SS3: Seeing Double: Special Stage 3 at Sonora Rally 2025

As the sun stretched its golden fingers across the horizon, Special Stage Three beckoned competitors toward the shimmering waters of the Sea of Cortez once again. This wasn’t just a repeat of SS2—no, this route carved a fresh narrative into the sand, one that lingered longer along the coastline, inviting racers into a mesmerizing duet with the ocean. It was a stage of contrasts: silky dunes softened by wind, yet firmer under tires than stages before; fast, flowing sections that let riders and drivers revel in their machines; and tight, twisting two-track corridors snaking through the silt, slippery and treacherous in the early light. They even drifted back into those strawberry hills for a bit of textural change of scenery—and trials.

The day’s pace was dictated by those who could find the flow among evolving landscapes and the subsequent obstacles. The Auto classes faced brutal attrition early, with Bill Conger [#203] and his buggy never making it to the start due to mechanical failures lingering from SS2. While he and co-driver Angelo Vlcek are out of contention, they still put in the work to repair their “silver bullet” in the hopes of running the tracks during Stage Four. Plenty of fingers are crossed for the three Isuzu VehiCROSS entries to do the same. Each had charged valiantly into the previous stage, only to meet a cruel fate today with all three being trailered back to the bivy, battered but not (completely) broken. And they weren't the only ones rolling back to home base without completing the entire timed section.

From the vintage Datsun (who we're still cheering on from the sidelines) to the contemporary Bronco piloted by Nathan Hayashi [#210] and the tragic demise of Gary Payne's number 202 Speed UTV...the outcome at Stage Three was grim for the car categories. Not to mention the unsung hero taking on the Sonoran Desert solo at the wheel of an afterthought—George La Monte's second vehicle choice to drive at the rally. His Infiniti FX45 had its own saga to tell. La Monte [#206] and his FX45 found themselves as the last team still on course, refusing to let the desert dictate his fate.

With nothing but navigation skills and sheer determination, he pressed forward, savoring every twist and turn. He might have become stuck in the dune section for a bit, but a helping hand from the Orga and the urge to see the coast at sunset was enough to keep his wheels turning—once they eventually started again. The beachside stretches offered him a rare moment of serenity before the more defined route demanded his full attention once again. Against all odds, he reached the bivouac long after most had settled in, crossing the finish line at 9:18:05. Though burdened with a nearly three-hour penalty, his spirit remained unshaken, worn but enthusiastic:

The lone survivor of the four-wheeled fleet? The Yamaha YXZ1000R, piloted by Brock Harper and Steven Geist [#201], soldiered on, digging its tread into the dunes, sliding through the tight, silty sections, and finally reaching the A.S.S. in triumph with a total stage time of 6:04:49—nearly two and a half hours ahead of their closest competitor. Their consistent, calculated approach allowed them to maintain control where others faltered, proving that sometimes, survival is the greatest victory. However, it didn’t hurt that no one else in the three sub-auto categories achieved a proper stage finish.

For the remaining top guys of SS2, the transition to today’s challenge was met with mixed results. Lance Webb and his co-driver Kirk Callanoil [#205] fought through the demanding terrain and complex roadbook, but it wouldn't be enough to get them through to the end. This resulted in a hefty 1:18:00 penalty added to their time and is (likely) going to keep them from gaining ground in the overall standings. Despite this, if by circumstance alone, they secured a prime position in second place, proving that persistence—and dumb luck—in the desert pays off.

As the sun dipped lower and Puerto Peñasco came into view, competitors limped, strutted, or were towed into the bivouac to reach the final checkpoint, each carrying the scars and stories of another brutal yet breathtaking day in the Sonoran wilderness. Tomorrow brings SS4, another chance for redemption, another chapter in this unforgiving yet addictive tale. The vehicles will be mended, the drivers will shake off the dust, and, if the desert allows, they will continue the attack. But for now, there’s food, there’s fuel, and the undeniable pull of sleep before the next page can turn.