Local Off-Roaders React To BLM Investigation

Written by KGTV-TV

Sunday, August 22, 2010

One week after a deadly off-road racing crash in the Mojave Desert killed eight people, including four San Diegans, members of the off-road racing community came together to discuss what's next for the sport.

Tommy Craft is a professional off-road racer, but last weekend's deadly crash in the Lucerne Valley was a shock he's still trying to understand.

"It was devastating. It was something I couldn't even imagine being a part of or even being there and witnessing something like that," said Craft.

Saturday's gathering of racers at the Bull's Eye Bar and Grill in Chula Vista was supposed to be a party and a number pull for starting position in an upcoming race.

But after last Saturday's crash, the Bureau of Land Management temporarily suspended all races and turned Saturday's party into a fundraiser.

"The off-road community is super close and everyone sticks together, spectators, race car drivers, you know, it's like a family," said Craft.

"The tragedy is that there's so much excitement with fans when they get out to a race track and it's an exciting sound and smell. You want to be a part of it," said Jim McGinley, who also loves off-road racing.

McGinley made himself a racer who doubles as an ambassador to the people of El Centro, where he recently became chief of police.

He said the best way to prevent accidents is to be aware of one's surroundings by staying alert.

"I think probably because of this tragic incident we're going to have more spectator awareness and it's really self-policing for the spectators to understand," said McGinley.

Craft said more oversight from the BLM would not hurt either.

"Maybe BLM stepping up some more enforcement on it and if you're a part of a race team and you're too close to the track, then maybe some penalties for the racers," he said.

It was unclear how long the BLM investigation would take.

Source: http://www.10news.com/news/24719391/detail.html

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Community Voices

“As a rancher who leases public lands for cattle, I’ve seen my share of cut fences and rangeland damaged by ORV use. I’ve also experienced ORV trespass onto my private lands. But I’ve had no way to identify the culprits when reporting trespass or illegal ORV use to local law enforcement. Congress should require that ORVs used on public lands have visible identification plates or decals. Doing so would remove the anonymity enjoyed by ORV riders who are bent on breaking the rules.”

- Ambers Thornburgh, second-generation rancher from Oregon who grazes cattle on his private land and adjacent lands leased from the Bureau of Land Management