Gibson County team to participate in Baja 1000 race
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A dozen young people in Oakland City will participate in an annual truck race in Mexico. Our partners at WEHT-TV report the group from Off-Road Motorsports Youth Foundation (OMYF) will be among the youngest ever to compete in the more than 50-year-old Baja 1000.
The team members range in age from 17-23 and have worked for over two years to prepare for the race, in which their truck will race against 300 others on the 1,300-mile trek from La Paz to Ensenada.
“This is something that I’ve dreamed of being able to be a part of my whole life, and now to be a part of it in such a large scale is amazing,” Preston Lewis, executive director of OMYF, told WEHT.
The foundation was founded after Lewis was diagnosed with Leukemia. Some team members have traveled to Mexico over the last two years to learn more about the course. Plans are also set to simulate the race and practice at Fastest Lap in Evansville, which hosts several racing simulators.
Lewis said the goal of the foundation is to mentor younger folks with an interest in motorsports.
“You know, I don’t think anyone really realizes that it’s possible for them to go do this, but it is.” Lewis said. “That’s what we’re there to do is to share that with others that it is possible for them to get out there, get their hands dirty and go race and learn as they go.”
The team will depart for La Paz on Nov. 7 with the race beginning on Nov. 16.
OMYF is seeking contributions to help the foundation make the trip to Mexico through its Amazon wish list.