The Gambler 500
July 14th-16th
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
3800 SE Airport Way, Redmond, OR 97756
Drive anything you want, spectators encouraged.
Featuring
- HooptieX racing Friday and Saturday
- Worlds biggest public land cleanup
- Greatest car show on Earth
- 20 bands on two stages
- Minibike trail runs
- RC car racing
- Onsite food vendors
- Greatest group of people you'll ever meet
*PARK AND PARTY... NO PARTY LAPS or dangerous camp behavior
2023... As always this is just for Gamblertown/camping and HooptieX if you wanna bomb around, explore and pick up trash that's cool and free. HooptieX is onsite and admission for spectating is included, camping is separate but just for vehicle not additional per person. Under 21 is allowed in spectator area, HooptieX, bands etc just not camp (per OLCC). Having cleaned up most of Klamath County, we are headed to Deschutes and Jefferson County to explore new places and focus on the incredible amount of abandoned cars and illegal dumping in the Crooked River Grasslands and Millican Valley.
"GAMBLERTOWN" opens Friday July 14th and closes Sunday July 16th at noon. We still recommend camping Friday night in smaller groups along the way if you're not into crowds and want to do it how we did when it started, Saturday night is the big party. Redeem at gate for wristband and if vehicle pass purchased receive vehicle sticker for car to access camp.
Yes a stock Toyota Corolla can make it, yes support rigs are welcome, yes you and your friends can come in your capable late model rigs, have fun and help people out. We love fun crazy cars regardless of value, we hate rules don't make us make more. We love everybody, hate litterbugs, leave your egos behind, park and party ZERO vehicle shenanigans in camp, keep off-road shenanigans at OHV areas. Safety is a primary concern and everyone's duty to keep each other safe.
1. This is not a race.
2. There is no $500 rule, cheaper cars win Scepter so no way to cheat with $$$
3. We are the world's largest and competitive trail cleanup, bring trash bags but we will have dumpsters for disposal.
4. You are responsible for your actions, same legal standards apply as any other day.
5. Don't be a dick.
Camp is rustic, dusty and post apocalyptic, there will be places to park if you choose to camp elsewhere and just come to hang out with fellow gamblers. We will be emailing list of resources and sites prior to event.
Remember the goal is to reach any of the destinations using as little pavement as possible "pavement is lava" drive safe as you be sharing and interacting with thousands of other gambler cars. The best challenge is navigating stock 2WD cars over backroads that trucks and SUVs wouldn't have a problem with but you'll find plenty of challenges for built rigs along the way. The waypoint options will be emailed to your registered email address, posted to website and on social media July 1st. There will be multiple options to accommodate the amount of people, avoid congestion, clean up public lands and promote rad adventures.
Options: (additional side quests and journeys will be added closer to event)
1. Best way to Gamble: start where you are and navigate to Redmond, OR using as little pavement as possible, with 8,000 participants you will run into groups along the way.
2. North Valley Start from Conversion Brewing in Lebanon Saturday July 15th (or on Casual Friday the 14th) ROLLING START anytime between 7am-12pm waypoints will be posted outside brewery.
3. Gambler 2023 waypoints: https://onxoffroad.app.link/0vPjxGUMkBb
4. Sons of Smokey
Use OHV options for technical off-road shenanigan fun make sure your vehicle or minibike has an OHV permit if you plan to utilize OHV property PURCHASE online HERE
As always we are stewards of the envirnoment and the communities we pass through. We have huge dumpsters onsite as we host the largest trail cleanup in the world during the event, please snap a pic of the debris you collect along your journey and post pics to Instagram tagging @thegambler500 and @sonsofsmokey along with hashtag #sonsofsmokey and we will be selecting winners for most debris, biggest debris, shooting pit cleanup and more. Please include a fire extinguisher, first aid, food, water, tools plus all essentials for overland travel.
The Competition:
1. The Scepter: This award has been handed down year after year to the team that most embodies the Gambler spirit. The cheapest car, the coolest people, helpful on trail etc.
2. Stewardship: Every gambler picks up litter and trail trash along the way, if we’re going to have fun we’re gonna help. Snap a pic and tag us on Instagram @thegambler500 @sonsofsmokey #sonsofsmokey and we’ll be selecting 5 teams to receive awards from our sponsors.
3. The Gambler Car Show by TRAXXAS RC is back again for 2022 we will be selecting a winner for each category Craziest Build, Most RC Car like and Best Overland/SIRCH&RASCUE rig will all receive a TRAXXAS RC car.
