Sand Drag Racing in SoCal!

2018 sand drag racing roared to life in March at the Annual Pro Sand Drag Association BAKO Race. The Bakersfield Sand Drags’ Kern County Fairgrounds track in Bakersfield, California hosted 152 of the fastest ATV racers from around the USA for the 4 day event.

Racers battled for a share of $7600 in prize money in the Heads-Up Pro Index Races and Pro CC Classes while others pushed it to the limit in heads-up speed contests for a place in the PSDA Record Book. Seven new national records for Elapsed Times and Speed were set during BAKO (see Race Results below). The topper was Fernando Romero’s eye blurring 98.24 mph/3.101 second pass! He impressed everyone while riding Oregonian John Cleveland’s Redline Racing built triple cylinder atv, upsetting his own 2017 Record of 3.196 sec/96.30 mph!

PSDA races are held annually in Bakersfield, California, Gilbert, Louisiana, and Stanford, Kentucky. If you’re into fast ATVs you won’t want to miss seeing one or more of these race events. Better yet, enter the racing yourself and enjoy the fun first hand. But be warned: this high thrills action is very addictive! For more information go to www.prosanddrags.com.

New Records:
Single Cyl Limited 4 Stroke BB 0-770cc
3.541sec/83.65mph Tom Sasselli (owner)/Matthew Sasselli (rider) FSA Motorsports

Single Cyl Limited 4 Stroke BB 771+cc
3.429/88.89mph Tom Sasselli/Manuel Terra (owners)/Matthew Sasselli (rider) FSA Motorsports

2 Stroke 381-450cc
3.695/77.47mph JE Motorsports (owner)/Joseph Evans (rider) JE Motorsports

4 & 2 Stroke Open
3.429/88.89mph Tom Sasselli/Manuel Terra (owners)/Matthew Sasselli (rider) FSA Motorsports

Twin Cyl Limited 426-525cc
3.397/91.03mph Lee Spencer (owner)/Dale Soleberg (rider) Redline Racing

Twin Cyl Limited 776-900cc
3.278/91.51mph Lee Spencer (owner)/Dale Soleberf (rider) Redline Racing

Triple Cyl Limited 0-1325cc non-spread
3.101/98.24mph John Cleveland (owner)/Fernando Romero (rider) Redline Racing

Race Results:
Pro Index 8 – 4.60-4.79 Seconds
1 st – Craig Wright (California)
2 nd – Dennis Williams (California)

Pro Index 7 – 4.40-4.59
1 st – Dennis Williams (California)
2 nd – Luis Sandoval (California)

Pro Index 6 – 4.20-4.39
1 st – Budy Palmer (Oregon)
2 nd – Joey Weaver (California)

Pro Index 5 – 4.00-4.19
1 st – Austin Azevedo (California)
2 nd – Justin Evans (Texas)

Pro Index 4 (Cancelled)

Pro Index 3 – 3.60-3.79
1 st – Andy Seiver (Oregon)
2 nd – Amanda Seiver (Oregon)

Pro Index 2 – 3.40-3.59
1 st – Kelly Lay (Oregon)
2 nd – Isaac Conchas (California)

Pro Index 1 – 0.00-3.39
1 st – Fernando Romero (California)
2 nd – Amanda Seiver (Oregon)

Single & CVT 4 Stroke Twin OEM Frame – SB 0-540cc Limited
1 st – Tre Allen (Virginia)
2 nd – Angel Castillo (Arizona)

Single & CVT 4 Stroke Twin OEM Frame – SB 541 & Up Limited
1 st – Tre Allen (Virginia)
2 nd – Angel Castillo (Arizona)

Single & CVT 4 Stroke Twin OEM Frame – BB 0-770 Limited
1 st – Angel Castillo (Arizona)
2 nd – Matthew Sasselli (California)

Single & CVT 4 Stroke Twin OEM Frame – BB 771 & Up Limited
1 st – Isaac Conchas (California)
2 nd – Darci Summerlin (Oregon)

Single 2 Stroke Heads-Up 381-450cc Limited
1 st – Joseph Evans (Texas)
2 nd – Jeff Patterson (Michigan)

Unlimited
1 st – Matthew Sasselli (California)
2 nd – Leo Amaya (Texas)

Single 2 Stroke Heads-Up 0-380cc Limited
1 st – Justin Evans (Texas)
2 nd – Chris Cabrito (California)

Single & CVT Twin 4 Stroke & Stroke Heads-Up Limited Open Frame
1 st – Matthew Sasselli (California)
2 nd – Joseph Evans (Texas)

Unlimited Open Frame
1 st – Sammy Varela (Texas)
2 nd – Andrew Johnson (Oregon)

Pro Bracket
1 st – Dale Solberg (Washington)
2 nd – Chris Carlson (Arizona)

Kids 8 & Under
1 st – Karsyn Cress (California)
2 nd – Daniel “D2” Wehrer (Nevada)

Kids 9-12
1 st – Ian Ortiz (California)
2 nd – Taylor Wehrer (Nevada)

 

Story by Gee Armstrong

Photos by Dirt-N-Dunez Photography