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Baja 1000: Joe Bacal preview
Cancer Survivor Joe Bacal to Drive Full Distance in Off-Road Racing's Ultimate Test: The Baja 1000 New Developments Position Team to Capture Off-Road's Top Prize PHOENIX, November 16, 2009 -- It's said that preparation can make all the ...
Edited: Nov 18, 2009, 2:39 AM
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Cancer Survivor Joe Bacal to Drive Full Distance in Off-Road Racing's Ultimate Test: The Baja 1000
New Developments Position Team to Capture Off-Road's Top Prize
PHOENIX, November 16, 2009 -- It's said that preparation can make all the difference in challenging endeavors, and Joe Bacal and his JTGrey Racing Team have taken the idea straight to heart for the 42nd running of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000--the toughest and most prestigious off-road race in the U.S.--set to start this Friday morning.
Sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Bacal began his rookie off-road racing season in June of this year with a remarkable victory in the Baja 500. He followed with a solid second-place finish at the Primm 300 in the new-to-racing Lexus LX 570 that, much like Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor Bacal, has proven durable and unrelenting. But Bacal knew there was more potential in the Stock Full-class Lexus to make it quicker and easier to drive in rough terrain, so the team spent useful time between races testing and developing various components with their eye on conquering Baja.
"The Lexus has been tough as nails but we knew it had more to give," said Bacal. "The new setup has transformed the performance and now I can't wait to put it to the test."
Bacal also wanted an experienced Baja co-pilot at his side and so hired expert navigator Gerald (Smitty) King to guide him on the notorious race course. King is a veteran in the ultra-quick trophy trucks and is often requested by top desert racers.
Physical and mental preparation is also critical for the grueling desert contest which, like previous events, Bacal plans to drive without relief; King will do the same. "Taking control is something I know well from my cancer experience," noted Bacal. "You have to take charge and surround yourself with a great team to give yourself the best chance to win."
By virtue of his Baja 500 victory and Primm 300 podium, Bacal heads into the Baja 1000 second in points in SCORE's Stock Full class with a legitimate shot at winning the 2009 championship. Bacal has also earned a "Rookie of the Year" nomination on SCORE's "2009 Off-Roadsman of the Year" ballot.
This year's Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will start at 6:30 a.m. EST on Friday, November 20 from Ensenada. NBC Sports will cover the event, currently scheduled to air on December 19 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
-credit: www.controlamidchaos.com.
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