At the 2016 running of the Best in the Desert (BITD) BlueWater Resort & Casino Parker “425” presented by Impact, racers will be greeted with an all-new starting format. The day’s first race will feature classes 1000, 1100, 1200, 1700,1800, 2000, 2400, 3000, 3700, 6000 and 8100 This group of race vehicles will stage 5:15 AM Saturday morning, February 6th, at the “Parker Python,” adjacent to the main pit located just outside downtown Parker. These classes will then start the race, beginning at 6:00 a.m. Some of these classes will compete for two laps, with the remaining classes running three laps. This first race will feature a Gran Prix Finish, which means when the overall leader receives the checkered flag, all others crossing the finish line after that will also receive the checkered regardless of how many laps they have completed.

The second race of the day will feature the Trick Truck class, along with classes 1500, 6100, 7200 and 8000. These racers will stage at 12 noon at the “Parker Python.” From there, they will be escorted to the starting line located on California Ave. in the middle of downtown Parker. The winner of the Time Trials will get the solo green flag start at 1:30 PM. The rest of the field will start one at a time at 30-second intervals following that. All of these racers will compete for three laps with no Gran Prix Finish.

This change in the traditional starting order of years past was brought about as a result of Best In The Desert’s continued focus on improving safe conditions for all competitors. The move to a staggered 2-start format helps separate classes of race vehicles based on average speed differentials. This greatly reduces the chances of the faster classes of race cars and trucks from potentially coming up on the slower class vehicles at a higher speed in dusty conditions and possible on-course altercations.

There is another benefit of note for race team pit crews to the new two-start format. The Midway Pit, which was traditionally stationary and closed to entry and exit once the race started, will now have a set time when morning race pit crews will be allowed to leave and afternoon race pit crews will have access to it.

“The Legend Lives On”…keep watching for additional updates on the exciting 2016 BITD BlueWater Resort & Casino Parker “425” presented by Impact as they become available.

2015 BITD official sponsors: Ford Motor Company – official truck, General Tire – official tire, Lucas – official oil, VP Racing Fuels – official fuel, KC HiLiTES – official light, Polaris RZR – official UTV, Beta Motorcycles – official motorcycle, Fabtech – official Suspension, Rugged Radios – official communications, 212 Performance Gloves – official gloves, Method Race Wheels, McKenzies, Kartek, Sportsman Cycle Sales, Rockwell Watches, Slime, Azunia Tequila, Fall Advertising and Prerunner Maniac.

For more information, visit BITD.com.