ENSENADA BAJA CA, MEXICO – Bajarallymoto.com has announced Rancho El Coyote Meling as the first of 3 overnight bivouac locations for the 2015 edition of the BAJA RALLY taking place September 28th – October 2nd from Ensenada’s San Nicolas Hotel and Casino. Rancho El Coyote will host and feed riders, support crews, media, officials and honored guests at the arrival of “Special Stage 1” on Tuesday, September 29th. Only tent and RV camping will be available El Coyote Bivouac. Overflow lodging accommodations are available at neighboring Rancho Meling, closer to the main road entrance. (full details below)

Nestled on the slopes of the Sierra San Pedro de Martir range, Rancho El Coyote holds a noteworthy place in Baja CA history as well as the enduring Meling Family dynasty which dates back over 100 years from the arrival of Norwegian cattleman and gold miner Harry Johnson. Established in 1950 by Felipe Meling, Rancho El Coyote is tucked behind rolling pastures and granite foothills only 7 miles from the renowned Rancho Meling. Until only recently, El Coyote’s matriarch Jovita Meling ran the ranch with two of her sons Esteban and Alfredo before her passing in February of this year. Jovita’s charming grandson Alfredo Meling Jr. carries on the family tradition of hospitality as the chief of the ranch, backed by his parents and uncle Esteban.

“This entire area is loaded with a rich history of the Meling clan who’ve persevered over 100 years, staving off the worst of elements including droughts, bandits, insurgency and the harshest of conditions,” explains BAJA RALLY Director of Competition Andy Grider, “When you think of what the forbearers had to deal with just to travel to and from the area, it makes our little motorcycle race look like a walk in the park. But it won’t necessarily be easy by any measure.”

Included in the price of entry and upon arrival to El Coyote, motorcycle and UTV racers will enjoy a refreshing and welcomed swimming pool, hosted camping, showers and bathrooms capped off by an authentic “ranch-style” dinner. Facilities include a well-lit mechanical area adjacent to the swimming pool only footsteps away from the family kitchen. On Wednesday morning September 30, the entire BAJA RALLY traveling caravan will be treated to a pre-dawn breakfast before riders depart on a 300KM+ “special stage 2”.

Grider continued, “There is something very memorable that every guest takes away from El Coyote after their first visit here. The Melings are genuinely sincere, classy and gracious hosts who carry on the family tradition of early-rising mornings and hard teamwork that exemplifies the traits needed to finish the BAJA RALLY. We are especially honored to have the opportunity to share the magic of El Coyote.”

Location and Accommodations:
*All Riders and Drivers Are Required To Attend Mandatory Riders’/ Drivers’ Meeting at Rancho El Coyote at 7:00 PM, Tuesday September 29th.

*Rancho El Coyote (REC) is located approximately 38 miles east from the Trans-penisular HWY 1 from the small town of San Telmo de Abajo. The only paved access to REC is from HWY 1 on San Telmo Road, the same route visitors take to the National Park, home to one the world’s most important astronomical observatories. There is a PEMEX gas station in San Telmo de Abajo which normally has diesel fuel.

*Rancho El Coyote will be completely closed-off to the public for the BAJA RALLY Sept 29. Only wrist-banded BAJA RALLY riders, registered support crews, officials and guests will be admitted into the ranch during this time and all competitors are required to check in upon arrival and attend the mandatory riders’/drivers’ meeting at 7:00PM.

*There are no hotel rooms or beds available at El Coyote for riders, support teams or riders’ families.
*All El Coyote beds are reserved for aircraft pilots, essential medical staff and select media and officials.

*Overflow lodging is available at Rancho Meling http://www.ranchomeling.com
located 7 miles away and rooms may be reserved (see below) by contacting Rancho Meling directly at info@ranchomeling.com or by phone from US 011 52 (646) 120-2590 or within Mexico (646) 120-2590.

*Riders and crews choosing to “bed-down” at Rancho Meling, must be present at El Coyote (approx 6 miles away) for the riders’/drivers’ meeting from 7:00PM- 7:30PM, Tuesday September 29.

*Riders’/drivers’ vehicles WILL NOT BE IMPOUNDED at El Coyote. After check-in upon arrival of stage 1, all participants are free to travel to Rancho Meling if they chose to do so. (see pricing and details below)

*Food service will be open from 4:00PM to 9:00PM directly adjacent to the swimming pooling/mechanical area.

*No cost camping and RV parking at El Coyote are contained within footsteps of the swimming pool, cantina and mechanical area. No water or power hook-ups are available.

*Most RV’s and camper vehicles will be able to access the 6-mile graded dirt road into REC from San Telmo Road. 18-wheeled semi trucks have recently made the trip REC to deliver harvesting equipment.

The BAJA RALLY is a navigation-based motorcycle and UTV “rally raid” held in Baja, CA, Mexico. Using the same navigation criteria based on the world famous DAKAR Rally and FIM World Rally Championship, this 5 day rally raid will test the riders’ endurance, speed and skill, as well as their ability to read terrain and manage their equipment. More information and videos at www.bajarallymoto.com.