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Ivan “Ironman” Stewart discovered a different side of Baja in a place you wouldn’t expect. “It was an odd thing really that happened at an unlikely place – a Starbuck’s of all places,” said Stewart. It was here that the most celebrated off-road racer in history – a man known for his domination of the Baja landscape – learned about a place in Mexico where his racing accomplishments had no choice but to fall on deaf ears.

By chance or divine intervention, Luke Everett, a tall man with a contagious smile, approached Ivan and introduced himself as a longtime fan and admirerer. “Years earlier I’d heard about this little school near Guadalupe but never actually had been there,” Stewart recalls. For the next hour Everett told the story of the school for the deaf in Rancho Sordo Mudo, a place that is a lifesaver for thousands of Mexican children. “It was impossible not to like this guy he was so sincere and passionate about this school and the lives it has touched. What really caught my attention was that the entire time, he signed both sides of the conversation to his wife.”

Later that day, Ivan retold the story of Rancho Sordo Mudo to his wife, Linda. The hand of fate once again nudged the Stewarts a few weeks later. As Linda recalled, “We were at an event in Del Mar (California) when a man came up to us and told us he was Eddie Everett, ‘you met my brother Luke’ he said. It was obvious that something was telling us to get involved.” Soon thereafter Ivan and Linda drove down to the tiny school in Baja and compassion took over.

“Luke gave us a tour of the school. The overwhelming question for me was how does he make this work. He told us that the school had been there for 25 years and does not charge the parents of the kids anything. There was no visible means of income to sustain the school. He took us into the food locker that was no bigger than a large closet. I asked him what do you do when you run out of food. He looked at me and said, ‘We never run out.’” The answer furled the eyebrows of the racing legend. “When we need something, we pray, he told me,” a stunned Ivan remarked. Ask and ye shall receive, it has been that way for 38 years now. Twelve years ago, the Ironman joined the list of benefactors.

The Stewarts quickly realized what they could do separately was far less than what could be accomplished collectively. With a gleam in his eye, Ivan continued, “We decided to get some Harley buddies together and have a Charity Ride with Ivan Stewart. “ Over the years the ride has evolved from a one day run into a two day event. It has attracted other off-road racing legends as well, such as Walker Evens and Parnelli Jones. “Amazing things have happen as a result of the event. Over the years donated money has grown and other acts of kindness have resulted. Once you gone down there you get drawn into the cause. One friend recently donated a new roof to the school.”

Now approaching its 10th year, Ivan and Linda are planning a new aspect to the run—an SUV ride in addition to the Harley parade. “Due to limited space, we’ll continue to keep the event personal,” added Stewart. It was suggested that on an SUV event day two would be an off-road excursion headed by the Ironman through some scenic and rarely explored forest lands of Baja Mexico.

Whatever the 10th anniversary evolution of the Ivan Stewart Rancho Sordo Mudo Charity event ends up to be, Ivan and Linda keep their eyes on the true meaning of the event. “To keep it in perspective, the Everett family has dedicated 35 years of their lives to this school. I devote one day a year,” Ivan remarked. As Luke Everett will tell you however, one day’s devotion can equal a multitude of prayers answered.

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