Miller Motorsports park. Whos going ?

We never been to a off road race, but this looks fun ! Fly into Salt lake City Im thinking ?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Xracer on September 21, 2011 at 1:44pm

So if Robby a is running the TT in the Baja 1000 I take it he is running the Dakar rig at Miller? If so do we see the Bull Run Jeep or maybe a new Dakar Jeep? Good as any place to make the announcement.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NIKAL on September 21, 2011 at 6:22pm

OK lets get this race over with and hope Robby and Speed Energy will not get discouraged with the outcome. But lets also hope they move past Mi7 and look to work with a series that is currently involved and has a long history in the sport. For those who dont know there was a series called High Desert Racing Association (HDRA) that used to have races in the 80's and 90's. HDRA eventually merged with Score and Score fazed out the HDRA part.

Well HDRA is back with new owners and employees that have been involved with running a off-road desert racing series and have a partner who is a well known established off-road racer. Roger Norman the owner of the #8 Trophy Truck and Crystal Bay Casino in Reno NV has purchased the HDRA name and is starting a new desert racing series in the USA. Roger has hired two current board members of the Snore series to run the day to day operations of HDRA. They have announce a 5 race series for 2012 that will have short races like Score's Laughlin and what Mi7 have attempted, a few loop races and I believe one point to point race. All there races will be in NV or Cal.

Rodger's success in business and racing make most feel confident he can make this happen. Rodger's vision seems to be to make a series for the racers with corporate sponsorship helping a large majority of the cost. This series is also going to have a huge focus on spectators and how to make it so spectators can come and see the best of of what open desert racing has to offer. Remember Rodger owns a casino and understands entertainment.

Here is a Q/A with HDRA's CFO Ken Flippin;

HDRA (High Desert Racing Association) was officially announced as a new race series on Friday the 17th at the Dezert People 9 premier at Roger Norman’s race shop. Many questions were asked and Race-Dezert asked CFO Ken Flippin a few of the common questions.

Who is HDRA?

Ken Flippin CFO, and Robert Gross President. Roger Norman has no title and does not get a salary.

Why are the entry fees higher than SNORE? Will they always be this price? Never in history have entry fees gone down before.

Initial fees reflect immense start-up costs. The HDRA mission plan is to greatly reduce or eliminate entry fees with sponsorship support, and hopefully in at some point in the future racers will only be paying insurance and membership fees.
Fees are always tricky; you need to make enough to cover hard costs, but not enough to gouge the racer. We are kicking around the idea of sponsor monies subsidizing the HDRA racer fees. Basically the cost goes down to the racer while HDRA receives its full projected income.

Will there be bikes, quads, and utv classes in HDRA?

Still deciding. It is intriguing to think about non caged racers.

What rulebook will HDRA be using? Any annual inspections that cost $?

A modified SCORE/SNORE rule book with no inspections at this point

Who are the sponsors already signed up for the series?

Contracts are being drawn now but I cannot say yet. Multiple big names.

How will points work? How will payback work?

Undecided at this time.

Does HDRA have any permits approved already?

Permit apps are in for two races with no negatives from BLM yet. The third is on the motorplex in Reno so no permits are needed.

What does the “reality tv” coverage actually consist of? What classes will it feature?

There are two designs being pitched. Off road hero which is kind of a big brother style, “someone gets eliminated every week” thing until the winner is decided and they get to drive Roger’s 800 hp Unlimited Truck in a HDRA race. The other we cannot elaborate on just yet.

Any interest in doing races in Mexico?

We have been approached about doing NORRA initially and some cross-promotional ideas with CODE.

Will there be bleachers or a spectator area at races?

Yes

What will medical/safety staff consist of at races?

That will vary from race to race depending on type of event. Complete details are written into all our Safety Management Plans that exist whether BLM requires one or not. We like Rick and the Tri Star team and others have submitted proposals to Roger.

Will head and neck restraints be made mandatory?

We are leaning toward that requirement. Virtually every major race sanctioning body now requires their use. Very soon it may be a requirement in order to obtain event coverage from insurers.

What timing system will be used?

Still searching / comparable to BITD & SNORE. System selected will have to embrace leading edge technology, be flexible and have expansion capabilities.

Who bought the Mint 400 name?

Matt Martelli with Mad Media

What will the media policy be? Fees? What access will they be given? Any requirements?

Media is a huge priority with HDRA. Access to race tracks and racers is paramount. We are looking
at keeping the cell phone camera guy completely away from the professionals who get it done to get it into the mainstream. And more to come later on this….

http://www.hdrarace.com/

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Vick on September 21, 2011 at 6:25pm

saw this on RDC. Mint 400. Great history.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NIKAL on September 21, 2011 at 7:17pm

Yep Matt with Mad Media bought the Mint 400 naming rights from Snore as they seem set on no longer having the Mint 400 race. It sounds like the HDRA 2012 schedule is already established. But if HDRA is successful I would expect to see Mad Media and HDRA partner and do a Mint 400 races together in 2013 Dont be surprised if Mad Media is not announced in the future as the official media partner of HDRA. Roger Norman does everything 110% and I expect HDRA to be the same. Also Roger is very well liked in the off-road industry and this alone will help the series.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wally Meier on September 21, 2011 at 8:47pm

Walt Lott did a great job with HDRA and promoting the sport we need more like him and Casey Filks over at BITD. Thanks for the info NIKAL.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by NIKAL on September 22, 2011 at 12:43pm

The glory days of the Mint 400. With Mad Media's vision of what they want the Mint 400 to be again it would not surprise me to see a modern day picture like this.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by timothy price on September 27, 2011 at 1:36am

lol haveta laff my dads class 5/1600 in top right part of picture (just below the power line)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by timothy price on September 22, 2011 at 2:00pm

walt had a very sick since of where to run a race (i think he picked the worse terrain and race the corse throught it) i still remember him at the slash x cafe near barstow a lot having fun and talking with the racers

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by El Jardo on September 21, 2011 at 11:48pm

After reading this thread It is that much more clear on why robby remains in NASCAR. NASCAR pays money to race. It sucks there is no money or organization in off road racing. RGM can place 39th in a stock car race and make more money that winning 20 baja 1000's. Pretty Sad. Proud of Robby for keepin on.