The week prior, I preran my section in the Hemi. The truck felt strong and I predicted a podium finish, maybe even a win if Lady Luck was on our side. My copilot was Keg Parker. Keg was intimately involved in building the truck from start to finish, so with his mechanical abilities and my knowledge of Baja we would make a strong team. Our section was from Santo Tomas to the finish.
Keg and I received the truck just after 3:00 a.m. The truck was four hours late but in great mechanical condition. Off we went into the darkness. By this time, the course was really beat up. No problem for the KORE truck. That Hemi, along with its 4x4 and Toyo tires, seemed to enjoy the deep ruts and silt. The Baja Designs lights and the huge Fox bypass shocks proved to be a great combination for the twisted terrain of the Baja 500. We passed many race cars still struggling toward the finish. We also passed many stuck and broken vehicles - too many to recall.
As the sun was rising, we were having difficulty safely passing a Class 7 race truck due to the low visibility that airborne silt creates. We finally came up on him and realized there was a huge ditch with a Class 5-1600 VW in it. We took a clean line and were able to avoid the ditch and buggy. Although the driver was desperately pleading for help, I was not going to waste time towing him out, since the 7 truck would get by us again. As we got closer to Highway 3 near Ojos Negros, I recognized my brother on the side of the trail. I stopped and asked if he needed assistance. He said YES in an excited voice. He said that he had reports that his Class 5-1600 buggy was stuck in a ditch several miles back! That's when I realized who owned that buggy. Oh well, too late to go back and help.
"Sorry bro, I had no idea it was your vehicle, and I got a cold beer waiting at the finish."
Keg reminded me over the intercom that if we made it to the finish he would buy me a beer.
We got to the finish sometime around 6:30 a.m. The entire KORE team was there to see us cross the line. What a feeling. It was one of those things that you have to be there to experience. A true testament to teamwork, solid logistics, and the desire to beat all odds - that's what it's all about.
I looked at my copilot and asked him for my beer. Salud, amigos. We just finished one of the most grueling off-road events in the world - and we are looking forward to the next one.
Hasta la proxima carrera, amigos!