~master geek mitchell

My second baja.

There are those people around us that have a different life than we do... but if we are lucky we can be part of their world once in a while. I have family and friends that do some pretty cool stuff. They do stuff like work on car races, run trucks off road, they build cool rigs to drive just because they can. Kind of like how I do stuff with computers that makes me happy.

So when I found out that round two of baja was going on I was excited. I had a feeling that I might have a niche in it... not like I get to go to Mexico, more like I can once again fully support all our team members down there with some crazy cool communications.

They had gps trackers this time... something we didn't have in 2007, not sure how we even knew what was going on but we did it nonetheless. I was able to see with some degree of certainty where the race trucks and chase trucks were and be able to send them in a direction that made sense if one were serious about finding a truck to fix and get racing again.

I over planned, I made charts and set up contact lists, bookmarked the 3 or 4 sites I would use to collect data. Had to buy a new router the day before, our network went down for a couple hours and I could take no chances that it went down during the race.

I was a tad worried at one point I realized that last time I was reactive... I would just forward a text message to the rest of the group and that was it. Um.. this time I realized less than 24 hours before it started that I was to be proactive this time. I was to track to the best of my abilities all vehicles involved and get that data to what turned out to be about 18 phones.

So that being said: I had a blast. It was so much fun to be part of a motor sports event that is considered one of the toughest races there is.... and just some regular old folks from the mid-willamette valley along with some from southern California took care of business and with very little sleep did the best they could to accomplish this task.

I am proud to call them friends and family.

~master geek mitchell

Heading Home

The 1151 and 303 chase guys left La Paz this morning in a caravan with some of the Yokohama chase crew. They are just coming into Guerrero Negro, which is near the North/South Baja border. They plan to overnight in Ensenada at the San Nicolas. We'll see if they make it that far tonight. They've still got a long drive ahead of them to Ensenada!

1151 ~ La Paz ~ Saturday, November 20 2010 ~ 04:08 PM

1151 ONO has complete the 43rd Baja 1000

1151 is on the final run

1151 is past rm 1055 and on the final run to finish the Baja 1000.

NICE EXPO RUN GUYS!

素敵なランの男

1151 finishing it out

Car 1151 is enduring and finishing out the course. They are currently at rm 1055 according to the tracker going 17 mph.

1151 very close to RM1055

Get ready guys !! !

1151 nearly there

made it to RM 1050, going 12 mph.....keep it up!

1151 enduring

1151 at 1045+

Chase 1 at 1055 holding

1151 will continue until he finishes!

1151 rolls along...with only 64 miles to go

The #303 is OUT

It's all over. The oil pressure ended it at 1035 miles, just 34 miles short of the finish line!

That little Kia Kia-cked butt! wow!

Posted by Kathy J

1151 Chase holding @RM995 for 1151...5 miles out

1151 is moving

PUSH IT THRU

So the guys have been pushing hard to get to that finish line.

The chase truck gave assistance at race mile 1035 and then the chase truck, with Dave J and Dave C, took off to be at the finish line to see John and the #303 come across.

John, in the 303, actually went by (at least from the tracker point of view)fellow 300 series racer David Moore #301, who had been sitting at that same spot for the past 3 or so hours. It looked to us, like he had blown by so hard it actually moved #301! ok ok it only looked that way! But he did move 1 mph!

The guys got a txt from Kathy J that said, "Go back Go back, they are stuck! lol" to which Dave replied, "That is not funny. I am tired and amped up on Red Bulls" She said, "I'm serious!"

So they headed back, only to find out that the #303 has an oil pressure problem.

It is also past the race time limit for #303.

as per Kathy Jolliff

chase 1151 update

As per Vic- Rod &Co are sitting at Baja Pit 19. Pit is closing, so boys have taken over fueling at that pit.

303 vs the clock

303 is around rm 1038 with 12 minutes to go until the finish line closes.

303@RM1035

1151@RM970 -- 303@RM1025

What's ahead for 303

Vic Curl says that coming off the mountain into La Paz, 303 will hit "the waterfall" a rocky place and some silt- that will be slow going. But, after checkpoint 10, it's pretty smooth sailing with mostly dirt and gravel roads and surface streets in La Paz. 303 is at rm 1026 going about 38 mph. 1151 is at rm969 going about 20 mph. 1151 won't cross the finish within the allotted 45 hours of the Baja 1000 race period. But, as an exhibition entry, it may not matter- the goal may be to just finish. Vic says that fact that the Suzuki is doing this kind of mileage in this kind of terrain is in fact pretty impressive.

303@1015 Moving again

303 on the move again

1151 on the move again 28mph

303 Is stuck again per dave. Just past rm1010

It's a Nailbiter

303 is stopped again at rm1012. Satellite makes it look like the terrain is pretty level and good for speed if they can get going again. 1151 rm952 stopped. Looks like they could be on a part of the course that could be fast though, so not sure what's up?

Time is short

303 at rm 1005 53 mph. Finish line closes at 10:00. About 56 miles to go.

1151@RM950 -- 303@RM1005+

303 48mph at rm995

on the road again

303 rm 993 @ 24-30mph, 1151 rm938 @ 30 mph. 1151 Chase crews may get a visual of 303 in about 10-15 minutes coming through around rm 1000ish.

1151@RM935 -- 303@RM990

.......what now?

Looks like the 303 is up and running again.

It has been on again...off again for the past 2 hours.

GO team GO

Posted by Kathy J

Checkpoint 9

1151 at checkpoint 9- rm933! Randy and Dave are heading into Baja pits somewhere between rm1000 and rm1011. 303 stopped about rm 988.

1151@RM925 -- 303@RM985+

Maybe I saw that wrong?

Not sure what's going on, but the satellite viewer is now showing 303 not moving at rm 982 and 301 not moving at rm1038. It does show 1151 moving at 29 mph, but it doesn't seem to moving from rm922- Nikki

Back on?

It looks like 303 is back on the move at about rm985 going about 23 mph. 301 David Moore is at RM 1035 going about 18 mph- he's just about 10 miles or so west of checkpoint 10. 1151 RM 920 about 10-15 miles of checkpoint 9.

1151@RM910 -- 303@RM975+

HELP is on its way

The 303 is stuck in the silt beds just 80 miles from the finish line.

The chase truck is goin in to help em out!

Posted by Kathy J

Bubblegum????

There are rumors of 303 being held together in certain places by bubblegum.... literally. Could this be true?

This is RACING

For all of you who are enduring the wee early hours of the morning you are surely being rewarded with a great race!! Super cool!!

1151@RM870-cp8 18mph -- 303@RM960

1151@RM865 -- 303@RM950

303 tries hard to gain on 301

They are neck and neck with about 3 miles between them and going about the same speed.

They 1151 truck is at RM 860 moving along at 26 mph

Go Teams! !

Posted by Kathy J

Found the wall. Lights off. Dog next to me. Phone still on loud. Thanks one and all for my second baja via zeros and ones.

1151@RM820 -- 303@RM890

On the road again!

I just can't wait to get on the road again.....

There goes the 303...the race is on...and here comes pride up the backstretch...

I foresee me being booted from posting anymore..tonite!

Posted by the late night Kathy J

303 Is moving

HELP HAS ARRIVED

The chase truck has just arrived on the scene. "We will have him out in no time!"

posted by Kathy J

FWD from 303 chase: Just arrived at car we will have him out in no time

1151@Rm795 - 14mph

waaaaaaaaaaaaa

Oh dear. Moore's 301 car just blew past us...ok..well he's going 31 mph...seems the silt isn't having the same effect on this team. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH

Go team 303....go go go!

Posted by Kathy J

back to 3rd place

looks like moore passed 303 :( but now they can race for the place again... that is why they are there right?

MOVE IT!

David Moore #301 is only 5 miles away..hope he finds the silt a challenge!
Posted by Kathy Jolliff

Help is on its way!

It is foggy, but the chase should be there in just a few minutes.
Posted by Kathy Jolliff

1151@Rm780 - 20mph

From 303 chase: Super foggy about twenty minutes away

chase closing in on the 303

Chase 1 is just 18 miles out from the 303

1151@Rm775 - 19mph

303 Chase has had a spotty tracker... I have been trying to guess an eta. Will advise. ~Mitchell

stuck...and they are on our tail! !

So, the guys are still not moving...and NOW...David Moore #301 is moving and is only 25 miles behind, but luckily moving at only 16 mph!

GET UNSTUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! ! !

update Friday

The 303 is stuck in Silt. Waiting on the chase to help em out!
Posted by Kathy Jolliff

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs

1151@RM770 -- 303@RM875

303 Stuck in silt @Rm875 - chase in route

1151@RM765 -- 303@RM875

1151@RM760 -- 303@RM865

303 and 1151 update

So, looks like 1151 is running about 11 mph and they are just a little north of Loreto. Rod and Randy are in Lareto scouting out the pits.
303 broke something in the steering mechanism, but Kathy said they just fixed it and it should be up and running now. Looks like they've been down just outside of Insurgentes. RM 860.
Just checked in and 303 is running again- about 41 mph.
I'm guessing the chase crews are getting a little tuckered, but they're hanging in there.

The home front

Alita, Avery and I are going to watch The Bucket List tonight- in honor of our guys who are checking one of the items off of their list this week! Of course, we're keeping tabs on the race too. Technology is amazing! - Nikki

and they are stopped again!

???? :(

they are moving!!

YaY 1 mph but moving!

303 needs to get going!!!!

Looks like 1301 David Moore got fixed and is moving again!! while 303 is still sitting at rm 812.....Oh No!! Get that thing going boys!!

Update

Well it looks like Donald Moss finished in 1st for class 3. David Moore is still not moving so presumably out of the race. And 303 (John and Mark) are not moving near rm 810. Hopefully they get up and running soon.

1151 Ono is coming up on rm 690...going about 29 mph right now.

Heidi Steele Finished

Heidi made it!!

1151 is moving again.

Looks like Ono has been repaired or unstuck and is on the move!

John and Mark are getting in 303!!

YaY!! 303 just pulled into Loreto pits rm 775 and John and Mark are getting onboard! They cannot shut off the engine because the starter does not work. They are amped and ready to roll! David Moore, the competition in 2nd place has not been moving for awhile near rm 825. The 1st place class 3, Donald Moss is near rm 1010.

Looks like Heidi Steele (600) is at 1045.
Ono (1151) is currently not moving at rm 635
Troy Vest (1301) is not moving at rm 990
Ukuo (117) made the finish line!

117@RM1035 -- 1151@RM610 -- 303@RM740 -- 16@RM1040 -- 600@RM985

16 & 117 Nearing rm1030

303 Appears to not be moving near rm740

117@Rm1020

1151@RM600 -- 303@RM740-- 600@RM970

16 Just past rm1000. Moving again

117@Rm1010

117@RM990 -- 1151@RM580 -- 303@RM730 -- 16@RM1000 -- 600@RM935

Lareto Pits ~ Dave C.

Waiting for Troy's truck 1301 to come to the pits for final driver change.


Dave just got a new tire and rim from local junk yard for Suzuki chase truck driven by Japanese. Dave was in heaven :)


Dave whinnery getting ready for Troy vest truck pit stop.

117@ Rm985

303@ Rm715 -- crew is ready

117@RM960 -- 1151@RM545 -- 303@RM685 -- 16@RM960 -- 600@RM860

117 Moving

117@RM925 -- 1151@RM510 -- 303@RM625 -- 16@RM900 -- 600@RM800

Loreto Happenings

Just talked to John and Dave. They have a local heading to the dump to find a wheel for the 1151 chase truck! Way to go boys!!
They just watched Heidi Steele (600) go through the pit and are waiting to help pit for Troy Vest (Pro Truck 1301). They also are waiting to watch the 303's competion go through the pits (Donald Moss and David Moore). Moss, Vest and then Moore should pass through in the next few minutes as they are all only a few miles out.
This is all at about race mile 775. 303 is currently at rm 615.

1151 Chase update

Just got off the phone with Rod. He said that 1151 came into Baja Pits with an axle issue that the mechanics fixed without a problem. The 1151 chase crews got a few hours of napping in last eve. They are now in Vizcaino waiting to follow 1151 down the part of course that includes some highway miles coming out of Vizcaino. While the Yokohama tires on 1151 are holding up great (no flats), the chase truck which is carrying the mechanics has flatted several times. They bent a wheel, which Rod tried to hammer back in place, and cracked in the process. So, Dave is in Loreto looking for a replacement wheel and a new spare tire for the chase truck- since they now are driving with no spare.
All sound like they have good energy and good attitudes though :)
Nikki

tracking

better site to track trucks.

http://vulcain.iritrack.net/irc/eviewer/baja1000/

117@RM910 -- 1151@RM475 -- 303@RM590 -- 16@RM840 -- 600@RM760

DIRTnewz: "Mark Post out of the race due to a blown motor at RM 962 just 100 miles shy of the finish in La Paz"

That brings back memories! for those of you who did not follow the race in 2007 ... that is exactly what happened to JTR racing that year.

16 Appears to be moving again

117@RM875 -- 1151@RM460 -- 303@RM545 -- 16@RM800 -- 600@RM740

Cameron Steele

"TT16 Cam Steele still sits in the desert after his apparent fuel delivery problem was a bit more fundamental, out of gas! We're sure our charismatic friend will have a good story for us later, thanks Cam! " Dirt News

303@Rm540

1151@rm445-- 117@Rm850

303 Appears to be on the move again.

117@RM805 -- 1151@RM415 -- 303@RM515 -- 16@RM800 -- 600@RM690

303

303 Has not been moving near rm 520 for the last half hour. hope they get up and running soon.

117@RM775 -- 1151@RM400 -- 303@RM515 -- 16@RM800 -- 600@RM660

Good Morning

I woke up this morning glad to see our racers still rolling!! Looks like the trophy trucks are nearing the finish. Tavo Vildosola (21) is in the final stretch to La Paz,, less than 100 miles to go. He currently is in first. Behind are Robby Gordon (1) and In the distance Roger Norman (8) follows with BJ Baldwin (97) and Gary Weyhrich (9) behind. I imagine they are getting some amazing sunrises about now.

It looks like Cameron Steele had some fuel delivery problems at a check point and is held up at rm800... north of Ciudad Constitucion.

Nancy

117@RM765 -- 1151@RM385 -- 303@RM510 -- 16@RM805 -- 600@RM630

117@RM740 -- 1151@RM355 -- 303@RM485 -- 16@RM805 -- 600@RM610

117@RM640 -- 1151@RM325 -- 303@RM405 -- 16@RM755 -- 600@RM540

117@RM605 -- 1151@RM325 -- 303@RM365 -- 16@RM715 -- 600@RM515

117@RM580 -- 1151@RM315 -- 303@RM345 -- 16@RM685 -- 600@RM515

Hour 14 ~ 11.19.10 ~ 01:17 AM

Well i tried to nap for about 45 minutes. didn't really, but rested. too excited i suppose. to much to do and i might miss something. tee hee. an energy drink with some excedrin while the coffee is brewing. i figure i just got to see the sun come up and then it is second wind time. This Baja is so much different than the 2007 effort was. i like it. hope you all are having fun following along.
~mitchell

117@RM550 -- 1151@RM305 -- 303@RM335 -- 16@RM645 -- 600@RM490

117@Rm510 -- 1151@rm 275. Servers are clogged can't get other cars now. Going to try and nap. Could sombody shake me up at 12:45 am

303 Past frog wash

117@RM470 -- 1151@RM250 -- 303@RM325 -- 16@RM570 -- 600@RM405

Average speeds for last two hours: 303-42.50--600-20.00--16-50.00--117-45.00--1151-25.00

Looks like 303 is at frog wash. Just before rm325

117@RM420 -- 1151@RM215 -- 303@RM315 -- 16@RM530 -- 600@RM365

Frog Wash

Heidi Steele (600) reported being in Frog Wash with over 24 other vehicles... all stuck! Ikuo (0117) already cleared. Ono (1151) and Morton (303) still have to go through it. 9:48 pm.

600 IS ROLLING

600 Is at semi

117@RM375 -- 1151@RM195 -- 303@RM280 -- 16@RM485 -- 600@RM325+moving again

117@RM345 -- 1151@RM185 -- 303@RM255 -- 16@RM460 -- 600@RM325

TROY IS HEADING SOUTH

FWD: 117 IS ROLLING CHASE HAS LEFT TOO

TROY AT SEMI 117 FLAT AT RM 330 TROY WILL TEXT WHEN LEAVING

117@RM330 -- 1151@RM165 -- 303@RM230 -- 16@RM430 -- 600@RM325

303 Chase ~ Dave J. / Dave C.

Dave eating at Rice and Beans in San Ignacio Wednesday at about 5


Pic at hotel Wednesday morning leaving for Loretta.

#303 Kia @ 2010 Baja 1000

Average speeds for last two hours: 303-30.00--600-47.5--16-47.5--117-45.00--1151-12.5

117@RM315 -- 1151@RM155 -- 303@RM210 -- 16@RM420 -- 600@RM310

117@RM285 -- 1151@RM135 -- 303@RM195 -- 16@RM380 -- 600@RM275 NOTE: 1151 appeared to back track and then resume. Thus the same RM as last report

117@RM255 -- 1151@RM135 -- 303@RM175 -- 16@RM355 -- 600@RM245

117@RM225 -- 1151@RM130 -- 303@RM150 -- 16@RM325 -- 600@RM215

16 Closing in rm 330. About 10 miles out going 16 mph.

Average speeds for last two hours: 303-35.45--600-49.09--16-62.72--117-40.90--1151-27.27

117@RM205 -- 1151@RM100 -- 303@RM135 -- 16@RM295 -- 600@RM190

117 Chase nearing el arenso. -- 1151 Chase/Mech nearing Camalu

1151 Chase / mech. confirmed fixed and on road.

117@RM170 -- 1151@RM80 -- 303@RM115 -- 16@RM250 -- 600@RM160

Update From Rodney ~ 11.18.10 ~04:07 PM

1151 Chase / Mechanic
Japanese Mechanic Fflat tire at 20 miles. Jack stripped, had to fix that first. Spare tire on for 20 miles until a tire shop was found. Tire shop fixed original for 40 Pesos and we are all rolling again.
~rodney

Map

chase trucks on left ... race trucks on right.
~mitchell

1151 Chase appears to be moving again.

117@RM135 -- 1151@RM60 -- 303@RM85 -- 16@RM215 -- 600@RM130

117@RM130 -- 1151@RM50 -- 303@RM70 -- 16@RM180 -- 600@RM100

117 Chase/troy near vicent guerro

FWD from rod: 1151 chase flat tire 4 5 min delay

Day One ~ 11.18.10 ~ 02:48 PM

Thought I would take a break and write some words. Hope you all are having fun following along. My morning started with a site that didn't work so I could track 16, 303, and 600. Mucho thanks to my peer in doing state side support, Eric A. Got that sorted out after some nervous moments and I was off to the races, well, so to speak. LOL

I will write more as I see fit. Having a blast on my second baja that I didn't go to other than electronically. Can't wait to see my total message count and the bill that will surely follow.

Later
~mitchell

117@RM90 -- 1151@RM35 -- 303@RM55 -- 16@RM140 -- 600@RM75

1151 Closing in on rm 35

16@ Rm 110

303@<35 - 65Mph

117@RM<60 -- 1151@N of VCP2

600@rm<35 - 78Mph

16@<Rm75. 59mph

1151 Is out on track now working towards rm35

117@Rm<45

117@RM35 -- 1151@RM -- 303@RM<35moving -- 16@RM55 -- 600<35@RMmoving

117 About half way to RM 35

Ignore 1151 last update incorrect.

1151 Is off and running

117 Is off

Baja Eve ~ 11.17.10 ~ 09:05 PM

I've done all my final charts. I've verified my contact list... so I spent the evening watching tv. son's, 70's, human target... i feel rested, mellow and ready for the tumultuous insanity that Baja breeds. {deep breath} let's rock and roll. Over 300 trucks on the peninsula doing their best to beat the terrain.... man and machine... taming, as best they can, land that has been here for longer than I. go get 'em!!
~mitchell

Chase 1

After a satisfying meal at San Ignatio the boys pulled into Loreto.... getting checked into the hotel. Tomorrow they hope to get some pre running of the course in .. hopefully with Cameron Steele.

Whereabouts of Chase 1 Kia Team

John reported in at 2:30 today. At that time they were about 40 miles north of San Ignatio and still enroute to Loreto.

CHASE 1 / #303 KIA update 11/16/10

Kia presented challenges on the first test drive. There was a sheared off outer tie-rod end, puncturing the inside aluminum bead lock wheel, leaving #303 stranded in the wash. Chase 1 responded, getting the KIA back up and rolling. John was able to make a couple of hotlaps down the wash and was fairly impressed with quick quad-like throttle response. Returned to the trailer to address the outer tie-rod. After redesigning the heim steering joint (like a tie-rod end) with larger hardened bolts from a trophy truck we then broke out the welders and generators to complete the fabrication job. With the upgrades almost complete, Chase 1 is headed down the peninsula to race mile 780 in Laredo.

Kathy Jolliff, as per Dave's phone call

Technology Post ~ 11.16.10 ~ 10:20 PM

The Spot Tracker returns coordinates in decimal.

use the converter to make it GPS friendly. Tested and verified... it's pretty accurate.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html

~mitchell

Update ~ 11.16.10 ~ 08:39 PM

Well the shape this effort is taking will be different than 2007. I won't be reactive I will be proactive meaning that I will track via Spot Track gps and report around every 20 minutes or so to the crew. The blog will be a little bit less active than the last go round. My primary focus is the keep track of 303 so that John has an idea of when to be ready. Follow 117 and 1151 and their support vehicles and relay that info down to Mexico. Since my stance has changed I have had to switch gears in my head so I figured I would write this and let ya'll know that I will make efforts to keep you in the loop but I won't be getting a ton of updates from down south so will be making it all up as I go.

Excited to be here again and to be challenged with different tasks.
~mitchell

From dave j: The Crew is crossing into Mexico now.

Score International 2010 Official Calendar of Events

EARLY ENSENADA RACER REGISTRATION
SAN NICOLAS HOTEL
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14 FROM 9:00AM TO 5:00PM
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15 FROM 9:00AM TO 5:00PM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 FROM 9:00AM TO 5:00PM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
SAN NICOLAS HOTEL
MEDIA CENTER - 12:00PM TO 6:00PM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
SAN NICOLAS HOTEL
RACER REGISTRATION - 9:00AM TO 5:00PM
MEDIA CENTER - 9:00AM TO 5:00PM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
COSTERO BLVD RIVIERA CONVENTION CENTER
CONTINGENCY ROW - 10:00AM TO 5:00PM
TECHNICAL INSPECTION - 10:00AM TO 6:00PM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
RIVIERA CONVENTION CENTER
COMPETITORS MEETING - 7:00PM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
RIVIERA CONVENTION CENTER
LATE REGISTRATION - 5:30AM
MEDIA CENTER - 6:00AM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
COSTERO BLVD RIVIERA CONVENTION CENTER
LATE TECH - 5:30AM
MOTORCYCLE & ATV START- 6:30AM
FOUR WHEEL START- 11:45AM (APPROXIMATELY)
THERE WILL BE A FULL FOUR HOUR STARTING GAP
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20
LA PAZ DOWNTOWN ON THE MALECON
AWARDS PRESENTATION - 4:00PM

And So It Begins

As I sit at the airport at 5am, my phone buzzes with a text from Dave, who is in Redding with Randy. Evidently the hotel had a fire alarm during the wee hours of the night, so the guys pile out to the parking lot of the hotel, only to find the cooler has been stolen out of the bed of the chase truck! Oh dear, the baja nothing-goes-as-planned has started early. I am supposed to land in LA before noon, I wonder where I'll end up?

Travel update - 11.13.10

Per Rod:

> Saturday Dave J. and Randy T. leave for Redding.
> Sunday Rodney S. flies to L.A.
> Sunday Dave J. and Randy T. pick up another Dave and drive to L.A.
> Monday - All meet in L.A. and cross to Ensenada Monday P.M.

Safe Travels to one and all.
~mitchell

The Race is On!!

Thank you for your interest in our racing endeavor. We are really excited to be back at it and look forward to sharing with you.

As some of you know John told himself he would never venture back to Baja without over 20" of travel. For some of you.. that is how far the wheel can cycle up and down without bottoming out and being able to soak up the enormous 24" to 3' whoops in the road! Some trucks will navigate this at over 90 mph.... OUCH if you dont have good shocks!! Our poor 2007 jeep had great shocks but only 8" of travel. It could only handle 19 mph though the whoops!

Over the last 2 years John has been building a specialized class 3 4x4 to be able to run at the speeds of a trophy truck but due to the economy the funding for this program ceased late last year in the middle of a half finished race project. Some of you know how wild this vehicle is... completely handbuilt with specialized metals and state of the art computer engineering.

Four weeks ago John recieved an unexpected phone call from a competitor within our pro class at Baja. He had a friend who was looking for a driver for his refurbished winning class 3 vehicle. John said No! (???!!!) Not this year... (Ha.... no one believed him!!) Work is too busy. (ok we will give him that one).

After hanging up the phone Nancy said "you should go John". Later that day Jeremy our mechanic said "Are you crazy John??? How many people in your life are going to call you up and ask you to professionally drive their race car as fast as you can in the toughest race in the world??" When John talked to Rod and Dave they were both in. 24 hours later the race was on!

Due to some circumstances out of our control the offer was off for John awhile. Rod and Dave already had a week to think about it and were not about to turn back. They signed on with Vic Curl at Trackside to help the Yokohama team.

Last Thursday while in Hawaii basking in the sun...with all race preparations stopped.... John recieved the news that the race was back on! Johns thumbs ran their own Baja1000 texting everyone he could to reestablish the team.

To be fair to Vic Curl Rod will be helping the Trackside team while Dave and John will be with JTR racing for Bob Morton in vehicle 303. So this blog will be tracking the 303 team and Rods trackside teams... race vehicle numbers to follow.

So sit back and enjoy the ride.. glad you could join us.

God Bless you all and thank you for your support.

Baja 2010

Here we go again!!