The Laughlin Desert Classic is scheduled to return this week, bringing a significant off-road racing event to the Laughlin Events Park. The competition will run from Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18. This multi-day spectacle is a central fixture of the American Off-Road Racing Championship series, which proudly identifies itself as the largest off-road desert racing series across North America.
The American Off-Road Racing Championship series operates through a collaborative partnership. This premier racing circuit is presented jointly by Best in the Desert, commonly known as BITD, and Unlimited Off-Road Racing. The partnership between these organizations enables the championship series to conduct events of this scale, with the Laughlin Desert Classic standing out as a prominent inclusion on their extensive racing calendar.
Best in the Desert, a key player in the history and current landscape of off-road racing, is headquartered in Las Vegas. The organization's origins trace back to 1984, when it was established by Casey Folks. Folks' vision was instrumental in founding a tradition within the sport that continues to this day. Currently, the operations and legacy of Best in the Desert are carried forward by his sons. Under their leadership, BITD continues to organize and host numerous racing events across the United States, maintaining its influential role in the national off-road racing community.
The Laughlin Desert Classic itself holds a rich and extensive history in the sport, predating its current status as a marquee stop in the championship series. The event was initially conceived and brought to life by off-road racing pioneer Walt Lott. Lott established the classic in 1975, laying the foundation for what would become a celebrated tradition for off-road enthusiasts in the region. Best in the Desert, the Las Vegas-based organization, later assumed management of the Laughlin Desert Classic in 1997. This transition integrated the event into a broader national framework, significantly elevating its profile within the racing world.
Since BITD took over its management, the Laughlin Desert Classic has grown to become one of the most anticipated and distinguished events on the American Off-Road Racing Championship series schedule. Its classification as a “marquee stop” underscores its importance not only for the local community that hosts it but also for the wider off-road racing circuit spanning the continent. The four days of competition planned for the Laughlin Events Park signify a continuation of this storied tradition, promising intense desert racing action as a vital component of North America’s premier off-road series. The return of this event marks another key moment in the annual racing calendar, focusing attention on Laughlin as a crucial destination for high-stakes desert racing.