YESSS!!! Win number 3 of the year. Another great weekend to be had by all...

The race started at Km 8 on the highway from Sonoyta to Rocky Point. We arrived the day before, and got all of the details out of the way - Tech inspection, and a few good loops on the jet course. The car was working very well - and was extremely solid. We hadn't done much since the Snowflake race - so I was a little worried about running such a long course. Some folks were saying that the course was a rough one - and that wasn't helping my confidence any either....

Saturday morning came, and it was turning out to be a nice day. We could see rain over the race course - and it was nice an cool.

My wife - Nicole and I took the green flag at about 12 o'clock high, and we were the first 5/1600 off the line. The course followed a little piece of the jet loop, so instantly we were on the gas. Again, the car was working very well. We made the first highway crossing and headed out into the cholla fields. At times, those furry bastards seemed to be looking in the car they were so close. I had no plan to mess with them - and we kept on a healthy pace. I knew Mike Leung and the Hyperactive team was gunning for us - and I didn't want to see them on this day... Nicole and I kept up the pace, and were having a blast. The course was indeed very rough. We were running along side of a paved road, and came to a near 180 out of a sand wash. We blew the turn, and ended up pointed into a tree, and stuck in the middle of the course. I tried backing up - and it was really tough. I didn't want to ease back down into the wash - thinking we'd never get out. About 30 seconds later - a class 9 car hit the same corner, and came within inches of smacking us in the ass end... The were actually 2 of them, and it looked like the second plowed the first, as it stopped to avoid us. I GENTLY rocked the car, and finally got up some steam, and cleared the sand....

Again, we were on the gas, and 'headin' roung the mountain. It was very narrow, and technical, and dusty. It was also full of cross grain ditches, and some very big bumps. I was hammering through, for fear that the Hyperactive guys were hot on our heels...

We pounded around the mountain, and got passed by class 9 maniac Todd Ford who gave us a great show. He was literally bouncing from bump to bump, showing no mercy to that car... It was pretty cool.

We caught Todd shortly after Todd passed us, we also got passed by a class 1 car, and a yellow 1600 car. They both got by cleanly. We also caught Todd again, as he was nursing a flat tire. We made the pass through the main pit, and started round the mountain again. There was no sign of Hyperactive Racing.

Having taken a beating the first time around, I was a little more conservative this go-round. Saving the car to finish sounded like a good idea, and from the number of broken cars we saw - it was a good choice. We hammered to the "Y" that sent us south to Rocky Point.

The course didn't change much, and was every bit as rough and dusty as the mountain. There were several cross grain sections, and silt beds. It was slow go through the silt...

The car was still working very well - and we kept a hot pace - but within control. We got passed by Class 10 dude Dave Sundquist before the "goat farm". Coming out of Dave's dust, a giant Saguaro cactus appeared. We were zooming along in 3rd gear, and it was going to be a close call. It was too late to swear - let alone swerve. The cactus narrowly missed the front of the car, but smacked the rear driver tire as we went by. It was that close....

I thought our day was done as the car bounced off the cactus. I kept waiting to hear it come apart... but it kept on going. I took it real easy for a couple of miles - until I knew the car was OK. It seemed to be fine - so it was hammer down.

As I was taking it easy - we were catching glimpses of the white class 9 car of John Ford chasing us... I didn't want to let him by - because I knew he couldn't leave us - and I didn't want to navigate in his dust. We were leaving him on the sandy or fast sections anyway...

We raced for miles along the goat farm road... top of 4th gear, constantly cooling the motor with accelerator pump bursts... We passed Sundquist again - when he had another flat tire...

We got along the highway section, and kept pounding away... It was sandy and rough, but was fun driving. We caught the BIG V-ditch at just the wrong angle, and Nicole rung her bell on the door frame. I heard the impact - and I knew it hurt, but there was no stopping.

Some 5 miles later, we came to the Twin Bridges where we made a brief stop for fuel, and TEAM 2 jumped in.

Team 2 consisted of Todd Bennett - my usual co-pilot, and his wife Krista. Todd's driven before - at MDR - and had a less than pleasant experience. This was his very next try behind the wheels - so I knew he was a little nervous... Krista had only been in the car around the jet loop the day before, and was a true rookie in the Co's seat.

The car took some 10 gallons of gas, and they jumped in. Our newest crew member, Tim Hillshamer was our crew chief for the stop - and gave the car a good look over. The driver fender was mortally wounded from the cactus... but everything else looked good. By this time - Class 9 dude John Ford pitted next to us, and was in a big hurry to leave before us... As he did - he was nearly creamed by Dave Sundquist again, who was on a mission for Cervesas in Rocky Point.... It was nearly ugly as Dave narrowly missed them as they left....

Todd and Krista headed out into the dez - and nearly disappeared.

They were having a good clean run - but ended up getting stuck on a sand dune from hell near Uncle Bucks... They were there for 1 1/2 hours before some heroes from the 1600 "Pacho" team pulled them out. Todd said there were 6 cars stuck on that hill before help arrived, including our competition - Team Hyperactive.

Once out - Todd was on the pipe - knowing that Leung would be close behind...

He came through our pit at Well Road - looking and sounding very strong. It was now a race against darkness.

Todd and Krista finished in near pitch black conditions, just 10 minutes before the time limit - without any lights. It was an impressive run to say the least.

They were both exhausted from digging and pushing, but had a blast....

Our 3rd win of the year was truly an accomplishment - even just to finish.

Thanks a million to Kasey and K.C. of Finishline for the help, and pit support. The Finishline boys had a hell of a day as well - finishing FIRST OVERALL!!! Good job guys!!

Also big thanks to NiCE Embroidery, RaceShock, Signs Now, and BF Goodrich. Also thanks to Tim Hillshamer for all of the help over the weekend, and his help in prepping the car...

Next Race - Parker Nov. 20 - 21.