Mark Stahl's 1977 Chenowth 1000 restoration...

[AZ45]

Amazing that Jeff is STILL smiling at the finish!!!

Great to see you in Baja and super job getting that sled to the finish line.

Ben

It was cool to see you too Ben, I think the last time we raced in the race was about 30 years ago, you on a Fourtrax and me on a XR500. You and Herder probably coulnt drive yet and your dad was hauling you around in a VW Bus.

...I was smiling at your wife! Nice lady, you did well.

great chatting with you long the way jeff, glad you made it. love the stories of the legends you list above.
don't forget:
if there was no adventure, we wouldn't remember it years later....

Good talking to you Nick, but I prefer my adventures to end in first place! Still memorable for sure.

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[Race Whore]

It was a popular turn to miss we were there about an hour and only about 2 out of 20 made the turn. Thank you for the tow. You and McLovin were the only ones that offered to help. How did your race go, make it to the finish?

Our race went great, we won our class and got 6th overall. I think that the Craftsman Jeep knows it's way down to the tip by itself. We lost a transmission after day 3, but found a local in La Paz to rebuild it.

[AZ45]

The 118 is getting prepped for another fun filled ride down the peninsula! This year didn’t bother waiting 2 months after registration began to try to talk myself out of racing the NORRA 1000 again; I knew it was inevitable so just gave in. Last year all we did was wash it, change the oil, repaint the nerf bars and rearrange some sponsor decals. Since the car has over 2k race miles on it, I figure it’s earned a proper prep.

The engine is being freshened up in Tucson, the Bullet box will be heading to Mendeola soon for the same treatment. We’ll tear it down and check the frame and send out the important stuff to be magged. No major changes to the car for this year except a longer drink tube hose and better placement of the tire changing tools.
I took a few pictures today of the car before it comes completely apart. I’m amazed at how well the old cars worked with their low-tech simplistic design. I’m also amazed that many of the parts on the 118 have survived since it was winning races 35 years ago.

[AZ45]

The 118 is isn’t ready to put on the just trailer yet, but here’s a progress and supporter update. We tore the car down looking for things to replace or repair, and really struggled to find anything. No cracks, just a few bearings are being replaced and some minor driver comfort changes. Brent Mckee in Tucson freshened up the motor and Menedola did the same with original Bullet Box, so I expect another 1200 trouble free miles this year.


All of the Mickey Thompson tires and Jackman wheels are all still good after almost 2500 miles of abuse. I was thinking of going with the taller front Mickey Thompson Baja Pro(like the Gates Sand Commando) instead of the Mini Mag(like the Gates Commando), but decided to stick with the 27” Mini Mags to keep it original.
Mickey Thompson is helping again this year and sending a few more tires to mount on some Jackman’s Marty let me steal from him.

Back again is one of the original supporters of the 118, KC Hilites. I’ve been using and selling KC since the 70’s. My first Dayliter was on an ATC 110!...remember those? Its funny how with all of the new lights and brands on the market, how nothing has replaced the iconic Dayliter or the KC brand. KC’s are like Kleenex!

Another return sponsor for this year is Alan Kohl from Motor Mexico Insurance. I’ve been using Alan’s insurance services since 07, Motor Mexico is very competitive and super easy to by online at www.motormexico.com. Alan will be at the NORRA 1000 this year driving Chase 2 for the 118 team. If you’re a NORRA racer and use Motor Mexico, PM or call me and I’ll you up with a t shirt and some tacos for every policy.

As usual Gary from B&R Buggies in Oceanside had everything I needed so far. B&R Buggies has been helping the 118 since it was a pile of parts and a dream a few years ago, so if you need VW parts call B&R!

I’ll try to post another update by the end of the week on the progress; we should be testing it next weekend.

Since posts are better with pictures, here’s one from last year-

[bajaxp]

That pic is bad azz Jeff! Is that Laguna Salada day 1? See you in a few weeks.

[Rory]

Super Jealous that Jeff is RACING again this year and I'm only navigating, but we all have to make sacrafices in order to get to our goals. Jeff is doing a great job on the #118 and I'm sure he is keeping Chad Nichols and his nephew John Furrier busy on the car as he talks on the phone all day at UPR eating cheetos! Everytime i see this thread its like seeing an old friend, I never get tired of it. See you guys down there and when i see you I'll buy a round of wine coolers!

[La Tijereta]

Look forward to seeing you guys down here in Loreto...

It will great to seeing the "Chenowth" back in Baja this year!

[AZ45]

Yes, that pic was from my GoPro on Laguna Salada towards the end. The front of the dust could is Cam Theriot in his prerunner.

You know I dont eat junk food Rory! But your right about John and Chad working on the car and me being stuck in the office!

Great Pics La Tijereta did you take those? We'll be in Loreto for sure, hopefully just washing the dust off the car and doing some 350 milliliter curls!

[La Tijereta]

Jeff.

Yeah, those images are part of my Baja collection from 30 years of covering Baja racing (Centerline Photography)..
It might have been easier to keep up with Cam back in 82'... Whe he did not have that Hi-Tech pre-runner!

[Rory]

Jeff.

Yeah, those images are part of my Baja collection from 30 years of covering Baja racing (Centerline Photography)..
It might have been easier to keep up with Cam back in 82'... Whe he did not have that Hi-Tech pre-runner!

Kristian, check your PM's.......