San Clemente, CA (1/15/2017) –
Super ATV’s Katie Vernola made her desert
racing driving debut at the Parker 250, round
one of the Best in the Desert Series, in Arizona.
Driving a long wheelbase Polaris RZR XP 4
Turbo, Vernola made it to the halfway point
of the grueling Pro Turbo Class race before
technical issues took her out of contention.
Vernola, a veteran of WORCS and Terracross
UTV racing, is planning a full time BITD effort
this year. She was happy to get some seat
time in the first race and hopes to further
shakedown the Polaris RZR in preparation for
the upcoming Mint 400.
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Polaris
/ Super ATV / Fuel Off-Road's Katie
Vernola takes on the Best in the Desert
Series for 2017 |
“Though we didn’t get to finish, we did make
it halfway through the race, I did get into
a groove and was able to get comfortable driving,”
said Vernola. “We still have a ways to go,
but we will get there. We’ll be working hard
on the car and testing. We’ll be ready and
we’re looking forward to a finish at the Mint
400.
“I’m so privileged to have a great group
of sponsors behind me,” added Vernola. “Polaris,
Super ATV, Fuel Off Road, Got Sand Performance,
and Jim at Addict Racing all made this possible.”
Vernola is no stranger to desert racing.
Although the Parker event marked her debut
as a driver, her father and uncle both competed
in desert racing and she co-drove in the Pahrump
BITD race last season with Mike Lewis.
“I learned a lot of the dos and don’ts at
Pahrump,” said Vernola. “I took what I learned
and put it toward my own car. It helps to
know how to change those little things that
matter in the end. I wanted to run some longer
courses, and I enjoy the longer distance racing.
My dad and my uncle were into desert racing.
I had the opportunity with my current sponsors,
so I said ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Vernola is busy preparing for the Mint 400.
She plans a grueling testing schedule before
that race. Her goal: finish in the top 10.
“I wanted to take my time and do it right,
and unfortunately we didn’t have time to test
much before this race,” said Vernola. “So
I really want to get out and test a lot more
before the Mint. I need to get more comfortable
with driving the car, get all of the bugs
out of the new car and get across the finish
line in the top 10.”
Vernola will be ready to roll for the Mint
400, scheduled for March 2-5 in the desert
outside Las Vegas, Nevada.
2017 Katie Vernola
Racing Sponsors:
Polaris Industries, Super ATV, Fuel Off Road,
Got Sand Performance, KING, Addict Racing,
BAJA Designs, K&N, P.C.I, Fuel Safe, Miller
Sign Corp, Cryo Heat, XTC Power Products,
K1 RaceGear, Maverick Powder Coat
