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I think many people are not going to be happy about the race NOT coming down to La Paz!

It draws a lot of tourism money to the area.

Originally Posted by CDN_JOHNNY

I think many people are not going to be happy about the race NOT coming down to La Paz!

It draws a lot of tourism money to the area.

They have been alternating years going to La Paz (or even Cabo) since SCORE first raced to La Paz in 1979. The cost of a peninsula long run is very high, so having a loop race 50% or more years is a big help to racers and support crews.

The 'Mexican 1000' first ran in 1967 every year to La Paz, until 1973 when the organizer (NORRA) was replaced by the government's 'Baja Sports Committee' which renamed the race 'Baja Mil' (1000) and did such a bad job they didn't run another. No 1000 race was run in 1974, the year Baja California state officials invited Mickey Thompson and his new organization 'SCORE' to run races in Baja. They ran a 400 mile loop race, the first 'Baja Internacional', in July of 1974 and it was a huge success.

SCORE just didn't have enough prep time to put on a 1000 mile run that year, but did in 1975... the first ever 1000 loop race. They got Baja California Sur to sign on for a return to La Paz in 1979. It has run every other or 3rd/4th year since to La Paz or Cabo a couple of times. In 2000 only, the race was renamed Baja 2000 and did run to Cabo and was over 1,700 miles long!

NORRA has returned in recent years to run a multi-day road rally from Mexicali to La Paz or Cabo.

Thanks for the History behind the race.

I am not really into the race but I thought it might support the local businesses somewhat, I neglected to include in my thought process that many of the race groups are amateurs that fund their involvement out of their own pockets.

Originally Posted by CDN_JOHNNY

Thanks for the History behind the race.

I am not really into the race but I thought it might support the local businesses somewhat, I neglected to include in my thought process that many of the race groups are amateurs that fund their involvement out of their own pockets.

Off Road Racing was born in Baja in the mid 60's as the fun was seeing if you could beat the fastest recorded time from Tijuana to La Paz... when Hwy. 1 pavement ended just 72 miles south of Ensenada and didn't begin again until 100 miles north of La Paz. NORRA organized the time run into an annual event. It was really big deal for La Paz in those days. It was said that a decal (sticker) off a Baja racer could get you a 'date' for the night, in La Paz. ;)

Baja racing created an entire industry behind improving tires, shocks, entire vehicles... all to become Baja-Proven.

Naturally, as with all things, it isn't everyone's cup-of-tea, and some really are opposed to it. While Nature destroys roads a lot more than race cars, the habit of local spectators to leave their trash in the places where they watch the race go by is a shame.

Originally Posted by David K

Off Road Racing was born in Baja in the mid 60's as the fun was seeing if you could beat the fastest recorded time from Tijuana to La Paz... when Hwy. 1 pavement ended just 72 miles south of Ensenada and didn't begin again until 100 miles north of La Paz. NORRA organized the time run into an annual event. It was really big deal for La Paz in those days. It was said that a decal (sticker) off a Baja racer could get you a 'date' for the night, in La Paz. ;)

Baja racing created an entire industry behind improving tires, shocks, entire vehicles... all to become Baja-Proven.

Naturally, as with all things, it isn't everyone's cup-of-tea, and some really are opposed to it. While Nature destroys roads a lot more than race cars, the habit of local spectators to leave their trash in the places where they watch the race go by is a shame.

I remember watching the races on the ABC Wide World of Sports as a kid (and the Acapulco cliff diving championships each year). It was always a great event to watch. You are right the current races are tarnished by litter and too-close for safety crowds. Still a good time though.

We have a good friend who is competing in the upcoming Baja 1000. He recently finished 3rd in his class in the 500 and has won many local events since. He has invested a lot of time and money into upgrading his truck for the upcoming event and we will be following him closely.

Go Ricardo!!!

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