About Searchlight:

In 1898 Searchlight Nevada was one of Southern Nevada's richest gold mining towns. People flocked to this
small desert town searching the hills for gold. That was over one hundred years ago. Today the rush is on
to Searchlight not for its riches in gold but for its Annual Motorcycle race. Searchlight is a sleepy little town
located about 50 Miles south of Las Vegas on Us 95. It is also the Gateway to Lake Mojave and Cotton wood
Cove.

In 1988 Searchlight celebrated it 100th birthday. As part of the celebration local resident and Motorcycle and
ATV racer Mitch Canepa had the idea of resurrecting the Searchlight Grand-Prix. Back in the mid 1970's the
Searchlight Grand-Prix was put on by a motorcycle club called the "Desert People". Mitch had always heard
stories of how fun the race was. There were other races in the Southern Nevada deserts but what really set
this race apart was how the race course went right through town. Local residents Marge Sanquist (“Margie”)
thought it would be fun to have the race go into an old abandoned mine shack. She had them go through the
front door through another door inside the house and out the back door and into a big mud hole.

With the help of family and friends the race was held the same week end as the centennial celebration. With
only 89 participants that year and not quit being able to run thru town because of Parade and all that was
going on that same week end the racers still had a fun time. In honor of the old house a couple of the local
kids went out found some old wood and decided to build a false front building and make it look like the race
went thru an actual house. The racers loved it and so did the spectators. The very next year there were more
racers in one class than all the racers combined the previous year. And the participation keeps growing every
year.

So what's in store for this year?? Well you'll just have to come out and see. We always try to do something
different. Hope to see you There…. Bring the whole Family...