Laughlin, NV – Racers, sponsors, promoters, their families, and friends, all put in hard work to participate in off-road racing. Many of us love the beauty and stark isolation found in the remote desert but we all know those who prefer the comfort and luxury of a resort like the Golden Nugget in Laughlin. That’s why events like the Best In The Desert series Laughlin Desert Classic (LDC) in Laughlin, Nevada, have a full range of fun happenings in addition to competitive racing. The LDC had something for everyone; tough desert competition and great amenities only steps away. It’s no surprise that so many were excited to hear the Best In The Desert series was coming to Laughlin.

Racers like Jim Riley delight in the opportunity to expose as many people possible to the exciting sport of off-road racing; especially when it includes great hospitality and fine food and drink in beautiful, relaxing surroundings. What better way to grab the public’s attention than a parade of brightly colored race vehicles rumbling down the Laughlin strip on Wednesday before the race? Jim had a special co-driver during the parade, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurant GM, Alex Faccioli.

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After the parade, the Method Race Wheels Pit Crew Challenge was held. Heather from Azunia Tequila was giving away prizes from Rugged Radios, Azunia Tequila, and Method Race Wheels. The celebration kept right on going after the Pit Crew Challenge with an Azunia Tequila / Camburg Racing awards party at the Golden Nugget pool. Azunia hosted food and Cocktails for 200 guests. Included in the drink menu was the RED Rooster; an homage to Jim’s 57 Chevy race car of the same name that competes every year in the NORRA Mexican 1000. Heather was busy again, giving away great merchandise from the race team’s partners to the festive crowd at the Laughlin Desert Classic.

Thursday was a day off from racing for the Azunia Tequila Team; they enjoyed the Golden Nugget Villa and great food from Salt Grass Steakhouse and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Friday was technical inspection and contingency. Contingency for Laughlin Desert Classic was a huge street party, as competitors file past vendor’s booths on their way to technical inspection. It is the perfect time for fans to get a close-up look at the race cars, talk to the teams and grab a selfie or autograph from their favorite drivers. It always draws big crowds of savvy race fans and the general public who are drawn in by the colorful atmosphere. After the driver’s meeting that evening, the serious, but fun business of racing begins the following morning.

“My navigator Blake Sinclair was critical,” Riley said, “It was a great course; challenging desert terrain and more turns then a short course series track. We broke our sway bars on lap three which slowed us down in the twisty stuff, but we had a solid top ten finish. We had the privilege of hosting 7 guests from the Golden Nugget staff to show them what off road racing was all about.

Overall, Saturday’s race went well but he needed to follow it up with a good race on Sunday.

“We started side by side and on Sunday we took the hole shot off the line,” Riley said, “We gained some time and worked our way towards the front of the pack. We had a lot of fun with Camburg racing off the track, but gave them no quarter in the desert. We had some great battles with them on both days of racing. We finished strong despite losing both fuel pumps during the last lap. We pushed hard to the finish; running out of power just after we crossed the finish line. We used every drop of fuel in the system to get to the line. We had 7 more guests with us from the Golden Nugget who had a chance to witness the nail-biting finish first hand. Our determination on Sunday paid off; we finished 7th overall for the weekend. We couldn’t have done it without all our great partners; General Tire, Method Race Wheels, Rigid Industries Lighting, Azunia Tequila, Lucas Oil, GQ-6, MSD, Red Kap, KREED Eyewear, Magnaflow, and Rugged Radios.”

You can stay up to date with all of the team’s adventures on social media and on Instagram @jimrileyracing.