Meet Ivan

Ivan, one of the best guys in Baja. Ivan knows everything there is to know about Baja. Ivan will be there to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch.

Blast From the Past

 Ron Brant at the 1986 Frontier 500. Jim from Trackside Photo sent this to me the other day. He recently uploaded some photos from classic races to the site. Check em out.
Ron was running the 100 plate. He was the first Score HDRA class one points champ in 85.
Good times back then for sure. Ron will be along as a guide on the Camp4lo runs. Don't worry he will wait up for y'all!

Jeep of the week

WOW!

Off Road Expo is near

Almost time for the 12th annual Lucas Oil Off Road Expo October 8th and 9th.
At Pomona Fairplex. We will be making this. See you there.

Jeep of the week

We like this Jeep........A lot

2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited

A good friend of mine was having some service done on her car and the dealer set her up with a rental.
A fully loaded 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I  had to see for myself just how this would perform off road.
 With a lot of coaxing and a few, "It will be fines',  She finally agreed to go for a little road trip.
We packed up the Jeep with a cooler and headed to Barstow. We entered at outlet Center the traditional start/finish area for most of the off road races. We took off toward highway 247 with the intention of staying on the course and cutting out the really rough section up around the dump. After all were only shod with stock Goodyear Wrangler Radials. As we proceeded North I was impressed with the handling of this machine. I immediately knew it would be capable of handling just about anything I could throw at it. We decided to stay on course B all the way through. I'm glad we did. I ended up using the shift on the fly four wheel drive a couple times in the sandy wash and on a really steep hill climb. The ride was smooth and true. I could not believe how fast this Jeep could travel over this rugged terrain. We headed South and ended up meeting Stoddard Wells road and headed to Hodge Road. We spent an hour or so putting the Jeep through the paces of a favorite test loop we use to shake down our race cars. I know this loop like the back of my hand. As expected the Jeep motored through like a champ.
With a few mods this would be a great ride.



I really enjoyed the longer wheelbase\



Nicely per-portioned cockpit

 

Back seats are a little cramped.



Nice view



Only in a Jeep

California 200 Memorial

Life seems to be quite busy for me lately and Family responsibilities are aplenty. I was not going to be able to make it out for this, as I had a prior engagement. Things changed Thursday the 11th. I read news the owner of Slash X ranch was killed in a tragic accident just a stones throw from his beloved bar. I have met Brian on several occasions throughout the years and have spent many post race evenings bench racing with my fellow racers.  Brian was a true lover of our sport and he has provided his place for us to use as a home base during pre and post race events for many, many years. Being a former desert racer he was one of us. One of the family.

When FAST AID approached Brian with placing the California 200 memorial on his land, Brian with no hesitation offered a place on his property.

I had to come pay some respects. We drove up early Saturday morning took the long way across the desert out to Slash X. We arrived about 8:30 AM and found Lucas Hand president of Fast Aid and his staff  placing the final touches on this wonderful memorial. Lucas and I talked for about an hour sharing stories about Brian, and the wonderful times we had over the years at the Slash X with Brian.
Since the official unavailing was not for another 6 hours there were no other mourners there. Lucas gave us the personalized tour and showed us the intimate details explaining the meaning of everything.
After the tour we said goodbye to Lucas and we headed back across the desert (the long way of course) back to interstate 15 South and headed home to resume my family duties.
Saturday was a somber day. We trekked across the desert slowly reflecting about the events of the past year and soaking in the beauty of our awesome desert.
Life is precious. Give your loved ones an extra hug tonight.
R.I.P. Brian and those killed at the California 200.










California 200 memorial. 8 trees planted for those killed. 22 Lantana bushes for the survivors.
the 8 names engraved on the stainless steel structure.

MDR California 200 Memorial this Weekend

FAST AID will hold a memorial for the anniversary of the California 200 accident this weekend.
The event will be held at SLASH X in Barstow. They will be placing a permanent  memorial out there.
LINK TO THE STORY

More fallout

They are talking about bringing SCORE back to Primm next year.
Good thing Baja loves us off roaders.

Good article

September in San Felipe

SCORE has announced a new race in San Felipe to replace the long running Primm 300. Citing troubles obtaining insurance. We are starting to see more fallout from that tragedy in Lucerne last year.
Our friends Harley Letner and Kory Halopoff will be running  class 1, defending their 2010 class 1 championship.
September 9-11
Go get em boys!

Northern California

Last week, helped our friends at Biltwell do another chopper run.  This time we forwent the typical Baja summer heat and headed to Northern California. This was a small invite only event. The purpose was to get a small group of guys to explore some of California's beauty.
 Our travels started at Biltwell HQ in Murrietta California. The road took us North up highway 395 past Bishop to Lee Vining and into Lake Lundy. We camped in a valley of still snow capped peaks.

Day 2 found us headed West over Tioga pass through Yosemite. We ended our day at the Petaluma KOA Kampground North of San Francisco where the sight of outlaw bikers scared the Kampers. With our charm and minor antics around the campfire, the folks soon realized we were no more dangerous than a group of Mods on Vespas!.

Day 3 we headed for a quick ride out to Yuba City for an open house at OldStf Choppers where we were treated to some great burgers and refreshments. The shop is beautiful and well stocked.
After we filled our tanks on grub we headed back West and into downtown San Francisco for a well deserved shower and good nights sleep in a real bed.

Day 4 we packed up and cruised through the redwoods North of Santa Cruz for a night at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. I haven't seen that many trees in a long time, very nice treat.

Day 5 found us riding the wild thunder down the majestic California coast down Highway 1. Hugging the Pacific ocean most the way, the vistas are incredible.
We ended the day at El Capitan for one more fireside relaxing night.

Day 6, we packed the bedrolls, put our "knees in the breeze" and headed home.

California is such a wonderful state with so many different terrains. There is something for everybody. Get out there and enjoy.




There were a few troubles on the road. Flat tire being one of them.


From this point the California's beauty is breathtaking.


Taking a breather in one of the most beautiful places in the world.




Do these really need captions?


Outlaws reminiscing about the nights Kamping






Eric with his "ol lady"


Lined up for a hearty breakfast


View from our hotel room in San Francisco


if you look close you can see a guy getting arrested for beating up the guy laying on the sidewalk on the right


Camping in the redwoods


Another glorious breakfast before hitting the road



 

BRONCO!

Weather you are a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Jeep or even a VW person. Broncos are cool!

M.O.R.E. Freedom 250

We headed to Stoddard valley ORV area South of Barstow this weekend to help out out old buddy Giti Gowland and his run at the class 9 points championship. Giti, after 3 races came into this race first in points. The day started off with a minor problem with a coil wire coming loose around mile 10. He quickly diagnosed the issue and was back in the hunt. We were at the inner Hodge pit and the only thing we had to do was collect times, drink water, and wave Giti by all 5 laps. Giti finished up with third place  and is still very much in contention to take the championship.We cannot wait for the September race.
way to go Giti!

Pre run report

We headed down this weekend with the guys from Biltwell and Lowbrow customs for a pre run of the 2011 El Diablo run. We spent the first night in San Felipe enjoying some cool beverages and working out the details for palapas and food for the run.

During the return trip we thought it would be a fun side trip to run the route from Valle De Tinidad to the coast so we could head to Colonet to check Bill and my houses out. This run is used by SCORE for virtually every Baja 500. This road is also used by the locals as a short cut to avoid having to travel all the way North through Ensenada and back down. We found about 35 miles in the road had been washed away during the recent rain. We had to turn around and return to MEX 3 and go to Ensenada. Some would find that a bummer, we took it as an opportunity to get more of our off road fix in.

Never fear though. I'm told this route will be back in shape for the Baja 500 in June and the Camp4lo runs.

I think it is this way

Desert outside of San Felipe

Taco on the trail

Villa Marina Hotel Ensenada

Ensenada night life

el diablo run 2011

Headed down this weekend to help the guys at Biltwell do a little pre run down to San Felipe to check on accommodations. Saturday we are going to take the road from Valle De Trinidad to the coast, one of the Camp4lo routes. Photos next week. Adios amigos!

el diablo run 2011

Top Gear South America

I spent the last hour watching all six parts. Excellent, funny, and well done. I loved hearing to the English blokes describe a drive shaft as a prop shaft among other things.

Grab a cool drink sit back and enjoy this. Guaranteed laughs.

GO PACKERS!!!!

Make Vince proud guys.

The Art of Manliness

Need to learn about wet shaving? Ever wondered just how to win over the ladies? Don't know how to tie a tie? Ever been to a real barber shop that was not a "salon"? You know the one from your childhood with the Playboys next to the waiting chairs.
You are in luck.
This is a very cool site. Dedicated to all things manly. Spend 2 minutes here and you will have a new favorite site for sure.

The art of manliness

This weeks blog has an introduction to off roading.

Group B.... R.I.P.

First I must apologize for the lack of updates lately. Between the holidays and a very serious bout with bronchitis I have been down and out. Rest assure work continues on Camp4lo. We are continuing to pursue the goal and are getting closer and closer.

Group B was a class that only lasted a few years but provided much excitement for the fans. Perhaps too much. When did they close a class of race cars because they were too fast? I digress.

From Wikipedia.
The Group B referred to a set of regulations introduced in 1982 for competition vehicles in sportscar racing and rallying regulated by the FIA. The Group B regulations fostered some of the quickest, most powerful and sophisticated rally cars ever built. However, a series of major accidents, some fatal, were blamed on their outright speed. After the death of Henri Toivonen and his co-driver in the 1986 Tour de Corse, the FIA disestablished the class after four years. The short-lived Group B era has acquired legendary status among rally fans.

Check this video from http://jalopnik.com

Slab City Riot 2

Last weekend we helped our buddies over at CHOPCULT.COM put on their second annual Slab City Riot. These guys are not your typical Sturgis, bagger, old guy, American Chopper fans. (Not that there is anything wrong with that if that is your scene.)

This is about hand built old school bikes. Guys that love to work on their own stuff, ride hard, and play hard. Dirt camping, loud live punk rock and good times.

SLAB CITY is the place featured in the book and film INTO THE WILD.
Strange place this is for sure. Slab City is filled with many people who have checked out of the mainstream for one reason or another. During the winter snowbirds come in motor homes to escape old man Winter.
Add 1500 Chop Cult members and, a Pallet of free Pabst and you have an eclectic mix of good times for sure!
There was an event named the Coctagon where 24 men enter the ring armed with helmets and whiffle ball bats. Last man standing wins $500.00. Mayhem ensued.





Here is a link to the photos I shot CAMP4LOFLICKR Enjoy.

2010 Off Road Expo

We made the trek to the Off Road Expo last weekend. We got to see many cool vehicles, parts, and accessories. There were a lot of people in attendance for sure. This is a great event for vendors to showcase their new products to the off road nation.
In case you missed it, here are some photos to give you a little fix and make you want to get out there and run your rig.



















Trasharoo. A great new product. Like a backpack for your spare. You can haul stuff in and when you are on your way home it doubles as a trash bag. Complete with inside plastic lining and drain holes at the bottom.


Our friends at ORW were on the scene too


Check this cool idea


We love this hitch set up


Old McMillin class 2


R.I.P. old friend


No event would be complete without Hotties signing posters!