History of the NABX / SBBB
2005: 140 registered riders and guests. Wet conditions plagued the pre-event so things began early at Ivanpah. Richard Jenkins made record attempts with the UK's Windjet - a high-speed landsailor blasting across the playa at 93mph. As NABX riders began arriving in Primm, a small group drove through the Joshua Tree Forest to Lake Mojave for a bit of kitesurfing and to try out Peter Lynn's new kite boat. Meanwhile back at the dry lake, buggiers were hitting speeds of 60 mph while landboarders were putting on the moves. After a full day of circuit races Friday, all adjourned to the big tent for another remarkable NABX banquet. Light winds Saturday morning provided a perfect opportunity for running this year's new hit event, Pimp Your Buggy where buggy modifications are the star. Buggy and ATB Freestyle events ran throughout the afternoon showcasing the latest edgy maneuvers. Once again, NABX attendees from around the world enjoyed smooth organization in a relaxed environment surrounded by great friends and indullable scenery.
2004: 135 registered guests and riders. Even though it ended in a record breaking down fall of precipitation, SBBB 2004 was a raging success! We began the journey with epic wind conditions at El Mirage, high speed action and some amazing food. Our caravan then began the trek back north with a stop for a couple of days at Superior Dry Lake, just North of Barstow. Some off road exploring led to the discovery of other adjacent lake beds downwind. We then left this euphoric buggy location for the main event at Ivanpah Dry Lake. The event began with light wind days ending in sick sunset sessions. Later in the week with smooth, strong wind, we all sat in amazement as we watched the 3rd dimension in buggying unfold before our eyes! The Flexifoil team traveled all the way across the pond to show us that your buggy doesn't have to stay on the ground and that huge aerial tricks landing with style is the way of the future. Just before the rain, we experienced some of the best circuit racing we had seen in years! More and more racers were using bars with sheetable kites for racing utilizing their de-power and speed control for upwind ability at high speed and lots of torque on the low end for acceleration out of corners. Immediately following the races, it started to sprinkle. We woke up the next morning to find our entire lake bed under 8 inches of water. Rescue efforts were organized to get Dave Kennedy's motor home, several trailers and nearly a hundred buggies off of the lake bed. Several of us left our buggy paradise with muddy buggies, muddy feet, and muddy vehicles.
2003: The year of the wind! Speeds of 73 mph are recorded by several buggiers. The large tent becomes the place to take refuge from the wind. The cookout challenge is taken up by two riders from California, Dave Kennedy and Mike Jura. The two build a pig roaster designed to be pedaled by attendees who receive a "Pedal For Pig" coin for their efforts. Peter Lynn attends and vows to come back. The event again is a huge success.
2002: 113 registered guests and riders. The event dates are changed so that we follow the Land Sailors moving it into the first week of April. Dry conditions prevail and warmer weather. A 30' x 60' tent is used for the cookout and SBBB headquarters. The camaraderie of the attendees is like a fraternity party. Texas attendees establish themselves as the cookout kings. They bring brisket and ribs for the cookout.
2001: 103 registered guests and riders. The Multi-Lake Lake challenge is organized on the dry lakes of El Mirage, Sliver, Roach, Gene and Ivanpah. Leatherman challenge is born along with a boomerang workshop and competition for those no wind times. Ivanpah is a wet lake for most of the event forcing us to use semi-wet Roach. Everyone adapts and has a great time.
2000: 134 registered guests and riders. The SBBB.net web site is established by Bob Hogan. The television show Extreme Machines spots the web site and decides to come and film a segment for the show. Eddie Petranet becomes the star of a great 6 minutes of buggying on television. Richard Ridgeway and David Stanek organize Challenge 2000 Parakart racing prior to the event. This draws 30 Europeans, most stay for SBBB.
1999: 127 people and growing!
1998: 80 people attend. The first formal pre-event is planned at El Mirage Dry Lake. People just can't get enough buggying!
1997: 65 people attend. The first 50 mile Enduro Race is held. 35 people enter the race with about 19 finishing the 50 miles. The winds were in our favor that day. John Tavolacci was the winner in a blazing time of two hours and nineteen minutes.
1996: The event has about 35 people in attendance. Dave Town wears out a set of tires in one day. Odometers indicate people are putting 75 miles a day on their buggies. Mike Greenholtz is passed while his speedometer is reading over 50 MPH. Scott Dyer arranges for MTV's Road Rules to stop at Ivanpah and do some land sailing during the event.
1995: The Spring Break Buggy Blast is formally established. About 19 people came to join in the fun. Buggying takes place on Roach and Ivanpah Dry Lakes. The first circuit race is held.
1994: Fran Gramkowski first conceived of the SBBB at Corey Jensen's Buggy Boogie Thang held after the January KTA show in Las Vegas. Impressed by the massive open space of Ivanpah Dry Lake, Fran hoped to share this experience with his son Fritz. As Fritz was still in college, the first SBBB was planned around his Spring Break vacation. Although the event was publicized, only Fran and Fritz attended. Alone, they spent each day traversing the wide open lake bed on an original Peter Lynn buggy (a converted ice buggy with wheels) flying Peter Lynn Classics and Force Ten foils. After a memorable week in the desert, Fran knew he would be back for more.
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Circuit Race Results 2008
This years racing was very exciting due to the strange wind blowing on the playa.
The course was a triangular course with Blake Pelton presiding as Head Race Marshall and rule explainer.
Five races were run with the best of three used to tabulate the results. Each race was three laps long.
1st place (Stupid)...
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Ivanpah at its best video
I'd like to share some fond memories that I look forward to every year. 2008's event should be bigger than ever.
Here's an idea of what the playa has to offer from the middle of camp and all the way back to the hotel parking lot. Notice the...