HURRICANE – A groundbreaking off-road event this week in Hurricane aims to bring together all aspects of “rock sports” and increase awareness for the industry.
Trail Hero runs Tuesday through Saturday and is a new, one-of-a-kind event that brings together rock crawling, off-road racing and trail rides – along with opportunities for spectators.
“No single event has ever had every aspect of our sport on one platform until now, all while being free to spectators,” Trail Hero information states.
Participants in each event will receive one letter towards becoming a “Trail Hero,” someone who donates time or money to support the collective off-road movement.
A special group ride Wednesday through Wheelers for the Wounded will benefit wounded warriors and Wednesday trail rides are free for veterans and active duty service members.
Trail Hero features guided trail rides Wednesday through Saturday ranging in difficulty from 1 to 10 – suitable for stock 4×4 vehicles to custom-built buggies and all levels in between.
The trails will be led by volunteers from Desert Roads and Trails Society, or Desert RATS, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting and preserving the responsible use of public lands in the tri-state area.
While the event is a for-profit endeavor, nonprofit groups including Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association, Utah Public Lands Alliance will benefit as well. Both organizations work to maintain off-road access in Southern Utah and across the state.
The event is based in Hurricane; many of the trails are set for the Sand Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle area, which is also known as Sand Hollow.
Registration/check-in is located at the Hurricane City Recreation Center, 63 S. 100 West in Hurricane. For a complete listing of events or to register for trails, visit the Trail Hero website.
Free events
- Kick Off party: Wednesday from 6-10 p.m., the Trail Hero Kick Off party will be held at Red Desert Off-Road, located at 4012 S. River Road, Unit 3C. The party will feature food, drink, raffles and a drawing for the starting order of the top 10 drivers for the Trail Breaker event.
- Lasernut Rock Race – This endurance rock crawl starts at noon on Saturday. The combination of rock crawling and high-speed desert racing will be held on a 2-mile track and features 20 teams. Teams will try to get the most laps in a two-hour time span. The race is located on and around the 9-rated Nasty Half Trail; within walking distance of the Sand Hollow State Park parking area.
-
Trail Hero is offering a unique mix of trail rides, rock crawling and racing starting Tuesday in Hurricane, Utah, photo undated | Photo by Bryan Bennett, courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News Bounty Hill: This is a charitable event with all proceeds going to the Utah Public Lands Alliance. The terrain features a nearly impossible climb; the contest pays $2,000 to the driver that finishes the course the fastest – and if no one finishes, the purse will be donated. Each 10-minute attempt will cost $10. The course will be open Friday noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spectators are welcome.
- Trail Breaker Challenge: This event Thursday features a newly built, nearly impossible climb at a location which will be kept secret until the day before the event. The course opens at 7 a.m. Thursday and the competition gets underway at 8 a.m. Entrance is by invitation only and the event will feature top drivers from across the country. Spectators are welcome.
- W.E. Rock night rock crawl – W.E. Rock is sponsoring an invitation-only competition with participation by some of the biggest names in rock crawling competing for an $8,000 purse. The event begins at 4 p.m. Friday; it is free for spectators and includes a free course where spectators can try a pro course in their own vehicle.
- Closing ceremonies: Saturday night, the public is invited to downtown Hurricane for a vendor show, live music, food, awards and more. This event will be held in and around the Hurricane City Recreation Center, 63 S. 100 West.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
This is absolutely fantastic we will be there to participate and enjoy the wonderful nature and landscape our great state of Utah has to offer. myou deepest thanks for putting this together this will be a wonderful gathering of friends and family. Praise the Lord !