2025 Sonoran Rally Stage Three: Seeing Double

As the sun stretched its golden fingers across the horizon, Special Stage Three beckoned competitors toward the shimmering waters of the Sea of Cortez once again. This wasn’t just a repeat of SS2—no, this route carved a fresh narrative into the sand, one that lingered longer along the coastline, inviting racers into a mesmerizing duet with the ocean. It was a stage of contrasts: silky dunes softened by wind, yet firmer under tires than stages before; fast, flowing sections that let riders and drivers revel in their machines; and tight, twisting two-track corridors snaking through the silt, slippery and treacherous in the early light. They even drifted back into those strawberry hills for a bit of textural change of scenery, and trials.

The day’s pace was dictated by those who could find the flow among evolving landscapes and the subsequent obstacles. Preston Campbell [#5] stormed onto the course with initiative, his Honda CRF Rally dancing gracefully, carving through the elements with near-perfect precision, while many riders trying to match his rhythm might find themselves on the edge of control. He didn’t miss a beat, finishing SS3 with a time of 4:54:40 to claim the top step for the day.

Hot on his heels, Brandon Krause [#15] and the #1 plate, Brendan Crow, pushed the limits, their encounter a blur of roost and dust as the three thundered north toward Puerto Peñasco, well ahead of the pack. Krause clocked in at 5:02:43, but a two-minute penalty nudged him just that much further behind Campbell. But the setback narrowed the gap between him and Crow by only a second [5:04:44], making for one of the tightest podium finishes so far at the rally.

Yet, victory wasn’t all about speed. The desert is an unpredictable partner, and at SS3, she decided to test endurance above all. Although more forgiving than SS1’s powdery hill climbs, the dunes still sapped energy and patience from even the most experienced. A few riders found themselves on the ground, their bikes taking a much-needed break while their airbags slowly deflated. No serious injuries were reported, but the bruises—both physical and to the ego—would serve as stark reminders of SS3’s demands.

In the Auto classes, fate was far less forgiving. Bill Conger [#203] and his buggy never made it to the start, the wounds of SS2’s mechanical failures proving too great to overcome overnight. While he and co-driver Angelo Vlcek are out of contention, they still put in the work to repair their “silver bullet” in the hopes of running the tracks during Stage Four. Surely plenty of fingers are crossed for the three Isuzu VehiCROSS entries to do the same. Each had charged valiantly into the previous stage, only to meet a cruel fate today with all three being trailered back to the bivy, battered but not (completely) broken. And they weren’t only to roll back to home base without completing the entire timed section.

From the vintage Datson (who we’re still cheering on from the sidelines) to the contemporary Bronco piloted by Nathan Hayashi [#210] and the tragic demise of Gary Payne’s number 202 Speed UTV…the outcome at Stage Three was grim for the car categories. Not to mention the unsung hero taking on the Sonoran Desert solo at the wheel of an afterthought. George La Monte’s second vehicle choice to drive at the rally. His Infiniti FX45 had its own saga to tell. La Monte [#206] and his FX45 found themselves as the last team still on course, refusing to let the desert dictate his fate.

With nothing but navigation skills and sheer determination, he pressed forward, savoring every twist and turn. He might have become stuck in the dune section for a bit, but a helping hand from the Orga and the urge to see the coast at sunset was enough to keep his wheels turning—once they eventually started again. The beachside stretches offered him a rare moment of serenity before the more defined route demanded his full attention once again. Against all odds, he reached the bivouac long after most had settled in, crossing the finish line at 9:18:05. Though burdened with a nearly three-hour penalty, his spirit remained unshaken, worn but enthusiastic:

“Stage Three was the longest Sonora stage I’ve ever done, but actually one of the best stages I’ve ever done,” La Monte reflected. “It had everything—from the beach to sand washes to the fastest rally roads I’ve ever been able to drive in a race vehicle. And it just made the whole day perfect.”

The lone survivor of the four-wheeled fleet? The Yamaha YXZ1000R, piloted by Brock Harper and Steven Geist [#201], soldiered on, digging its tread into the dunes, sliding through the tight, silty sections, and finally reaching the A.S.S. in triumph with a total stage time of 6:04:49—nearly two and a half hours ahead of their closest competitor. Their consistent, calculated approach allowed them to maintain control where others faltered, proving that sometimes, survival is the greatest victory. However, it didn’t hurt that no one else in the three sub-auto categories achieved a proper stage finish.

For the remaining top guys of SS2, the transition to today’s challenge was met with mixed results. Lance Webb and his co-driver Kirk Callanoil [#205] fought through the demanding terrain and complex roadbook, but it wouldn’t be enough to get them through to the end. This resulted in a hefty 1:18:00 penalty added to their time and is (likely) going to keep them from gaining ground in the overall standings. Despite this, if by circumstance alone, they secured a prime position in Second place, proving that persistence, and dumb luck, in the desert pays off.

As the sun dipped lower in Puerto Peñasco came into view, competitors limped, strutted, or were towed into the bivouac to reach the final checkpoint, each carrying the scars and stories of another brutal yet breathtaking day in the Sonoran wilderness. Tomorrow brings SS4, another chance for redemption, another chapter in this unforgiving yet addictive tale. The vehicles will be mended, the riders will shake off the dust, and, if the desert allows, they will continue the attack. But for now, there’s food, there’s fuel, and the undeniable pull of sleep before the next page can turn.