Gabe here, just like to say thanks to all. the crew is some of the best. Mexico is always an adventure and it's twice as sweet when you work along side people with as much heart as
the JTR crew. The race for Jake and i started at mile 679 it was dark and we were fired up to get the car to John with a good lead. not having much time in the seat it took a few miles to sort the car out and it was running strong. feeling good we began to pick up the pace all the way to scorpion bay only to find there was no fuel oops!!! the pit was not there. no problem just hammer down to the loreto check where the JTR boys would come to the rescue. well boom the jeep shut down just before la presma, we think the coil got hot and shut it down! changing to the second coil she fired up and we were back on the road. arriving at the loreto check the JTR boys gave us a quick splash and look over. At this point the average for our section was around 65mph yaaaaahoooo! back on the pipe we started the last 40 miles, this section was were many would not survive. at race mile 880 big silt! this would continue for 15 miles the little jeep kept chugging along until an encounter with a rock sent the front of the jeep into orbit. breaking the pan hard bar. but it was not long before the JTR boys came to the rescue. Dave that boy jumped into action! changing it out in about 15min he rocks! away we went but much easier. with no other moments we handed the car to john early morning. you boys at JTR put together a great car and it was a prevliage to be able to race with all of you. Gabe out VIVA BAJA!!!!!!!!
The Race is On!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
A Daughters Gift
Home at 3:30am Monday. I woke up at 7am so I could see Chris and the kids before they were off to school. It seemed like it had been months since I had been able to spend any time with them, well 4 months anyways. Feels good to be home after our long journey. My daughter tells me she has a present for me, grabs my hand and leads me to her room. She tells me; I wrote you a song, would you like to here it? well, of course I would love to hear it. She picked up her little guitar and started playing music. I am pretty sure there were no actual notes or chords played, but it sounded beautiful to me. She played her guitar and said her song was called the Baja song. Her song told about her daddy going to baja to race the baja truck, she missed me while I was gone and how much she loved me.
It is hard for me to put words to this. I am very touched by her words, especially coming from a 6 year old. She gave me a gift well beyond my expectations.
I am glad to be home, but I don't know if my mind has actually made it home yet.
I am very proud to have been a part of such a huge event with a group of people that performed well together to get the job done for 1166 miles. that is well past a baja 1000, just not this one. We will have to finish it next year. Thanks.
Tony
It is hard for me to put words to this. I am very touched by her words, especially coming from a 6 year old. She gave me a gift well beyond my expectations.
I am glad to be home, but I don't know if my mind has actually made it home yet.
I am very proud to have been a part of such a huge event with a group of people that performed well together to get the job done for 1166 miles. that is well past a baja 1000, just not this one. We will have to finish it next year. Thanks.
Tony
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
It's Not Only a Race
These words come from a t-shirt that I bought for Rodney at Mama Espinoza's. I think they sum it up pretty well.
It's not only a race.
It's planning vision courage intelligence
money dedication effort
pre-run to know the land
anxiety to begin the race
emotion adrenalin dust speed strategy experience patience frustration pits
friendship competition
rocks mountains desert beach streams fog bumps cactus and more dust
To arrive in los cabos finish line (which we didn't, but oh well)
after many stories filled with emptiness.
There's only one thing to do...wait for the next race. This is Baja.
Vayan con dios!!!
Kathy says we're up to $1650 and growing for the kids who will be going to Gales Creek this year, because of those who have been going the extra mile with us. That's almost 5 kids and their families who will potentially have their own life changing experience because of the Baja. Thanks.
Nikki
It's not only a race.
It's planning vision courage intelligence
money dedication effort
pre-run to know the land
anxiety to begin the race
emotion adrenalin dust speed strategy experience patience frustration pits
friendship competition
rocks mountains desert beach streams fog bumps cactus and more dust
To arrive in los cabos finish line (which we didn't, but oh well)
after many stories filled with emptiness.
There's only one thing to do...wait for the next race. This is Baja.
Vayan con dios!!!
Kathy says we're up to $1650 and growing for the kids who will be going to Gales Creek this year, because of those who have been going the extra mile with us. That's almost 5 kids and their families who will potentially have their own life changing experience because of the Baja. Thanks.
Nikki
Monday, November 19, 2007
Re-Entry
The team rolled back into Corvallis around 3:30 am this morning, after driving from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA through, sun, rain, and snow flurries. When Rod and I walked in the door of our house we were greeted by flowers, a freshly cleaned house and sheets on our bed, food for breakfast on the counter, and love notes from some dear family friends and my daughter. Ah, sweet. And what a delicious feeling, sliding into bed, sliding into sleep. I was jarred awake at 8:15 am by a phone call from one of the teams on the Champ Car Atlantic Series looking for info about how to pick up their tire order- heavy sigh- back to work. Toto, we're not in Baja anymore. Back to the real world.
I'm hoping some of the rest of the team will share some of their stories here over the next few days. Right now, I'm pretty raw and emotional. The words are not flowing well yet, as I'm still processing what this has all been about- it was a simple sporting event, but it was oh, so much more. Our team was incredible, in the true sense of the word. The energy these guys expended on driving the narrow, twisty roads of Baja in the dark with little sleep and little food; on on-the-spot problem solving and major high-desert car repairs; on re-configuring tactical plans- wow, it was amazing. I have the highest respect and admiration for all of them. And as I just finished reading the blogs and comments from friends, I am touched. Thanks for all of the love and support. More later.- Gratefully, Nikki
I'm hoping some of the rest of the team will share some of their stories here over the next few days. Right now, I'm pretty raw and emotional. The words are not flowing well yet, as I'm still processing what this has all been about- it was a simple sporting event, but it was oh, so much more. Our team was incredible, in the true sense of the word. The energy these guys expended on driving the narrow, twisty roads of Baja in the dark with little sleep and little food; on on-the-spot problem solving and major high-desert car repairs; on re-configuring tactical plans- wow, it was amazing. I have the highest respect and admiration for all of them. And as I just finished reading the blogs and comments from friends, I am touched. Thanks for all of the love and support. More later.- Gratefully, Nikki
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A Place for the Weary:
Hebrews 10:35-36 35 So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward.36 You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised.
Is there anything more frail than a bruised reed? Look at the bruised reed at the waters edge. A once slender and tall stalk of sturdy river grass, it is now bowed and bent.
Are you a bruised reed? Was it so long ago that you stood so tall, so proud?...
Then something happened. You were bruised...
By harsh words
By a friends anger
By a spouses betrail
A lost race...
The bruised reed... society knows what to do with you... the world will break you off; the world will snuff you out.
But the artists of scripture proclaim that God won't. Painted on canvas after canvas is the tender touch of the Creator who has a special place for the bruised and weary of the world. A God who is the friend of the wounded heart.
~From Carla and Mitchell... God Loves You All, We Love You All!
Is there anything more frail than a bruised reed? Look at the bruised reed at the waters edge. A once slender and tall stalk of sturdy river grass, it is now bowed and bent.
Are you a bruised reed? Was it so long ago that you stood so tall, so proud?...
Then something happened. You were bruised...
By harsh words
By a friends anger
By a spouses betrail
A lost race...
The bruised reed... society knows what to do with you... the world will break you off; the world will snuff you out.
But the artists of scripture proclaim that God won't. Painted on canvas after canvas is the tender touch of the Creator who has a special place for the bruised and weary of the world. A God who is the friend of the wounded heart.
~From Carla and Mitchell... God Loves You All, We Love You All!
A Request
If you have been following this blog, please take a moment, if you haven't, and add a comment for our team using the comment feature at the bottom of this post. We would love to know who has been following our efforts. Also, if you feel motivated to donate some money to Gales Creek in support of our effort, every little bit helps, directions are on our website. www.jtrracing.com. Thanks for all your comments, prayers and encouraging words, as cliche as it might sound, they really did keep us going as this all unfolded. This blog will stay active for another few weeks so driver teams, and chase crew can add stories from Baja.
Thanks.
Rod
Thanks.
Rod
From Alita Stauber
Fwd: I just heard...you guys put in an awesome effort! You made it so far, and i'm really proud of all of you! Lots and lots of love, alita
~Master Geek Mitchell~
I am astounded by the incredible effort made on all fronts to make this thing happen, to see where it went, and how it finished. From where I sit and how I feel about this experience I am in awe at how well you all did in the face of this totally brutal event. I sent out a text before this started that I feel strongly about, a text that I want live by: "I will Praise God when I win and I will Praise God win I lose"
Great Job All!!!
I will sit at a computer for the rest of the day and night to post any
and all blogs you guys want posted.
~mitchell
Great Job All!!!
I will sit at a computer for the rest of the day and night to post any
and all blogs you guys want posted.
~mitchell
Status 2:30pm
Two chase crews decending on 302 with new radiator. 15 minutes out, than must swap radiator and get 302 to check point 10, 83 miles away, in 1.5 hours.
302 Update - 2:26 p.m. - Day Three
302 radiator blown RM 1160. Crew trying to sawp prior to check point 10 closure at 4 pm RM 1243
302 Update - 2:21 p.m. - Day Three
306 reported out by BFG. 3rd place is ours if 302 makes finish by 6 pm PST.
302 Update - 11:48 - Day Three
Dave, Gabe, Jake headed to pit 12 in trackside ford. John & Tony in 302 headed to 12. Chase 2 stuck in silt pit 11, chase 2 trying to extract
302 Update - 11:39 a.m. - Day Three
Gabe Jake and Dave are at km112 holding incase the pan hard bar is needed in. If not needed we will head to Vic's pit
302 Update - 10:51 a.m. - Day three
Class 3 1st and 2nd place already finished. 302 3rd by approximately 2 hours.
Update from Rod - 10:33 am -Day Three
Broke pan hard bar being fixed by Gabe & Jake at local welder, then to pit 11 to hand off as spare to chase 2.
From Rod Via Nikki - 10:19 a.m. - Day Three
Chase 1 & 2 at pit 11, vic at pit 12. Tony getting in at pit 11, he is exhausted, but pushing through. Team estimates can make Cabo before close!!
Update from Vic via Nancy - 9:13 am - Day Three
vic has 33 gal of gas and is heading north.
radio.
Check Point Closures Today
Check point 9, rm 1120 closes at 1pm
Check point 10, rm 1243 closes at 4pm
Check point 11 FINISH, rm 1296 closes at 6pm.
Check point 10, rm 1243 closes at 4pm
Check point 11 FINISH, rm 1296 closes at 6pm.
302 Update - 8:21 - Day Three
Just talked with chase 2, they are headed to rm 1040 to rendevous with 302, approx rm 1040
Race Report RM 0-321
My last post was a bit of a bummer to read, I am still very disappointed to not be in southern Baja, but alas I am not.
Dave and I drove out of the San Nicolas hotel in 302 Tuesday around noon. We worked our way through congested surface streets to race start. After 20 minutes or so of staging, we began to roll toward start. They checked our wrists for race bands and helmets for tech stickers. We did final prep and rolled onto the starting platform. Sal Fish, race organizer, told us to have fun, and be safe. We rolled down to SCORE start and within 20 seconds had a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and go countdown. We took off! We were officially racing the Baja 1000. After a few city blocks we dropped into the wash where they had built a big dirt jump and the streets and wash were lined with people. I did NOT do a 50 yard jump off the dirt ramp as the trophy trucks did, in fact I don't think we were air born at all. Driving up out of Ensenada was a trip. I had never seen this part of the course and it was 35 miles of winding dirt roads, surface streets, people, dogs, kids, chaos. Locals would try and point you down alternate routes that had more "fun" potential for them, more likely a crash for us. I was suckered into a few, but was driving slow in the unknowns, so we did fine. We passed several cars in this 35 miles from other classes, and generally just tried to settle in. I became very unnerved when car 300, the class 3 winner at Baja the last 6 years, and is currently in the lead again, came right up on my tail, I looked in the mirror and all I saw was his grill, oh man, I have never raced in a car before, and that shook me up. We moved over as the road allowed and he went around. One other time I didn't hear a car that was wanting around, so he bumped us to get our attention, that was an odd feeling! Once out of this 35 miles, we moved into roads I was more familiar with. Also the GPS track didn't start until RM35, so Dave and I were using dust, locals and score route markers only, it was a bit zanny. Our section was an unrelenting, rock strewn, boulder climb/decent, whooped out, torture chamber. 321 miles of punishment to man and machine. We knew we had to get the car through in one piece, and I am proud to say, we delivered it to RM 321 without even a flat! Dave and I, I humbly say, are a great driving team. I wouldn't have wanted to share that time with anyone else, and I am not sure anyone else could have driving it better. We were reserved, cautious, he would speak a thought moments before I was going to say the same thing, we just stayed on the same page for speed, control and navigation the whole time, well until RM 280 anyway. We came across a rolled over vehicle on fire at one point, I anchored the breaks and Dave was away with our halon co-driver fire extinguisher as our car stopped, he was away to put out the fire, confirmed occupants OK, and we took off again. We came across a buggy on a verge of rolling down a steep side bank, so we quickly attached a tow strap onto it and pulled it back to safety, then we were off again. We got a radio call that Chase 1 with Tony, Nikki, Tom and Matt (I think) were stopped just before check point 1, that was really cool to drive past them, blow the horn as they waved us on. The night wore into early morning, and we had the 280 incident. Another entry further down. And I have to take my hat off and give, what few of you really could understand, credit where credit is due. Dave drove from rm 280 to 321 solo. Through the most brutal section of the Baja 1000. He had never seen it before, as a solo driver, he had to watch the route on the GPS and in front at the same time. He had no second voice to confirm route, or line choice, he on-sighted the last 41 miles with no prior knowledge of where to go or how to get there. That is an amazing feat. I pre-ran that section last week, and I can only imagine the level of focus Dave must have had, and that was after being in the race vehicle for 12 hours already, and it would have taken place between 2:30am and 4:30am in the morning. The only explanation I can offer is that God was right there with him, answering our prayers from earlier. I don't know of any other stories from the race or chase, yet, but I am anxious to hear the details from the rest of the driver teams. I will sign off, staying tuned....just like you....
Rod
Dave and I drove out of the San Nicolas hotel in 302 Tuesday around noon. We worked our way through congested surface streets to race start. After 20 minutes or so of staging, we began to roll toward start. They checked our wrists for race bands and helmets for tech stickers. We did final prep and rolled onto the starting platform. Sal Fish, race organizer, told us to have fun, and be safe. We rolled down to SCORE start and within 20 seconds had a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and go countdown. We took off! We were officially racing the Baja 1000. After a few city blocks we dropped into the wash where they had built a big dirt jump and the streets and wash were lined with people. I did NOT do a 50 yard jump off the dirt ramp as the trophy trucks did, in fact I don't think we were air born at all. Driving up out of Ensenada was a trip. I had never seen this part of the course and it was 35 miles of winding dirt roads, surface streets, people, dogs, kids, chaos. Locals would try and point you down alternate routes that had more "fun" potential for them, more likely a crash for us. I was suckered into a few, but was driving slow in the unknowns, so we did fine. We passed several cars in this 35 miles from other classes, and generally just tried to settle in. I became very unnerved when car 300, the class 3 winner at Baja the last 6 years, and is currently in the lead again, came right up on my tail, I looked in the mirror and all I saw was his grill, oh man, I have never raced in a car before, and that shook me up. We moved over as the road allowed and he went around. One other time I didn't hear a car that was wanting around, so he bumped us to get our attention, that was an odd feeling! Once out of this 35 miles, we moved into roads I was more familiar with. Also the GPS track didn't start until RM35, so Dave and I were using dust, locals and score route markers only, it was a bit zanny. Our section was an unrelenting, rock strewn, boulder climb/decent, whooped out, torture chamber. 321 miles of punishment to man and machine. We knew we had to get the car through in one piece, and I am proud to say, we delivered it to RM 321 without even a flat! Dave and I, I humbly say, are a great driving team. I wouldn't have wanted to share that time with anyone else, and I am not sure anyone else could have driving it better. We were reserved, cautious, he would speak a thought moments before I was going to say the same thing, we just stayed on the same page for speed, control and navigation the whole time, well until RM 280 anyway. We came across a rolled over vehicle on fire at one point, I anchored the breaks and Dave was away with our halon co-driver fire extinguisher as our car stopped, he was away to put out the fire, confirmed occupants OK, and we took off again. We came across a buggy on a verge of rolling down a steep side bank, so we quickly attached a tow strap onto it and pulled it back to safety, then we were off again. We got a radio call that Chase 1 with Tony, Nikki, Tom and Matt (I think) were stopped just before check point 1, that was really cool to drive past them, blow the horn as they waved us on. The night wore into early morning, and we had the 280 incident. Another entry further down. And I have to take my hat off and give, what few of you really could understand, credit where credit is due. Dave drove from rm 280 to 321 solo. Through the most brutal section of the Baja 1000. He had never seen it before, as a solo driver, he had to watch the route on the GPS and in front at the same time. He had no second voice to confirm route, or line choice, he on-sighted the last 41 miles with no prior knowledge of where to go or how to get there. That is an amazing feat. I pre-ran that section last week, and I can only imagine the level of focus Dave must have had, and that was after being in the race vehicle for 12 hours already, and it would have taken place between 2:30am and 4:30am in the morning. The only explanation I can offer is that God was right there with him, answering our prayers from earlier. I don't know of any other stories from the race or chase, yet, but I am anxious to hear the details from the rest of the driver teams. I will sign off, staying tuned....just like you....
Rod
302 Update - 7:45 am - Day Three
gabe finished his leg of race - car broke-being fixed and john
will take over - just has to be careful with it spare is not as sturdy as the first one. *Pray*
Current Place...I think....
According to BFG pits website for Pit-to-pit timing the following class 3 vehicles are still in the race:
300 with overall position of 126
302 with overall position of 164
347 with overall position of 123
306 with overall position of 170
348 with overall position of 240...so...
It would appear that BFG pits would be tracking us in third currently, with 306 not far behind. This info is not from SCORE, so I don't know how reliable it is, but here is the link where I found it. http://tma-bfg.com/results.php
Rod
300 with overall position of 126
302 with overall position of 164
347 with overall position of 123
306 with overall position of 170
348 with overall position of 240...so...
It would appear that BFG pits would be tracking us in third currently, with 306 not far behind. This info is not from SCORE, so I don't know how reliable it is, but here is the link where I found it. http://tma-bfg.com/results.php
Rod
302 Update - 5:55 a.m. - Day Three
302 is at rm 915… Chase trucks are waiting at rm 921. It is 5:55am. John and Nancy to take over from here.
302 Update - 1:34 a.m. - Day Three
1:34 am 30 miles away from pit nine, race mile 920 loreto pits where nancy and i are to get in the race car. chase 1 calls in for a pan hard bar. They come in and pick one up. time to hurry up and wait.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
302 Update - 11:19 p.m. - Day Two
RM829.50
BFG -La Purisima
34:06:00 hours in (my math puts that at 51 hours to finish total time, 2 hours to spare)
39.534 - Average speed
BFG -La Purisima
34:06:00 hours in (my math puts that at 51 hours to finish total time, 2 hours to spare)
39.534 - Average speed
~Master Geek Mitchell~
Baja 1000 2007
From Stateside Tech Support:
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When I first heard Rod talk about this project I saw a once in a lifetime opportunity to drive a truck at Baja become a possibility for me. Wow, wouldn’t that be ‘crazy cool’? Life is life, it rolls along and God gives us what He wants us to have. So my trip to Mexico seemed to be ruled out pretty quickly. I dealt with it pretty well and accepted that I was where He wanted me… I didn’t know why and honestly didn’t really dwell on it much. My current life if pretty crazy and as it turns out this time of year really turned out to be much more exciting for me to be here, now. Training my replacement at work so that I can move to Yakima to marry the ONE… the woman God has been preparing for me while he prepared me for her… but I digress a tad. Knowing where God wants me is vague to me at times. I do my best each day to wake up with His Mercy and Grace that is feely given to me. To that end I have wondered lately about my calling. For so many years I was such a computer geek and that has waned some in the last couple years of so…just kind of gave up on it. Passion: that is what I want in this life. A consuming passion that keeps me on fire, that fills my heart and soul with joy at doing good work, and sometimes doing excellent work. So let’s fast forward to the weeks leading up to this event. I was presented with doing some blog updates, maybe sending some text messages, possible website updates… etc. seemed pretty simple to me the first time it all came up. No big deal, just some stuff to do to help out a little bit. Well I guess God had a different idea about my involvement and I got all fired up to have all data I needed on my computer at home, on a web based email contact list so I could get to it from anywhere I might be, and on my xv6700 windows mobile computer / cell phone. I just kind of figured that to be truly useful I should be prepared. Then of course I noticed a thing on the blogger site about ‘mobile blogger’ and I just *had* to know all about that. Turns out all I had to do was setup a specific email address to send from and whatever I put as the subject of the email would be the title and the body of the email would be the post. Wow… now that speaks to the geek deeply rooted in my soul…I made it work… tested it and I was ready to rock and roll. It was now possible for me to take a text message or email and within a few seconds have a blog posting done…. Totally, crazy, cool!! And right up my alley. Use technology to it fullest at all times. I could even do a post straight from my cell phone using the internet connection provided by the Verizon wireless network… so in all reality I could be anywhere and accomplish what you all needed in Baja. I try real hard not to sell God short, and again He proves to me what He wants *me* to do. In the hours since the race has started I have been on call, so to speak, 24 hours per day to post blogs, do website updates, communicate as best I can to 31 phones what is going on. Well let’s get back to what I have been up to. There has been a nearly constant flow of communication coming at me from many places. I have done my best to pass info along to the correct people, I have posted photos on the website, I have blogged my silly little fingers off. I have been useful! Wow! Do you mean to tell me that all these years sitting in front of a computer playing with technology could actually help the race crew, family, and friends from this far away?
I took the call from Bob Thompson from Score at 3:53 a.m. about Rod. I got up, notified as best I could and let God have the rest of it, it hadn’t occurred to me to see if I could make phone calls to the sat phones in mexico, and it turns out that either I can’t due to Verizon or I was too tired to do it right… either way it all worked out. Tonight we had a rollover, broken pitman arm and a frenzy to get the truck back on the way. Read the blog, what a team…. They did it. Nobody got hurt and we are still in the race… Glory Be To God! Amazing stuff.
So I’ve been rambling a bit, the real thing I am trying to convey here is that I am honored by you all letting my geek’dom soar and do my part to be a team member in whatever way I can or could assist. I am on fire, I am having a blast doing this. Using my toys to do two things: 1> create a really awesome record of events for the people back home and elsewhere to see and 2> to be part of getting people in Baja information. I am so very grateful to God for the Gifts he has given me to use in this life, the blessing of the toys that I have, and the brain he gave me to press on and basically work blind…. I don’t usually know who is asking for me for what, where they are, how they are… nothing really. I just act on what I get and keep moving forward, it’s been so fun.
Then I read Rod’s Blog. I take nikki’s phone call after the rollover and feelings overwhelm me. I cried reading Rod’s blog, tears of love. I acted as fast as I could to get as many people involved with the rollover but not to many so that I caused any distress back home until I had a clearer picture of what was really going on. God, once again, showed His Glory and all was well and the truck was moving again. Sweet. All that I guess I am really trying to say is a huge thanks to all involved for letting me spread my wings and be part of your crew. Reading how the deal went down with Rod and Dave brought a gigantic sense of what kind of people are down there doing this deal. I have already learned that when life gets hard I go to God first so to hear that Rod and Dave did that and more I could fill the Holy Spirit at work. What driver would sit still, not drive, and wait for Rod to get safely to where he needed to go? It speaks to a Holy person who understands that for our time here we do for others the way Jesus intended us to do. My respect for Dave has increased in the knowing that God helped him to make the decision he did…for if we don’t treat others as the Lord would then what do we really have?
I consider myself blessed to be in the presence of such a wonderful group of people and I will miss all of you greatly after I move…. But that is ok. I am going where I feel God has told me to be… I am going to marry my *last* wife. I am going to take this passion that has been reignited in me and let God show me where to use it. God Bless you all.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
From Stateside Tech Support:
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When I first heard Rod talk about this project I saw a once in a lifetime opportunity to drive a truck at Baja become a possibility for me. Wow, wouldn’t that be ‘crazy cool’? Life is life, it rolls along and God gives us what He wants us to have. So my trip to Mexico seemed to be ruled out pretty quickly. I dealt with it pretty well and accepted that I was where He wanted me… I didn’t know why and honestly didn’t really dwell on it much. My current life if pretty crazy and as it turns out this time of year really turned out to be much more exciting for me to be here, now. Training my replacement at work so that I can move to Yakima to marry the ONE… the woman God has been preparing for me while he prepared me for her… but I digress a tad. Knowing where God wants me is vague to me at times. I do my best each day to wake up with His Mercy and Grace that is feely given to me. To that end I have wondered lately about my calling. For so many years I was such a computer geek and that has waned some in the last couple years of so…just kind of gave up on it. Passion: that is what I want in this life. A consuming passion that keeps me on fire, that fills my heart and soul with joy at doing good work, and sometimes doing excellent work. So let’s fast forward to the weeks leading up to this event. I was presented with doing some blog updates, maybe sending some text messages, possible website updates… etc. seemed pretty simple to me the first time it all came up. No big deal, just some stuff to do to help out a little bit. Well I guess God had a different idea about my involvement and I got all fired up to have all data I needed on my computer at home, on a web based email contact list so I could get to it from anywhere I might be, and on my xv6700 windows mobile computer / cell phone. I just kind of figured that to be truly useful I should be prepared. Then of course I noticed a thing on the blogger site about ‘mobile blogger’ and I just *had* to know all about that. Turns out all I had to do was setup a specific email address to send from and whatever I put as the subject of the email would be the title and the body of the email would be the post. Wow… now that speaks to the geek deeply rooted in my soul…I made it work… tested it and I was ready to rock and roll. It was now possible for me to take a text message or email and within a few seconds have a blog posting done…. Totally, crazy, cool!! And right up my alley. Use technology to it fullest at all times. I could even do a post straight from my cell phone using the internet connection provided by the Verizon wireless network… so in all reality I could be anywhere and accomplish what you all needed in Baja. I try real hard not to sell God short, and again He proves to me what He wants *me* to do. In the hours since the race has started I have been on call, so to speak, 24 hours per day to post blogs, do website updates, communicate as best I can to 31 phones what is going on. Well let’s get back to what I have been up to. There has been a nearly constant flow of communication coming at me from many places. I have done my best to pass info along to the correct people, I have posted photos on the website, I have blogged my silly little fingers off. I have been useful! Wow! Do you mean to tell me that all these years sitting in front of a computer playing with technology could actually help the race crew, family, and friends from this far away?
I took the call from Bob Thompson from Score at 3:53 a.m. about Rod. I got up, notified as best I could and let God have the rest of it, it hadn’t occurred to me to see if I could make phone calls to the sat phones in mexico, and it turns out that either I can’t due to Verizon or I was too tired to do it right… either way it all worked out. Tonight we had a rollover, broken pitman arm and a frenzy to get the truck back on the way. Read the blog, what a team…. They did it. Nobody got hurt and we are still in the race… Glory Be To God! Amazing stuff.
So I’ve been rambling a bit, the real thing I am trying to convey here is that I am honored by you all letting my geek’dom soar and do my part to be a team member in whatever way I can or could assist. I am on fire, I am having a blast doing this. Using my toys to do two things: 1> create a really awesome record of events for the people back home and elsewhere to see and 2> to be part of getting people in Baja information. I am so very grateful to God for the Gifts he has given me to use in this life, the blessing of the toys that I have, and the brain he gave me to press on and basically work blind…. I don’t usually know who is asking for me for what, where they are, how they are… nothing really. I just act on what I get and keep moving forward, it’s been so fun.
Then I read Rod’s Blog. I take nikki’s phone call after the rollover and feelings overwhelm me. I cried reading Rod’s blog, tears of love. I acted as fast as I could to get as many people involved with the rollover but not to many so that I caused any distress back home until I had a clearer picture of what was really going on. God, once again, showed His Glory and all was well and the truck was moving again. Sweet. All that I guess I am really trying to say is a huge thanks to all involved for letting me spread my wings and be part of your crew. Reading how the deal went down with Rod and Dave brought a gigantic sense of what kind of people are down there doing this deal. I have already learned that when life gets hard I go to God first so to hear that Rod and Dave did that and more I could fill the Holy Spirit at work. What driver would sit still, not drive, and wait for Rod to get safely to where he needed to go? It speaks to a Holy person who understands that for our time here we do for others the way Jesus intended us to do. My respect for Dave has increased in the knowing that God helped him to make the decision he did…for if we don’t treat others as the Lord would then what do we really have?
I consider myself blessed to be in the presence of such a wonderful group of people and I will miss all of you greatly after I move…. But that is ok. I am going where I feel God has told me to be… I am going to marry my *last* wife. I am going to take this passion that has been reignited in me and let God show me where to use it. God Bless you all.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John Maine - 7:48 p.m.
Chase 2 Talked to Gabe. He said the car is running good. Awesome!! Chase Trucks are back on the road. Everyone doing good. John and Nancy leaving hotel in Loreto to their start point. Finish line is getting closer!!!!!
302 Update - 7:18 - Day Two, email from John
Hey there race fans,,,, 302 made check point 7 with time to spare!! Gabe and Jake are now in the vehicle. Go JTR!!! Thank you all for your prayers. What an adventure we are having!! Love you.
302 Update - 6:28 p.m. - Day two
302 fixed and on the move. Should be ok to make next point by 9 p.m.
302 Update - 5:04p.m. - Day two
We have had a mishap. Our steering pitman arm is broken. We are currently sourcing a new one. Jeep is at ap rm 650 right before the pavement. We have to make San Ignacio by 9 pm…. Which is ap 45 to 50 miles away. Prayers please!!
Update from Rod
I sit in Ensenada, at 5pm on Wed, likely the last place on earth I want to be. At rm240 or so last night, after a stressful prep week and last few days, well for that matter a stressful last 5 months, I had eaten next to nothing and my gut started twisting into knots. I finally asked Dave to stop, and when I got out of the car, I couldn't stand, the world would not stop and I felt like a rag doll as I collapsed to the earth. Dave is an awesome friend, putting my condition and needs above the race, and himself. He prayed over me and put my head on his leg as we tried to wait it out. About 10 minutes or so later, we tried to drive some more, but the terrain was unforgiving. I couldn't be in the car...I couldn't stand, my bodies lower GI was in full revolt. It was 2:30 am, we had been up since 5am and driving since 1pm...Dave was amazing, just driving strong hour after hour. At rm 280 we came across a visual pit for SMD. We chatted briefly and left, within a mile I new I was done. I couldn't stand another minute in the car. I got out and Dave's compassion once again shown through. As I was on my hands and knees crying, we prayed and looked for some healing or wisdom. I am tearing up again as I write this. The decision that was made, with only 40 miles before I could have hooked up with the chase rig, (40 miles that would have taken 4 hours or more at the pace my body dictated) was for me to grab my survival bag and walk back to rm 280. Dave waited in 302 and didn't budge until rm 280 reported my arrival. They commented several times how unusual, and kind that was. I was confident of that decision early this morning, but as the gap between the team that we had forged to tackle Baja continues to grow, with me stationary in Ensenda and them working further and further South to Cabo....a weariness and sadness envelop me. I didn't want to blog this, its painful...I want to be with them, sharing in the success, the challenges, the McGyver fixes, and eventually the conclusion, in Cabo, or where ever the conclusion takes place, but I'm not with them and have no reasonable way to make it happen. This is not what I had planned. 40 miles and a wasted body is all that kept me from hooking up with my wife, my friends and my team. Now it has grown to nearly 600 miles. I am lonely, frustrated, confused, angry and sad. I was thinking of myself, and not blogging any of this, when God put it on my heart that JTR is racing for a cause. The cause is a diabetes camp for kids, and those kids at that camp, and the challenges they face in life, are the reason you are reading this. Those kids deal with these feelings too and for me to paint the rosy exterior picture only, is not life. Life is not easy, life doesn't offer neat little win-win options. We must face the myriad of complexities of living in this place, and lean on God and friends to help navigate the way. Thanks for being that circle of friends. I am going to get some food now. I am going to get some sleep. I wish I was with my team...but I'm not.....
From John Maine - 4:13 p.m. - Day Two
To all our loved ones and fans at home,
Thank you for all your support. Your comments and prayers mean so
much to us. It is great to see new comments go up and know we are
being tracked!! Per our estimation (estimation mind you) Tony and
Nikki should be back out to a major hwy for a visual, Gabe and Jake
should be in 7-7:30 pm. This is all counting on nothing going wrong
and them being able to keep an average speed of 30 mph. Until then we
probably wont hear from them. Finish line closes at 6pm Thursday, it
will be close with no breakdowns. We love you all…..
BFG Race Status - Day Two
Ok Folks, If Kathy and I have this right here is where the Class 3 trucks stand:
302 - IN
303- OUT
Moss Bros #1
349- OUT
304 - OUT
348 - IN
301 - OUT
397 - IN
306 - IN
302 - IN
303- OUT
Moss Bros #1
349- OUT
304 - OUT
348 - IN
301 - OUT
397 - IN
306 - IN
Update From John - Day Two
Good Morning!! Bright and Sunny here in Loreto as we wait for our team. John just talked to Chase 2 and it sounds like we are doing good. Tony and Nikki are now in control of the vehicle. Dave is probably sacked out, dead to the world in the chase rig!! Good job Rod and Dave!! Keith was checking valve covers and they sent 302 on its way. We got reports that Ikua is out with a broken steering box. But on the bright side Hiedi is up and running again!! Cameron was currently running in 5t in his class!! Go Yokohama!!!
John Maine,
Maine Racer
302 Update - 4:37a.m. Day Two
RM321 - Arenoso. Reported off BF Goodrich Tracking Site http://tma-bfg.com/results.php
Race Update - 3:53 a.m.
Bob Thompson from Score just called. Rod got motion sickness at RM280. Is at SMD pit. Vehicle and driver continued. Will stay night at pit and leave for ensanada in the morning.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Cool Map Additions From Bill
Bill is keeping up and modifying the map with the locations of the truck as he gets info. So if you want to 'see' the progress make sure to visit http://www.jtrracing.com/ and click on the the map of the route to see approximate location. You can cross reference that with the blog posting time. Have fun! And a big thanks to Bill for his part in the mapping process... pretty sweet if you ask me. ~mitchell
Gales Creek Camp Update
Donations are up to $735 Dollars and a flyer is making its rounds around Yakima as well.
302 Update - 9:15 p.m. - Day One
RM205 - Pitted the car, took on 30 gallons. Car looks good should be good to go.
6:45 p.m.- Tuesday via John - Day One
6:45 p.m. Tuesday … John and Nancy arrived safely in Loreto thanks to Jim Nance and his beautiful plane!! Checked in at the SMD pits and saw that all was well. Flying over the Baja Peninsula was an incredible experience. The miles and miles of remoteness is amazing. Enjoyed an incredible sunset up there. And there is some rough country out there…. Go JTR!!!! Looks like some fun stuff. Leaving Ensenada we were able to fly over the course for a bit… spotted Rod and Dave bumping along at mile 30 …. Doing quite well. No news since then. Mr Nance taught Nancy to fly the plane… handing over the controls for a while!! Whee Haw!!!! If that ain't scary wait till she gets the controls of 302!! SMD reported that Pinkie the 1200 car is busted or out of the race … Heidi's class 7 truck had not made to mile 77 and had a busted axle or housing. Keep praying for our safety – both in 302 and in the Chase trucks. We love you guys. Lydia, Ellie and Race…. Mommy and Daddy love you and miss you. We think of you every day. Thank you again Kathy. Love to all of you …. Nancy
Race Day Update - 10:12 a.m.
As the race starts today at 11:45 a.m. PST there will be rather large
gaps of time, possibly 5 - 8 hours where there will be no contact with
me so that I can do blog updates as to the progress of the truck and
chase vehicles. Updates will happen as soon as possible. My ability to
do updates is almost instant and I will post as soon as humanly
possible.
gaps of time, possibly 5 - 8 hours where there will be no contact with
me so that I can do blog updates as to the progress of the truck and
chase vehicles. Updates will happen as soon as possible. My ability to
do updates is almost instant and I will post as soon as humanly
possible.
For the folks back at home, please just remain in prayer and patience.
Specific prayer requests should be focused on the chase vehicles and
crew... the reality is that they tend to be in the most danger and we
all need to be praying for their safety.
~Mitchell via Nikki
Monday, November 12, 2007
Nancy Handing Out Patches
Nancy stopped at a local school to hand out some patches, thought this captured the moment. ~Rod
Monday Per Rod
Contingency and tech inspection today, tomorrow we race, drivers are realizing this is real and nervousness abounds. Pray for Peace and Safety. ~Rod
Pre-Race Jitters
Okay, it's the day before the race. Man, some of us are jittering hard. I woke up at 4:00 am this morning and I hate 4 am. You know what was on my mind? Three things: 1) It's raining. That makes things a little more interesting for the course (Frog Wash may be extra wet and stinky). But, it may make things a little more dangerous for the chase teams. So, I'm praying hard for their safety. If you're the praying type, feel free to join in. 2) The logistics of the chase- who's in what car when, how we're going to keep people fed and rested- ha, ha. 3) My teammates and their families. Here we are in Baja and most of our team has wives (or grandparents) and kids and back home who are pulling double duty to keep the homefires burning. I was concerned about their energies and cares. Strangely enough, it was this very same thought, that the families at home are caring for one another and living their daily lives, that was somehow very comforting too. We love you guys! Thanks for your support and prayers--Nikki
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Troubleshooting Triumph
We started off the morning with an oil change on Chase 1 at 7:30 am in the hotel parking lot. Kudos to Dave and Tony. Followed by meeting the fuel guy at Estero Beach at 9 am. Rest of the day at Estero Beach was spent on carburetor tuning for lack of power. Dave tracked down a timing light, courtesy of the JMSDA crew, and we discovered we had some timing issues. (Remember, we have a death wobble issue in the front end that we have to figure out too- more on that later). Back to the story.... now, we have a hard core rocket with all kinds of Baja desert crunching power that is very usable for everything from slow rock crawling to high speed gravel straights. In the process of tuning, we burned up a starter. Dave had it changed out within 10 minutes and re-installed with wire ties. In the meantime, John and Nancy were on the hunt for a new steering stabilizer in hopes that it would cure our death wobble. John changed out the old soft steering stabilizer for a new stiffer stabilizer. Voila, death wobble gone, now the car is ready for the 140 miles of Baja highway driving. Yahoo!!!! Still need to wash, decal, mount the rally tracker mount, organize the tools, and try to get Yokohama's Robert Dole into the car for a short test ride. We want to show him how well these Yokohama Super Diggers work for this car.
John is finally happy and feeling like everything is good to go. All of our drivers are registered. It looks like we really might have a chance to beat the Baja. We went to a service tonight with Steve Hanson sharing some words about heros, challenges, and being the kind of people that rise to the occasion with God's grace and love. Here's to success.
Chris, I love you and miss you. I wish you were here. ---- Tony
John is finally happy and feeling like everything is good to go. All of our drivers are registered. It looks like we really might have a chance to beat the Baja. We went to a service tonight with Steve Hanson sharing some words about heros, challenges, and being the kind of people that rise to the occasion with God's grace and love. Here's to success.
Chris, I love you and miss you. I wish you were here. ---- Tony
Shakedown Cruise
Saturday morning started with a trip out to Wide Open Baja's Horsepower Ranch to find PCI radios so that we could get the race channel programmed into the radios in the car and the two chase trucks. While we were there, we ran into Dave Feldkamp, an old friend of Nikki's from the Atlantic car racing world and told him that we were racing and raising money for kids with disabilities. He offered to help us out by spreading the word. An email message to Kathy Jolliff and Mitchell Stauber, part of our home base crew, and the wonders of modern technology made it possible for Dave to download and print off the flyers he wants, right here in Baja. Wow!
After we got the radios programmed, we split up: Team 1 went to go get their tourist visas. I'll have to let them tell that story. Team 2 headed over to Estero Beach for Pit Distribution. When we got there, Rod, who had been there with Trackside Performance and the JSMDA crew for an hour already, was heavy in the action of helping to set up areas where the various cars and motorcycle for the JSMDA contingent could put their pit signs, fuel cans, water and spare tires for the various pit crews to pick up and take on down the peninsula. That process took about 5 hours and maybe 10-30 bodies.
When Team 1 joined us at Estero Beach, we pulled the car off the trailer. John took Gabe out for his introductory spin in the car. Then Gabe and Jake got their first seat time at a little dirt track, right there at Estero Beach. They said it runs well and strong, but we discovered that the front end shimmy we thought we had fixed, isn't really fixed. That could be a big problem for us. Dave, Tony, and Keith set to work to create a makeshift alignment table, using the trailer, some slabs of wood, and a tape measure and started to experiment. Nancy and Tony got in the car, so Nancy could learn a little about how the car handles. She's certainly not afraid of the car, after a few minutes of getting a feel for it, she was ripping around the corners and launching the car over the jumps! John and Rodney are working on the 21st version of the logistics plan- it changes by the minute.
We're getting excited though and the team is starting to gel a little more.
After we got the radios programmed, we split up: Team 1 went to go get their tourist visas. I'll have to let them tell that story. Team 2 headed over to Estero Beach for Pit Distribution. When we got there, Rod, who had been there with Trackside Performance and the JSMDA crew for an hour already, was heavy in the action of helping to set up areas where the various cars and motorcycle for the JSMDA contingent could put their pit signs, fuel cans, water and spare tires for the various pit crews to pick up and take on down the peninsula. That process took about 5 hours and maybe 10-30 bodies.
When Team 1 joined us at Estero Beach, we pulled the car off the trailer. John took Gabe out for his introductory spin in the car. Then Gabe and Jake got their first seat time at a little dirt track, right there at Estero Beach. They said it runs well and strong, but we discovered that the front end shimmy we thought we had fixed, isn't really fixed. That could be a big problem for us. Dave, Tony, and Keith set to work to create a makeshift alignment table, using the trailer, some slabs of wood, and a tape measure and started to experiment. Nancy and Tony got in the car, so Nancy could learn a little about how the car handles. She's certainly not afraid of the car, after a few minutes of getting a feel for it, she was ripping around the corners and launching the car over the jumps! John and Rodney are working on the 21st version of the logistics plan- it changes by the minute.
We're getting excited though and the team is starting to gel a little more.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Lessons from a Baja Pre-Run
Tony, Chuck, Vic and Nikki- up at 3:45 am on Thursday morning to go pre-run our section. About 30 miles above ElRosario on our way to Coco's Corner, Vic and Chuck learn that Tony and Nikki are getting in the car during the race at El Rosario not at Coco's Corner. Quick pre-run re-calculations ensue and it's decided that we'll start our pre-run at El Rosario. Lesson #1: no matter how well you think you've communicated, something will get missed. On our way to the pit (which we have to find with a trailer in tow, over 8 miles of desert road) we meet up with Federales. They have us get out so they can inspect our car- they find it amusing that Nikki is a "piloto". We unpacked the pre-runner and set off at 11:30 am. We learned that our section is an interesting mix of technical rocky stuff, washed out roads, asphalt, fast straight gravel roads, and really fun desert winding roads. Got to Bay of LA and learned Lesson #2: Diesel comes from the black hose in Mexico, not the green one. More on that in another blog update. Switched driver and got back on the road after a 2-hour delay. Lesson #3: Vic's pre-runner is a sweet buggy, that when driven by a better driver than Nikki, can go really fast. We had a sweet pre-run. Finished up at Viscaino about 11:30 pm. Re-loaded the trailer and started back to Catavina. About 1:30 am and several military checkpoints later, Vic needs a nap. Guys took the cab, Nikki napped on the utility box in the back of Vic's truck. Lesson #4: A 40 degree bag isn't quite warm enough this time of year. Got into Catavina about 6:00 am. Ate breakfast, took another two hour nap and headed into Ensenada, where we met up with the Trackside crew and the rest of the JTR Racing crew, minus Tom and Matt. Apparently, Tom is on his way, not sure about Matt. May have to reconfigure the chase car situation. We've been telling people from the other teams that we're driving for kids who have diabetes and people have been really supportive. Okay, gotta go- have to go meet the crew for breakfast and pit distribution. Well, part of the crew- the rest of the crew missed the tourist visa stop in Tijuana- so they're off to get their tourist visas here in Ensenada. Hasta later- Nikki
Friday, November 9, 2007
Blog Entry From Chase 1 and 2
Had a wonderful night of R&R at Vic and Nancy's. Complete with a 5 Star
Bed and Breakfast spread!! Thanks Nancy. Morning greeted us with a dead
auxiliary battery and a beeping inverter. Upon further inspection
discovered dead short which resulted in electrical smoke and a narrowly
averted fire. After much hollering and hustling system disconnected and
we are on our way again. Hoping to reach Ensenada without further
incident.
Bed and Breakfast spread!! Thanks Nancy. Morning greeted us with a dead
auxiliary battery and a beeping inverter. Upon further inspection
discovered dead short which resulted in electrical smoke and a narrowly
averted fire. After much hollering and hustling system disconnected and
we are on our way again. Hoping to reach Ensenada without further
incident.
Website Update
I just posted a map of the route complete with check points (no pit stops
per Nikki)on the website. www.jtrracing.com Thanks to Bill for his great
mapping work! ~mitchell
per Nikki)on the website. www.jtrracing.com Thanks to Bill for his great
mapping work! ~mitchell
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Driver Schedule - via Nikki
Rod Stauber and Dave Jolliff > Ensenada-El Rosario
Tony Ullian and Nikki Stauber > El Rosario-San Ignacio
Gabe DuHalde and Jake Young > San Ignacio-Loreto
John Maine and Nancy Maine > Loreto-about rm980
John Maine and Tony Ullian (or Keith Delaney) rm980-finish
Tony Ullian and Nikki Stauber > El Rosario-San Ignacio
Gabe DuHalde and Jake Young > San Ignacio-Loreto
John Maine and Nancy Maine > Loreto-about rm980
John Maine and Tony Ullian (or Keith Delaney) rm980-finish
From Rodney: 8:53 PM
Rod, Ed, Paul completed 170 miles pre-run, very rough, paul, 1 broke shock, rod, 3 bent wheels, 1 bent front cross member, 2 flats. El Rosario tonight, Ensanada tomorrow. ~Rod
Chase 1 & 2 Update -via Dave
Chase 1 and 2 departed with jeep in tow. Very well supported by Nancy Delaney in the food department!! Many Thanks! Left Corvallis early evening the 7th, arrived L.A. at Trackside late morning the 8th. Trip went smoothly, got all the chase vehicles ready to go into Mexico and got all our tire support taken care of at Trackside. With a ceremonial trip to In and Out Burger looks like our tour of southern California is nearly complete. We will depart early a.m. the 9th for Mexico. Should prep jeep and be settled in by late that night. ~Dave
Noted Trip Events: 10:36 PM - Medford. Diesel is $3.84 a gallon. John say's "Did i make the wrong financial decision on buying diesel pickups?" - Must get back on freeway to find cheaper diesel. 10:45 - 2 miles down the road. don't know price ... felt much better. - 11:48 PM - downhill at Shasta.. Dave hits little bumpies (aka Rumble Strips) and we lose hubcap on Chase Two. - 1:36 AM pull into Cotton Woods, CA for more fuel and SUGAR. Cop follows us out of town to make sure we are leaving. - 4:50 AM found cheap diesel... $3.55 per gallon... fill all four tanks, mens restroom closed so we used ladies... back on road. Nancy and Keith head towards L.A. A few wrong turns at Trackside got us there at 2:10 PM. ~John
Noted Trip Events: 10:36 PM - Medford. Diesel is $3.84 a gallon. John say's "Did i make the wrong financial decision on buying diesel pickups?" - Must get back on freeway to find cheaper diesel. 10:45 - 2 miles down the road. don't know price ... felt much better. - 11:48 PM - downhill at Shasta.. Dave hits little bumpies (aka Rumble Strips) and we lose hubcap on Chase Two. - 1:36 AM pull into Cotton Woods, CA for more fuel and SUGAR. Cop follows us out of town to make sure we are leaving. - 4:50 AM found cheap diesel... $3.55 per gallon... fill all four tanks, mens restroom closed so we used ladies... back on road. Nancy and Keith head towards L.A. A few wrong turns at Trackside got us there at 2:10 PM. ~John
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Mobile Blogger
After a bit of working it out and finally stumbling across the answer I now have the ability to email an update to the blog from my email address and it will automatically post nearly instantly. I just have to use technology to its fullest extent...it's in my blood. so text away to me and i will post as soon as i can. ~Master Geek Mitchell~
Second to Ensenada
Nikki, Tony, Vic and Chuck are here in Ensenada. We get to get up at 3:45 am, yes I said, AM to head out for our pre-run. Tacos and beers and bed for us. Trip down was uneventful- border crossing was easy, views of the beaches along the coast were beautiful but cloudy, views of the housing on the other side were colorful and creative. Sure makes one appreciate the things we have at home. Just got word from Rod, via the homeland information link, that he, Ed and Paul are in Valle De Trinidad headed up to Mike's Sky Ranch for the night. Word from home is that the last half of the team, all six of them: John, Nancy, Dave, Keith, Tom and Matt , should be en route tonight to Southern California. Nancy Curl has generously offered up her home- did she bump her head? That's all for now. Gotta go for a swim before the tacos. We've gotten a few messages that the donations are starting to come in for the Gales Creek JTR Racng Campership fund. That's awesome. Later. Hugs and kisses- Nikki
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
First to Ensenada
Ed, Paul and I arrived without incident in Ensenada this afternoon. After a filling dinner, we are now settling into the evening, planning for the pre-run tomorrow. We are thinking a lazy start and pre-running the silt at rm 55 and the goat trail after that. We also want to run up to Mike's Sky Ranch for the evening of the 7th. From there we are thinking, with an early enough start, that we can get through race mile 320...a very long day in our not so fast rigs. We'll see. Tony, Nikki, Vic and Chuck will be down tomorrow, and pre-run the middle section on Thursday. We are all supposed to wrap up the pre-running and be back into Ensenada on the 9th. The north crew has the trucks completed, and should be rolling south on Wed the 7th, tomorrow, or Thursday the 8th. They will join the Trackside convoy to Mexico on Friday morning. A lot still has to be done, but its coming together. Thanks for tuneing in...will update more as we can.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
November 4th....9days
Rodney here.
My mentor in this logistical process has been a new friend named Phil. Phil has been in and around racing in Baja for 15 plus years. He keeps telling me to make a plan, but stay loose since plans change, often. I woke up yesterday to an email from Phil letting me know a serious back injury from the night before while working on his pre-runner would keep him from coming to Baja this year. I was not pleased, I mean plans can change, but not the plan that Phil goes with us...that was sort of a non-negotiable. Phil felt bad, but no way around it. I offered to hang an IV with morphine drip from the rear view mirror for him, but no, not this year. We scrambled to fill his shoes, and as usual with someone of his caliber, it took two folks. We landed Tom and Matt. Tom also is a Baja veteran, and Matt his young apprentice. We have scrambled for the last 7 months to build a rig worthy of this race, to build chase rigs worthy of the miles, and forged a team that has been through the fire again, again, and again....
Tomorrow morning at 9am, Paul, Ed, Nikki and I head to Los Angeles. Tuesday we collect Tony from John Wayne. The rest of the team rolls from Oregon on the 8th. We are 9 days from race start. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We really have no idea what to expect....
My mentor in this logistical process has been a new friend named Phil. Phil has been in and around racing in Baja for 15 plus years. He keeps telling me to make a plan, but stay loose since plans change, often. I woke up yesterday to an email from Phil letting me know a serious back injury from the night before while working on his pre-runner would keep him from coming to Baja this year. I was not pleased, I mean plans can change, but not the plan that Phil goes with us...that was sort of a non-negotiable. Phil felt bad, but no way around it. I offered to hang an IV with morphine drip from the rear view mirror for him, but no, not this year. We scrambled to fill his shoes, and as usual with someone of his caliber, it took two folks. We landed Tom and Matt. Tom also is a Baja veteran, and Matt his young apprentice. We have scrambled for the last 7 months to build a rig worthy of this race, to build chase rigs worthy of the miles, and forged a team that has been through the fire again, again, and again....
Tomorrow morning at 9am, Paul, Ed, Nikki and I head to Los Angeles. Tuesday we collect Tony from John Wayne. The rest of the team rolls from Oregon on the 8th. We are 9 days from race start. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We really have no idea what to expect....
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Team Timing
As we draw closer to the race, the team will be heading south at different times. Nikki and Rod will be driving overland with Phil, Paul and Ed on Sunday the 4th. Tony will fly to LA and meet up with them on the 6th. From there, this crew, and several from California, will roll to Ensenada and spend the night. The morning of the 7th, this crew will split into two pre-run groups and will spend the 7th-9th pre-running portions of the course. On the 8th the John, Dave and Keith will head to Ensenada with the two chase rigs and the race vehicle. They will meet up with the Trackside Performance crew in LA on the morning of the 9th, and head to Mexico. We will spend the 9th-12th prepping, sorting, and participating in the pre-race activities. Stay tuned, the race approaches, and I will up date as I am able.
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