The Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts just completed a banner season marked by a remarkable revival, of sorts, and 28 year-old Southern California racer Roger Starkey is leading the charge to Laughlin where SNORE will conduct its year end banquet Saturday, Jan. 5.
The gathering slated for an 7 p.m. start (a cash bar starts the festivities at 5 p.m. with dinners et for 6 p.m.) at Harrah’s will not only honor the top competitors, but also serve as a setting to officially announce what is expected to be yet another banner season in 2013.
Starkey, who makes his living in medical device sales for St. Judes Medical in Burbank, Calif., powered his Class 10 entry to the class and overall SNORE points titles mounting a total of 3,838 points; only 26 points better
Class 18 driver John Pellissier of Las Vegas was fourth with 3,706 than runnerup Class 1600 competitor Jason Coleman of Las Vegas; and another 1600 battler Blaine Conrad, who was third with 3,746 points, while Class 11 entry Robert Johnson was fifth with 3,419 points.
Rounding out the top ten in the final points were Greg Crew, who had 3.405 points in his Class 12 car; Class 1 driver Richard Boyle, 3,384 points; Giti Gowland, 3,292 in Class 9; and Jeff Bruner, 3,284 in Class 1600.
Starkey started out the six-race season by taking the top points at the Battle at Primm south of Las Vegas before finishing runner up to Conrad in the PC300.
Starkey captured three of his races including Battle at Primm; PCI 300 in Ridgecrest; and EXA SNORE 250 in Primm.
His worst finish came in the season-ender at the Rage at the River the weekend of Dec. 7-9.
“We had a DNF on Sunday of the Rage at the River,” he said. “The transmission gave out on us. We had a great day on Saturday and then had a transmission problem that put us out.”
This time, Starkey will be heading for Laughlin to collect a strong payday along with his first-ever racing title.
“Our original plan last January was to compete in all of the SNORE races and win the Class 10 title,” Starkey said. “We started out good and realized that we were really competitive for the overall championship. We had met our goal, went for the overall title and everything worked out.”
Starkey praises his father, Roger, Sr. for his efforts.
“He kept everything in line for us,” the younger Starkey said.
Now, the 2012 SNORE champion is deciding what’s next for 2013.
“We’re going to run Parker and the Battle at Primm and see which way we’re going to go,” he said.
Other SNORE Class champions that will be honored for their performances in 2012 include Team Ford executive Steve Olliges (Unlimited Truck); Boyle (Class 1); Crew (Class 12); Coleman (1600); Tom Bird (5-1600); Steve Albrect (7); Gowland (9); Pellissier (Champ Car); Robert Johnson (Stock Bug); John Gould (3000); Bill Morris (UTV); Eric Trondle (Unlimited Sportsman); Jordan Poole (Limited Sportsman); and Darren Parsons (1450).
SNORE has big plans for the 2013 schedule including six races. In addition, a major sponsorship for the year was announced recently when officials said that Terrible’s Performance Garage had committed $25,000 for the series.
Further information can be found by visiting www.snoreracing.net
