2nd Annual California 300 off-road racing event returns to Barstow

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·3 min read
The 2nd Annual California 300 returns to Barstow in October with hundreds of race teams, including cars, trucks, utility terrain vehicles, and the introduction of motorcycles.
The 2nd Annual California 300 returns to Barstow in October with hundreds of race teams, including cars, trucks, utility terrain vehicles, and the introduction of motorcycles.

Dirt will fly during the 2nd Annual California 300 in Barstow.

The off-road event features hundreds of race teams, including cars, trucks, utility terrain vehicles, and the introduction of motorcycles. California 300 runs from Oct. 4 through Oct. 8, with prerace events kicking off this weekend.

On Saturday morning, California 300 will host a Desert Clean-up event. The goal of the event is to "unite the off-road community and clean up waste dumped illegally in the Barstow Main area," event organizers said.

“We’re thrilled to be returning to Barstow this fall to build on the success of our inaugural event in 2022, and have some exciting competition brewing for those competing in the Triple Crown Championship as we conclude our season with this event,” Unlimited Off-Road Racing CEO Matt Martelli said.

Motorcycles 

Unlimited Off-Road Racing has announced the addition of motorcycles when the five-day off-road race drops the green flag in October.

“Motocross, supercross, desert racing, hill climbing, and free riding used to be more directly connected,” Martelli said. “We want The California 300 to be the catalyst to reconnect off-road bike culture in America.”

Martelli added that years ago if you rode a bike, you pretty much rode everything. Bikes are the gateway to off-roading and most off-road racers started on a bike somewhere in their childhood.

“They (bikes) are still the most affordable way to go off-road,” Martelli said. “We welcome all the men and women on two wheels to come to be a part of The California 300.”

Unlimited Off-Road Racing will host the all desert car, truck, and utility terrain vehicles classes, including youth, and host motorcycles at the California 300.

The 2nd Annual California 300 returns to Barstow in October with hundreds of race teams, including cars, trucks, utility terrain vehicles, and the introduction of motorcycles.
The 2nd Annual California 300 returns to Barstow in October with hundreds of race teams, including cars, trucks, utility terrain vehicles, and the introduction of motorcycles.

Schedule of events

Sunday, Oct. 1: Racecourse files posted for all classes.

Tuesday, Oct. 3: Open pre-running for all classes.

Wednesday, Oct. 4: Open pre-running for all classes.

Thursday, Oct. 5: California 300 Poker run brings off-road enthusiasts, racers, team members, and the public together for a fun event behind the wheel of their vehicles. The Poker Run is open to the general public in off-road cars, trucks, and utility terrain vehicles only. No race vehicles, quads, 3-wheelers, or motorcycles.

Friday, Oct. 6:  Main events begin. Motorcycles, utility terrain vehicles, cars, and trucks qualifying.

Saturday, Oct. 7: Motorcycles, youth race course,utility terrain vehicle race.

Sunday, Oct. 8: Motorcycles, races, awards ceremony.

Visitor's map of the 2nd Annual California 300, which returns to Barstow in October with hundreds of race teams, including cars, trucks, utility terrain vehicles, and the introduction of motorcycles.
Visitor's map of the 2nd Annual California 300, which returns to Barstow in October with hundreds of race teams, including cars, trucks, utility terrain vehicles, and the introduction of motorcycles.

About The California 300

After promoting the Mint 400 successfully for more than a decade, the Martelli Brothers and their team in 2022 brought the major desert off-road race back to the High Desert of Southern California.

The California 300 is a new world-class off-road desert race built to showcase the best off-road racers on the planet, event organizers said.

“Barstow has always been a mecca for bike riding and testing. I am stoked to be helping bike racing return in a major way to Barstow,” said Johnny Campbell, a multi-time Motorcycle Champion. “I have spent a lot of time out here riding and know the area intimately. There is a lot of fantastic terrain out here for bikes and the team at Unlimited Off-Road Racing has given me the freedom to put together an amazing bike course.”

For tickets, a detailed schedule of events, viewing areas, and general information about The California 300, visit thecalifornia300.com.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: 2nd Annual California 300 returns to Barstow in October