Another piece of Lake Elsinore’s action sports past returned on the weekend of March 27-29 with the running of the Larry Minor Memorial West Coast Shootout sand drags event.
Sponsored by the Southern California Sand Drag Association, the event was the first in two years after a change in ownership. The feature race was held in memory of the late Larry Minor, a sand drag racer from San Jacinto who left a lasting impact on the community. Many racers showcased their vehicles in tribute to Minor’s name.
Mike and Teri Gazzeny, who directed the Sand Drag Association for many years, have passed the torch to Larry Minor’s son Chris, who is the new CEO. The event began on Friday morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Elected officials joined fans and members of the racing community to celebrate the return of sand drag racing to the area.
“Seeing sand drags return to Lake Elsinore in honor of my father means everything to our family,” said Chris Minor. “Larry loved this sport and this community, and to have racers come together like this to celebrate that passion is truly special.”
Mayor Bob Magee, a longtime Lake Elsinore resident and racing enthusiast, took part in the ceremony.
“We are proud to welcome the So Cal Sand Drag Association back to Lake Elsinore,” he said. “Events like this bring our community together, support local businesses, and celebrate the unique culture that makes our city the Action Sports Capital of the World and such an exciting place.”
Opening day included tech inspections and qualifying rounds, with racers competing in classes such as 3.95 Index, TA/TE, AF/PM, and Pro Car Gambler. The evening concluded with elimination rounds across multiple divisions, setting the stage for the weekend’s top contenders.
Saturday’s racing program included multiple rounds of S1/S2 competition leading up to the finals. Motorcycle Gambler races, Dirty Duner eliminations, and Pro Car Gambler rounds kept fans engaged throughout the day. The schedule culminated in key elimination rounds and finals that showcased the depth of talent across categories.
Championship day on Sunday included final rounds across major classes, including Pro 1, Pro 2, Pro 3, TA/TE, and AF/PM divisions. The weekend concluded with final races and the crowning of event champions.
The sand drags will return to Lake Elsinore July 5-7 and Sept. 25-27. For more information, please visit www.SoCalSandDrags.com.
