Well, gang, this is the big weekend in Henderson. The Henderson's Terrible 300 Off-Road race kicked everything off last night (Thursday, Dec. 2) with registration, time trials and a pre-race drawing (for starting positions) at Terrible's Bowling Alley. I was there for just about everything but the drawing party (darn it), because I had previously committed to another important event.
As the Grand Marshall I get to once again have some fun beginning today. Along with a host of other media personalities I get to ride along with one of the entrants on the five-mile closed course, where spectators get to watch the trucks, buggies, etc. enter the area from out on the desert, navigate the five miles of specially grooved and bumpy course before heading back into the desert. This will be the first off-road venture for me since I retired from active Off-Road racing in 1982-3. You can bet I'll be pleading with the owner and driver of the vehicle to allow me behind the wheel-but to no avail I'm sure.
Best in the Desert Racing Association is both producing and sanctioning the Henderson's Terrible 300 for the first time this year. This race, which will have over 160 trucks, cars, buggies, motorcycles and ATV's, will be its final race of the season. It will be the sixth and deciding race of the southwest series and the various class champions will be crowned at a year-end awards breakfast at the Henderson Convention Center from 9-11 a.m., Sunday.
Today and later tonight (Friday) Water Street will be closed from about noon until late in the evening (in front of the Convention Center) for technical inspection, contingency row and a Charity Silent Auction. Everything starts at 4 pm. and is supposed to end around 9 pm. There will be all kinds of equipment on display including my Open Road Race Car sponsor (one of them) K & N Air Filters. I'll be roaming around and will be more or less at the auction site in case any of you really care. After all, I am the Grand Marshall. That title came about according to Bud Pico (he's the manager of the Henderson Tourism Bureau) who called me one-day and asked if I would be the guy. He said I was a pioneer (well sorta) since I created the World Famous Mint 400 Off-Road Race back in 1968-69. Of course I agreed and here I am, heading for Henderson.
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I will also be on hand at 7:00 a.m., (God that's early) Saturday morning to wave the green flag for the start of the day's racing. The promoters have built this special section for spectators and it's a dandy. Located on the highway to Laughlin (and Needles if you go that far), it's about 3 miles down the road from the Boulder City highway. Soooo, come on out and see what all the excitement is about. Saturday night the awards will be presented in the Convention Center beginning at 7:30 pm. You know what is really neat-you, the public, are invited to attend all the activities FREE of charge. If you like auto racing, then you have to be in Henderson tonight and especially tomorrow morning out at the course. Oh, yeah, the bikes and ATV's have their own separate spectator course side-by-side with the trucks, etc.
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will be seen on a special segment of CNBC's "Bullseye" show at 3 pm. today. A total of 284 racers competed in the 37th running of this very unique race. The entire race will be shown on a one-hour NBC sports special Saturday, Dec. 11 at 11:30 am.(pst)...
Kurt Busch will be in town Sunday with a press conference scheduled for 2:00 pm., inside the Golden Nugget and then he goes outside to meet all his friends and get honored by city and state officials. The new NASCAR Champion has never forgotten where he was raised and will be visiting a lot of friends during his brief stay here. Couldn't happen to a more deserving guy-the talent has always been there...
Stopped by the other evening with a lady friend to see and listen to the people at Timeless Image RX MedSpa of Las Vegas. It's located at the northern end of the valley near Ann Road at 7901 Tropical Parkway in the big shopping center. They do everything for the face and body including diamond abrasions for the face-which I get to try. Neat place...
The cowboys are heading our way gang and the Hilton Hotel on Paradise is offering free boot polishing by the beautiful "BootShine Girls." The NFR is celebrating its 20th anniversary of visiting Las Vegas. It takes place in the hotel lobby from 10 am. to 6 pm., through Dec. 12...
Well, gang, that's about it for another week. I'm outa here!
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