Bakersfield Outlaw IV (Event Recap)

WORDS Marcus Bandy PHOTOS Ali Mehraban & Marcus Bandy

When I first heard there was a downhill race going on in Bakersfield I laughed to myself and wrote the idea off completely. I actually kinda cool-guyed my dude Daniel Engel when he mentioned it, and replied: “Radical brody! hit me with the details via email, and I’ll peep it!” I was hoping my response would be the end of it. See, I live down by the ocean and reside within an hour’s drive of some of the best hills for skateboarding in all of California. So why go all the way out to Bakersfield? I’d also heard that it’s as hot as an armadillo’s armpit and crustier than a coyote’s earhole out in Bako! I was definitely feeling a bit suspect of such an idea.

Anyway, Daniel never gave up on it and kept telling me about the event—how badass it was gonna be, how the new hill they found to run it on this year was of epic proportions, and how the ever was actually not an outlaw, but fully permitted.

As it happens, Daniel was absolutely correct on all accounts, and this year’s fourth annual Bakersfield Outlaw IV event was amazing with over 130 registered riders and an entire weekend of fast and winding downhill action with a backdrop of beautiful scenery and the Kern River splish-splashing coolly along at the bottom of the course. And just so you know I did not see one Armadillo armpit or coyote earhole. Thank goodness for that! Ha ha!

The working plan for next year is to step it up to a four-day event with endless freeriding, camping on site, and if we get our way (and we plan on it) there’ll be a mini ramp to session and a live music party hosted by Wheelbase every single night next year. Not to mention a launch ramp set up to boost into the Kern River.

That said, I feel like the photos Ali and I captured at this year’s Bakersfield IV event speak volumes to just how amazing the hill is and just how majestic the surrounding countryside is in this portion of California, so if it is okay with y’all, I’d like wrap up the prosaic portion of this article and turn your attention more pointedly to the pretty pictures we shot of our friends skating and having fun times. We hope to see you in Bakersfield next year!. Stay tuned.

I’m so stoked to have had as many rad people at the Bakersfield Outlaw IV! Thank you to everyone involved! Couldn’t have made it happen without each and every one of you! Stoked!!! -Daniel Engel

Riley Irvine

Race Results:

Open

1. Zak Maytum
2. Jordan Koehler
3. Adam Sorensen

Groms

1. Ryka Mohammadian
2. Patrick Welsh
3. Johnny Ruiz

Luge

1. Torey Norel
2. Will Royce
3. John Rogers

Thank You’s:

Daniel Engel would like to thank: all of the event sponsors (Xtreme Board Shop, Rogers Bros, Manis, Phat Deanz, Ronin Trucks, Hyroflex, Gravity Skateboards, Riot Bushings, Legit Boardshop, Badfish, Sector 9, Venom, Kryptonics, Blood Orange, Timeship Racing, Zealous Bearings, Caliber Truck Co., Madrid, Holesom, Paris Truck Co, Riviera Skateboards, Divine Wheels, Cadillac Wheels, Riptide Bushings, Azhiaziam, Volcanic Prodoctions ) Ron Enns, William Myrvold, Joe Lawrence, Michael Brite, Alex Moreno, all the corner marshals, Artie Colson with USFS, Links for Life (breast cancer awareness), Joe Engel, Laura Engel, Fred Baumann, Philip “Stretch” Baker, and Wheelbase Mag of course!!!