McAnelly Takes Second in Baja 1,000

Sean Kinney, left, and John Jones at Tres Hermanos, one of the nine pit stops they made throughout the race.

By Johnny McDonald

When you’re the last to start in an off-road race in Baja, obstacles can mount like a grove of tree-tall cacti. And under such conditions, to finish second in class is quite an accomplishment.

Such was the case for Ramonan Mark McAnelly, who shared driving chores with three Ensenadans in a Class 5/1600 Baja buggy in the 38th annual SCORE Tecate Baja 1,000. He shared the wheel with Guermello (Memo) Ruiz and Rascon brothers, Carlos and Juan.

Rascon Racing in the last three races finished eighth in 2004s Baja 500, broke down in the San Felipe 250 and placed fifth in this year’s Baja 500.

Coming in second they finished an hour behind this year’s winner and points champion but ahead of 18 others, completing the 708-mile journey in 23 hours, 18 minutes. Of the overall entry field of 342 buggies, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, only 163 finished.

It was a team effort among 20 crew members, including Ramonans John Jones and Sean Kinney, in chase vehicles with roving pit crews that would leapfrog from one pit to the next.

Mark McAnelly, center, congratulates the other drivers and pit crew. Photos by Darrel Kinney

McAnelly started the race and took over again on a leg in the dark from Borrego to San Felipe. Along the way, the team experienced some nagging problems.

“I started last for my first 100-mile segment,” said McAnelly, 39, owner of Southwest Landscape and off-road participant since the mid-1980s.

“Three miles into the race, locals had started a fire at a dusty, uphill location,” he said. “We were driving through smoke and flames and got stuck in the silt, which meant 15 to 20 minutes down time.”

Later interruptions included: minor clutch problems (10 minutes), shock changes (40 minutes) and a quick change for a better sand-type tire.

McAnelly said he had considered building a Class One vehicle but because of the expense and time he would take from his family, he’ll remain a competitor at this level.

Everyone is happy with the finish. After the showing this time, sights can only be set on No. 1 next year.