This should be one for the record books.THR Kaw/JCR Honda/Factory KTM All or nothing this year> Who will end up with the 1X plate Who is in? What class ? What brand /style of Bike. ADV Riders: 548X Honda 450X Mike Whitcomb/BoLA to Ignacio 549X Honda 450x Mark AKA baja dad 4x KTM 990R Radek Burkat ( solo ) adv: rburkat 257x KTM 525xc Matt DeVall 201X Honda 450x Wounded Warrior 271X ATK 604 David Haller 259X KTM Baja Fat Dudes <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
They are not the first scooters to enter the Baja 1000. Vespa had a 2 scooter team entered back in the early 70's. They did the 1000 in 1971 and the 500 in 1972:
When I was in High School ( late 70's) I worked at a local ice cream joint called Farrell's, and one of the older guys working there claimed that he had raced the 1000 a couple of times.Mind you I knew nothing of Baja other than what I read in magazines, but one image that I had seen and had stuck with me was the Saab with a wheel torn off and stuck in a washout. Turns out it was this waiter that I was working with. He said he had to abandon the car there and I guess it was landmark for a number of years. I really wish I would have started racing Baja sooner.
Cool story Mike! The Saabs ruled the production sedan class for years. You'll have tons O' fun. The point to point races are so much better than the loop races. Just don't get assigned that one section of the race that has the whoop sections in and out of San Flippy! The worst part of the point to point races is pre-running below Ignacio, you will rack up "cubic mega" mileage just driving up and down Hwy 1.
There was also the 2 Italian made super trick scooters that raced the Mil to Lap Paz in, um, I think it was '89. One of them made the entire distance but after the time cut off.
Most of you already have been following our thread but if you haven't check us out. We are veterans racing to raise $50,000 for the Wounded Warrior Foundation. we just got back from five days of riding in Baja and are posting our experiences. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=787202
Preliminary map & mileage is posted on SCORE's site today: http://www.score-international.com/...RUN_CLICK_HERE_FOR_RACE_INFORMATION/2012.aspx
Supposedly there will be 40 less highway miles and around 50 "new" miles west of the highway between Viscaino and San Iggy. Not really "new" but last used in the Baja 2000.
Mike, that new section beyond Viscanio was described as: "Flat and Stupid Fast". If that is your section, you will be riding the transition between day and night, (prolly around Viscanio) at least there is nothing technical in those poor light conditions.
I have Done it in the Past!! a few times!! I guess we will have to wait and It all depends when You Start 6:00am ish and then when it gets Dark! 6:00pm ish The Appoximate Mileage that is out is JUST THAT!! APPOXIMATE!! I think it will shrink a bit So you ride on the Hwy in to San Ignacio as it get Dark 12 Hours to San Ignacio Can be done. From what I know of the route it will be FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of time can be made up after San Matis to San Fleipe Then from Puertecitos to the LA Bay Road . The LA Bay loop is FAST !!!!