13th Annual Sand Sports Super Show Adds Super Moto And Grand Prix Of Karting To Weekend Event

It’s surprising how many people are into off-roading and sand sports in particular. Apparently, not everyone in entertainment wears skinny jeans and spends their weekends in Silverlake.

Two guys from a major Hollywood studio rental company were at KROQ recently supplying us with some pro audio gear and we got to talking. Turns out they’re huge off road guys. Both had trailers, quads, bikes, sand cars etc. You’d never know it to look at them. They looked like stereotypical musicians. And, our stage manager at Weenie Roast and Acoustic Christmas is a major sand buggie guy.

Off-roading is cool, but for some reason, sand sports is like a drug. Once you try it, you have no choice but to be hooked. I’ve personally taken at least four guys out that have returned home only to immediately buy sand toys, including Omar from The Kevin & Bean Show. It’s the craziest thing. It think it’s because it’s a family sport. If you find yourself at Glamis, Pismo, Dumont etc, you’ll see families… Lots of families. Maybe that’s why this form of recreation has become so huge so quickly.

This weekend you’ll find me, along with thousands of guys and gals into sand sports, at the Sand Sports Super Show at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds.

This is the single largest show of its kind. You’ll find everything relating to off-road and sand in one place. From LED whips to riding gear to tires to $100k dune buggies, they’ve got every category covered.

I had the chance to speak with Don Murphy, the show’s co-founder.

As the owner of a Brea, California fabrication company focused in the medical field, Don was not an exhibition expert. He was simply into off road when he started the show way back in 1989. After seeing much of Glamis Dunes closed off-roading, he decided that he would take matters into his own hands. He set out to band the rag-tag group of dune buggy manufacturers together as a group. Not only would they have lobbying power but they could actually make sand sports a legitimate industry and show their wares as a group.

It’s to Don and his family’s credit that the sport has grown to the size it has today. They’ve also been instrumental in helping to keep many state and federal lands open for off-roading via the the American Sand Association.

We chatted about how the economy has effected the show and surprisingly, this particular form of recreation is not something that fans are will to give up just because money is tight. With last year’s attendance over 50,000, it proves his point. Trailers, RVs, buggies, bikes, side by sides and quads all continue to sell. “Stand at the exit and you’ll see hundreds of people exiting with shopping bags. overflowing with goodies.”

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One of the additions this year is Chaparral Motorsports featuring a huge display and tons for sale. The Sand Sports Super Show also features the Grand Prix of Karting (hi-speed go carts) as well as Super-Moto races. There’s something for everyone.

Show hours

• Friday 12pm-9pm
• Saturday 9am-7pm
• Friday 9am-4pm

Buy your tickets at the door for $15 per day (children 12 and under free) or get them in advance via Ticketmaster.

Shot back in 2009, I think you’ll enjoy watching Omar, Super Steve and others get out in the dunes for the first time.