dunefreak

Calling all sandcars! Come join us at Dumont Dunes for our 6th Annual Buggy Roundup. This is a group trip for all the sandrail members of DDR. We'll be camped as a group across from bathroom 10, just off the right side of the entrance road. This trip gives the buggy owners of Dumont a chance to meet each other and run the dunes together for a full weekend without the crowds. So don't be a stranger. Every year we have new people join the camp and end up leaving as friends. There is no set schedule of events, but Saturday will likely go something like this... 8:00 AM-?: SandCars and Coffee- Pull your car into the center of camp, bring your coffee and let's say good morning and arrange a morning ride. Saturday Afternoon: The rest of the day will be dune runs, hangout, maybe bust out Ben's scales and weigh a few buggies, more dune runs, probably a group photo, some more dune runs, and it seems every year a couple guys always participate in their own impromptu huckfest when we stop at the jump back behind comp hill. Saturday night: We'll have carne and pollo asada tacos for everyone in camp, enjoy some campfire and talk some smack. Chad, aka dentboy, may put his projector up for some nightime movies, UFC, or something entertaining. There may even be some games of flipcup! As you see it's very laid back and we don't put any expectations or schedules on the weekend. Afterall it's the dunes. Let's go have some fun. Want in? Here's what you need to do. 1) log in and RSVP on the event page by clicking GOING... 2) Post up on the forum topic that your coming. Add a pic of your car and rig so we know who ya are. (optional) 3) Pull up and park with the group. You know how that works. "Hey man, cool if I park here?" Let's see what kind up messed up circle we can create this year! FAQs I don't have a sandcar. I have a sxs/bike/quad. Can I come anyways? Of course. We love meeting and hanging out with all our friends from DDR. We only ask that everyone respect that this is an annual trip focused on the buggies of Dumont and that you please stay behind the cars on the dune runs. Different machines don't mix well when it comes to high horsepower machines. Also, if and when we do a group buggy pic, it's just for the buggies please. Do I need to contribute anything for taco night? No. That is something we do to say thanks for coming out. If you have a side dish or something that goes well with tacos, feel free to bring it. It's definitely not necessary though. We usually have a good spread. I want to go but I don't know anyone. That's perfect. Come out and make some new friends. Introduce yourself. Everyone that comes out each year is super cool. Do you guys run the dunes on Sunday too? Yes! Although some only make a day trip on Saturday or pack it up and leave first thing Sunday morning, many of us are there until late in the day on Sunday. How early can I go out? Will there be anyone there on Wed or Thurs? I (Pete) will be out there Thursday night sometime. There may be others going out earlier and grabbing the spot before me. The best way to find out and coordinate that is on the forum topic. Post up and we'll chat about it. So don't forget to RSVP! We need to know you are coming. Hope to see you all there!

Can you believe the holidays are almost here? That means Thanksgiving is right around the corner! It is a week-long dune trip for some groups when friends and families gather at the dunes to prepare their annual feasts. This is also the weekend where you can catch the waterpumpers! What is a waterpumper? A waterpumper is a water-cooled, V8 powered buggy, typically front engine design and with massive or multiple paddle tires. Back in the 60's and 70's, the only buggies you would see at the dunes were cars that were powered by air-cooled engines, typically Volkswagens and Corvairs. When the Dune Masters formed in 1968, they were putting together V8 powered buggies originally built from cut-down car frames. Back then, water-cooled engines were new to the scene. They soon took on the name, "waterpumpers". The Dunemasters and Sandpipers Group will be meeting there for their 50th year of Thanksgiving at Dumont Dunes! Most of their group will have families with 3 and 4 generations. photo courtesy of Dunemasters & Sandpipers Catch the waterpumpers in action as they compete in their annual hill climbs and drag races. Schedule Friday 10 AM at Comp Hill: Hill Climbs Saturday 10 AM: Drag Races along the backstretch towards North Pole. The late Milt Clements completing at the Dune Masters’ 1970 Thanksgiving Hill Climbs at Dumont Dunes. Photo courtesy of Bill LeFever

The BLM is waiving the entrance fee on Sunday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Please note that this is only for Sunday. Whether you plan on hitting the dunes or not, be sure to display your American flag proudly and thank a veteran for his or her service.