11/20/2012
SCORE Baja 1000 Post Race Report: Total starters 298 from 34 US states and 23 countries. Total finishers 174, 58.38%
This was the 45th year for the Baja 1000, we raced it in 2010 and finished but missed the time limit by about 15 minutes. We raced in 2011 and crashed about 70 miles from the finished line. In 2012 we bought a new faster car, teamed with Bi-Polar Racing, got 2 sponsors receiving $$$ worth of equipment and tires, came down to Baja and pre-ran more than any other time, 4 chase trucks, 3 driving/navigator teams...it felt like we really could win this year...but was not to be...engine failure just 61 miles from the finish...
It really is amazing that we get to take part in the longest continues point to point desert race in the world. It really is a magical event, racing through the Baja desert for more than 40 hours straight. Little to no sleep, chase trucks racing from pit to pit, ensuring we get fueled at each pit and being there at touchpoints to help or just encourage as they fly by...
124 racers did not finish...$300,000 cars and $30,000 cars, broken dreams mixed with bitter disappointment... tough, very tough. I am thankful we stayed safe even when we race on the edge...what an adventure. The great thing is I get to do it with my son...I love being able to share in his dream of racing Baja....so I say this for myself and the other 123 racers that did not finish, don't give up, keep at it, stay the course...they say that it's not necessarily the destination but the journey that is important, yes the journey is indeed amazing but we must continue to seek glory in the dust of the Baja 1000.
