Posted: 5/3/16
It's Saturday evening and I am in Prescott, Arizona at Watson Lake. I am here for the King of the Dells sponsored by Axial Racing. It's dark out and there is not a lot of lighting around here.
You can see just how dark it is. Lights are not just a scale item on this run; they will help navigate you through whatever lies ahead.
If you have never done a night run you're missing out on a real adventure. Even if you have run the trail before, the cover of night changes everything.
Look how much differently headlights light up compared to an overhead light bar.
After a drivers meeting these drivers were off into the darkness.
Just to add a degree of difficulty, these guys had to drive some gates in reverse.
An ordinary rock can hold you up for a minute if you have to do it in reverse.
This Honcho was getting some spot lighting by the drivers with headlamps. Some did not have them, making some obstacles tough.
Some drivers broke away from the pack, keep in mind I am using a flash on some of these pics. So these guys were on their own under the cover of darkness.
Lots of guys are really helping each other out. That's what it's all about right? Having fun and helping out.
It's always cool to see the Axial Bomber out on trails.
No flash used to take this pic, so you're seeing what the driver has to work with.
The Subaru Brat is cool and seems to be holding it's own.
A few breaks on the trail, but most seemed well prepared. Like Ikaika Farrior Owner of the The Crawl Space in Colorado.
Could you drive an entire course with just the lights on your rig?
At times I was walking the trail looking for cool spots to post up and wait for pics. You can see beyond the flash it's pitch black.
Hmmm. I am coming up on the lake, some water shots may be cool.
You must navigate this rock garden before getting down to the water.
This driver is running solo with just his headlights. He is now in the water section.
This pic should illustrate how rock lights can help you with visibility.
The blue lights were cool. I am not sure if they are better than bright white on this particular run.
The shot above is with no flash, how the drivers are actually seeing the course. Below is with my flash, taken a second later.
Placing a GoPro in the water could be a cool shot if it can pick the trucks up. Do you try and film or take pics on your adventures?
No lights! That's a tough one, have a good head lamp or friends with lights.
This is a really cool looking build.
Putting a light on your radio is always a popular choice too.
I came across this group trying to navigate the rocks. Doing this at night is a truly unique experience. Maybe try a small night run with friends if you have never experienced it.
One spot light is better than having no lights right?
I watched a few of the last guys navigate the water. It's getting late so I am going to head back to camp.
Its kind of an eerie feeling walking alone in the dark with no lights visible. It's all part of the experience.
I came across a few people off in the bushes still navigating the trail.
The lights of camp! It's a feeling of accomplishment when you make it back.
With a lot of the drivers back, I am thinking awards will be soon. Its already 10 pm and a bit chilly.
Wow! 1st place drivers in 1.9 and 2.2 will be taking home either an Axial Deadbolt or the Axial Yeti Score Trophy Truck.
Jake Wright of Hesperia, California taking home the Axial Deadbolt and 1.9 win. Jake is no stranger to podium finishes. The funny thing about this is he was just talking to me about needing to build a new 1.9 rig.
Gary Floridia of Albuquerque, New Mexico taking home 1st place for 2.2 class and the Axial Yeti Score Trophy Truck. I am sure this trip was well worth it!
No need to ask how these two feel about the win, their smiles say it best. It's always a good time when you can go home with a cool story and a great experience.
