The 1998 Laughlin Desert Series is officially underway, and with over 140 racers competing over the 2 day, 15 mile short course event, fans and racers alike had all the action they could handle....and a lot more. Repeating the short course format that proved so sucessful in 1997, the Laughlin Desert Challenge (LDC) wowed the crowds for 2 days straight with non stop, wheel to wheel action.

Laughlin, as the new series sponsor, made an all out effort to make the 98 event the best it could be, for everyone involved. Hotel / Casinos offered special room rates, local civic groups, businesses, Police, and area residents all welcomed the SCORE racers with open arms. Their hospitality was evident everywhere you looked. Hoping to keep problems to a minimum, Laughlin enlisted the services of a large contingent of security guards, who, rather humorously, did their jobs "a little too well".

Picture if you will, the series two largest sponsors, Dan Newsome (BF Goodrich) and Jim Turnure (Duralast Batteries) being denied access to the VIP area! Both men took it in stride, (reports have Dan tossing a few quarters into some slots) but one can only imagine the look on their faces at the time. Yup, it was surely a Kodak moment. As bizzare as it sounds Sal Fish himself was denied access to the course! Although the Fishster pulled up in an official SCORE vehicle, the esteemed promotor was unrecognized, and did not posess the proper credentials upon his person! Welcome to our world Sal! Overall, the guards did an outstanding job, and contributed greatly to the overall success of the event. Unfortunately, the Beureau of Land Management did not.

Early into Saturday's race, BLM rangers complained long and loud about "people on the course" and vehicles "blowing donoughts" near the pit area. Further, they threatened to shut the race down for the weekend if SCORE didnt "get someone down there and put a stop to it....NOW!".

The reality of the situation was that SCORE DID have someone stationed at the very spot the BLM was complaining about. The person reported no fans on the course, or acting inappropriately in any way. When it was suggested over the radio that a Congressman be invited as a special VIP guest to view the event for himself, the complaints mysteriously stopped. Perhaps the Congressman should also look into why the BLM -"DOUBLED"- SCORE's permit fee (from the 1997 cost) for the event as well. Unfortunately, it has become all too obvious that the Laughlin Challenge is being targeted for elimination, and as a group, (fans, promoters, host city, and racers alike), we had better take the threat very seriously. And we better get off our duff's and do something about it before the LDC goes the way of the B2V.

Laughlin - The Straight Poop By No Brakes Drake-

• The lack of an airwrench cost John Herder the win on Saturday after he hit the same rock twice, each time flattening a front tire. He took a different line Sunday, saying that running hard "into the dust" was the main reason behind his win.

• The Herbst pit team changed both left side tires on the TT in 1:09. They had an air wrench.

• George Seeley wowed 'em with a miraculous save at the second road crossing, but his ring and pinion didn't seem to like it none. Dave Cua blew his Type 4, Tom Brown got tagged pretty hard by a 12 in a silt bed. Dave Dondell was quick in the ex-outlaw Baja. (Mike?)

• Bill Krug's racing ended early Sunday due to a broken clutch cable.

• Pete Sohren had his cam freeze up subsequent to the pit crew competition, then broke an I-beam on Saturday.

• The Herbst's truck and Truggy were both clearing the first, uphill, road crossing - early on Saturday. Later, the both ran, albeit quite a bit slower.

• Class 9's Mandy Dixon had her nails done to match her car's checkered flag and red paint. Stylin' and profilin'! Bekki's nails matched her car too, pink, I think.

• I sure could dig the Sinatra tunes emanating from the WallyWorld display in contingency.

• The new TCS class 1 looked smooth, if a bit slow, in its debut performance.

• Herder was clearly the fastest on Saturday, but there's little time for two tire changes in a 78 mile sprint.

• The dust just hung from Saturday afternoon on.

• Curt LeDuc commented that the course was much rougher than last year. He was driving the ex-SODA 4WD Grand Cherokee with a Ford TTB Style front axle.

• Jeff Lewis' 4WD Chevy stuck to the ground and was hooked up and hauling - til the tranny went away.

• Food and Service much better at Gold Nugget than Ramada Express.

Class Winners

Laughlin Leap

Jeff Lewis / MacPherson Motorsports

117 Feet!