Baja 1000
Encyclopedia
SCORE
Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula
in November. The Baja 1000 is part of the SCORE Championship Desert Racing Series that include the Baja 500
, San Felipe 250
and the new San Felipe Challenge of Champions in place of the Primm 300
which had been the only SCORE race in the United States. The Baja 1000 allows various types of vehicle classes to compete on the same course - from such small and large bore motorcycle
s, stock VW
, production vehicles, buggies
, Truck
s, and custom fabricated race vehicles. The course has remained relatively the same over the years with the majority of events being either a point-to-point race from Ensenada
to La Paz
, or a loop race starting and finishing in Ensenada.
The name of the event can be misleading as the mileage varies for the type of event ("Loop" of approximately 650 miles starting and finishing in Ensenada, or "Point to Point" also known as the "Peninsula Run" of 900 to 1,100 miles from Ensenada to La Paz) and has represented kilometers in the past. Because the Mexican government was proud to play host, the race was initially called the "Mexican"1000 up to 1972.
The first official race started in Tijuana
, Baja California
, on October 31, 1967, and was named the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally. The course length that year was 849 miles (1,366.3 km) and ended in La Paz, Baja California Sur
, with the overall winning time of 27 hours 38 minutes (27:38) set by Vic Wilson and Ted Mangels while driving a Meyers Manx
buggy
.
From 1967 to 1972, the race
was organized by the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) and grew in popularity with ABC's "Wide World of Sports" sending Jim McKay to cover the 1968 event, and attracting new participants like the late Mickey Thompson
, Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones
and movie actor James Garner
. By 1971, major sponsors such as Olympia Brewing Company and Minolta Cameras began to support Parnelli Jones
in his Dick Russell designed and Bill Stroppe prepared "Big Oly" Bronco and Larry Minor in a similar Stroppe prepared Bronco.
In October 1973, the price for a barrel of crude oil shot up 70% overnight as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) launched the Arab Oil Embargo. Fearful competitors would abandon the idea of competing and stay home, NORRA abanbdoned the race - despite assurances from the Federal government run Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) fuel prices would remain stable - and announced they would hold an event in the state of Arizona.
It was at that time in history, Baja California governor
Milton Castellanos handed over sanctioning of the event to a non-profit Mexican corporation
called the "Baja Sports Committee" (BSC). BSC renamed the event the "Baja Mil" (Baja 1000) and scheduled the race to run on the original dates chosen by NORRA. Though NORRA held a competing event in the United States that same weekend, BSC successfully ran the race from Ensenada to La Paz like the years prior. Unaware of the challenges, BSC found promoting Baja races more difficult than anticipated. Instead of giving up the race, the Mexican government requested help from Short Course Off-Road Enterprises (SCORE)
in hosting and promoting future Baja races. Through negotiations with Mickey Thompson
and his SCORE organization, the Government agreed to give exclusive rights to SCORE to hold Baja races and also reluctantly allowed SCORE to cancel the event for 1974. SCORE hired Sal Fish
as president and took control of the Baja 1000 from that year on with the Baja 1000 race resuming under new control in 1975.
decided to hold a long-distance run to prove the reliability of Honda's new CL72 Scrambler, they approached well known off-road dirt biker and local Honda dealer Bud Ekins
for suggestions. Bud suggested the Tijuana to La Paz route (Federal Highway 1
) which was 950 miles (1,528.9 km) of rocks, sand washes, dry lake beds, cattle crossing, mountain passes, and paved road. Bud Ekins declined to perform the run because of Triumph Motorcycles ties, but Dave Ekins
(Bud's brother) and Billy Robertson Jr. agreed to perform the trip for American Honda. After pre-running the peninsula
in Fulton's Cessna 180
, they began the journey to La Paz just after midnight on March 22, 1962. While being followed by two journalists in an airplane and using telegraph offices at the Mexican border and in La Paz, Dave Ekins recorded the first official timed run in 39 hours 56 minutes (39:56) with a total distance of 952.7 miles (1,533.2 km). The event received coverage in the Globe
, Argosy
, and Cycle World magazines, earning awe and respect for Honda and the Baja run. The Globe and Argosy accounts also included close encounters with death and other dangers which Ekins claims were "colorful additions".
, Bruce Meyers used his original prototype buggy called "Old Red" for an attempt at breaking the record set by Ekins. After pre-running a course south to La Paz, Ted Mangels and Bruce Meyers started the record-breaking attempt back to Tijuana from La Paz at 10:00pm on April 19, 1967. With journalist from Road & Track magazine following the two to witness the attempt, the final official time was 34:45 beating Ekins' run by more than 5 hours. Upon returning to the United States, the journalist documenting the run sent out press kits with photographs and a news release with the headline "Buggy Beats Bike in Baja." to hundreds of magazines and newspapers. Soon, more stories of adventure, close calls, and broken speed records received media coverage around the world. Following the event, Bruce Meyers and his Meyers Manx became an overnight sensation and the competition between four wheels and motorcycles for the fastest Baja run began.
In the following months, more attempts at breaking the record would take place. One of the attempts included a multiple vehicle run organized by Ed Pearlman (Mexican 1000 founder) that ended in an official four-wheel drive record being recorded but with the overall time falling short of the record set by Meyers. On July 4, 1967, an American Motors
Rambler American
sedan would leave Tijuana at 9:00am to successfully break the record set by Meyers with an overall time of 31 hours.
, Claude Dozier, Ed Orr, Drino Miller and journalist John Lawlor to give a run to La Paz a try. In June 1967, Pearlman and group left Tijuana and immediately ran into mechanical troubles. This trip provided much downtime for Pearlman to brainstorm the idea of the National Off-road Racing Association (NORRA). After Pete Condos and Perlman put up the funds to incorporate NORRA, the group announced an official recognition of the previous record setters and created classes that related to the type of vehicle used to break the record. During the later part of summer, NORRA named the event the "Mexican 1000 Rally" and announced the first official race from Tijuana to La Paz was to be held on November 1, 1967.
Although motorcyclists participate and are often the overall winners, many competitors drive modified or stock 4-wheel vehicles such as cars, trucks, ATVs
and dune buggies. Race teams consist of factory-supported groups that build custom fabricated vehicles and provide chase vehicles via helicopter, to the much smaller and less glamorized sportsman teams competing in an all-stock vehicle with no chase vehicle support at all. Stock Volkswagen Type One Beetles
are modified for use in off-road terrain, known as Baja Bug
s, have been a common sight throughout the event duration, but the factory-supported all-spaceframe Trophy Truck
entries are the most visible.
In contrast to the current factory EX supported modern race vehicles that overall the car and truck classes, Erik Carlsson
drove a basically stock front wheel drive Saab 96
V4, finishing third in 1969 and fifth in 1970.
or booby-trapping the course by digging holes, blocking river flow, or burying and hiding obstacles. Racers are warned to beware of large crowds of spectators in remote parts of the course since it may indicate hidden traps or obstacle changes. Many of the booby traps are not created to intentionally injure the contestants but are created by the local spectators as jumps or obstacles for spectator entertainment. The haphazardly-designed jumps, created by the spectators, are very dangerous as the contestants may inadvertently enter the booby-trap at unsafe speeds, resulting in damage to the vehicles or injuries to competitors or spectators. Awareness of booby traps and course alterations are often part of race-day strategy and convey an advantage to the best prepared teams — nonetheless given the danger the traps pose, it is customary for competitors to quickly communicate course hazards to other competitors through on-board radio communications and radio relay.
* Best overall time.
** Officially the race was called the Baja 2000 (1726 miles) for the year 2000.
was the oldest participant when he competed in the 2004 event at age 80.
SCORE International
SCORE International is an off-road sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing and is famous for its flagship event, the Baja 1000 as well as the Baja 500 and San Felipe 250. SCORE races are held in United States and Mexico...
Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
in November. The Baja 1000 is part of the SCORE Championship Desert Racing Series that include the Baja 500
Baja 500
SCORE Baja 500 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in early June. The Baja 500 is part of a series of races that include the Baja 1000, San Felipe 250 and Primm 300. The event includes various types of vehicle classes such as small and large bore motorcycles,...
, San Felipe 250
San Felipe 250
Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in late February or early March. The San Felipe 250 is part of a series of races that include the Baja 1000, Baja 500 and Primm 300...
and the new San Felipe Challenge of Champions in place of the Primm 300
Primm 300
Terrible's SCORE Primm 300 is an off-road race that takes place yearly in Primm, Nevada in September. The Primm 300 is part of a series of races that include the Baja 1000, Baja 500 and San Felipe 250. The event includes various types of vehicle classes such as stock VW, production vehicles,...
which had been the only SCORE race in the United States. The Baja 1000 allows various types of vehicle classes to compete on the same course - from such small and large bore motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s, stock VW
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
, production vehicles, buggies
Buggy (automobile)
-See also:* Dune buggy* Swamp buggy* Moon buggy* Rock buggy* Buggy body...
, Truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
s, and custom fabricated race vehicles. The course has remained relatively the same over the years with the majority of events being either a point-to-point race from Ensenada
Ensenada, Baja California
Ensenada is a coastal city in Mexico and the third-largest city in Baja California. It is located south of San Diego on the Baja California Peninsula. The city is locally referred to as La Cenicienta del Pacífico, or, The Cinderella of the Pacific...
to La Paz
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
, or a loop race starting and finishing in Ensenada.
The name of the event can be misleading as the mileage varies for the type of event ("Loop" of approximately 650 miles starting and finishing in Ensenada, or "Point to Point" also known as the "Peninsula Run" of 900 to 1,100 miles from Ensenada to La Paz) and has represented kilometers in the past. Because the Mexican government was proud to play host, the race was initially called the "Mexican"1000 up to 1972.
The first official race started in Tijuana
Tijuana
Tijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
, Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, on October 31, 1967, and was named the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally. The course length that year was 849 miles (1,366.3 km) and ended in La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
, with the overall winning time of 27 hours 38 minutes (27:38) set by Vic Wilson and Ted Mangels while driving a Meyers Manx
Meyers Manx
The Meyers Manx dune buggy was designed by Californian engineer, artist, boat builder and surfer Bruce Meyers. It was produced by his company between 1964 and 1971.The car featured a fiberglass bodyshell coupled with the Volkswagen Beetle frame and engine...
buggy
Dune buggy
A dune buggy is a recreational vehicle with large wheels, and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes or beaches. The design is usually a modified vehicle and engine mounted on an open chassis. The modifications usually attempt to increase the power-to-weight ratio by either lightening the...
.
From 1967 to 1972, the race
Racing
A sport race is a competition of speed, against an objective criterion, usually a clock or to a specific point. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time...
was organized by the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) and grew in popularity with ABC's "Wide World of Sports" sending Jim McKay to cover the 1968 event, and attracting new participants like the late Mickey Thompson
Mickey Thompson
Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson was an American off-road racing legend. He won many championships as a racer, and later formed sanctioning bodies SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group . He also raced in dragsters and land speed record automobiles.Thompson was born in Alhambra,...
, Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones
Parnelli Jones
Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...
and movie actor James Garner
James Garner
James Garner is an American film and television actor, one of the first Hollywood actors to excel in both media. He has starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades...
. By 1971, major sponsors such as Olympia Brewing Company and Minolta Cameras began to support Parnelli Jones
Parnelli Jones
Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...
in his Dick Russell designed and Bill Stroppe prepared "Big Oly" Bronco and Larry Minor in a similar Stroppe prepared Bronco.
In October 1973, the price for a barrel of crude oil shot up 70% overnight as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) launched the Arab Oil Embargo. Fearful competitors would abandon the idea of competing and stay home, NORRA abanbdoned the race - despite assurances from the Federal government run Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) fuel prices would remain stable - and announced they would hold an event in the state of Arizona.
It was at that time in history, Baja California governor
Governor of Baja California
The Governor of Baja California represents the executive branch of the government of the state of Baja California, Mexico, per the state's constitution. The official title is "Free and Sovereign State of Baja California" , and the position is democratically elected for a period of 6 years, and is...
Milton Castellanos handed over sanctioning of the event to a non-profit Mexican corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
called the "Baja Sports Committee" (BSC). BSC renamed the event the "Baja Mil" (Baja 1000) and scheduled the race to run on the original dates chosen by NORRA. Though NORRA held a competing event in the United States that same weekend, BSC successfully ran the race from Ensenada to La Paz like the years prior. Unaware of the challenges, BSC found promoting Baja races more difficult than anticipated. Instead of giving up the race, the Mexican government requested help from Short Course Off-Road Enterprises (SCORE)
SCORE International
SCORE International is an off-road sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing and is famous for its flagship event, the Baja 1000 as well as the Baja 500 and San Felipe 250. SCORE races are held in United States and Mexico...
in hosting and promoting future Baja races. Through negotiations with Mickey Thompson
Mickey Thompson
Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson was an American off-road racing legend. He won many championships as a racer, and later formed sanctioning bodies SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group . He also raced in dragsters and land speed record automobiles.Thompson was born in Alhambra,...
and his SCORE organization, the Government agreed to give exclusive rights to SCORE to hold Baja races and also reluctantly allowed SCORE to cancel the event for 1974. SCORE hired Sal Fish
Sal Fish
Sal Fish is CEO/President of SCORE International, the leading sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing....
as president and took control of the Baja 1000 from that year on with the Baja 1000 race resuming under new control in 1975.
1962: The first timed run
When Jack McCormack and Walt Fulton of American HondaHonda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
decided to hold a long-distance run to prove the reliability of Honda's new CL72 Scrambler, they approached well known off-road dirt biker and local Honda dealer Bud Ekins
Bud Ekins
Bud Ekins was one of the foremost stuntmen of his generation. Born James Sherwin Ekins in Hollywood, California, he is known to most as the actor who jumped the fence on a disguised Triumph TR6 Trophy 650cc motorcycle in The Great Escape, and who drove the Ford Mustang 390 GT in Bullitt...
for suggestions. Bud suggested the Tijuana to La Paz route (Federal Highway 1
Mexican Federal Highway 1
Mexican Federal Highway No. 1 follows the length of the Baja California Peninsula from Cabo San Lucas , at the southern end to Tijuana in the north...
) which was 950 miles (1,528.9 km) of rocks, sand washes, dry lake beds, cattle crossing, mountain passes, and paved road. Bud Ekins declined to perform the run because of Triumph Motorcycles ties, but Dave Ekins
Dave Ekins
Dave Ekins is an American off-road racing pioneer having set the first Tijuana to La Paz timed run in under 40 hours aboard a Honda CL72 Scrambler in 1962....
(Bud's brother) and Billy Robertson Jr. agreed to perform the trip for American Honda. After pre-running the peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
in Fulton's Cessna 180
Cessna 180
The Cessna 180 is a four- or six-seat, fixed conventional gear general aviation airplane which was produced between 1953 and 1981. Though the design is no longer in production, many of these aircraft are still in use as personal aircraft and in utility roles such as bush...
, they began the journey to La Paz just after midnight on March 22, 1962. While being followed by two journalists in an airplane and using telegraph offices at the Mexican border and in La Paz, Dave Ekins recorded the first official timed run in 39 hours 56 minutes (39:56) with a total distance of 952.7 miles (1,533.2 km). The event received coverage in the Globe
The Globe (tabloid)
Globe is a supermarket tabloid first published North America on November 10, 1954 in Montreal, Canada as Midnight by Joe Azaria and John Vader and became the chief competitor to the National Enquirer during the 1960s. In 1978 it changed its name to the Midnight Globe after its publisher, Globe...
, Argosy
Argosy (magazine)
Argosy was an American pulp magazine, published by Frank Munsey. It is generally considered to be the first American pulp magazine. The magazine began as a general information periodical entitled The Golden Argosy, targeted at the boys adventure market.-Launch of Argosy:In late September 1882,...
, and Cycle World magazines, earning awe and respect for Honda and the Baja run. The Globe and Argosy accounts also included close encounters with death and other dangers which Ekins claims were "colorful additions".
Four wheels vs two
Wanting to beat the existing motorcycle record and to help fuel sales of the Meyers ManxMeyers Manx
The Meyers Manx dune buggy was designed by Californian engineer, artist, boat builder and surfer Bruce Meyers. It was produced by his company between 1964 and 1971.The car featured a fiberglass bodyshell coupled with the Volkswagen Beetle frame and engine...
, Bruce Meyers used his original prototype buggy called "Old Red" for an attempt at breaking the record set by Ekins. After pre-running a course south to La Paz, Ted Mangels and Bruce Meyers started the record-breaking attempt back to Tijuana from La Paz at 10:00pm on April 19, 1967. With journalist from Road & Track magazine following the two to witness the attempt, the final official time was 34:45 beating Ekins' run by more than 5 hours. Upon returning to the United States, the journalist documenting the run sent out press kits with photographs and a news release with the headline "Buggy Beats Bike in Baja." to hundreds of magazines and newspapers. Soon, more stories of adventure, close calls, and broken speed records received media coverage around the world. Following the event, Bruce Meyers and his Meyers Manx became an overnight sensation and the competition between four wheels and motorcycles for the fastest Baja run began.
In the following months, more attempts at breaking the record would take place. One of the attempts included a multiple vehicle run organized by Ed Pearlman (Mexican 1000 founder) that ended in an official four-wheel drive record being recorded but with the overall time falling short of the record set by Meyers. On July 4, 1967, an American Motors
American Motors
American Motors Corporation was an American automobile company formed by the 1954 merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history.George W...
Rambler American
Rambler American
The Rambler American is an automobile manufactured by the American Motors Corporation between 1958 and 1969. The American was the second incarnation of AMC's forerunner Nash Motors second-generation Rambler compact that was sold under the Nash and Hudson Motors marques from 1954 and 1955.The...
sedan would leave Tijuana at 9:00am to successfully break the record set by Meyers with an overall time of 31 hours.
History
As the timed runs recorded via telegraph became popular, a need for an organized event to compete for the quickest Baja run was starting to grab the attention of other competitors. Once Ed Pearlman caught word of Meyers' run, Ed convinced Dick CepekDick Cepek
Dick Cepek was an American Off-road Motorsports Hall of Famer. He is known for starting a 4x4 offroad tire and parts supplier in 1963. Dick Cepek Tires was one of the first off-road enterprises.-Background:...
, Claude Dozier, Ed Orr, Drino Miller and journalist John Lawlor to give a run to La Paz a try. In June 1967, Pearlman and group left Tijuana and immediately ran into mechanical troubles. This trip provided much downtime for Pearlman to brainstorm the idea of the National Off-road Racing Association (NORRA). After Pete Condos and Perlman put up the funds to incorporate NORRA, the group announced an official recognition of the previous record setters and created classes that related to the type of vehicle used to break the record. During the later part of summer, NORRA named the event the "Mexican 1000 Rally" and announced the first official race from Tijuana to La Paz was to be held on November 1, 1967.
Vehicles
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
and dune buggies. Race teams consist of factory-supported groups that build custom fabricated vehicles and provide chase vehicles via helicopter, to the much smaller and less glamorized sportsman teams competing in an all-stock vehicle with no chase vehicle support at all. Stock Volkswagen Type One Beetles
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
are modified for use in off-road terrain, known as Baja Bug
Baja Bug
The term Baja Bug generally refers to an original Volkswagen Beetle modified to operate off-road , although other versions of air-cooled Volkswagens are sometimes modified as well.-History:...
s, have been a common sight throughout the event duration, but the factory-supported all-spaceframe Trophy Truck
Trophy Truck
Trophy Trucks are the fastest class of off-road racing vehicles designed and built to resemble modern pickup trucks. Although any truck that meets the safety standards can race the trophy truck class, they, for the most part, feature long travel suspensions and high power engines...
entries are the most visible.
In contrast to the current factory EX supported modern race vehicles that overall the car and truck classes, Erik Carlsson
Erik Carlsson
Erik Carlsson, aka "Carlsson på taket" , was born March 5, 1929 in Trollhättan, Sweden and was a rally driver for Saab. Because of his public relations work for Saab, he is also known as Mr. Saab....
drove a basically stock front wheel drive Saab 96
Saab 96
For the modern car, see Saab 9-6The Saab 96 is an automobile made by Saab. It was introduced in 1960 and was produced until January 1980, a run of 20 years. Like the 93 it replaced, the 96 was a development from the old Saab 92 chassis and, on account of its improvements and modernisation, it...
V4, finishing third in 1969 and fifth in 1970.
Baja course
- Point-to-point: A point-to-point race is one that starts and ends in two different locations. The start is traditionally held in Ensenada but has been held in Tijuana and MexicaliMexicaliMexicali is the capital of the State of Baja California, seat of the Municipality of Mexicali, and 2nd largest city in Baja California. The City of Mexicali has a population of 689,775, according to the 2010 census, while the population of the entire metropolitan area reaches 936,826.The city...
as well. The course length varies for a point to point but is often over 1000 miles (1,609.3 km) and ends in La Paz.
- Loop race: A loop race is one that starts and finishes in the same location. Traditionally the race starts and ends in Ensenada but has started/finished in Mexicali as well. The course length averages 830 miles (1,335.8 km).
Sabotage and booby-traps
Each year there are reports of spectators sabotagingSabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
or booby-trapping the course by digging holes, blocking river flow, or burying and hiding obstacles. Racers are warned to beware of large crowds of spectators in remote parts of the course since it may indicate hidden traps or obstacle changes. Many of the booby traps are not created to intentionally injure the contestants but are created by the local spectators as jumps or obstacles for spectator entertainment. The haphazardly-designed jumps, created by the spectators, are very dangerous as the contestants may inadvertently enter the booby-trap at unsafe speeds, resulting in damage to the vehicles or injuries to competitors or spectators. Awareness of booby traps and course alterations are often part of race-day strategy and convey an advantage to the best prepared teams — nonetheless given the danger the traps pose, it is customary for competitors to quickly communicate course hazards to other competitors through on-board radio communications and radio relay.
Overall winners
| | Cars & Trucks | | Motorcycle | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Drivers | Vehicle | Time | Riders | Vehicle | Time |
| 1967 | *Vic Wilson, Ted Mangels | Meyers Manx VW | 27:38 | J.N. Roberts J.N. Roberts James Nelson "J. N." Roberts is a semi-retired off road and enduro motorcycle racer from Southern California. In the 1960s and 1970s he was a top desert racer on two wheels in the United States.... , Malcolm Smith |
Husqvarna Husqvarna Motorcycles Husqvarna Motorcycles, a subsidiary of BMW, is a company manufacturing motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. The company began producing motorcycles in 1903 at Huskvarna, Sweden, as a branch of the Husqvarna armament firm which had supplied the Swedish army with rifles since 1689.-History:As... |
28:48 |
| 1968 | Larry Minor, Jack Bayer | Ford Bronco | 21:11:32 | *Larry Berquist, Gary Preston | Honda | 20:38:28 |
| 1969 | *Larry Minor, Rod Hall | Ford Bronco | 20:48:10 | Gunnar Nilsson, J.N. Roberts J.N. Roberts James Nelson "J. N." Roberts is a semi-retired off road and enduro motorcycle racer from Southern California. In the 1960s and 1970s he was a top desert racer on two wheels in the United States.... |
Husqvarna | 21:35:52 |
| 1970 | *Drino Miller, Vic Wilson Miller | VW | 16:07 | Mike Patrick, Bill Bowers | Yamaha | 18:31 |
| 1971 | *Parnelli Jones Parnelli Jones Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car... , Bill Stroppe |
Ford Bronco | 14:59 | Malcolm Smith, Gunnar Nilsson | Husqvarna | 16:51 |
| 1972 | *Parnelli Jones Parnelli Jones Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car... , Bill Stroppe |
Ford Bronco | 16:47 | Gunnar Nilsson, Rolf Tibblin Rolf Tibblin Rolf Tibblin is a former world champion motocross racer. He was one of the top riders in the Motocross Grand Prix World Championships during the 1960s... |
Husqvarna | 19:19 |
| 1973 | *Bobby Ferro, Johnny Johnson | Funco VW | 16:50 | Mitch Mayes, A.C. Bakken | Husqvarna | 18:42:51 |
| 1974 | No Race | No Race | ||||
| 1975 | Malcolm Smith, Dr. Bud Feldkamp | Hi-Jumper VW | 18:55:49 | *Al Baker, Gene Cannady | Honda | 18:22:55 |
| 1976 | Ivan Stewart Ivan Stewart Ivan "Ironman" Stewart is an off road racing driver.-Racing career:In 1973, Ivan was scheduled to co-drive in the Ensenada 300 in a Class 1-2 buggy. His co-driver broke his leg, so Stewart drove the car, and won the race. After some wins under his belt, he joined Toyota factory team in 1983 for... |
Chenowth VW | 12:17:28 | *Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Mitch Mayes |
Husqvarna | 11:30:47 |
| 1977 | Malcolm Smith, Dr. Bud Feldkamp | Funco VW | 15:10:42 | *Brent Wallingsford, Scot Harden | Husqvarna | 14:37:07 |
| 1978 | *Mark Stahl | Chenowth VW | 12:55:42 | Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Jack Johnson |
Husqvarna | 14:37:07 |
| 1979 | Walker Evans, Bruce Florio | Dodge Pickup | 20:48:27 | *Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Jack Johnson |
Husqvarna | 19:48:04 |
| 1980 | Mark Stahl | Chenowth VW | 13:33:55 | *Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Jack Johnson |
Yamaha | 12:45:13 |
| 1981 | Mark McMillin, Thomas Hoke | Chenowth VW | 20:29:14 | *Scot Harden, Brent Wallingsford | Husqvarna | 17:14:05 |
| 1982 | Mickey Thompson Mickey Thompson Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson was an American off-road racing legend. He won many championships as a racer, and later formed sanctioning bodies SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group . He also raced in dragsters and land speed record automobiles.Thompson was born in Alhambra,... , Terry Smith |
Raceco VW | 19:40:23 | *Al Baker, Jack Johnson | Honda | 17:25:27 |
| 1983 | Mark McMillin, Ralph Paxton | Chenowth VW | 20:29:14 | *Dan Smith, Dan Ashcraft | Husqvarna | 14:48:10 |
| 1984 | Mark McMillin, Ralph Paxton | Chenowth VW | 16:27:09 | *Chuck Miller, Randy Morales | Honda | 14:34:34 |
| 1985 | Steve Sourapas, Dave Richardson | Raceco VW | 17:54:55 | *Randy Morales, Derrick Paiement | Honda | 17:44:42 |
| 1986 | Mark McMillin, Ralph Paxton | Chenowth Porsche | 18:26:28 | *Bruce Ogilvie, Chuck Miller | Honda | 18:05:52 |
| 1987 | Bob Gordon, Malcolm Smith | Chenowth Porsche | 13:15:04 | *Dan Ashcraft, Bruce Ogilvie | Honda | 12:02:14 |
| 1988 | Mark McMillin | Chenowth Porsche | 18:07:09 | *Paul Krause, Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Danny LaPorte Danny LaPorte Danny LaPorte was one of the top American motocross racers in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first American to win a 250cc motocross world championship.... |
Kawasaki | 17:53:16 |
| 1989 | Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series... |
Ford Pickup | 18:04:07 | *Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Danny LaPorte Danny LaPorte Danny LaPorte was one of the top American motocross racers in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first American to win a 250cc motocross world championship.... , Ted Hunnicutt Jr. |
Kawasaki | 17:53:16 |
| 1990 | Bob Gordon, Robyn Gordon, Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series... |
Chenowth Chevy | 12:30:45 | *Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Danny LaPorte Danny LaPorte Danny LaPorte was one of the top American motocross racers in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first American to win a 250cc motocross world championship.... |
Kawasaki | 11:11:45 |
| 1991 | Larry Ragland Larry Ragland Larry Ragland is a professional offroad racing competitor and 5 time SCORE International Baja 1000 Trophy Truck overall winner. "Lightning" Larry Ragland is the second most winning driver in desert racing's history and a trophy truck expert.... |
Chevrolet Pickup | 16:37:35 | *Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Marty Smith Marty Smith Marty Smith is a former professional motocross racer. He won three AMA National Motocross championships, all aboard Hondas, and was runner-up twice... |
Kawasaki | 13:35:25 |
| 1992 | Paul Simon, Dave Simon | Ford Ranger | 16:53:02 | *Danny Hamel, Garth Sweetland, Paul Ostbo | Kawasaki | 16:50:12 |
| 1993 | *Ivan Stewart Ivan Stewart Ivan "Ironman" Stewart is an off road racing driver.-Racing career:In 1973, Ivan was scheduled to co-drive in the Ensenada 300 in a Class 1-2 buggy. His co-driver broke his leg, so Stewart drove the car, and won the race. After some wins under his belt, he joined Toyota factory team in 1983 for... |
Toyota SR5 | 13:29:11 | Danny Hamel, Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Ty Davis |
Kawasaki | 13:57:23 |
| 1994 | Dave Ashley, Dan Smith | Ford F-150 | 10:43:43 | *Danny Hamel, Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Ty Davis |
Kawasaki | 10:20:47 |
| 1994 | Jim Smith | Ford TT | 10:28:56 | |||
| 1995 | Dale White | Chevy Truck | 21:57:03 | *Paul Krause, Ty Davis, Ted Hunnicutt Jr. | Kawasaki | 19:31:19 |
| 1995 | Larry Ragland Larry Ragland Larry Ragland is a professional offroad racing competitor and 5 time SCORE International Baja 1000 Trophy Truck overall winner. "Lightning" Larry Ragland is the second most winning driver in desert racing's history and a trophy truck expert.... |
Chevrolet TT | 20:14:12 | |||
| 1996 | Ryan Thomas | Chenowth | 15:53:56 | *Paul Krause, Ty Davis, Greg Zitterkopf | Kawasaki | 14:11:02 |
| 1996 | Larry Ragland Larry Ragland Larry Ragland is a professional offroad racing competitor and 5 time SCORE International Baja 1000 Trophy Truck overall winner. "Lightning" Larry Ragland is the second most winning driver in desert racing's history and a trophy truck expert.... |
Chevrolet TT | 14:38:59 | |||
| 1997 | Doug Fortin | Chenowth | 14:31:02 | *Johnny Campbell, Tim Staab, Greg Bringle | Honda | 13:19:59 |
| 1997 | Larry Ragland Larry Ragland Larry Ragland is a professional offroad racing competitor and 5 time SCORE International Baja 1000 Trophy Truck overall winner. "Lightning" Larry Ragland is the second most winning driver in desert racing's history and a trophy truck expert.... |
Chevrolet TT | 13:53:46 | |||
| 1998 | Ivan Stewart Ivan Stewart Ivan "Ironman" Stewart is an off road racing driver.-Racing career:In 1973, Ivan was scheduled to co-drive in the Ensenada 300 in a Class 1-2 buggy. His co-driver broke his leg, so Stewart drove the car, and won the race. After some wins under his belt, he joined Toyota factory team in 1983 for... |
Toyota | 19:08:20 | *Johnny Campbell, Jimmy Lewis | Honda | 18:58:48 |
| 1999 | Larry Ragland Larry Ragland Larry Ragland is a professional offroad racing competitor and 5 time SCORE International Baja 1000 Trophy Truck overall winner. "Lightning" Larry Ragland is the second most winning driver in desert racing's history and a trophy truck expert.... |
Chevy | 14:26:36 | *Johnny Campbell, Tim Staab | Honda | 14:15:42 |
| 2000** | Dan Smith, Dave Ashley | Ford | 32:15:39 | *Johnny Campbell, Tim Staab, Craig Smith, Steve Hengeveld | Honda | 30:54:12 |
| 2001 | Doug Fortin, Charlie Townsley | Jimco Chevy | 14:35:42 | *Johnny Campbell, Tim Staab | Honda | 13:51:40 |
| 2002 | Dan Smith, DaveAshley | Ford | 16:19:03 | *Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell, Andy Grider | Honda | 16:17:28 |
| 2003 | Doug Fortin, Charlie Townsley | Jimco Chevy | 16:24:02 | *Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell | Honda | 15:39:52 |
| 2004 | Troy Herbst, Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... |
Smithbuilt-Ford | 16:18:14 | *Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell, Kendall Norman | Honda | 15:57:37 |
| 2005 | Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... , Troy Herbst |
Smithbuilt-Ford | 15:06:19 | *Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell, Mike Childress | Honda | 14:20:30 |
| 2006 | Andy McMillin, Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series... |
19:15:17 | *Steve Hengeveld, Mike Childress, Quinn Cody | Honda | 18:17:50 | |
| 2007 | Mark Post, Rob MacCachren Rob MacCachren Rob MacCachren is an American off-road racer from Las Vegas, Nevada. He raced the Mickey Thompson Stadium Series early in his career and went on to win championships in Championship Off-Road Racing , SCORE International, SODA, and Best in the Desert... , Carl Renezeder |
Ford | 25:21:25 | *Robby Bell, Kendall Norman, Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell | Honda | 24:15:50 |
| 2008 | Roger Norman Roger Norman Roger Norman is a professional offroad racing competitor. He has raced in numerous off-road circuits, including SCORE International/Tecate Baja series and Best In The Desert .... , Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous... |
Ford | 12:40:33 | *Robby Bell, Kendall Norman, Johnny Campbell | Honda | 12:29:10 |
| 2009 | Andy McMillin, Scott McMillin | Chevy | 14:19:50 | *Kendall Norman, Timmy Weigand, Quinn Cody | Honda | 13:27:50 |
| 2010 | *Tavo Vildósola Tavo Vildósola Gustavo Vildósola Perez Tejada better known as Tavo Vildósola is a Mexican off-road racer.... , Gus Vildósola Gus Vildósola Gustavo Vildósola Ramos is a Mexican off-road racer and entrepreneur.-Racing career:Gus Vildósola has been in off-road racing since 1968. He started racing in local races in the Mexicali area.... |
Ford F-150 TT | 19:00:04 | Kendall Norman, Quinn Cody | Honda | 19:20:52 |
| 2011 | Andy McMillin, Scott McMillin | Ford Raptor TT | 14:51:36 | *Kendall Norman, Quinn Cody, Logan Holladay | Honda | 14:14:25 |
Notable competitors
American actor Paul NewmanPaul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
was the oldest participant when he competed in the 2004 event at age 80.
- Steve AppletonSteve AppletonSteve Appleton is the CEO of Micron Technology, based in Boise, Idaho.Born and raised in California, Appleton attended Boise State University for college, where he was on the tennis team....
, President/CEO Micron TechnologyMicron TechnologyMicron Technology, Inc. is an American multinational corporation based in Boise, Idaho, USA, best known for producing many forms of semiconductor devices. This includes DRAM, SDRAM, flash memory, SSD and CMOS image sensing chips. Consumers may be more familiar with its consumer brand Crucial... - Ron BishopRon BishopRon Bishop is an off-road motorcycle racer from the United States. Bishop is best known for his participation in the Baja 1000, where he holds the distinction of being the only racer to have competed in every Baja 1000 on a motorcycle.Bishop was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in...
, Only motorcycle racer to compete in every Baja 1000 - Erik CarlssonErik CarlssonErik Carlsson, aka "Carlsson på taket" , was born March 5, 1929 in Trollhättan, Sweden and was a rally driver for Saab. Because of his public relations work for Saab, he is also known as Mr. Saab....
- Anna Jo Cody - First Female to complete the baja 1000 solo.
- Patrick DempseyPatrick DempseyPatrick Galen Dempsey is an American actor, known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Prior to Grey's Anatomy he made several television appearances and was nominated for an Emmy Award...
- Walker EvansWalker Evans (racer)Roger Walker Evans is an Off-road Motorsports Hall of Famer . He was also a driver and owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Walker Evans is nicknamed "the Legend". Walker is the father of off-road racer Evan Evans...
- Elliot Forbes-Robinson
- James GarnerJames GarnerJames Garner is an American film and television actor, one of the first Hollywood actors to excel in both media. He has starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades...
- Brendan GaughanBrendan GaughanBrendan Gaughan is an American stock car driver. Gaughan is the grandson of Vegas gaming pioneer Jackie Gaughan and son of Michael Gaughan, a hotel and casino magnate. Gaughan currently drives the #62 South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota Tundra for Germain Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck...
- Rod HallRod Hall (racer)Rod Hall is an off-road racer. He was inducted in the Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. He has spent his entire adult life around four-wheel-drive vehicles.-Racing career:...
- Most class wins in history, competed in every race - Beccy GordonBeccy GordonBeccy Gordon is an American off-road racer, pit-reporter, and model.-Racing family:Beccy Gordon was born in the off-road racing Gordon family. Beccy’s great-grandfather, Huntley Gordon, raced Indy cars in the early 1900s and at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Her father, “Baja Bob” Gordon entered...
- sister of Robby - Bob Gordon - father of Robby and Beccy and off road legend
- Robby GordonRobby GordonRobert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series...
- Mike GroffMike GroffMike Groff is a former race car driver in CART and the Indy Racing League and the 1989 Indy Lights champion. He made 54 starts in CART beginning in 1990 with a best finish of 6th, occurring at Phoenix International Raceway in 1994...
- Robbie GroffRobbie GroffRobbie Groff , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and CART Championship Car series and is brother of Mike Groff. He raced in the 1994 CART season and 1997-1998 IRL seasons with 9 combined starts...
- Roberto GuerreroRoberto GuerreroRoberto José Guerrero Isaza is a former racing driver from Colombia. He participated in 29 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 23 January 1982...
- Jimmie JohnsonJimmie JohnsonJimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
- Rick Johnson
- Parnelli JonesParnelli JonesRufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...
- Michel Jourdain, Jr.Michel Jourdain, Jr.Michel Jourdain Jr. is an IndyCar driver. Jourdain Jr. started racing cars in the Mexican Formula Junior series at the age of 12. He then moved to the Mexican Formula K and Formula 2 series.-Champ Car:...
- Danny LaPorteDanny LaPorteDanny LaPorte was one of the top American motocross racers in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first American to win a 250cc motocross world championship....
- Hiro MatsushitaHiro Matsushita, is a former driver in the Champ Car series. He is the grandson of Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.. The family relationship has allowed him to receive financial backing from Panasonic throughout his racing career.-Early career:...
- Hershel McGriffHershel McGriffHershel McGriff won four races during his brief career in the NASCAR Grand National series, and later in the NASCAR Winston West Series.-Racing career:...
- Corky McMillinCorky McMillinMacey L. “Corky” McMillin Jr. was a well-known off-road desert racer, philanthropist and land developer.-Biography:...
- Steve McQueenSteve McQueenTerrence Steven "Steve" McQueen was an American movie actor. He was nicknamed "The King of Cool." His "anti-hero" persona, which he developed at the height of the Vietnam counterculture, made him one of the top box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s. McQueen received an Academy Award nomination...
- Chad McQueenChad McQueenChadwick S. "Chad" McQueen is an American actor, film producer, martial artist and race car driver. He was born in Los Angeles, California to actor Steve McQueen and Filipino-born actress Neile Adams.-Personal life:...
- Rick MearsRick MearsRick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six...
- Roger MearsRoger MearsRoger Mears , is a former off-road driver who also drove in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1978-1984 seasons, with 31 combined career starts, and started in the 1982 and 1983 Indianapolis 500...
- Rod MillenRod MillenRodney K. "Rod" Millen is a racing competitor, vehicle designer, and business owner. He has competed in numerous genres of motorsports, including rally racing, off-road racing, hillclimbing, drifting, and super touring.-Personal life:...
- Larry Minor
- Michael NesmithMichael NesmithRobert Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the musical group The Monkees and star of the TV series of the same name...
- Paul NewmanPaul NewmanPaul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
- Gunnar NilssonGunnar NilssonGunnar Nilsson was a Swedish racing driver, born in Helsingborg. Before entering Formula One, he won the 1975 British Formula Three Championship....
- Ted NugentTed NugentTheodore Anthony "Ted" Nugent is an American guitarist, musician, singer, author, reserve police officer, and activist. From Detroit, Michigan, he originally gained fame as the lead guitarist of The Amboy Dukes, before embarking on a lengthy solo career...
- Danny OngaisDanny OngaisDanny Ongais is a former racecar driver from the United States.He is the only native Hawaiian to compete at the Indianapolis 500...
- Travis PastranaTravis PastranaTravis Alan Pastrana is an American motorsports competitor and stunt performer who has won championships and X Games gold medals in several events, including supercross, motocross, freestyle motocross, and rally racing. He runs a show called Nitro Circus with some of his friends...
- Don PrudhommeDon PrudhommeDon 'The Snake' Prudhomme, is an American drag racer.-Racing career:In 1962, Prudhomme was a partner in the Greer-Black-Prudhomme digger, which earned the best win record in NHRA history, before switching to Funny Car. He would win the NHRA FC championship four times in his thirty-five-year career...
- Larry RaglandLarry RaglandLarry Ragland is a professional offroad racing competitor and 5 time SCORE International Baja 1000 Trophy Truck overall winner. "Lightning" Larry Ragland is the second most winning driver in desert racing's history and a trophy truck expert....
- several trophy truck class wins - J.N. RobertsJ.N. RobertsJames Nelson "J. N." Roberts is a semi-retired off road and enduro motorcycle racer from Southern California. In the 1960s and 1970s he was a top desert racer on two wheels in the United States....
- Larry RoeselerLarry RoeselerLarry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous...
- Armin SchwarzArmin SchwarzArmin Schwarz is a German rally driver. He competed in the World Rally Championship from 1988 to 2005, winning the 1991 Rally Catalunya and taking six other podium finishes...
- Jim Smith
- Malcolm SmithMalcolm Smith (motorcyclist)Malcolm Smith is a Hall of Fame American off-road racer.-Career:Smith first raced in 1956 atop a 1949 Matchless 500cc motorcycle. Later, he was associated with Husqvarna motorcycles. His renown grew as he won races in the 1960s and 1970s...
- Marty SmithMarty SmithMarty Smith is a former professional motocross racer. He won three AMA National Motocross championships, all aboard Hondas, and was runner-up twice...
- Ivan StewartIvan StewartIvan "Ironman" Stewart is an off road racing driver.-Racing career:In 1973, Ivan was scheduled to co-drive in the Ensenada 300 in a Class 1-2 buggy. His co-driver broke his leg, so Stewart drove the car, and won the race. After some wins under his belt, he joined Toyota factory team in 1983 for...
- Danny SullivanDanny SullivanDaniel John "Danny" Sullivan III is a former racing driver from the United States. He is best known for winning the 1985 Indianapolis 500.-Before racing:...
- Jūgatsu ToiJugatsu Toiis a Japanese male writer especially related on travel, and visual producer. His father was Shozo Toi, who was the first researcher on Chichibu Incident.He became a travel writer after his activity as an illustrator and reporter.-Biography:...
- Mickey ThompsonMickey ThompsonMarion Lee "Mickey" Thompson was an American off-road racing legend. He won many championships as a racer, and later formed sanctioning bodies SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group . He also raced in dragsters and land speed record automobiles.Thompson was born in Alhambra,...
- Johnny UnserJohnny UnserJohnny Unser is a former race car driver. He is the son of open wheel driver Jerry Unser, cousin of Al Unser, Jr. and Robby Unser, nephew of Al Unser and Bobby Unser, and first cousin once removed of Alfred Unser. He made 5 starts in CART in 1993 and 1994 with a best result of 15th...
- Jimmy VasserJimmy VasserJimmy Vasser is a retired American racing driver and current co-owner of KV Racing Technology. Vasser won the 1996 IndyCar season championship with Chip Ganassi Racing, and scored ten victories in the series...
Current and past classes
Cars and Trucks
- SCORE Trophy Truck: Open Production Unlimited Trucks.
- SCORE Class 1SCORE Class 1SCORE Class 1 is an open wheel unlimited class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge. Unlimited 4 wheel single and two seat vehicles...
: Unlimited open-wheel single- or two-seaters. - SCORE Class 1/2-1600SCORE Class 1/2-1600SCORE Class 1/2-1600 is an Open Wheel limited suspension, limited VW motor class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge...
: open-wheel single- or two-seaters to 1600 cc. - SCORE Class 2SCORE Class 2SCORE Class 2 is a limited 2.2 liter buggy that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge. Class 2 was added in 2009.-Vehicle description:...
: - SCORE Class 3SCORE Class 3SCORE Class 3 is production short wheelbase 4x4 class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series races including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge.-Vehicle description:...
: Short wheelbase 4X4. - SCORE Class 4SCORE Class 4SCORE Class 4 is an unlimited 2.2 liter open wheel vehicle that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge. Class 4 was added in 2009.-Vehicle description:...
: - SCORE Class 5SCORE Class 5SCORE Class 5 is open wheel unlimited Baja Bug class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series races including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge.-Vehicle description:...
: Unlimited Baja Bugs. - SCORE Class 5-1600SCORE Class 5-1600SCORE Class 5-1600 is open wheel limited Baja Bug class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series races including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge.-Vehicle description:...
: 1600cc Baja Bugs. - SCORE Class 6SCORE Class 6SCORE Class 6 is an open production unlimited class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge. Unlimited 4 wheel vehicles...
: V6 powered tube chassis trucks - SCORE Class 7: Open mini trucks.
- SCORE Class 7S: Stock mini trucks. (3000cc)
- SCORE Class 7SXSCORE Class 7SXSCORE Class 7SX is a stock production Mini Pickup class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series races including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge.-Vehicle Description:...
: Modified mini trucks. (4000cc) - SCORE Class 8: Full-sized two-wheel drive trucks.
- SCORE Class 9: Short wheelbase, open-wheel single- or two-seaters.
- SCORE Class 10SCORE Class 10SCORE Class 10 is an open wheel limited motor class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge. 4-wheel single and two-seat vehicles less than 2000 cc in size...
: Open-wheel single or two-seaters to 2000cc. - SCORE Class 11SCORE Class 11SCORE Class 11 is a stock production VW sedan class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge. Class 11 is the most grueling of all off-road race vehicles as they are stock VW Bugs with...
: Stock VW Sedans. - SCORE LitesSCORE LitesSCORE Lites Class 12 is an open-wheel air-cooled VW motor class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge. 4 wheel single and two seat vehicles less than 1835cc in size...
Class 12: VW limited open-wheel single-(1776cc) or two-seaters(1835cc). - SCORE Class 17: JeepspeedJeepspeedJeepspeed is an off-road organization and class of racing vehicle. The Jeepspeed organization was founded by Clive Skilton in 2001 after a visit to the Dakar Rally in Africa with his son and multi-time Dakar Rally competitor, Darren Skilton, with the intent to build a racing vehicle and series...
- SCORE Stock Full: Stock full-sized trucks.
- SCORE Stock MiniSCORE Stock MiniSCORE Class Stock Mini is a stock production class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Primm 300 and the Laughlin Desert Challenge. The vehicle must have been series Produced in quantities greater than 5,000 in a 12-month period and be...
: Stock mini trucks. (4300cc) - SCORE Baja Challenge: Limited, identical open-wheel Baja touring cars.
- SCORE Sportsman Buggy:
- SCORE Sportsman Truck:
- SCORE Sportsman UTV:
- ProTruck: Limited Production Trucks governed by the Baja ProTruck Off-Road Race Series
Motorcycles
- SCORE Class 20: 125 cc or smaller two-stroke and 250 cc or smaller four-stroke motorcycles.
- SCORE Class 21: 126 cc to 250 cc.
- SCORE Class 22: 250 cc or more.
- SCORE Class 30: Riders over 30 years old.
- SCORE Class 40: Riders over 40 years old.
- SCORE Class 50: Riders over 50 years old.
- SCORE Class 60: Riders over 65 years old.
See also
- SCORE InternationalSCORE InternationalSCORE International is an off-road sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing and is famous for its flagship event, the Baja 1000 as well as the Baja 500 and San Felipe 250. SCORE races are held in United States and Mexico...
- Dust to GloryDust to GloryDust to Glory is a documentary about the famous Baja 1000 off-road race. Filming occurred throughout the 2003 event. The film is directed by Dana Brown of Step Into Liquid fame. The film was edited in Adobe Premiere Pro. The film score was by Nathan Furst.-Cast:Mario Andretti, Sal Fish, Jimmy...
, the documentary about the 2003 race - Chasing the HorizonChasing the HorizonChasing the Horizon is a 2006 documentary film. The film was written, produced, and directed by Markus and Mason Canter, popularly known as the Flying Canter Brothers...
- Baja 500Baja 500SCORE Baja 500 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in early June. The Baja 500 is part of a series of races that include the Baja 1000, San Felipe 250 and Primm 300. The event includes various types of vehicle classes such as small and large bore motorcycles,...
(Ensenada loop in June) - San Felipe 250San Felipe 250Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in late February or early March. The San Felipe 250 is part of a series of races that include the Baja 1000, Baja 500 and Primm 300...
(San Felipe, Baja CaliforniaSan Felipe, Baja CaliforniaSan Felipe is a town on the Gulf of California in the Mexican state of Baja California, 190 km south of the United States border and within the municipality of Mexicali. It also serves as a borough seat of its surrouding area....
loop in February or March) - Mini-Baja