April 30, 2002 - 11:02:55 -- Dear Competitor: Congratulations on entering The Tecate SCORE Baja 500—you are about to experience a most incredible adventure! This year’s race is going to take us through some spectacular areas. Thanks to the cooperation of the Ejidos in these areas, we are able to experience The Baja as we did in the early days of racing. All of the Ejidos who have given us permission to run on their land have been most gracious and are exhibiting a friendly attitude toward the SCORE racers.

The Tecate Score Baja 500 Race Course has been approved by the Municipality of Ensenada, Ejidos, and private landowners for the SOLE and EXCLUSIVE USE of OFFICIAL SCORE RACE ENTRANTS ONLY. The above referenced entities are allowing us to use the land and request that the following be observed:

1. ALL drivers and riders MUST possess a VALID drivers license while in or on your race vehicle.

2. Remember, all roads you will be traveling on are open to the public. MANY of these roads are the only way in and out of Ranchos. At all times you must expect to encounter oncoming traffic!!!! You must be alert that there are many cows, calves, bulls, horses, and goats roaming freely on and around the course.

3. The Mexican Federal Preventative Police EXPECT you to exercise EXTREME CAUTION while crossing and driving on all paved highway sections. THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WILL BE ENFORCED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES. Be advised that you must stay in your lane and only pass local and race traffic when it is safe to do so.

4.DURING PRE-RUNNING, RACE SPEEDS ARE NOT ALLOWED!!! Pre-running is exactly what it is—familiarizing yourself with the race course at a safe and respectable pace—NOT AT RACE SPEEDS. Remember, the roads run on are being used by the locals going to and from their ranches, homes, and places of business. It is important to respect their daily routines.

The course will be open for pre-running on the dates listed below. PAY ATTENTION, BE ALERT. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH FOR ON-COMING TRAFFIC DURING YOUR PRE-RUN.

PRE-RUN SCHEDULE:

START TO HWY. at OJOS NEGROS & RETURN FROM OJOS NEGROS TO FINISH
MAY 24th to MAY 31st ONLY!!!!!
DO NOT PRE-RUN ABOVE SECTION AT ANY OTHER TIME

OPEN – Fri. 5/17/02, Sat. 5/18/02 & Sun. 5/19/02 (start at Hwy. @ Ojos Negros approx. m.m. 63)
ENTIRE COURSE CLOSED – Mon. 5/20/02, Tues. 5/21/02, Wed. 5/22/02 & Thurs. 5/23/02
OPEN – Fri. May 24th through Fri. May 31st .

5. IMPORTANT!!!!! The course will be open for pre-running beginning Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, EXCEPT from the Start to Hwy. Crossing at Ojos Negros (approx. mile marker 63 “Hwy. 3”). YOU MUST START YOUR PRE-RUN AT MILE 63 (Ojos Negros) AND FINISH AT m.m. 414 (Ojos Negros intersection). The course will be closed from Monday, May 20 thru Thursday, May 23. NO PRE-RUNNING OF ANY KIND, ON ANY SECTION WILL BE ALLOWED DURING THIS TIME. STAY OUT OF THE AREA! Pre-running will re-open on Friday May 24 thru Friday, May 31. Use extreme caution from the start line to Mile 63. PAY ATTENTION, BE ALERT. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH FOR ON-COMING TRAFFIC DURING YOUR PRE-RUN.

FOR YOUR SAFETY!!!
Use COMMON SENSE, and for safety reasons, PRE-RUN SECTIONS FROM THE START TO LEFT HAND TURN OFF TRES HERMANOS RD. FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET. PRE-RUN FROM TRES HERMANOS RD. TO FINISHLINE SUNSET TO SUNRISE ONLY, AND ONLY ON DATES THESE SECTIONS ARE OPEN!!!

6. Everyone must do his or her part to protect and preserve the Baja ecological environment. Please instruct your teams that it is very important to properly dispose of all solid and liquid waste. DO NOT LITTER, START FIRES, OR DEVIATE FROM THE MARKED COURSE. The course is marked with white and orange ribbon, orange & yellow reflective tape, black-on-pink directional arrows, green wrong-ways, and Mile Markers at five-mile intervals. All markings are on driver’s right, EXCEPT from Start to Mile Marker 78, where mile markers will be on both sides of the course.

7. ALL GATES MUST BE CLOSED. DO NOT ASSUME THE NEXT GUY WILL CLOSE THEM FOR YOU!

DO NOT JEOPARDIZE THE FUTURE OF OFF ROAD RACING IN BAJA CALIFORNIA. Remember, if you are not entered in The Tecate Score Baja 500 Event, you do not belong on the race course between May 18 through June 3, 2001.

The Tecate Score Baja 500 Race Course is no different than the Indianapolis 500 course or any other professionally organized racing event. The privilege to use this land has been paid for by Score International and the Official Racing Entrants of the Tecate Score Baja 500. The fact that the race course is not enclosed does not mean that spectators or Weekend Warriors have the right to be on this official race course between May 18 and June 3, 2001. PLEASE, IF YOU ARE NOT ENTERED IN THIS RACE, STAY OFF THE COURSE!

Remember, it is a privilege to be able to enjoy our sport in The Baja. Let’s take an active roll in protecting what we love the most. Although only a small percentage are irresponsible, unfortunately they negatively impact ALL of us.