Bat out of LX

Hardly the thing you'd imagine given the image of Lexus vehicles internationally, but a specially prepared LX 570 recently scored a class win in the unremittingly tough Baja 500 event in Mexico.

Driven by cancer survivor Joe Bacal and guided by first-time navigator Paul Williamsen, the bulky Toyota LandCruiser-based off-roader took out class honours in the Stock Full class despite having just put its race-prepared wheels on the road.

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America JTGrey team LX 570 was prepared and tested in the US before being shipped to Mexico days before the race.

The win was a world-first for Lexus and a maiden Baja 500 appearance for the Bacal/Williamsen team.

"This is truly a dream come true," Bacal said. "The LX 570 was bulletproof and we went the entire distance without a tyre change. I was tired at the end but not exhausted, which is something that two years ago was hard to imagine after my cancer ordeal.

"It may seem unusual to race a large luxury SUV in the desert, but I've worked quite a bit with Lexus vehicles and frankly, I think I'll have an advantage," Bacal said before the race.

He drove the entire distance without leaving the vehicle and hit the lead just before the half-way mark. From there, he never looked back.

According to Paul Williamsen, "Joe has a great ability to read the course and managed to steer clear of most of the bigger obstacles that this kind of trail constantly throws at you.

"But you can't dodge them all, so Joe's stamina and the durability of the Lexus were big factors."

Bacal drove for 16 hours during the 800 kilometre event, stopping only to take on fuel and nourishment along the way.

The only glitch was a failed anti-roll bar link that required Bacal to adjust his driving accordingly, but otherwise the vehicle survived intact.

Of the 267 entries, 195 vehicles finished the notoriously tough course, which takes in rugged terrain including mountains and dry lake beds.

Bacal and Williamsen will team up again to contest the Reno 1600 kilometre race in the American Best of the Desert series starting on August 19.