I decided to start a Class 11
team in 2007 after watching
Brown's documentary about
Baja," Graham said. "I was
thinking, how expensive could
it be to race a VW Beetle?" The
answer soon became obvious.
"You learn to lie to yourself
about how much it costs to race
off-road."
SIX TO GO
The day wore on when David
Bolles' luck finally ran out. After
cresting a hill at mile marker 56,
his car hit something hard. "I
landed on a super sharp rock at
the top of a hill, and it punched
a hole in the cylinder and the
fluid was pouring out," Bolles
said.
But instead of quitting as he
stood looking at the damage,
Bolles nursed the VW back to
the highway, until the engine
finally seized. "Our goal was
to make it to the coast. We
knew the first 70 miles would
be difficult. But one little rock
ruined our day. Up until then, it
was the greatest day ever," said
Bolles.
Although dejected, Bolles'
team of friends from the past 35
years took it all in stride. Drivers
Ron Thomas, Jeff Sherrill, Paul
Eddy and navigators Kenny
VerKuilen and Chris Schaaf gave
it their all, but Baja won that day.
NIGHT FALLS ON
CLASS 11 RACERS
Night had finally fallen in
Mexico and by then, Solorzano,
Hollenbeck, Nauleau,
Wallentine, and Rodriquez-
Cops were racing against time.
Solorzano had taken a huge
lead on the remaining field
of drivers in the class. While
charging to gain position,
Hollenbeck's car broke a timing
070
SCORE JOURNAL
GRAHAM OF DESERT
DINGO RACING PREPARES
FOR THE START OF THE
BAJA 1000.
