Teams

The Manteca's

Garage Headquarters: Fullerton, CA

Driver: Johnnie Ram

Mechanics: JayJay Limon, Toni Rodriquez, Jose Rodriguez

Nuts and Bolts:

Soapbox races, like life, require a certain amount of sacrifice. But HUMAN sacrifice? That’s what Manny Esparza, Jorge Legaspi, JJay Limon, John Ramirez, and Jose Rodriguez are planning for the event in downtown Los Angeles: As “The Manteca’s Aztecas,” they’ll perform a not-so-authentic Aztec ritual involving their driver and a certain energy drink before they speed their pyramid-shaped car to the finish line.

John, aka “Johnnie Ram,” explains how the group got involved in the contest: “I had gone looking for work and made a bet to myself that if I didn’t find work, I would gather some friends and join the race to let some stress out – and let our talents shine through,” he states. “Our team is made up of friends and family from Fullerton, California, and Yahualica, Jalisco, in Mexico. Some of the members of our team don’t have jobs, and some of us are grateful to be employed in this crisis. But for all of us, this challenge was to prove to ourselves that when life gives you obstacles, you don’t just give up.” The teammates are squeezing in work on their racer between shifts in restaurant service and computer analysis, as well as studies for school (Jose attends Cal State Fullerton). They feel they have a good chance to make a powerful impression on race day. “Being that we think the majority of the spectators will be of Latin descent, we got this!” Johnnie Ram exults. “Besides, the Aztec gods already gave us the win.”