Racing Baja is neither for the faint of heart nor the novice full of more bravado than brains. But somewhere in between, the die-hard desert denizen will race the Baja again and again, regardless of money, time, or winning the race. It's like a bad habit, and unfortunately the fix only comes once a year. Here's a brief primer and some cool photos for you speed-junkies who live for Baja or dream of it.
The first race down Baja was in 1962. David Ekins and Bill Robertson Jr. managed to ride their 250cc Honda motorcycles from Tijuana to La Paz, keeping track of their time by checking in with telegraph offices along the way. It took both riders around 40 hours to complete their race, Ekins being the first to finish. A few years later racing enthusiast Ed Pearlman founded the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA), and named the route the Mexican 1000. The first "official" race had 68 vehicles, and it grew over the years. The last NORRA race was in 1973, as a fuel crisis the following year canceled the annual Mexico 1000.
By 1974 the legendary Mickey Thompson founded SCORE and resurrected the event, but they were only allowed to run the northern section, with loop courses starting in Ensenada, Mexico. It wouldn't be until 1979 that the Baja 1000 as we know it would start to take shape, using Ensenada as the start and La Paz as the finish. The event has attracted racing legends Parneli Jones and Ivan "Iron Man" Stewart and has even been host to a British Prime Minister's son, Mark Thatcher, who ran it in 1982.
Countless small towns line the web of deserted roads, crisscrossing through deserts, mountains, and beaches. Each road has its own uniqueness about it, yet still ties you to the history that is Baja. On the race course, the long roads of Baja make up the most treacherous, tire-shredding and bone-jarring terra firma the world has to offer. A driver's endurance is tested by what could be the longest or fastest 40 hours of his life. Endless dust, rocks, and blood-boiling temperatures all tear away at the participants as they burn over the never-ending road. The GPS coordinates are all keyed in on the prerun made by the teams in preparation of maintaining course during zero visibility at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The course layout changes from year to year. The terrain includes pavement, flat desert, steep boulder fields, and bottomless sand pits, and not to be overlooked are the countless whoops, washouts, and the locals' favorite, booby traps.
A wide variety of competitors and vehicles creates the magic behind the Baja 1000. Rows of off-road enthusiasts line the start, awaiting their turn at glory. Motorcycles and ATV classes from 125cc to 650cc are the first to start the race, then four hours later comes the rumble of the 800-horsed Trophy Trucks as they plunge into the dusty abyss. Following suit is a field of buggies and trucks that make up the 22 different classes of the Baja 1000. Probably one of the more crowd-friendly competitors and definitely one of the most underpowered is the Class 11 stock VW Beetle. These guys really know the meaning of "getting it."
Looking to get a close-up view of the race? Come early-at least a day ahead! Most onlookers set up camp in advance. With a record-breaking 431 official starters in 2006 there was plenty of action to be seen. Don't be discouraged if you can't find your sweet spot to spectate right off the bat. There are plenty of good vantage points to be had; just move around a little and find the spot that's right for you.
Course maps are released in October on SCORE's Web site, and you don't have to be a desert racer to know that the race usually begins in Ensenada. If you are lucky enough to secure a place at the wash downtown, you will have the luxury of seeing the racers still sporting their panels and launching over some good-size jumps, but don't blink-these guys are fast.
If you have a taste for big air, take a drive about 30 miles east of Ensenada and you will land in Ojos, the place where year after year big air happens. For a look into what kind of crazy pit action takes place, swing into San Ignacio, known for being one of the bigger stops of the race. The north and south sides of town provide great views of the highway crossings.
Be in La Paz for the celebration as the first competitor arrives at the finish line. It will be early morning, but the emotion of the moment is sure to awaken the sleepiest of spectators.
Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the 1,200-mile race and will be run on a completely different pass from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. For more information contact SCORE at www.score-international.com