2009 Baja 1000 Off Road Race
Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off road race 2009
The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off road-race for 2009 will start and finish in Ensenada, Baja as a loop course this and will be run November 19th – 22nd. The Baja 1000 has traditionally run the entire length of Baja starting in 1967 to La Paz. The Baja 1000 also has run to Cabo San Lucas twice in its history but every other year or so the course is a loop that starts and ends in the port town of Ensenada.
The Baja 1000 is considered by many to be one of the toughest of all desert races worldwide, with a course that is a little flexible in that racers can use shortcuts but must be very careful in the fact that they must pass through all the checkpoints that are not published and therefore racers run the risk of being disqualified if they do make use of shortcuts.
Another very interesting point in the Baja 1000 is that all entrants pay a relatively small entrance fee (ranging between $950 and $1300)and receive very small prize money for winning in their class or overall. This is a race for the glory and bragging rights and not for the money.
While there are many Trophy trucks and unlimited classes with very expensive vehicles others still run the course in class 11 which is the older Volkswagen “Bugs” that are allowed only limited modifications and really are the true Baja racers; as it is just amazing that these buggies even finish the course in the allotted time limit; 31 hours this year. The course for the 2009 Baja 1000 will actually be shorter than 1000 miles (approximately 672.85 miles) but it is still sure to be a real challenge for all, as in the past.
The Baja 1000 is a non-stop race with pit crews stationed in different places depending on the race teams and while they in most cases they do change out drivers there are some that have attempted and completed the race as solo pilots (drivers) which is very impressive considering this race runs through the night and on into the next day. One of the most famous drivers for driving solo is “Iron Man Stewart” who has run the race in a trophy truck. One other that became famous with making of the movie “Dust to Glory” was a stuntman known as “Mouse”, who ran the entire course to solo on a motorcycle! If you want to see more about this race this DVD “Dust to Glory” will really show you a lot more of what the Baja 1000 is all about.
The official name of the race is the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 due to the sponsorship for many years by Tecate beer and the race promoter and organizers of SCORE headed up by the now very famous Sal Fish that has dedicated his life to this race; working year round to promote, organize and create a different course every year.
I am planning to attend this year’s Baja 1000 so if you see our BajaInsider motor home there, please feel free to stop by as I will be interested in hearing from spectators as well as we are planning on interviewing many of the racers, organizers and sponsors of this truly incredible, world renowned event that has been a large draw for all for 42 years now in Baja!