Sadly, the dreams of Baja glory by Bill Caswell, Jalopnik's $500 Craigslist rally driver, are finished. After ripping the steering rack off his homemade Baja Bimmer and limping to the latest checkpoint, he's announced defeat.
Although excited by news Caswell had made the start of the race, as we followed Caswell's progress yesterday on the online Baja tracker we became increasingly worried about his pacing with the rest of the pack. Apparently, there was cause for our concern. According to Bill:
"Ripped steering rack off car. Swapped a new one in the middle of nowhere. We are cold and tired and barely going to make the next Checkpoint. We are done."
Then from Benson T Caswell:
"The steering rack broke. Bill changed it in the mountains. He smashed his finger hammering the rack on with a rock. He is tired, cold and bleeding. He checked into a hotel 45 minutes ago. Bill has had the adventure of a lifetime. I am very proud of him."
Come on home Bill, you did good kid. You'll get 'em next time.
(Hat tip to Dab O' Swine!)