Highlights from the KC Hilites Midnight Special

Joe Hengeveld signing autographs for the youngin's.

Elliott Brainard and Lindsey Carnett.

Just finished the first half of the race!

Elliott in front of the Henge racing vehicle.

Thumbs up for racing!

Elliott, the navigator.

Lindsey Carnett and I headed out to the desert this past weekend for the KC Hilites Midnight Special to cheer on the racers. The rundown below:

106 degrees and we’re driving through the Mojave Desert- I’m thinking “turn this car around! I’m not getting out of the air conditioned car!”. As I pass a sign saying “The Mojave Desert- your link to outerspace” and I watch a tumbleweed roll by I can’t help having the classic western movie tune play in my head. Doodledoo wah wah wah.

This past weekend I was out supporting Henge Racing in the KC Hilites Midnight Special in Ridgecrest, CA. As I walked around handing out samples I got to experience the off-roading culture. It was great to see how receptive everyone was to the Brainard's Natural Remedies antacids. After all the hotdogs, bean dip and beer they were all following me around for more!

Off roading was fun to learn about- the precision of gas mileage and high tech GPS systems. One of the Henge Racing driver's wife, Julie, was sitting with me explaining the math that goes into planning each race; from split times to gas mileage every thing was very precise - needed to be precise. Julie is pregnant and after noticing her discomfort from eating all of the racing food, we happily stocked her up with Brainard's Natural Antacids.



The intense race went from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am. Can you even imagine what the racers felt like afterwards? Or even during? Henge Racing did amazing well during the race, with a stuck throttle, fuel pump replacement, lights weren’t working correctly and a brake scare they still finished 5th!

I'd love to go to another but next time I bringing a pocket fan!

This Weekend: KC Hilites Midnight Special hosted by SNORE

Check it out, this weekend, July 30 to August 1, 2010, in Ridgecrest, California is the KC Hilites Midnight Special hosted by SNORE (Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts). Meet the Blueberry Girl, Gabby, and receive a free sample of Brainard's Natural Remedies and shake the hand of Steve Hengeveld.

Check out the full outline:

RACE FACTS

- Appx. 55.39 mile loop.

MAIN PIT WILL BE APPROX 10 MILES OUT OF RIDGECREST WITH 4 OUTLYING REMOTE PITS A THRU D

Download the GPS File here. (.gpx format)

Download the GPS File here. (.usr. format)

COURSE MARKING

Saturday July 24, 2010 - 9:00 Start

Please bring staple guns and hammers.

DRIVER NOTES

Printable Driver Notes

EVENT ITINERARY

Printable Schedule

FRIDAY - July 30, 2010

12:00 – 6:00 PM: REGISTRATION (You MUST be registered BEFORE 5:00 PM to be eligible qualify)

Desert Empire Fairgrounds

12:30 – 6:30 PM: TECH/CONTINGENCY

Desert Empire Fairgrounds

7:00 PM: DRIVER’S MEETING – Qualifying ONLY

NOTE: The driver that qualifies MUST start the race on Saturday.

PARADE LAP

Start/Finish – Main Pit

8:00 – 10:00 PM: QUALIFYING

Start/Finish – Main Pit

QUALIFYING CLASS ORDER: 1450, TL, 1600, 10/12, 1/UT

SATURDAY - July 31, 2010

*A gps file of the racecourse is available on the Midnight Special Outline link.

5:30 PM: DRIVER’S MEETING – ALL drivers

Start/Finish – Main Pit

6:00 PM: STAGING

Start/Finish – Main Pit

STARTING ORDER: 1/UT, 10/12, 16, 8, HM, 7, 5, 3000, TL – 4 LAPS

18, 5-1600, 9, 7S, 15, 13, 1450, VORE, SF, SB – 3 LAPS

7:00 PM: RACE BEGINS

8-hour time limit to complete all required laps

2:00 AM: VEHICLES NO LONGER ALLOWED TO START NEW LAP

AWARDS: Due to the logistics of this event, SNORE will not be holding an awards ceremony. Checks and award vouchers will be mailed.

SUNDAY - August 1, 2010

9:00 AM: COURSE CLEAN-UP

FEATURE CLASS

KARTEK Feature Class - Class 12 and Class 9

$3,000 to first place with 10 cars in class.

$4,000 to first place with 20 cars in class.

$5,000 to first place with 30 cars in class.

Click here for the schedule.

It all seems intense. Being in a vehicle for hours on end, I can feel the sweat and dirt on my face already. Come join Gabby and the team from Life's Hunger for a fun day and night dedicated to off-road racing.

(Image Credit)