Rod is out on Lap 2, Dave's ~ MM 128, and Falkowsky is ~ MM 135. Go Dave GO!

Now if Robert can only keep Dave's foot off the gas through the infield jump section!!!

UPDATE: Dave is approaching MM 132 and only about 4 miles out of the main pits/starting line/finish line....Just spoke to Dave's sister in law (?) Melissa...Dave has radioed in and said he wants OUT of the truck at the end of the first lap!! Said the course is SUPER rough and has beat the hell out of him!! So Dave and Robert (Fastdrmr) should be into the pits, refueling, checking the truck over and changing driving teams to Dave's brother in the next 10-15 minutes...Told Melissa to have Robert call me ASAP when he chills out after exiting the truck and getting it on its way!! Will report back soon!!

What's the fun in that?

In all seriousness, if Dave is beat up enough to switch driving teams after only the first lap then I bet he'll take it easy on the jump.

INFO: From what I understand the 3100 class is SUPPOSED to do three laps on the course...that does NOT seem like it will be possible within the time limit given--16 1/2 hours--for ANY of the class 3100 competitors...Looks like Dave will clock a 4 1/2 hour first lap...and it only gets slower from here given nightfall and mechanical problems....We will see...

UPDATE: OK...XterraRacer has made the first of THREE laps...currently stopped at his pit...we should get a report on how the truck (and drivers) are holding up in the near future...4 1/2 hours covering 145 miles...

Damn having to run out and hang out with the inlaws this afternoon...at least I should be able get the update on the truck and course before I head out...and I'll have my phone so I can check up on the updates on here while I'm out

ETA: looks like the X is back out on the course!

ETA2: never mind

UPDATE: Just a splash of fuel a onceover of the truck and off they go!!! XterraRacer is back on the gas with...with...with...ROBERT (Fastdrmr) at the wheel!?!?!?!? Thats right!!

WHAT? Robert is driving the X on the race track? That's AWESOME! GO ROBERT GO!

UPDATE: Bad news XterraRacer fans...Robert got in got on the gas and before he even left the Parker Python infield area he lost power to the rear end...it looks like a totaled rear end/ring&pinon...It looks like the race is over for the XterraRacer team...will monitor and update with any info when/if Robert calls...otherwise its a sickening feeling from this end...

That sucks!

UPDATE: And yet XterraRacer carries on!! Thats right folks...we run till we can't run anymore!! Even if it is with only 3 wheel drive!!! Drivetrain is crackling and popping like a mother you know what but if the wheels keep turning we'll keep burning...don't know how long this will really last but the truck is still stumbling along...we'll see how long this goes....

Great call Dan
Go XTERRARACER!!

INFO: Purely conjecture at this point but from what I am being told (I am no mechanical expert) you can run quite a long ways with a busted rear end as long as the broken metal doesnt get in the Ring & Gear...so we will have to see...the hopes for a win are dashed but we'll get as many points as we can!!!

UPDATE: And.......now she appears done....back at her pit area at 0 MPH.....the day is likely over...sorry everyone...wish it could have been a better result...will back with a wrapup unless I see her get going again....

They need to replace that crappy rear end with a 233B

UPDATE: ITS NOT OVER!! OK...here is the situation...rear end it toast...but so right now is Rod Hall and his Hummer....the strategy right now is to dismantle the rear end, run it in front wheel drive and try and eek out another 38 miles or so, pass Rod Hall and claim 2nd place in the class before the truck completely craps out...They're under the truck currently...if it gets back on the course I will let you all know...right now the IRITRACK system is off and not working as the truck is off...will let you know if the tracking comes back up as well....

While I agree completely, I don't believe it's legal to stay in the 3100 class, I'm sure Dan (and Dave and Robert when they get back to civilization and rested up) will inform us whether or not it's a possibility.

Dan, did they go back to the main pits to dismantle the rear end or are they doing it on the course somewhere? My feed from IrcTracking shows them @ the main pit area.

Also, I'm glad to see the front end has held up thus far, as that has been a thorn in Dave's side all last season.

UPDATE: They are in the main pit area...no movement...no report in...I would assume (though not for certain) that they have not been able to get a satisfactory solution to let them limp along at this point...Will update with more info if it becomes available...

UPDATE: Talked to the team...let them know that 2nd place and Rod Hall is only 37 miles away (the Hummer is broken down on his second lap at MM 37)...They have taken the rear end apart...Turns out it was not the R&P that broke...it was the spider gears (someone more educated can let me know what "spider gears" are) and they are attempting to weld the rearend up enough to limp those 37-40 miles they need to get 2nd place...will keep you up to date...

UPDATE: Well, they're back on the course....not sure how much the truck has left...either runing in 2WD or 1WD, not really sure at this point but they replaced all the leaf spring bushings, welded up the rearend as best they could and are back out running just seeing what they can do...

In a nutshell, spider gears are what allow the two rear axle shafts to turn at different rates of speed making cornering a more pleasant experience on road and the transfer of power to the wheel with less resistance off road (bad thing). Welding the spiders ensures that both shafts and wheels/tires turn at the same rate (poor man's locker a.k.a. a Lincoln Locker named after that brand of welder). I'm sure www.howstuffworks.com can explain spider gears better than I can

At any rate, so long as the R&P hold up, and the axle shafts, and the front end hold up, and Dave/Robert take it easy it should limp along just fine. Last I saw on the tracker, Rod Hall was ~50ish miles into his second lap just past pit 2...but maybe I mis-read the map.

Goodluck, Dave!

P.S. Patrick, I posted this from my phone, have you been keeping up with XOC via your new Verizon toy?

UPDATE: And thats all she wrote...made it about 10 miles on the welded rear end and she gave up the ghost...heading or already back at the main pits and XterraRacer's day is over some 12 hours after they began....We will see how it all shakes out in the overall standings tomorrow or the next day...back to the drawing board we go...Will have a wrap up and photos and video and such on the TXR website so please continue to support the team and buy a tshirt so we can buy more rear ends!!! TXR

Damnit! Well, you got more cash, so send me my stuff!