ARIZONA OFF-ROAD PROMOTIONS BLYTHE GP

Grassroots racing for UTVs, quads and dirt bikes

ARIZONA OFF-ROAD PROMOTIONS BLYTHE GP

Getting into racing can be intimidating, unless you know where to start. Most regions of the country have smaller series that allow racers to get their feet wet without too much travel or financial investment. In Arizona, the AZOP series is exactly that. This Grand Prix and Hare Scramble series stays within the state for all rounds with the exception of the Blythe GP, which is only five miles across the California state line at Interstate 10, 40 miles north of Glamis.

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Thanks to good safety measures, both drivers were uninjured in this crash. If it wasn’t for a broken tie-rod, the green car would have continued like the other one.

 

We checked out the action at Shorty’s Cycle Park recently and were impressed, not only with the turnout but how well the races were run and, of course, how much fun the participants and spectators were having. The main part of the track sits perched on a mesa overlooking the valley, with the southern section of the Colorado river in the distance. Most racers camp at the track. Blythe and the other towns on the circuit do have accommodations; however, hanging out before and after the heats during the two-day event is half the fun. You can sign up on Friday evening or Saturday morning, and each day’s race is a separate entry fee. Year-end points are based on racing each round.

The ARIZONA OFF-ROAD PROMOTIONS BLYTHE GP at Shorty’s Cycle Park is basically split between half desert and half MX course. Due to the dusty conditions, it was easier to make passes in the MX portion of the four-mile course.

 

Youth drivers can race in non-turbo single or two-seat cars. They can’t run a four-seat chassis or with tire sizes larger than 32 inches.

 

Shorty’s Cycle Park in Blythe sits on top of a mesa that overlooks farmland below and the Colorado River not far off in the distance.

 

Jesse Johnson is a Blythe local and a regular on the AZOP circuit. Typically, kids step up from the Polaris RZR 170 or 200 to the 570 and then to the RS1. It’s just like moving up in the go-kart ranks, only a lot more fun.

 

Choosing classes depends on the size of your machine and skill level. Pro and non-pro classes are available in both turbo or non-turbo cars. The kids can race in 170, 250 or 570 groups at beginner or advanced skill levels. Older teens can race in the Youth 1000 class as well. See AZOPRacing.com for exact age groups, parental approvals and complete rules.

The races alternate between Grand Prix with motocross and hare scrambles, which are more desert style. The promoters also put on UTV jamborees. See that schedule at www.utvoffroadadventures.com.

 

Dirt bikes have several races a weekend. The bikes run together, and the small bikes have their own race. A Stacyc electric bike class has been added this year, and they are the last race of the day. The little kids are fun to watch.

 

The youth drivers in the RS1s put on a show at this round. They were the biggest class and the fastest group on the track. These kids will have no trouble driving on public roads when it’s time.

 

Other than the Blythe round, the series travels all over the Grand Canyon State with stops in Wickenburg, Page, Chino Valley, Flagstaff and more. During the hottest months, July through September, the races take place in the cooler climates. If you are not into racing, the same promoter puts on poker fun runs across the state as well. So, no matter what kind of fun you are looking for in Arizona, AZOP (www.azop.com or www.utvoffroadadventures.com) can provide that.

 

REMAINING 2022 RACE DATES:

July 9-10 Morman Lake GP,

Norman Lake, AZ

August 6-7 Cinder Mountain Off-Road

Challenge, Flagstaff, AZ

September 10-11 Morman Lake GP 2,

Norman Lake, AZ

November 5-6 Vulture Mine Hare

Scrambles, Wickenburg, AZ

December 17 Canyon Christmas GP,

Peoria, AZ

See the Best in the Desert 2023 schedule here: BEST IN THE DESERT ANNOUNCES 2023 SCHEDULE – UTV Action Magazine

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