BajaNomad

Baja 500 Spectating

cwsMTK - 5-25-2022 at 11:29 AM

Planning on heading down next weekend but I also would like to catch some of the 500 as well.

Likely will be camping in the Eréndira area so the closet the race comes to highway 1 appears to be at ~race mile 400 east of Uruapan in the wash there.

Has anyone been out that way? would it be a decent place to catch some of the trucks?

Race map: https://score-international.com/raceinfo/course-map-2022-sco...

bajatrailrider - 5-25-2022 at 12:36 PM

Would be ok just be careful all the boozers out by then

Bajaboy - 5-25-2022 at 12:50 PM

We coincidentally have an appointment with our attorney in Ensenada next Friday. So while we won't be able to watch the race, we definitely plan on checking out contingency.

David K - 5-25-2022 at 01:56 PM

There is thread, with maps, on the race in the Baja Off-Roading forum, here: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=97500

thebajarunner - 5-25-2022 at 04:34 PM

I spent most of my time racing, not spectating
But I did try to help family and friends to get good locations that were both safe and also fairly comfortable.

Never get close to the track.... especially on the outside apex of a turn
Just scope out all the possibilities of racers trying to pass, or make the road extra wide and avoid those areas.
If possible, get up a bit elevated from the actual race road.

Figure out the prevailing winds, and park yourself upwind
Spending a full day eating dust may be muy macho, but not much fun.

Unless you are really there for a long duration, figure out an escape route back to a main route that does not run with, or even worse, against race traffic. (Too many bad moments occur on race road when it is being also used by lookieloos and locals.)

Enjoy!!

TMW - 5-26-2022 at 09:51 AM

One place to watch the race from is near race mile 175 on the map. Go in from Hwy 5 at KM106+. Go in to where it meets the well water pipe line road at 31-41.713x115-08.726 turn right and about 3 miles it meets the race course. Easy exit just back track to Hwy 5.

It use to be a favorite place where CODE would have pits, maybe still is.

TMW - 5-26-2022 at 10:05 AM

Another place that may be a little cooler is west of La Trinidad on Hwy 3. Take the KM 109 turn off marked EJ. Jamau. Go in about 4 miles to meet the race course at RM325.7. Again easy exit. Just be careful of other traffic.

cwsMTK - 5-26-2022 at 07:57 PM

Thanks for the tips guys