BajaNomad

2016 BAJA 500 COURSE?????

DRZ_Motorsports_119 - 3-20-2016 at 06:45 PM

Just saw a glimpse of what is supposed to be the 2016 SCORE Baja 500 course:

Ens - west ojos - La lagrima-3 hermanos - el mezcal - HWY3 - Maybe new mountain pass to the desert - Cuhabuzo Jct - Salada - Borrego - 2014 B500 El diablo loop - San Matias - Mikes - Simpons - Colonet - Erendira -Santo tomas - west ojos - Ens.

Maybe is a proposed course or the final projected course, 500 miles.

Does the northern pass between La rumorosa and el mano pass exist?

What are your thoughts?


1496745_1038631092842228_5381779193338251700_n.jpg - 56kB

David K - 3-20-2016 at 07:25 PM

Welcome to Nomad!
What road is that west from Valle de Trinidad to Colonet south of the standard road to Hwy 1?
Thanks!

DRZ_Motorsports_119 - 3-20-2016 at 08:07 PM

On the traditional cross over baja route there’s a trail on the left side that takes you to a wash that pops up in colonet, the route does exist. The mountain pass is the one that makes me wonder, I have heard rumors of a road east of laguna hanson that descends to the mexicali desert.

[Edited on 3-21-2016 by DRZ_Motorsports_119]

TMW - 3-21-2016 at 10:05 AM

We've discussed a mountain pass north of El Mano on here before but no one could say for sure. I would guess they will use El Mano which is a cool ride or drive down. But if they do have another pass that would be cool too.

I also like the La Rumorosa Grade.

StuckSucks - 3-21-2016 at 11:41 AM

Photos from the south end of Laguna Diablo, Baja 500 2014 - we pitted with Checkers. Hopefully, a repeat for me this year.

Classic Baja: we were the only ones pitting out there - about 100 yards away, one local family was spectating. After a while, the dad came over and asked us some questions about the course. We loaded him intel, along with steekers and other goodies, and he went back to camp. About 20 minutes later, the son came over with a care package: fresh civeche with a box of unopened crackers. So there we are, sitting on a dry lake in fairly remote Baja, watching an off road race, eating awesome civeche. It doesn't get any better for a knuckledragger.






Maderita - 3-22-2016 at 12:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DRZ_Motorsports_119  
...The mountain pass is the one that makes me wonder, I have heard rumors of a road east of laguna hanson that descends to the mexicali desert.


Sorry to disappoint. There are no passes for vehicles to the east of Laguna Hanson which drop to the desert floor/Laguna Salada.
The canyon to the northeast is Guadalupe. Local vaqueros moved cattle up and down a horseback trail in the 1970s. I believe Hurricane Kathleen washed out the trail in 1976. It was never passable by motor vehicle.
East of Laguna Hanson is Canyon La Mora; not even a foot trail there. Southeast of Laguna Hanson is Canyon Alamar. A local rancher friend has ridden it on a horse or mule, with stories about the difficulty. He grew up in the sierra and started riding about the age he could walk.
Further to the south is Canyon Palomar, which is passable on horseback to the local vaqueros.

DRZ_Motorsports_119 - 4-8-2016 at 11:43 AM

Any Intel regarding the Baja 500 course?

David K - 4-9-2016 at 03:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DRZ_Motorsports_119  
Any Intel regarding the Baja 500 course?


Keep checking the SCORE website... maps usually don't show up until one month before the race... ie early this May.

In the meantime here is what the original Baja 500 course looked like:



All roads used were main highways of the day! The only pavement in 1972 was from Ensenada to Camalu/Colonia Guerrero area... and again between Ojos Negros to Ensenada.... overall over 400 dirt miles.

DRZ_Motorsports_119 - 5-9-2016 at 05:14 PM

Course map is up in the SCORE website:

http://score-international.com/raceinfo/course-info/baja-500...

A very fast course, how is the condition of the traditional summit??

StuckSucks - 5-9-2016 at 05:34 PM

David K - 5-9-2016 at 05:37 PM

Interesting they eliminated any Pacific Coast running and stayed in the desert for half of the miles... Hope it isn't as hot as usual this June!!!

woody with a view - 5-9-2016 at 05:44 PM

Great story, Knuckledragger!

TMW - 5-9-2016 at 07:24 PM

Looks like they are not going to Mikes Sky Ranch, just part way and cutting over.

David K - 5-10-2016 at 07:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
Looks like they are not going to Mikes Sky Ranch, just part way and cutting over.


Seems they have been avoiding the loop into Mike's a few times. Maybe the Simpson grade is not easily passable?

BajaGeoff - 5-10-2016 at 03:10 PM

Might as well be called the San Felipe 500! It is going to be a hot and brutal race on that side of the peninsula...

PaulW - 5-10-2016 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DRZ_Motorsports_119  
Course map is up in the SCORE website:

http://score-international.com/raceinfo/course-info/baja-500...

A very fast course, how is the condition of the traditional summit??


======
Summit has a new road from near top to the N side. Been good for a couple of years. Of course if you do not know where the road goes you can have difficulty. On the approach from Indepencia it remains crappy with new boulders in the way each year.

Ateo - 5-11-2016 at 07:53 AM

Was hoping for some Pacific Coast action..........wanted some viewing and some surfing...............guess I'll wait for the 1000.

woody with a view - 5-12-2016 at 11:42 AM

June 2-5. What day is the actual race day?

StuckSucks - 5-12-2016 at 12:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
June 2-5. What day is the actual race day?


SATURDAY

STAGING - All Pro Motorcycles, Pro Quads, Sportsman Motorcycles, Sportsman Quads

5:30am RACE START - Pro Motorcycles, Pro Quads, Sportsman Motorcycles, Sportsman Quads
Starting Intervals: All Pro and Sportsman Moto and Quad Classes - One rider every 60 seconds
RaceTime/Distance: 21 Hours for 477.51 mile course

TIME GAP – There will be a minimum 3-1/2 hour time gap between the last MC/Quad and first SCORE Trophy Truck off Start line.

STAGING – All 4-Wheel Classes - Staging times (In Racer Brief) will be determined by number of entries in class

START – All 4-Wheel Classes
Starting Intervals: One vehicle every 60 seconds for TT and Class 1 with a 5-minute gap between classes. All other classes will start one vehicle every 30 seconds.
Race Time/Distance: 21 Hours for 477.51 mile course

Bajaboy - 5-12-2016 at 12:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
June 2-5. What day is the actual race day?


I'm guessing you couldn't find the answer on the Score website?! They need to seriously update that site and its functionality.

willardguy - 5-12-2016 at 02:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  
Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
June 2-5. What day is the actual race day?


I'm guessing you couldn't find the answer on the Score website?! They need to seriously update that site and its functionality.


they need to seriously update the owner of SCORE!........and its coming ;)

TMW - 5-12-2016 at 03:32 PM

It's on the site but the site is just not user friendly. They put all this crap on it, I guess to show how fancy they can be. Then to find anything you have to look all over the place. KISS is the way to go if you want people to know.

PaulW - 5-13-2016 at 06:42 AM

June 2- 5.
500 qualification is on Thursday, Contingency is on Friday, Race is on Saturday and awards are on Sunday. Go to race Dezert.com to find a map after one the experts wades thru the SCORE web site to get it and post it.
Yup, I gave up on the SCORE web site like most have. My time is more valuable.

woody with a view - 5-13-2016 at 06:58 AM

Saturday seems like the obvious day, it's our southbound travel day. Luckily the mayhem will be headed east so shouldn't be too bad for our adventure.

Bajaboy - 5-13-2016 at 07:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Saturday seems like the obvious day, it's our southbound travel day. Luckily the mayhem will be headed east so shouldn't be too bad for our adventure.


We'll miss you by a day amigo. We head down on Sunday. We'll miss this race but definitely stake out some dirt to watch the 1000.

StuckSucks - 5-20-2016 at 06:28 PM

2016 Baja 500 Course Map embedded in Google Maps.

Ateo - 5-20-2016 at 06:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks  
2016 Baja 500 Course Map embedded in Google Maps.


A great resource. Gracias!

Jon

StuckSucks - 5-20-2016 at 07:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  


A great resource. Gracias!

Jon


Da nada. Unfortunately not too many waves in San Felipe.

Ateo - 5-21-2016 at 08:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks  
Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  


A great resource. Gracias!

Jon


Da nada. Unfortunately not too many waves in San Felipe.


Yeah, I'm headed down before the race. Gonna do some surfing and exploring, then probably post up somewhere and watch some racers come thru before heading home.