2025 LAUGHLIN DESERT CLASSIC Z930 RACE REPORT

The Z930 team entered the 2025 Laughlin Desert Classic with determination to end the season with a victory. Team driver Todd Zuccone and co-drivers John Bray and Olivia Zuccone aimed to repeat their previous year’s success, having won the Laughlin race in a Can-Am X3. Their determination was clear as they set out to secure another class win in the 2025 season.

Laughlin Race Format & Structure

Unlike traditional desert races, the Laughlin event combines elements of short course and desert racing. The competition unfolds over two days, with participants completing five laps each day on a 15-mile loop. The race features a land rush start, with 4-cars starting simultaneously, creating intense head-to-head action. The race class included 31 entries across eight vehicle classes: Pro Stock, Pro Stock R, Pro Turbo, Pro NA, Sportsman, Ultra4 4900 Pro MOD, and Ultra4 4900 Pro Stock. Eight rows of 4-cars start 30 seconds apart making for some exciting racing. Final results are determined by cumulative time over both days and starting positions for the second day are based on finishing times from the first day.

Day 1: Strong Start & Teamwork

Todd Zuccone and Olivia Zuccone took the wheel at the start of the two-day race, marking Olivia’s first experience navigating in a competitive racing environment. Her recent training with Erica Sacks of Waypoint Nav-School (www.waypointnav.co) was quickly put to the test. The race began with intense, wheel-to-wheel action against the cars in their group. Todd and Olivia managed to pull ahead right after the infield jump, securing an advantage as they entered the desert section of the course. Being out front early allowed them to avoid the heavy dust generated by competitors, making navigation and visibility significantly easier. Olivia’s navigation was clear and concise, and the duo worked seamlessly together. By the fifth mile, they had caught up to the cars that had started ahead, methodically passing each one. By the end of the fourth lap, they had overtaken all twelve cars that started in front of them. With clean air for the fifth lap, they pushed hard and finished the day first in their class and first overall. This strong performance earned them the pole position and an excellent starting spot for Day 2.

Day 2: Maintaining the Lead

On the second day, Todd was joined by co-driver John Bray as they started in the coveted pole position on the first row. Recognizing the importance of leading into the desert section, they utilized their EVOPOWER to surge ahead like a slingshot, taking the lead by the first turn and maintaining it throughout the race. Todd and John focused on delivering fast and consistent lap times, aided by John’s precise and effective navigation. They enjoyed four clean laps without dust interference. At the start of the fifth lap, they encountered lapped traffic but executed strategic and calculated passes to hold onto their lead. By the time they crossed the finish line, they were ten minutes ahead of the second-place car, securing first place in their class and first overall for the event.

Driver Reflection and Team Outlook

Reflecting on the race, Todd Zuccone shared his personal experience and growth during the event: “I unlocked a new driving mode within myself this race. I pushed the car and myself harder than I have in the past. I trusted my driving abilities, our car's ability and concentrated on the precise navigating by Olivia and John. Everything just clicked.” This newfound momentum and confidence in both his own skills and the teamwork with Olivia and John has given Todd a renewed sense of anticipation for the future. He concluded, “With this newfound momentum and driving mode that I unlocked within myself, I am looking forward to what we can do as a team in 2026.”

Special Shout Out: Erica Sacks and Waypoint Nav-School

Erica Sacks of Waypoint Nav-School (www.waypointnav.co) deserves special recognition for her outstanding contribution to the sport of racing, particularly in the field of co-driving and navigation. She trained my daughter Olivia and in her first race, she was making call outs like a seasoned pro. For anyone interested in entering the racing world or improving their skills as a co-driver or navigator, her school is an essential resource. Erica’s teaching abilities and deep passion for off-road racing set her apart. Her expertise and dedication to her craft ensure that students receive top-tier instruction and guidance. If you are considering taking her class, do not hesitate—enrolling in Waypoint Nav-School is a decision you will not regret, and you’ll be grateful for the experience and knowledge gained.

Sponsors

I want to thank all our sponsors who help us get to the finish line. Without the support and backing from these great companies, we would not be able to compete at this level.

Evolution Powersports: The EVP engine components and custom ECU and transmission tuning proved instrumental in winning this race. These upgrades provided the necessary power to gain the lead on the land rush start as well as chase down competitors throughout the race. We used that EVOPOWER to get off the line and out into the desert section both days which was key to our winning race. www.evopowersports.com

EVP.MOde: The MOde Aim PDM and dash integration stands out as one of the most impactful upgrades to the Z930. The automatic control provided by the PDM over essential functions significantly reduces the risk of user error—an invaluable benefit during the intensity of racing. The expansive 10” dash offers immediate access to all critical engine information across multiple screens, ensuring the team can monitor vehicle status at a glance. Additionally, the data collected throughout the race has proven to be valuable for post-race analysis and ongoing performance improvements.

Maxxis Tires: Our Maxxis tires worked perfect this race and we finished with the same tires we started on. The entire Maxxis family has been a tremendous asset to our racing program. www.maxxis.com

KMC Wheels: Our KMC wheels also performed flawlessly. We certainly hit some rocks this race and the forged wheels still look new. www.kmcwheels.com

Shock Therapy: Our Fox IQS shocks tuned by Shock Therapy handled amazingly. Mitch and the crew always take the time to get our shocks dialed in. We made some changes just prior to this race and the car was dialed. The car danced through the Fox proving ground and we were able to carry more speed in this section and was able to make strategic passes due to the incredible ride quality. These guys have our car DIALED!! www.shocktherapy.com/ www.ridefox.com

CA Technologies: Our CA Tech A-Arms, trailing arms, and steering stabilizer have demonstrated excellent durability under substantial impacts. The suspension components endured significant stress without any issues. As a result, we have discontinued carrying spare A-arms and trailing arms in our chase truck, as the likelihood of chassis failure now exceeds that of damage to these components. Eric and the CA team are great to work with and are always there when we need them. www.catechusa.com

PWR Cooling: Our new race radiator system worked perfect for this race. Ambient temperatures were 95F and throughout the race our engine water temperatures never went past 185. www.pwrna.com

Alsup Racing: The chassis work and cage delivered outstanding performance throughout the race, consistently impressing the team with their durability. The integration of Alsup’s rear radiator mount proved to be a flawless solution, performing exactly as needed under demanding conditions. In addition, the front bumper was put to effective use, assisting in safely encouraging slower vehicles to move aside on the course. www.alsuprd.com

Zuke Designs: The PDM button mounts and the 10” dash bezel provided by Zuke Designs functioned flawlessly throughout the race. The dash bezel effectively eliminated glare, improving screen visibility under varying light conditions. Meanwhile, the ergonomically placed PDM button mounts allowed for quick and easy access during high-pressure moments, ensuring seamless operation and contributing to the overall efficiency of the cockpit controls. www.zukedesigns.com

HPR / Rugged: Our rugged radios supported by Richard at HPR performed amazing. Richard is always at the races and makes sure that we are always dialed in. The driver to co-driver communication is crystal clear and our pit crew was able to clearly communicate with us throughout the race.

StarStream Pro: The StarStream Pro system continues to impress with its capability to stream from two video cameras even in remote off-road environments. During this race, bandwidth was slightly reduced due to simultaneous music streaming, but the technology still delivered reliable connectivity. StarStream Pro has truly revolutionized off-road racing by enabling live video streaming under challenging conditions. www.starstream.pro

Triple R Lights // www.triple-r-lights.com
S3 Powersports // www.s3powersports.com
CT Race Worx // www.ctraceworx.com
DRT // www.drtmotorsports.com
LG Creative // www.lgcreativeco.com
Twin Pines Motorsports // www.twinpinemotorsports.com
106 Motorsports // www.106-motorsports.com
No Limit // www.nolimitrd.com
EvoSpec // www.evospec.com
Soul Seekers Podcast // www.instagram.com/soul_seekers_podcast
Rancho Bella Foundation // www.ranchobella.org
EVOMSit // www.evomsit.com
Can-Am // www.brp.com