Ramona Racers Finish on Top

Darren Hardesty finished almost 2-1/2 minutes ahead of second place at a speed of 51.49 mph for an 8th finish overall. PhotoS by Darrel Kinney

By Johnny McDonald

Nothing better than a season-winning start to get you revved up for what’s ahead as two Ramonans engaged dusty and man-made potholes in the recent 12th annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge.

Construction workers Darren Hardesty and Tyler Fox came through it all before an estimated 40,000 fans, and can make plans for four more tough SCORE events with renewed confidence. A record total 233 racers saw action and only 114 completed the required laps for the two days of competition.

Each had relatively easy sailing en route with the exception of two “snags.”

Hardesty, whose father, Earl, won the Class 10 SCORE title in 1980, said his VW Bug hit a stalled truck fairly hard but did not incur serious damage.

Fox, who has been racing four years, had built a two-minute lead over his challengers with his 1986 Ford Ranger before he was stalled by a truck. When it was cleared the opposition had caught up with him. He was in Class 7s.

Tyler Fox entered Sunday action nine seconds behind, but won the final days race by 80 seconds.

“The car ran perfect and was really fast,” said Hardesty about his AlumiCraft VW that clocked one hour, 51 minutes, 52 seconds for the two days. “It was a tough race... a rough track. It got really tore up, but you just have to pick better lines. We had a fun time.” He finished eighth overall.

Hardesty, who has been racing Volkswagen buggies over 15 years, said he was leading his class in the Baja 1,000, encountered problems and finished fifth.

“We’ll pre run next for San Felipe (the Tecate 250 in March),” Hardesty said. “Get around the entire course about four times.” He figures 24 will be in his class.

After that race, SCORE will have the Baja 500 and 1,000 and State line.

Fox had Carlos Vialobos as a copilot who helped navigate through the dust.

Tom Bryant, another racer from Ramona, was in car 1007 out of Alpine.

As for speed he figured he averaged between 36 and 40 miles an hour with his three-liter engine.

Fox, too, was leading at Baja last November with 300 miles to go when he lost a transmission.

“I carry all spare parts, now, even an extra transmission,” he said.

Both drivers said they “play and practice” a lot in Ocotillo and Glamis. It’s a family affair and practice, play or race they’re all there. Fox’s wife,Josie added: “It’s not a poor man’s sport by any means no matter which class you run in. He’d love to go into the Pro Truck class but they cost $125,000.”

“I dismantle the majority of the truck, then check shocks and springs,” Fox said.

“Everything is fine tuned and in proper condition. Don’t want to overlook something. But some courses really beat up the truck.”

Fox added, though, there are more short courses for off-racing in the United States because it is hard to find land to run on but better for spectators.

The two drivers seem to agree the organizers try to make the Mexican courses as rough as possible. They think it’s a great idea. The rougher the course the more they like it.

Hardesty said it’s a family sport. “Everyone comes over and helps work on the car every Tuesday night...30 crew members and friends.”

It has to be fun because, as Hardesty admits, “you’re not even close to breaking even in a season.”