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The 2024 BITD Vegas to Reno, stretching a grueling 555 miles, proved to be one heck of an incredible, grueling, and exciting race. Known for its fierce competition and high attrition, this iconic race in the Best in the Desert (BITD) Series tests every ounce of a team’s endurance and skill. Not only in the car but on the highway as chase teams attempt to keep up with the racers.
We took on the desert heat and the relentless terrain in our trusty 2004 Toyota 4Runner, prepped for battle in the 4600 stock class. Our race strategy was bold: to tackle the entire race with just one driver and one co-driver, a demanding feat that set us apart from the majority of competitors who typically rotate drivers midway. With two days of testing at Jean Dry Lake and some last-minute tweaks, we were ready to face whatever the desert had in store.
The course presented a relentless mix of conditions. Some sections were fast and smooth, going as fast as the 4Runner would let us, while others were filled with daunting rollers and g-outs, demanding rocky patches, and deep silt beds that tested both vehicle and driver. Our 4Runner performed exceptionally well throughout the day, although we encountered some hurdles along the way.
Halfway through the day, we faced our first issue, a flat tire after a high-speed impact with a boulder. We pulled off a quick tire change and continued chasing down 2nd place. As the race progressed into the more rugged latter half, we suffered two additional flats, each caused by hitting rocks at high speed. These issues were due in part to driver error but also, our tire pressure was too low for the conditions, a lesson learned for future races. Each challenge was a valuable learning experience, contributing to our growth as a racing program. We overcame these challenges quickly and it showcased the value of our preparation.
We started the race 128th overall in car/truck, and by the end of the grueling 12-hour and 48-minute battle, we crossed the finish line 3rd in our class and 43rd overall. We finished behind two factory-backed Ford Broncos, achieving an average speed of 45 mph—a commendable result for our first point-to-point desert race of this scale. It was no small feat for every component of our car, the driver and co-driver as well as the pit crew chasing them the whole way.
This race was another testament to the durability and strength of the Sherpa Rack System. Battling washouts, jumps, silt beds, and endless vibrations through 555 miles of Nevada Desert.
If you want to support the racing, pick up some Sherpa Motorsports Merch.
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Mar 26, 2024
Alex Fleming
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