By Catherine Ellerton
Moapa Valley Progress
The desert had been brightly lit by the full moon the night before as if in anticipation of the events to come. A bitter cold breeze blew in from the snow capped peaks of Bunkerville mountain. In the early morning hours a hush had fallen over the desert floor. But the hush was broken early by the roar of motorcycles screaming through the desert.
Over the weekend, the Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada (MRAN) had come to the Moapa Valley. Hundreds of members of the Association from all over the region came to the eastern bench of the valley to participate in the “Nightmare Before Christmas” off-road race event.
Similar off-road racing events are held in such places as Pahrump, Ely, Stateline and now, the Moapa Valley. There are 10 MRAN races held each year for all sizes of motorbikes with divisions for Quads and Pit-Bikes.
Points are accumulated through race performance until the end of the year when the Grand Prize Winners are announced. There are almost 650 riders in this Southern Nevada organization who are divided up into different Clubs such as the “Wild Bunch,” “Yucca Chuckers,” “Ground Shakers,” and “Dark Side.”
The host of the November Race was The Dark Side club. Dark Side President, Jason St. John of Logandale, stated that MRAN’s first race in the Moapa Valley area was held in August and was one of the Night Races. Many permits had to be received, the course approved and laid out, security and medical teams formed and the water truck filled to overflowing.
“We hope that these will be the start of many MRAN events held in this area,” St. John said.
The riders, both men and women, youngsters and not so youngsters, are of three different categories: Expert, Amateur and Novice.
In addition to the various cross country races held, there were obstacle courses and a Barrel Race.
There were also “Hare” Scrambles. This is where a club member heads out on the course and the other riders follow shortly behind. When someone passes (catches) the “hare,” they win a monetary prize.
The Dark Side opted to have a “hare” at most of this past weekend’s races in order to give an additional challenge and prize to the riders.
Leaving nothing to chance, there are Quads and Sweepers who ride out after the race begins to add a helping hand if someone breaks down or to offer first aid if someone wipes out.
As I wandered about gathering the “flavor” of the occasion, I talked with Hayden Smith from Las Vegas. This 12 year old biker advised that he had been riding since he was four years old and began racing at the advanced age of eight. As his dad raced it was something he just grew up with but Hayden added that he really enjoys the races, especially the off road racing as it is more technical, therefore, more difficult, which, in turn, makes it more fun.
Then there were the first timers like Scott Moser an 18 year old from Las Vegas. His hobby for years has been riding Quads. He figured he “might as well” try his hand at racing.
Whatever the reason, this event was two days of building and challenging skills in the company of friends, new and old.
Some of the winners of this race were: Big Bike Race – Carl Maassberg of Las Vegas; 1st place novice, Bryan Gurule; Quad Race – Josh Frederick of Moapa (a pro rider riding as an Expert) and Billy Pulsipher – 1st place in the Amateur Quad Race. The Slowest Racers of the weekend were: Adult – Jason St. John and Youngsters – Dalton Jones.
