San Clemente, CA (3/10/2017) –
Super ATV’s Katie Vernola overcame mechanical
issues to score her first finish in the Best
in the Desert UTV Pro Turbo class during the
Mint 400. Driving a Polaris RZR Turbo, she
teamed with Mathew Hove to finish 17th in
the difficult race.
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Polaris'
Katie Vernola overcame mechanical issues
to score her first finish in the BITD
UTV Pro Turbo class |
Vernola, a veteran of WORCS and Terracross
UTV racing, is running her first full BITD
season this year. She proved she is making
progress as a driver and gaining experience
as she goes.
“I finished my first Mint 400,” exclaimed
Vernola. “This is just my second Best in the
Desert race and my first ever finish. I could
not be happier. BITD is a whole other animal
from short course racing. That is huge for
me. I grew up in the desert, but I never raced
in the desert. The experience is what makes
it awesome. I got to do it with Matt, who
is a good friend and great driver.”
Mechanical issues slowed her charge during
the first lap. After pitting and correcting
those issues, she was off and running and
ran consistent and quick laps on the rough
and challenging course.
“During the first 30 miles, I went through
two belts and an axle, but that’s the Mint
400 for you…it was brutal,” said Vernola.
“We figured out the problem, fixed that and
kept picking up the speed from there. We tried
to stay smooth and consistent and let the
car do its thing. Once I came around the short
course area, I saw Craig Scanlon and was happy
to race with one of the top guys.”
With a tune provided by Addict Racing and
tires and wheels by Fuel Off Road, Vernola’s
Polaris was fast on course. She was thankful
for the sponsors that got her here, which
also include Baja Design, Katie Speed Shop,
XTC Power Products, and Got Sand Performance,
as well as Polaris.
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The
Mint 400 is only Katie Vernola's second
BITD race & her very first finish |
“Jim Osier from Addict Racing clutched and
tuned my car to perfection and this thing
hauls ass,” said Vernola. “I drove it stock,
he put a programmer on it and it goes about
10 mph faster. The Fuel Off Road Tires had
no flats and no issues. The tread is still
there and I could probably run another race
on this set of tires. Fuel makes the best
wheels and tires out there for any off road
vehicle. I can’t thank all my sponsors enough.”
Vernola also participated in the Friday Contingency
Day in Las Vegas. The event showcased sponsors,
racers and their rides, thrilling fans on
Fremont Street.
“We did the contingency, shot a ton of photos
and spoke to a lot of potential sponsors,”
said Vernola. “The event is exciting, entertaining,
fast cars, and loud motors; what’s not to
be enjoyed?”
Vernola will look to build on her finish here
when BITD heads to Laughlin, NV April 14-15
for the UTV World Championship.
2017 Katie Vernola
Racing Sponsors:
Polaris Industries, Super ATV, Fuel Off Road,
Got Sand Performance, KING, Addict Racing,
BAJA Designs, K&N, P.C.I, Fuel Safe, Miller
Sign Corp, Cryo Heat, XTC Power Products,
K1 RaceGear, Maverick Powder Coat