I think most everyone racing can average over 25mph. It's dealing with all the problems that can come up. Flat tires, siltbeds, lighting problems at
night, Fatigue, etc. Rain can cause a whole new set of problems.
Our first race was the 1987 1000. We had water in the gas and it took 20+ minutes to figure that out. They pitted and the rider took off and went
maybe 100 ft and bike dies. After checking several things one of the riders girlfriend says maybe there is water in the gas.
The right hand throttle/brake guard got broken and whenever we hit a bush or tree limb it would push the brake lever back causing the bike to slow
down I stopped several times before I noticed what was going on.
Same race late night the rider going thru Mikes Sky Ranch thought he had dragons chasing him so before he would look back he would spin the rear wheel
to throw rocks at the dragon.
That race it had rained hard the week before up till race day. West coast was a mud pit. I fell in the water. Got car tire wire caught in the back
wheel where people had burn tires. Used my feet as outriggers across a muddy field. I was never so happy to give the bike to the next rider.
But we finished within the time limit. I learned more in that race than in years of just riding.
The guy that rode thru Mikes came to the check point before Camalu and was told there were reports of rebar driven in the ground on the race course.
That made for a crazy ride watching out for rebar at night and he was already having dragons chase him.
Thanks TW. I hope to do my pit and be back in Ensenada shortly after the finish. I think the ETA for pro bikes at the finish line would be around
Friday @ 4PM.
What it takes to win a Baja race... (with link added)
Found this video/documentary from the 2009 race. Interesting and entertaining, esp the parts recorded from the driver's perspective.
Thought it provided good insights into the strategy involved with winning, the planning/prep throughout the year, the team work of the
chase/communication teams and pit crew, the comraderie... and ultimately, the heartbreak of a relatively simple thing meaning the difference between
winning, losing or even completing the course.
Also, a good reminder: nature bats last, especially in Baja!
Originally posted by David K
So to finish, one must average 24.5 mph! Speed and quick pitting is only needed to win!
[Edited on 11-9-2013 by Whale-ista]
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
The dragons today are in the form of Trophy Trucks. I remember one on your backside at a 500 race a couple of years ago called Robby Gordon, but you
did beat him to the finish line. Good job.
"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen.
The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back
if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt
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"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others
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