The Baja 1000

THE BAJA 1000 is the oldest off-road race in the world, not to mention one of the toughest. Beginning in Tijuana, Mexico, and ending in La Paz, it covers nearly the entire Baja peninsula south of California. And in the 2003 competition, the Mark Miller racing team of Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero ran away from the competition in the Trophy Truck division, despite fighting steering problems.

Even without mechanical difficulties, the Baja 1000 tests a driver’s endurance. The steering wheel vibrates like a jackhammer. The world flies past in a blur of browns and greens as the truck whips through the desert, over hills, and through rivers.

Miller started the race for his team and drove 180 of the first 205 miles with almost no power-assist steering. Once his team fixed a loose power-steering hose at a pit stop, Miller blazed through the pack. He took the lead at mile 325 and built a nine-minute edge by the time he handed over the truck to Arciero after 442 miles. Once Arciero got behind the wheel, he continued to add to the lead. He was ahead by 24 minutes by the time he passed mile 580—and he continued to push the truck’s Bilstein shocks and General Motors Vortec 6-liter V-8 engine to the limit. He charged through the finish line to win by 48 minutes over second-place finishers Tim Herbst and Ed Herbst from Las Vegas. The Miller team won the grueling race with a time of 16 hours, 28 minutes, and 45 seconds.

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POINT The Baja 1000 tests a driver’s endurance and driving skills. Only a high-functioning team can win. When Mark Miller fought with steering problems, his copilot, Wade Weaver, encouraged him and helped him stay hydrated. Then team mechanics diagnosed and fixed the problem.

God wants his team of believers to encourage each other and have one purpose too. By working together as we follow Jesus, we can be a more effective team.

GOAL! Where do you turn when temporary difficulties hit your life? God is a great source of strength and encouragement. Thank him for also putting people in your life to help.