Feb 11, 2008 – The TrailReady Motorsports Gang could smell success in last weekend’s first event of 2008, the Best in the Desert Parker 425. Unfortunately, we were denied a taste of victory when our motor expired 37 miles from the finish line. The Unlimited Mini Truck class (7200) continues to grow and a record 22 trucks left the starting line. 13 wouldn’t make it. The 7212 TrailReady Ford Ranger however, was on a tear with driver of record Rich Blunk at the wheel and Cliff Robinson in the right seat. Starting 8th, Blunk battled with the Binns, Savage, and Ruane entries for the first lap while the Fords of Swift, Burnett, Lunn and Holmes dropped out early with problems. We fueled at Pit 3 (RM91) and rejoined the fray fourth on the course. We had a flat on lap one and made a quick stop for a new spare at main pit. We had planned to dump a can of fuel at pit one on lap two for insurance but with Ruane building his lead, and recent testing convincing us we could do a lap on 40 gallons, we made our only mistake of the day and took a chance on fuel mileage. Blasting through pit one, Blunk traded 2nd on the course with the Binns entry a few times in route to pit 3. Suddenly the fuel pressure gauge was faltering and so was our Ford. We ran out 9 miles from Midway. While we scrambled to find someone who could transport 3 gallons from pit two, Rich flagged down a Class 1 (believed to be the 1566 of Levi Rockhill) car with broken suspension and the nose plowing down the course at a snail’s pace. After a short discussion a plan was devised to help both vehicles. The front of the buggy was jacked up and strapped to the back of the Ranger and the buggy pushed the Ranger the 9 miles to Midway. Using hand signals for speed, Rich thinks they may have hit 35mph and with no power steering on the truck!! Never give Up! After a quick driver’s change and fueling, and having lost 40 minutes, 7212 roared back onto the course still in the top 5, now with Larry Trim driving and Jared Bradley at the GPS. Having rolled the truck at Henderson in Dec. and determined not to make that mistake two races in a row, Larry drove tentatively for the first 75 miles are so but soon found his rhythm and got us back up to speed. By the time we got to main pit, we had developed a steering issue which, when stopped at pit one for fuel, was confirmed to be a broken assist ram. As we left pit one, we saw the Race leading Raune Ford in the pit, putting us third on the course. Larry and Jared pushed hard, strong arming the steering wheel. The motor was beginning to sour, acting like a bad plug or wire but was still pushing the truck as fast as we dared with the steering. We made our final fuel stop at midway, 40 miles from the finish. Larry was told that Binns was out front with front end problems and Giordano was 4 minutes ahead with and maybe not at full speed. Excitement was building as we charged out of midway with expectations of a podium and hopes of a win. We hit the graded road a couple miles out of midway and had a connecting rod come apart, exiting through the oil pan. We had a great time and will be at Terribles Town in April with more horsepower. Special thanks to Casey Folks and crew of Best in the Desert for putting on a awesome Parker event.

Eagle Alloy Wheels, TrailReady Beadlocks, The Roof Doctor, A.L.L. Roofing and Building Supply, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires, King Shock Technology, Superior Axle & Gear, PSC, Ford Trucks