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Outlaw Offroad
The Monster Energy Outlaw Raptor Expeditions "The Death Valley Express"
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<blockquote data-quote="Outlaw Offroad" data-source="post: 79883" data-attributes="member: 1336"><p>Part 2.</p><p></p><p></p><p>We slowed and made sure everyone was good and ready to continue. This was when the first equipment failure occurred. One of the trucks (Seattle Based -Grant) had broken his driver side rear shock. Actually the mounting bracket had failed. The OR Crew jumped in and removed the shock and Grant decided to continue with 3 shocks. It was getting close to dusk by this time and we were at 148 miles into a 228 mile day. Finally we found the rock crawl section. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]177213[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177214[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177215[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Now from what I learned this would be great for Jeeps, but we ain’t in Jeeps. Connor started through in RSV3 and we crept though the rocks slow and easy. Speed up and find the next set of rocks to crawl over. This went into the darkness. Everyone was together again and helping each other through. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]177216[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177217[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177218[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177219[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>We took off again and then the radio sounded out with Pat (San Diego) saying he had a flat. We stopped and he came in behind us and as the other trucks were trying to catch up, Pat and his navigator swapped the tire quickly. They were done before the others were with us. I mean in less than 5 minutes. Impressive – I thought.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177220[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Now we start the run for the highway again and our stop for the night. The time is now 7:30 and Connor radios ahead to Eddie in the support truck. Eddie has been in Furnace Creek at the hotel for awhile and waiting patiently for us. ‘Go to the restaurant and reserve a table for 22 people and let them know we are HUNGRY!!!’ As we are moving, we continue to find trucks and campers along this trail. At one point Connor slowed to talk to a group of 8-10 people that needed reflective markings. They had been listening and watching as 9 Raptors paced 30 seconds apart were tearing through this wilderness area. </p><p></p><p>We found the highway and as soon as the four tires hit the asphalt, the truck came to life again and we went from 35-40mph to over 105mph. Hauling ass for the Hotel. The time was now 8:15 and the restaurant closed at 9pm. The highway was 2 lane blacktop and twists and turns were typical mountain type roads. The rush was on again in me and this was my driving experience. I knew this way of driving and my comfort zone rose to the surface. </p><p></p><p>We made to the hotel and more importantly to the restaurant. Dinner was good, of course we all could have been served crap and we would have been happy. We were all starved. The awards ceremony was short and sweet and much appreciated. The cool thing for everyone was, all participants received a drawing prize and all were great prizes.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177221[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>The next morning came too early and this was funny because over night the clocks were set back an hour. I got to sleep an extra hour but my body, especially my neck was not without pain. We had breakfast and then went to do the repairs and get ready for the trek to Vegas. We discovered a damaged collector on one exhaust, we had the one broken shock mount and the mount on the other side of the truck was also cracked. The hotel maintenance crew contacted a local welder and he was on his way – RIGHT!!!.</p><p></p><p>The morning grew short and finally the San Diego crew bailed on the remaining part of the run. Seattle Grant decided to try to finish without a shock. By noon, we lost the three San Diego trucks, and were left with RSV2, RSV3, Grant, Stan, Jim, and Eric. We hit the road again. After 30 minutes of asphalt, we find our turn and start into a National Reserve. The speed limit was posted 35mph. a few miles down the road, Connor notices a white truck ahead and as we approach a three way stop, Connor kind of did a running stop and then Stan did the same. As Stan turned the corner, the white FORD F150 turned on his red and blues. We were all pulled over. Stan had the US Fish and Game Officer come and talk to us. He tried to inform us of the speed limit and reservation rules for off-roading, etc., etc. We were finally allowed to proceed.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177222[/ATTACH]</p><p>About 30 minutes later, we found the power lines and the new trail. Now, my real education started. I had read and heard of g-outs and whoops but I had never experienced them. For the next 2 hours, we beat the crap out of this power line trail. We stop to move the Go-Pro’s around and make sure we have the right angles for the next OR marketing piece. Connor explained how to setup each of the different cautions and how to work through the whoops. I found myself using my feet on the other side of the truck trying to mimic his patterns and practice the timing of all of this.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177223[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>When we exit the power lines, we hit the highway to Vegas. All is well and we open up on the road to highway speed and play with a Corvette all the way into Vegas. We get about ¼ mile from the Hard Rock Hotel and RSV3 falls prey to a flat tire. Front driver General gave out and bent the bead lock rim as well. After, the tire exchange occurred we finished the run to the back parking lot at the Hard Rock and said out good byes and exchanges of equipment and belongings. The run was complete.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177224[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177225[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>Personal Perspective:</p><p>As I stated at the beginning, I have never done anything like this before. I did not know what to expect, I became completely aware of several things:</p><p></p><p>Logistics: this event took many hours to set up and execute. Not just with each individual truck but also for Outlaw Raptor. These guys had to have a lead vehicle (RSV3) and a chase vehicle (RSV2). There was a support vehicle with spare tires and parts and a full trailer with fuel tanks. The chase truck was manned with 2 master mechanics. First aid equipment and support was in the lead truck. Every truck was required to have Lowrance HDS5 Baja or better GPS setups, and Icon race VHF radios. Every Driver was required to wear helmet and safety belts or harnesses. Spare water and fuel was recommended and most had this.</p><p></p><p>Equipment: These were all Raptors. There were some issues with some aftermarket products, but the trucks that were bone stock were great at the end. </p><p></p><p>Death Valley Express Route: This route was a combination of everything I believe this truck was designed to do. I do not believe there is anything left to test after this weekend. G-outs, whoops, rock crawling, extreme angled descents and ascents, power drifting across the desert, and my favorite – scaring the poop out of wild donkeys (and me).</p><p></p><p>I am left with – I want more. I want the preparations done to my 2010 SVT that will allow me to do the same. I want to go back and I want to do this again and again. I want to learn to drive off road and be able to handle g-outs and whoops. For the drivers of the Death Valley Express – I applaud you and your abilities as experienced off roaders. For the crew of Outlaw Offroad and Outlaw Raptor, you did your job exceptionally well. I had the best time I could have ever expected to have and I have realized that I did have one more adventure left in me. Thank you, Connor and Joey for putting up with me and all of my questions and comments. I want to go back – I want to do the next run. I want to learn how to drive my truck and have this fun again.</p><p></p><p>And I did not need the DEPENDS…</p><p>[ATTACH=full]177226[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p><span style="color: red"><span style="font-size: 18px">To see more pics please click the link:</span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.outlawraptor.com/gallery/gallery_detail.aspx?gallery_cat_id=2&gallery_id=620" target="_blank">Death Valley Express Raptor Run Image Gallery</a></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><span style="font-size: 18px">To get register for a upcoming run:</span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.outlawraptor.com/contact/registration.aspx" target="_blank">Raptor Run Registration</a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Outlaw Offroad, post: 79883, member: 1336"] Part 2. We slowed and made sure everyone was good and ready to continue. This was when the first equipment failure occurred. One of the trucks (Seattle Based -Grant) had broken his driver side rear shock. Actually the mounting bracket had failed. The OR Crew jumped in and removed the shock and Grant decided to continue with 3 shocks. It was getting close to dusk by this time and we were at 148 miles into a 228 mile day. Finally we found the rock crawl section. [ATTACH=full]177213[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]177214[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]177215[/ATTACH] Now from what I learned this would be great for Jeeps, but we ain’t in Jeeps. Connor started through in RSV3 and we crept though the rocks slow and easy. Speed up and find the next set of rocks to crawl over. This went into the darkness. Everyone was together again and helping each other through. [ATTACH=full]177216[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]177217[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]177218[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]177219[/ATTACH] We took off again and then the radio sounded out with Pat (San Diego) saying he had a flat. We stopped and he came in behind us and as the other trucks were trying to catch up, Pat and his navigator swapped the tire quickly. They were done before the others were with us. I mean in less than 5 minutes. Impressive – I thought. [ATTACH=full]177220[/ATTACH] Now we start the run for the highway again and our stop for the night. The time is now 7:30 and Connor radios ahead to Eddie in the support truck. Eddie has been in Furnace Creek at the hotel for awhile and waiting patiently for us. ‘Go to the restaurant and reserve a table for 22 people and let them know we are HUNGRY!!!’ As we are moving, we continue to find trucks and campers along this trail. At one point Connor slowed to talk to a group of 8-10 people that needed reflective markings. They had been listening and watching as 9 Raptors paced 30 seconds apart were tearing through this wilderness area. We found the highway and as soon as the four tires hit the asphalt, the truck came to life again and we went from 35-40mph to over 105mph. Hauling ass for the Hotel. The time was now 8:15 and the restaurant closed at 9pm. The highway was 2 lane blacktop and twists and turns were typical mountain type roads. The rush was on again in me and this was my driving experience. I knew this way of driving and my comfort zone rose to the surface. We made to the hotel and more importantly to the restaurant. Dinner was good, of course we all could have been served crap and we would have been happy. We were all starved. The awards ceremony was short and sweet and much appreciated. The cool thing for everyone was, all participants received a drawing prize and all were great prizes. [ATTACH=full]177221[/ATTACH] The next morning came too early and this was funny because over night the clocks were set back an hour. I got to sleep an extra hour but my body, especially my neck was not without pain. We had breakfast and then went to do the repairs and get ready for the trek to Vegas. We discovered a damaged collector on one exhaust, we had the one broken shock mount and the mount on the other side of the truck was also cracked. The hotel maintenance crew contacted a local welder and he was on his way – RIGHT!!!. The morning grew short and finally the San Diego crew bailed on the remaining part of the run. Seattle Grant decided to try to finish without a shock. By noon, we lost the three San Diego trucks, and were left with RSV2, RSV3, Grant, Stan, Jim, and Eric. We hit the road again. After 30 minutes of asphalt, we find our turn and start into a National Reserve. The speed limit was posted 35mph. a few miles down the road, Connor notices a white truck ahead and as we approach a three way stop, Connor kind of did a running stop and then Stan did the same. As Stan turned the corner, the white FORD F150 turned on his red and blues. We were all pulled over. Stan had the US Fish and Game Officer come and talk to us. He tried to inform us of the speed limit and reservation rules for off-roading, etc., etc. We were finally allowed to proceed. [ATTACH=full]177222[/ATTACH] About 30 minutes later, we found the power lines and the new trail. Now, my real education started. I had read and heard of g-outs and whoops but I had never experienced them. For the next 2 hours, we beat the crap out of this power line trail. We stop to move the Go-Pro’s around and make sure we have the right angles for the next OR marketing piece. Connor explained how to setup each of the different cautions and how to work through the whoops. I found myself using my feet on the other side of the truck trying to mimic his patterns and practice the timing of all of this. [ATTACH=full]177223[/ATTACH] When we exit the power lines, we hit the highway to Vegas. All is well and we open up on the road to highway speed and play with a Corvette all the way into Vegas. We get about ¼ mile from the Hard Rock Hotel and RSV3 falls prey to a flat tire. Front driver General gave out and bent the bead lock rim as well. After, the tire exchange occurred we finished the run to the back parking lot at the Hard Rock and said out good byes and exchanges of equipment and belongings. The run was complete. [ATTACH=full]177224[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]177225[/ATTACH] Personal Perspective: As I stated at the beginning, I have never done anything like this before. I did not know what to expect, I became completely aware of several things: Logistics: this event took many hours to set up and execute. Not just with each individual truck but also for Outlaw Raptor. These guys had to have a lead vehicle (RSV3) and a chase vehicle (RSV2). There was a support vehicle with spare tires and parts and a full trailer with fuel tanks. The chase truck was manned with 2 master mechanics. First aid equipment and support was in the lead truck. Every truck was required to have Lowrance HDS5 Baja or better GPS setups, and Icon race VHF radios. Every Driver was required to wear helmet and safety belts or harnesses. Spare water and fuel was recommended and most had this. Equipment: These were all Raptors. There were some issues with some aftermarket products, but the trucks that were bone stock were great at the end. Death Valley Express Route: This route was a combination of everything I believe this truck was designed to do. I do not believe there is anything left to test after this weekend. G-outs, whoops, rock crawling, extreme angled descents and ascents, power drifting across the desert, and my favorite – scaring the poop out of wild donkeys (and me). I am left with – I want more. I want the preparations done to my 2010 SVT that will allow me to do the same. I want to go back and I want to do this again and again. I want to learn to drive off road and be able to handle g-outs and whoops. For the drivers of the Death Valley Express – I applaud you and your abilities as experienced off roaders. For the crew of Outlaw Offroad and Outlaw Raptor, you did your job exceptionally well. I had the best time I could have ever expected to have and I have realized that I did have one more adventure left in me. Thank you, Connor and Joey for putting up with me and all of my questions and comments. I want to go back – I want to do the next run. I want to learn how to drive my truck and have this fun again. And I did not need the DEPENDS… [ATTACH=full]177226[/ATTACH] [COLOR="red"][SIZE="5"]To see more pics please click the link:[/SIZE][/COLOR] [url=http://www.outlawraptor.com/gallery/gallery_detail.aspx?gallery_cat_id=2&gallery_id=620]Death Valley Express Raptor Run Image Gallery[/url] [COLOR="Red"][SIZE="5"]To get register for a upcoming run:[/SIZE][/COLOR] [url=http://www.outlawraptor.com/contact/registration.aspx]Raptor Run Registration[/url] [/QUOTE]
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The Monster Energy Outlaw Raptor Expeditions "The Death Valley Express"
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