ATRacing July 2007 Newsletter
ATRacing July 2007 Newsletter
Class 8 Open 1st Place for ATRacing at the FORD Coyote 300!:

ATRacing would like to thank all the crew for their hard effort which paid off with the Class 8 Open win at the FORD Coyote 300 on the 1st of July. Thank you for never letting up!

The same heartfelt thank you goes out to our great sponsors Toyo Tires, Optima, Autometer Gauges, K&N Filters, Fox Shocks, Allied Wheels, Quaker State, PRISA Paints and Morfo Racing : Thank you for always standing by us and providing us with the best product the market has to offer!


Toyo Press Release:


July 2, 2007

Team ATRacing Scores a Class Win at the Ford Coyote 300
On Toyo® Open Country M/T TM Tires

LA PAZ, MEXICO - Team ToyoTM Off-Road's Andrea Tomba, driving his Class 8 ATRacing Ford Explorer in the 2007 Campeonato Pro Baja Desert Series, won his class in the Ford Coyote 300 this past weekend while competing on Toyo Open Country M/T tires. This was the 13th running of the prestigious event which is one stop during the southern Baja off-road championship series.

The southern Baja peninsula is known for its challenging terrain which tests both driver and equipment. During this year's event, more than 100 race vehicles began in La Paz; then followed a technical route through Todos Santos, San Antonio, Los Planes and back to La Paz. The V8-powered, 2WD Ford truck was challenged with transmission and brake problems early in the race, but the team came back from adversity for the Class 8 win.

"The new Toyo tires were spectacular and were instrumental for our win in this race. They gave us a lot of grip and were tough enough to be confident while in the rocks and gnarly terrain," said the winning Tomba.

"We congratulate Andrea Tomba and Team ATRacing for their Class 8 victory. ATRacing has confirmed they are committed to winning in Southern Baja and Toyo is proud to be on board for their win," said Ramses Perez, project manager, Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation.

To learn more about Team Toyo Off-Road drivers and the durable Open Country M/T, log on to toyo.com. Toyo manufactures and distributes a complete line of high performance and original equipment replacement tires for passenger car, light truck, commercial truck, bus, off-road and construction applications.

Media Contact: Jay Jones, TMC
Tel. 949-851-6313, Fax. 949-833-0253
jay.jones@tmcauto.com
Toyo Media Site: www.toyoeditor.com

The racing was so hot it melted my shoes!:

This past weekend La Paz hosted the eight annual Coyote 300 which happens to be one of La Paz's favorite races. The race weekend started Saturday night with revision being held on the Malecon. I made my way there with family in toe to take pictures for Andrea Tomba and AT Racing. The atmosphere was festive and the air was filled with music and the sound of roaring engines as each one approached the inspection ramp.

Just as it was time for Andrea's turn to move into line he asked if he could take my 7 year old son along for the ride. Of course I said yes and I didn't need to ask Rogelio twice as he always gets excited when riding with Andrea and Jose. Andrea has a knack for getting young future fans and drivers interested in the sport.

"It is our responsibility as custodian's of the sport to assure not only present day growth but that it (the sport) lives on even after we are no longer racing. The best way I know to do that is thru our ever growing young fan base. As a driver it is very rewarding to see the excitement of our young boys and girls at these events."

Now I'm not really sure of all the technical reasons but this year there are actually three different series (maybe four) having races for their own particular championships. This has created lots of confusion with the fans about what driver is racing in which series and what class. The confusion gets even more sticky because many of the drivers are racing in more then one series and changing class from sires to sires. For this race there was no confusion as all the class sixes stepped up to class eight which made for a no holds barred race, winner takes all glory.

What makes this one of La Paz's favorite races is that the finish line is at playa El Tecolote, a great opportunity for a family outing.

My first stop on race day was at Km 17 on the road to Todo Santos where Andrea would pass and pit. Their were having some sort of difficulty with the front end which required co-pilot Jose (Tani) to exit the truck for inspection. A quick inspection reviled no obvious problems so they would have to proceed as is. I believe they were running 4th at the time.

My second stop was just east of La Paz where once again they would pit. Somewhere between the two stops they lost radio communication which we later found to be a missing antenna. This made for a mad dash that was almost comical as Andrea was yelling that he needed transmission fluid and there was a problem under the truck. Needless to say it was an extended pit and to be honest I'm not sure what place he was in at that time. All I knew is that I had been standing in the same un-shaded spot for almost two hours and I was hot.

The last stop for me was the finish line but to get there before Andrea I had to haul ass. Luckily I was on my motorcycle so I was able to move by all the traffic without much problem. I was however having trouble with breaking and shifting the gears. It was really strange and at the time I thought maybe I had a small case of sun stroke, it just wasn't normal.

Just as soon as I got there I heard over the PA system that he was approaching. I grabbed my camera from the side bag, turned to run and fell flat on my face. I look down and the damn glue that holds the soles of my work boots on had MELTED. I looked like bozo the clown with what looked like two large cow tongues attached to my feet.

Off I went flapping thru the sand. By the time I got there Andrea was already out of the truck and the celebration was on as Andrea and Toni had somehow weathered the storm to bring home a first place finish in what was clearly the biggest class eight event of the year regardless of series.

"I'm really happy for the team to be able to pull this off. These guys work so hard and with all the problems we had in the first half of the season its just nice for them."

"This was also our first full race out with our new sponsor, Toyo tires and I have to say man what a difference. It seemed like no matter what kind of terrain we were in they grab and keep moving forward. The bit is incredible."

What's in store for the reminder of the year for At Racing?

"Well getting off to such a rough start this year it really leaves our options wide open. Because we are not racing for the championship we can pretty much pick and choose what races and series we run. Right now we are looking forward to racing the Circuito Bronco and the September race, both with Pro Baja. The September race has great schedule starting in Loreto and ending in Cabo with an overnight stop in La Paz. Should be really exciting for all the fans. Beyond that we're also looking at the Loreto 400. We'll see."

It's apparent that no matter which races At Racing chooses to run this year the competition will know they're there.

Congratulations to the entire AT Racing team and special thanks to Banda Race Preparations.


Wide Open Rogelio:

Rogelio in most ways is your average 7 year old boy who likes to play with dirt and stay on the edge of getting in trouble 24/7. What makes him special is his absolute interest and attention to anything with a motor and especially things that go fast like race cars, not to mention he is my son. =). Since the day he was born Rogelio has attended every Baja 500 and 1000 with the exception of the 500 that just past as we were here in La Paz.

Last weekend we were getting ready to head to Cabo for a baby shower when Ana (Andrea's better half) called and asked if she could catch a ride as Andrea was out guiding another Wide Open Baja tour and was due to arrive later that day.

Wide Open Baja out of Cabo is a no holds bared romp thru the desert in high-tech fast buggies that resemble the monster Class 1 division in Off Road Racing. These cars can be found throughout the Baja peninsula and are quickly becoming a main stay in both the Baja 500 and 1000 races. Tours last 4/ 7 days and are set up as all inclusive. Tim, the owner of Wide Open Baja recruited Andrea as a guide to make the tour more like a racing tour, and what better way then to have a racer out front.

Okay, back to the baby shower. We're about 30 miles from Cabo when we see the Wide Open Baja chase truck parked on the side of the road and pull over to see what's up. A couple of minutes later we hear the sound of roaring engine and just like that Andrea's there with a dozen cars in pursuit. We weren't far from Wide Opens home base where this tour was about to end so we decided to follow them in and drop Ana off there.

Ten minutes later we arrived at the 1,500 acre compound to witness Andrea's debriefing and congratulatory speech to those who would now go back to their desk jobs in he states with a little piece of the Baja. The guys looked warn but all had a sense of accomplishment and new respect for those who play in the Baja.

As the customary ice cold beer was washing the dust away Andrea comes over and says, let me barrow your son for a minute and off they went. Two minutes later Rogelio is strapped into one of these monsters and flying around the test track with Andrea.

Now you'd think that Andrea would want to give his good buddy a ride. You know the one that was nice enough to pick up his wife and drive her to Cabo in 95 degree heat with no air conditioning! No such luck, it's all about the kids when it comes to Andrea and Rogelio has benefited numerous times. This last picture is Rogelio's first ramp jump when he was 5 in Andrea's old class 7 race truck.

Now, if your wife is one of those over protective mom's that won't let the kid climb a tree or ride a skate board and you want to piss her off.. take her to one of Andreas's test secessions and distract her while the crew loads your kid into the truck. It's worth a night on the couch.

Is it safe? Andrea say's he's never lost a kid that's come back.

Next ProBaja Race:

August 25 & 26th 2007
Circuito Bronco Challenge
La Paz, BCS

Get ready for the next show down in La Paz, the Circuito Bronco.

This race is a great spectator race, as it is 4 loops of a 14 mile track, also making it easy and cost effective for the teams for pits and pre-running.

However, bring shade and PLENTY of refreshments… it will get hot.... and you don't want to melt your shoes!

Are you ready for the 40th Anniversary Baja 1000?:

Have you organized rooms for you and your crew? If not, give us a call at DESEABAJA (310) 691 8040 and we can help you organize your logistics, and can even get you a local driver or co-driver for the southern part of the race.

Want to pre-run from Loreto to Cabo in race conditions? Come and join us for the Loreto 500 Race on the 28,29 & 30th September that will trace the SCORE course.

2007: Keep looking at www.atoff-road.com

Special thanks go out to Russ and to all of you who have made www.atoff-road.com into one of your favorite site, making the site climb to the top of Baja Racing web pages. Keep us in mind in the new year if you want to keep up to date with what is happening South of the border, or if you want to advertise your product or services to a perceptive target market.

Thanks to everyone, and best wished to you all and your families for the New Year!
ATRacing Crew

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