Fast Friday | AZOP Blythe Grand Prix

Shorty’s Sports Park

The second round of AZOP’s 2019 Rowley White RV Championship series brings UTV drivers to Shorty’s Sports Park in Blythe, California.

Video | AZOP Racing 2019 Blythe Grand Prix

This is an excerpt from a race report provided by AZOP/Miller Truby. Story and photos by Miller Truby.

The second round of the Arizona Offroad Promotions Rowley White RV Series, presented by Winiecki Motorsports and ABC Body Shop, saw racers take on the impeccably groomed and thoroughly challenging track at Shorty’s Sports Park in Blythe, California last weekend. Racers and spectators were greeted with ideal weather in the form of cool temperatures and high clouds as the sun rose over the track on Saturday morning.

Despite the excitement over the course the mood in the pits before racing began was somewhat somber as news spread that AZOP co-owner Richie Rees and AZOP referee Dan Rees would not be in attendance following the unexpected passing of Johnna Rees (Richie’s mother and Dan’s wife) the week prior. The entire AZOP family – racers, spectators, staff, volunteers – came together to make sure that donations were collected and a large poster was brought out at the scorer’s table where it was signed by a wide variety of competitors and staff to show support for the Rees family.

John Nix (2004) and Jayden Gerber (38) battling through the very vertical motocross section of the track.

Kali Kinsman drove with purpose both days but couldn’t catch a break and wound up retiring from both races.

Kody Winiecki hanging it out and lifting a wheel.

Blythe local Mia Lloyd looked very comfortable on the sandy, hilly course all weekend and brought home wins in the 570cc UTV class both days.

Hayden Thomas navigates one of the twisty, sandy canyon runs on the course.

Ryland Stowell had plenty of speed in the 170cc class and won on both Saturday and Sunday.

Vincent Riccitelli flies his 250cc Hisun over a tabletop on the motocross section at Shorty’s Sports Park.

After breaking their purpose-built racecar on Saturday, Hayden Thomas slapped a number plate and some impromptu window netting on their 4-seat Can Am on Sunday and went racing – back seat passengers and all!