BajaNomad

11.13.2013: In the Baja 1000, 2WD, 4-Door Sedan Class ...

bryanmckenzie - 11-13-2013 at 01:14 PM

... with a 5-day head start ahead of the motorcycles slated to begin the Baja Mil at 11pm this evening, this Hundai Elantra is the fastest in car in this class and crossed Highway 1 a few kilometers north of the Bahia de los Angeles junction (the race's most southerly point) in a record-setting 95 hours and 30 minues, barely half way through the race. Said a frustrated support team member from Team RoadRunner, "Beep, beep --- this guy better get outta our way. Otherwise I'm putting in a detour sign and paintin' a tunnel on the next rock face!" Driver El Coyote had no comment.

Reporting, live, from Mama Espinoza's in El Rosario (EXTREMELY fast Internet connection, both FTP upload as well as online/download)
















[Edited on 2013-11-13 by bryanmckenzie]

Ateo - 11-13-2013 at 01:20 PM

Very cool post.

11.13.13: TRAFFIC REPORT

bryanmckenzie - 11-13-2013 at 01:20 PM

I know the worst part of driving Highway 1 is coming up from El Roasrio to Colonet and more. However, getting a sunrise start this AM was awesome. It makes the whole day longer, and with shorter days in November, you have to maximize those 12 hours of sunlight and drive when you can. Last night in the dark from San Ignacio to Guererro Negro was actually not too bad.

This morning traffic from GN to Catavina was mostly non-existent southbound. Or northbound. There were multiple bikers and groups of bikers. Crazy people. I'll add pictures in my trip report. After Catavina (8:45am), traffic started picking up just a bit. Saw only 2 race support vehicles. El Rosario is looking a bit busy as I sit here having lunch.

Driving with daytime headlights appears to be more common now. I see about 30% of vehicles with headlights on. I do, too.



[Edited on 2013-11-13 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2013-11-13 by bryanmckenzie]

11.13.2013: PAVEMENT REPORT (brief)

bryanmckenzie - 11-13-2013 at 01:31 PM

Worst pavement of the peninsula goes to the area around Laguna chapala ... no potholes, simply really rough asphalt that pulls the vehicle right and left. Poor pavement markings, minimal signage and narrow lanes. Not suitable for high speed. Sort of dirt washboard-like, but different. Just slow down to (55-60) and use both hands.

South of Catavina, the road is actually very good; it's extra wide, striped, well-marks and smooth asphalt.

North of Catavina to San Augustino, second worst stretch. Some new pavement, but the vast majority is narrow and POT-HOLED with monster size pieces missing. Poor marking, narrow lanes. Slow down, be careful.

Betwen Rosarito and Military Checkpoint and on to Santa Rosalillita turnoff ... excellent width, surface, markings.

Thru Santa Rosalia ... crappy surface, dirt-covered, invisible topes.

Most of the rest of the peninsula is in very decent shape. I'm more impressed than ever with our Mexican neighbors making a huge effort to improve safety.

When coming into or thru towns, SLOW DOWN! Many topes are NOT visible due to faded paint. I hit several way too hard even driving slow. Some are quite blunt/steep.

[Edited on 2013-11-13 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2013-11-13 by bryanmckenzie]

11.13.2013: CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

bryanmckenzie - 11-13-2013 at 01:33 PM

I'd be under-estimating if I said there are 30 significant construction zones between Ensenada and La Paz. That doesn't count maintenance and minor construction. I won't cover all of them here, simply what I can remember off the top of my head without having to review my journal or look at photos:

Loreto/south has 30 Km of new pavement, 4-laning, new bridges and other type work, some requiring detours on pavement, some on dirt.

Loreto grade up to Insurgentes, crews are installing guardrail; please be careful, they come up suddenly

Constitucion is 4-laning numerous miles south of town; SLOW dirt detour

There are 4 stretches thru the San Vicente are under construction dirt detours that are slow & dusty ... 3 south of town and one bridge construction north of town. These will add at least a half hour to your drive. And if you are N/B, there is a military check point smack dab in the middle of the construction detour that took 15 minutes to clear.

More in BCS. Too many to mention individually. Allow plenty of time between destinations.

One one segment southbound, I covered 350 miles in 10 hours! That's a 35 mph average. And to get that I was driving 80-90 mph on those long, straight, safe segments that I could. Actually that's a very comfortable speed and can be safe when you have excellent visibility and no traffic. But construction will drag that WAY down.


[Edited on 2013-11-13 by bryanmckenzie]

[Edited on 2013-11-14 by bryanmckenzie]

Reminds of the '85 Honda civic 4-dr

neilm81301 - 11-13-2013 at 01:50 PM

..... I took down 100 mi of the Baja 500 course, a week after the race - must have been '87 or '89 - what a blast! all the turns were flagged, the rocks all painted up. Just don't slow down!

Went from Ensenada to Ojos Negros to Laguna Hansen, then back down to Mikes Sky Rancho, then back up to pavement (Valle de Trinidad?) & over to San Felipe.

One of my first real Baja trips on my own... kinda got to like the place!

Neil
Quote:
Originally posted by bryanmckenzie
... with a 5-day head start ahead of the motorcycles slated to begin the Baja Mil at 11pm this evening, this Hundai Elantra is the fastest in car in this class and crossed Highway 1 a few kilometers north of the Bahia de los Angeles junction (the race's most southerly point) in a record-setting 95 hours and 30 minues, barely half way through the race. Said a frustrated support team member from Team RoadRunner, "Beep, beep --- this guy better get outta our way. Otherwise I'm putting in a detour sign paintin' a tunnel on the next rock face!" Driver El Coyote had no comment.

Reporting, live, from Mama Espinoza's in El Rosario:

[Edited on 11-13-2013 by neilm81301]

David K - 11-13-2013 at 04:19 PM

Cool!

woody with a view - 11-13-2013 at 07:40 PM

don't the bikes start 11pm FRIDAY night?

liknbaja127 - 11-13-2013 at 07:51 PM

We were told the bikes go off a 12:00 am on friday moring, Cars at 7:00?
Bike guys were not to happy!

ElCap - 11-13-2013 at 07:52 PM

I drove that same stretch today - the road is fine. Why post such garbage? We left San Ignacio at 8am, had lunch in Catavina, and arrived in SQ late afternoon. Saw lots of southbound traffic - quite a few gringo campers, surfers, motorhomes and trailers, and 9 bicyclists. Most folks I've seen southbound in years. Just a few Baja Mil support vehicles north of Chapala. Not looking forward to the Baja Mil madness tomorrow, but we'll enjoy it best we can.

LOL,,LOL

captkw - 11-13-2013 at 07:55 PM

Thanx,,just got home from day 2 dealing with a frozen drive shaft on a I/O...I started in mex at 8yo and have always like the road runner cartoons....that's a funny..bryan...btw I went by brian till I left home a 11 and half...but another spelling on a name..you have wicked since of humor..beep beep

bajaandy - 11-13-2013 at 07:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
don't the bikes start 11pm FRIDAY night?


That's 11 pm THURSDAY night my friend!

Here's the breakdown:
Wednesday - Qualifying in the Ojos Negros Area 9am Trophy Trucks and Class1, 12pm Pro Motorcycles
Thursday - 10am-5pm Contingency
Thursday - 11pm - Bike start
Friday - 9am - Cars and Trucks start
Sunday - 10am Awards Celebration at Rivera del Pacifico Cultural Center

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

woody with a view - 11-13-2013 at 08:18 PM

bummer!

msteve1014 - 11-13-2013 at 08:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
bummer!


You can say that again, BUMMER. I'm trying to get through Ensenada asap Friday morning.

David K - 11-13-2013 at 08:39 PM

Ensenada to San Felipe and down both sides of Baja to almost the L.A. Bay jcn. is SCORE country... until Sunday. These race dates are published a year in advance. Next year the 1000 goes to La Paz... so plan ahead!

msteve1014 - 11-18-2013 at 04:14 PM

Just so you know, we came through Ensenada at 6:30 am Friday. Bay of L.A. cut off by 12:30. No traffic to speak of, some support trucks, all driving responsibly. BBQ chicken in Viscaino, La Bocana before dark.