After a race to obtain permits from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Parker will host not one but two off-road races in early 2024, with all new organizers. Organized by two different racing organizations, the race was born out of the failure of the Best in the Desert Racing Association to obtain permission from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the 2023 race. Best in the Desert has been running this event since 2003.
The two races allowed are run by Martelli Brothers in January and by Legacy Racing in February.
brief history
The legendary Parker 400 dates back to 1974 and the course ran on both the Arizona and California sides of the Colorado River. Organized and promoted by Mickey Thompson’s SCORE organization (Short-Course Off-Road Enthusiasts). That same year, Thompson hired Hot Rod magazine publisher Sal Fish as president of SCORE.
Course changed in the mid-1980s after the desert turtle was added to the endangered list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This meant the race could not be run on the California side. To compensate, BLM allowed the Arizona side of the course to be extended and the organizers added his third lap in Arizona. The starting line moved from Shear Road to Bluewater Marina.
24 years later, in 1997, SCORE ceased operating the Parker 400. After a lot of effort from the racers and the Parker community, Jay and his Whiplash Motorsports, owned by Jackie McKinley, agreed to take part in the race. In the first year they added the “Gauntlet”, a series of jumps and turns near Parker’s airport. They also changed the starting line to California Avenue.
Then in 2003, Casey Folks and his Best in the Desert Racing Association won the mantle with title sponsorship from Bluewater Resort & Casino. With a strong focus on the spectator experience, the Best in the Desert Race was a huge success, attracting large numbers of attendees and fans. People shook hands with all the drivers at the start line and wished them good luck.
People died just two weeks before the 2017 stroke race. His son Brian continues to lead the organization, but it was announced last year that the 2023 event would be canceled after the organization failed to meet the requirements for an event permit from BLM. , rumors circulated that some other promoters in the industry were interested in running Parker Races and would apply for race permits themselves.
News of the week
On Friday, BLM announced that it will issue two permits to two different promoters for 2024. One in January and one in February.
Marteri Brothers, best known for running Mad Media and the Mint 400 in Las Vegas, announced Friday that it is forming a new racing series in Barstow that includes the Parker 400, Mint 400 and California 300. Their press release relied heavily on the race’s historical pedigree.
“The Parker 400 is one of the oldest and oldest races in our sport and we are thrilled to have it part of the calendar as we take another big step in the development of the league. CEO and Co-Owner of Road Racing: “We are taking the same assets and marketing power that we used to make the Mint 400 the biggest spectacle in the sport and are preparing to apply it across the league. Our partners and fans can count on us to provide the best experience, media coverage and value in the industry as we continue to grow and expand our services. It includes industry-leading production by The Events Group.”
The Parker 400 version of Martelis is set for January 2024, with an exact date to be announced shortly, and will feature several days of pre-running, three days of racing and an “amazing fan experience.” Everything was done in careful coordination with the town of Parker and the county of La Paz. ”
“The Marteri brothers recently met with Mayor Hartress, La Paz County Plunkett and Minor Supervisor, Police Chief Bailey, Public Works Director Ziegler, Secretary Putnam and Newton Chamber of Commerce Director to chart the evolution of the famous race. and the event,” says their release.
The Las Vegas-based Legacy Racing Association was another licensee for 2024, founded by Liz Marshall, Donald and Christy Jackson. Legacy runs his Stateline Shootout, Baja Nevada and Desert Showdown races primarily in Nevada.
“We were warned some time ago that the Parker Course would be available,” said a press release from Legacy on Friday. I jumped at the opportunity to chat with Parker holds a special place in the hearts of many of you, not just ours. We’ve long awaited the opportunity to bring back the .We knew it would be very competitive with only two permits available.But competition is what we do best.So We have done our best to win over competing for the other organization’s status.Now that we have received official confirmation that one of the two permits has been awarded to Legacy Racing, our efforts It has paid off, we are very excited!!!”
The Legacy race will take place on February 24th, 2024 and will be for cars, trucks and UTVs only.
Parker Mayor Randy Hartress said he is excited about the development.
“The Martelli Brothers seemed very organized, professional and knowledgeable about off-road racing,” Hartless told Parker Live. “They have a vision that includes looking after the desert before and after the race and their security equipment is top notch. We look forward to working with the Materi brothers, the Colorado River Indian Tribe and the Bureau of Land Management on the Parker 400.”
Melissa Newton of the Chamber of Commerce also speaks positively about race.
“The Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce is thrilled that off-road racing is returning to La Paz County. The economic impact is significant. We look forward to working with both promoters and are excited for 2024.”
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Photo by Tuba Art Films for Legacy, Martelli Brothers and Parker Live
