BITD Parker 425 with Donahoe Racing - From The Fire Line To The Finish Line

It's one thing to install a plug-and-play wiring harness. It's another thing to integrate a panel's worth of extra switches and gauges into that same harness. Dave Skutt's know-how got the wires cleanly routed in time for the Parker starting line.

With a new engine, new transmission, new wires, fresh tires, rebuilt shocks, and insulated exhaust on board, Team Donahoe took the SD to the Mojave for a shakedown run. Although the hood's backside still looks crispy, all the vitals were up to snuff.

The night before the race in the Parker main pit, Bob Bower's years of racing experience served all of us well. He showed us how to easily check the rear tires without getting unbuckled and climbing out of the truck. All we needed was a cheapie domed mirror stuck to the door panel. During a race, little time-savers like this add up.

Delegation is part of leading a growing organization. As such, Kreg Donahoe has handed the reins of the Super Duty program to Jon Kantola. Jon briefed the crew as a campfire fended off the night's chill. The next day, we'd all be trying to make things like fuel stops and mechanical check-overs happen as fast as possible, but Jon reminded the group that "slower is faster; make sure that what you do is deliberate and purposeful." Kreg added, "...but not sloth-like!" It's true. During the heat of battle, frantically flailing about tends to waste more time than it saves.

Mainstream America is still fixated with stick-and-ball games, so the gnarly rush of wide-open desert racing remains the domain of the initiated few. Fortunately, the Outdoor Channel was on hand to bring the Parker 425 to its subscribers and gain the sport more of the exposure it deserves.

Brad and Danny Bolton's Ford Ranger was among the Class 7200 Unlimited Mini Trucks waiting in line. For the '07 season, Best In The Desert has instituted a new set of rules for Class 7200 that blows the doors off of the traditional Mini Truck class rules. Engine placement is optional and open. A complete tube chassis may be used. Suspension configuration is optional and open. The truck must be V6-powered and must have bodywork that matches the brand of engine. The Boltons' Ford Ranger was built to the older rules and left the brothers worrying that they'd be eclipsed by more powerful entries. Their truck, with its basic, proven suspension design and stock SOHC 4.0 V6, outlasted and outplayed the 7200 competition at Parker.

After a fiery ordeal and intensive rebuild, the Donahoe Racing Super Duty finally rolled up to the Parker starting line. Yours truly had been slated to ride the first two laps in the third seat, giving up the seat to Jon Kantola for Lap 3. True to form, my guts didn't appreciate the lack of sleep that usually comes with going to the races. I felt horrible. The plans changed, and Jon got in for the first lap instead. I was glad for him, because those who go off the starting line are guaranteed to ride at least part of the race. If the truck breaks down, those slated to ride later laps may not get a ride at all. Jon had worked hard on the truck and on organizing the DR team logistics. Riding in the race would be a sweet reward for the long, hard effort that led up to it. I would ride the second lap if I felt up to it.

Yes, the big Super Duty rides as smoothly as possible, but what I'd heard of Parker's whoop sections had me worried. Packing to leave for the race, I couldn't find my kidney belt. I'd shopped unsuccessfully for one the day before, and had resigned myself to tough the ride out, belt or no belt. With Jon in the third seat during Lap 1, I had about three and a half hours to snag myself a new kidney belt. Parker Yamaha had what I needed in stock, and I couldn't get my money out fast enough to pay for it.

Racing is a waiting game for family and crew. Talking, napping, snacking, and going over check lists rank among the top time-killing activities between pit stops.

Dave Skutt and "Wild Bill" Donahoe suited up and were ready for action, or to pose for some memorabilia photos.

Racing spans several Donahoe generations. Parker Donahoe, held by Kreg's sister Kellie, exchanges facial expressions with grandfather Wild Bill. Wild Bill is flanked by wife Glenda to his right and daughter-in-law Paige to his left.

The first lap successfully completed, Kreg, Bob, and Jon rolled up, guided to a stop by Peter Nellesen. Time for a driver change, a mechanical check-over, and a splash of fuel.

Parker is a brutal course. After 150 miles of punishment in a limited-travel truck, Kreg and Jon zonked out in the high-noon sunlight.

Bob followed suit but had the presence of mind to find some shade before slipping out of wakefulness.

The old clich, You can't teach an old dog new tricks, should be amended to say "If the old dog is already full of tricks, no new tricks are required." Bill Donahoe has been going fast in the desert longer than all but a very few. Before the race, he'd told me, "I want you to compare my driving to the kid's." I was hoping to last the next two laps and ride back-to-back with Bill and then with Kreg.