254X Baja 500

My race plan was to race the 305X bike from RM 102-RM 205 and then get on my bike 254X from RM 205- RM 270 and from Ojos-finish. Ricky would start the 305X bike then get on the 254X bike at RM 102-RM205.

My Baja adventure started at RM 102. I was getting something out of the truck when Ricky passed by our pit. Lucky for us the spectators turned Ricky around as I was chasing him down the course. He told me the bike was running really bad and just take it easy. He was not kidding, the bike was cutting out bad as soon as the RPM’s got high. I knew this was bad because I have the summit coming up. I ended up having to go up most of the summit in first gear. As soon as I put it in second gear it wanted to die. Once getting to the top it was time for the steep, rocky down hill. The bike would stall ever time I pulled in the clutch. I witnessed a few racers crashing while going down. I saw a guy standing next to his bike and I thought he must be hurt. To my surprise it was a friend of ours from Mexicali, Curro. He was watching the race half way down the summit. I decided to walk the bike down a little to be sure not to crash and break something. I told Curro this bike sucks and he said I know why don’t you take mine hahha.. After getting down the summit I would try to open the bike up, but it was still hesitating and had little power.

A few miles later a bike came passed me. It was Ricky on the 254X bike. I was thinking this is excellent. I yelled at him to pull over so I could get on my bike. I was so happy to be on my bike. I thought cool now I can finally start racing for real. Ricky took off and I was soon behind him. The 305X bike had Baja pits and the 254X was self pitting. Well Ricky blew right by the Baja pit at RM 137. I caught Ricky and told him he passed his pit. He looked at his gas tank and said Oh F@#$. He turned around and went back to the pit. It was a good thing because they fixed the carb and got the bike running better. I continued on pressing on hard but noticed my bike hesitating when held wide open. I said Oh know more gremlins. I would catch someone but couldn’t get enough power to pass them. I went back and forth with a quad until finally I got an inside line and passed him. I was thinking what could it be, bad gas, air filter, spark plug. I stopped at the DP pit at RM 155 and Bajaxplorer and Cameron took care of me. BajaXplorer told me the 7X bike was down with a broken shock and Jesse was OK.

I was in the desert section which I loved. Lots of sandy whoops and I was riding well. I was riding really aggressive and smooth through these sections. I was giving it all but there was still that hesitation and I didn’t have full power. I got to my pit at Borrego and changed the air filter, gassed the bike, checked the oil and checked the tires. Everything was good. However I asked my friend to check the gas line and he found the petc-ck was only half way turned. I refilled my caml bak and was off to the races again. The bike was running like new now that it had plenty of gas. I was to meet Roy at Baja pits around RM 232 but he wasn’t there. I asked baja pits to bum a gallon but they said NO. Another pit crew heard and offered me a gallon. Cool a little longer pit but I was good to make it to our next pit at RM 270 VDT far pit. Roy had missed the Baja pit and was set up on the side of the road before going to Mike’s. I tell him I’m good and to get to VDT pit. It was going to be tough for me to make it there before me which was OK because we had Alberto there for the rider change. I go up the road to Mike’s and cut off to VDT. Everything is good. I come down the hill and get ready to make the left hand turn and there is Alberto waving his arms. He is in the wrong pit! We gas the bike and he takes off. I try to call Roy on the radio but he doesn’t answer. He will not see the bike go by because he won’t make it there. What do I do know? Luckily Albert had an XR650 in the back of his truck. I unload it and haul the mail to the VDT far pit. I find Roy and tell him to meet me at the gas station in VDT we need to get to Ojos. While waiting for Roy I see my friends Mancillias racing. They broke a throttle cable but were able to rig a Yamaha thumb throttle cable to their Honda. Roy picks me up and we are off to Ojos.

I tell Roy Andy should be here around 5:00pm and we should be good as far as daylight and Trophy trucks coming. At 5:39 pm I hear Andy on the radio, he is saying “are you on the right or the left”. I said” right in the middle” as he almost runs over me. We gas the bike and I’m off to the finish. This is special for me because I have never had the opportunity to start or finish a SCORE race. I’m always far from town doing some nasty stuff. I go through the hills of Ojos and the miles start to go by 415, 420. I’m getting excited and want to smile but I’m scared I might Jinx something. I continue on and I come over a hill and I can see Ensenada bay. This is incredible I though Wow, I was 30 miles from San Felipe and the Sea of Cortez and now I can see the Pacific ocean and the city of Ensenada. The temperature was getting cool and there were people everywhere. Spectators were on all sides of the course, in their front yards, up high on big rocks, making little jumps by the water crossings. Everyone is out checking out the race and cheering me on like I’m a movie star. They were clapping and pumping their fists as I was going by. I did the same in return. It was a great racing memory to witness all this. All of a sudden I was in the last wash heading due West to the jumps. I get on the radio screaming with excitement. I’m in the wash! I’m in the wash!. I hit the first jump and then the second jump. I see the Coronado hotel. Roy and the boys had made it back before I came by. I get up to the pavement and make the turn. My wife is right there at the finish line cheering me on. It was a great moment for sure. I get the checkered flag and high five the guy, I pull forward and Sal is there shaking my hand congratulating me, I pull up again and they hand me some finisher pins and take of the IRC unit. My wife comes up and gives me a big congratulations hug and kiss and life is good.

We ended up in 9th place out of 40 in our class, a little over 12 hours and finished about 12 minutes before the first Trophy Truck. We had a good race and nobody even dropped the bike.

I would like to say Thank You to the following Sponsors.

My wife and kids
DP Racing
Ocotillo Home Medical
D’Oro Y Piel Joyeria
Ricky, Alberto and Andy
Roy and TW for all the miles
Roberto Coronado hotel


Also good news the 305X bike finished a little after dark.