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Banning Motorports wins class 2400 at 2015 Vegas To Reno

Banning Motorsports returned to the grueling BITD Vegas To Reno to take home another win!

Phoenix, Arizona (September 10, 2015)– Banning Motorsports does it again as they return to the 2015 Best In The Desert “Vegas To Reno” and claim yet another win at this grueling race. The team is always ready for this race and with previous wins, they knew they had what it takes to put the throttle down and get to the finish line. The 550-mile course provided the drivers with many tasks and moments of frustration but they stayed mentally fresh for the terrain at hand.

The race started as expected for the #2488 Banning Motorsports car that had Bryan Folks in control. The dust, the traffic and the course had all been to be expected but the team did not plan early on in the race to be plagued with brake problems. Pulling over in pit 4, the team went to work on fixing the brakes as well as changing a damaged rear axle.

Rick Graf took over driving responsibilities and had well over an hour to make up to get back in the lead. Graf put his head down and took the task as a challenge and drove his best.

“Just as in all of racing, fortitude and tenacity paid off.” Stated Folks.

Pulling into pit 13 they saw the lead car and decided to skip the major light bar so that they could get out in front of the leader. This paid off and the #2488 car was able to beat the odds of part failures and still managed to win in their class and grasped that points lead.

Another Banning vehicle off the line was the #6155 truck. A stacked class and starting position of 13th, they knew that they would have their work cut out for them. A strong start set them up for opportunities to pass even in the thick of the heavy dust that competitors stirred up ahead of them. Making their way to the top 3 in their class by race mile 150. It wasn’t long after that they started having issues with the truck. Vapor locking had took over and had them on the side of the course not just once, but twice.

“I hiked back nearly a half a mile to a camp we had passed and borrowed 5 gallons of gas just so we could poor it in the tank and try to cool off the rest of the fuel.” Stated Lee Banning Sr.

A minor flat tire set them back on time again but they didn’t let this stop them from pulling into pit 5 for the next drivers change where Gary Williams Jr. would take over driving duties. Gary and Co-Rider, Chris Godfrey, started out the next portion of the course aggressively. The vapor locking issues would creep up again and another flat tire put them back from the time they had made up. They didn’t let this stop them from passing competitors and getting the truck to the last drivers change of the race.

A quick top off with fuel, a fresh driver, Lee Banning Jr., their KC HiLites bar to guide them through the night and just like that they were back out on the course making their way towards the finish. The night sky and the cooler air temperatures really helped the truck run better. Heavy traffic and dust did not stop them from making it across the finish. The #6155 truck finished 6th in class after fighting issues all day. The relief to have finally crossed the finish line was well worth celebrating.

“A huge Thanks to the whole team for staying in the fight all day getting all the cars to the finish. A great statement for our team battling this very tough race. Thanks to all our sponsors, partners, and fans for standing with us and helping achieve so much success.” Stated Lee Banning Sr.

Another car under the Banning pit is the #1023 of Melton Motorsports. Leaving the line 23rd they knew it would be a long day. Hayden battled closely with Jason Coleman throughout the morning but after pulling into pit 2 Hayden would get passed by Coleman. He trailed Colemans dust till the next pit where he got back around him.

The back and forth between the two race vehicles would go in well into the race. Flat tires and drivers change would always keep them neck and neck. Steve Melton jumped behind the wheel was continued the battle when he finally got right on Colemans bumper and went for a solid pass. After completing the pass they gassed it to the finish line with their KC Pod lights guiding the way. The rocky course and back and forth battle lead the team to a 2nd place finish.

“The success of our Vegas to Reno finish is directly due in part to the prep by Chris, Andy, Rick along with the pit support by Banning Motorsports. Thank you to all the crew and to our sponsors: Melton Off road, Banning Motorsports, Select Glass, KC Hilites, Wiks Racing Engines, Weddle Industries, Neo Oil, BFG Tires, Method Wheels, JTech, and Foddrill Motorsports.” Stated Steve Melton.

Be sure to follow Banning Motorsports on Social Media for event day updates.

September 14, 2015
BITD Vegas To Reno returns and Banning Motorsports is ready to dominate two classes

Phoenix, Arizona (August 10, 2015)– We all know that Vegas to Reno is one of the big desert races of the year here in the states. Banning Motorsports is lucky enough to have numerous years of experience racing this brutal race and also being victorious. Now its time to see if they can do it again in Class 6100 as well as the 2400 class.

Banning Motorsports will make their way to Vegas Wednesday. They will be taking the same qualifying position they received at The Mint 400 so that means they will line up 13th in the 6100 class to take on 24 other trucks. Lee Banning Sr., Lee Banning Jr. and Gary Williams Jr. will all be ready for their shot behind the wheel during the race with Chris Godfrey sitting co-rider calling out the terrain.

The 550 mile course will have the racers making some serious elevation changes as they make their way from Northern Las Vegas all the way up to just South of Reno. They will find themselves at nearly 8,000 feet. On top of those elevation changes they will also encounter parts of the course that were washed away due to flooding and even possible dry lake beds that are still a mini lake. The heat of the desert can play a major roll on the race vehicles as well and drivers will have to be watching their gauges non-stop to be sure they don’t overheat in the middle of nowhere Nevada.

Bryan Folks and Rick Graf will be powering the 2488 Banning Motorsports car and will switch co-riders between Adam Warren and Tim Sullivan. This is a strong team and they are leading in the class points. The class may not be the largest but it is a very competitive one. One minor error can mean that the competitor in your dust can take over your position. These guys will be taking their General Tires all the way to Reno unless major catastrophe takes over.

Best In The Desert has done a great job at marking the course and all its dangers and Banning Motorsports looks forward to this race every year as it can bring much success.

Events start on Wednesday with qualifying. You can find the teams at contingency on Thursdayat Aliante Station and race day will start before the sun rises just North of Las Vegas.

Be sure to follow Banning Motorsports on Social Media for event day updates.

August 10, 2015
Banning Motorsports Outruns 80% of TT-Spec Class to Finish the 2015 Baja 500 on the Podium

Phoenix, Arizona (June 18, 2015)– Banning Motorsports did their homework in the form of pre-running for this years SCORE-International Baja 500. It did more than paid off for the entire team as they finished the 500+mile race with a podium finish.

The Arizona based team headed south for the 46th annual Baja 500, but this year they would be doing it different by bringing down their new Geiser TT-Spec truck and racing Baja for the first time in the new truck. Days upon days of pre-running and planning all came down to race day where the #855 started off the line in Ensenada. (more…)

June 22, 2015
Banning Motorsports Overcomes Hardship at the Silver State 300

Phoenix, AZ (May 11, 2015)– Banning Motorsports have been faced with some rough races this season, but the Best In The Desert Silver State 300 has proven to be the most difficult by far for the team. A race that runs through beautiful Nevada scenery. didn’t end so beautifully for the Arizona based team.

The team would arrive to Las Vegas, NV early on in the week as they had to qualify the #6155 truck for their starting position for race day. Not having the quickest qualifying run, Banning Sr. would be starting the race 14th Class 6100 off the line. The race started at 9:30am and would only take the Trick Trucks an estimated 5 hours to complete the 275 mile course.

Once off the start line, Banning Sr. and Chris Godfrey immediately faced the dust that hung in the air from the faster vehicles. They had 13 competitors in front of them that they needed to pass and another 7 behind them just waiting to capitalize on any mistake they may make. Banning Sr. was charging hard from behind the wheel and by pit 1 it was reported that they were up to 10th place. By pit 2 they had made up another position just 72 miles into the race. It was looking to be an easy day but just 10 miles up the road the #6155 would battle for another position when they would be blinded by the dust and clip a rock that would cause them to roll over. The damage to the truck was repairable with time, but with over 2 hours to get the truck back on all 4 wheels the race was already to far gone for the team to continue in the #6155 truck.

Banning Motorsports would continue to chase their points lead in the #2488 car with Bryan Folks and Adam Warren starting the race. With a great run through the first 80 miles of the race and staying in first, the #2488 car would find itself on its side at race mile 84. After hitting a big berm in a right hand turn that would stop them from keeping the car upright. After waiting for help to get it back on the wheels, they had lost several positions and were back running the race looking to at least get to the finish. Making it to pit 4 the team did a drivers change and Rick Graf would get behind the wheel with Tim Sullivan in the co-rider seat. Some more clean miles of racing would bring them up to teammates in car 1023 where the Melton team had slid off course and damaged the front end of the car. Graf and Sullivan helped the #1023 car back on course and then they continued to the finish line where they would surprise themselves with a 2nd place finish.

“Today our team showed that no matter what happens, you have to push to the finish. It was a great day for the team after overcoming the roll overs and other obstacles that were thrown our way.” Said team owner Lee Banning Sr.

The Banning Team still supports the #1023 car ran by Melton Motorsports and as the 1023 car started the race, they would mid pack with Steve Melton and Jake Dewitt in the car. Running fast through the dust with minimal issues just major dust. Passing several cars and trucks before arriving at pit 4 would have them around 7th on the road. Quick fuel and a drivers change would have them back on the course quickly. Hayden now behind the wheel and continuing the fast pace up to and thru pit 5. Shortly after pit 5 near rm 180, Hayden clipped a tree on the left side as he was coming down the steep grade. Breaking a lower arm and the steering rack, it took several hours before they were able to get the car so they could limp down the mountain 32 plus miles to pit 6. The chase crew did a quick lower arm swap out and got them back on the road but a short 5 or so miles down course the injured steering rack gave up ending their day. After a hard fought race earlier in the day the team was disappointed but they knows it’s all part of racing.

Again the Banning crew did a awesome job supporting all the cars and truck this race giving proof that our teams middle name should be “tough.” A huge thanks to all our loyal crew and partners for everything they do to keep us on course in the desert.

May 13, 2015
BANNING MOTORSPORTS Wins Class 2400 at the Mint 400

Las Vegas, NV (March 20th, 2015)– The General Tire Mint 400 was a record setting high when over 330 entries were ready to do battle for the 2015 Great American Off-Road Race. This years race would have 5 days worth of festivities, two packed races and a new spectator friendly course that would allow fans to be able to be apart of the action. With all the hype leading up the Mint 400, Banning Motorsports was ready to grab their piece of the spotlight. (more…)

March 20, 2015
BANNING MOTORSPORTS Debuts New 6100 Truck at BITD Parker 425

Parker, AZ (February 12th, 2015)– As Banning Motorsports rolled into Parker, AZ for the 2015 Best In The Desert, Parker 425, it became a reality as they were getting ready to debut their new 6100 Pro Truck. The Parker 425 has been apart of the series for generations and the season opener would see over 200 entries for the race. Championship points will start to be earned and this race would set the pace of what is to come for the year.

As the feature race for Banning Motorsports, they use this weekend to celebrate their past season. Inviting sponsors, supporters, fans, friends, family and team-members to their traditional after race dinner and party. Presenting plaques to their sponsors and team.

“We had another stellar year in 2014 with the 1178 car winning another championship, the 1023 car tying for a second championship.” Stated Lee Banning Sr. to the entire party. “Stellar performance in the Baja 1000 with a 3rd place podium finish, and the 2488 car we were finally able to get the engine package sorted out and ready for the 2015 year.”After much anticipation, Banning finally presented their new truck to the desert. Time Trials took place on Thursday prior to the race and this would be the first time BITD would have 6100 Pro Truck class qualifying. Banning Sr. qualified the new #6155 truck and was able to secure a 13th starting position.

Come race day Banning had a great start off the line around 8:15am. This year the morning sun was not an issue for them as they passed several trucks early on in the race. At race mile 30 they would be about 5th on the road. completing a flawless first lap, coming in to the main pit python they were only about five minutes behind the leader and eventual winner Brett Sourapas. After lap 1, Banning Sr. handed the truck over to Gary Williams.

The team experienced a longer than expected pit stop due to fueling issues which would set them behind on time. The second lap Williams would began to experience fuel pressure problems that caused us to back down the pace. Williams who still managed to pass a few more racers would pull into the pit for the final drivers change after the 2nd lap. Banning Jr. would take over driving for the 3rd and final lap, but yet another long stop trying to figure out fuel issues would set them behind yet again. Banning Jr. was finally off and back on course. Other than the fuel pressure issues limiting the full power, the drivers and co-driver, Chris Godfrey, did a flawless job.

The 2488 car with Bryan Folks and Tim Sullivan started out having a great day till around RM 98. Folks would miss a turn which would cause them to get off course, damaging the wheels. Folks would end up hurting his back and unable to continue. Sullivan moved to the driver’s seat and brought the car around to main pit on the right front tire. Adam Warren jumped in to co drive and the team would continue to the Midway pit where Rick Graf took over the driving duty’s the car. Still in the lead after all the problems Rick was charging hard when coming back to main pit and the vehicle would lose the transmission ending the day for 2488.

Banning Motorsports team also supports the Melton motorsports 1023 car and changed a cv in under 8 minutes enabling them to win their class by 18 seconds.
Lee Banning Sr. would like to thank the entire Banning Team for another stellar day in the desert, you all rock!!!

Visit banningmotorsports.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @banningmotorsports

February 12, 2015