BajaNomad - B1K 2008 - Powered by XMB

B1K 2008

TMW - 9-22-2008 at 11:54 AM

Looks like this years B1K will be one of the shortest at 650 miles according to the SCORE press release for the drawing on Oct 11th. A loop out of Ensenada. The last time it was this short Danny Hamel rode almost the entire route except for one section where Jack Johnson gave him a rest. If memory serves me Danny came in 2nd OA. Dan Smith who was Danny's riding pardner broke his leg prerunning near San Felipe, Matomi wash I think. Dan Smith left the bikes to become a top truck racer.

capt. mike - 9-22-2008 at 01:19 PM

yeah- i am sooooo disappointed with this route as was hoping it would go by Gonzaga like it did in 2003 so i could go watch, party and camp.
this is short, why call it a 1000??

TMW - 9-22-2008 at 02:08 PM

I have heard it will go down the La Rumorosa grade. That's a hoot of a trip down.

bajalou - 9-22-2008 at 02:24 PM

1000 Ks

Paulina - 9-22-2008 at 03:25 PM

I think because it is shorter then perhaps it's going to be more difficult, La Rumorosa for example.

P<*)))>{

TMW - 9-22-2008 at 05:05 PM

It's even shorter now at approx 640 miles, per their schedule of events now posted on the web site.

TMW - 9-22-2008 at 05:11 PM

Paulina I think your right. The short ones do seem to be the toughest. As long as they don't try to go up Simpson hill like they did a few years ago in the 500 and many racers got stuck there and at another hill later before Mikes. I think they should go up the Summit backwards.

David K - 9-22-2008 at 06:34 PM

1000 kms. correct! Just like the ones in '76, '77 etc.

tunaeater - 9-22-2008 at 11:40 PM

Our team APR racing will be there looking for a top 5 finish in Sportsman over.

David K - 9-23-2008 at 08:43 AM

Paul, as soon as you can describe the proposed course, it would be appreciated! Thanks!

Gadget - 9-23-2008 at 01:42 PM

Something like this:
Ensenada
Ojos
Casa Verde
La Rumorosa
Laguna Salada
Saldania
Three polls
San Felipe
up Azufre
Morellia Jct
San Matias
Mikes
Valle T
Beach Run
Treas Hermanos
Ojos
Ensenada

Locos will most likely be at the top of Azufre for this one.

[Edited on 9-23-2008 by Gadget]

Metrically challenged?

bajabeachbabe - 9-23-2008 at 01:53 PM

I believe 1000K equals about 621 miles, so at 640 miles it is actually more than a 1000K race.

Gadget - 9-23-2008 at 02:10 PM

Baja 500 = less than the 1000K race
Baja 1000 = more than the 500K race
Actual kilometers ends up being how SCORE was able to set the course.
:biggrin:

tunaeater - 9-23-2008 at 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gadget
Something like this:
Ensenada
Ojos
Casa Verde
La Rumorosa
Laguna Salada
Saldania
Three polls
San Felipe
up Azufre
Morellia Jct
San Matias
Mikes
Valle T
Beach Run
Treas Hermanos
Ojos
Ensenada

Locos will most likely be at the top of Azufre for this one.

[Edited on 9-23-2008 by Gadget]

Gadget I have heard that this is the course as you mentioned. I'll be doing the desert sections and we will be using Baja pits again.

David K - 9-24-2008 at 07:50 AM

Too bad that they don't use Matomi instead of Azufre... Thanks Gadget.

Gadget - 9-24-2008 at 11:40 AM

Talk has been within the crew that back before I started, they ran a pit up in Azufre. Only 60 or so miles into the course. Clutch adjustments were the main requests for repair.
That wash has some really deep sand and as narrow as it is there are not multiple lines like Matomi.
It isn't steep, but it's up hill the entire way too.

bbbait - 9-24-2008 at 11:47 AM

In the almanac, I see an El Azulfre wash south of Matomi. I can't see how that would play into it. Is there another Azulfre somewhere?

Gadget - 9-24-2008 at 11:58 AM

See Canyon El Parral AKA Azufre

David K - 9-24-2008 at 05:32 PM

Cañada el Parral is the topo name... Score coined the term 'Azufre Wash' because the east end is very near the sulfur mine (sulfur = azufre).

BajaWarrior - 9-24-2008 at 08:41 PM

Hey guys, Score website shows the race from the 20th (Thurs.) or does the actual race start on Friday? Thanks in advance...

David K - 9-24-2008 at 10:57 PM

The first date given for a Score race is the registration day... the race begins the next morning...

BajaWarrior - 9-25-2008 at 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
The first date given for a Score race is the registration day... the race begins the next morning...

Thanks, that's what I thought. We're just trying to plan that weekend...Looks like a Thursday afternoon departure to our beach house to catch the race.

David K - 9-25-2008 at 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
I have heard it will go down the La Rumorosa grade. That's a hoot of a trip down.

You think?? :lol:

bajalou - 9-25-2008 at 04:42 PM

Go to the Score International site at http://www.score-international.com/ and you can see the schedule of events for the 2008 Baja 1000 . Course not on the site as yet.

TMW - 9-26-2008 at 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
I have heard it will go down the La Rumorosa grade. That's a hoot of a trip down.

You think?? :lol:

There were places where I had to back my Toyota up to get around the turn on the switchbacks.

David K - 9-26-2008 at 09:12 AM

That will be something to see a race go over... perhaps they will avoid the switchbacks and just shortcourse straight down the side of the mountain... like they did in the old days coming into Santo Tomas Valley from the north.

TMW - 9-26-2008 at 04:24 PM

Some of the racers did shorten some places on the switchbacks. The real problem for the racers is the wash at the bottom. If there is water it could be a real mud hole. Some places like Calamajue wash past Cocos.

bajalou - 10-4-2008 at 06:42 AM

The map is up on the Score site this morning . Looks like the rumors are true.

http://www.score-international.com/

Second look, looks like it's going down the Huatamonte instead of Azufre Wash.

[Edited on 10-4-2008 by bajalou]

TMW - 10-4-2008 at 09:29 AM

It may be a short course but there are some really great sections. I like it. From RM150 to RM315 appears to be the same as the 1990 B1K.

[Edited on 10-4-2008 by TW]

TecateRay - 10-4-2008 at 06:32 PM

Looks like they run one section twice up near Borrego approximately RM280-290 and then again 400-410 - should be good spectating! Check out the map on the SCORE site.

Pre-running map

David K - 10-5-2008 at 09:13 AM

This doesnt show the course between Ensenada and Ojos Negros, but the mileages do include that part... One nice change is thay are using Chanate Wash and not Azufre, south of San Felipe!

[Edited on 10-5-2008 by David K]

TMW - 10-14-2008 at 07:20 AM

Some Baja 1000 Notes:

SCORE TROPHY TRUCK:
12 Brian Collins
7 Scott Steinberger
35 Robbie Pierce
97 B.J. Baldwin
8 Roger Norman
33 Chad Ragland
39 Ron Whitton
*1 Mark Post

The first few TT's are some really good drivers. Robby Gordon is near the back of the TT pack which doesn't look good for him. No McMillin's in any class as of this date.

CLASS 22:
2X Grant Steele
3X Cory Evenson
4X Jack McCormick
5X R. Hank Salyer
6X Ryan Penhall
7X Mike Childress
*1X Robby Bell
9X Gabriel Williams
10X Caleb Gosselaar
11X Jimmy Lopez
12X Justin Wiberg
13X Jesse Sharpe
14X Rod Thornton
15X Norman Thornhill III

I hope to see a good battle between 7X and 1X through out the race.

SPTS. M/C OVER:
251X Randy Roy
252X Stephan Duchaine
253X John Crowley
254X Erik Litzenberg
255X Tomoki Hayashi
256X Jeff Moore
257X Adrian Lovelace
258X Michael Ott-Eulberg
259X Jay Wilgus
260X Mike Kaplan
261X Jeff Leonard
262X Ray Grupp
263X Mark Lucke
264X Jeff Martin
265X Bill Gilbert
266X Adam McCamish
267X Jack Pflueger
268X Jeff Chapman
269X Andrew Vela
270X Vernon Smith
271X Gary Gonzales
272X Carlos Becerril
273X Luis Napoles
274X Duncan Ragsdale
275X Matt DeVall
276X Craig Anstine
277X Greg Matherly
278X Yvan Perroud
279X Davy Patterson
[280X Andy Padulo]
281X Graham Wilson
282X Robbie McAlerney

Tunaeater 280X, what can I say starting in 30th position. Well look at it as a rear start, better to keep an eye on the compitition. Go Paul.

David K - 10-14-2008 at 09:49 AM

Remember it was friends bringing a McMillin trailer back to San Diego after the start of the '07 Baja 1000 who were kidnapped north of Rosarito, threatened, and made to walk away from their truck and possesions in exchange for their lives.

There was quite an exchange here about the shabby treatment they got when the police dumped them off at the U.S. border by our agents.

Andy McMillin, co-driving with Robby Gordon won the Baja 1000, so it will be interesting to see if the McMillins boycott the race.

tunaeater - 10-14-2008 at 10:12 AM

TW I like your thinking about the drawing. Pretty amazing that we are starting 30 bikes behind our class. Oh well that just means more bikes to pass. I'm glad I'm not starting and by the time I get the bike in the Salada the bikes will be spread out and I should get some clean air.

PS we will start prerunning on Nov 1 if you are interested in coming down.

TMW - 10-14-2008 at 12:20 PM

I'll be ready. I had hoped to join your dad down south but I don't think I can. I want to prerun down La Rumorosa on bike or truck.

tunaeater - 10-14-2008 at 01:15 PM

I'll keep you posted on my prerun plans. My dad and crew loaded up the XR 400's and hit the road today. I received the first SPOT message that they were just outside of Mexicali. They will be gone for about 5 weeks riding to Cabo and back taking their time to stay in San felipe for a few days before heading South. They will return back to SF a few days before the B1K.

roverdude - 10-14-2008 at 10:09 PM

Any spots near La Rumorosa that would be better than mm150-180. Trying to make a decision on where to watch on the day of the race.

TMW - 10-15-2008 at 07:33 AM

I haven't been on the course for several years in that area but anywhere where there is a jump or whoops or a ditch should be good. We're going to prerun in that area and then I would have a better ideal of a good place to watch. I also like places where I can get out without being on the course when I leave. It looks like the race will turn under the bridge at RM 130 and the area just before that may be a good spot. Had it went straight there is some good rollers that would be a great spot especially for the trucks.

TMW - 10-24-2008 at 07:07 AM

The course notes are now posted on the SCORE web site.

http://www.score-international.com

bajalou - 10-24-2008 at 10:18 AM

Also the GPS tracks & Wpts.

surfer jim - 11-1-2008 at 07:48 AM

There is a pretty good description by PCI of the course on race-dezert.....

TMW - 11-1-2008 at 09:18 AM

Thanks Jim that was a good description.

So far SCORE has 355 entries. Considering the economy I think that's pretty good. 30 solo bikes and ATVs. 2 sidecar bikes. I don't know about riding in a sidecar. Can you imagine going down the La Rumorosa grade in a sidecar? Yikes!!! that would scare the crap out of me. Talk about an E ticket ride.

Gadget - 11-1-2008 at 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Remember it was friends bringing a McMillin trailer back to San Diego after the start of the '07 Baja 1000 who were kidnapped north of Rosarito, threatened, and made to walk away from their truck and possesions in exchange for their lives.

There was quite an exchange here about the shabby treatment they got when the police dumped them off at the U.S. border by our agents.

Andy McMillin, co-driving with Robby Gordon won the Baja 1000, so it will be interesting to see if the McMillins boycott the race.

There is a thread on race dezert where Andy confirms they will not be back to Baja, at least for the forseeable future. Sorry I didn't search a link :yawn:

Our crew will be on the 2 way course near Borrego running a double pit this year. Approx RM 280 and 400. Should be very busy and forget about any sleep for a couple of days with the crowds. Stop by and say howdy if you can find us in the dust cloud.

TMW - 11-3-2008 at 08:25 AM

Racers and crews take note of the racer wounded under the Baja News topic on this board. It would be wise to not carry any more than you really need on your person while pre-running. Be very careful and think smart if confronted by an armed person. Probably best to prerun in groups.

David K - 11-3-2008 at 08:47 AM

Just isn't as much fun when racers, fans, support personal are TARGETS!

This will be the second 1000 we have taken vacation time off for that will see us touring in the USA, instead!

Really sad for the locals who so look forward to the business and fun the races bring to Baja... that so many will not be going to the 1000 who normally would!

schwlind - 11-3-2008 at 11:59 AM

Quote:

I know a guy who was one of the pilots flying the race for the McMillin team communications last year, when one of their people (and his family -- wife, daughter and son) were hijacked. They were taken to a very remote area on a mountain somewhere, held for a number of hours and were finally released, fortunate to get out with their lives. The banditos took everything they had. This happened at night and they had to walk out. The pilot who worked for the McMillins sent me an email about what happened and said he doubted they would ever go back. I hope it's not true as the McMillins have been running in the Baja races for a very long time.

Also, I was told the only way the cop would help them and take them to the border was if they agreed to never tell anyone that he had helped them.

[Edited on 11-3-2008 by schwlind]

beachbum1A - 11-4-2008 at 01:43 PM

Here's a conversion to the SCORE 1000 course overlaid on Google Earth.

http://www.unlimiteddirt.com/offroad/racing/score-internatio...

capt. mike - 11-17-2008 at 04:21 PM

is anyone here going to be hanging around Valle De Trinidad doing pits or watching?

600 miles ??!! why don't they call it the baja 500 this time?
that is way short of a thousand miles.
what's the deal?

norte - 11-17-2008 at 06:30 PM

Pls provide your sources for the number of people who are not going to the baja 1000k who normally would? I can't find a reservation anywhere

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Just isn't as much fun when racers, fans, support personal are TARGETS!

This will be the second 1000 we have taken vacation time off for that will see us touring in the USA, instead!

Really sad for the locals who so look forward to the business and fun the races bring to Baja... that so many will not be going to the 1000 who normally would!

roverdude - 11-17-2008 at 10:47 PM

On the Google map, is Agua de Leon (east of RM60) Laguna Hanson?

TMW - 11-18-2008 at 08:10 AM

Here's a video of the La Rumorosa Grade from the Race Dezert site.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52980

David K - 11-21-2008 at 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
is anyone here going to be hanging around Valle De Trinidad doing pits or watching?

600 miles ??!! why don't they call it the baja 500 this time?
that is way short of a thousand miles.
what's the deal?

SCORE ran its first Baja 1000 in 1975, 2 years after the Mexican owned 'Baja Sports Commitee' tried to run it (in 1973), and 'lost' the money to pay finishers who earned it! Previous, the race was run by NORRA and called the 'Mexican 1000'. 1974 was the only year there was no 1000...

In 1975, the race (for the first time) started and ended in Ensenada rather than in La Paz. It was a large loop in northern Baja of some 850 miles running just south of Punta Prieta (except classes 6,7,11 who ran the pavement to El Crucero as it was deemed the Pacific coast road was too difficult for them). In 1976, 77, and 78 they shortened the race some more, keeping it no further south than San Felipe to San Quintin area and called those the 'Baja 1000 Kilometer' (being under 700 miles long).

In 1979, after negotiating with the southern state of Baja California Sur, SCORE ran its first Baja 1000 to La Paz and it was close to 1000 miles long... That was the race I was in!

Since then, SCORE has alternated between 'long' Baja 1000s and shorter ones that stayed in the northern state... In 2000, they ran a 'Baja 2000' that finished in Cabo San Lucas... It was over 1,700 miles long!

So, today's Baja 1000 is a shorter one, more like a Baja 1000 Km.

capt. mike - 11-21-2008 at 07:04 AM

BS - several of the prior Ensenada loop courses were closer to 1000 miles.
this one is ridiculously short.

wow that's just plain scary TW!

capt. mike - 11-21-2008 at 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
Here's a video of the La Rumorosa Grade from the Race Dezert site.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52980

so my Q to you is - what section of the race is this?

can you identify it by ref to RM numbers? between X and Y? :?:

i want to watch my team via spot tracker when they go thru.

gonna be an exciting day doing the 1000....er, i mean 600 :smug:

by computer armchair today.

David, here is some history you and I discussed on that topic

thebajarunner - 11-21-2008 at 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Dug this up from my memory bank and a little help from Nomad Search

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=5056&page...

LOSARIPES - 11-22-2008 at 03:46 AM

Does anyone know if the race will run to La Paz or Los Cabos in 2009?

David K - 11-22-2008 at 09:33 AM

Good chance, since this year's was about the shortest in history... A long one would be logical next step... Unless the economy, or problems in Mexico dictates different.

TMW - 11-24-2008 at 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
Here's a video of the La Rumorosa Grade from the Race Dezert site.

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52980

so my Q to you is - what section of the race is this?

can you identify it by ref to RM numbers? between X and Y? :?:

i want to watch my team via spot tracker when they go thru.

gonna be an exciting day doing the 1000....er, i mean 600 :smug:

by computer armchair today.

Sorry Mike I had left for the race before seeing your post. The grade was at about RM 120. On Sat afternoon I drove down it in my GMC. It is a hoot. 3 or 4 times I had to backup to get around the switchbacks. Met 6 or 7 bikers coming up it. No problems getting down it.

capt. mike - 11-24-2008 at 12:02 PM

well thx TW - how did your fav teams do??

TMW - 11-25-2008 at 07:00 PM

The biker team we were following got 8th in class, not real good but not bad either. They had a great time doing it. I was glad that Norman and LR won OA four wheelers. I don't know Norman but have followed LR for many years. Also glad Campbell got his 11th OA bike win. He is a classy guy.

capt. mike - 11-26-2008 at 07:57 AM

i was glued to IRC until it reported DP racing wrong or for one bike as never left Ensenada.
then i went to our SPot Tracker feed for both bikes 13X and 11X and got all the updates i needed for both and finally down to just one as a spot deviced went gunnybag.
followed the action on BFG's race relay 12 feed as i never could get WX Man, but that was fine, WB and ELL kept me entertained from high atop Diablo where they stationed.

hope next year they either run past gonzaga and/or end in baja sur.

TMW - 11-26-2008 at 08:31 AM

I don't remember where I heard it but Sal was overheard telling someone that next year the race would also be a loop.

capt. mike - 11-26-2008 at 11:48 AM

that will be ok by me as long as they hit gonzaga at night, the TTs that is.
best TT action i ever saw was coming down the grade from the south and plowing north thru the pemex at gonzaga, watching at night 15 ft from the road HIDs blaring the way and hitting up to 120 on the long straights.
killer. can't wait to see that again. and the parties there were amazing. the pits too.

David K - 11-26-2008 at 03:43 PM

The problem with Gonzaga being on the race course is that the Puertecitos land owner is a pill and buffs the race using 'her' road through town. The pavement couldn't even go through! The 2006 1000 may have been the last race through Puertecitos... but who knows for sure?

Note that the new highway stays out of Puertecitos in the hills to the west... and they may not want Trophy Trucks on their new pavement...?

Desertbull - 12-2-2008 at 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
The problem with Gonzaga being on the race course is that the Puertecitos land owner is a pill and buffs the race using 'her' road through town. The pavement couldn't even go through! The 2006 1000 may have been the last race through Puertecitos... but who knows for sure?

Note that the new highway stays out of Puertecitos in the hills to the west... and they may not want Trophy Trucks on their new pavement...?

If it's a loop (which I believe TW is correct) it's not going to Gonzaga...but it might be going UP the summit and then UP Simpson's...might as well add in going up Rumarosa instead of going down...that was gnarly :lol:

David K - 12-3-2008 at 10:36 AM

Thanks Tim for your insight... nice to see you sharing some of your adventures here! How's the (gasoline) blender doing? :light: