2025 Sonora Rally- Stage One Pushes Racers To Their Limits

The Sonoran Desert does not forgive. It does not forget. And it certainly does not make things easy. On Special Stage One (SS1) of the 2025 Sonora Rally, competitors got their first real taste of what the coming days have in store—and for many, it was a harsh awakening. What looked like a relatively mild start to the rally quickly turned into a gauntlet of punishing dunes, deceptive sand traps, and mechanical misfortunes.

A short liaison delivered racers to the start of the special, where an unassuming stretch of terrain gave way to a section of dunes that wasted no time proving their dominance. The sand was relentless, swallowing tires and egos alike. Motos struggled, some crashing, some stalling, and at least one calling it quits altogether. Rider #10, Dan Bartolucci, learned firsthand how cruel the desert can be when a crash left him with a broken collarbone, forcing an early exit from the competition.

But it wasn’t just the bikes taking a beating. Four-wheeled competitors faced their own war of attrition. One by one, UTVs and autos fell victim to mechanical gremlins, overheating issues, and that ever-present Sonoran sand. By the time the dust settled, only two Autos emerged from the battlefield unscathed. Bill Conger (#203) and rally raid veteran Angelo Vlcek showcased a masterclass in endurance and navigation, arriving at the A.S.S. with time to spare, while others were left digging themselves out—literally and figuratively. All while Brock Harper and co-driver Steven Geist (#201) had a seemingly smooth cruise from start to finish in their stock UTV. While the cars will all be at it again tomorrow, they will be significantly disadvantaged with tremendous penalties added to their timecards. But this is rally raid.

Isuzu made a bold entrance into the rally this year, with LAP Motorsports fielding three classic VehiCROSS models in perfect racing condition while fan-favourite privateer George La Monte (#206) brought an Infinity Fx45 he lovingly dubbed “the beater” that he hopes to roll (or drag) across the finish line. While La Monte had a clever plan to avoid the worst of the dunes, the desert had other ideas. The calculation succeeded at veering him away from the mountainous of climbs, but the unknown on the other side left him stranded. Despite a valiant effort to push through, he ultimately had to retreat to the highway after reaching the fuel stop with the remaining group of Autos making their way back to the bivouac, with their tails between their legs. But playing both driver and navigator, La Monte’s story is going to be one to watch.

On the two-wheel side, it was a battle of skill, speed, and sand mastery. Preston Campbell (#5) looked like the ghost of his father, legendary racer Johnny Campbell, as he tore through the special with surgical precision. Despite the punishing conditions, he finished strong, trailing just 15 minutes behind bike #1, Brendon Crow—who, as a seasoned Sonora Rally competitor, knows exactly how to use the desert to his advantage. Crow is here to win, and if SS1 was any indication, he’s more than ready for the fight ahead. Ultimately, Campbell came from 5^th to 1^st today and took the top step with Crow just under two minutes behind because of a game-changing 11-minute penalty. Rally Comp king Mike Johnson (#7) rounded out the podium with a total time of 4:06:03 (with a two-minute penalty to set him back just a little).

“Today was super-fast. I loved it, although the dunes were a bit soft, which posed a problem for many riders, catching a few off-guard. The cholla forests were an incredible sight and made up for some of the featureless sections along the start and finish. Despite being fairly short, it was flowy, and this kept up the pace for anyone who could handle the speed. With great food and ambiance waiting for us at the bivouac, it was a great way to kick off the 2025 Sonora Rally!”

Meanwhile, the Motul Malle Moto warriors continue their fight against the elements—no support crew, no backup plan, just sheer grit. With nothing but the tools they can carry, these riders are the purest embodiment of rally raid spirit. Motul returns to support these lone wolves with essential supplies and a well-earned cash prize, rewarding the toughest of the tough.

If Day One on-course is any evidence of what’s to come, these competitors are in for a wild ride. But Sonora gives and takes in mysterious ways. And true to the rally raid spirit, you never know quite what lies ahead…You can only hope you read your tulips correctly.

Website: Sonoran Rally