Last year I had a GPS for the first 1/2 the race then it and I got separated and I didn't get it back until several weeks after (long story*). When I did have the GPS between dust on the screen and glare I couln't see it much anyway so pretty much ignored it until I thought I was lost. There are a lot of cases where the roadbook is MUCH better than GPS. Occasionally there will be a small fork in the road and if you are following the GPS track it isn't obvious if it is left or right until you go down the wrong one for a ways. If you are following along in the roadbook and your ODO is in sync you should clearly know if it is left or right. My plan again this year if I do the race is to have the GPS but just to use after I realize I am lost. [begin shamless plug] * re-the "long story".... if you want to read that story get a copy of this when it goes on sale! http://www.tftb.org/index.php/publications/volume-2-rallies-2012 [end shamless plug]
Didn't have one.. didn't need one.. I had a baja almanac in my pack if I really really really really got off piste.. the only good thing I see with one is using it for mileage if your odometer breaks. Besides there were two guys from Tejas I know that didnt even use either the road book OR Gps and found there way all the way to cabo.. If I used one it would probably only be for the cap heading and mileage/speedo ..
I had my 60CSX in my pocket, turned off as a back up. The Roadbook is great, you get a heck of a lot more information about whats ahead than the GPS will ever tell you. I'm not sure how you could get lost with the roadbook, it seems so easy The only time I got off course was because I was day dreaming on that really fast and smooth sand road on stage 1 on day 2.... I need to learn how to focus
Yep, me and El Spiderman did the whole thing no roadbook no "real" GPS. Studied the course map before each stage and took off. It was VERY apparent which way to go....for the most part, it was a little follow the leader, a little pick the fork in the road and hope for the best. El Spiderman whipped out the iPhone a few times if we were completely screwed lost. I'd say use a roadbook, and have the gps tracks downloaded and locked into your iPhone for backup. The GPS app we used worked like a charm.
The car team I have been working with is considering running the NORRA event but is unsure if either of the cars will be ready by then, ( my driver and I flipped the prerunner almost 3 full times while prerunning the 1000 and they are going over the frame looking for damage.) I would rather use the road book myself, it's closer to what I'm used to, but if I'm going to continue co-driving SCORE events I need the GPS experience. I keep looking for bike lines forgetting the car won't fit there!
Did a photo shoot yesterday to begin the documentation of the race car. Because of the limited amount of time before the race, we've got about 90 days to re-wire, re-plumb, re-fresh the engine & tranny, have new glass made, so we are basically doing a race prep. Full restoration will begin after this year's race. There is some interest form a couple of different mags to use what we are doing as a full blown feature article! The car at the photo shoot: Uber trick video camera: Pulling the side body panel off. Kid of different as its only one panel for the entire side: Super trick rear suspension and linkage: Got our work cut out eh??
I'm in again this year with some buddies coming to drive support truck. Hoping wih a fresh engine my xr will make it the entire way. Looking forward to having a good time!
Actually, there were only 23 total paid entries last year, not 23 at this time of the year. I hope we can hit 30 bikes.
Ah, yes, my apologies. I thought the question was total entered. I would say have no fear... more are coming. The press release that just came out said 80 (total) entries so far... so they're at 80% of last year's total in just 10 days? Yeah, way more are coming. Anders
Count me in, I just have a few more beer cans to return and should have enough $$$$ next week.. Looks like no more rooms in Bay of LA ?