The racers came down to pre-run last week, but much of the support crew – nearly all of which are volunteers – left this week. The racecars were still in the shop undergoing final preparations Tuesday, November 13th, and some of the crew made their way down to Ensenada that day and then on past San Quintin to Lazaro Cardenas. The racecars unfortunately didn’t cross the border until nearly midnight, which meant part of the crew didn’t arrive at our hotel until nearly 5 a.m.
We (me, editor Josh Burns, and videographer Adam Wood) have traveled with German national Claus Winhard, who began racing off-road at home only a few years ago but, like many off-road fans, is intrigued with the mystique around the Baja 1000. So, I asked him a simple question: Why come down for the 1000?
“Because it’s not just a race, it’s the race,” Winhard explained. “It’s the climax of off-road racing. It’s tougher than the Dakar, because it’s like two or three Dakar day distances in one race. It’s the cars and the action, the racers, and to see the desert. The Baja 1000, at least in Europe, is a myth.”
Winhard, despite not having driven in Baja before, decided he wanted to be behind the wheel of our chase truck. For some reason, we let him. We made it into Ensenada with no hiccups, met up with some of the team, grabbed our credentials, and eventually made our way south toward Lazaro Cardenas later in the evening. We made it to our hotel, as did the others (albiet very late), and after loading up this morning, got back on the road.
Today the crew traveled south to Guerrero Negro and then on to San Ignacio. The chase crews will split up throughout the day, delivering fuel and supplies to the different pit stops in preparation for tomorrow’s start. From here on out, hopefully all the plans drawn up correctly and everything is in its right spot. Once the flag drops at the start line, everything else is up the drivers, and of course, Baja.
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