Desert Toyz claims 2nd in Best in Desert race

Cory Sappington, owner of Desert Toyz in Peoria, submitted this News by You article.

What: Best in the Desert Las Vegas to Reno Desert Race.

When: Aug. 22.

Start time: 1 p.m.

Miles: 457.

Time: 18 hours, 44 minutes.

Finish time: Aug. 23 at 7:22 a.m.

What an adventure. After three years attempting to finish Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno, the longest off-road race in America, Desert Toyz in Peoria is very proud to announce that we (Desert Toyz Rhino Team of Peoria), finished the race in second place.

This year's race course was one of the roughest courses in history. The Rhino racing team of myself, Darren Sappington, Matt Saey, and my wife, Jeanette, finished prepping the Rhino on Tuesday night only hours before it was time to leave.

With no time to test, the Rhino went to the trailer and off to Las Vegas we went.

Thursday during contingency, my sister Keli called to tell me her husband was having medical problems and she would not be able to attend the race. Keli is our "Race Nanny" and takes care of our two kids Alex and Hailey while my wife and I are racing in the Rhino. We were already shorthanded and this made our situation desperate.

After 15 phone calls, I was able to recruit my good friend Chris Courie to join our team. We flew him in from Murietta, Calif., to Las Vegas and picked him up at the airport at 9 p.m. before the race.

Our team consisted of me (Cory Sappington), my wife, Jeanette, my two kids, Alex and Hailey, my brother, Darren his son Jared and my friends Matt Seay, and Chris.

Desert Toyz ATV Las Vegas to Reno.