|
BEST IN THE DESERT
Vegas to Reno Links |
|
|
|
|
|
Las Vegas, NV (8/20/2015) - Can-Am / ITP / Lonestar Racing’s Jason and Derek Murray recorded their fifth podium in sixth tries at the toughest off-road race in America at the Best in the Desert General Tire “Vegas to Reno” with a second place finish. The pair, teamed with co-drivers Monty Aldrich and Michael Kendrick, drove the turbocharged Ca-Am Maverick in the historical off-road endurance race.
The grueling 545-mile race was run over the desert between Beatty, NV just outside Las Vegas to Carson City, just south of Reno. For the first time ever, the UTV Pro class started behind the Trophy Trucks and were one of the last classes to leave the line around 11AM on Friday, which meant the UTV Pro racers would be racing into the night to the checkered flag on one of the roughest Vegas to Reno courses in many years with serious wash outs, large rocks, silt beds, and extremely dusty conditions to challenge the racers.
|
ITP / Can-Am's Derek & Jason Murray
left the line in their Can-Am Maverick MAX X ds TURBO around 11 AM on Friday |
Derek Murray started the race and employed a less-conservative approach than in year’s past. The team overcame some minor issues early in the race to score a spot on the podium with an impressive second place finish.
“I came out of the block swinging. We were trying to race smart, but it was just so dusty,” said Derek Murray. “Last year, I fell off the pace after 15 minutes by being too conservative, so I was pushing harder than I was last year. I handed it to Jason and Monty and they just started picking off cars. They had no flats and no issues. The car really came to life when it got dark. We were overheating during the day, so the cooler temperatures really helped us. The Lazerstar lights worked awesome. We were running 70+ at night and it was like it was running during the day. The Can-Am, ITP Tires, Lonestar Suspension and FOX Shocks were awesome.”
|
The Murray brothers were running 70+ even at night |
Jason Murray was pleased with the power offered by the unique turbo setup on the Can-Am Maverick. He also remarked about its reliability in the endurance event.
“This thing has tons of power,” explained Jason Murray. “With this turbo it just freaking rips! This course, it’s definitely rougher, but our finish is really a testament to these Can-Am UTVs. Six years ago we were lucky to even finish a race, and now we’re in contention for the win. These Can-Ams are competitors.”
|
Murray Racing finished the grueling 545 mile course to finish second |
The next race for the Best in the Desert Racing Association, the Bluewater Resort Desert Challenge Presented by Polaris, is scheduled for October 9-11 in Parker, AZ.
Murray Racing 2015 Sponsors:
Can-Am, ITP, Lonestar Racing, FOX, Yoshimura, Lazerstar, Torco, Beard Seats, K&N, Berts UTV, AMR Racing, Shoria, OMF, Rugged Radios, Streamline, Visual Impact, Pyrotech
