Dirt Bits ... January 2000

OFF-ROAD FOR HOPE II - 2000

SAN DIEGO-Whether you are an avid off-highway vehicle enthusiast or you just bought into the sport utility vehicle market, you can make a difference to Brandy and Bentley Lovrein and thousands of other kids affected by muscular dystrophy by par-ticipating in Off-Road for Hope II, Feb. 4-6, 2000 at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area.

Hundreds of OHV enthusiasts from throughout California are expected to attend Off-Road for Hope II, which will feature three days of runs, fun, games, live music and much more.

"We have been planning this great event for nearly a year now and it is shaping up to be the off-highway vehicle event of the year," said Eric Corens, event organizer for the San Diego Chapter of MDA. "Last year, our first year, we drew more than 500 participants and raised over $18,000. We're confident that we can double those figures for our upcoming event."

Activities begin on Friday evening, February 4, with a sunset Poker Run that departs at 6:30 p.m. Corens said the Poker Run is a fun run for all off-highway vehicles with several stops where participants will be challenged with games before departing for the next stop.

On Saturday, February 5, Off-Road for Hope features 11 different four-wheel drive and sport utility runs ranging in difficulty from very easy to most difficult. In addition, there will be a 100-mile dual sport motorcycle run and a Buggy-Bike-ATV Desert Roundup. Corens explained that the roundup includes stops where enthusiasts participate in desert bowling, desert golf and Blind Man's Bluff, where the driver is blindfolded while the co-driver barks out instructions.

That evening, participants will be treated to a mouth-watering barbecue dinner, prize drawings and live music by Al Turner and the KSON Flatbed Show.

Sunday morning, February 6, will feature off-highway spectator sports and more activities.

Registration fees, with all proceeds benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association, are $25 for multi-seat vehicles; $12 for single seat vehicles and $18 for the dual sport motorcycle run. Cost for the Saturday night barbecue dinner is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 10, and children under 6 eat free.

To register or for more information on Off-Road for Hope II-2000, contact the San Diego MDA at (858) 492-9792 or visit their website at www.mda-sd.com. Registration form available in this magazine on page 8.

The Big 3
SAN DIEGO-The 34th annual antique and collector car parts exchange and swap meet will be held at Qualcomm Stadium on the weekend of February 26-27, 2000. The BIG 3 Auto Swap is held annually and has grown to be the largest old car event held in the San Diego area. This auto swap attracts participants from all over the country. The sponsors of this event consist of the San Diego regional group of the Horseless Carriage Club of America, Antique Automobile Club of America and Early Ford V8 Club of America. Each of these three clubs is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of antique and collectable vehicles. This entire event is totally operated by member volunteers from the "BIG 3" Clubs.

This event was first held in the spring of 1966 when just a few club members got together in the parking lot at the College Grove Shopping Center. The next year it grew to about 200 vendors and was held at the Sears parking lot in Hillcrest. The event continued there for another year and then moved to the parking lot behind the old Sands Hotel in Kearny Mesa. The City of San Diego then decided to ban swap meets, so arrangements were made to move the event to the Sears lot in El Cajon. As the event continued to grow, this site could no longer accommodate the huge number of participants so the event was moved to El Cajon Speedway parking lot. This site accommodated the growth of the event, but as the parking area was all dirt and the winter rains turned the annual automotive event into a mud bowl, a new site had to be found.

With a change in policy by the City of San Diego allowing swap meets, arrangements were made to move the event to Jack Murphy Stadium in 1980. There the "BIG 3" Parts Exchange has become an annual fixture for individuals who appreciate those fantastic vehicles of the past.

There is no charge to the general public to attend this event; however the stadium authority will charge a $3 parking fee. The hours are from 6 a.m. until dark on both days.

For more information check their web site at www.big3partsexchange.com.

30th Annual El Trial de Espana
LOS ANGELES-The American Trials Association (ATA) announced the date and location of Southern California's 30th Annual El Trial de Espana. The event will be held on Sunday, April 16, 2000, at Reed Valley in the city of Aguanga approximately 25 miles east of Temecula.

"There is an incredible amount of heritage with this event and the ATA are proud to celebrate it's 30th anniversary," notes ATA President, Bill Markham. For the past 29 years, El Trial de Espana (ETdE) has raised monies to send American trials riders overseas to world-level competition. In recent years, ETdE has been the principal fundraiser for the United States Trial des Nations team. And for 2000, the event will benefit both a Men's and Women's Trial des Nations Team.

Regarding the Women's effort, Markham comments, "It's great to see the F.I.M. add the Women's event as an exhibition competition for 2000, but it also means we will have an ever bigger challenge to fund the total TdN effort. Fortunately, earl support for El Trial de Espana looks promising with commitments fro all the factory teams to attend-so our afternoon exhibition will feature the nation's best riders. In addition, we have confirmed motorcycle donations from two Spanish factories, Gas Gas and Montesa and a kids' mini' trials bike from both the US importers for Gas Gas and Beta for our big fundraiser drawing. All in all, we're laying the groundwork for the 30th annual El Trial de Espana to be the best in it's long, prestigious history."

More details will be released as the event develops, including a special "Trials-Olympiad" on Saturday, April 15. The event is still in the planning stages, but will most likely utilize a team concept where riders will perform a series of somewhat unusual (i.e. wacky) "special tests" to demonstrate their true versatility on a trials motorcycle. The event is certain to be unorthodox and outrageously fun to watch.

Dirt Track Racing is Back at Barona Speedway park
SAN DIEGO-Dirt Track Racing is coming back to San Diego at Barona Speedway Park.

The Outlaw Dirt Tracker Club in conjunction with Barona Speedway Park will be promoting a Winter Millennium Series with racing starting on January22, 2000.

For more information contact Vicki Finch at (619) 427-0979 or e-mail [email protected]

This page last updated 6 September 2000