Shhhh. Daily recaps of the 2010 Dakar start today.

Update: Bob and his engine guy did a leak down test of the engine on Saturday. 20% down on two cylinders and 40% down on the other two. They’ll start stripping the engine down tomorrow and we should be back up to snuff in time for the first race of the 2010 season.

Bob brought his engine guy over to take a look at 1104 yesterday (it’s been a while since we did a tune up on it) and I’m waiting to hear the prognosis. I think I’ll get the sander out and sand off the rust on the light bar and get that painted.

We have some big things planned for 2010. An announcement within the next couple of weeks.

But first, vegging in front of the TV for the Dakar recap. Here’s a phenomenal photo set from the 2009 race.

Yes, I did tweet off the start line at this year’s Baja 1000.

Here’s the first five minutes of this year’s Baja 1000 as seen from the GoPro Motorsports HERO wideangle camera mounted on the hood of 1104 and pointed toward Bob and me.

1104 takes turn two at the start of the Baja 1000 2009.

Kristy filmed this video of 1104 taking the second turn at the start of the Baja 1000 2009.

I can’t stand snow, but if this thing comes with heated seats, I’ll make an exception.

No word on 1104 yet. Crusty came by and picked up some parts for the parts bins. He also found the mount for the IRC tracking unit, so I can sleep at night. Roxanne also picked up some peanut butter-filled pretzel nuggets, because no Baja 1000 is complete without peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets

No, I hadn’t been drinking when I filmed this.

The World Diabetes Congress is overr and we’re headed over to the convention center in Montreal this morning to make sure the car shipping is dialed. I shot this video using the HD Flip Roxanne  got me for my birthday. It definitely takes longer to process HD video.

The Blue Circle would like to know what your plans are for World Diabetes Day. Learn more about the World Diabetes Day PSA Campaign.

Missed it by that much.

Or, as A.J. just schooled me: “Measure twice, load once.”

Dan with Jax Trucking pulled into Felton on Tuesday to pick up 1107 for the trip to Kenmore, NY where the car will be dropped off and then picked up by a Canadian transport company for the final leg to the Montreal Convention Center, where Richard and I will meet it sometime between 7 and 8 a.m. on October 16.

The hauler already had a custom Charger, a Bentley, a Porsche and a spotless 70’s era Trans Am, so we were in good company.

I’ll be putting on the rest of the sponsor decals when we’re in Montreal and it will be all spiffy for the World Diabetes Congress.

Photos tonight.

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Fresh from the makeshift paint booth, we start prepping 1107 for the SNORE 250 and beyond.

Today we narrowed down our rough running engine problems to an over exuberant electric fuel pump. It was putting too much fuel into the carburetor, resulting in rough running. Apparently some $40 fuel pressure regulator will fix this. Otherwise, the car is in good shape and we’re tweaking around the edges in preparation for the SNORE 250. While they did that, I filled out paperwork for the Baja 1000.

Creech can’t make the 250 but has generously offered to let us use his truck and toy hauler to t0w 1107 to Primm for the race. Richard, Crusty, Scott ‘n Carrie will go down in the truck, Roxanne and I will head down separately.

We’ll only be running the new TrailGlow numbers on the car for the 250. Right after the car returns, Shawn and I (mostly Shawn) will touch up the paint, add the rest of the sponsor logos and prep the car for the trip to the World Diabetes Congress in Montreal.

I also got ohhhs and ahhhhs from the team when I demo’d the TrailGlow pit sign, that, because I didn’t tape the bare wires, nearly set the car on fire on the drive over, according to Shawn. Fine. I’ll solder and insulate them.

Here’s a few shots from today’s work.

And here’s a 12 second video, via 12seconds.tv, of the engine not running very well, shot with my birthday present from Roxanne, a custom-designed Flip HD camera:

Rough running engine on 12seconds.tv

You should see the outtakes and bloopers reel.

As previously mentioned, BF Goodrich’s Nation of Go team stopped by Sunday afternoon while most of us were standing around watching body-and-paint man Shawn Kovach-Long paint 1107.

Roxanne made a nice chili, because, as everyone knows, a race team marches on its stomach.

We talked about their project, we talked about racing, we talked about our working with the International Diabetes Federation and raising awareness about the risks posed by diabetes. It was a great time and they’re doing a great thing. We wish them the best of luck.

Click on this cool shot of Shawn to go to Nation of Go’s Flickr set of their visit.