September 26-28, 1997 will mark the third year of "The Laughlin Desert Challenge", an event that has become the "crown jewel" of SCORE International's American desert races. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Colorado River in the city of Laughlin NV, "The Challenge" is a favorite stop of fans and racers alike. "Each year Laughlin looks forward to the Desert Challenge as it consistently brings in thousands of visitors and exciting off-road racing events" says Tom Jenkins, General Manager for Harrah's Laughlin Hotel and Casino, the chief organizer for the 97 running of the event.

Kicking it all off on Friday morning at the Ramada Express Hotel and Casino is the crowd favorite "Contingency Row" At Contingency, fans get a chance to get "up close and personal" with their favorite teams (just try THAT in NASCAR!), look over the latest in desert racing technology, and perhaps purchase some trick parts of their own from one of the many manufacturers on "the row"

Far from being all play, Contingency Row is also the place where the desert racers go through "tech inspection", ensuring that their vehicles are both "legal" as per class rules, and safe to compete. It's fascinating to watch, and a "must see" for any hard core fan.

The "Laughlin Leap"

Located in the "Grandstand" area, the Laughlin Leap will once again thrill the crowds with the high flying action of the trucks and buggies. Last year, Current Trophy Truck points leader Curt LeDuc flew his Grand Cherokee a distance of over 105 feet during practice! If the sight of a 5,000 pound truck, flying over a hundred feet through the air at 80 MPH doesn't do it for you, perhaps bumper to bumper racing action will.

The "Laughlin Challenge"

You can believe that bumper to bumper action is just what it will be, as Laughlin and SCORE have altered the format from previous years. Rather than the traditional 40-60 mile loops, The Challenge will now take on a "short course" format, running 6 laps of 15 miles each. on Saturday and again on Sunday. With 16 classes represented throughout the weekend, the fans will definitely be in for some non stop racing action!

Some of last years champions will be returning to defend their class titles, while others have moved on to challenge the best that the other classes have to offer.

Trophy Truck

With 1996 champion Rob MacCachren competing in the SODA Series, the 97 championship is up for grabs, with Curt LeDuc in his Grand Cherokee, and Ivan "Ironman" Stewart with his new Toyota V-8 favorites to take the title. Then there's Danny Letner. The former NASCAR racer and desert champion is currently running second in the points chase, and is hungry for his first win of the season.

Never one to be counted out, Jeff Lewis in the MacPherson Chevrolet truck nicknamed "The Beast" is looking for win #1. Having debuted at the 96 Laughlin Challenge, the Beast has recently had it's shares of up's and downs, but is moving steadily closer to victory lane. No matter how you slice it, it's going to be a hell of a battle in the Trophy Truck division!

Class - 1

The Class 1 championship is the second title ripe for the taking. With 96 winner Ryan Thomas moving on to the Pro Truck ranks, the door stands wide open for Troy Herbst in the radical new V-8 powered "Truggy" to assume the title. While Troy has always been a fierce competitor and an outstanding driver, his total dominance of the 97 Barstow 250 has put perennial favorites like Bob Gordon, and hot young drivers like John Herder on notice. He fully intends to take not only the class 1 title, but the overall home with him as well.

Class - 8

The Class 8 wars have taken a decidedly "Chevy" twist in 1997, but the Ford "Rough Rider" team of Dave Ashley and Dan Smith are looking to turn the tide and add to the Ford's San Felipe 250 win, here in Laughlin. Unfortunately, he faces stiff competition from 95 and 96 champions, Dave Westhiem, and Dale White. Adding fuel to the fire is the ever present threat of Brian Collins. With White looking to add to his point lead, and Collins looking to avenge a breakdown in 96 that saw his hopes fall away less than a thousand feet from the finish line, it appears that the Ford boys are in for a truly "Rough Ride"!

Pro Trucks

Ivan Stewart's "Pro Truck's" continue to gain popularity, both here in the US, and across the world. Trophy Truck Champion "Lightning" Larry Ragland recently piloted a Pro Truck to a 1'st in class, 3'rd overall in the world renowned "Atlas Savane Rally", in France and North Africa. Back in North America, Steve Barlow has been tearing up the desert courses in his Ford entry, and is currently leading the points chase. Barlow is keeping an eye open in Laughlin however, as he faces stiff competition from two new entries to the Pro Truck ranks, namely Ryan Thomas and Mike James.

Thomas, who has multiple Baja 1000 wins under his belt in the Class 1 ranks, is no stranger to competition. 97 marks his first venture into the Pro Truck ranks, and coming off a win at this year's Barstow 250 will give the Chenowith entry a definite edge.

Mike James is another veteran of the desert wars, and comes to the Pro Trucks from a stellar career in the Class 5 unlimited "Baja Bugs". James is still looking for his first win of the year, and the Laughlin Challenge could well be it.

Class - 7

To say that Larry Roeseler in the MacPherson S-10 is the class favorite would probably qualify as the understatement of the year. Having won 4 of the 5 races this season, and the Class Championship in 96, Roeseler is looking to add another notch in his gun at Laughlin. Bob Land, Gary Mecham, and Chris Taylor however, did not bring knives to the gunfight. They brought the three finest Ford Rangers in the desert, spelling trouble for Roeseler's quest for dominance.

Class - 5

The "Long One" himself, George Seeley is the odds on favorite in the Class 5 Unlimited Baja Bugs. After overcoming a host of technical difficulties, Seeley has cut a swath through the ranks in his quest for the 1997 Class Championship. Hot on his heels are Pete Sohren and Mike "Miggie" Jakobson, neither of which intend to give "Sofa Dude" an inch!

Class -10

Bill Hernquist Who's it gonna' be? Rod Muller? John Phillips? Chris Harrold? Bill Hernquist? Steve Thompson? Each have brought home the gold in 1997, resulting in a very tight points race. The high horsepower and light weight of the Class 10 cars have made them ideally suited for the Laughlin courses of the past, but how will they fare in the new format?

SCORE Lites

Close cousins to the "10" cars, The SCORE Lites have become a popular addition to the SCORE Desert Series, and like the Class 10's, the points race is very close with no one driver winning more than one event this year. Danny Anderson of Las Vegas, in a VW powered Mirage is looking to repeat his Barstow performance, but Baja 500 winner George Erl, in his VW powered Chenowith will be out to stop him. Like close racing action? This is where it's at!

Stock Full

"Stock" is a relative term, but of all the truck classes, these SCORE desert trucks are the closest thing to it. Stock does not mean slow however, as these trucks can average a mere 10 mph slower than the high dollar, ultra performance Trophy Trucks. Robert Hayley, Marc Stein, and Dave Sykes will be battling it out in the Nevada desert in a 3 way "Ford Fest" that has become yet another tight race for the season championship.

Favorites? In Stock Full, pick a Ford and you can't go wrong!

Stock Mini

If the competitors in Stock Mini see the flashing blue and red lights of Deputy Steve Williams Ford Ranger, they just might "make a run for it", but many end up singing along to the old tune "I fought the law, and the law won"! Steve has 2 wins to his credit in 97, and is currently leading the points chase.on his way to the 97 Class Championship. Off the race course, Dept. Williams works with children in various programs like Project D.A.R.E, making him a winner no matter where he goes.

Class - 1/2 -1600

Class 1/2 - 1600 is yet another close points chase, with a different winner for each 1997 event. These ultra light, ultra quick, VW powered cars often run with the "big boys", and have humbled many an unsuspecting driver in a "faster class". Who will it be? Jason Hatz? Brad Maurer? Mark Ruddis? Damen Jefferies? Rick Paquette? With competition this fierce, it's just too close to call!

Class -5-1600

The 5-1600 "Baja Bugs" are always a crowd favorite, but don't let the "cute" factor fool you. These are real racing machines! With the same suspension and engines as the 1/2 - 1600 cars, these light and highly maneuverable cars are anything but slow. One of the most competitive classes in SCORE, the 5-1600's also have a different winner for each event in 97. Look for Eric Pavloka, Danny Ledesma and the team of Carlos and Gerardo Iribe, to battle it out non stop over the 2 day Laughlin event.

Class -9

Class 9 belongs to the second of SCORE's law enforcement officers, but this time that authority resides in Ensenada Mexico. Federal Highway Police Officer Daniel Mora is an ever present threat in the Class 9 buggies, and is their current points leader. The distinctive Black and white Chenowith carrying the Federal Police logo is easy to spot by fans and racers alike, so keep an eye out for him in the winners circle!

Class -11

HERBIE! Well, not exactly, but these VW bugs are so stock it's scary. Never failing to get a tremendous cheer from the crowd on the way by, these little cars are amazing. In the hands of Victor Barrajas and Horacio Pereyra, they become competent racing machines, capable of taking on the roughest terrain in the desert. Look for these two competitors to battle it down to the wire in Laughlin.

All that and more!

As if that wern't enough, the city of Laughlin pulls out all the stops for race weekend, with a host of ancillary activities, guaranteeing that you'll never be at a loss for excitement. With thousands of slot machines, gaming tables, and of course the beaches and activities on the mighty Colorado River, Laughlin offers something to everyone, day or night. Catch a show, cool off in the Colorado, hit the casinos, or browse the shops in the largest mall this side of Vegas.

Ramada Express For reservations call 800-AGENT-46 (National reservation line) Contingency Row The Modernaries" live in concert	Harrah's Hotel & Casino For reservations call 800-447-8700 "Hot Salsa" at the Fiesta Showroom "The Great American Wild West Show" at the Fiesta Showroom (Sat.)
Don Laughlin's Riverside For reservations call 800-227-3849 River Cruizers 6'th Annual "Roddin on the River" Street Rods, Classics, Muscle Cars, Trucks, Poker Run, Valve Cover Races, and Night Slow Drags	Gold River For reservations call 800-835-7903 Tributre to Patsy Cline "Doris & the City Slickers" live at Cody's Saloon "Flash! a Majical Adventure" (Fri. - Sun.) Sandy Hackett's Comedy Theater (Sat.)
Flamingo Hilton For reservations call 800-435-8469 Shena Easton Live in Concert (Saturday 8 p.m.) Country Dreamin' musical review	Edegewater For reservations call 800-67-RIVER "Billy Erickson" Live in Kokopelli's Lounge
Golden Nugget For reservations call 800-237-1739 Dodge Ram Giveayay! Big Screen TV Giveayay! "Stinger" live at Tarzan's Lounge	Colorado Belle For reservations call 800-47-RIVER Oktoberfest Beer and Brats Festival

Schedule of Events
Friday, Sept. 26
9a.m. - 3 p.m.	Course orientation	Official Race Course
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Media Center Open	Gold River Hotel River Room
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.	Driver Registration	Gold River Hotel River Room
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.	Contingency Row & Technical Inspection	Ramada HExpress Hotel
11 a.m.	Press Conference	VIP Tent, Start / Finish Line
12 p.m.	Media Publicity Run	Official Race Course

Saturday, Sept. 27
5:30 a.m.	Late Registration & Technical Inspection	Start / Finish Line Area
5:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.	Media Center Open	Start / Finish Line Area
6 a.m.	Racing Starts: 6 Races
	Group #1: Class 3, 5-1600, 9, 11
	Group #2: Class 5, 10, SCORE Lites
	Group #3: Class 7, 7S, Stock Full, Stock Mini
	Group #4: Class Trophy Truck, 8, Pro Truck
	Group #5: Class 1/2-1600
	Group #6: Class 1 (Unlimited Buggies)

Sunday, Sept. 28
5:30 a.m.	Late Registration & Technical Inspection	Start / Finish Line Area
5:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.	Media Center Open	Start / Finish Line Area
6 a.m.	Racing Starts: 6 Races
	Group #1: Class 3, 5-1600, 9, 11
	Group #2: Class 5, 10, SCORE Lites
	Group#3: Class 7, 7S, Stock Full, Stock Mini
	Group #4: Class Trophy Truck, 8, Pro Truck
	Group #5: Class 1/2-1600
	Group #6: Class 1 (Unlimited Buggies)
.* Trophy and awards and presentations to follow. The third annual Laughlin Desert Challenge is sponsored by the Laughlin Visitors Bureau, a division of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and the Laughlin Tourism Committee. The Laughlin Desert Challenge is sanctioned and produced by SCORE International of Los Angeles. By Mandate of the BLM, the "Start/Finish" line area is the only designated spectator area around the course. For more information about the Laughlin Challenge, visit the SCORE Website at http://www.score-international.com Or contact the Laughlin Visitors Bureau at 1-800-4-LAUGHLIN or the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce at 800-227-5254 or 702-298-2214