Author: fauna

AJ is 11. He was recently diagnosed with diabetes.

AJ’s uncle Miguel Gutierrez is riding for a cure. Please consider supporting AJ’s Avengers and make a donation to the American Diabetes Association and the 2016 Napa Valley Tour de Cure.

AJ’s mom Gisela Gutierrez shares this about her son:

AJ was diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes in April of 2015 and has been inspirational in his courage and maturity in managing this disease.  He is happy to educate his peers about diabetes, was injecting himself days after being diagnosed, and never complains about the 24 hour management that is necessary to be healthy.  He has even said that he is proud of being diabetic and that it makes him special.

AJ is 11 years old and is in 5th grade. He is an honor roll student and enjoys math and science.  He loves to ride his bike,  currently has a green belt in karate, and loves to spar with his karate classmates. At home he loves to play with his Nerf guns, illustrate and write his own comic books, and even learn how to cook. 

We are fortunate that he has been diagnosed at a time when technology and diabetes management have come together to make life normal.  We look forward to all the exciting treatments that have been supported by generous people through their fundraising efforts!

Twenty-nine million people in the US have diabetes., including children like AJ. Please join the Desert Dingos and AJ’s Avengers in the race for a cure.

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.

@ronjon reports the team finished the course and won Class 11 division.

his phone battery was dying. he’ll call back later with deets and will likely be posting an update soon.