PARKER 425      ‘THE LEGEND LIVES ON’

               While football fans were gathering together in Miami, Florida the first weekend of February, 2010 to watch Super Bowl, the off-road racing community stormed in on Parker, Arizona to witness the 37th Annual running of the Parker 425. For 24 years, SCORE put on the race; later Whiplash Motorsports took over the race. In 2003 under the skillful guidance of Casey Folks and his capable Best in the Desert Crew the race has truly become a legend. This race is like the Super Bowl of races, including 17 various classes. Anyone with anything to run makes every effort to be a part of Parker. This is the race to save up for; this may be the only race some teams can make. There was a good turnout of approximately 257 entrants of these assorted classes.
The time trials for the 1400/1500 classes were held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. First on the agenda was the look-see lap which Sam was 5th off the line. Sam was able to do well because on Wednesday, he and Bob and Lois Martin actually walked the 4 ¾ mile course. This helped Sam to get an idea of what was there and which would be the best way to attack. Of course that plan went all out the window when he got in the car and actually drove the course! The track was somewhat firm when he started out in front of the pack. It was a different story with the time trial lap after 77 cars and trucks tore up the course, it had turned to mush. Sam had a great run for his time trial taking the pole position, beating the 2nd place G & S car by four seconds, with Pistol Pete in the Slime truck in the 3rd place. Andy McMillin was attempting to be a real threat but at the end of the course, he got the Sourapus Corona truck stuck real hard. Best in the Desert crew tried to pull him out getting them stuck when our own J.T. pulled them out!  The vehicles were rinsed off and ferried by police escort to Downtown Parker for the 1st annual “Downtown Experience”. This was where fans could meet the drivers and look or drool at the cars/ trucks, whatever. Also included was a street fair.
The Blue Water Resort and Casino headquartered the race. Results and time trials party was held at the Dig Bar, reception hosted by McKenzie’s Performance Products. Casey Folks announced the time trial line up starting from the 20th place to the 1st place. Team Margarita let up a load roar when Sam Berri was announced as the pole winner. After the announcement of Sam’s big win there was a presentation of Dirt Sports Driver of the Year – Andy McMillin. So Sam’s win against Andy in the time trials was “sweet”.
Friday, was Contingency and Tech in the Resort’s parking lot. Later that evening was a mandatory driver’s meeting. Plaques were given to all the different ones who have kept the off-road racing alive by giving monetary contributions to sponsor races. Then the Ford Pole Trophy and cash were presented to Sam Berri. This is his 4th trophy, but his 5th pole win. Team Margarita was very proud of our driver.
Saturday, 6:15 the cars were staged at the Blue Water Resort West Parking lot and at 7:00 were escorted by the Parker Police to Downtown. Sam Berri left California Avenue 1st off the line at 7:15 a.m.  It was still pretty dark at 7:15 and Sam drove without any lights. Sam being fairly familiar with the course was able to go right along. Soon the sun was peeking up over the hills and it was full throttle! Team Margarita chase teams first caught a glimpse of him at 27 mile with the G & S car and Pistol 30 seconds behind. But with the sun up and Sam being able to see the track by the time he got to through check 1 where Brian and Mike were set up and check 2 which was manned by J.T., Lil Don who had flown in from Florida for the race and Dustin, he had pulled away with a minute and a half lead! As he came back to Midway, check 3 to get a splash of fuel from Rusty and Bob the pit stop went off as planned and Sam was back out on the race course with a 3 ½ minute lead of the second place car. Our day was looking bright. Sam continued on to main pit with a comfortable lead to get his fuel from the infamous Baker Boys who pulled off a great fuel stop with the help of Daddy Don to check car and Mama Ellen seeing to his thirst and a quick wipe of his face shield. Steve Dowse came all the way from the San Diego area to watch the race and also gave a hand with Sam’s fuel stop.
Lap 2- Hard charging Sam Berri was looking dynamic, as he sailed through Midway, 27 mile still in the lead and in control of the race. About this time Sam had been encountering lap traffic that had started later in the morning. He continued gaining time on the rest of the pack, by the time he got back to Midway at 91 ½ mile he had a 7 ½ minute lead. We smiled and waved as he roared past us. All was well, life was good today. It had been quite a while and we hadn’t heard anything. Our sunshine was clouded over by some ominous looking clouds that proceeded to start with a light rain on our parade. Then we heard the message that chase teams DO NOT want to hear – Sam’s out of the race – Come back to the Main Pit. Apparently, while starting his 3rd lap he was climbing a hill and went to pass a lap car on the left. Unfortunately, the lap car heard him coming and pulled to the left to give Sam the right of way on the track but Sam had already made the decision to pass on the left. Sam’s car drove over the front wheel of lap car and was launched down a 250-300 foot embankment. Sam was able to keep his car from rolling, but when it came to rest at the bottom of the ravine the impact was so hard it tore the whole left shock and frame off the car. He limped it back to Main Pit a little dazed and confused and sore from the crash. Team Margarita was ready to put the car back together but after further inspection and taking Sam’s physical condition into consideration decided it would be unsafe to continue. Team Margarita’s Cinderella weekend came to an end. After getting back to the Resort and cleaned up, Sam walked up to the finish line to see who had actually won the race. Announcer George Antill spotted Sam and announced “Let’s get Sam Berri up here, one of the greatest off-road racers in the world, to tell his story of the day out on the course. Let’s give it up for Sam Berri!” The crowd gave the biggest ovation of any driver there and he was without his car! So Lois powered him around in his new four-wheel pre-runner cart! Ha Ha! See picture.