The Heat Wave Rage: Our top 20 photos from Rage at the River

I've been to the S.N.O.R.E. for the past 3 years in a row and I for one have never even seen the river, and I'm not lying. I think it's because I get to Laughlin and head down the strip and go right - Straight back out towards the desert. And that is where I stay for 2 days. Covered in sand, silt and sage. But what is all the rage?

Over the years I have seen countless DNF's, many people don't make it 2 laps, let alone make it to day 2, and even more racers DNF the 2nd day. I didn't actually see anyone rage. Maybe because they just love being out there. Despite the broken trucks, it's family. It's community. It's bond. I've never seen anything like it in my life. Each camp is filled with a massive support group of friends and family. To them this is tradition - If you break, it is par for the course. If it can be fixed, the teams will tirelessly work to get their drivers back in the race. If it can't, well...there is no can't. There is no give up. And no, nobody is being paid. This is all for the love of racing and hanging in the dirt. This is what off-road racing and Rage At the River is really all about, you and your family. Your crew. And without it, river be damned, there is no rage.

Here's my top 20 photos from the 2016 RATR in no particular order:

Lined Up: A large field for the 1400 racers, with almost an endless line of trucks lined up to go on day 2, with Hi-Vis crew member sitting on the pole, with Darren Parsons right behind him.

Launched: 1400 Driver Jerry Laimore takes the road crossing down while running with the big dogs int he unlimited race.

Hole Shot: Travis Chase pulls away from his competition at the start.

Fast N Close: Heat Wave supported driver Harley Letner was absolutely hauling.

Transmission: Towers and trucks. Keith Smith framed nicely in front of a row of power lines.

Towers towns and trophies: The path most taken, is usually the most beat up and it's the trophy trucks that beat it up.

Newly Weds: Paige and Nick have a special thing going on and recently just got married. Paige is #1 in Nick's support group.

Gear Up: Ashley is just as much an integral part of Chris's team. Chris and Keith getting suited for their race on day 2.

General Lee: Catching the sun  just right, and making that orange 01 car glow. This dude even had the Dukes horn.

Spark the fire: Nick's truck was a force to be reckoned with and was spitting fire both days. While it was easy to see, it was much harder to catch on "film"

Fly the flag: FREEDOM! Preston flies the flag with pride off the back of his truck and it made for a lot of great shots.

Fully focused: Darren's truck is the closest thing to a daily driver out there. Fully windowed up and creature featured out. Darren hard charged and had the fastest lap times if I can recall correctly. I heard he was also bumping music and taking calls while sending it. Just another day in the office I guess!

Dirt explosion: I hate that they water the track - I want more dirt explosions.

Push it to the limit: Coming into the infield a bit hot had 2008 holding on for dear life. Luckily he recovered, the marker light? Not so lucky.

Safety first: The visor sticker a close second.

Fully Alpha: Harley was piloting the Youtheory Class 1 so fast, the thing was on two wheels out of the turns.

Low Shutter + Fast Car: Blurry is fast!

Fish-Eye: Rule of the fish-eye is usually If you can't get hit, your shot ain't shit. Well, if a rooster tail can fill the entire frame, I think that's an exception.

2 wheelin: Walking the fine line between fast and falling.

Cocked, locked and ready to rock.

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