any reasoning as to why the Traxxas drivers were pushing that fast? Who is more at fault?

Awsome job by these unsung heroes. Kudos to Kent Kroeker, Colt Hubble, Jeremy Graczyk , and Jim Graczyk.

That is awesome! Good work gents! Makes you wonder where they would have finished if there was no accident hu?

Hey all, I'm a friend of the victim James Lamb. Does anyone know if Traxxas has issued a statement or if they're attempting to help in any way shape or form?

I personally cannot believe that Mike Jenkins found it acceptable to run an open road at "70% race pace," particularly that road. I've travled to that same camp with Lamb and the other members of our mission team during a summer trip and to squeeze two 15 passanger vans by each other on that road is nearly impossible. Knowing that Jenkins was running the open road at speed makes me wonder why he thought it was an acceptable risk. He very nearly killed James and injured his brother. James Lamb probably will never recover fully from the accident.

The team on this trip was a small one with maybe ten people. However that van could have been full of team members. I am disgusted with Jenkins and his co-driver. There is absolutly no excuse for what he did.

@Kemo,

It's Baja you always try and push it as hard as you can to see if your adjustements and components you may have replaced before the race are in working order.

I recall prerunning a SCORE Parker 400 event the day before the race in my bud's Tacoma (stock) and we entered a 2-way section where during race day all of the race vehicles would be long gone from this section and it would be clear to the finish and a trophy truck was screaming around this wash 2-way section and we had to make evasive maneuvers to avoid an accident.

Their are times and sometimes speed limits for prerunning a race course.

A local may be on the race course at anytime, maybe even in a designated part of the course to get home or something where on race day it would be closed off.

Even on race day live traffic on the course is dangerous because you know where you are gonna go but do they? During a Baja 500 event we were in I saw a flipped over minivan facing the wrong way on the course in the Valley De Trinidad portion of the race. The minivan was probably going the wrong way facing oncoming race traffic and tried to get out of the way by climbing the dirt hill and flipped over.

Baja is not for wimps!

Oxi that still doesnt change the fact that an amazing feat of selflessness was done whether it happened b/c a guy was speeding or was running at normal speeds why cant you give anything mechanical or human credit besides a taco.

I agree with Moparman, what the driver's of the Ram truck did was very selflessness and they desever full credit for what they have done here.

****Was an Act of great Selflessness**** is what I meant to say.

@oxi,

What about the minivan driver was not in the Baja who had their jaw torn off? Shame on you for responding in such an immature manner when this is a very tragic situation.

Regardless of who was cheating the line, there is no excuse for this severe of an accident to take place the evening prior to a race. As intelligent humans, we should have far greater respect for our fellow man than to be placing them at risk through our own self-centered actions. Through their own admission, the #86 truck was traveling at approx 50mph, over blind hills and around blind corners. I seriously doubt the minivan was anywhere near that speed (by evidence of the damage to the vehicles and harshness of the terrain/road). This gentleman is alive today only through the Grace Of God and two very caring/giving individuals that refused to let this man die on the roadside.

The off-road racing community, spectators and competitors, have got to realize that we and only we, are in control of our own future. We have experienced several tragic occurrences this past year, all of which could have been avoided through a little more "Give A Damn" attitude. I've been involved in this sport for almost 20yrs, and this is by far the most disappointing year when I look back on the season of racing and the price that has been paid. For those of us that make a living in the industry, we should be greatly concerned by these negative occurrences, as they will be the eventual demise of open course off-road racing.

We, the off-road community, competitors, industry and sanctioning bodies, must begin doing a better job of policing our own actions, establish rules and guidelines competitors and sanctioning bodies must follow to insure the safety for all, and the longevity of the sport. We need to institute regulation that mandate safe actions when pre-running and severe repercussions if not followed. In addition, certain safety regulations of our race vehicles and chase vehicles needs to be reviewed. Example; Anti-collision lights are minimally bright enough anymore (compared to 15yrs prior), and they should also be required on all vehicles that enter the race course (race, chase and safety). There should be differing colors to represent whether a vehicle is a chase or race vehicle. Also, we have had several vehicle fires this year. I know there are several race vehicles competing that have no safety shut-off for the electric fuel pumps. This should be a requirement for all vehicles. If the engine stops, the fuel pump automatically shuts off, no exceptions. We have been very fortunate so far that we have not severely burned any persons to date (we have been very close).

The gentleman driving the minivan is very fortunate to be alive. God does not always give persons a second life, but God obviously is not done with this gentleman yet. He was already doing good works for God and man, and I'm sure God has more planned for him post his recovery. He was in Ensenada solely do to his love and concern for fellow man, and unfortunately it is the opposite that has placed him in the condition he is in now. In addition to my prayers for him and his family, I am praying the off-road racing community realize the errors in many of our actions and we strive to better them and place greater concern for the safety and well being of others.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php/88456-The-Mayhem-RG-alluded-to-at-the-driver-s-meeting/page15

@ Pro Performance - very well said.

I agree much more can be done to improve safety.
A 'Baja is not for wimps" attitude will not change anything for the better.
If people keep getting seriously injured or killed, the race itself will be killed.
A Baja 1000 with strict rules is much better than NO Baja 1000.
I suspect the impact speed was greater than 50 MPH.

Like I said before:
"Awsome job by these unsung heroes. Kudos to Kent Kroeker, Colt Hubble, Jeremy Graczyk , and Jim Graczyk."

I worked as a Paramedic for 23 years and as an instructor for the last 12 years.

They did a wonderful job of taking care of the crash victim. Their military training sure did help.
Unless you deal with trauma on a routine basis it is even more difficult to "keep it together".
Dealing with severe trauma is very difficult emotionally as well as physically.
I was very impressed by the description of how they cared for the victum.

exciting, The off-road community, competitors, industry and sanctioning bodies, must begin doing a better job of policing our own actions, establish rules and guidelines competitors and sanctioning bodies must follow to insure the safety for all, and the longevity of the sport. We need to institute regulation that mandate safe actions when pre-running and severe repercussions if not followed. In addition, certain safety regulations of our race vehicles and chase vehicles needs to be reviewed. Example; Anti-collision lights are minimally bright enough anymore (compared to 15yrs prior), and they should also be required on all vehicles that enter the race course (race, chase and safety). There should be differing colors to represent whether a vehicle is a chase or race vehicle. Also, we have had several vehicle fires this year. I know there are several race vehicles competing that have no safety shut-off for the electric fuel pumps. This should be a requirement for all vehicles. If the engine stops, the fuel pump automatically shuts off, no exceptions. We have been very fortunate so far that we have not severely burned any persons to date (we have been very close).

People are strange - a good news hero story gets nary a comment but people will bitch and moan for pages about who sells more trucks.