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HISTORY
SM
This is a basic history of how we got here. Sure, it is from a singular and personal perspective, but that's the cool
thing about having your own website (wink-kidding.....well kinda). Jeff and Terry just wanted to take you through the
evolution of an Oregon based sand sports event that has deep roots and a smidgen of nostalgia for many of us. If
you see any inconsistencies here, let us know by calling 1-800-WHATEVER. We will promptly track down the
webmaster and make him eat worms................................!!
By the way, (just for fun) there is a hidden graphic image on this website that has special meaning for Terry and Jeff.
The first one to identify the image and what special meaning it has for them will get two free wristbands to Sandfest
2008 (good luck).
Many of us will recall the days of the annual SandFest that was held through the eighties and nineties.
But not many remember it's conception (Hey! Outta the gutter!) actually began in the late 60's with
dedicated local dunatics like Kay Thompson and her husband.....uh, Mr. Thompson? Kay told us that
back then everyone knew everyone because nobody wore helmets so you could actually see their faces.
Kay and her hubby enjoyed the dunes and with the advent of ATC's and ATV's, their rides of choice
evolved from Honda 85's to Honda 110's and eventually the legendary 250R's (okay okay, I'm sure there
was the occasional Suzuki LT250R, too). These and other local dune runners eventually formed the
Oregon ATV Association (OATVA). Kay was the president of the OATVA for nine years and the OATVA
was the originator of Sandfest.
According to Kay, the actual Sandfest idea came from a gal (don't remember her name, Carol
whatshername) that organized festivals. Carol whatshername approached Kay and she organized it the
first year. But when it came time to start the 2nd year, Carol whatshername wanted money to get it
organized it again. Well that wasn't happening, so Kay decided she could do it under the OATVA. Poor
Kay didn't realize it would be a 9 month job with all the phone calls, etc (pssst....don't tell our coordinator,
Mary). Kay then obtained the services of another ATV club from the Florence area called the Sand
Deuces. (Don't know if they still exist or not, Arnold Ryland was very active in it) Sandfest ran profitably
and successfully under the OATVA for several years but eventually disbanded in 1994-95 (sniff.....no
really, that hurt). In a final act of charity, the OATVA gave all the proceeds earned to Sand Deuces
towards various ATV projects.
Throughout the evolution of Sandfest, the theme was consistently the same: to have a blast in the
sand doing what we all love. Under the OATVA, there were vendors, there were sponsors, there was
racing and there was even national media coverage. For several days, thousands of people loaded up
their three and four-wheelers and headed to the great duning communities of North Bend/Coos Bay.
They left behind the stress of work (and life in general) and had plain old fashioned motorized fun. A lot
of riders came home with broken ATV's, empty wallets, bent tent poles and a whole lot less gas. But most
had tons of memories of a really great time.
Unfortunately, Sandfest, for one reason or another, died a slow ugly death with the disbanding of the
OATVA. Only a few know the real reason why. The Winchester Bay/Reedsport community understood
the important role Sandfest played in Oregon sand sports and promptly resurrected it under the name
Dunefest. This event incorporated sand drags and vendors but it still had it's fair share of initial growing
pains. Still, the originators of Dunefest had their hearts in the right place and refused to watch it go
away. They knew what ATV'ing meant to them and they understood what their community and dunes
meant to us. The chamber galvanized into action and took action. Early on, they asked for the help of
Fullbore Innovations. FULLBORE INNOVATIONS is owned by the strikingly good looking Jeff Urbach
and is located in Portland, Oregon about 3 hours away from their secondary headquarters in North
Bend/Coos Bay. His recognition within the ATV community is obvious and deserved. His product line was
developed for riders by riders and that philosophy also applied to his commitment to breath life back into
Dunefest. As a result, the event got a much needed, albeit temporary, kick-start.
Thanks to the combined efforts of the chamber, Jeff and other industry contributors, the flame was now
lit. A couple years later, ATV world record speedster Terry Wilmeth, who represented ALBA Action
Sports and eventually founded Afterburner Land Speed Racing, was asked to join the collaborative
effort to take Dunefest to "the next level". With the backing of ALBA, Terry incorporated some additional
events for 2004 but he knew he needed some serious help to get the event to its full potential. In those
days, Jeff Urbach was Terry's primary ATV body designer for his world land speed ATV's. He had helped
Terry achieve several Guinness world and U.S. land speed records. Terry had always been able to count
on Jeff so he asked for the help of his good friend again. Sitting in a parking lot during Dunefest 2004,
choking down a plate of fried turkey and trying to figure out if Mary and Greg Olson were "for real", the
decision was made amongst the four of them to blow the lid off the next event.
Jeff and Terry worked hard with the chamber to bring fresh racing events and activities to Dunefest.
Their standing within the ATV industry brought a following of industry elements and national media that
had never been previously experienced by Sandfest or Dunefest. Jeff alone brought a gypsy caravan
consisting of H-Bomb, DJ Drama, Sand Addiction, Promoto Promotions and many many more.
Consequently, Dunefests 2005, 2006 and 2007 reached national scale. But alas, 2007 was to be their
final year at Dunefest. Jeff and Terry recognized that the event could not grow to it's true potential due to
a number of factors, much of which included land use limitations which the chamber continues to struggle
with ('nuff said). They recognized that Northwesterners loved their ATV's/UTV's and that other Oregon
dunes communities had much to offer. So, they and some of their friends like Dan, Chris, Mary, Tess,
Tom, Chris (different one), Grant, Greg and some I'll remember later (and pay dearly for forgetting now)
got together in a series of meetings and decided to bring back the Original Sandfest. Furthermore, they
decided to bring it back to it's original home.
Much like the work of the OATVA, this was to be a home-spun effort organized by the Northwest Offroad
Timing Authority (NWOTA). The NWOTA is the only sanctioning ATV timing authority for land speed
records within the good 'ol U.S of A. The NWOTA is also owned by our ever-popular and fun-loving Jeff
Urbach and is co-chaired by Terry Wilmeth (yes, we know-shocker!). The NWOTA obtained the federal
trade name of the original SandFest and began a grass-roots effort to organize the Original SandFest
2008. The NWOTA approached the local community to cautiously see how Sandfest would go over.
There was even a public televised meeting (we looked good, and no make-up!). And wouldn't you know
it, they loved the idea. We dipped our toes in the water and voila.....no piranhas! The open armed
welcome by the community and the local governmental regulators was incredibly gratifying and
appreciated. We had an event!
Since that time, we have spent every day efforting to bring you the very best OHV motorsport event
possible. If all goes as planned, we will have displays, vendors, racing and shows. Oregon and west
coast riders can take comfort in knowing that there are now two significant sand sports events to choose
from.
The benefit of our efforts extend to all of you out there. You now have two incredible sand sport events
to attend and enjoy. But, speaking on a purely competitive level, we think we are MUCH BETTER
LOOKING (kidding).
Let the good-times begin!!!!!!!!! See ya there in 2008.
Geez, we sure are long-winded!
thing about having your own website (wink-kidding.....well kinda). Jeff and Terry just wanted to take you through the
evolution of an Oregon based sand sports event that has deep roots and a smidgen of nostalgia for many of us. If
you see any inconsistencies here, let us know by calling 1-800-WHATEVER. We will promptly track down the
webmaster and make him eat worms................................!!
By the way, (just for fun) there is a hidden graphic image on this website that has special meaning for Terry and Jeff.
The first one to identify the image and what special meaning it has for them will get two free wristbands to Sandfest
2008 (good luck).
Many of us will recall the days of the annual SandFest that was held through the eighties and nineties.
But not many remember it's conception (Hey! Outta the gutter!) actually began in the late 60's with
dedicated local dunatics like Kay Thompson and her husband.....uh, Mr. Thompson? Kay told us that
back then everyone knew everyone because nobody wore helmets so you could actually see their faces.
Kay and her hubby enjoyed the dunes and with the advent of ATC's and ATV's, their rides of choice
evolved from Honda 85's to Honda 110's and eventually the legendary 250R's (okay okay, I'm sure there
was the occasional Suzuki LT250R, too). These and other local dune runners eventually formed the
Oregon ATV Association (OATVA). Kay was the president of the OATVA for nine years and the OATVA
was the originator of Sandfest.
According to Kay, the actual Sandfest idea came from a gal (don't remember her name, Carol
whatshername) that organized festivals. Carol whatshername approached Kay and she organized it the
first year. But when it came time to start the 2nd year, Carol whatshername wanted money to get it
organized it again. Well that wasn't happening, so Kay decided she could do it under the OATVA. Poor
Kay didn't realize it would be a 9 month job with all the phone calls, etc (pssst....don't tell our coordinator,
Mary). Kay then obtained the services of another ATV club from the Florence area called the Sand
Deuces. (Don't know if they still exist or not, Arnold Ryland was very active in it) Sandfest ran profitably
and successfully under the OATVA for several years but eventually disbanded in 1994-95 (sniff.....no
really, that hurt). In a final act of charity, the OATVA gave all the proceeds earned to Sand Deuces
towards various ATV projects.
Throughout the evolution of Sandfest, the theme was consistently the same: to have a blast in the
sand doing what we all love. Under the OATVA, there were vendors, there were sponsors, there was
racing and there was even national media coverage. For several days, thousands of people loaded up
their three and four-wheelers and headed to the great duning communities of North Bend/Coos Bay.
They left behind the stress of work (and life in general) and had plain old fashioned motorized fun. A lot
of riders came home with broken ATV's, empty wallets, bent tent poles and a whole lot less gas. But most
had tons of memories of a really great time.
Unfortunately, Sandfest, for one reason or another, died a slow ugly death with the disbanding of the
OATVA. Only a few know the real reason why. The Winchester Bay/Reedsport community understood
the important role Sandfest played in Oregon sand sports and promptly resurrected it under the name
Dunefest. This event incorporated sand drags and vendors but it still had it's fair share of initial growing
pains. Still, the originators of Dunefest had their hearts in the right place and refused to watch it go
away. They knew what ATV'ing meant to them and they understood what their community and dunes
meant to us. The chamber galvanized into action and took action. Early on, they asked for the help of
Fullbore Innovations. FULLBORE INNOVATIONS is owned by the strikingly good looking Jeff Urbach
and is located in Portland, Oregon about 3 hours away from their secondary headquarters in North
Bend/Coos Bay. His recognition within the ATV community is obvious and deserved. His product line was
developed for riders by riders and that philosophy also applied to his commitment to breath life back into
Dunefest. As a result, the event got a much needed, albeit temporary, kick-start.
Thanks to the combined efforts of the chamber, Jeff and other industry contributors, the flame was now
lit. A couple years later, ATV world record speedster Terry Wilmeth, who represented ALBA Action
Sports and eventually founded Afterburner Land Speed Racing, was asked to join the collaborative
effort to take Dunefest to "the next level". With the backing of ALBA, Terry incorporated some additional
events for 2004 but he knew he needed some serious help to get the event to its full potential. In those
days, Jeff Urbach was Terry's primary ATV body designer for his world land speed ATV's. He had helped
Terry achieve several Guinness world and U.S. land speed records. Terry had always been able to count
on Jeff so he asked for the help of his good friend again. Sitting in a parking lot during Dunefest 2004,
choking down a plate of fried turkey and trying to figure out if Mary and Greg Olson were "for real", the
decision was made amongst the four of them to blow the lid off the next event.
Jeff and Terry worked hard with the chamber to bring fresh racing events and activities to Dunefest.
Their standing within the ATV industry brought a following of industry elements and national media that
had never been previously experienced by Sandfest or Dunefest. Jeff alone brought a gypsy caravan
consisting of H-Bomb, DJ Drama, Sand Addiction, Promoto Promotions and many many more.
Consequently, Dunefests 2005, 2006 and 2007 reached national scale. But alas, 2007 was to be their
final year at Dunefest. Jeff and Terry recognized that the event could not grow to it's true potential due to
a number of factors, much of which included land use limitations which the chamber continues to struggle
with ('nuff said). They recognized that Northwesterners loved their ATV's/UTV's and that other Oregon
dunes communities had much to offer. So, they and some of their friends like Dan, Chris, Mary, Tess,
Tom, Chris (different one), Grant, Greg and some I'll remember later (and pay dearly for forgetting now)
got together in a series of meetings and decided to bring back the Original Sandfest. Furthermore, they
decided to bring it back to it's original home.
Much like the work of the OATVA, this was to be a home-spun effort organized by the Northwest Offroad
Timing Authority (NWOTA). The NWOTA is the only sanctioning ATV timing authority for land speed
records within the good 'ol U.S of A. The NWOTA is also owned by our ever-popular and fun-loving Jeff
Urbach and is co-chaired by Terry Wilmeth (yes, we know-shocker!). The NWOTA obtained the federal
trade name of the original SandFest and began a grass-roots effort to organize the Original SandFest
2008. The NWOTA approached the local community to cautiously see how Sandfest would go over.
There was even a public televised meeting (we looked good, and no make-up!). And wouldn't you know
it, they loved the idea. We dipped our toes in the water and voila.....no piranhas! The open armed
welcome by the community and the local governmental regulators was incredibly gratifying and
appreciated. We had an event!
Since that time, we have spent every day efforting to bring you the very best OHV motorsport event
possible. If all goes as planned, we will have displays, vendors, racing and shows. Oregon and west
coast riders can take comfort in knowing that there are now two significant sand sports events to choose
from.
The benefit of our efforts extend to all of you out there. You now have two incredible sand sport events
to attend and enjoy. But, speaking on a purely competitive level, we think we are MUCH BETTER
LOOKING (kidding).
Let the good-times begin!!!!!!!!! See ya there in 2008.
Geez, we sure are long-winded!
Adjacent to the Oregon Dunes National
Recreation Area (ODNRA) in Coos County, OR
July 8-13, 2008
Recreation Area (ODNRA) in Coos County, OR
July 8-13, 2008
