Vegas to Reno 2020: Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team win big at Vegas to Reno

Seth Quintero of the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team celebrates his win at the Vegas to Reno Off-Road Race

A punishing route of over 500 miles between Las Vegas and Reno has been conquered by the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team. Victory in the Pro N/A Class for Seth Quintero at the longest off-road race in the United States sees the young squad continue their rapid path of development.

Under strict safety protocols the 24th edition of the Las Vegas to Reno Off-Road Race took place over the weekend. The enthusiasm for the return of racing was overwhelming as a bumper field of desert speedsters signed up to enter the contest.

Seth arrived in Nevada with not only his Vegas to Reno crown from last year to defend, but also his Pro N/A Class overall Best in the Desert series title from the previous season. The teenage off-road racing sensation led from the front throughout to claim a comprehensive victory.

“So stoked right now! We are... Vegas to Reno winners! Backed it up to the Silver State win and backed it up front the Vegas to Reno win last year!!” – Seth Quintero

Seth’s fellow Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team member, Mitch Guthrie Jr., was also in action in Nevada. Mitch battled through the pack from a sixth place start to take the lead going into the last pit stop. Then a heavy collision with a rock in the final part of the race saw the lights fail on Mitch’s machine.

“It was pitch black so I went about as far as I could with no lights until we pulled over to wait for someone to follow. We followed a 6100 truck about 10 miles until Phil (Blurton) caught us.” – Mitch Guthrie Jr.

Mitch was able to secure a second place finish in his class, but after coming so close to the win it was a “heartbreaker” for the fierce competitor from Glendora, California. However, the result does give Mitch plenty of useful championship points as he defends last season’s Best in the Desert overall series victory in the Pro Turbo Class.

Both Seth and Mitch were given plenty of inspiration by Bryce Menzies’s powerful performance in the prestigious “Trophy Truck Unlimited” class. Bryce tore into the 500-mile-plus route to win by nearly 10 minutes. Vegas to Reno is emerging as one of Bryce’s favourite races on the calendar as he plans to return next year in search of the three-peat.

“We just won Vegas To Reno two years in a row. Lucky and blessed to be racing. Thank you to everyone that makes this happen I’m so grateful.” – Bryce Menzies

Elsewhere in the “Trophy Truck Unlimited” race there was a fifth place finish for Andy McMillin. It was a highly credible display from Andy who battled back from a disappointing qualifying session that saw him starting as the 22nd truck onto the course.

“We never gave up, kept our heads down and kept fighting. We are relentless; we will fix our small mistakes and be back at the next one stronger than ever.” – Andy McMillin

The 2020 Best in the Desert series continues next month with the National Desert Cup back in Nevada. The Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team are also looking forward to being reunited with the specially designed OT3 side-by-side machine and resuming rally-raid competition ahead of the 2021 Dakar Rally.

Source: Red Bull Content Pool
Art Eugenio / Red Bull Content Pool