Team ATK wins the 2008 Baja 1000

> Darren Skilton and Jon Krellwitz of Team ATK conquered the 41st running of the Baja 1000 in their ATK powered Jeep Wrangler this past weekend in Baja, Mexico. The teams near flawless performance gained them a dominating Class 3 (short wheel base, 4wheel drive) win and a 31st overall for the event. The impressive performance was enough to best every truck entered in the race besides the unlimited Trophy Trucks and one Pro Truck (v8 powered tube chassis spec class). The race got underway for Team ATK just past noon on Friday, November 21st with Darren Skilton at the wheel and Skyler Gambrell in the co-drivers seat. The first 140 miles of the epic race were dusty and technical with Darren going through 30+ cars as he worked his way up the field. The first scheduled pit stop was BFG pit 1 (race mile 147), to take on 30 gallons of Sunoco fuel and the KC HID light bar. Kris Hernandez and Russ Ficker, along with a little help from Ray Currie, made short work of pitting the ATK Wrangler and got them quickly back underway. With the newly installed KC HID light bar and darkness upon them, co-driver Skyler Gamrell noted, "These KC HID pod lights are incredible, they really turn the Baja night into day!" Skilton and Gambrell fought their way through the baja night passing many race vehicles and putting on a very impressive show for the many Mexican and American fans lining the course. The second scheduled stop was at BFG pit 2 in Borrego (race mile 280) where the ATK Wrangler took on another 30 gallons of Sunoco race fuel before heading out on the San Felipe loop. The San Felipe loop is notorious for its long and very rough section just north of San Felipe; with a comfortable lead Darren and Skyler opted to run a conservative pace through the area to keep the ATK wrangler running strong. The third scheduled pit stop came at BFG 3 (race mile 400) with the ATK Wrangler taking on more fuel and a driver/co-diver change. Having traversed 400 miles of the harsh Baja terrain Darren Skilton and Skyler Gambrell were ready to get out of the ATK Wrangler and the second drive team of Jon Krellwitz and Matt McCallum got in to take the vehicle to the finish. At this point in the race the ATK Wrangler had a comfortable hour and a half lead on second place so the decision was made to run a conservative pace to get the vehicle to the finish without issue. The fourth and final pit stop came at BFG pit 4 (race mile 491) with the ATK Wrangler taking its final Sunoco fuel dump and suspension look-over before Krellwitz/McCallum proceeded north toward the Ensenada finish line. The next 100 miles were some of the most demanding Baja had to offer – thick fog severely limiting visibility, flooded fields, waist high silt, and treacherous ascents – the ATK powered wrangler came through them all with ease. Krellwitz/McCallum brought it in to the Ensenada finish line just after sunrise on Saturday morning for a total elapsed time of 18:46:15, with an average speed of 33.63 mph. It was a monumental Class 3 win for the Team ATK Wrangler, besting the 2nd place Moss Brothers Ford Bronco by a 2 ½ hour margin of victory. The Moss Brothers Racing team has a record 29 class 3 wins, including winning the previous six straight Baja 1000. Jon Krellwitz noted at the finish line, "What a fantastic day for Team ATK, Sal Fish put on an extremely demanding Baja 1000 this year and the ATK Wrangler was up for the Challenge". Darren Skilton said, "That's what racing Baja is all about – we had no flat tires, we didn't even have to get out of the car, it was a clean run and we're here with the class win in Baja".
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> Noteworthy components on the ATK wrangler that were abused and had no issues all day were the ATK Stroker Jeep motor, Currie 4x4 9" axles front and rear, JE Reel custom drivelines, and BFG Baja T/A tires. Great components make a great race car, and these parts proved themselves in a very technical and demanding Baja 1000.
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> A tremendous thank you to everybody at Team ATK that made this event a success:
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> Clive Skilton - Darren Skilton - Jon Krellwitz - Matt McCallum - Skyler Gambrell - Patrick Smith - Adam Butterfield - Kris Hernandez - Russ Ficker - Kevin Davis - Chad Fryman - Ted Moncure - Nick Moncure - Allen Russell - Mark Sasaki
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> Also a HUGE thank you to our supporters that continue to make this program work:
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> ATK Engines - Redlands Auto Center - Currie Enterprises - KC Lights - BFG Tires - JE Reel Drivelines - Advanced Engine Management (AEM) - Howe Steering - King Shocks - Beard Seats - Harmon Racing Cells - Full Traction Suspension - PWR - American Racing Wheels – Borla Exhaust<2008Baja1k_sg_001.jpg><2008Baja1k_142.jpg><2008Baja1k_148.jpg>