Shelbyville, TN (11/21/2013) - As the 2013 racing season quickly approaches the end, most racers are taking a much needed break from the action and working on next year’s demanding schedule. However, Team UXC had one remaining race to make this schedule complete. The highly anticipated Tecate Score Baja 1000 was held last weekend in Ensanada, Baja Mexico where thousands of racers and fans from all over the world emerged on the city to participate in this unique event. Among the crowd was eleven members of Team UXC Racing.
Team UXC members, Michael Swift #207a and Don Higbee #222a, registered their quads for the Pro Utility Class (#26). This class typically consists of three to six riders per team to complete the 922 mile race course. Swift and Higbee made a bold move to run the class as Ironman contestants and to be the first two racers to ever do so on a 4x4 Utility ATV. The team prepped two Outlander 1000 XT’s for the competition with all modifications they would make to run a race in the States, as well as additional items to keep the machines in top shape for a long multiday desert run. Planning was essential with strategic pit stops and necessary supplies stretched along the race course. The 922 mile course was designed as a loop, the longest loop since 1985 and was predicted to be the toughest in Baja history.
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11 members of Team UXC Racing celebrates the the 1-2 finish of Michael Swift & Don Higbee in the Pro Utility Class |
On Thursday, November 15th at 12:45am Pacific Time, Team UXC’s #207a and #222a raced off the starting line into the city streets of Ensenada as thousands of spectators lined the roadway. At mile marker 192, Swift and Higbee both pitted within 45 minutes of each other to receive fuel, food, and clean gear. By mile 280 the course changed directions from the east coast to the west. Darkness descended upon the racers by mile 525 and both would begin the longest section of the course without the support of their chase crew close at hand. As the sun began to rise, so did the number of miles the racers had completed, approximately 800. The promise of sunlight also meant the finish line was approaching. After 33 hours, Swift completed the majestic race Saturday morning to claim victory in the Pro Utility Class #26. Completing the race in 40 hours, Higbee conquered the rugged course by Saturday afternoon. Swift and Higbee are the first two racers in Baja history to be recognized to Ironman the race aboard a 4x4 ATV.
After 922 miles racing aboard a quad in some of the toughest conditions and terrain, neither racer had a single mechanical issue or failure. A true test to the Can-Am Outlander 1000 XT and all the aftermarket bolt on parts. Both race bikes were equipped with GPS systems which allowed the racer, crew, and fans to track their every move. An auxiliary fuel cell was custom built by Dirtworks Motor Sports to accommodate fuel needed for the long course. Overall, Swift and Higbee stopped nineteen times during the event for fuel, food, and to refill their Leatt hands free hydration system.
“I want to thank everyone that supported us and followed us during the race. It was overwhelming to see that many people keeping track of us during the event. I want to thank all of my sponsors for the top notch products they produce and for the support they have given our team. I had a great race with no issues. To go that distance without any problems is astounding. I enjoyed every minute of this opportunity and it is definitely a major mile stone in my racing career,” commented Swift. “I would like to thank my family for supporting me and believing in me. I want to thank David Jesse for the hard work he has put into our program to ensure success. A huge thanks to our chase team for all they did and to my trainer, Mark Spataro, for helping me physically prepare for this race. And last but not least, this all would not have been possible without Don Higbee and Carl Vella,” stated Swift.
“I am really happy with my second place finish, for Ironmanning the race, and crossing the finish line. It is a feeling that I cannot explain,” commented Higbee. “The track was very technical, much more than I thought it would be. We had a good run with zero mechanical issues, which was nice. I would like to thank all of my sponsors that helped make this race a reality, my wife Karen, daughter Stephanie, everyone at my shop in Casper, Wyoming, and Team UXC Racing. Our pit crew was flawless over the course of the two day race and I owe a lot of thanks to them. They got me across the finish line safely,” stated Higbee.
The 2013 race season has officially come to a close for Team UXC. It has been a triumphant year to say the least. Swift claimed the National Title in the U2 4x4 Class of the Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC) and a Baja 1000 Title, Ironman style. While Higbee claimed second in the 4x4 Senior Utility GNCC Class as well as an Ironman finish at the Baja. Team UXC is looking forward to another amazing race year in 2014. Like Team UXC Racing on Facebook to stay connected with the Team’s racing action.
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Team UXC Racing
would like to thank all of our 2013 sponsors:
Can-Am BRP, Maxxis, ROX Speed FX, Can-AmTalk.COM, Custom Axis Shocks, SSi Decals, Evans Coolant, Fly Racing HiPer, Ricohette, Leatt, DP Brakes, Fasst Co. , Carbo Rocket , HMF, MotoConecpts, Kal-Guard, Spider Grips, Outerwears, Dirtworks, Thermo Tech, FourWorx Carbon, Santor Design, Scott, Moto Pro, Twin Air, PIAA , HI-TEC – Americas Motorsports, Driven Powersports, Tire Blocks, R+B Components, Mike Penland Racing, Walsh
