Desert Dingo/World Diabetes Day Drive-a-Thon 2009

November 19 - November 22, 2009 Tecate Score Baja 1000 Baja, California

Join Desert Dingo Racing as they race 1,000 kilometers down Mexico's Baja Peninsula during the 42nd annual Baja 1000, which coincides with World Diabetes Day.

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

You can pledge as little as 1¢ per mile today in support of this effort. Pledge online by entering a pledge amount and your credit card which will be charged upon completion of the race in November.

A team of Americans in California's Silicon Valley is campaigning the official World Diabetes Day race car to compete in the grueling 1,000-kilometer 42nd 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-founder Mike Aquino. "We'll average about 25-30 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 19-22. World Diabetes Day occurs each year on November 14.

Several teams host drive-a-thon fundraisers for charities and team manager Roxanne Graham suggested that the Desert Dingoes do the same. The team hosted fundraisers for the IDF during the 2007 and 2008 Baja 1000.

"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-founder Jim Graham. "I contacted 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 sports 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 car is outfitted with racing seats, a long-range radio, satellite-based communications system, multiple GPS unites and an array of lights for night driving.

Race fans will be able to follow the team's progress via the Web. One of the GPS units relays speed and position updates every two minutes, which are displayed on Google maps. Check the Desert Dingo website for more information.

Team members have had extensive help from nine-time Baja 1000 winner Eric Solorzano.  The team expects to arrive in Mexico a week before the race to pre-run sections of the course and do final prep on the car.

"We'll be live-blogging and updating our Twitter stream leading up to and during the race," Graham said. "We'll also have a video camera in the car and hope to upload video during driver change outs."

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. Graham has done PR for a Formula Atlantic team. Aquino and Carrie Molho have competed in the Power Tool Drag Races.

"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.