Positive post on Race Desert for UTV's - need your help!

[Big Guy]

I have been racing off road for over 30 years and in a UTV for the last 7 years. I have never been hit hard from behind. My father started off road racing in the 60's, when the sport was born. It is has always been a rule that off road racers show mutual respect when passing, whether you are racing a TT truck, buggie, UTV, motorcycle or quad. At any given race any one of these vehicles could pass another regardless of where they start. It is absolutely reckless and irresponsible for any class of off-road vehicle to run blind through the dust and plow another competitor. We as off road racers must not put winning the race over the safety of our fellow competitors, it is not worth it. There is no one class that is "special" we are all equal!!! It is the reasonability of the co driver/navigator to constantly check their mirrors, especially on high speed sections. Let’s all stop whining about having to pass slower vehicles and take reasonability for our actions and the safety of our fellow competitors. Slowing down to pass in the dust safely is no different then stopping to help a injured racer, if you are not willing to do either one of these, than please go find another sport, don't let your EGO ruin the sport I LOVE. After the entire only thing we are racing for, is the LOVE OF THE SPORT AND BRAGGING RIGHTS!!!
UTV racers we are receiving all the same respect that the other classes receive, if you are expecting something more it is not there. There is no less respect for our class that any other, maybe a few more sarcastic comments, but no less respect. <O</O
I believe that there are two things we can do to increase the safety when it comes to passing; 1 Every race vehicle should have a front LED amber light. 2 All classes that have a blue light should have a momentary off button that will allow the co driver to flash the blue light, this will be a universal signal to the vehicle behind, that the front vehicle has seen them and will be moving out of the way. <O</O
I am Cory Sappington and I endorse this message

Well said Cory!

 

[cocojoe]

I can only speak for myself, but it seems like a no brainer to start the utv's in with the rest of the cars, with starting order determined by average speed of the class, like all other 4 wheeled vehicles with a steering wheel. It doesnt make any sense to start them up with the bikes and quads, when they are cars. I think that is the main concern of the the faster cars they "utv's" shouldnt be starting before cars that are faster than themselves. They just think that the same rules that apply to all other cars should apply to a utv. It's not an elitest thing it's a safety thing

 

[DUNE DUMMY 29]

I USED TO RACE 3WHEELERS & THEN DESERT SUPERLIGHTS & A PILOT. WE NEVER WERE RESPECTED OR LIKED. THEY CONSIDERED US ROLLING CHICHANES & THE MOTORCYCLES WOULD ROOST US WHEN THEY PASSED. I HAVE A PERMANENT LUMP ON MY RIGHT WRIST FROM A ROCK THROWN BY A BIKE. I ALWAYS WOULD GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ANYONE THAT WAS FASTER THAN ME. I RACED DESERT RACES FOR FUD IN DISTRICT 38. IT IS SAD BUT SOME RACERS DON'T GET THE COMPASSION & RESPECT WE SHOULD FEEL & SHOW FOR ALL RACERS. CORY
WAS RIGHT ON WITH HIS COMMENTS