I had the honor of being invited to an event called the Baja Charity Run II. This is the second year for the event. The reception was a get together to honor all of the people that have made a difference in the charity this past year, contributing to a successful year. Blue C, Marty Fiolka, Nick Baldwin, Score, along with Wahoos, Monster, Alpinestars, Herzog Racing and many others took food, clothing, books and more down to Mexico for needy children working with Nick Baldwin's foundation, AOK. LA County Fire fighters(Race Team out of Long Beach) also took two more sets of jaws of life down to local fire fighters in Mexico. I am working on getting a copy of the video, it is very touching to witness all of the things these people have gotten together to achieve.
The event was at a mansion in San Juan Capistrano where they had a beautiful tent set up with drinks and dinner. It could have been the scene of a wedding it was so nice. Money was raised through a raffle that took place and a live band performed.
Klaus, Curtis and myself will be meeting soon to discuss ways for RDC readers to get behind the Baja Charity Run III for the 2009 1000. They talked at the event about having a vehicle in every class commit to 1,000 cans of food to be brought down. I think between all the readers on here, we can make a huge contribution to whatever is needed. We will be posting throughout the new year as we collect more info on what we can do.
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I too had the honor of attending this wonderful event for a great cause! It was VERY touching to hear the stories of all those that put forth time, money, supplies and efforts in order to help those less fortunate!
It was a great evening and I look forward to learning more about how I can help support the 2009 efforts!!
Klaus, Curtis and myself will be meeting soon to discuss ways for RDC readers to get behind the Baja Charity Run III for the 2009 1000. They talked at the event about having a vehicle in every class commit to 1,000 cans of food to be brought down.
It was a fun and well put together event for a truly good cause. Thank you Eric Morely for the invitations, Cameron for being a great MC, and Marty Fiolka for making it all happen.
Thanks for the very kind words on behalf of the Team Wahoos Baja Charity Run 2. Indeed, our evening in San Juan Capistrano was very special and encouraging to all of us that worked on the charity contribution and on the Wahoo's Class 1 race team at the Baja 1000. I appreciate you posting the story of the team in the news section and I understand SCORE will also be sending out more information on Sunday evening later this week. And, if you are so inclined to take a listen, I believe that TORR taped an entire show from the Baja Charity Run 2 party, including lots of special interviews.
A couple of quick things for clarificaition. We did donate two Jaws of Life units in San Felipe, but one was donate by those great guys from Full House Racing (the former Class 11, now Class SCORE Lite firefighers from Los Angeles county) and we donated another unit to the San Felipe Red Cross courtesy of Bill Black and his Fire Etc. company from San Diego.
The second point is that, yes, there will be at least one Team Wahoo's Baja Charity Run planned for 2009, currently scheduled for the SCORE Baja 1000. Our objectives now are to really do big things, and while the planning is not finalized, one of the discussion points was to engage at least one very committed, very enthuiastic team from each class to help us. This year, we donated 635 cans of food (one can for each race mile) to a Kindergarten in San Felipe. Next year, if we follow the same path, each team will donate 1000 cans each (maybe 20,000 cans or more!) to various needy children's locations -- , plus the entire group will donate money to do a special project in association with Nick Baldwin's AOK organization (aoknick.org). We will be looking for lots of help, so stay tuned.
Again, all this is still in the works. As the founder of the Baja Charity Run two years ago with Dirt Sports, I can tell you that the support that Eric Morley of Blue C, Wing Lam of Wahoo's Fish Tacos, Rob Forman of 4Wheel Parts and Jim Riley got from our little event in SJC was more than enough to keep us all going. Thanks to everyone for coming, and for my good buddy Cam Steele for helping MC the event.
Until we meet again, Vaya con Dios to everyone interested in our little idea that seems to be taking on a life of its own...
Sorry to ramble on, but this is really worth reading...
Thank you Marty for jumping in and making this all happen. Cameron as always, it is a pleasure having you as a MC. Thanks for all of your caring and support. I am hoping that RDC puts up a special forum for the future Baja Charity Runs so that this can be the digital meeting space for all the teams involved. As far as the night’s celebration, I was very honored to be a part of such a great event. I was also very honored to be in the presence of so many great teams, fans, friends and racers that joined us for the event. The stars were out that night and the ladies looked mighty fine all dressed up.
Jim Riley from Ketel One pulled every favor and possibly sold his first-born to bring this location, food, drinks, tables/chairs/PA etc, etc. to use. He got everything donated! What a undertaking. Plus also special thanks to Jim’s lovely wife Barbie for kicking it up and creating the silent auction and raising funds for Nick Baldwin's AOK charity in which a check will be handed over this week to Nick's charity. In Nick's words... "that was Danx" If you ever want to get married or host a killer event, check out the Forester Mansion in San Juan Cap. Also special thanks to the WaxApples that just came off of the B52s tour at House of Blues that joined us for a acoustic set. Thanks for being a friend of the off-road community. Check them out at www.waxapples.com. Also the man behing the camera, Jim Cook, Sinister Films, worked around the clock to make the event video to present the AOK vision and also the Baja Charity Run 2 story. (Jim, see you at Sundance for this one). Major props for Mr. Cook for taking on such a task. Really everyone needs to see this video, it will change your life and bring a tear to your eyes.
Sal Fish was on hand to present the 2008 Baja 1000 SCORE Visionary Awards presented to Nick Baldwin for his AOK Cahirty efforts in Baja, Full House Racing for thier dedication, Jeff Bentley from Blue C for creative support and direction of the Baja Charity Run marketing communictions and Jim Ryan from DirtSports for supporting and continuing the support in the media of the Baja Charity Run program and Velocity Magazine was on hand to hand out the Baja Charity support team awards.
Johnny Cambell was also there (crutches and all) with the First Annual JCR Racing 1X Baja Charity Business of the Year Award which was presented to Wahoo’s Fish Taco. Also one other surprise that was awarded that night was the OCEAN Magazine (Worldwide Distribution Mainstream Magazine) named Heidi Steele, Women Competitor of the Year at the event. Her story will be in the January issue. Way to go Heidi! Danica watch out.
Check out the previous weeks radio show with Marty Fiolka and friends talking about the 2008 Baja Charity Run 2 at the Baja 1000…… and hear what really happened in Baja for the teams.
First of all major props to both Nick Baldwin his AOK group and the Baja Charity Run, great people giving back more than ever expected.
Next up, I mean seriously, is there anything that Marty Fiolka is involved with that isn't awesome. No is the answer. Add in Wahoos brothers Wing and Ed and Jim Riley and it gets really good but then top it of with Eric Morley and the gang at Blue C and it is aces all around.
All of us are having a tougher time than we did one year ago but those less fortunate needs us as much as ever and even a little effort counts. My team will sort out 1000 cans of food and support and I hope everyone else does too.
I think the message should be that you can help even if you just spread the word, do what you can to help others.
Thanks for letting me be a part of the night and for the awesome award for Heidi from everyone at Ocean Magazine.
Also one other surprise that was awarded that night was the OCEAN Magazine (Worldwide Distribution Mainstream Magazine) named Heidi Steele, Women Competitor of the Year at the event. Her story will be in the January issue. Way to go Heidi! Danica watch out. Eric
Eric, Jim, Marty... It was so amazing to receive this special and one-of-a-kind award! Thanks for everything you did to put this event together! I have to say, I was moved by everything that has been done to give back to Baja through the Baja Charity run and Nick Baldwin's AOK and how much more we can do! Every time Cam and I are prerunning we talk about the various ways to give back to the people of Baja. That's the least we can do as we race throught their front yards. I think this event opened a door for many of us who were there as we realized that we can give back in even more meaningful ways as an idustry team and with eachother.
Thanks for organizing this event and raising the awareness and participation. I'm sure more people will be a part of this next year. Let's set some goals...Brandt and I race the 7sx class and he is suggesting 1000 cans from the class - I think? If so, I'm in. (We can get the 7sx guys to rally to donate as well)
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Originally Posted by JRod 
I think this event opened a door for many of us who were there as we realized that we can give back in even more meaningful ways as an idustry team and with eachother. 
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