Racing the Baja 1000 possibly the last one for me

[beyond the band]

I have been doing this nonsense since I was about 18. This sport gets its hooks into you it doesn't let go easily.
I have raced class 1 with my mentor Ron for years. These cars are real fast and real expensive. Ron recently retired in Muleje Baja for a life of fishing and napping. Sold his car last year and I thought I was done.
A couple weeks ago Ron called me and told me he was driving the race this year in another guys car and asked me to navigate. He also told me this would be his last run.
I am sure I will compete in this race on and off for the rest of my life but probably not in class 1, unless I make shitloads of money.
Also, I have never had the chance to finish in La Paz. This race only happens every three years. I have been close but never got a finishers pin. I have finished the short 1000's but never the true one.
The race starts Thursday Nov 15 about noon. We get in the car at MM 785 about 3 am Friday. We should roll into La Paz about 10 am Friday.
If y'all are inclined you can follow us at http://www.racetheworld.net there you can locate the Baja 1000 and it opens up a map and you can select the cars you want to follow. We are car 111 Tom Koch
You can see where we are and even how fast we are traveling. Wish us luck!



Here is the car. 550 HP Corvette motor 3500 LB car. Top speed approx 135 MPH



photo.JPG by camp4lo.com, on Flickr

 

[Charley]

Awesome brother!

 

[kann]

Dude, that is friggin' AWESOME! I'll be following, for sure. Good luck!!

 

[kona1000]

Cool good luck , will be watching, navigate to glory!!

 

[Tall Paul]

Good luck Brother!

 

[Thumper68]

Good luck Brother. I always dreamed of doing that! I will be sure to follow your progress.

 

[Gern Blansten]

Yeah, now that's full on! Good onya and good luck in the race!!

 

[Acclaym]

That is pretty damn cool, btb. What will your victory smoke be?

 

[grateful1]

If the thunder don't getya then the lightening will!!!


Enjoy the Ride!

 

[thinde]

Good luck. Just thinking about a ride like that makes me hurt all over!

 

[Smokin'Sims]

Good luck. Looks like fun.

 

[Asel.mike]

Nice to see another baja fan!
My school has a mini baja design team that I'm a part of and we LOVE drooling over rigs like that one.
Our cars are much smaller, by design, but we still have tons of fun with them. (and of course we all dream of participating in the real race some day.)
GOOD LUCK!

 

[2K6TBSS]

That sounds like a blast! I will be watching via the link you provided.

 

[thechenman]

Good luck!

 

[4cbln3]

To be asked by your mentor to be his navigator speaks volumes of his trust in you to get him to the finish line. You set the goal, BTB, now GO GET 'EM!

 

[The Black Cloud]

So I guess we won't be seeing you at the herf on the 18th? Just kidding. Good luck, Matt!

 

[likescarsz28]

And to think I have a hard time concentrating for the 8 seconds it takes to get down the quarter mile, LOL.

Good luck and be safe

 

[broblues]

How are your back and neck after 1000 miles of that? :laugh:

 

[ironpeddler]

How are your back and neck after 1000 miles of that? :laugh:

EXACTLY! My back hurts just looking at that thing up in the air and imagining the landing!

Good luck and we'll be following you again this year!...and don't get lost :laugh:

 

[thefatguy]

That's pretty cool, good luck brother.