Local Off-Road Club Hosts Regional Race Event

By NICK YAMASHITA

Moapa Valley Progress

Motorcycle engines screamed and clouds of dust flew at the Tomahawk Throw Down off-road racing event held by the Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada (MRAN), it’s second big race of the season. The event was hosted by the local Dark Side Racing Club and held on a course in the rocky hills just east of the I-15 Ute exit. The race was dedicated to the Maxwell Tom family.

What started out as a chilly cold morning turned into a beautiful day with some wind. Multiple attendees commented on how nice the weather and the environment was.
Kristy St. John of Moapa Valley and Debbie Weisheim of Las Vegas were working the sign-up table. They said that the MRAN racing was a “wonderful opportunity as it is family oriented.”

Many of the racers included members of families who all participated, parents and kids alike. Those in attendance included riders and teams from Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and even as far as New Mexico and Wyoming. Contestants ranged in age from as young as six to as old as 76.

Nikki Green of Henderson, who was there cheering on her son, said that the race was excellent.
“It’s a good setting, and a fun race,” she said. “A technical race but good.”

The St. John family, of Moapa Valley, run the Dark Side Motorcycle Club. They did a lot of the work to host the race.

The all-day event started off with younger racers doing their laps as parents and fans encouraged them from the sidelines.

All together there were four races: the 85cc, the 50cc Novice and 65cc Novice/50cc Expert.

The last and main race started at approximately 11 a.m. after The National Anthem and a mandatory riders meeting. The 38 mile track was approved by BLM and each racer was required to do two laps or “loops.”

The official scores and times were kept by “Coach” Michael Collins of Las Vegas. The expert Axl Pearson of Panaca came in first with a time of 2:05.20 after leading the way after one loop with a time of 1:01.28. Second Place went to Destry Stewart of North Las Vegas with a time of 2:12.13 and a first loop time of 1:04.58. In third place was Taylor Stevens of Ogden, UT who jumped from sixth on the first loop time of 1:06.15 to finishing with a time of 2:12.33 and snagging the last spot on the podium.

Each place was awarded financial awards as well as the much sought-after points for the standings. First place earned a prize of $386, second: $126 and third: $92.

For more information on Dark Side Motorcycle Club, MRAN or the races contact Blake Monk at (702) 540-8625 by email at chipmonk4x4@yahoo.com or by visiting the MRAN website at www.racemran.com.