BajaNomad - 1974 SCORE BAJA INTERNACIONAL + 1978 1000 MAP

1974 SCORE BAJA INTERNACIONAL + 1978 1000 MAP

David K - 10-23-2015 at 09:55 AM

By request, here is my AAA map with the 1974 Score (First) Baja Interncional and 1978 Score Baja 1000 Km. courses drawn in. (The 1975 Lucerna 250 route is also shown).

This map is very tattered... it fell apart as I was scanning it just now. Here are 4 scans that show the majority of the courses. This was probably a 1972 map as the pavement of Mex 1 ends at Colonia V. Guerrero. I drew in the new highway in pencil, where I thought it was... off around El Aguajito, the highway passes north of the old ranch, not south.

Checkpoints and Visual Checkpoints are shown. The '78 race, I was running a pit at Borrego Wash, south side of the highway. The '74 race, I was at Mike's Sky Rancho... photos are being posted of the race cars arriving there, in the Photo forum.

The 1978 1000 was the first time a race was run down Matomi Canyon.

The photo enhancer didn't treat each scan the same... I may work on them later?

PaulW - 10-23-2015 at 02:45 PM

Thanks for your effort. Be sure to tape up your map as it is valuable since nobody else seems to have any notes.
So here is what I gathered for the 1974 1000Km from the above scans.
Ensenada – near Ojos H visual – La Rosa de Castilla, Cp1,6 – D,G visual – Valley Trinidad CP 2,5 – S of San Vicente (Llano Colorado) C visual – D visual - Camalu CP3 – E visual - Mikes CP4 1 hour hold – F visual (before Hwy3) - to CP5, - CP6 – Ensenada
Feel free to correct me
Paul

David K - 10-23-2015 at 03:03 PM

Paul, the Baja Internacional replaced the 500, not the 1000!

This was The Baja Internacional and was around 440 miles... it would replace the former Baja 500 started by NORRA and done once with a disastrous showing by BSC (in 1974, a month earlier).

NORRA would not release the rights to the name "Baja 500" for several years, and threatened to run a 500 race in Sur, where they still had a relationship possible.

At some point, you will see that Score began using the name 'Baja 500' instead of 'Baja Internacional'.

The Score 1000 beginning in 1975, was mostly an 800+ mile race, either in Norte as a loop, or running to La Paz or Cabo. For a few of the early Score 1000s in Norte, it was only about 600-700 miles long, so they added Km. to the name.

The 1972 Norra Baja 500 (the last time on the original course, in 1973 they went east from San Quintin to the sierra then dropped down to the main road at El Arenoso. This was to avoid construction and new paving of Hwy. 1 between San Quintin and El Arenoso.

First Score Baja 1000... in 1975:

1975 Baja Internacional Map

David K - 10-23-2015 at 03:12 PM

Very similar to the 1974 race course, except north from Valle Trinidad, they stayed to the west of the highway instead of going back on so much of the outbound course (to avoid any head-on contacts).

You will notice that instead of the 1 hour mandatory down time at Mike's, it was shortened to 1/2 hour and moved to Camalu.

PaulW - 10-23-2015 at 07:47 PM

David, Thanks again
See if I have it correct now
Norra Baja 500s were from 1969-1972 all the same course and 1973 was different due to Hwy construction.
SCORE 500s were "SCORE AC-Delco Baja Internacional" in 1974 & 1975, different from each other and different from previous Norra courses.
And I found a "1977 SCORE Baja Internacional"
First SCORE 1000 was 1975
1975 SCORE 1000Km followed by 1978 SCORE Baja 1000
What did SCORE do in 1976? And cannot find 1977 1000?

David K - 10-23-2015 at 08:05 PM

The 75 1000 was not a km race. 76 to 78 were 1000 km. 79 was first 1000 Score ran to La Paz. On my phone, more later.

Baja Race History

David K - 10-24-2015 at 09:23 AM

NORRA ran the Mexican 1000 from 1967-1972 and the Baja 500 to 1973. The 1000 began in Tijuana the first year with a controlled speed run to Ensenada where the race really began, after that it started in Ensenada until 1972 when the start was moved to Mexicali. The race ran south on Hwy. 5 to the Ensenada junction (it was dirt then) and then went across to Hwy. 1 either near San Vicente or through Mike's Sky Rancho (racers choice) and finished in La Paz. The 1973 Baja 500 was a success, as all before and some Mexican officials got to thinking they could run the races and keep the profits in Mexico, "for the children."

Soon after the June '73 500, NORRA was replaced by the Baja Sports Committee (BSC) who ran the renamed "Baja Mil (1000)" in November 1973 (my first time to see a Baja race, video coming soon). The race did not use Hwy. 1 (it was all but totally paved in Nov., 1973) and instead went from Ensenada to San Felipe to Bahia de los Angeles south to El Arco and rejoined Hwy. 1 near Vizcaino. From San Ignacio it went south along the Pacific side (as had all previous 1000s) ending in La Paz.

Sadly for the racers, BSC "lost the money" that was supposed to go to the qualifying finishers in La Paz... they all did get some Samsonite luggage!

BSC tried to run their first Baja 500 the following June, but very few showed up to race it and BSC folded after that.

Not wanting to lose this bonanza of income for their state, Baja California officials invited Mickey Thompson and his new SCORE race organization to take over Baja racing. SCORE organized and ran a hugely successful race in late July 1974 calling it the Baja Internacional (it was just over 400 miles long starting and ending in Ensenada, as had the Baja 500.

With the success of that race, Mickey Thompson's SCORE was given license to run all off road races in the state of Baja California for a number of years. There was not enough prep time to create a Baja 1000 in that year (1974) and it was the only year there was no 1000 since 1967. In the year 2000, SCORE modified the long race and renamed it "Baja 2000" for that year.

The First SCORE Baja 1000 was 1975 and it was a loop race (first time for the long race in November) starting and ending in Ensenada, over 800 miles long. The next three 1000s were shorter and one started in Mexicali and ended in Ensenada. They were called The Baja 1000 Kilometer, as they were in the 600-700-mile range.

SCORE was able to get a contract with Baja California Sur to run races down there, and in 1979 was the first SCORE race to La Paz, using the route much like BSC, but going through San Borja and Rosarito to El Arco instead of Bahia de L.A.. It also used dirt roads instead of the highway for most of the run between Constitucion and La Paz.

The 1000 has alternated between runs to Baja Sur and loops in Baja Norte ever since. The Baja Internacional was renamed Baja 500 after a few years, when NORRA's rights to the name ended.

Older Baja Race Maps

David K - 10-24-2015 at 09:45 AM

In addition to the three I posted above...

1981 Mexicali 250 (replaced the Lucerna 250, later would become the San Felipe 250):

1985 Baja 1000:

1993 Baja 1000:

1994 Baja 1000:

More to come, perhaps?...

TMW - 10-24-2015 at 10:03 AM

David check the Murdock maps http://www.murdocknav.com/ and see what you have and they don't. You could have them post what you have. I sent him several 1000 maps he didn't have.

David K - 10-24-2015 at 11:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

David check the Murdock maps http://www.murdocknav.com/ and see what you have and they don't. You could have them post what you have. I sent him several 1000 maps he didn't have.

Yes, I have seen his collection before...

He is calling the Baja Internacional the Baja 500, however.

He has a copy of the 1971 Mexican 1000 map (Parnelli Jones won over-all in the Big Oly Bronco): http://www.murdocknav.com/mapsmex1.php

In looking at the maps on his site, it appears that SCORE officially changed the name from Baja Internacional to Baja 500 in 1991? Yes, everyone called the Internacional the 500 before then! But, from Score's first Baja race in 1974 to 1990, it couldn't officially or legally be called that!

[Edited on 10-24-2015 by David K]

PaulW - 10-24-2015 at 03:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

David check the Murdock maps http://www.murdocknav.com/ and see what you have and they don't. You could have them post what you have. I sent him several 1000 maps he didn't have.

======
Compareing Davids posted maps it appears Murdock is missing 69-72 Norra 500 and 75 SCORE internacional

David K - 10-24-2015 at 03:43 PM

The are many races he does not have a map for.

Mike Kay - 10-25-2015 at 04:21 PM

Thanks for posting. Brings back memories. I was at the July '74 event, camped out near the water crossing/water fall next to Mikes Sky Ranch, watching the event together with dozens of hippies, Mexican Federal Troops, race fans of all types. Dad had the crazy idea to film many of the racers as they crossed the water, including a couple buggies with only 3 wheels. The Bob Bell built 4 stroke Hondas looked impressive, as did the screaming two strokes. Ive got to get those 8mm films over to Youtube. Some fun footage. I remember most of the vehicles coming thru during the daylight, and i remember well every square inch of flat ground in front of Mikes was part of a huge pit. I didnt realize it was a hold until reading your post. Dad was covering the race from this spot for Cycle News. He was so excited. I still see his business card on the Mikes wall from this trip. I was just a kid and it was my first time watching a Baja race. Skinny dipping hippie chicks at the waterfall. Firecrackers. Off road racing. Federales with machine guns...i was 10 years old. Good times!

[Edited on 10-25-2015 by Mike Kay]

David K - 10-25-2015 at 05:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Mike Kay

Thanks for posting. Brings back memories. I was at the July '74 event, camped out near the water crossing/water fall next to Mikes Sky Ranch, watching the event together with dozens of hippies, Mexican Federal Troops, race fans of all types. Dad had the crazy idea to film many of the racers as they crossed the water, including a couple buggies with only 3 wheels. The Bob Bell built 4 stroke Hondas looked impressive, as did the screaming two strokes. Ive got to get those 8mm films over to Youtube. Some fun footage. I remember most of the vehicles coming thru during the daylight, and i remember well every square inch of flat ground in front of Mikes was part of a huge pit. I didnt realize it was a hold until reading your post. Dad was covering the race from this spot for Cycle News. He was so excited. I still see his business card on the Mikes wall from this trip. I was just a kid and it was my first time watching a Baja race. Skinny dipping hippie chicks at the waterfall. Firecrackers. Off road racing. Federales with machine guns...i was 10 years old. Good times!

[Edited on 10-25-2015 by Mike Kay]

The good old days, for sure! I have a lot more photos of the race cars at Mike's from July 1974 yet to share on my Baja Photo thread... I was 16 at that race in my dune buggy, camping at Mike's (I don't think sleep was possible?).

David K - 10-6-2020 at 09:30 AM

Any Baja Racing history fans have the course maps from the 1960s to early 70s, before SCORE? The link to the Murdock collection now takes you to the new GPS sales. Anybody have a go-around to the Murdock collection page, if it still exists?

PaulW - 10-6-2020 at 11:36 AM

It has been bad news for over a year. His web site is paid for, but as you know the link to his database is dead.
I have hard copy from his - starting with 1968.
Tell me what you want and I search and forward a scan.
David have you made a list of what Murdock was missing? Then we can ask the Nomads to post.

David K - 10-6-2020 at 11:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

It has been bad news for over a year. His web site is paid for, but as you know the link to his database is dead.
I have hard copy from his - starting with 1968.
Tell me what you want and I search and forward a scan.
David have you made a list of what Murdock was missing? Then we can ask the Nomads to post.

Off the list, the 1968 Baja 1000 map (but '67 to '71 were all about the same... the original Hwy. 1, as far as San Ignacio). Thanks for any help!

In '72, it started in Mexicali then crossed over to the Pacific via Mike's or the San Vicente road from Valle de Trinidad (racer's choice).

PaulW - 10-6-2020 at 01:24 PM

1968 Norra Mx 1000 Hwy 1 with ck points all the way to La Paz

1972 map I have is labeled Norra 500 1969-1972. You already posted it
Ensenada, Camalu, El Rosario Ranch Santa Ynez, Chapala, San Luis Gonzaga, San Felipe, Santa Clara, Valle De Trinidad Ojos Negros, Ensenada.

The only long race starting in Mexicali that I have is 1980 SCORE Baja 1000 KM
Mexicali, San Felipe, Mikes, Valle Trinidad, Ensenada, back to near Indepencia, then N. to Hwy2 and Mexicali

steekers - 10-6-2020 at 01:51 PM

Thanks Paul. I was looking for all activity (planes, people, VIPs, ABCs McKay) around ck 3 during that race. By chance can you send me the PDF or JPEG file of that map? Was it originally in 2 parts or just one large folded version? Thank you!

PaulW - 10-6-2020 at 02:01 PM

1980 SCORE Baja 1000km
Hard to understand the details what with two way traffic on Hwy 3

bulk image hosting

Nothing more to add for the 1972 map

1972 Mexican 1000 (Norra's last 1000 race)

David K - 10-6-2020 at 03:14 PM

David K - 11-1-2023 at 12:21 PM

Does anyone have the 1978 Score Baja Internacional (500) map... and others, as well?