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Featured above The late Milt Clements completing at the Dune Masters’ 1970 Thanksgiving Hill Climbs at Dumont Dunes. Photo courtesy of Bill LeFever What is a waterpumper you ask? 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". Jerry Miles - a founding member of the Dune Masters club, Whittier, California. 1970 Thanksgiving hill climb competition at Dumont Dunes. Photo courtesy of Bill LeFever. As the waterpumper trend grew, the club would host gatherings and competitions in Pismo, Glamis and Dumont. These machines would be best known for their hill climbing capabilities. With their dual paddle setup and hand brakes that help the driver steer the buggy while it's front wheels are off the ground, they would be able to crawl up the steepest hills with their high torque V8 engines. The challenge of the hill climb competition is to be the last one to reach the top without stopping. It's a "snail race" or "slow drags" type of race...very difficult to do on a steep dune. When you see 3 or 4 of these buggies line up on the steep side of Comp Hill, it's quite a sight to see when they battle it out. As the years passed and technology advanced. so did the buggies. Huge displacement engines were built as well as stronger rear ends and transmissions. One thing remained though, the styling of the waterpumper buggies and their dual paddle tire setup. These buggies have always been known for power and traction. This buggy, owned by Jeff Cook, cranks out 736 horsepower from it's 434 cubic inch motor. photo courtesy of Old School Dune Buggies and Sand Rails, Facebook See the waterpumpers in action this Thanksgiving weekend The Dune Masters and Sandpipers Club will be hosting their 48th Annual hill climbs and drags. That's right, 48! The club was founded back in 1968 and they have returned to Dumont every year since then with their V8 powered buggies. They make up a big part of the history of Dumont Dunes so be sure to check them out. They will be set up on the steep, left side of Comp Hill for the hill climbs on Friday and then on Saturday the drags will take place along the back stretch of sand highway where you would drive out to the north pole. Schedule Friday, November 25th, 10am Hill Climbs at Comp Hill Saturday the 26th, 10am Drags on the back stretch Sorry, Club members only in competition but spectators are welcome at both events.

If you are not a resident of California and your OHV is not registered in your home state, you are required to have a "California Non-resident OHV use permit" sticker to legally operate your vehicle at Dumont Dunes. These stickers are required in addition to a weekly or season Dumont Pass. If you need to pick up a sticker for Thanksgiving Weekend, you have a couple options out at Dumont this year. DuneMart, on Vendor Row, has plenty of them in stock and the BLM will also have some at the visitor center. Stickers are $30 and expire on Dec 31st, 2017. Other Places to buy your CA Non-Resident OHV stickers Henderson, NV ProShop Motorsports & Marine 575 W Lake Mead Dr. Henderson, NV 89015 phone: 702-564-8895 hours: Tue-Sat, 8AM-5PM | Sun-Mon, Closed Las Vegas, NV Carter Powersports 6275 South Decatur Boulevard Las Vegas, NV 89118 phone: 702-795-2000 hours: Mon-Sat, 9AM-6PM | Sun, Closed Pahrump, NV Parker’s Kawasaki 1201 Hwy 160 #99 Pahrump, NV 89048 phone: 775-537-6686 hours: Sun-Mon, closed |Tue-Fri, 10AM-6PM | Sat, 10AM-5PM *holiday hours may vary. Call vendor to double check. Additional places http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1234/files/nonresident-vendor-list.pdf

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – The Dumont Dunes subgroup to the Desert Advisory Council (DAC) will be holding its next meeting on Sat., Nov. 26 at 10:00 a.m. in the Dumont Dunes Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation area near the visitor center. The meeting will provide the public an opportunity to participate in subgroup discussions related to management of the Dumont Dunes Recreation Area. The Dumont Dunes subgroup discussions and public involvement assists the BLM in managing the recreation area. Immediately following the meeting, the BLM Barstow Field Office will host a “Meet the Medics” event at the medical compound on-site. The public is invited to have coffee, hot chocolate and snacks with the medical response staff assigned to the Dumont Dunes Recreation Area. Representation on the subgroup consists of California OHV interests, Nevada OHV interests, OHV organizations, San Bernardino County, biological sciences and local communities. If individuals are unable to attend, but would like to provide comments regarding Dumont Dunes, please contact Katrina Symons, Field Manager, Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311, 760-252-6000, ksymons@blm.gov.