Presented by Slappy Racing and The Purple Mat.

For all the EPO participants and spectators, race day brings a certain anxious anticipation. You can practice and practice and practice till you go numb, burning tanks of gas after tanks of gas, feeling unstoppable as you romp from dune to dune. However, when race day is only a sun rise away, you find that you can’t seem to sleep; waking up every half an hour to make sure you set your alarm. And when the sun does rise on race day, everything changes. From the moment you open your eyes, you find that butterflies have found there way to the pit of your stomach. Everything is somewhat tingly; numb. This is because challenge lies ahead for you. Your senses are preparing. Are you ready? All those things that came natural to you while driving on your dune rides, leading a large group, feeling comfortable and singing songs are now jumbled in your head. This isn’t a Sunday dune ride. “How soon should I grab the turning brake? Where are my hands most comfortable on the wheel? Should I drive with my music on in my headset?” Everything that was so easy seems so confusing all of a sudden. That is the nature of race day. Until your gate drops, your nerves will eat at you; nothing tastes good, breakfast doesn’t sound appetizing, and you are only one gag away from sporadic dry-heaving. But that is the nature of race day. The anticipation could drive you mad, but the excitement of it all compels you to stick it out; you are a competitor. There’s nothing better.