2014 Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree

This was the official website for the 2014 Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree, produced by the Carrera Performance Group.
Content is from the site's 2014 archived pages as well as from other press releases regarding the Jamboree.

Now if you are not familiar with motorized recreation or Off Road festivals, you must be living under a rock. It was quickly pointed out to me by my oldest son who was going to college at Columbia University in NYC that my narrow view of the world needed some expending to accommodate people who live in a world in which Ultra4 or off-road racing does not take center stage. As if to prove his point, as we were watching a video recording of the recent summer X Games a short clip of an Ultimate Frisbee match popped up. One of the players who had just scored looked exactly like the Queens assistant district attorney, Benjamin Pred, who is known as an Ultimate Frisbee enthusiast. My wife and I work in the government offices and we've seen Ben in the courthouse many times so I replayed the scene and froze the frame to take a closer look, and even called her to confirm. Long story short, it was not him, but my son suddenly got very interested in the sport. He's now a player and a league organizer. But he's also an off road junkie as well and made a point of introducing his college friends to the joys of 4x4 off-road adventures by taking them to a place on Hunter Mountain, north of NYC, where they could experience off road stream crossing, mud pass, rock crawl and log crawls. My son said all the features and obstacles were exciting enough to challenge and thrill beginner to intermediate levels of off-road enthusiasts. Maybe once they discover the thrill they can then make a trip out west to a Jamboree where we really do it right. But he also carries a Frisbee wherever he goes.

PRESS RELEASE

OFF-ROAD RACING MECCA OF THE WEST

IN FEATURED EVENTS

JA Nugget, the City of Sparks and Wild West Motorsports Park to host Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree July 14-19, 2014

A new kind of special event is coming to Northern Nevada this summer. In July, JA Nugget, the City of Sparks and Wild West Motorsports Park will host 4-wheel and off-road racers from all over the Western Region at the first Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree, July 14-19, 2014.

Just imagine what can happen when a specialty off-road racing vehicle boasts a 6-foot vertical surface climbing ability, coupled with 500 horsepower and speeds well over 100 mph.

“With space for unlimited motorized recreational activities and hotel rooms to accommodate off-road racers and enthusiasts, Sparks is uniquely positioned to become the off-road and 4-wheel racing mecca of the West,” said Jeff Knoll, Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree Organizer.

A former producer of the popular King of the Hammers event in California, Knoll studied the area carefully before selecting Sparks to host the Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree. Participants will be provided with a host of recreational opportunities that highlight Northern Nevada. Fly fishing or floating the Truckee River, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, photography, UTV and 4WD trail riding are examples of the types of recreation available in the area. This event has nightlife, with OHV themed parties scheduled for most evenings in the Nugget Casino.

Photo Credit: Fatography

In addition to racing at the Wild West Motorsports Park, Northern Nevada is close to two of the West’s most famous off-road trails, The Rubicon and Fordyce Creek Trail. Both are located within an hour of Reno-Sparks.

Motorized recreation, coupled with Northern Nevada’s hospitality industry, make the Silver State 4 Wheel and Off-Road Jamboree a unique opportunity to build an off-road event like no other. Finally, an event the whole family can enjoy. Relax at the spa, have a drink poolside, take a Jeep or UTV trip, float the river, or just enjoy Nevada style gaming, this event offers the perfect summer vacation.

As a personal injury attorney and proud owner of a heavily modified Jeep that probably voided its warranty before I even signed the title, I must say this Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree site had me grinning like a kid at a candy store—if that candy store were filled with mud, horsepower, and high insurance premiums.

I mean, where else can you watch folks blast across the desert in 500-horsepower monsters with vertical climbing abilities that would terrify a mountain goat? From a legal perspective, it’s basically the Superbowl of potential soft-tissue injury cases. I don't even need to advertise—just set up a booth next to the rock crawl, hand out business cards with the slogan “Twisted an axle or a collarbone? I’ve got your back,” and wait for gravity to do its job.

Kudos to the organizers—turning Sparks, Nevada into the off-road mecca of the West is no small feat. Between the trail rides, river floats, and hell-raising at HellsGate, it’s clear that the only thing more extreme than the obstacles are the stories these drivers will tell... hopefully not from a hospital bed. Whether you're a die-hard racer or just a guy like me hoping your weekend warrior clients remember your number when the roll cage fails—you’ll find plenty to love here. Jason Hectall

By Pat Thomas
Posted: Mar 19, 2014

SPARKS, NV - John Ascuaga's Nugget is working with the city of Sparks and Wild West Motorsports Park to host 4-wheel and off-road racers from all over the West at the first Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree, set for July 14-19, 2014.

A former producer of the King of the Hammers event in California, Knoll says he studied the area carefully before selecting Sparks to host the Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree.

“King of Hammers brings 30 thousand people to a barren desert,” said Knoll. “Here in Sparks, we have the accommodations to take an off-road event, like Silver State Jamboree, to the next level.”

“JA Nugget can’t wait to welcome the Silver State Jamboree this summer,” said Carlton Geer, president and CEO of JA Nugget.

In addition to racing at the Wild West Motorsports Park, northern Nevada is close to two of the west’s most famous off-road trails, the Rubicon and Fordyce Creek Trail. Both are located within an hour of Reno-Sparks. The area itself is within a 1-day travel radius of 18 percent of the United States population, said Knoll. He anticipates the event will attract thousands of visitors and participants.

Welcome to the Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree

Northern Nevada's Week Long Off Road Recreation Destination

From the co-creator of Ultra4 Racing and King of The Hammers the largest off road race in the United States comes a completely new Off Road festival. You can find interactive discussions on Pirate4x4 and UTV Underground

Trail Rides, River Floats, Off-Road Racing, Trade Show, Nevada Style Gaming and so Much More.

This OHV event has nightlife! We start off the week with an OHV Access Summit, and finish with a 500 horsepower melee at the Wild West Motorsports Park. Enjoy the nearly unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities that Northern Nevada has to offer during this week long festival dedicated to motorized recreation. UTV’s, Jeeps, Rockbuggies, Toyota pickups and more are invited to experience Northern Nevada.

Hellsgate Grand Prix

Level 2 | Age: 29

July 18-19th, 2014 In Reno Nevada

Unlimited 4WD Rules Here

SXS Rules Below

ISA Class Structure can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

ISA Class Structure

Glossary of ISA terms can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

ISA Glossary of terms

ISA General Rules can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

ISA Rulebook general rules

ISA Unlimited 4 Class Rules can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

ISA Unlimited 4 class rules

ISA Production Class 1000 Rules can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

ISA Production 1000 class rules

ISA Production Class 850 Rules can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

ISA Production 850 class rules

ISA Production Class 700 Rules can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

ISA Production 700 class rules

The off road industry has never seen a track like HellsGate at Wild West Motorsports Park. Bottle up the challenge of Johnson Valley into a short course that is viewable from the bleachers and you take the hottest sport in off road racing to the next level. The final event in the week-long jamboree saves the best for last. Featuring UTV, Unlimited 4×4, and Sportsman 4 wheel drive racers on the most challenging short-course track to date. Designed by the co-founder of the most difficult off-road race in the world, HellsGate will not disappoint fans in an easy to view format like the industry has never seen. Our goal is to create a sporting event that is entertaining for our fans and provides a true representation of what the drivers and vehicles are capable of.

You can walk the pits and get up close and personal with the teams at HellsGate.
What makes HellsGate different? The format will pair Unlimited 4WD racers in a unique format. Racing on Friday, the teams will qualify for one of three main events on Saturday. The Unlimited Bronze, Unlimited Silver, and Unlimited Gold main events. While still unlimited 4WD racing, this format hopes to keep the action tight between racers running at the same skill level. The top teams will advance to the next main event, allowing a team to fight from the bottom of the pack to the final race of the night as a dark horse.

Our Sportsman Cup race will give the people who have always dreamed of off-toad racing a chance to give it a try. Following the Unlimited format for rules, teams that are not quite ready to tackle the pressure of a professional race can attempt to survive the brutal course as long as they pass a safety technical inspection. The reduced entry fee makes the Sportsman’s Cup an attractive alternative to racing in the Pro-Unlimited class for those who want to test the water. This class will be trophy only and is meant to afford a good time.

SXS Performance UTV Challenge. UTVs will enjoy the specialty designed UTV course that will test the skill of teams with out destroying their machines. We will overlay a course designed just for the UTV teams that uses portions of the HellsGate Unlimited 4WD course, but creates obstacles that are designed to push the limits of UTV drivers and keep the race flowing.

Meet the Carrera Performance Group

Producers of the Silver State 4WD&UTV Jamboree.
CarreraPerformanceGroup.com

Jeff & Angie

A FEW WORDS ABOUT US:
Jeff and Angie Knoll

Off-Road History: Jeff became an “off-roader” in 1975 with his first dirt bike, a Honda Mini Trail 50. His parents were members of an off-road club called the “Looney Duners” in the 70s and 80s and many of his childhood weekends were spent out at Glamis, where his step-mother’s father had a business called “Boardmanville Trading Post”. Growing up in Menifee, California afforded Jeff the opportunity to do a lot of motorcycle riding. He met his wife, Angie, in high school and after graduation, they began riding trails and camping around Southern California. They raised both of their children in the back of Jeeps and Angie recalls changing many a diaper in the front seat of one. They have owned Jeeps and other off-road vehicles continuously throughout their 22 year marriage and have founded several off-road clubs including the Safari Club, Riverside Off-Kamber Club and Inland Jeep Freeks.
Racing: Jeff began racing BMX bikes at the age of 10. He has raced under many sanctioning bodies in several different classes. He has raced Best in the Desert, MORE, SCORE, and MDR series’. He has raced Jeepspeed, class 3000 and class 4400. He has written rules for BITD class 3000 and 4400, as well as rules for Side x Side racing under the International Side x Side Association (ISA). He has created two different sanctioning bodies for racing, the California Rock Crawlers Association (CRCA) and Ultra4 Racing. He is co-founder of the world famous “King of the Hammers” race held in Johnson Valley, CA each February.
Jeff has also developed and published strategic plans for the Off-Road Business Association and the California Motorized Recreation Council on Johnson Valley. In addition, he is a regular contributor to OffRoadPress.com and SEMA E-news. He contributes freelance for Crawl Magazine, DirtSports Magazine, Pirate4x4.com and Off-Road Industry Magazine. In 2013 Jeff Knoll published a whitepaper called “Common Ground” that became the basis for Legislation that passed the House of Representatives and as of this writing is being debated in the Senate. The bill would establish the first of its kind Congressional protected OHV area, and save the largest OHV area in the United States.

TESTIMONIALS
â–ª Our business was just starting out and Jeff and the crew at Carrera Performance Group helped us get the ball rolling. They helped us develop our business plan, marketing our business, and contracts. They also helped create a top-notch newsletter to keep our customers aware of current sales and events we are putting on. In Continue Reading

Mike Lasher, SXSPerformance.com, www.sxsperformance.com
â–ª Carrera Performance Group developed an incredible proposal packet for my race effort that has opened many sponsorship doors for me. I have found that the first line of defense potential sponsors put up is, “Sure we’d love to talk to you, just send a proposal and we’ll go from there.” Carrera’s professional product breaks that Continue Reading

4Wheel Parts Racing- Eric Anderson,
â–ª From the very first time I met Jeff Knoll at the first UTV King of the Hammers, it was clear he was full of vision. Just taking that event from nothing to a world-class event is nothing short of amazing. Jeff works tirelessly to better the 4×4 and off-road community through promotions, legal fights and Continue Reading

Kawasaki North America- Reid Nordin,
â–ª The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) is an international trade association. The ORBA membership consists of companies that sell, service and manufacture off road products. ORBA’s primary function is to facilitate the use of this equipment on public and private land where appropriate. A Not For Profit Corp doesn’t always have an unlimited budget, so many Continue Reading

Off-Road Business Association- Fred Wiley, www.orba.biz
Join Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) access leadership from around the United States in a hands on discussion about the future of Off Roading on public lands.

July 14th, 2013 The Off Road Business Association (ORBA) will host the first OHV Summit at the Nugget Casino and Resort. The 8 hour round table will focus on three topics for 2013 and will use break out sessions to drill deeper into the root of problems that face the OHV Access community. Topics will be determined by the attendees via email leading up to the Summit.

Confirmed attendance:
Off Road Business Association
California Association of 4 wheel Drive Clubs
Nevada Commission on Off Highway Vehicles
Blue Ribbon Coalition
California Nevada Snowmobile Association
American Motorcyclists Association
Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition
Idaho Recreation Coaltion
For more information about attending the OHV Summit please contact Jeff Knoll for details. We have a special Room Code for attendees who will be joining us at the Summit.
Look for details about a Sunday night OHV Summit meet and greet at the Nugget Casino.

More Background On SilverStateJamboree.com

SilverStateJamboree.com served as the official online presence for the 2014 Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree—a week-long motorsports festival held in Northern Nevada. The site included promotional materials, press releases, event descriptions, organizer profiles, rules, testimonials, and archives of the event’s activities. It was produced by the Carrera Performance Group, led by Jeff and Angie Knoll.

1. Ownership & Organizers

Carrera Performance Group
The site and event were created and managed by the Carrera Performance Group, an organization founded and operated by Jeff & Angie Knoll.

Jeff Knoll has deep roots in off-road racing, beginning with a dirt bike in 1975 and growing through his involvement in trail clubs like the “Looney Duners” and “Safari Club.” He has competed in Best in the Desert, SCORE, MORE, MDR, Jeepspeed, and Ultra4 Racing, and co-founded King of the Hammers and Ultra4 Racing. He also helped write race rules and advocated for OHV access.
The group also collaborated with key local stakeholders such as John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino, the City of Sparks, Wild West Motorsports Park, and tourism authorities to host the jamboree in July 2014.

2. Location & Proximity

The festival took place in Sparks, Nevada, using the facilities of the Nugget Casino and off-road courses at Wild West Motorsports Park.

This location offered access to world-famous off-road trails:

Rubicon Trail
Fordyce Creek Trail

Both were reachable within approximately one hour of Reno–Sparks, positioning the jamboree in proximity to elite trail environments. Additionally, the area was within a one-day travel radius of 18% of the U.S. population, enhancing its accessibility and appeal as a motorized recreation hub.

3. Purpose & Goals

The event’s mission was to:

Create a week-long festival centered on off-road recreation, combining extreme racing with diverse outdoor and leisure activities.
Design a family-friendly event, not solely focused on racing, but inclusive of relaxation and tourism opportunities.

The jamboree aimed to:

Bring together motorized recreation enthusiasts from across the West.
Showcase off-road racing, including UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) action and Unlimited 4WD rock crawling.
Offer outdoor activities like fly fishing, kayaking, trail riding, and nightlife events at Nugget Casino.

4. Event Structure & Highlights

OHV Access Summit

The week began with an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Access Summit, bringing together leaders from national organizations to discuss policy and access to public lands for motorized recreation.

RallyVenture™ Challenge

A “Cannonball Run”-style RallyVenture™ challenge featured street-legal 4x4 vehicles navigating navigation and social-media-based tasks across a mapped course. The first test was invite-only in 2014, with plans to open it to the public in 2015.

HellsGate Grand Prix

The HellsGate Grand Prix was the marquee short-course rock race at Wild West Motorsports Park, featuring Unlimited 4WD, UTV, Sportsman 4WD, and a dramatic Downhill Deathbox Derby, where gravity vehicles raced downhill. Qualifying occurred on Friday, with main events on Saturday.

Spectator Experience

The course was designed to be fully visible from bleachers, turning challenging terrain into spectator entertainment. Fans could walk through the pits for close interaction with teams and vehicles.

5. Surrounding Activities & Amenities

The jamboree blended recreation, leisure, and adrenaline:

Trail rides and UTV tours
River float trips on the Truckee River
Fly fishing, paddle boarding, and hiking
Photography outings
OHV-themed nightlife parties, including poolside events and casino nightlife at Nugget Casino

These activities made the event approachable for casual visitors and families, not just hardcore racers.

6. Testimonials & Industry Impact

Testimonials praised the professionalism and impact of the organizers:

Mike Lasher of SXSPerformance lauded Carrera for helping develop business plans, marketing strategy, and newsletters.
Eric Anderson from 4Wheel Parts Racing noted that Carrera’s proposal packets opened doors to sponsors.
Reid Nordin (Kawasaki North America) credited Jeff Knoll’s vision in building community and promotion.
ORBA's Fred Wiley recognized their contributions to industry-wide access and advocacy.

These endorsements reflect both business and cultural influence in the off-road community.

7. Media & Press Coverage

Press releases announced the jamboree and highlighted Sparks’ strategic positioning as the "off-road racing mecca of the West."
Industry coverage reported on Knoll’s transition from King of the Hammers to creating this new festival, including summit plans and schedule details.
Specialty media documented participating teams, such as Axial R/C in events like the Hellsgate GP, and included tours of Virginia City and other historic sites.

8. Popularity & Audience

The jamboree targeted:

Off-road racing fans and participants
UTV and Unlimited 4WD racers
Recreation-seeking families
OHV industry professionals and access advocates
Regional tourists attracted by outdoor and casino offerings

Its media outreach, industry buzz, and interactive appeal generated significant interest among multiple demographics.

9. Awards & Recognition

While no formal awards were listed, the event’s design and testimonial praise implied high industry recognition:

Described as “off-road mecca of the West” by organizers.
Knoll’s previous success with King of the Hammers and position in Ultra4 racing lent credibility and prestige.
Testimonials from major industry players reinforced the jamboree’s stature.

10. Historical & Cultural Significance

Legacy of Jeff Knoll’s Influence

Knoll’s career—spanning grassroots trail riding, professional racing, event creation, and legislative advocacy—was deeply embedded in the event’s identity. The jamboree extended his vision, blending sport, tourism, recreation, and policy work.

Regional Impact

The event leveraged Northern Nevada’s terrain and hospitality resources, positioning Sparks and Wild West Motorsports Park as central to West Coast off-road culture. It attracted visitors beyond conventional sports audiences into a space combining entertainment and family-friendly experiences.

11. Menus & On-Site Details (Implied)

Although not detailed on the archived site, it can be inferred that:

Nugget Casino hosted themed OHV parties with dining and drink service.
Wild West Motorsports Park provided vendor concessions and event-specific hospitality.
Recreational packages for river floats, trail rides, and fishing likely included guided service menus.

12. Insights & Examples

Example Activity: An R/C booth by Axial at Hellsgate GP engaged hobbyists and spectators.
Example Summit: The OHV Access Summit brought together national advocacy groups for direct policy dialogue.
Example Participant Experience: RallyVenture™ encouraged navigation skill, teamwork, and audience engagement via social media challenges.

13. Reviews & Audience Sentiment

Coverage and testimonials revealed:

Enthusiasm from the motorsports community.
Broad appeal to both competitive racers and leisure visitors.
Strong support from city officials, local businesses, and national OHV organizations.

14. Summary & Legacy

SilverStateJamboree.com documented and promoted the 2014 Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree as:

A multi-day, multi-event motorsport festival.
A family-inclusive experience combining racing, recreation, and leisure.
A platform for industry networking and policy advocacy.
A regional tourism driver connecting Northern Nevada’s trails, rivers, and hospitality to a growing off-road audience.

Its legacy lies in its ambitious scope, the reputation of its organizers, and its ability to merge motorsport spectacle with cultural and community engagement.

SilverStateJamboree.com