Baja 1000 sucks in more off-road dreamers
For Yuma native Oscar Fazz, the dream of racing in the Baja 1000 has haunted him since he was a teenager.
Now in his early 40s, he is finally living that dream.
Along with his wife, Jule, Fazz founded the SHOC Racing Team, a new off-road motorcycle racing group made up of friends and family.
"Desert riding and racing has always been a passion for us, especially located on the border here in Yuma," said Fazz, who is also the team captain.
SHOC Racing is named after Sergio's House of Carpets, which is owned by Oscar's father, Sergio Fazz.
The team will compete this November in the 2009 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in Mexico.
"The 2009 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will be our third race as a team. Our team will be racing a 2009 Kawasaki KX450F in the Sportsman Moto Over Class," Fazz said. "Several chase trucks will be providing assistance. Our team has been very fortunate to receive support from numerous friends, local businesses and sponsors."
Fazz said he and his wife started the team seven months ago after being longtime fans of the sport.
"The adrenaline is what keeps us racing. I've been watching the races in Mexico since high school, when I used to sneak across the border. Once I saw it for the first time, I was hooked. There is a lot of freedom out there. There is no track comparable in the United States."
Fazz said entering such an extreme sport is not because of a midlife crisis.
"You can either watch life pass you by or you can hop on board and watch from the driver's seat. Life is short and I have taken advantage of those experiences I have been fortunate and blessed with.
"The emotional and spiritual experience of sharing the Baja with fellow racers, friends and family is one that is indescribable and somewhat unexplainable. The Baja has brought success, knowledge and fulfillment beyond all expectations."
Fazz said his team is made up of riders, pit crews, mechanics and technicians. Team members include Jule and Oscar Fazz, Chad Albright, Randy Harmon, Eric Wright, Sergio Castro, Tom Dahin, Chris Michaelski, Michelle Harmon, Jeff Kammann, Mike McCulley, David Lindemeyer, and Herman Fazz.
Fazz said this will be the team's third race.
"During the first race, we made it 88 miles and destroyed the bike, but we learned so much from the experience. It was such an immense amount of information. After that, we took a different approach. We found slower is actually faster."
Fazz said the team is following a strict regimen in preparation for the Baja 1000.
"We are currently working on a new training program designed to give the full effect of what to expect on SCORE series races. Our team will utilize strategic desert training using chase crews, riders and all support groups. Yuma's local conditions and geographical location will allow our team to continually experience the harsh conditions that the deserts of Mexico have to offer."
Fazz said it was his wife who pushed him to start the team after he expressed interest in racing.
"I said why not?" said Jule. "There is never going to be enough time or money, and we aren't getting any younger. We decided to make it happen because if we didn't, life was just going to pass us by." See us at http://www.shocracing.com/
Baja Racing News.com