TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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New BFG Baja 1000 Map
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StuckSucks
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I'm only seeing changes ~RM420-440. Are there other changes? There's big silt in that part of the course, to maybe this is a silt-avoidance measure?
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StuckSucks
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I was just looking at the course near RM440 and seeing multiple substantial silt beds - imagery is from earlier this year. We were there in 2013 and
heard reports of a couple dozen race cars buried out there.
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David K
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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So should Roger Norman wimp out and run the highway from Cataviņa to Chapala?
In 1975, for the very first SCORE Baja 1000, they allowed Classes 6 (production sedans), 7 (mini pickups), and 11 (pure stock Beatles) to shortcut on
the highway when it ran a very similar course. The spokesmen for those three classes told Sal that they had neither the horsepower nor traction to get
through.
Going through silt was a tradition since 1967 (north side of Laguna Chapala)! That was one place having a four-wheel-drive was an advantage in a Baja
racer!
Here is the 1975 Baja 1000 map (the first year for the race to go near the Seven Sisters)!
We were camping at the Sulfur Mine waiting for the racers in '75. We watched them go by southbound at Valle de Trinidad then moved over to San Felipe
and south for the return that evening, or early next morning.
It was very surprising when mini trucks were the first racers going by and not Class 1 or 2? We didn't know that the three classes named above were
allowed a short cut!
10 years later, Score repeated the route pretty closely...
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David K
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You mean in 1975 and the years it stayed in 'Norte' since then, or just why not this year?
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David K
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Of course it matter Frank!
Yes, the Mexican 1000 (1967-1972)... then re-named Baja 1000 (1973+ except 1974, no race) was traditionally a peninsula run for best time from
Tijuana, Ensenada, or Mexicali to La Paz. However, unable to secure permits to run the race in Baja Sur, SCORE kept it in 'Norte' for the first 4
years it ran that race. The '76 and '77 races were called 'Baja 1000 Km.' as they were less than 700 miles long, vs. the traditional 800+ mile race of
before.
Once the Baja Sur deal was made for the 1979 Baja 1000, SCORE decided it economically wise to alternate peninsula-long runs with northern loop runs.
Ending a race back where it started is much less taxing on a racer's budget, as well as a shorter route back home from where you break down!
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TMW
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SCORE only did a full run south to La Paz or Cabo every 2-3 years because the race teams didn't want to go too often due to the cost. The pre-running,
hotels, meals etc get pretty expensive the further south you go. A loop in and out of Ensenada is easier and pre-running can be done on a normal
weekend.
The next big run south is in 2017 for the 50th anniversary of the 1000. I'm told it will be similar to the 2000 race. Somewhere around 1800 miles.
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TMW
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There were several bikers that did it solo like San Felipe Bob Surman. He said he would take a 20 minute nap every couple of hours.
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