While Best In The Desert prepares for the final two events in the 2020 series, the Jagged X National Desert Cup Presented by Quantum Motorsports on September 25-27, 2020 and the BlueWater Desert Challenge on October 22-25, 2020, the organization is already looking ahead to 2021 to set new standards in off-road competition.
The 2021 schedule will feature a wide variety of off-road races including five races for cars and trucks, six races for UTVs and motorcycles, and five races for quads. Highlights include the 25th anniversary of the legendary “Casey Folks” Vegas to Reno race to be held on August 11-15, 2021, the all-new UTV Legends Championships in Laughlin, Nevada tentatively set for March 24-28, 2021, and the return of the historic motorcycle classic World Hare and Hound Championship in Tonopah, Nevada on May 21-23, 2021.
Best In The Desert’s 2021 season will also see the return of the Triple Crown Series which, combined with normal Best In The Desert payouts, will see event bonus purses exceed $600,000 in 2021. While the dates for races have been marked, Best In The Desert is still working behind the scenes to name title and presenting sponsors which will be announced at a later date.
The 2021 season will start off strong in Parker, Arizona in mid-January with the Parker 425 open to cars and trucks and will also feature a pre-run of the course open to the public. The Parker 425 is switching dates with the Parker 250 which will now be held in mid-February and feature UTVs, motorcycles, and quads. These legendary events are not only swapping places but will also launch the 2021 Triple Crown series for their respective classes.
The series will then head to Laughlin, Nevada on March 24-28, 2021 for the all-new UTV Legends Championship which will include poker runs and fun events for non-racers. Best In The Desert competitors in UTV, motorcycle, and quad classes will have another opportunity to battle for a championship title. The UTV Legends Championship will be a chance for racers to bring the whole family and introduce new friends to the sport to enjoy a week of roaring engines, swirling dust, and comradery.
Spring of 2021 will also be exciting with the return of the Silver State 300 starting just north of Alamo, Nevada on April 29-May 2, 2021. All eyes will be on the 300-mile point-to-point race as the winning title is a prestigious accolade with high stakes and huge payouts.
One of the most notable events on the 2021 calendar is the World Championship Hare and Hound in Tonopah, Nevada on May 21-23, 2021which will resonate with any true fan. The World Championship Hare and Hound was one of Best In The Desert’s first events in 1984 that solidified the organization as a true racing series. The motorcycle-only event will feature tough terrain that will give the best motorcycle riders worldwide a run for their money and bragging rights as World Champion of desert racing.
Summer of 2021 will end with the legendary “Casey Folks” Vegas to Reno. 2021 marks the 25th year of the 500-mile race from Las Vegas to Reno, Nevada. In honor of the silver anniversary, for the first time in the history of the event, the “Casey Folks” Vegas to Reno will run “The Other Way,” starting in Reno and finishing in Las Vegas. It also marks the second round of the Triple Crown with payout bonuses in excess of $67,000. Off-road aficionados should be sure to put August 11-15, 2021 on their calendars for the 25th-Annual “Casey Folks” Vegas to Reno.
Best In The Desert will finish the year strong with the Laughlin Desert Classic in late September and BlueWater Desert Challenge in early November, both challenging races with the BlueWater Desert Challenge being the final opportunity to win the Triple Crown which means there is serious money on the line.
Any Best In The Desert series year is an exciting one but 2021 will be even more spectacular. With a challenging but highly successful 2020 behind them, the organization is ready for the 2021 series; ready to bring back traditional classics, ready to celebrate the silver anniversary of founder Casey Folk’s favorite, and ready to move forward with a new trove of race organization experience.
20210 Best in the Desert Race Schedule
Bluewater Resort Parker “425”
January 13 – January 16, 2021 Parker, AZ- “The Legend Lives On” –
Time Trials & Downtown Experience: January 13, 2021
Car & Truck Points Only – 1-day Pre-fun Run on Saturday, Jan. 8-9, 2021
*Triple Crown Event
Parker “250”
February 18 – 21, 2021- Parker, AZ “Showdown In The Desert”
Motorcycle, Quad & UTV Points Only – No Pre-fun Run
*Triple Crown Event
UTV Legends Championship
March 24 – 28, 2020 Laughlin, NV “UTV King Of The Desert Showdown”
Motorcycle, Quad & UTV Points Only – Family Poker Run/UTVs Only
Silver State “300”
April 29 – May 2, 2021 – Race Starts North of Alamo, NV – Time Trials April 29, 2021
Pre-fun Run April 9-11, 2021 “The American Adventure Continues”
Points for All Classes – Pre-fun Run April 9-11, 2021
World Championship Hare And Hound
May 21 – 23, 2021 Tonopah, NV “The Legend Returns”
Points for Motorcycles Only
“Casey Folks” Vegas to Reno “The Other Way”
August 11 – 15, 2021 – (Race on Friday – Time Trials on August 11, 2021)
“The Longest Off-road Race in the United States”
Points for All Classes – No Pre-fun Run
*Triple Crown Event
Laughlin Desert Classic
September 30 – October 3, 2021- 2-day Race In Laughlin, NV – Time Trials Oct 14, 2021
“Duel In The Desert”
Car/Truck Points Only
Bluewater Desert Challenge
November 4 – 7, 2021- 2-day Race In Parker, AZ – Time Trials Nov. 4, 2021)
“The American Challenge Continues” Points for All Classes – No Pre-fun Run
*Triple Crown Event
Year-End Series Awards
December 11, 2021 – Las Vegas, NV