A couple of things have changed Baja racing as we once knew it. I think the biggest affect has been the use of tracking devices. No more cheating
whether it't hwy speeding, off road shortcuts, Etc.
I also think for the bikes it has been the smaller engines. 30 years ago the KX500 2 stroke was the king ridden by some of the best desert racers on
the Kawasaki factory teams. Honda had the XR600/650 4 stroke. A heavier bike not as quick as the KX but still competitive.
Before everyone switched to a 450 the Bikes more often than not would OA the Baja 500 and 1000. The SF250 was the one race where Trophy Trucks would
beat the bikes everytime, I think it had to do more with suspension, too many whoops for the bikers.
More recently the lack of factory support. No more Honda, Kawasaki, KTM etc teams with the best racers, JCR was probably the last effort made.
Justin Morgan is a darn good racer and would be on a factory team as well as his team mate Mark Samuels, just not a lot like them racing today.
[Edited on 11-20-2018 by TMW] |