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It’s hard not to get excited about the debut of a new off-road race. Especially, when you are talking about one that combines A location rich in off-road history, a proven race format, and top-tier talent. With all of that, the inaugural running of the California 300 is going to be an epic event and Off Road Xtreme is here to break down all the info on how you can experience this exciting new desert race.
Why Are We So Excited About The California 300?
Let’s start with the location. The race will be held just outside of Barstow, California. This area has been home to some of the sport’s greatest racers, builders, and fabricators. It has also served as a testing ground for the development of countless off-road parts and race teams. With all this, the 300-mile racecourse comprised of a 70-mile-long desert track and multiple laps promises to be fast, technical, punishing, and amazing to watch.
With a proven format firmly laid out, The California 300 is being brought to you by the same team that reinvented The Mint 400. The Martelli brothers are bringing that same winning formula from The Great American Off Road Race to the California desert. The weeklong event will include a number of interactive events leading up to the two action-packed race days.
So, who is racing? Currently, over 160 drivers have locked in their spots, with that number expected to grow between now and race day. With rigs from over 25 classes hitting the course over the two days of racing, there will be plenty to see. We expect to see many of the top names in the sport will be battling it out.
But Wait, There Is More: UTV World Championship At The California 300
Also, part of the California 300 event is the 2022 UTV World Championship presented by Polaris! The Super Bowl of UTV Racing is getting a makeover. “We felt it was time to revamp the event for all our UTV racers. Barstow has the perfect mix of longer open desert race course, good pit access, and lots of land for camping and spectating. Add to that the amenities like the local hotels, cell coverage and freeway access and it really hits all of the key components we need for a successful event,” said UTV World Championship CEO, Matt Martelli.
California 300 Event Partners
As usual and par for the course, the Martelli Brothers along with their team are working very hard to produce another top-shelf live-action motorsport event. As mere mortals, they cannot do it alone and have recruited partners to share in the supporting duties. VP Racing Fuels was first to act and has become the official fuel partner.
Polaris is just one of many major sponsors that should be on the list to check out with during the event. Be sure to stop by the Polaris booth to check out the latest lineup of off road vehicles, talk with Polaris product experts and enter for a chance to win their Ultimate Giveaway and maybe even meet some of the RZR Factory Race Teams.
Other California 300 partners include, but not limited to Camburg Engineering, Jimco Racing, King Shocks, Rugged Radios, and Belching Beaver. The Southern California independent brewing powerhouse will serve as the “Official Craft Beer of The California 300” and will be offering a custom branded limited “California 300” beer available onsite, at select stores, or directly online to California residents.
Rockford Fosgate has been a long-time partner of the Martelli Brothers an d have again signed on for this event. Look for the Rockford Fosgate® Polaris General cruising the spectating areas during the California 300 handing out free merchandise!
Heat Wave Visual will be kicking down support to all racers with their ultra stylish glasses. Heat Wave have been known to support boot strap racers and dabble in racing themselves. It is cool to see them step up again as a supporting sponsor of the inaugural event.
California 300 Demo Rides
With eBikes being all the rage, it only makes sense to see brands working to innovate and expose their products to the off-road industry. A company called UBCO has some pretty rad electric 2×2 all-wheel-drive motorbikes and they will be available to demo during the California 300 event. If you plan to try them out, reserve and schedule your demo ahead of time.
Kawasaki is joining in as well and promoting their Teryx KRX® 1000. This effort includes demo rides of its all-new Teryx® lineup of side-by-sides.
California 300 Schedule Of Events
The clean up powered by Clean-Dezert will kick off the week by attempting to remove over 12 tons of trash.
The CA300 desert cleanup powered by Clean-Dezert will start things off on Saturday, October 8th. This is a great chance for the off-road community to give back to help preserve the wilderness environment. The goal of removing over 12 tons of trash from the Barstow desert will be hard work but not without rewards. All volunteers will receive an event T-shirt and be entered into a massive raffle. Over $20,000 in off-road parts, accessories, and swag is up for grabs. If you’re interested in helping out, here is the link to sign up.
Also on Saturday, is the official CA300 poker run. This will be the first look at the California 300 racecourse. Participants will complete a full race lap making stops along the way to collect stickers. At the final stop you will spin a virtual poker hand to record your score and hopefully win cash prizes. Registration for the poker run is already open and includes an event T-shirt as well.
California 300 Main Events
Tuesday, October 11th and Wednesday, race competitors can officially start prerunning the complete course. Qualifying will take place on Thursday October 13th. Thursday is also the off-road festival, an all-day event featuring some of the biggest brands in the industry. Between qualifying and visiting the festival, this would be the best time to stop by for those demo ride in a UTV or an electric adventure 2×2 work bike.
Friday, October 14th is the first of two race days. Starting off on the short course will be UTV World Championship. After the short course start, the limited classes and UTV’s will take to the track for three laps of racing. With over 25 classes scheduled to run, including Class 10, Pro UTV’s, Vintage and the Class 11 bugs, there is guaranteed to be great racing and entertainment.
The main event will take place on Saturday the 15th. The unlimited classes will be hitting the track and completing the full grueling 300 miles. With trophy and spec trucks running, if you can only make it one day, this should be the one.
Three Ways To Catch The Action
Live and in-person will be the best way to experience the race if you can make it. With the racecourse and multiple viewing areas just minutes off one of California’s largest highways, finding your way to the race should be simple. The area also offers plenty of free camping, so you won’t miss out on any of the action during the weeklong event. If camping is not your thing, the city of Barstow is just minutes away offering hotel accommodations and supplies.
Tickets to the Midway area are only $20 and available here. This gets you right up close to the action with a view of the start/finish line. It also provides the best access to all the vendors and viewing of the tech areas and stage.
While the midway viewing area is going to give you the best view, there are two other viewing areas are open to the public with no ticket necessary.
Two additional viewing areas will also be available with no ticket necessary. Yeah, that’s right you can come out and watch the race for free like at any other normal desert race! From either of the designated viewing areas, you will be able to see multiple portions of the track.
If making it out isn’t an option, the race will be covered and broadcasted by MAD Media. This way you can follow live tracking and streaming from the entire course. The link for all the streaming media will be available on the CA300 website.
Off Road Xtreme will be onsite covering the action. We will be producing a full race recap along with a photo gallery of the action, so stay tuned. Drop a comment below on who your favorite is to take the win in The California 300!
