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Baja Racing News.com EXCLUSIVE
Coverage of the 40th BAJA 1000 2007
REPORT:
5:00 PM Ensenada, Baja California Mexico
THE BIG STORY:
Not who was in the parade, who was not and should have been. Jimmie Jeffries. The unsung revolution of off road design, who now resides in Los Cabos, Mexico. Why? because between him and the famous Nye Frank, who passed this summer, pushed off road design to meet their needs, in 1961!
One of the Mula Del Diablo, is now in a shop in Vista, and should have been part of today's events, but wasn't. We'll tell the story with Jimmie Jeffries himself.
Here's the amazing proof! The Mula del Diablo, three versions, Uno, Dos and Tres.
REPORT:
7:00 AM Tijuana, Baja California Mexico
Good Morning Tijuana!
Welcome to the 40th Baja 1000, desert off-road race. This year, an historic run from Tijuana to Ensenada will happen later today. The race will run on Tuesday, starting at 6:30 AM. The finish line in Cabo San Lucas, Baja South, opens at 3 AM, Wednesday.
CLICK HERE!
HERE'S A LINK TO HOW THE MEXICAN 1000-
THE BAJA 1000 STARTED IN TIJUANA.
Here's the schedule for today:
Vehicle display at “Conquistador” statue
10:30am--Drivers to cars, line-up for Parade
11:00am--Police-escorted Parade begins down toll-road
11:45am--Arrive at La Salina beach (co-driver and media swap)
Noon--Depart La Salina beach for Ensenada
12:45pm--Arrive at Ensenada dirt road
1:00pm-2:30pm--Vehicle display, autograph session,
Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
IN THE PARADE ARE:
VW Thing Pace Car, Sal Fish, Completely rebuilt for SCORE’s Sal Fish especially for this event by television producer Bud Brutsman. Presented to Sal Fish as special gift at September’s 40 Years to Glory gala.
“Old Red” Meyers Manx, Bruce/Winnie Meyers
Now considered one of the most significant vehicles in automotive history, “Old Red” represents the original fiberglass dune buggy. Invented in a Newport Beach, Calif. garage by Bruce Meyers, this authentic icon of off-road racing’s past not only set Baja first four-wheel record, but also sparked the highly memorable dune buggy craze of the late 1960s.
In late 1967, Vic Wilson and Ted Mangels captured the overall victory at the inaugural Mexican 1000 driving a highly modified Meyers Manx. While the current location of that historic VW-powered vehicle remains a mystery, in 2007 Richard Brown, of Slidell, Louisiana completed this highly authentic replica of the #10 Meyers Manx that Wilson and Mangels used to earn their place in the Baja 1000 record books.
Husqvarna 360, Malcolm Smith
One of the greatest two-wheel icons in history, Malcolm Smith, teamed with J.N. Roberts, won the first motorcycle class in Baja racing a Husqvarna 360 similar to this one. The year was 1967. Now, 40 Years later, Smith and his trusty Husqvarna will take on Baja one more time.
VW-Funco Wampuskitty, Loren/Scott PEARSON
Representing one of the first tube-frame off-road race cars ever produced, the Funco Wampuskitty was invented by Baja pioneer Gil George. While its revolutionary “A-arm” front suspension was nearly three decades ahead of its time, these forwarding thinking cars set the groundwork for many generations winning dune buggies carrying the Funco name. This chassis, restored by Lorenzo Pearson, holds the distinction of being the first Wampuskitty Funco ever produced.
Vic Hickey Baja Boot, Bob Law
Completed just in time for the inaugural 1967 Mexican 1000, Vic Hickey’s legendary Baja Boots were off-road machines that incorporated design and technology only now being seen in today’s state-of-the-art Class 1 vehicles. Built in less than a month by Hickey at GM’s skunkworks in Detroit, two of these unique cars were built by Hickey only to be sold to Hollywood icon Steve McQueen. This example, restored by former Hickey employee Bob Law, was completed in 2000.
VW-Burro, Steve Heckart
One of the most famous of the early dune buggies was the Burro, invented by Hilder “Tiny” Thompson.” This #8 VW-powered Burro was driven by Les Choat and Thompson and co-driver Don Richardson in the 1968 Mexican 1000. Steve Heckart from Northern California restored with Burro with loving care.
Vic Hickey Chevy Race Truck, Robert Johnson
Vic Hickey Chevy Blazer, George Seeley
These two unusual vehicles are original, unrestored Baja race vehicles built by the legendary Vic Hickey. Carrying Hickey orange, the pantina of time has aged these two Baja warriors to perfection. Robert Johnson, from Tacoma, Wash., is a relatively new off-road enthusiast and George Seeley is a veteran Class 5 race driver.
Vic Hickey Baja Boot, Bob Law
Completed just in time for the inaugural 1967 Mexican 1000, Vic Hickey’s legendary Baja Boots were off-road machines that incorporated design and technology only now being seen in today’s state-of-the-art Class 1 vehicles. Built in less than a month by Hickey at GM’s skunkworks in Detroit, two of these unique cars were built by Hickey only to be sold to Hollywood icon Steve McQueen. This example, restored by former Hickey employee Bob Law, was completed in 2000. VW-Burro, Steve HeckartOne of the most famous of the early dune buggies was the Burro, invented by Hilder “Tiny” Thompson.” This #8 VW-powered Burro was driven by Les Choat and Thompson and co-driver Don Richardson in the 1968 Mexican 1000. Steve Heckart from Northern California restored with Burro with loving care. Vic Hickey Chevy Race Truck, Robert JohnsonVic Hickey Chevy Blazer, George Seeley These two unusual vehicles are original, unrestored Baja race vehicles built by the legendary Vic Hickey. Carrying Hickey orange, the pantina of time has aged these two Baja warriors to perfection. Robert Johnson, from Tacoma, Wash., is a relatively new off-road enthusiast and George Seeley is a veteran Class 5 race driver.
Miller-Havens VW single-seater, Drino Miller
In the early 1970s, no other VW-powered car was more famous than this Drino Miller-created single-seater. Powered by a snarling 2,180cc VW powerplant built by the innovative Miller himself, this iconic jewel of off-road racing history claimed the 1970 Mexican 1000 co-driven by Miller and Vic Wilson. This car was restored by owner Loren Pearson in 2000.
Ford “Big Oly” Bronco, Parnelli Jones
Considered by most to be the greatest off-road racing vehicle in history, the Big Oly Bronco won the 1971 and 1972 Mexican 1000 overall. Built by Dick Russell, designed by Indy 500 winner Jones and maintained by the legendary Bill Stroppe, “Oly’s” rich golden color, blazing speed and signature aluminum wing set the standard for entire generations of off-road enthusiasts.
Chevrolet Class 8, Walker Evans
What Baja Parade of Champions would be complete without “The Legend,” Walker Evans? For the 40 Anniversary, Evans will be reacquainted with his yellow Chevy Class 8 pick-up truck. Built for Evans by life-long friend Parnelli Jones, this vintage masterpiece was not only a winner in the early to mid-1970s, but has been displayed at Reno’s Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Miller-Havens VW single-seater, Drino Miller
In the early 1970s, no other VW-powered car was more famous than this Drino Miller-created single-seater. Powered by a snarling 2,180cc VW powerplant built by the innovative Miller himself, this iconic jewel of off-road racing history claimed the 1970 Mexican 1000 co-driven by Miller and Vic Wilson. This car was restored by owner Loren Pearson in 2000. Ford “Big Oly” Bronco, Parnelli Jones Considered by most to be the greatest off-road racing vehicle in history, the Big Oly Bronco won the 1971 and 1972 Mexican 1000 overall. Built by Dick Russell, designed by Indy 500 winner Jones and maintained by the legendary Bill Stroppe, “Oly’s” rich golden color, blazing speed and signature aluminum wing set the standard for entire generations of off-road enthusiasts. Chevrolet Class 8, Walker Evans What Baja Parade of Champions would be complete without “The Legend,” Walker Evans? For the 40th Anniversary, Evans will be reacquainted with his yellow Chevy Class 8 pick-up truck. Built for Evans by life-long friend Parnelli Jones, this vintage masterpiece was not only a winner in the early to mid-1970s, but has been displayed at Reno’s Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Bilstein VW Baja Bug, Doug Robertson
The most famous VW Baja Bug of all time, this recently museum-quality restored racer set new levels of performance in the late 1970s. Co-driven by Doug and Don Robertson, this ultra-cool Bilstein Baja Bug won more than 30 races and the 1977 overall SCORE points championship. Rescued form a San Diego junkyard, this historic VW was revived in 2001 by off-road racing enthusiast Loren Pearson.
Mickey Thompson Single Seater, Todd Clement/Marty Fiolka
Recently purchased by Baja Protruck driver Rick Johnson, this unique single-seater was originally designed as a sister car to a Mickey Thompson pre-runner. Laid out much like a sprint car, this highly unique and very original car features a movable aluminum roof wing (like Parnelli Jones’ Big Oly Bronco) and a high-horsepower V-8.
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE:
Baja 1000 Parade of Champions Sunday from Tijuana to Ensenada to start Fiesta for 40th Baja 1000
Baja Legends Sal Fish, Malcolm Smith, Drino Miller, Parnelli Jones, Walker Evans, Doug Robertson, Bruce Meyers all part of special prelude to 40th Anniversary of Baja 1000 desert off road race.
Taking a page out of history, over 15 vintage desert racing vehicles will be part of a historic re-tracing parade Sunday of the start of the first Baja 1000 desert race in 1967 from Tijuana to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Starting from the Tijuana Bull Ring and going primarily on the toll road to Ensenada's Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, Baja Legends including SCORE CEO/President Sal Fish and racers Malcolm Smith, Parnelli Jones and Walker Evans will drive classic resorted vehicles. Organized by Marty Fiolka, editor of Dirt Sports Magazine.
Remembering the exploits of the 68 adventurers who were part of the start of this spectacular desert race, festivities will start Sunday morning at 9 a.m. with a display of vehicles and meet the racers party at the "Conquistador" Statue at the Bull Ring. Vehicles will begin their trek of some 65 miles at 11 a.m., expecting to finish in the lot originally used for pre-race festivities at approximately 1 p.m. for another autograph party until 2:30 p.m.
Baja Racing News.com will bring you the festivities starting at 5 PM Tijuana time, Sunday, November 11.
Baja Racing News.com