The granddaddy of all desert off-road races, November’s BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000, has already attracted nearly 125 entries from 17 countries … and registration has only been open for a week.
The legendary event, held this year from November 12th – 18th, is a 1,134.40 mile race down Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and will feature multiple Pro and Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, quads, and bikes.
Acting as the finale of SCORE’s four-race World Desert Championship, the elapsed-time race has a total time limit of 48 hours. Bike and quad classes start at midnight (PT) on November 15th, followed by the other three classes setting off at 10:00am (PT) on November 16th. Organizers expect a total of 350 entrants.
Today, just a week after online registration was opened, racers from countries as far-flung as New Zealand and Japan have signed up, along with competitors from Finland, France, and South Africa. Naturally, there are many entrants from North America as well.
READ MORE: 2017 Baja 1000 Race Course Revealed in Detail
Well-known desert racers who have already signed up include Robby Gordon, B.J. Baldwin, and Larry Roeseler who is notable for his 12 overall wins in the SCORE Baja 1000. Rod Hall, the only person who has raced in all 49 Baja 1000s held to date, is also fielding an entry. Mr. Hall, who turns 80 on November 22nd, has 24 class wins and will be competing again this year in the Stock Full category with his eldest son, Chad.
Teams will be allowed to begin pre-running or practicing on the race course starting at 8:00am (PT) on Friday, Oct. 20th starting from Ojos Negros. The section covering ground from the start point to Ojos Negros will be restricted, however.
For all the classes except SCORE Trophy Truck, the draw for starting positions within each class will be held on November 1st. Entries must be received by 11 p.m. (PT) on Friday Oct. 27 to be included in the start draw. Late entries received after the drawing will be placed by class in the next available starting position following those that entered in time for the random draw.
The SCORE Trophy Trucks, those 900-horsepower beasts of the desert, will have a special qualifying session for start positions on October 31st on the off-road track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Racers and fans know the Baja 1000 has changed its route over the years, so the organizers have cooked up something special for the event’s 50th running. Starting in the heart of Ensenada, competitors will hammer over a 20-mile stretch to Ojos Negros, then head south before going back on Highway 1. The first checkpoint is at Coco’s Corner just after a new stretch of trails.
Three other checkpoints are located along the peninsula on the way to the fifth and final checkpoint at Loma Amarilla. The last stretch of the race is a blast towards the finish line in La Paz.
Be sure to check out all the Baja 1000 action online and watch for our coverage of the event here at off-road.com.