Rebus Knebus
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Viewing the Baja 1000
Heading down to the seven sisters area on a surf trip and I’ll be returning around the time of the race and have a bunch of questions:
How should I pick a spot? I have the GPS track, but are there spots that are interesting/exciting but easily accessible? Maybe around El Rosario?
Is the race interesting to watch for someone who’s not a race fan? For me it’s more of a” since I’m down here” event.
Should I wait a few days after the race to head back to SoCal to avoid traffic and border waits, or does it not affect things much?
I have 4x4 and camping gear and I’m not a fan of crowds.
Thanks
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amigobaja
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Myself I like to be closer to the start so you can see more cars. The further away the more breakdowns. As a camper and surfer you might want to
campout near shipwreck. There's a really good high speed stretch and a couple gnarly spots that can be fun to watch. Easy Mex 1 access and generally
not a lot of sepectators.Have breakfast at the dog rescue they can always use the donations.
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David K
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Yes, it is a fun event. Try and anticipate the wind direction so you can be on the 'less-dust' side of the coarse.
Park well away from the course and bring your camp chairs to a watching location. Be aware that if the terrain permits, racers pass each other using
'new' routes and on curves, may roll over.
There is a four (or ?) hour gap between the motorcycles & quads, and the full-size racers. As stated above, the further you are from the start,
the more things spread out or get mixed up.
Park where you can leave when you want without using the race course or at least not go backwards on the race course. The race itself is a 2-day event
in the southern half of the peninsula. Racers that break down may be able to get repaired and then drive like hell to make up for lost time. Just be
aware that the dirt road you use to get some where is an active race course until the next checkpoint closes.
My first race to watch was the 1973 Baja 1000 (at 16 with my dad) and the last was the 2006 1000. Several of these races, I was a pit captain or
helped in some way. I was a co-driver in the 1979 1000. Fun times!
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David K
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Here is the Baja 1000 course on a newer satellite image that includes a completed Highway 5: https://arcg.is/LCiuf
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KasloKid
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If you do decide to spend some time watching the race, you don't want to be viewing from the outside of a corner.... these guys are accelerating out
of the corners and I've seen huge rocks churned up and spit out at spectators. Inside of the corners are safest for spectators, at a respectful
distance of course. David K is right... the windless side is much more enjoyable!
I actually prefer to be among the local spectators.. It's a side show not to be missed!
You never know, you might be bitten by the "off-road bug" and become a convert!!
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David K
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I have a couple of trip pages at www.VivaBaja.com that include off road races:
2006 Baja 1000 (El Crucero): http://vivabaja.com/1106/
2006 Baja 500 (Ensenada & near Valle de Trinidad): http://vivabaja.com/606/
2005 San Felipe 250 (south of San Felipe): http://vivabaja.com/205/
2003 Baja 500 (near Independencia): http://www.vivabaja.com/500/
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honda tom
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BFG pit at Race Mile 444 (el Crucero) lots of action here, but as stated it will be dark. 7pm first truck..... then action all night. lots of teams
will be pitting here. get there in daylight, find a campsite away from the course.. note the wind... find an access road out to the hwy. (if needed).
be safe!
As stated .. farther north will be daylight and shorter gaps between racers. same rules apply. Be safe.
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Rebus Knebus
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Wow, lots of good info already. Thanks! Like the shipwrecks idea. Heading out of cell range for a few days and will check again later. Muchas gracias!
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JZ
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Where is "shipwreck."
Good thread. I've never watched a race either.
[Edited on 10-31-2021 by JZ]
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Howard
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North of San Quintin there is a turn off to the west. You pass right by the Grandpa house. Anyone going that way, how about dropping off some food for
the Grandpa's? As the saying goes, "There but for the grace of G-d, there go I."
I am sure map boy will be along shortly with detailed maps. 
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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Bajaboy
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Every year is different for us. We're actually going to watch at a checkpoint this year (#2). Normally, I like to look at a map and find an area
with a straightaway and a tight turn. It's fun to what the vehicles going full out but also see something technical.
[Edited on 11-1-2021 by Bajaboy]
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David K
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Quote: Originally posted by JZ  | Where is "shipwreck."
Good thread. I've never watched a race either.
[Edited on 10-31-2021 by JZ] |
HERE:
Punta San Jacinto, bottom of this map.
Photos from June 2014, Trail of Missions. Less of the ship is visible now.
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: Originally posted by Rebus Knebus | Heading down to the seven sisters area on a surf trip and I’ll be returning around the time of the race and have a bunch of questions:
How should I pick a spot? I have the GPS track, but are there spots that are interesting/exciting but easily accessible? Maybe around El Rosario?
Is the race interesting to watch for someone who’s not a race fan? For me it’s more of a” since I’m down here” event.
Should I wait a few days after the race to head back to SoCal to avoid traffic and border waits, or does it not affect things much?
I have 4x4 and camping gear and I’m not a fan of crowds.
Thanks |
If at 7 sisters, maybe try the boulder area just north of catavina. Probably some good places you can stay high on the boulders but be near enough to
look down on the road.
The race teams drive like maniacs on highway. I generally avoid highways during race times and days either side of race because they tailgate and pass
like jerks.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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John M
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EGADS!! I can't believe it!
I agree with Goat - many chase teams ARE maniacal in their driving during the race and the day before.
Is the sky falling?
John M
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AKgringo
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I have never been on the course during the race, but twice I happened to be on it while pre-running was going on. It can be pretty un-nerving to be
passing through some moderately rough stretch of road and have a couple of quads and a trophy truck blow by you!
I watched some of the racers pass by while I was eating at the Cafe Exquisito in Chametla. The finish line was only a couple of miles further down
the road, and the racers were supposed to obey traffic laws there, while mingling with the city traffic.
I don't know how much one of the racers improved his finish time by passing a line of traffic using the shoulder, and part of the parking lot
approach, but he did it!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
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Where is Chametla?
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AKgringo
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Between Centenario, and La Paz. I was staying at Campestre Maranatha!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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honda tom
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right before the finish.... it will be a speed zone this year... so no passing.
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Rebus Knebus
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Wow, lots of good info already. Thanks! Like the shipwrecks idea. Heading out of cell range for a few days and will check again later. Muchas gracias!
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