By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
Hundreds of people lined up along the barriers, phone cameras at the read. The music came on, the side-by-side revved and then took off. The vehicle climbed the dirt ramp at full speed, launched and flew over three other OHVs. Some said that it was a thing of beauty!
That was a main event at the third annual Off-Road Spectacular hosted by Polaris/Can-Am/Honda (PCH) World in Littlefield, Arizona. The event brought the entertainment as they had OHV jumping legend Tanner Godfrey launch his Polaris 1000 Customized OHV over a Polaris, a Can-Am, and a Honda
OHV parked side-by-side beneath the ramp. And to throw in a bonus, event DJ Fuego’s trailer and set-up were parked down there as well for the flyover.
The event saw a huge turnout. The doors to the Smokin Gun Pistol Range and Gun Club in Littlefield opened a little before the noon start time. This location was chosen because of the to hold a large-scale event and perform a daredevil jump.
Local food trucks were out in force including the Corndog Company of Mesquite, and Smokin Grind BBQ.
Other vendors included Fly Racing, Kokopelli ATV Club, and more. Of course, there were showcased OHVs, motorcycles, four-wheelers, and more to look at and find out more information from the host business.
Phil Capizzi of the Kokopelli ATV Club said that the club’s booth stayed busy throughout the event. “This event has been great!” he said. “We have had several people sign up and join the club and it gives us a great chance at answering questions and making people aware of the current issues connected with off-road riding.”
The Kokopelli ATV Club helps with the program Tread Lightly.
The time of the big jump finally came and everyone wandered over to the ramps.
To warm things up, local rider Matt Riggenbach, 27, got wild and drove through palettes and tires, bouncing like a rubber ball, in his original Chevy truck, a vehicle he got when he was 15 years old.He did his own mini daredevil act to get the crowd revved up.
The main event came when Nitro Circus member and stuntman specialist, Tanner Godfrey, pulled out on the field, rode up to the top of the ramp and did his runarounds.
Everyone was ready for the jump as he raced towards the ramp. But suddenly he pulled off to the side and went to the DJ for a moment at the microphone.
It was then that he invited Josh Wilson to ride with him and make the jump. Wilson geared up and hopped in.
The 100 foot jump went as planned and was a success.
“This was an amazing and fun event,” said attendee Susan Payne from Kalispell, Montana, who found out about the event while visiting the area. “Everyone has been so nice and so welcoming.”
In 2007, Tanner Godfrey was part of the Nitro Circus and success was soaring for him. Then an accident caused an serious injury where he broke his T6 vertebrae, 8 ribs and a dislocated T7 vertebrae.
The incident left Tanner semi-paralyzed. But it has not kept him down. Nowadays, with the help of two canes, he is able to walk. But even better, with his own design, he custom built a metal tool to apply brakes, give more gas, and control his own OHV. This unique “stick” design has given him his adventure and love of his life back, he said. In 2019, Godfrey broke the world record by jumping his UTV 247 feet.
“I just wanted to come down and help out Josh with the event, plus it’s fun to do this,” said Godfrey.
Wilson piped in after being asked how it was to ride along with Godfrey for the jump. “It was awesome!” he said. “We had planned ahead of time for me to go. The wife was a little worried at first. But it was worth it!”
At the end of the event, several prize items were given away in a drawing. The biggest prize was a Honda 250 four-wheeler (Recon). It won by the Moonshine Team from Ivins, Utah.
“This is the best!” said Jan Hawkins, part of the winning “ohana” group. “We had so much fun being here. And to win a four-wheeler is the ultimate.”
As Godfrey left, he reminded people that success is all in the mind. “I was injured and told that I would never do anything like what I do now ever again. It is all up here. The power is in your mind.”
The event was the finale attraction on several days of Grand Opening activities for PCH World. The dealership has been celebrating the grand opening to its all new expanded showroom.
For more information about the annual event or about PCH World visit their website at www.polariscanamworld.com.
