Book Review: Long Way Down

Ahhh, what a great tale the back cover of this book promises--Two great friends hop on their BMW's and head off from the Northern tip of Scotland and many weeks and 15,000 miles later they end up at the end of the road in South Africa. What sites they must see!! What great anecdotes they must have!! What trials and tribulations they must undergo!! Ummm...not so much.....

Having heard of Ewan McGregor (of Star Wars and Trainspotting fame) and Charley Boorman's (a previous Dakar entrant and son of Deliverance director John Boorman) previous trip which was entitled "Long Way Around" and the good press its book and TV series received, I was excited to read this book. My expectations coming in were that it would contain stories of the exotic locals they were sure to travel through in Africa and mix in the difficulties and unexpected events that are sure to take place on any such long distance trip that involves large offroad/dirt road sections. I will not disparage the thinking that went into the trip's development as the trip itself raised funds for a number of worthy causes and awareness of even more.

What I will critique is the writing of the book itself. Whether it is a lack of writing experience or a lack of actual interesting events taking place during the trip, the book is quite uneventful and slow...For all the distance traveled, very little happens to the pair that wouldn't happen to nearly anyone on a trip to their local offroad park. A few spills, a few punctures and thats about it. Good for them...bad for the reader. Its hard to get excited over "We road 150 miles today from X to X and there were a few potholes and rocks. Then we stopped for coffee and set up our tents and went to bed..." Great......

Of the two writers, Boorman comes off as the far more likeable and the guy you would rather share a few beers with...Though McGregor is the better known and more wealthy, it is Boorman who has a more pragmatic outlook on the world and is less prone to silly statements like "Though I've lived in England all my life, I never imagined that people ACTUALLY lived in such poverty and poor conditions!!" (a bit of a paraphrase, but you get the point...).

I might have a different opinion if this was the video version of their trip as I'd at least get the visuals of all the places they visited (Pyramids, Greek ruins, Nile river, African wildlife, etc.) but as a book it relies solely upon its authors, who in this case cannot get their words to match the splendors they observed and thus we are left with a book whose reach far exceeds its grasp.

Todd Cuffaro Declared Rookie Of The Year...

in CORR's Pro Lite division. With the season ending 2 races short of its original schedule. Todd was in sixth place for the year in his Pro Lite Nissan. Not bad for a first year team, first year driver and little/no factory support. Please join me in congratulating Todd on his accomplishment and wish him the best in '09, whether its in CORR, WSORR or whatever...http://http://www.corracing.com/blog.asp?bid=1&pid=230

New Nissan Aftermarket Company...

Black Widow OffRoad--Looks like they are just getting started, are based out of Utah and have a cool take on slider protection. Hopefully they survive and prosper in this economic environment. Came across the mention of them on Club Titan and Club Frontier where some members have been working with them. Let me know if you've had any experience (positive or negative) with them. http://www.blackwidowoffroad.com/701.html

Lots of Nissan Racing Video Action...

From the recent inaugural Ricky Johnson Grand Prix event held at Perris Auto Speedway in California. The Pro-Lite division was ALL Nissans with Brian Deegan (Metal Mulisha member), Todd Cuffaro, Casey Currie, etc. The video is very good quality and also includes some awesome R/C truck footage from Team Associated as well. Check it out! http://www.race-dezert.com/vom/2008/2008_vom_november_qt.html

Nissan Bails on Detroit and Chicago Auto Shows...

As much a statement about where Nissan wants to focus its marketing money as it is about the state of the auto industry and shift in power away from American automakers, Nissan announced today that they will not be attending (as a manufacturer) the upcoming North American International Auto (NAIA) show and the following Chicago auto show. Nissan rightly focused their money and product introductions at the LA Auto show--more in line with their target markets and away from what is sure to be a downbeat mood in Detroit. Additionally with the new 370Z, Cube and G35X Infiniti all introduced in LA, Nissan had nothing new on the table to introduce in the near future and conserving cash is the #1 priority at any automaker these days...http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081124/AUTO01/811240443/1148

Nissan Cube Introduced...

at the LA Auto Show last week. Its got good gas mileage (30+), can haul a bunch of crap/people and doesn't look like anything else out there (could be a good or bad thing). The Cube has been a big success in Japan but that doesn't always translate to the American market. If they produce it in limited numbers and market it correctly it could be a success and bring new owners into the Nissan family--much the way Scion did for Toyota but without the overhead cost of setting up a seperate division and forcing dealerships to relegate floor space to what now looks like a "flash in the pan"...http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/la-auto-show-nissan-cube-is-a-small-party-in-a-box/

Long Travel '97 Hardbody...

for $3300...Total Chaos front end, 166K miles...Nice little West Coast truck...

http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=4&md=second&id=30897

Todd Cuffaro's Pro Lite For Sale...

This is one of two Nissan Pro Lite's that Todd has...both I believe are formerly Chad Hord's when he won the Pro Lite division in CORR a couple years ago. Real solid, front running truck for "only" $90K...

http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=5&md=second&id=4006

Sorry For The Lack Of Posts...

over the last few days...I was in the process of moving into a new house and was without internet access during that time (in addtion to breaking my foot...) Should now be able to return to a couples posts a day or thereabouts....

Casey Currie's Pro Lite For Sale...

Given CORR's issues and Nissan's lack of major factory support I would imagine Casey is switching manufacturer's given his talent and deep pockets.  Plus I would imagine he can market his family's company better under the Chevy or Ford banner...still a shame though...he ran well in his Nissan's over the past couple years...For only $60K this factory Nissan Pro-Lite can be yours!!  http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=5&md=second&id=3974

Good Deal on Some Frontier...

fiberglass fenders...Look like the standard Hanneman ones.  Description says they are from an '04 but should fit an '03 and up...Hanneman lists them for $200 a piece so at the $300 price he is listing (if they are in good condition) you are saving at least $100 (more if you are a good haggler...)  http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=7&md=second&id=20823

4Wheeler adds a Dana 80 to Project Mega-Titan...

When you run 46 inch tires with 400 horsepower you need some SERIOUS gearing and axles to handle the abuse...evidently 4Wheeler's prior choice of a Dana 60 was not sufficient to handle the abuse so they have now gone to a Dynatrac Dana 80 and are also adding rear-steer to their project Mega-Titan...article here: http://www.fourwheeler.com/projectbuild/129_0812_2004_nissan_titan_dynatrac_pro_rock_dana_80/index.html

Tanner Foust takes 3rd...

at the first ever Red Bull Drifting World Championship. I'll be the first to admit, I've never understood the whole drifting thing...Are you supposed to go fast?? Are you supposed to spin the car and make lots of smoke? Is one more important than the other? And throw in the fact that "judges" make the determination in scoring and who comes out the winner...I just can't get into it...Gimme a race, head to head, first to cross the finish line wins...I don't want "style" points in my motorsports....But hey, thats just me...

That aside...Tanner Foust (host of the new US version of Top Gear to be seen on NBC in the near future) did come in third place in his Nissan 350Z, there were a number of other 350Z's in the competition (including a convertible!!) and these drivers do exhibit amazing car control. Check out the results and hi-rez pics here: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/rhys-millen-victorious-at-inaugural-red-bull-drifting-world-cham/

Krider Racing Takes 1st Place at Infineon...

Taking the checkered flag on 11/8 at California's Infineon raceway was the No. 38 Jimmy Vasser Dealerships Nissan Sentra SE-R (also helped out by Napa Valley Muffler, Third Street Auto Repair, TEM Machine Shop, Jim Wolf Technologies and Napa’s Performance in Frame Tuning) as part of the NASA (National Auto Sport Association--similar to the better known SCCA) United States Touring Car Championship. More info here: http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2008/11/15/sports/doc491e7be29c1f7925408062.txt

Nissan 12 Valve Engine 4-Sale...

This engine just popped up on Race Dezert for sale.  Its listed at $1,800 OBO, link here: http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=7&md=second&id=20818

Cissy Baldwin's Head on a Platter...

That's what I want...and I want it now...

For those of you who haven't heard, CORR (Championship Off Road Racing) announced the cancellation of its final '08 event which was to be held on 12/6 & 12/7 in Chula Vista, CA.  The CORR press release can be found here: www.corracing.com/blog.asp?bid=1&pid=227

That means the final two CORR races of the year were canceled, 25% of its entire '08 schedule...gone...and yet, in the press release they are talking about six and possibly eight weekends of racing in '09??  Come on, lets get real...CORR bent over every team, every sponsor, every fan in '08 and left them all holding a massive bag.  What sponsor or team in their right mind would ever put their faith in Jim and Cissy Baldwin ever again?  What sponsor would put their faith in any team choosing to run in CORR ever again?? Just to start the '09 season CORR would somehow have to pay off the massive amounts of debt they have run up so far...let alone the more difficult task of regaining the trust of racers and sponsors they so cowardly stabbed in the back this year---Its not going to happen, so why pretend that it is?

Cissy Baldwin has now rightfully ascended the podium for "Most Despised Woman in Motorsports" taking the silver medal behind only Teresa Earnhardt.  Cissy, as the COO of CORR is the one most responsible for the day to day operations.  While Jim put up the money and vision (flawed though it was), it was Cissy's job to follow through...and she couldn't have failed more miserably...Whether it was the decision to PAY NBC for CORR's TV coverage, the idea of building up and tearing down an entire race track in Pomona three times a year (and the costs associated with it) or the oft derided high food/drink prices and poor parking situations, CORR wanted to look/sound good first and be solid operating entity second.  Additionally, Cissy has been unanswerable to anyone...Has she come out in the public and discussed CORR's problems?? No...Has she responded to teams and sponsors looking for answers on if events were going to take place?  No...Has she been forthcoming in interviews taking place on outlets such as Totally Off Road Radio?  No...  Cissy has remained hidden behind two press releases and the strange support of Jim Baldwin, with neither having made a public comment in months despite CORR's rapid collapse...CEO's at Lehman Bros. and Freddie Mac have been more answerable to their shareholders than these two have been... 

That said, Jim should not escape criticism either...it was he who shelled out the coin for CORR in the first place and then moved the whole damn thing from the Mid-West where it had a LONG term, deeply entrenched following along with a supportive title sponsor (Lucas Oil) and minimal competition, to an exclusively South Western US entity that had to compete with numerous entertainment options and a much higher operating cost than it did previously--all without a title sponsor once Nissan dropped the series at the end of '07.

While many will compare CORR's rise and fall to that of the Mickey Thompson series, there is no comparison.  MTEG (Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group) was founded in 1979, operated for nearly 20 years, survived its founders murder in 1988, was televised extensively on ESPN and TNN and drew hundreds of thousands of spectators to its events over the course of its run.  CORR lasted LESS THAN TWO YEARS--Let there be no mistake, though Jim Baldwin may have bought the CORR name and brought it West, the Mid-West WSORR (World Series of Off Road Racing who just started right up after Jim left with the CORR name is the TRUE heart and soul of short course off road racing.   With the same staff, events and sponsors (adding a few even) that they always have had, WSORR operated a full schedule in '08 and are poised to see a large influx of competitors from the West Coast, whether CORR tries to put on a show or not---Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me is the thinking now.

Where things go now is any ones guess but CORR has done more harm to the world of short course off road racing than any good that can be seen...The ill will CORR has generated amongst sponsors, teams, NBC, Speed, fans, vendors, event locations, media, etc., is not something that will just disappear with another press release.  But a good first step in repairing the ill will that has been generated would be the immediate and unconditional firing of Cissy Baldwin and a gutting of the entire CORR hierarchy.  If Jim wants to keep his name on the letterhead (once he has paid off all his outstanding debt) that's fine, but anyone new coming in to fill Cissy's COO shoes would be insane to allow anyone with their finger in the huge blame pie that is CORR now, to have any say on where it goes in the future...

Nissans, Nissans everywhere...

At least it seemed that way for one recent day. Taking advantage of a lull in the CORR (Championship Off Road Racing http://www.corracing.com/) schedule caused by the cancellation of its scheduled October race in Primm, NV and concerns in regards to the health of the series overall, former motocross superstar Ricky Johnson held what is hoped to be the first of many events at the Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, CA(http://site.offroadgp.com/Home.html). Using a more condensed format, the event was able to run races for eight different classes including the Nissan dominated GP (Pro) Lite class. Of the five entrants in this class, ALL FIVE drove Nissan powered trucks, including big time names like Casey Currie, Brian Deegan and Rhys Millen. Casey Currie took the checkered flag (not surprisingly) with Brian Deegan taking second. This bodes well for Nissan's future in GP/Pro Lite classes as though they remain without full factory support, it shows that Nissan engines can be and affordable and competitive option.

Final WSORR Pro-Lite Standings...

Though more limited than in prior years, there was a Nissan presence to be felt within the WSORR (World Series of Off Road Racing) in '08. With the WSORR run on tracks in and around the American upper Mid-West (Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, etc.) most of the drivers hale from that general area--as is the case with the two Nissan Pro-Lite drivers, Jon Probst and Josh Hintz. Given the lack of manufacturer support, their results are encouraging as they show just how strong the Nissan engines can be when driven by talented hands. While Josh Hintz finished the year in 6th

position (out of 10) with a single trip to the podium (a 3rd at Oshkosh Rnd. #7), Jon Probst finished 4th for the year, narrowly missing 3rd place and taking four trips up the podium steps

(two second and two third place finishes). Given the issues going on in CORR right now, with the '09 season up in the air, I know of a number of Pro-Lite competitors who will be venturing East to compete in the WSORR, including some Nissan drivers and perhaps the return of a Nissan to the Pro-2 ranks as well...

350Z Powered Jimco Takes ORANZ Championship...

With a chassis made by Jimco in California and an engine made by Nissan in Japan, New Zealand's Daniel Powell took ORANZ's (Off Road Association of New Zealnd) top class championship in '08 by finishing 2nd in the last event of the year, the National Championships in Manukau, NZ. With the addition of dual Garrett turbos, Daniel Powell's Unlimited buggie fought through the insanely muddy conditions to bring home his first championship in only his first year of running this setup. Nissans are extremely common in their more common forms--Patrol, Navarra throughout Australia and New Zealand and frequently compete at the top levels of their respective off road racing classes.

NISMO Exiting Tarmac To Focus On Dirt In South Africa...

Nissan Motorsports of South Africa has announced that '08 will be the last for their on-road racing division and while that leaves a number of drivers out of the mix, it will mean a refocus and new money coming into their off-road racing division which has been EXTREMELY successful in capturing numerous titles and being the dominant off-road racing manufacturer South of the Equator in Africa. Similar to our "Frontier" here in the U.S., the South African Navarra is their main racing vehicle in the rest of the world and Nissan Motorsports South Africa often exports its racing "bakkies" as they call them around the world for Dakar and FIA teams to use. South Africa is probably Nissan Motorsports strongest region in terms of their off-road program and teams and it doesn't look like they have any intention of slowing down. Article on this announcement here:http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=3558&fArticleId=4707162

Dakar Route 2009

So the route for the '09 version of the Dakar has been released.  I'll go out on a limb and say that this route has more variety and will present more of a challenge than recent Dakar runs.

Though the cancellation of the '08 Dakar sucked for a variety of reasons, I think the change of scenery can be a very good thing for this event.  South American fans can be as insane as any fans on the planet (just look at soccer) and the exposure there to 1st class Dakar style rally racing is sure to be a hit.  It also helps the manufacturers in getting additional exposure to a more affluent customer base.

Lastly, I am not sure (at least I haven't seen it commented upon) how the extreme elevation changes to be seen in this race are going to manifest themselves.  Take a look at the map.  The race starts at sea level in Buenos Aires and passes over the Andes twice!!  The northern most portion of the race takes the course by peaks in excess of 22,000 feet, with the course itself probly topping out around 14,000 feet I would imagine...Racing for long distances at elevations equivalent to the TOP of Pikes Peak should be interesting.

In regards to Nissan...well...they don't truly have any "world class" competitors that will run in the top 1/2 dozen or so but Ivar Erik Tollefsen--Norway--Overdrive Racing (a top mountaineer with numerous Antarctic first ascents under his belt) and Laszlo Palik--Hungary--RTL Motorsport Klub are two of Nissan's top drivers and should compete for a top 20 finish and if they get a smidge of luck, perhaps a top 15.

The Good Old Days...

Remember those??  It wasn't so long ago that not only were Nissan's a common sight in CORR but they were THE dominant manufacturer...The Nissan name was everywhere...on the programs, on the podium, on the trucks and like this blast from the past, on the tshirts, positioned as the #1 vehicle in CORR events and the title sponsor...Given the current state of the economy and CORR perhaps Nissan made the right decision in bailing on the series...but it doesn't mean that we miss their logo at CORR and WSORR any less...