After six years of being cancer free, it was time. Time to give something back for all my blessings and more importantly, time to spread the message of hope. So what better way to do that than by raising donations for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and competing in the most difficult off-road race in the world, the Baja 1000. Lance Armstrong's legendary story of defeating the odds and his never say die attitude epitomizes the unique spirit and character of the off-road community and our passion to challenge ourselves against insurmountable odds to not only try to win the Baja, but sometimes, just to finish. 
And to make this extraordinary challenge just a little more unique, I will be driving it old school in a class that represents the roots of off-road racing and the hardest way I know possible, my co-driver Brandon Marquez and I will drive it solo in a class 9 car. This year will celebrate my 10th Baja 1000 since my first start in 1985, but more importantly, it will mark 21 years since I finished it solo in my beloved Chenowth 9 car in a little over 24 hours back in 1988. Most who know our sport will agree, quite an endeavor if you have ever had a chance to ride or drive in one of these limited VW powered buggies.
So my friends, please join me and the Truespirit race team, as we RACE2ACURE by donating what you can in our name to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to reach our goal of $5,000 as I compete in the worlds most grueling off road race in the world, this year's Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. And please, spread the message to your friends and relatives so that we not only meet our goal, we exceed it.

Thanks,
John

THE RACE:
It's been referred to as the last true open road race in the world, Parnelli Jones likened it to being in a 24 hour plane crash. One thing is for sure, once you have experienced it, you'll never quite look at life the same.
The course is different every year, usually marked a month ahead of time to allow competitors to pre-run the course. It will include all Baja has to offer, high speed pole line roads, narrow rocky trails, water crossings, pine forests and silt beds deep enough to swallow your car. It can take any where between 18 to 30 non-stop hours depending on the course, the type of vehicle your driving and most importantly, your luck. Our team will have only one driver and one navigator to compete the entire length of the race, others will use up to three driver/navigator teams to finish. Pits are set up every hundred miles or so for fuel, spare tires and repairs when necessary. Between pits, each race vehicle has a dedicated chase team following along on the highway and adjacent dirt roads to provide assistance on the course if needed. When it's all said and done, only a small percentage will see the finish line, but as the race casualties are towed back into Ensenada, one thing is for sure, the teams will catch some sleep, gather at the cantinas to drink some cervezas and with out a doubt, begin planning for next year to once again attempt to beat the Baja.