Sand, like the dirt at Blackrock is quite soft.
In the case of the thrust driven vehicle in the dirt, the groves that resulted from them running were a major contributor to the ability to direct the vehicle when underway.
A wheel driven vehicle is slowed so much by plowing a furrow at race speeds , it is not a suitable surface.
Sand is the same thing only different, and mud has the worst features of both.
Deform the surface to the point that others can't follow and you will be sat down on the salt.
When that is argued out to it's logical conclusion we can discuss relative safety.
A well known and very fast biker could be heard screaming over the sound of his ride when caught in a tire groove of a top of the line, wandering roadster, " Gee I really hope he gets it straightened out soon."