UCE3 - Utah Cruiser Expedition 3

[mph]

Adam...great post. looks like you had a blast....the first night's camp spot is sweet. I have been out there numerous times. It's such a great vista. One would never guess coming off the main road. PM if you want an interesting hike out there...pretty sweet.

Yes you are correct. It was at Muddy Creek. Interestingly fitting name considering what happened.

 

[PetitFrereArmada]

Thanks for the great read.

 

[SIZZLE]

So much to love in this installment!

 

[Howski]

Enjoyed the follow-up. Excellent photos

 

[tekno000]

Great report. It looks like so much fun.

 

[fredgoodsell]

Yes you are correct. It was at Muddy Creek. Interestingly fitting name considering what happened.

True! I've crossed there several times. Really fascinates me to see it change every time...

 

[Tucsontom]

Great photos and trip report! 8155 - are you a chase team for a desert race class?
Or is that for some other purpose? I have "Chased" in Baja before and love it.
Again - your photo skills are on!

 

[Box Rocket]

Great photos and trip report! 8155 - are you a chase team for a desert race class?
Or is that for some other purpose? I have "Chased" in Baja before and love it.
Again - your photo skills are on!

Thanks. 8155 is in fact race team numbers. I have been part of the chase team. But I will be co-driving part of the Baja 1000 this year. Dave not only chases but is a consistent fixture on the driving team. The team is Canguro Racing and the race vehicle is a 200 series Land Cruiser.

 

[Tucsontom]

Very cool! I ran Chase 2 for a "sportsman moto 450cc over" for 4 1000's (not last year, but off and on since 2006 and about 6 SF 250's.The team Finished 2 1000's and had a lot of fun. Headed to Baja this year early since team not racing. We may enter the SF250 again in 2016 - now it is late Jan. . I have the small Lowrance in my truck and a few of us took HAM radio classes for Baja. I enjoy listening to the Weatherman when he is tired and perturbed by "Stuck Mike" or whoever!
Are you Toyota factory sponsored? I know there has been a Lexus running the last few years. Love the Baja!
Head to SE Utah and the San Juans this Wed. and found your link.
If you need Chase help in 2016 - you can PM me. We have a handful of guys from Tucson who know the deal. Will check out Canguro racing - sounds familiar.
Is it the same 200 LC featured in the thread? Is this a "stock" class - just add safety equipment to pass tech? Now I have a million questions!!!!!

 

[Tucsontom]

Saw the Canguro Facebook page and most questions answered. An FJ runs now and then too I believe. Cheers and good luck in the 1000!

 

[skrillah]

Great write-up, Adam! I'm interested to know what you guys thought of the 200's capabilities? It was funny seeing your heavily modified 80, and then seeing the 200. Aside from tires, it looked mostly stock.

P.S. The Kukenam is still working out great, thanks again.

 

[Box Rocket]

Saw the Canguro Facebook page and most questions answered. An FJ runs now and then too I believe. Cheers and good luck in the 1000!

The FJ would be in a different class since it's a smaller vehicle. Canguro races the Stock Fullsize class. At last year's Baja 1000 we raced against the Toyota factory TRD Pro Tundra, Rod Hall racing in their Hummer H1, a Ford F150, and a couple others.
The Cruiser that we race was built by Geiser Brothers Racing and it was one of the Lexus' that was raced by the Lexus factory backed team and driven by Joe Bacal. Geiser Brothers doesn't need much introduction and they have a great reputation in the racing world and built a great truck. When the truck was sold and purchased by Canguro it was "returned" to being a Land Cruiser with just some cosmetic changes. This truck has a lot of races under it's belt now with lots of success and the drivetrain is essentially bone stock which is a testament to the durability with thousands of hard race miles with no real mechanical failures to speak of. The only reason the motor has needed any repairs was from the Mint 400 this year when it took a particularly hard landing off a big jump and part of the steering punched a hole in the block.
.
A lot of people questioned the 200 series and if it would hold up the "Land Cruiser" reputation of toughness or whether it was just a soft luxury SUV. Obviously the race truck is a little different, but not much since the changes are mostly just suspension, but having a bit of time with and in a normal 200 series I think they're definitely living up to the high expectations of ruggedness that Cruiser owners have.
.
here's a couple shots of the race truck before it was purchased by Canguro.

.

.
and now

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btw, she's a big heavy girl to get in the air.

 

[Tucsontom]

Thanks for sharing! For any of you reading this post - you should put a trip to Baja when the 1000 is running on your list. An event not equaled. This year the race starts November 19th ( pre-running and Tech inspection on the days prior. Yes - it is safe in Baja - just don't do dumb stuff. Spectators get in far more trouble than race vehicles. This is the super bowl of Baja and the whole citizenry comes out. The camaraderie between USA and Mexico is at it's best. Stunning landscape and a truly exciting race. Combine this with your own overland journey and it's like hitting the jackpot.

Thanks Adam and may the podium be yours!

 

[dmc]

Great write-up, Adam! I'm interested to know what you guys thought of the 200's capabilities? It was funny seeing your heavily modified 80, and then seeing the 200. Aside from tires, it looked mostly stock.

P.S. The Kukenam is still working out great, thanks again.

The 200 is mine. It does have an OME lift as well as tires. Not that it matters but also has arb drawers in the back. I'd wheeled my 80 all over the Southwest, and the Western Hemisphere for that matter. 168k miles in 7 years. Put 100k miles on my 100 in 3.5 years (primarily on camping trips as I don't have a commute) and now have put 26k miles on my 200 since the middle of April. I have no doubts in it's ability and durability. Racing a 200 convinced me of the latter. The 200 is an awesome machine. Not only does it perform great in all sorts of off-road situations it gets better gas mileage than my 80 and 100 with considerably more power and significantly more comfort. It definitely needs some bumpers as the overhangs are a bit too large but other than that i'm in love with my 200. I usually let Adam do all the pic taking but I did take a few. Funny thing about the almost non-existent road to the awesome campsite the second night, Toyota had it in my navigation. sorry for the big pics.

 

[mlmeans]

Dream trip anyway get gps tracks?