LAS VEGAS -- The Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts (SNORE) capped a memorable weekend, combining a highly-competitive racing event with the fifth annual Make A Wish Ride for youngsters facing life-threatening illnesses.

The South Point SNORE 250 drew 86 competitors during a sluggish economy to an event won by 60-year-old junk yard operator Tom Koch of Ridgecrest, Calif.

Koch won the Class 1 and overall championship in impressive fashion splitting duties with Championship Off Road Racing competitor Mike Childress and Jimmy Hook to register a four-lap winning effort of 4 hours, 40.45 minutes.

Koch, who is a former winner of both the Mint 400 and Parker 400, hadn't run all year saying that his son's attending USC had dominated the family finances. However, the colorful charger used his season debut in fitting fashion to collect the 39^th annual running of the SNORE 250.

"I have been around a long time," said Koch, who drove the final lap time of 1:15.57 after Childress recorded efforts of 1:03.11, 1:05.14 and 1:06.

The winning team ran a flawless race and suffered only minor issues that included a flat tire along with shock damage. In fact, the biggest concern was that Hook suffered a broken finger after being hit by a rock kicked up by T.J Flores of North Las Vegas on the first lap.

Jamie Galles finished second in Class 1 with a time of 5:08.36, while early leader James Scott slipped to third place with a time of 6:48.22 after stumbling with a fourth-lap effort of 3:26.39.

Dave Terrell took the Class 10 category over Las Vegas driver C.J. Hutchins by a 7:16.55 to 7:34.26 margin. Both drivers had issues in the event since Hutchins limped to a 3:20.38 on the third lap, while Terrell had a 3:19.57 final-lap effort.

Steve Fuller was the only entry to complete four laps en route to the Class 12 victory behind a time of 5:24.13, while Blaine Conrad outlasted a 23-car field to record a time of 5:08.07 in Class 1-2 1600.

Dan Bentley was runner up in Class 1-2 1600 with a 5:18.04, while Nathan Schweigart was third at 5:20.53.

Mike Bailey took the Class 8 title, while Joe Stone was the victor in Class 7 and Mac Marmon edged Rusty Ruby by 1:42 minutes to take the Class 18 crown.

Race car builder Rulo Solano captured an easy victory in the Class 5-1600 category, while Corey Torres registered a 4:34.07 to narrowly beat Brandon Hughes's 4:37.47 in the Class 9 competition.

Wesley Stephens ran to a 5:22.31 to beat Jens Pfeffer in Class 15, while John Houlton beat Briana Bradley by seven minutes to take the Class 13 victory.

Other winners include Jason Richardson, Mini Metal; Tyler Casoria, Class 7S; Steve Schwab, Stock Full; Eric Ludian, Class 1450 and Richard Nichols, Stock Bug.

With all of the champions, though, the fifth annual Make A Wish Ride had the greatest champions of all on Sunday when 121 brave youngsters battling life-threatening illnesses were treated to rides in 56 race cars provided by some of the most dedicated competitors in off road racing.

"This is absolutely unbelievable," said one driver who recalled the '07 Make A Wish ride. "I had one young boy riding with me, so I asked him through the radio how he was doing.

"He told me he was doing fine considering that he was dying of leukemia. I actually started crying and he said to me "Hey, what are you crying about? I'm the one who is dying."

The brainchild of SNORE President Don Wall, the Make A Wish Ride has erupted in popularity for both the youngsters and their parents.

One such rider was Jacey Kelley, a 10-year-old student at Lied Middle School who can't wait to get to the event each year.

"This does so much for her," said Kelley's mother, Kelly adding that her 10-year-old daughter has battled leukemia for seven years. "She really looks forwards to this."

The enthusiastic Jacey could not wait to get into the car and had a huge smile when she was getting out.

SNORE will present its final race of the 2008 season in Koch's hometown of Ridgecrest, Calif., when the Western Desert Challenge is conducted Nov. 14-16.