Best In The Desert, the world’s largest off-road desert racing organization, today reported that a ground-breaking record number of Trick Trucks for any off road race – 45, have entered the upcoming legendary Blue Water Resort and Casino Parker “425”. The Parker race has been around for decades, but never have so many unlimited trucks entered this race, or ay off-road race. More than $20 million dollars in the highest performing 800+ horsepower Trick Trucks will be leaving the line Saturday morning, February 2nd.

Casey Folks, director of Best In The Desert, announced that 179 vehicles, and 600 extremely excited racers turned out for the Pre Fun Run last Sunday. Casey Folks said, “The Fun Run was well attended by some of the biggest names in off-road racing, and the big guns from the BLM. June Shoemaker – Chief for Renewable Resources and Planning out of the BLM Arizona State Office, Jayson Barangan – Assistant Field Manager, and Kim Liebhauser – Field Manager from the Bureau of Land Management along for the ride. They were ecstatic at how well it ran, how professional the racers were, and they are as fired up to see the race take off as I am!”  He continued, “I am also proud to announce that Ford Motor Company, our great sponsor, is bringing out a huge 80’ trailer filled with the latest in Performance Parts, racing gear, new offerings from FORD, and the chance to sign up to win a brand new Mustang. It will be on display in contingency at the Blue Water Casino parking lot.”

The Parker 425 is well on its way to having a huge entry for this year’s race. The interest has been overwhelming in this legendary event and 2013 is going to be an awesome year for not only Best in the Desert, but also for all of our great and loyal racers and sponsors.

“The Legend Lives On” as the annual Parker “425” in Parker, AZ, February 1-3 kicks off the Best In The Desert’s 2013 six-race schedule for the car & truck classes. The race weekend actually gets underway on Thursday, January 31st, with the Time Trials where 100 Trick Trucks and Class 1500 cars have already signed up to go head-to-head on a specially designed course to determine the first overall starting position and claim the coveted $1,000 Team Ford “Pole Award”. Directly following the Time Trials, participants will parade their vehicles to the center of town for the “Downtown Parker Experience”. The “Downtown Parker Experience” features all the Time Trials vehicles on display for race fans and local residents to check out up close along with live entertainment all afternoon long.

The Parker Pit Crew Challenge presented by the MINT 400 & the Down & Dirty Radio Show is shaping up to be a sight to see!. It will be held in conjunction with the “Downtown Parker Experience” and take place at 5:00 PM on Thursday. The competition will feature a maximum of 16 Trick Truck teams competing two at a time in an elimination bracket with a minimum of $2,000 paid out in prize money. The Parker Pit Crew Challenge will also be streamed live on Race-Dezert.com. For more information and to reserve your spot to compete, contact Jim Beaver at jbeaver@parkermotor.com.

The race weekend continues on Friday, February 1st, as contingency and technical inspection take place in the parking lot of the Blue Water Resort & Casino with the beautiful Colorado River as a backdrop. Race fans will have the chance to get up close to hundreds of race vehicles as they weave their way through contingency row as well as check out the latest off-road and racing accessories from the industry’s top manufacturers.

The 2013 edition of the Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker “425” officially gets underway on Saturday, February 2nd, as the green flag drops just past 7:00 AM for the first car or truck on California Ave. in downtown Parker. The huge entry field will be off to challenge the first 425 miles of desert, battling the fierce competition and chasing their dreams of a 2013 class championship. The Parker “425” is also a very spectator friendly race. The famous “Parker Python” infield section adjacent to the main pit area is extremely popular with race fans. Another excellent viewing area is located along Shea Rd., just outside of town.

Casey Folks was also excited to announce that the Best in the Desert Trick Truck Challenge has now grown to epic participation – now 23 of the elite Trick Truck teams in the world competing for more than $138,000.This is the third year of the Best In The Desert Trick Truck Challenge where each participating team kicks in a $6,000 fee towards bonus prize money to be paid out to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Trick Truck finishers in each of the six Best In The Desert races, plus a year-end bonus.

Trick Truck Challenge sponsors include some of the biggest names in off-road racing:, Geiser Brothers, Jimco Racing, MasterCraft, Racer Engineering, Bunderson Racing, KC Hilites, Fox Shox, King Shocks, Kroyer Racing Engines, Patton Racing Engines, Dougans Racing Engines and Rockwell Time!

For more information, visit www.BITD.com.