San Clemente, CA (4/21/2017) –
Super ATV’s Katie Vernola overcame some hurdles
to finish strong in both the desert and short
course races at the Best in the Desert UTV
World Championship held in Laughlin, NV.
With over 300 UTV entries, a record for a
BITD race, Vernola was ready to roll when
the desert race got underway. The 160-mile
race was hectic in the beginning, and Vernola
overcame a series of hurdles to record a finish.
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Fuel
Off Road's Katie Vernola started the
day off at the UTV World Championship
racing the Desert Race |
“I got a great start and tried to carry my
momentum,” said Vernola. “I’m just thankful
I finished. I had a rough day, but it could
always be much worse. We’ll get all of the
bugs worked out and move on to the next race.”
Vernola switched to her 2015 center seater
RZR for the short course race. The three-lap
event was run on the same 16-mile course as
the desert race in order to accommodate the
huge turnout. Vernola’s confidence grew during
the race and she was happy to celebrate another
finish.
“I knew the course really well and it was
a huge benefit,” said Vernola. “A car would
slow down in front of me and I was able to
confidently make the turn. The race was extremely
dusty, but I just pushed the RZR as hard as
I could. I made it to the finish line without
any problems. Addict Racing did my clutching
and got me off the line in fourth place. It
was a challenging day doing two races in one
day, but I am happy that I finished both races.”
Vernola will take advantage of a long break
in desert racing to work on her car. With
the next BITD race in August, her crew will
have plenty of time to shake down her 2017
long wheelbase RZR.
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Got
Sand Performance's Katie Vernola racing
her center seat Polairs RZR during the
Short Course |
“Now is my chance to take the car apart to
see any bugs we have,” said Vernola. “Vegas
to Reno is one of the biggest races of the
year, and we have a lot of work to do, but
I know my RZR will be dialed and ready for
battle.”
In the meantime, Vernola will return to the
WORCS series next weekend. That race is being
held at Sand Hollow State Park in Utah April
21-23.
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
