The San Felipe 250 by Ray Woodward

Snarlin’ Cholla Collects Hardware

San Felipe’s own "Snarlin Cholla" racing club did itself proud on St Patrick’s Day in the SCORE Baja 250 off-road race. The car finished second in the sportsman class, less than 2 minutes behind the first place finisher, Marc Prince in the 1404 car.

The overall winner was Tim Herbst of the Terrible Herbst racing team in his number 1 trophy truck. Starting fourth in his class, Tim seemed to have very little problem outdistancing all other four-wheeled racers. With 30 miles to go he had a solid fifteen minutes lead on his nearest rival.

The race plan for the 1401 car of the "Snarlin Cholla" club was to use 3 drivers and two fuel stops. Our leader and driver of record, George Jackson, started the race and made the first canyon loop of about 80 miles. George found some pretty good running and was able to gain more than a half hour on our "dream" time. For the next 80 miles, Jack Sharp went from co-driver to driver and George slid into the co-drivers seat. Jack ran a strong leg and at the 160-mile marker I slid behind the wheel. With George beside me, we brought the 1401 car home over a half hour ahead of our most optimistic estimates.

Race day was picture perfect with bluebird skies and seventy degree temperatures and a mild easterly breeze that helped to clear the dust so we could see better. My leg of the race started at about 2:30 with 8 kilometers of paved road on highway Fed 5. Then we were flagged onto a rocky cut with several hills and washes. Gradually the rock and hardpan changed to sand and whoops. For about 30 miles we rode the whoops and soft sand seldom getting out of second gear. Our radios were working well and the chase team was reporting no 14-class cars close behind us. We figured we had third place but then we pulled by the 1404 car and moved into second. The first 14 car had a large lead on us so we had no hope of overtaking it. Running well but trying to save the front suspension that had picked up an extra bang on the up stroke we were again over taken by the car we had just passed. Third again. Around a bend not far down the track there was a car dead in the middle of the course. As I moved over to clear the car, George hollers it’s the 1403 car that had been running away with our class. Second again and able to see the dust of the leader. But it was not to be. Our gutsy little 1600cc was not quick enough to overtake the bigger and faster 1404 car. Our chase crew reports that the 1403 car is out and we have no 14 cars near us from behind so we settle into a save the suspension trip to the finish line at almost 4PM. The checkered flag, then a bottle of Champaign, a kiss and a hug from my Number 1 fan, and a squeeze from the Tecate Girls. Let the party begin.