So this week grassroots rally hero Bill Caswell returned to WRC Rally Mexico.
The race didn’t begin so well: ”Hit jump at nearly 100 mph. Flew. Smashed the oil pan. Valvoline makes the best damn oil! I ran it dry for like 30 seconds and I think the bearings are ok still. I am patching the pan with JB weld and pieces cut from my skid plate. I am covered in JB weld. It’s in my hair, under my fingernails, everywhere. I’m tired. I ran a stage, went to the super special to cheer for the other drivers, then fixed the car… four hours of sleep and we do it again. Until we break it worse that is. The car is toast. This might be its last race.”
Highlights from the final day: “Smashed the oil pan again on first stage. Also tore subframe out of the car as well. We filled it with oil before every stage and used the engine’s vacuum at speed to keep the oil in. Best part? Our stage times were way fast. Supposedly we won the power stage and took like 30 seconds to a minute off the other cars. Oh yeah, we finished!”
His spirit was infectius and everyone—drivers, crews and spectators—can see how much fun he is having. A number of other teams have shown support by pasting Caswell stickers on their race cars and support vehicles.
Bill and his Co-Driver at the podium ceremony (photo via Amado Galvan):
