Crew Chief Emory Helms and head mechanic Richard Dickey made sure all electronics and such are in perfect working order. » More Photos

Ian pulled in today and immediately started doing what he does best… electronics on our NAPA Filter sponsored Buggy!

We shot the intro bumper to all of the Baja 500 webisodes that we will be turning into SPEEDtv.com starting Friday and then shot our 2nd video blog.

Adrienne and Catherine are great to work with and it is always fun to put together a team and see the excitement that everyone gets in their eyes.

I think the guys will be pulling another all nighter working on the buggy so that we will be able to head south to Ensenada tomorrow.

Gonna go hop on the treadmill, do a little laundry and hit the hay.

I really miss my Rocky…I absolutely cannot wait to see him, rub his belly and take him for a ride in my Jeep…Woof…Smiles!

Watch Video Blog #2

See the KUSI Interview


Day 8: Thursday May 29th
We shot and edited our first of many daily video blogs and got it over to speedtv.com for them to post on their site and they did! I had an idea of how I wanted all of this to come together just about 2 months ago and it is sweet to see things fall into place and make a statement!

The buggy however has kicked my crews butt to a certain extent. I feel so bad that the guys have labored so hard on the buggy in order to get her up to SCORE Inspection rules and requirements. I do hope that they finish soon not only so we can head south by Thursday but that they can start to enjoy some of this mad process.

Ian arrives tomorrow to continue his electronic guru work that he had already begun in the buggy and the chase truck. The guys have been surviving on Taco Bell, KFC, Carls Jr and a routine stop-in at the 24 hour restaurant here at the hotel where you can grab the best guacamole, chips and hot sauce for a mere $5.00.

While editing with the film crew this evening we ordered the guac and the naughtiest nachos I have ever laid my eyes on.yummy!
I hope that everyone enjoys the blogs, video blogs and get ready for some hot footage that will be shot while in Mexico.Brace yourselves to be taken for an entertaining ride with the infamous "Buggy".
BT

Day 7: Wednesday May 28th
Emory

Today was another long but very productive day. It really does take a special crew to do this type of work. Anyone that has been around racing knows that this business is not for everyone and the countless hours of problem solving can really take a toll on the mind and body. Just like Dale says in the movie '3', "They can't put it in you and they can't take it out of you." You definitely can't take it out of this crew. They are hard core and do whatever it takes to get the job done and are experts in their line of work.

We are working on a few last minute changes on the shock configuration that will allow for a better ride for Barbara. After a little testing I decided to make the changes in hopes of better overall performance of the buggy. Big risk at the last minute but it will pay off for us in the end result. Changes like this can be time consuming and create more work for the crew but they have been very open to anything that will give us an edge performance wise.

We should be able to wrap things up tomorrow and will pack up to head south of the border! Time is closing in and race day is right around the corner. The crew is eager to get there and will enjoy the ride down...only because I will let them sleep for a few hours!

Mexico Bound!!

Dickey Blog #3
Three Days Eight Hours Till BAJA

We've got things goin' on now. Today, we concentrated on possible tech issues so we won't have any problems when we get there, but first we must complete a manifest for the border crossing. Everything on the rig has to be listed in a presentable manner. It'll take two of us an hour or two to get that done. It's hard to concentrate on doing that when there are so many relevant things that need to be done.

Our electronics will be brought up to date when Ian shows up in the morning. He's going to finalize everything and then turn his rallying talents and supernatural sense of direction toward plotting our support vehicle curriculum with respect to the Baja course, driver changes, Barb's film crew, and the host of electronic gizmos.
I'm going to work on what has been tagged "the Dickey list". Personally, I prefer "open items list". We've pretty well narrowed it down, but everything on it must be complete. It's time now to test my dream state.
Dickey Out !!