Just got a phone call from Jim. Here are the high points:
- The course is bumpy, no other way to describe it. The first ten miles are sand and silt. Then it opens up and it’s fun.
- At race mile 46, we ran into trouble. There’s a 45 degree hill with a 45 degree turn at the top. We made six runs. Spent three hours trying to make it. Then we got the car high centered. I (ronjon) used a boy scout shovel to dig out. We finally backed out of the course and took a shortcut back to Start.
- We told the organizers that 11s and likely 9s won’t make it. There is an alternate route, but it’s covered by a berm. They may remove the berm or put a recovery vehicle there.
- The car started leaking oil again, but on a different side. Gary Herrod of the Green Booger said he knows exactly what’s wrong. We’ll be working on the car tonight. There’s also an accelerator issue.
- Gary’s people are making burgers. No internet connectivity at the course.
- Chatted with Rod Hall (told him my wife is interested in the Gazelles Rally). Rod was there because he sold a truck to a woman also interested in running Gazelles. Happens she’s the owner of the Mustang Ranch. “She’s a laugh riot, you’ll love her.”
- Rod Hall said his legacy is getting more women involved in offroad racing.
Desert Dingo will be the first car off the line tomorrow, at 8AM. Course is 250 miles. Updates as they occur.
