Low budget SCORE Baja 500 attempt

I saw a thread on another forum about a guy on a REALLY low budget who entered the recent SCORE 2013 Baja 500 off road race down in Baja California, Mexico in this:



Here's what one member said:
I talked to him sunday evening at the Tijuana border xing. We were in adjacent lanes, and had tons of time to kill (6 hours border wait). The dude drove all the way from Ohio by himself because he couldn't find anyone else to go with him, or be his co-driver, and we saw him at the border xing, beginning his long haul back to Ohio. Again by himself. Only got 2 sponsors in contingency on friday. Pre ran on wednesday, and broke his tranny in the first few miles. Got it fixed at some local shop for the race, and yes, he did start the race.......only to blow the engine in the first 5 miles or so!
O.k., so here's the cool part. (besides the craftsman tool box welded to his bed for a toolbag, the unistrut he used for a windshield brace, and the heavy equipment utility lights scabbed onto his roof, just ion case he made iot past the summit by night time) . He had a bucket list, things to accomplish before he died, and to race the Baja was on it. How cool is that? The dude IS a hero!!

And then again posted:
It was kind of funny talking to him, but yet inspiring at the same time. He has a southern-type accent, and his impression of that weekends events he wrapped up with this statement, in his back woods-type accent, "Man, I didn't think it was going to be so rough! That sh-- was hard. I broke my truck pre running, and I broke it again after the start of the race. That was too rough and hard, man! "
Then, I asked him why he did it with such an ill-prepared truck and he said, "I have a bucket list of things to do before I die, and to race at Baja was one of them. I can now go home happy!" Dude was spending 6 hours in a line at the worlds busiest border crossing, in a lata 90's Silverado towing a crappy race car, on a crappier trailer, beginning his journey back to Ohio ALONE at 9 p.m. on a Sunday eve. Content as can be. Looks like HIS race wasn't quite over yet!

Another member said:
I was blown away when he showed up at the BFG tire drop off and meeting. He was hanging out at the semis for a bit and asked me what air pressure he should run. Asked him what size tire and he pointed to his truck and said, "those 31" All Terrains". At first we about s%$t, but then it struck us how ballsy it was for him to take on the baja in his heavily rust-lightened truck. Wish I'd taken some pics of it as too cool, complete with come-along and CHAIN strapped into the bed for stucks!!

And some more pictures:





Just thought I'd share this guy & his Toyota truck's story. I thought it was pretty cool of him to do it & with a Toyota truck
Apparently, they are trying to get in touch with the guy and get his official story.

Forum/Thread where I got all of this from:
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php/112843-What-happen-to-this-guy-at-the-500

 

That guys a stud for trying IMO. Hero.

 

That is awesome Toyota for the win

 

Awesome! If more knew about his story I bet he would have plenty of supporters!

 

awesome!

 

There are a couple of race team/car owners on that forum that are saying they want to offer him a ride in their race trucks - who knows if that will actually come to fruition for him.

It totally sounds like the makings of a 10 minute film. Sucks nobody really paid attention to him while at the race.

 

This guy is either completely nuts or has balls of steel.

I will dare say it is both.

 

Why don't you link the original thread?

 

Because it's all a lie! I made it up.
Just kidding. Here it is (plus I added it to original post)

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php/112843-What-happen-to-this-guy-at-the-500

 

Very cool. Now no one has an excuse to not go to Baja!

 

Thank you

 

I admire the courage that took but I would think he must have been a danger to everyone else with the speeds and visibility that Baja has. Serious cajones though.