November 10 - November 16, 2007 Tecate Score Baja 1000 Baja, California

Join Desert Dingo Racing as they race 1,300 miles down Mexico's Baja Peninsula during the 40th annual Baja 1000, which coincides with World Diabetes Day.

The team has partnered with the International Diabetes Federation to do a drive-a-thon fundraiser to raise money for diabetes research and education worldwide.

You can pledge as little as 5¢ per mile today in support of this effort. Pledge online below by entering a pledge amount and your credit card which will be charged upon completion of the race in November. Please note that there is a minimum online donation amount of $25 for this event.

Pledge today to help Desert Dingo Racing conquer the desert and diabetes!

Dingo Race team drives World Diabetes Day through desert

A team of Americans in California's Silicon Valley is building the official World Diabetes Day race car to compete in the grueling 1,300-mile, 40th annual Baja 1000 desert race in November.

In a contest best known for million-dollar trophy trucks capable of 130 miles per hour across open desert, the official World Diabetes Day team is using a slightly different strategy.

"We're racing in a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle," said Desert Dingo Racing co-owner Mike Aquino. "We'll average about 25 miles an hour if we're lucky."

Aquino, who has Type 2 diabetes, said the team drew its inspiration from the 2005 documentary "Dust to Glory" which chronicled the trophy trucks, dune buggies, motorcycles, pro race teams - and the stock VWs - as they raced the length of the Mexico's Baja California peninsula.

This year's event is expected to include teams from more than a dozen countries and more than 300,000 spectators will line the course. Race Week runs from November 10-16 and coincides with World Diabetes Day on November 14.

Several teams that raced in 2006 hosted drive-a-thon fundraisers for charities and team manager Roxanne Graham suggested that the Desert Dingoes do the same.

"We got to talking and learned that two of us (Aquino and expert welder Richard Palasik) have Type 2 diabetes and several others, myself included, have a history of the disease in our families," said co-owner Jim Graham. "I contacted the IDF, who put us in touch with the Federacion Mexicana de Diabetes, and now we're working with both organizations to raise awareness of the disease and raise money for diabetes research."

The race car will sport the official World Diabetes Day logos in English and Spanish as well as have the distinctive blue circle on the roof, "for the helicopters", Graham said.

Class 11, in which Desert Dingo is competing, is limited to pre-1983 VW Beetles that are allowed only minor modifications to the engine and suspension. The rules also require a roll cage and fire extinguisher. The team will also outfit the car with racing seats, long-range radios, a global positioning system and an array of lights for night driving.

The car that the team is prepping for the race was purchased, sans engine, for $300 from a man who was about to have it towed to the junkyard. Team members traveled to Mexico to spend a weekend with nine-time Class 11 winner Eric Solorzano to learn what's required to prep a VW for off-road racing. Solorzano, who's considered the Mario Andretti of desert VW racing, is building the team's engine and will be helping with logistics in Mexico.

In the weeks leading up to the race, the team is focused on completing work on the roll cage and suspension, installing electronics, securing sponsors and having the race and practice cars painted. The team is enlisting local graffiti artists to paint the race cars.

"By the time we're done, it's going to be one of the most high-tech VWs that ever drove the desert," said co-owner Cary McHugh. "Our goal isn't so much to win as it is to complete all 1,300 miles within the time limit."

The team expects the race will take 60 hours to complete, and will be switching drivers and co-pilots at regular intervals.

While this will be the first Baja race for Desert Dingo, the team brings a breadth of racing experience. Aquino and driver/mechanic Scott Anderson have raced motorcycles, Palasik has built and sponsored street stock, sprint and off road race cars. Mechanic and driver Scottie Chapman raced an '73 Lincoln Mark IV, Graham and McHugh have pit crew experience (Graham with a Formula Atlantic team and McHugh with World Speed Motor Sports). Aquino and Carrie Molho have competed in the Power Tool Drag Races. Charlie Reynolds is the only member with Class 11 experience, finishing third in his first race in 2006. Graham bought his car and the team is using it for training and for public appearances.

"We want to use the race as an opportunity to draw attention to diabetes as a growing health issue," said Shawn Kovach-Long, who has a history of diabetes in his family. "It's a global problem that affects people of all ages and half the people who have diabetes don't realize it."

For more information on the team, visit http://www.desertdingo.com.