January 2015 | Volume | 8 Issue 1

With the clock counting down to my May 5^th departure date, my vehicle preparations were starting to line up. Pieces of the puzzle were found and installed and the bigger picture was starting to look like something recognizable. I purchased my Lexus LX450 in May of 2013 and after stripping the already “built”truck down to it’s bones and reinvented the wheel with my own rendition. A vision of the ultimate was born in my mind with the goal of completed a massive 3000+ mile trip into the US before returning home to Canada and continuing with local adventures thereon after.

Their travels and adventures inspire us to step out into the world and truly experience life.  We have followed along as they visit remote villages in South America, cross deserts in Africa, and traverse mountain passes in Asia.  These are the full-time overlanders traveling in Toyotas.  As a way to give back to the community, we would like to share their stories and help connect you, our readers, with their adventures.  Please take a moment to learn more about these adventure travelers as they are the ones that inspire us to get out and explore.

“Canguro Race, this is Chase 1, do you copy?  If you copy, key your mic twice.”   …..Silence.  “Canguro Race, this is Chase 1, if you copy key your mic twice.” ……..Click……click.  “Chase 1 copies.  Canguro Race click your mic for your distance from pit location.” …..Click……Click……..Click.  “Chase 1 copies, three miles out.  Click mic twice to confirm.” ….Click…….click.  The radio in the race car has a problem and cannot transmit out for the chase crew to hear so we have resorted to questions, and responses using a series of clicks.  

And it begins, the entire pit crew will be a flurry of action in a few minutes as the Canguro Racing car 8155 comes flying into the pit location for a full check of the race vehicle, a full refuel, and a driver swap.  Everyone has an assignment and if we do it correctly the stop will last no more than a couple minutes before the race truck will be off again tearing into the night amidst a choking cloud of silt and blinding LED lights.  This is not your typical “overland” style trip, but in reality it meets just about all the criteria.  This is a 36 hour slog covering more than 1200 miles down the Baja California peninsula from Ensenada to La Paz, Mexico. We’ve got food (albeit gas station snacks), extra fuel, and camping gear.  Heck, we’ve even got the requisite ARB fridge and a couple of Roof Top Tents.  This is the Baja 1000 and once the race starts it’s a marathon of sleep deprivation, street tacos, dirt, and a lot of fun.

Photos by Jared Koronkiewicz and George Labelle