Baldwin, MacCahren, and now Brian Deegan

Cole · Oct 14, 2009

So with all the celebs getting in KOH it seems like the race is growing Fast. Who's gonna be next to get in?
Looks like it will be a good time this year.
Can't wait to see how these guy handle themselves in the rocks.

Beyer · Oct 15, 2009

Deegan? Really? Was not aware he did any desert racing. :dunno:

CHASMAN9 · Oct 15, 2009

What about Ricky Carmichael? Seems like it would be a natural progession if he is not there already. :dunno:

Stretch · Oct 15, 2009

Beyer said:
Deegan? Really? Was not aware he did any desert racing.

He has been running Unlimited Lite's I believe in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. With sponsors like Rockstar and Lucas Oil on board for that, I wonder if any are going to carry over to his KOH rig.

Caddishack18 · Oct 15, 2009

Anyone otice the attention going FROM the peope who hae earned a spot n the KOH to the celebs who is gonna show up and drive? Its really goin to draw the press, but I thought we already had that.

P · Oct 15, 2009

Why or how did Brian Deegan get a spot in this ? :dunno:

He running LCQ or what

DNF written all over these "celeb" racers. laughing1

86rocktoy · Oct 15, 2009

P said:
Why or how did Brian Deegan get a spot in this ? He running LCQ or what

DNF written all over these "celeb" racers. laughing1

He is going to run a Jimmys 4X4 rig

BamaTJ · Oct 15, 2009

Looks like the new trend is if you don't have a spot, go find a "celebrity" driver for your rig and then all of a sudden you have a spot. Seems like it is still a popularity contest as it was last year. Congrats to all the folks that qualified in, that should be the only way to race IMO....

JFab · Oct 15, 2009

IMO...NOBODY should just drop into a spot....EVERYONE, no matter on how they did last year or who they are or anything, should have to qualify for a spot.....only real way to keep it fair if you ask me....just takes ALL the fun out of the race for me when it get like this....big names get in there and everyone lines up to their load....kindda bs... i miss the days of old fashioned rock crawling........im glad this sport has grown...but in the back of my mind i feel like it was better when it was all just good ol boys tryin to go up crazy **** in the woods... now its growing into NASCAR...... ok, rant over....

-James

Indy Will · Oct 15, 2009

Jeff and Dave had said from the beginning they had saved spots for 'celeb' drivers. it'll be good for all of us. They'll bring in more spectators/viewers easily.

Just imagine how cool it'll be when you get the chance to nerf BJ Baldwin. I'm gonna cut a hole outta my window net just so I can :flipgotcha:

up high as I pass.

Bones · Oct 15, 2009

$$, publicity, more $$, celebrity's that will fly in Friday and out Saturday. I am having less and less interest in flying out there to hang out with good friends anymore.

Indy Will · Oct 15, 2009

JFab said:
... now its growing into NASCAR...

If only.

JFab said:
...EVERYONE, no matter on how they did last year or who they are or anything, should have to qualify for a spot.....only real way to keep it fair if you ask me...

I mostly agree. That's why I raced RCQ. At least I feel like I somewhat earned a spot at RCQ and not just for a one-off performance a year ago.

BamaTJ · Oct 15, 2009

Bones said:
$$, publicity, more $$, celebrity's that will fly in Friday and out Saturday. I am having less and less interest in flying out there to hang out with good friends anymore.

Agreed Bones. We said it last year on the Lakebed and several times since on the boards, but in the long run this race is quickly becoming unattainable by the average trail wheeler/racer. I am glad we raced when we did, as it grows I think it will be harder and harder to afford the safety changes every year and even harder to be competitive in a race where $ is no object it seems..

CHASMAN9 · Oct 15, 2009

IMO, when I see big $$$ and blowhards like some of these celeb's, it means the sport is going to peak out too soon. Hell, this past KOH was #1. Now everyone wants to jump into #2, and the next thing you know same damn silicone milf is out there splattered all over the rocks with saline pouring out her ears and then the sport now gets a bad name. Growing too big, too fast, equals a freight train and a wall too soon. .002

Indy Will · Oct 15, 2009

Another slow day at work...I'll keep posting...

Matt O. said:
... unattainable by the average trail wheeler/racer...

As long as it's a 'no chase' race and there's still a pretty good mix of at least 50% of the time is spent in the rocks and not open desert I think any average wheeler can be competitive (which I consider finishing the race at this point) if their willing to devote the prep time (not just a few weekends before...but months and months before) and knows how to drive their car.

I gave up trail riding because I like to race...I can't afford to do both. Besides, drinking beer on the sidelines watching you guys tear your junk up is about as much fun as trail riding in my own car...especially when I know I just have to babby it around...

Racing is gonna cost money. We're definitely still on the cheap end of the scale to be competitive compared to most all other motorsports.

Willymutt · Oct 15, 2009

I look at it just like desert racing. TT and Class 1 cars are hard for any normal joe to get into but the JS and others are still a good class. It may turn into a class thing even though they don't want to do that. As far as only high dollar rigs being competitive in a few years, I still think the rocks will eliminate the guys with never ending wallets and no brains that want to compete. I could be wrong though. Going to be interesting but I still want to go see it someday. Just like Nascar, it is the culture and the atmosphere around the race.

Indy Will · Oct 15, 2009

Matt O. said:
I would not consider you an average joe though, you are an established racer and have the resources to build a new car every YEAR.

I've been racing for less than a year...established might be a stretch...I'll sell you an autographed picture though.

The only thing new on the 'new car' is going to be tubing. I think there are many guys here capable of tearing down and freshening up a car once a year. And 500 bucks of tubing isn't going to break anyones bank who's decently involved in the sport (trail or race) already. But you're right, you'd definitely have to be capable of building and maintaining your own junk. That's a very valuable resource.

Unless all these IFS cars really blow by us this year I think anyone who's really willing to commit (time more than money) has a chance to be competitive if they keep the race format the same.