The Baja 1000, 5 Miles East of Bahía Blanco

Our mission at this SCORE Baja 1000 was very simple: go to Race Mile 435, and wait for the three COPS Racing cars to arrive. Our sole purpose was “extraction” – if any one of our cars get stuck in the miles-long silt beds, our job was to find them and get them moving again. Should extraction be necessary, there was a 100% chance it would be at night, in total darkness – more commonly known as “fun.”

COPS Racing was campaigning Trophy Truck #50, driven by Zak Langley; the Class 10 car was driven by Morgan Langley, and John Langley handled the driving duties of the brand-new Trophy Truck Spec. The 830 mile course started in Ensenada, with a loop south along the Pacific, east to the Sea of Cortez, then north to San Felipe, then west, back to the finish in Ensenada.

IMG_0848
Our first stop in Baja was at the Horsepower Ranch outside Ensenada with its Legends Party, where off-road legends, Rob MacCachran and Rufus Parnell “Parnelli” Jones, were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
IMG_0850
The McMillins provided their contemporary race trucks for static display at Horesepower, plus Mark McMillin was showing his old Class 1 car. Speaking of Mark McMillin, the food at the Ranch was exceptional.
IMG_0859
On Thursday we left Horsepower Ranch and headed toward the hotel at Cataviña via Highway 5 and San Felipe. This is the end of the pavement, about 25 kilometers south of Gonzaga Bay. New highway construction is continuing to the south and west, progressing toward Highway 1. The creeping black death slowly takes over Baja.
IMG_0860
The new highway alignment runs about 2km west of Coco’s Corner, spanning some large arroyos.
IMG_0865
On Friday morning, we left the hotel in Cataviña, and headed to our position on the course at RM435 – the commute took close to six hours.
IMG_0866
The road west of Highway 1 was scenic and fast. Leaving the highway, the desert was green and happy.
IMG_0867
The Cardon, Boogum Trees and cholla were plentiful on the way to the San José de la Piedra fish camp on the Pacific coast.
IMG_0868
Once at the coast, we drove south about 25 miles, past bay after spectacular bay with no people, no buildings, no nada.
IMG_0875
Good Lord, another beautiful bay.
IMG_0880
One of the race leaders was 45x ridden by Francisco Arredondo of Guatemala.
IMG_0881
45x would finish the race, third in the Pro Motorcycle class, in 17 hours, 8 minutes.
IMG_0884
Raul Hernandez riding 14x KTM, finished sixth in the Pro Motorcycle class.
IMG_0886
The last rider before sunset. We only had nine hours to kill before our race cars arrive. The Trophy Truck and Class 10 were running strong, but the Trophy Truck Spec experienced mechanical problems around Race Mile 250 and couldn’t continue in the race. When the checkered flag dropped, the Trophy Truck finished 11th in class, and the Class 10 finished second in class.
IMG_0892
Saturday morning, heading back to civilization, we crossed El Islote dry lake – think: Bonneville Salt Flats (and all associated speed).
IMG_0895
Alfonsina’s in Gonzaga Bay was our Saturday night hotel. Friday was a long race day, and a shower and bed were greatly appreciated.
IMG_0856
Ahhhh … it’s time to relax at Gonzaga Bay – the end of a 1200 mile weekend.

2 thoughts on “The Baja 1000, 5 Miles East of Bahía Blanco

  • December 7, 2015 at 7:06 pm
    Permalink

    Outstanding report. Getting all artsy Fartsy with the photosphere n stuff. Looking good.

    Reply
  • December 7, 2015 at 4:53 pm
    Permalink

    I want your life…

    Reply

Do you think anyone is interested in what you have to say?