#DesertRacing

AMA District 38 has inked a deal with Coyne Powersports for them to be named the official Title Sponsor of their All New D38 UTV Racing Series. This new series will bring seven UTV off-road racing events to the Imperial Valley’s famed Superstition Mountain OHV area.

“Everyone at D38 is extremely excited to bring UTV Off Road Racing into our series,” says Rob Niemela, AMA D38 president. “As the old saying goes, with age comes a cage, so this new series will offer a chance for a retired D38 rider or a beginner into our sport of Off Road Desert Racing to experience the adrenaline and excitement this type of racing provides in an overall safer package.”

Can-Am off-road racing teams posted class victories in two different desert racing events. Derek Murray piloted the Murray Motorsports’ Can-Am Commander 1000 to victory at the Henderson 250 in the Best in the Desert series in Nevada. The four-man team of Carl Vella, Mike Penland, Rick Matteson and Ryan Robey teamed to ride a Can-Am Outlander 800R ATV to a class win at the 44th Annual 2011 SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in Ensenada, Mexico.

At the BITD event in Henderson, Nev., Derek Murray drove and Bill Kugel co-piloted the Can-Am due to Jason Murray, the driver of record, being ill. Even without his brother by his side, Derek Murray was determined to win. The Commander 1000, prepped by Desert Toyz, started in seventh place, but slowly worked its way to the front of the side-by-side vehicle pack. Three miles into the third lap, the team took over the lead and drove a clean, fast race from there to the finish line to record its first overall win of 2011. The Murray Commander team ended the BITD season ranked third in the final Pro UTV class standings.

“We are extremely happy to have won the Henderson 250 as it is the final race of the season and determines the outcome for the season due to it being a double points race,” says Derek Murray. “We knew all season the Commander had what it takes to be a top competitor in the most competitive desert racing series in the USA. We’re excited that what we knew finally came to fruition in Henderson. It shows that the Commander is a great, reliable and fast machine that’s able to be modified to any rider’s needs.”