Race Coverage - Day 2 (Thursday/Friday/Saturday AM) Part 2

Between Loreto (Pit 7) and Ciudad Insurgentes (Pit 8), the Team Mitsuhishi/DXR Racing Raider assumes the lead from the factory Toyota FJ which went down with a faulty Engine Control Unit (ECU) causing unexpected repairs. So far, the Mitsubishi Raider has only experienced one puncture and a minor issue with a suspension limiting strap that keeps breaking.

After Raider's first run in the Baja 1000 so far has been flawless which is a testament to the trucks design, the team's race strategy and truck preparation.

Here's the action with a little less than 200 miles to the finish line in La Paz and the Toyota FJ looking to whittle down the Team Mitsubishi/DXR Racing Raider's lead.

PIT 8 - Outside Ciudad Insurgentes (race mile 855)

Team Mitsubishi/DXR Racing Raider preps for service stop. Routine service and a precautionary ball joint change scheduled but things got complicated here...

Co-driver #2, Dale Godges, indicates that the shock limiting strap has broken...

and works to figure out how to reuse the torn limiting strap on the truck. This limit strap keeps the suspension from overextending as it unloads while getting air born. Fortunately, the Raider's front suspension/steering system feel great to Dan and the team will focus on fixing the strap to keep their lead intact for the last 200 miles of the race.

Friday's sun begins to set as the Baja 1000 heads back into night...

The fine Baja silt claims the A/C compressor which seizes up. Team tries to blow as much of it out of the engine compartment since the throttle could stick if it works it's way into the throttle cable.



THE FINISH - La Paz (race mile 1047)
As the Millen Toyota FJ pulled into the finish, things got tense since the Raider was now into the starting time advantage of 2 minutes over the FJ. The clock didn't have to click long however since the Team Mitsubishi/DXR Raider came in about twenty seconds later for an insanely close finish after more than 34 hours of competition.

The race was ultimately decided in the last 20 miles of the Baja 1000.

Team Mitsubishi/DXR Racing takes the flag in La Paz around 12:30 AM Saturday morning...it's been a battle to the very last mile

In a great act of sportsmanship, Toyota FJ co-driver Ryan Millen congratulates Dan Fresh on an incredible duel to the finish between the factory Mitsubishi Raider and the factory Toyota FJ

Dan Fresh decides to test out the Raider's hood strength in celebrating an unofficial Stock Mini class win

The finish stretch duel was so intense over the last 20 miles that the Toyota FJ landed on the Raider in a dropout section trying to pass for the lead that crushed the right corner of the bed, bent the rear bumper as the truck bottomed out and nicked up the rear spare tire guard.

Dan and Sean giving post-race comments to the video crew

Dan works to shake off the fatigue of 34 hours of the Baja 1000...

then Dan takes a moment for the fans

Team Mitsubishi/DXR Racing poses for one last picture before loading up, getting a few hours of well-deserved rest and waiting for the official results to confirm the Mitsubishi Raider and the team as the 2006 Baja 1000 Stock Mini class champion.

CONTINUED on next post