Photographs
Contingency underway at BlueWater
Feb 4th
The Pot Pourri fills Western Park with vendors and visitors, it’s a town-wide yard sale in Bouse, and the BlueWater Resort & Casino Parker 425 is expected to be one of the biggest yet, bringing tens of thousands of racers and fans with it.
Contingency is underway at BlueWater Resort & Casino, with hundreds of race vehicles lining up for inspection ahead of tonight’s mandatory driver’s meeting in the Concert Hall inside. Streets, parking lots and desert areas around the Resort are packed, vehicles of all kinds parked in every available spot. Fans who want to visit should expect a lengthy walk from the nearest available parking spot (though it may be worth driving to the valet to find out if they have room first).
Inside BlueWater Cinemas in front of the North Parking Lot, Tuba Art Films’ ‘Battle of the Best’ is playing for free, along with food including burritos available from concessions out front.
Above, Danny Beaver rides a Parker Motor Company race truck through inspection. Both Jim & Trent Beaver are expected to be racing.
Join KLPZ 1380am tomorrow from 7am for live race coverage, video feeds available right here at Parker Live. Put our studio number in your phone and call with any information from around the course: (928) 669-2507.
Parker 425 Downtown Experience under way
Feb 3rd
The BlueWater Resort & Casino Best In The Desert Parker 425 off-road races begin today with time-trials and a Downtown Experience on Joshua Avenue in Parker.
142-wheeler rolls through Parker
Jan 13th
In case anyone thought Parker had already seen more than its share of big rigs, check out these photographs of a special convoy wide load, hauled by American Heavy Moving & Rigging and escorted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety through the Parker area yesterday.
The main ‘trailer’ – the custom-designed ‘Alpha 1′ – has 136 wheels (17 rows of 8), and is capable of towing 700,000 pounds. The rear is steered independently by operators at the back. It can back up, travel sideways, or crab in any direction. The whole thing is towed by a giant Kenworth truck. The China, CA company’s website boasts, “If it can be moved, we’ll move it.”
In this case it appears their primary payload is an industrial transformer for the power industry. These would arrive via cargo ship from overseas and be loaded directly onto the vehicle for delivery in the continental United States. Presumably the highway infrastructure intersecting in the Parker area is especially suited for these hauls.
Thanks to Susan W. for these photographs.
Accident on Saturday
Jan 11th
This accident occurred Saturday morning near La Paz Regional Hospital just as the Parker 250 races were starting. Photo submitted by Michael Collins. No word on the condition of the vehicle occupants.
Otter refuels on Colorado River on route from Alaska
Jan 7th
This is a de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter. It landed on the river north of Parker this afternoon to be refueled by Parker Oil. The aircraft, which seats 11, was making a journey from the state of Alaska and needed a waterway in the desert on which to refuel. Its destination is unknown. A Parker Oil employee said they are called upon occasionally to refuel sea planes which choose Parker as a good spot, made possible by the company’s fuel trucks. More below.
Machines we want to see in Parker #18
Jan 3rd
Not your ordinary RV, the Unicat Expedition Vehicle is the go-anywhere off-road luxury motorhome. If any vehicle is suited for Parker, AZ, it’s this one. (Unfortunately its $600,000 price tag is prohibitive to most of us!)
Wind damage
Dec 30th
At least some damage was caused by last night’s heavy winds, part of a storm system moving across Arizona today leaving clear blue skies in the Parker area this afternoon. This photograph was submitted by Lori L.
Christmas for the Troops: shipped
Dec 3rd
We packed the boxes to send to Afghanistan on Wednesday night. Had a lot of volunteers. Took the boxes to the Post Office yesterday and shipped them out. Approximately 249 boxes were shipped to the troops this year, compared with around 230 last year. Thanks to all who donated items and money to accomplish this goal! More boxes will be sent as added things come in.
Robby Gordon arrested at Baja 1000?
Nov 19th
Probably not. Some clever marketing here from Robby Gordon’s camp at the beginning of his relationship with Speed energy drinks as his primary sponsor, we think. Still, it’s making the rounds virally on the internet. The Baja 1000 is in progress now, as racers complete the 1062 miles from Ensenada to La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Tracking and radio stream, featuring Parker’s own Weatherman Bob Steinberger, is available HERE.
