CADIENTE WINS OVERALL

Garron Cadiente #38 - Ford Trick Truck

Garron Cadiente brought his Ford Trick Truck to the finish line in first place overall at the Best In the Desert’s Terrible 400, the final event of their season.

PISTOL Pete Sohren - Precision Gear Trick Truck

Cadiente, who’d lost his motor early in the Baja 1000 a few weeks before this race, slipped a new motor in and came to Henderson, where he had no problems at all. He won by 12 minutes, and Pete Sohren, last year’s winner here, finished second in his Ford. Both trucks are Geiser-built. Third place in the class went to Curt and Todd LeDuc, still racing their old Class 8000, upgraded some to compete in the Trick Truck class.

B.J. Richardson - Class 1500 winner

In Class 1500 B. J. Richardson took the win in his Bunderson, with five minutes on second place Scott Schovajsa in a Porter. Both John Herder and Chuck Hovey, contenders for the season points, debuted new Jimcos. Hovey was out on the third lap with clutch trouble, and Herder’s two-seater fell out a bit earlier. Both were really fast as far as they went. Herder and Richardson had been tied for the lead going into this race, so the championship goes to Richardson. Third place in Class 1500 went to Mike Bilek in a Porter.

Chuck Hovey debuts in new JIMCO Class 1

The course was 81 miles long and considered very technical, very rocky and a lot of fun. Passing was difficult, and some rubbing and shoving went on where the track was narrow. The wind, a constant irritant to pit crews and spectators, kept the dust cleared off, and made for good visibility all day.

Larry Roeseler - Ford Ranger

Larry Roeseler and Mike Ruane teamed to win the 7200 Class in their Ford, finishing sixth in the overall standings among those required to run four laps.

In Class 8000, which ran four laps, the winner was Mark Beeler, in a Ford. It was his fourth win in a row, and gave him the season points win.

Mark Beeler - 2006 Class 8000 winner

Dave Morrison was the Class 8100 (Stock Full Size) winner in his Ford, and he had about three minutes on second place Randy Merritt in another Ford. Morrison said this was the first race he’d ever won. This class ran only three laps.

The two-lap classes included all the JeepSpeed cars, and was won by Jason LaFortune and Jon Krellwitz, who covered their two laps in 4:28:06.

They had ten UTVs, or “Side-by-Sides” entered in this event, all Yamaha Rhinos, and they started early and did one lap on the car/truck course, plus and additional 30 miles or so. The winning team of Justin and Brandon Schueler covered the distance in three hours and ten minutes.

A total of 108 entries started this race, which has been building in popularity now that it’s held during cool weather. The race site is actually not in Henderson, but off Highway 95 on private property, and has room for a big “infield” section surrounded by the pits.

There’s good spectator viewing, and the pits have plenty of room also. It’s an easy drive out from downtown Henderson to get to the race, so spectators and crew people can stay in one of the local hotels, have a quick shower and breakfast, and still be on time for the race. It makes a nice way to end the Best In the Desert season.

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