Saturday marked the 25th running of the Sandhills Open Road Challenge Road Race on the county road between Arnold and Dunning. A 55-mile rally style open road race through the scenic Nebraska Sandhills has turned into a major racing event. The first race 25 years ago had 36 participants. The 25th anniversary run of the race featured over 140 participants.
Winners were crowned in 12 different race and speed classes during the awards ceremony held Saturday evening at the Arnold City Park.
Category winners included:
95 mph Extreme Class – Steve Tasca of Colorado Springs, CO in a 2009 Chevy Corvette ZR1 (average speed of 92.507 mph)
120 mph Extreme Class – Todd Grantski of Utica, NE with navigator Dylon Grantski in a 2020 Ford Mustang GT500 (average speed of 114.777 mph)
80 mph class – Jessica Morton of Spanish Springs, NV in a 2012 Chevy Corvette GS (+.131 seconds off perfect time)
Vintage 85 mph class – Chad Riley of Papillion, NE in a 1989 Chevy Corvette (+.437 seconds off perfect time)
90 mph class – Wayne Langenfeld of Anita, IA and and navigator Adam Akers in a 2019 Dodge Challenger (+.004 seconds off perfect time)
95 mph class – David Mathis of Phoenix, AZ with navigator Jeffrey Atchison in a 2018 Porsche Cayman GTS (+.049 seconds off perfect time)
100 mph class – Kevin Hanschu of Wichita, KS with navigator Rick Cain in a 2003 Chevy Corvette Z06 (-.161 seconds off perfect time)
105 mph class – Mike Black of Garland, TX in a 2025 Chevy Corvette Z06 (+.080 seconds off perfect time)
110 mph class – Conner Long of Broomfield, CO with navigator Leah Aksamit in a 2002 Chevy Corvette Z06 (+.222 seconds off perfect time)
115 mph class – Eric Schmidt of Lincoln, NE with navigator Mike Puchalla in a 1989 Chevy Corvette (+.095 seconds off perfect time)
120 mph class – Chad Christiensen of Roca, NE with navigator Aaron Wells in a 2011 Chevy Corvette Z06 (+.502 seconds off perfect time)
125 mph class – Ted Hughes of Seward, NE with navigator Brock Dailey in a 2024 Chevy Corvette (-.340 seconds off perfect time)
In other S.O.R.C notes, Jeremy Boldt was honored as “King of the Hill” posting the fastest speed during the one-mile shootout on Friday at 213.6 mph and Mike Black of Garland, TX had the closest to perfect run in the Loup 2 Loup race on Thursday finishing -.030 seconds off perfect time in the 85 mph class. For full results of all races click on the links below.
