'07 Baja 500 through my lense.

[Blanco]

BajaBronco13 & I both went down together to Chase for Chris Raffo in his RetroBlazer.

& on the way down we stopped by Tittan's shop to get a part for Chris( BajaBronco13)

& while there I took a few Pics..

Here's Chris's Bronco at the start of his build. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/16.gif

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526472/fullsize/img_4669.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526475/fullsize/img_4673.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526473/fullsize/img_4670.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526474/fullsize/img_4672.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526476/fullsize/img_4674.jpg

Baja Motorsports is next door & will also be working on Chris's Bronco.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526497/fullsize/img_4676.jpg

Now this would be a fun cruiser..
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526499/fullsize/img_4678.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526498/fullsize/img_4677.jpg

Then we arrived at Total Fabrication where Raffo keeps his racer.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526500/fullsize/img_4679.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526501/fullsize/img_4683.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526505/fullsize/img_4684.jpg

Thats Chris Wilsons Dad's Pre-Runner Bronco.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526506/fullsize/img_4686.jpg

Chris Raffo was a bit behind schedule at this point, so Chris(BajaBronco13) & I started to the motel in Ensenada ahead of the rest of the crew to make sure our rooms did'nt get rented to others, because we showed up late.

Then in San Yisidro. we came upon The Donohue team..
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526507/fullsize/img_4687.jpg
We were both there for Mexican insurance it seems.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526508/fullsize/img_4688.jpg

From there we heading south to Ensenada. :)
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526509/fullsize/img_4689.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526521/fullsize/img_4690.jpg
Once we got there we dropped off our stuff & headed out to the DesertPeople5 "Cinco" Party"
We continued having a good time visting alot of the Locals hot spots & then the next morning we met up with the rest of the guys to prep for Contingency.

After they touched up the paint job new stickers had to be applied.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526529/fullsize/img_4693.jpg

meanwhile Chris was having Carb issues with his Chase Jeep.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526530/fullsize/img_4694.jpg
It was'nt too serious, It basically did'nt want idle but once you got going it ran fine..

From here we moved on to Contingency. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/ewg.gif

I love this Camaro!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526531/fullsize/img_4695.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526532/fullsize/img_4696.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526533/fullsize/img_4698.jpg

Check out the numbers on this Bug.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526556/fullsize/img_4699.jpg
They told me it was because it was cheaper than class 11. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif

Yummy! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/10.gif
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526558/fullsize/img_4701.jpg

Levetts Bro.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526559/fullsize/img_4702.jpg
I made sure to ask him about Ken & he told me that he did'nt come out to the race..

Some more Yummy!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526560/fullsize/img_4704.jpg

Then I found the Chupakabras!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526574/fullsize/img_4706.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526573/fullsize/img_4705.jpg
& thats his Brother Signing the kids shirts.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526575/fullsize/img_4708.jpg
I should of taken a Picture of both of them because they REALLY do look like brothers..
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526610/fullsize/img_4711.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526577/fullsize/img_4710.jpg
This rig looked great in it element when I saw it hauling ass towards the Finish line later on after the race. :)



http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526614/fullsize/img_4715.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526611/fullsize/img_4712.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526613/fullsize/img_4714.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526612/fullsize/img_4713.jpg

Then I found the Moss Bros!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526618/fullsize/img_4716.jpg

So I snuck up behind them & then called out to Ken.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526619/fullsize/img_4717.jpg
& then ran out in front of Don.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526620/fullsize/img_4718.jpg

Then I hung out for a few minutes trying to figure out who was "Relentlesspursuitracing"? :confused:

Then I went to check out the Chicas! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/10.gif
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526621/fullsize/img_4720.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526622/fullsize/img_4721.jpg

& then later I met this guy ( One of our newer Members "VistaRacing")
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526626/fullsize/img_4724.jpg
Sal happened to be walking by so I got his attention so Vista could get a Pic..
Then of course my camera started acting up & so we told Sal sorry & he started to walk away TWICE before I could finally got my old beat up Camera to finally open up. :rolleyes:
All the more justification to get a new Camera. ( an Upgraded model of course. :D )

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526627/fullsize/img_4726.jpg

Then we found Raffo again.
Thats Dave ( One of Raffos Sponsors ).
Dave one Fun wild Party animal!
I'll party with him anytime! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/13_4_9.gif
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526628/fullsize/img_4727.jpg

& they were passing out there Steeeeckers!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526682/fullsize/img_4764.jpg

I like where she stuck hers! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/10.gif
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526629/fullsize/img_4729.jpg

This must be the most covered up engine I've seen on a buggy.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526630/fullsize/img_4730.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526650/fullsize/img_4731.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526651/fullsize/img_4732.jpg

You know the more I explore the different race course's the more admiration http://bestsmileys.com/bowing/2.gif I have for any class 11 racers.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526653/fullsize/img_4734.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526652/fullsize/img_4733.jpg
I mean they dont have much clearence or big tires or 4X4 & run the same course a TT does..


Thats Dennis driving the Racer through Contingency.
Dennis drove the 2nd half of the course.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526654/fullsize/img_4735.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526656/fullsize/img_4738.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526657/fullsize/img_4739.jpg
So here we've made it to Tech.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526658/fullsize/img_4740.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526659/fullsize/img_4741.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526662/fullsize/img_4745.jpg

Left to right.. Charlie, Chris, John.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526664/fullsize/img_4749.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526665/fullsize/img_4750.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526674/fullsize/img_4751.jpg

I thought this was interesting?
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526677/fullsize/img_4756.jpg

Raffo Painted the hood to try & cut down on the glare from the roof lights.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526678/fullsize/img_4758.jpg

The night before the race we went exploring right behind the Hotel & wanted to go down onto the bech but found this path was'nt going to work.
That drop off was much steep than this Pic shows.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526680/fullsize/img_4761.jpg

Here left to right... Ricardo, Dave, Chris(BajaBronco13)
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526679/fullsize/img_4760.jpg

From there we got some tacos & I went to bed ( Party'ed way to hard the night before.)
Ricardo & Chris went into town..

My next post will be race day action! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/7.gif

[Blanco]

On to RaceDay! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/3gears.gif

These 1st Pics are from outside our Motel.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526683/fullsize/img_4765.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526685/fullsize/img_4767.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526686/fullsize/img_4768.jpg

& then when we finally moved on towards the Start Line I spotted this familar Bronco..
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526687/fullsize/img_4770.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526688/fullsize/img_4771.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526689/fullsize/img_4772.jpg

& from there we walked to the start line... Unfortunitly I had no idea how close we were to class 3 leaving the start line ... :o
So 3 blks from our Jeep I remembered that I forgot my C3R stickers to give out & I walked back & by the time I got up to the start line 3 of the 4 class 3's had already left the gate! :(

I was about 1 blk away when I heard the familar rumblings of the Moss bros V8 & I started running! :eek:
I only saw the top of their rig over the tops of peoples heads as it drove by...
& then I was about a 1/2 blk away as the Chupakabras exploder drover by! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/verymad.gif
Then I started taking my camera out & trying get ready while running still towards where I might get a Pic of The Donohue FJ/Dylan evans taking off but still was too far away!
But thats when I noticed Chris Raffo was still sitting at the start line while SCORE was sending a bunch of racers from the following class out ahead of him!
I was like! :eek: http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/WTF.gif

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526690/fullsize/img_4773.jpg

Levetts Bro!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526691/fullsize/img_4774.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526692/fullsize/img_4777.jpg

Then Finally after a bunch of other racers Chris jumps in there!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526693/fullsize/img_4778.jpg
& BOY I can tell you he was MAD! & wanting to make up his lost time!
Very aggressive launch! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/3gears.gif

http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/humm_smilie.gif................. This Green Bumper looks familar?
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526694/fullsize/img_4779.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526695/fullsize/img_4780.jpg

I like this paint job.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526696/fullsize/img_4781.jpg

& I can only imagine what it must be like to race in this thing. :cool:
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526697/fullsize/img_4782.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526698/fullsize/img_4783.jpg

So from there we started back towards our Chase Jeep & that when Chris spotted Crawlers old Bronco!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526699/fullsize/img_4784.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526701/fullsize/img_4786.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526700/fullsize/img_4785.jpg

So as we started out we were coming upon the Bikes & quards that were heading in towards the finish line.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526702/fullsize/img_4787.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526703/fullsize/img_4789.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526704/fullsize/img_4790.jpg

& then there was this Beast of a chase rig flying down & around slower traffic! :eek:
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526705/fullsize/img_4791.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526706/fullsize/img_4792.jpg


I'm assuming this is some sort of Cemetary........
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526707/fullsize/img_4794.jpg
I thought it looked sorta cool. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/m2c.gif

Another Hwy Crossing of the Race course.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526708/fullsize/img_4795.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526709/fullsize/img_4796.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526710/fullsize/img_4797.jpg

We spotted lots of Nice Broncos along the way. :)
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526711/fullsize/img_4798.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526714/fullsize/img_4801.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526712/fullsize/img_4799.jpg

& lots of cool senery.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526713/fullsize/img_4800.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526715/fullsize/img_4802.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526716/fullsize/img_4804.jpg

Seelys Bug seemed to have developed some major issues...
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526762/fullsize/img_4806.jpg
As it sat here for a LONG time.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526763/fullsize/img_4807.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526764/fullsize/img_4808.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526765/fullsize/img_4809.jpg

As many racers drove by.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526766/fullsize/img_4810.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526767/fullsize/img_4811.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526768/fullsize/img_4812.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526770/fullsize/img_4814.jpg

I liked this Mopar.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526771/fullsize/img_4815.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526772/fullsize/img_4817.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526773/fullsize/img_4818.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526774/fullsize/img_4819.jpg

Hey looky here at who pulling in. :)
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526775/fullsize/img_4820.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526776/fullsize/img_4821.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526777/fullsize/img_4822.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526778/fullsize/img_4823.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526781/fullsize/img_4826.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526783/fullsize/img_4828.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526784/fullsize/img_4829.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526785/fullsize/img_4830.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526786/fullsize/img_4832.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526787/fullsize/img_4833.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526788/fullsize/img_4834.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526789/fullsize/img_4835.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526790/fullsize/img_4836.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526791/fullsize/img_4837.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526799/fullsize/img_4838.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526801/fullsize/img_4839.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526802/fullsize/img_4840.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526803/fullsize/img_4841.jpg

& then we moved on again towards BFG #3.

[chupakabras]

like always, very nice pictures.. want more...:D :D :D

[Blanco]

like always, very nice pictures.. want more...:D :D :D

I'll post more in the morning.. :D

I'm just burnt out on messing with Pics at this point. :o
I always go throught them all one at a time to delete the bad ones & water mark all the good ones..

& thanks for your appreciation of my efforts.

[chupakabras]

i understand, i will post some, my friends took some, but need to find them, :D ..

[Yikes]

I'm diggin the Broncos. :D I think I saw all of those, including Rodd's. More, more!!!

[Blanco]

FYI the title of this thread isnt ment as just my thread...

I was hoping to get us all posting what we got in our lense. :D

[jonnyslick]

hey it's Mike rig i drove (and crashed!) haha

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/7199/img4779ur3.jpg

great pics as soon as my wife gets back to vegas from san diego with the camera i'll upload all our fun pics!

[Blanco]

:eek: Crashed!?

Whats the story? http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/16.gif

[Blanco]

OK on to more Pics! :)

So from there we moved on.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526804/fullsize/img_4843.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526809/fullsize/img_4844.jpg

BFG#3
As usual Jesse was having issues. :rolleyes:
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526810/fullsize/img_4846.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526811/fullsize/img_4848.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526812/fullsize/img_4849.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526813/fullsize/img_4850.jpg


Then The Champs dropped by for a visit. :)

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526827/fullsize/img_4854.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526829/fullsize/img_4859.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526831/fullsize/img_4863.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526833/fullsize/img_4866.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526834/fullsize/img_4868.jpg
Heres a Video clip of some mysterious welding work being needed?
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WDf9l8OoBg0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WDf9l8OoBg0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>


http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526835/fullsize/img_4870.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526836/fullsize/img_4871.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526837/fullsize/img_4874.jpg

Once again Seely got lots of attention.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526838/fullsize/img_4877.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526839/fullsize/img_4878.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526840/fullsize/img_4879.jpg

Thats my friend the colonel! :D
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526844/fullsize/img_4883.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526845/fullsize/img_4887.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526846/fullsize/img_4888.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526847/fullsize/img_4889.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526848/fullsize/img_4892.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526851/fullsize/img_4897.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526852/fullsize/img_4902.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526853/fullsize/img_4906.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526854/fullsize/img_4908.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526855/fullsize/img_4910.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526856/fullsize/img_4911.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526857/fullsize/img_4913.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526858/fullsize/img_4916.jpg

Then a short while later Raffo dropped in. :D
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526859/fullsize/img_4918.jpg
Thats me under there helping out with adding about 1 & 3/4 quarts of gear oil to the transfer case.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526860/fullsize/img_4921.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526861/fullsize/img_4922.jpg
& there Dennis takes off!
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526862/fullsize/img_4923.jpg

Then after that Pit we felt proud of our work & took pics of our selves. :o
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526863/fullsize/img_4925.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526864/fullsize/img_4926.jpg

More to come! :D

[BajaBronco13]

Great pics Cam. Damn we looked pretty dirty. But what a high to see our guys hauling @$$ after our last pit.

Cam took one for the team on our second pit while under the truck adding tranny oil, he was sported his newly purchased Baja 500 jacket and didn't care if got oily or dirty. :)

CP

[chupakabras]

cool, we just keep banging our heads to the wall thinking about 5 gallons of fuel,. oh man, i don't know how long that thought will keep coming,. great race of all of us, 5 gal of fuel for us and 40 miles for that transfer to hold on, ..**** happens,. right.,.

[Blanco]

Then from there we packed up & headed to Santo Tomas. :cool:
Here was a Class 11 that stopped for some Pit service.

Sorry I did'nt get too many Pics of Raffos rig at the Pits but we were just too busy at their stops to take Pics. :o

From there we headed to the Finish line in hope to watch the RetroBlazer team cross the Finish line. :D

On the way in we saw the Moss bros heading back to their place after their finish, telling me that that they finished a long time ago.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526866/fullsize/img_4932.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526867/fullsize/img_4935.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526868/fullsize/img_4936.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526869/fullsize/img_4938.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526870/fullsize/img_4942.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526871/fullsize/img_4945.jpg

Then the FJ showed up.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526873/fullsize/img_4949.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526874/fullsize/img_4953.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526875/fullsize/img_4954.jpg

The Wheels they had to swap too after the protest.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526876/fullsize/img_4958.jpg

I like this Mopar! :cool:
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526877/fullsize/img_4959.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526879/fullsize/img_4963.jpg
Check out that Pass Wheels angle.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526878/fullsize/img_4962.jpg

So then somewhere around 8am we hear that the RetroBlazer is down at around RM386 & so we packed up some spare parts & went looking for it.

Raffos Burb.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526880/fullsize/img_4964.jpg

Here we're care'fully going against race traffic looking for the the Blazer..
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526881/fullsize/img_4965.jpg

Then Chris's Jeep developed some Trans issues & Raffo had already found the Blazer & contacted us via the race radio telling us to go home that they would handle it...

so we attended our trans & limped home...

Along the way I took these Pics..
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526882/fullsize/img_4966.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526883/fullsize/img_4967.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526884/fullsize/img_4968.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526885/fullsize/img_4970.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526887/fullsize/img_4975.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526888/fullsize/img_4983.jpg


Thats about it for the Pics I took. :D

Lets see what you guys got through you lense! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/16.gif

[Blanco]

A few other Pics I got sent to me in a E-mail from Mike Duncan. :)

Thats me in the straw hat.
http://www.dehesa4x4.com/bkilby/photoalbum/Baja500_2007/slides/P6025522.JPG

http://www.dehesa4x4.com/bkilby/photoalbum/Baja500_2007/slides/P6025525.JPG

That me in frontg of the RetroBlazer with my hat falling off. :)
http://www.dehesa4x4.com/bkilby/photoalbum/Baja500_2007/slides/P6025556.JPG
& thats me trying to take the Hood off.
http://www.dehesa4x4.com/bkilby/photoalbum/Baja500_2007/slides/P6025558.JPG

http://www.dehesa4x4.com/bkilby/photoalbum/Baja500_2007/slides/P6025562.JPG
http://www.dehesa4x4.com/bkilby/photoalbum/Baja500_2007/slides/P6025565.JPG

[jonnyslick]

:eek: Crashed!?

Whats the story? http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/16.gif


Mike Shaffer had a great rig. He took the first half of the race with his co-driver and short of loosing a side vent and getting stuck behind some traffic for about 2 or 3 hours due to a traffic pile up, he had a perfect run. Eric P. and I took control of the Jeep about the ½ waypoint. I started out driving. Took a little while to work out my jitters in the new rig, but eventually we were doing good and at one point were in the lead for our class. Around 2 am in the morning we had just made check point 3 and passed pits and were heading out toward the coast when we hit disaster. According to GPS we were right on the money, coming toward the end of a field we thought we had the Jeep lined up crossing a huge wash but we missed by about 10 feet. Jeep went into the wash hard, hit hard and suffered quite a bit of front driveline damage. Got it towed back to the pits and patched it up. Two hours later with Eric behind the wheel we lost the electronic shifter for the tranny and we were shifting it manually, then like maybe 20 mins later we lost 4wd. After that we tried to keep going, but just keep getting bogged in the sand. After getting stuck twice the team made the final decision that it was over, I think we were at mile 310.

^ I had posted that in the "500 Adventure" thread. But basically the truck went into a wash and hit home hard. At the time we knew we had broken a steering knuckle and bent a drag bar (?) ... Once Mike got the rig apart a few days ago he told us that we had done that plus bent the axle (reason why we lost 4wd) and tweaked the frame along with bending the mounts for the front shocks. The steering column also got tweaked (from my hands). Mike said it was some of the most damage he has seen on his JeepSpeed before. My neck is still aching as is my back. I really want to take my hat of to the boys in the pits for their welding skills to get us back on the track. The were welding cast metal and they got it to stick with some extra bracing around it.

We found out yesterday that due to the some of the events of the race, JeepSpeed divison was going to allot points and rank based on final GPS coordinates on the track. Turns out we got 2nd place. I think we just barely beat out the 3rd place guy by 50 feet or something silly like that. So if it wasn't for the guys welding at 2:00 AM on a Sunday morning, Mike wouldn't have gotten the points.

Good times!

[Blanco]

Yeah, I remember reading it now.

Thanks for the re-cap. :)