The Manx makes it!

After 1,300 miles, 96 hours, two engines, three transmissions, a busted exhaust, a bent shifter, a stuck throttle, countless bottles of water, much swearing and the looming threat of heat exhaustion, Bruce Meyers and the Meyers Manx Race Team buggy drove through the finish line at the town square of San Jose Del Cabo and completed the damn 2014 NORRA Mexican 1000 once and for all.

Finally -- for Meyers' and the number 1964 buggy's first time -- they had successfully navigated the Baja Peninsula and finished under their own power.

The poor Meyers Manx Dual Sport was looking worse for the wear when it streamed into town at 5:30 p.m. on May 14. But after six attempts in the buggy's life, and the 11th attempt in Meyers', the important thing was that both had made it. A massive team of drivers and co-drivers helped coax the buggy the 1,300 miles from Ensenada, Mexico, but it was Meyers -- at age 88 -- who drove his own creation, with Neil Grider riding alongside, the last 40 miles to cross the finish line.

There, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, he was greeted by a contingent of Manx owners, supporters and enthusiasts who had made the long drive down the Peninsula (though presumably not as quickly as the racers). Meyers finished 49th in the Vintage class, with an elapsed time of 29 hours and 39 minutes. The team incurred an hour and 38 minutes worth of penalties.

In addition to driving duties, Marty Fiolka captured the entire event for his upcoming documentary, "Baja Social Club," which is nearing completion after three years of capturing the history and vitality of the formidable Baja. Getting footage of the 50-year anniversary of the Manx, culminating in Meyers' finish, is the perfect finale, and the results onscreen should be spectacular.

By Blake Z. Rong