Photos: Ann Anderson and Patti Belk

What do you get when you mix sand, sun and lovely ladies? The Fifth Annual Powder Puff Race for the Cure presented by M.O.R.E. Racing and Royal Purple of course! The weekend of Oct. 8-9, the ladies only event was held in Barstow, CA where every man and child (in supporting roles) and woman dressed themselves and their vehicles in pink and gathered to support breast cancer research. Every year over 180,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 women will die from the disease. Proceeds from the Royal Purple Powder Puff Off-Road Race for the Cure are donated to the Cedars-Sinai Breast Cancer Research Center.

After a tech and safety inspection Friday evening, race day split the 174 racers into two heats by varying classes. While buggies were the most popular vehicle on the course, trucks, UTVs and Jeepspeeds also raced around the 28-mile course. Winner of the first heat was Ann Anderson, Class 5 with an overall time of 2:54:26. Anderson completed four laps and averaged 38.5 mph. Taking first in the second heat and crowned overall winner was Class 1 racer Shelby Reid. Reid averaged 47.9 mph in six laps and finished with a total time of 3:30:31.

Like many racers and their teams, the event wasn’t just about who turned in the best time, they were also there to honor people in their lives who have won or lost their battles with cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, e xcluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in US women. “ This year my co-driver Wendy Bell and I dedicated our race car in honor of Wendy’s mom Nancy Bell who is a breast cancer survivor of 14 years and in memory of her Grandmother who passed away from the disease,” said Anderson. 

Following the action on the track, teams, friends and family enjoyed the festivities that included a BBQ, entertainment and a raffle with a grand prize of a 2011 Yamaha Rhino. M.O.R.E. Racing announced over $122,000 was raised at this year’s event bringing the total to $508,000 in the five years of the event. Royal Purple is proud to be an annual sponsor of the race.

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