The temperatures are hot and the desert may not be the first place you think of going for vacation, but on the outskirts of Las Vegas, off-road race teams begin their trek on the unforgiving desert landscape. The 2016 Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno race kicked off today in Jean, Nevada with qualifying.

Time trials for the Trick Truck and Class 1500 teams started at 11:00 am this morning with temperatures over 100 degrees. The day was started with good news that the BLM would permit a 37-mile section of race course to be driven on after recently becoming part of a national park. There will be a mandatory, no passing 35 mph restriction for this part of the course.

As drivers pushed their vehicles to claim the top spot during qualifying it was racing veteran Rob MacCachren followed by Jason Voss and Andy McMillin in the Trick Truck class. Class 1500’s Harley Letner took the number two spot overall qualifying and with a three minute faster qualifying time than CJ Hutchins who finished second and fifth overall. Cody Parkhouse was the third fastest Class 1500 and was 15th overall.

Not everyone had a great day at time trials. Craig Potts had transmission issues which put them out of contention.

Stay tuned for more information from this year’s Vegas to Reno as the week progresses. Who do you think will take the win in this year’s race? Be sure to check out the gallery from time trials below!

The top 15 spots from qualifying.