend extravaganza had everything from Sportsman and Class 9 to the earth-rumbling Class 1s and Unlimited Trucks.

The always-smiling TJ Flores of North Las Vegas combined with Stephanie Reynolds of Hope, Ark., to take the overall and Unlimited Truck victories.

“I was able to air it out a few times,” said Flores, whose ride is owned by Reynolds, whose own racing career is known for her competition in UTV races. “We had a flawless weekend and the truck ran great.”

Jason Coleman, the talented 28 year-old Huntington Beach, Calif. charger, won the highly-competitive 1600 category escaping a strong field including nemesis Blaine Conrad.

Coleman’s victorious weekend gave him his second consecutive SNORE 250 triumph; along with his second straight SNORE win after taking the win SNORE/MORE KC HiLites Midnight Special Sept. 8 in Lucerne Valley, Calif., south of Barstow.

“Our Wiks racing engine was strong all weekend,” said the likeable Coleman. “Our win should really tighten up the points standings, too.”

Coleman added that he would attend the Baja 1000 before ending the year in Laughlin where SNORE will present the HOSTYLE presents Rage at the River Dec.7-9; along with the heart-warming Make a Wish Ride for children that are terminally ill.

Capitalizing with his co-driver Jeremy Munyon, Coleman quickly looked forward to SNORE’s final event of the year; the HOSTYLE presents Rage at the River Dec. 7-9 in Laughlin, Nev.

Vic Bruckmann, a 39 year-old electrician from Lemon Grove, Calif., was among the others with huge smiles following his victory in the Class 12 competition.

“The weekend went incredibly well,” said Bruckmann, who made the trek to Primm with his wife of nine years, Michelle; and the couple’s four year-old son, Lucas. “We barely got the motor in time and I can’t say enough about George Jimenez, who built it.”

In fact, while Bruckmann certainly had to burn the midnight oil for the race, he was also happy with the revised format.

“We had a great race and I actually like the Grand Prix types of races like these,” Bruckmann said. “Randy Jones held me to it all weekend.”

Mrs. Bruckman, who also runs a Class 5 entry in some off-road races, praised her hard-working husband.

“He works very hard on the car,” Michelle said of her husband. “We are really happy with the engine performance.”

One of the most spirited efforts of the weekend was turned in by 19 year-old Harley Young, a resident of Barstow who just enrolled in Barstow Community College.

“I have been around off-road racing all my life,” said the energetic and inspirational Young, who powered a Class 9 entry. “I got a car three years ago and then built this one. It’s my first win in this car.”

Young was also quick to compliment SNORE.

“It’s really nice that they were able to pull this off,” he said. “Everything worked out and I really enjoy SNORE. This is a very friendly group and everyone is willing to help one another.”

Another repeat winner was John Pellissier, whose bald head and big smile might earn him the modern day nickname of “Mr. Clean.” A kingpin of Class 18, Pellissier journeyed from Las Vegas to continue his domination of the Champ category.

“It was a tough course, for sure,” said Pellissier. “It had a little bit of everything and we enjoyed every bit of it.”

Pellissier’s co-driver, Jayson Kirchefer, 27, also enjoyed the memorable event. The two work at the World Market Center in Las Vegas.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Kirchefer, who used to ride with Cody Freeman.

Long-time SNORE regular Bill Shapley may have put it best Saturday when he added “This was a blast. Anyone who missed it really missed a great one.”

Next up for SNORE is the annual HOSTYLE presents Rage at the River in Laughlin, Nev. Dec. 7-9.

Further information regarding SNORE can be found by visiting www.snoreracing.net.

For photos of the event, please contact Mike Stotts at http://www.tracksidephoto.com/.

Story by Mike Henle