March 8'th 1997 saw the Iribe Racing
Team's Class 5-1600 Baja Bug take on the SCORE International San
Filepe 250, with a slightly different roster. Iribe's co driver was
none other than Hubert Charles Tual, the Director General for Elf
Lubricantes! Elf Lubracantes are well known in
European racing circles for thier top quality products, and Formula 1
victories, but are a newcomer to racing in the Americas. Since
Off-Road Racing in the deserts of the American Southwest and Baja
Mexico is widely known as the ultimate test of man and machine, it
makes for the perfect proving geound for the companys product. The air
cooled Don Hatz motor of Iribe's VW places an even higher demand on
lubricants because of it's high operating temperatures. Time would
tell if both the oil, and Tual could take the punishment. Once strapped in, Iribe' took Taul and
Elf Lubricantes headlong into the world of Off-Road Racing, and the
ride of his life. Starting well back in the pack, Iribe' quickly made
up ground , and within 20 miles, had put Iribe' Racing in first place
on the clock. Physically, they were trailing Danny Ledezma in thier
bright yellow 5-1600, and continued closing. At the first road
crossing, Iribe and Ledezma were neck and neck, and both cars beat the
chase truck to the second crossing (and BFG Pit). 10 miles later,
disaster struck, with Iribe' literally snaping a trailing arm in half.
About 45 min. was lost on R&R (retreval and repair). After BFG's
pit crew weldied up the arm, Iribe' and Tual were back in motion, and
rapidly making up time. By the time they reached the BFG
"Spirit" pit at Laguna Diablo, Iribe' and Tual had cought up
with, and passed several cars, placing them in 12'th position, with
several cars in striking distance. At the last pit, Radio contact was
lost, and as day turned quickly to night, another problenm arose.
Iribe's car has no lights! With no moon to provide even a trace of
light, the situation was made even worse.Racing in Baja with a full
rack of functioning lights can easily be considered dangerous at best.
As time went on, and darkness set in, contact was regained. Iribe had
gotten a single KC daylighter from a BFG secondary pit, and was on his
way to the finish line. The last 30 miles of the course flew
by, resulting in a 9th place finish, but the excitement was not yet
over. Carlos and the chase crew narrowly avoided a 100MPH head on
collision with 2 range cows! It was an eve opener to say the least,
and an example of how dangerous racing on the peninsula can be. Once
back to the finish line with the Iribe Racing Team reunited, Hubert
Charles Tual and Elf Lubricantes joined the ranks of those who have
earned the right to say they have "Beaten the Baja". The next day at the Award Cerimony, A
very sore but very happy Director General publicly thanked Iribe'
Racing, and announced ELF as a major sponsor of "The SCORE Desert
Racing Series". Would he do it again? Only if he had the chance. |
