Colorado ZR2 Finishes America’s Longest Off-Road Race
Hall Racing Chevy is the only stock truck to take the win, which it did in its inaugural race at ‘Vegas to Reno’ event.
If you harbor any doubts about the toughness of the Chevy Colorado ZR2, we don’t blame you. After all, watching various automotive journalists drive them around pre-selected locations can only tell you so much. What we need to know is just how well Chevy’s purpose built mid-sizer holds up in the toughest of conditions. Conditions like those presented by Best in the Desert’s General Tire “Vegas to Reno” race.
The event, dubbed “the longest off-road race in America,” consists of 550 miles of grueling and diverse terrain. From dry lake beds to mountain passes cresting 8,000 feet above sea level. And much like the infamous Baja 1000, Vegas to Reno has a reputation for crushing the dreams of many race teams. This year, only 204 of the 336 vehicles taking part managed to finish. That includes only one truck in the stock class: the Colorado ZR2.
Which, of course, means that the truck, piloted by Chad Hall and Frank DeAngelo of Hall Racing, finished first in Class 7300. After 18 hours, 50 minutes, and 16 seconds, the team crossed the finish line in Carson City, Nevada. It wasn’t all peaches and cream, of course. The truck cut a few tires along the way and suffered some rock damage, but otherwise emerged mostly unscathed.
“This truck is a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be,” Hall said. “I clobbered some things on the course that would’ve broken many of the vehicles we competed with in the past.”
Not too shabby for a truck carrying only required safety equipment like a roll cage and racing seats. Or considering the fact that it was competing in its very first race. And from the sounds of it, Hall Racing isn’t the only winner in this endeavor.
‘This truck is a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be. I clobbered some things on the course that would’ve broken many of the vehicles we competed with in the past.’
“We cannot wait to pass along the benefits of what we’ve learned here under extreme use and at future races to our customers,” said Mark Dickens, Executive Director of Global Accessories at General Motors.
Sounds like the already impressive Colorado ZR2 is about to get even more impressive.
