OFF ROAD: What to look for at the Baja 2000
9 November 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
"IRONMAN" AND THE HALL-OF-FAMER - After 25 years of racing solo, Ivan "Ironman" Stewart will partner up with another desert off-road legend - Larry Roeseler - in a quest for victory. A three-time winner of the Baja 1000 and 17-time winner of the Baja 500, Stewart welcomes Roeseler, who won 12 Baja 1000s and nine Baja 500s during his illustrious motorcycle career. In 1999, Roeseler was inducted into the American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame. After switching to trucks six years ago, Roeseler has won three Class 7 championships (open mini trucks) and finished second at the 1999 Baja 1000 in a Trophy-Truck.
EASY ON THE EQUIPMENT - The consensus among racers facing the 1,676.94-mile course is that the team that keeps its equipment in the best shape will win the race. Stewart and Roeseler - who will trade off driving duties in the Tundra-V8-powered Toyota Trophy-Truck - were not concerned over drawing, via lotto, the 11th starting position behind the likes of Ryan Arciero/Mark Miller, Robby and Bob Gordon, Larry Ragland/Brian Stewart, Walker Evans and the Herbst brothers. The Stewart/Roeseler dream duo plan to keep flat tires and other mechanical maladies to a minimum for the final sprint from La Paz, which is 1,500 miles into the race, to Cabo San Lucas.
IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR - Among the many subplots that will arise during the 34-hour run to the finish will be the battles and parings among father and son in Baja. Ivan "Ironman" Stewart will compete head-to-head against son Brian, who finished second overall in July's Nevada 2000. Brian's teammate, Ryan Arciero, will also be competing against his father, Frank Arciero Jr., in the premier Trophy-Truck class. On the friendlier side, Robby and Bob Gordon will partner up in the Trophy-Truck class.
TOYOTA POWER - Six additional off-road warriors will be competing in the Baja 2000 with Toyota-powered vehicles: Alberto Coppola and Gus Vildosola in Toyota V6-powered Class 1 buggies (open wheel, single/two-seat, unlimited); Sean Sessa, Mark Hutchins and Steve Myers in Toyota four-cylinder Class 10 buggies (open wheel, single/two-seat up to 1650 cc); and Doug Siewert in a Class 7s Toyota Tacoma (stock mini trucks).
"Quotes"
IVAN "Ironman" STEWART, Toyota/PPI Motorsports Desert Off-Road Driver:
"This is the big one we've all been looking forward to for a while. It doesn't matter how many times you win or race in Baja, you get more and more energized as the starting day approaches. The event will be unlike anything I've ever raced. It's a great feeling knowing the type of people at PPIM, TRD and Toyota that will be behind this effort. It's been 25 years since I've had a racing partner in Baja, but I'm looking forward to pairing up with Larry after racing against him all these years. He's a great driver and person."
LARRY ROESELER, Toyota/PPI Motorsports Desert Off-Road Driver:
"I'm really excited about this race. Ever since I had the opportunity to join PPIM and Toyota last fall, I've had the Baja 2000 on my mind. Although Ivan and I have probably covered every mile of Baja over the 25-plus years we've been racing down there, the preparation for this race was unlike any other I've done. We've spend a lot of time prerunning over the last couple of months. The last 400 miles is probably the most technical section, so the sprint to the finish should be exciting. It's going to be great to race with Ivan rather than against him. He's a living legend down in Baja."
Text provided by Greg Thome
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