R.E.C.O.N. G6 Challenge
Haunted Rock Park
Rock Park – Reno, Nevada
October 15, 2011
words & photos: Matthew Soileau
Why was Rock Park chosen for the Halloween edition of the R.E.C.O.N. G6 Challenge?
Tiss the month, it’s a great place to tell a camp fire stories, especially scary ones….
Horror legend has it that in 1910 the Southern Pacific Railroad was in full swing after building a switch station in Sparks, NV in 1904; known then as Harriman, NV after the president of the S.P.R. Well the railroad brought in all kinds of adventure seeking souls looking to make it big out West, but with the good, the rails also brought, the bad.
The baddest was a man named Jeremiah Earl Danziger, a descendant of Poland, came to Harriman, NV in 1910 and one of the bloodiest years that Sparks, NV has ever seen. Jeremiah Earl Danziger, or Jed went to work for Aphia Mine in Virginia City but was soon dismissed after he was caught stealing from the mine. This upset Jed and he what he did for the next 7 months, still horrifies and haunts people who walk the river path through Rock Park.
Jeremiah Earl Danziger (aka JED) killed 16 young girls in 7 months. Butchered was used in most of the descriptions as each girl was found missing wrists and ankles. When Jed was caught in the act with his last victim, he slashed her throat as she yelled for help for her unborn child, just as a group of hunters passed by. One of the hunters shot Jed, but the bullet struck him in the lower back. Unable to walk, Jed was dragged to a tree and hung after his hands and feet were cut off with the hatchet that Jed himself used on his female victims. This all happened where Rock Park is located today.
I have lived in Reno for over 30 years and have only heard bits and pieces of this tale. But some say they see a blood covered man carrying a hatchet. I have been to Rock Park after dark and have never seen or heard anything, but I can tell you that where the tree once stood is a bridge and walking under that bridge all the hairs on the back of my neck and arms stood straight out. Was it just a cool breeze coming off the Truckee River or was it the ghost of JED?
When I arrived at Rock Park, all seemed calm…
…although, there was a strangely out of place cemetery in the corner of the park.
Soon, G6ers began arriving wearing Halloween costumes;
That’s when I knew this was going to be a great G6 Challenge!
Rigs began to line up;
I noticed that even they were in the Halloween spirit.
This Axial SCX10 wasn’t really in the holiday spirit, but it was my favorite G-Ride of the day.
As registration began, some wondered why Under Dog was taking their information.
It turns out that Brad’s was actually dressed as ‘Ballsy’; one of the giant red balls from the TV show Wipe Out.
Mmmmm, Brad’s neck looks delicious…
Word must be spreading about the good time the G6 Challenge delivers,
because after registration there were 47-trucks lined up and ready to begin!
Immediately after Trail Marker #1, drivers had to complete the Hop Scotch Drivers Challenge. I think Parker just put this here to have some entertainment.
First you got a little dirty..
and then you cleaned off in the Truckee River.
Right after this grassy section was TM unlucky 13…
luck would have it, this crayfish found out it was part of TM#13.
A winch line near this 50-foot culvert could only mean one thing.
Yup, trucks were going to be driving through it.
At the graveyard, drivers had to stop to find their tombstones, yes, each driver had his name on a tombstone and there where 50+ more names than event entries so finding your name was a little more in depth!
Drivers were then required to attach their tombstone to their rigs for the remainder of the challenge.
Captain Axial stopped by to make sure everyone was having a good time. Here, he saves this young girl from complete boredom.
The ghost of JED appears to be levitating Mike Pham’s truck over this crevasse.
Even the bugs at Rock Park dressed up for Halloween.
Here’s one of the reasons the G6 Challenge is becoming so popular. Look at all the people doing something. There’s not a lot of sit time like there is at other R/C events. And when there is that “sitting moment” its REST!
Six female drivers made the G6 Challenge. Here one of them shows that all that is needed is an RTR Honcho in order to do the Parker’ism – “Do Work!”
These G-Rides show how they are not afraid to “DO WORK!”
Since the G6 Challenge isn’t really about winning but rather completing the adventure, most drivers are eager and ready to help out their fellows adventure challengers. This is a perfect example of the “tow strap hover.”
Hey there little buddy, Trick or Treat.
At dusk, things began to get a little spooky after the jack-o-lanterns were lit.
Have you ever driven through a jack-o-lantern?
Up the slide…
down the slide as your Trail Buddy looks on thinking… “dad, I did that with two wheels out the top!
Even rarer than spotting the ghost of JED is spotting a smiling Stuart. I think he was happy that I spelled his name correctly, finally.
Lights were not mandatory…
BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
The darker it became…
The creepier the trails felt.
Surprises awaited drivers along the trail to add a little spook.
Under the bridge I spotted something.
Could this have been the ghost of JED? Yes, he moved and scared the baheebeegeebee’s out of us!!!
At the end of the night stage, was the sharp shooter challenge. Hitting the ghost with the slingshot earned you a time bonus.
Missing the ghost earned you a trip to the bucket of guts. Pulling a chip out of there also earned you a time bonus.
G6 Trophies JED would be proud of. Thank you Zonkerd.
Thank you to BPC and PLE…
For finishing prizes.
G-Degree winner, Heather O’Conner
1st Place Wraith, Dan ‘Smoking Lipo’ Wilson. Thanks again for the driveshaft.
Cameron Nienkark took 3rd place in his first G6 Challenge.
2nd Place: Rick Mercado
1st Place: Bruce Pease
Well… Another R.E.C.O.N. G6 Challenge is in the history books and that can only mean one thing…impatient days waiting for the next one. We hope to see you there. I already have my ticket ready for the G-Train.
*Note from Axial Inc.
Please note that no living items where made “un-living” for this event. They where found in their natural cycle of decomposition, used as fear props for the good of the children. They where then returned to their regularly scheduled reincarnation. Exception made for the pumpkins… their souls where asked to soak up JED spirit and where discarded in the proper RENO-Sparks waste management service system and later will be making special guest appearances on late night TV.
