Baja 1000 Race Day – Chase 3 – Video and Messengers

This one from Brooke … oh yeah and check out the “zebra ass” picture he got …

  This might not be much but I will fill in some of what Chase 3 did on race day.

The day began with Dennis, Brandon and I in Chase 3.  We met with the rest of the team at the staging area to wish Tim and Sheila well before heading to the washout where the race vehicles would be dropping in to begin the real off-road portion of the race.

Here we found Ron and Michelle already staked out right on the course to get photos of the racers up close.  Brandon quickly joined them with his camera to film live action shots of the trophy trucks and others.  Dennis, Mark, Tom and I watched from the safety above.

After the trophy trucks came through and a few other classes, Dennis and I followed Brandon down the course to the first jump for a little more film footage.  A few good shots and we hustled back to the staging area at the start to get the last shots of the Jeep before they begin their journey out on the Baja 1000 course.

Once Tim and Sheila had the Jeep cruising down the course, Chase 3 headed down Route 3 to meet with Tom and Mark in Chase 2 around the 80 mile mark on the race course.  Here we would anxiously await the arrival of the Jeep for the first navigator exchange.

Merely by chance as we made our way down to the exchange area we were surprised to see 1503 coming down the trail to cross the road directly in front of us.  Luckily I was able to spot the Jeep in time to wake Brandon so he could jump out to film some action shots on the course.  Even better was the fact that this part of the course wound itself up a hill just off the road and we were able to film 1503 climbing the hill as we drove down Route 3.  Brandon was thrilled to capture some great action shots for the film.

We proceeded to the exchange zone to meet Chase 2.  Happy to arrive at the transition area we ate some lunch and prepared to wait for 1503.  However, the excitement of the wait was quickly interrupted with a call over the radio from BFG Relay that 1503 was stopped.  The next few minutes were spent anxiously awaiting first word on the condition of Tim and Sheila and then the Jeep.  Fortunately, both driver and navigator were fine other than the disappointment of being broken down.  Now to understand what might be the problem and what to do next.

With the help of BFG relay we learn from Tim that the transfer case may have broken.  Our decision is to send Chase 2 (the Jeep) into find 1503 to either try and repair the Jeep or tow it out.  After receiving some instruction on the best access route, Tom, Mark and Dennis head out.  Chase 3, now just Brandon and I, wait at the exchange zone for further instruction or to head to Borrego if we have not heard from anyone by 5 PM.

Shortly after Chase 2 left, they return to inform us that they have to try another access route.  Additionally, we decide Chase 3 should head to Borrego to notify Chase 1 and Chase 4 of the situation and have everyone head back north to assist with the extraction and possible trailering back to Ensenada.

Chase 3 makes Borrego but without having scouted the location before and no means of communication with the others at Borrego we are left to park and walk the large pit area to find the rest of team 1503.  Luckily, John and Michelle were spotted at the actual pit area as we searched and we quickly provided the account of 1503.

We attempted to make radio contact with 1503 on the course for further instructions but were unable to do so.  The team decides to pack up and head north to be closer to where we believe 1503 will be towed out of the course.

The team arrives at an access road at course mile 39 to meet 1503 and the Chase 2 Jeep team.  All in the team are well, although slightly disappointed and cold.  The Jeep is loaded in the trailer and Team Florida 1503 makes its way back to Ensenada heads held high with the knowledge that we made it to the Baja 1000 and ran well.

I realized after I finished that there was much more than I thought to describe our day.  However, much is not that exciting or intense so please feel free to edit as needed for content.