Ensenada, Baja California -- Ensenada, Baja California is regarded as an exciting tourist city. The few main streets are filled with night time hotspots such as Papa's & Beer, Hussongs Cantina and more discoteques then you could visit in one night. As the playground for many Americans, Canadians and Mexicans, Ensenada boasts a protected harbor and modern port facilities, making it Baja California's leading seaport.

The scenic setting, beautiful beaches, numerous boutiques and restaurants, vast accommodations and gateway to Baja's off-road mecca, make Ensenada one of the leading resort and commercial centers on the Baja peninsula.

Ensenada serves the residents of the Baja Peninsula as a marine port and staging location for those traveling south and into the wilds of the Baja Peninsula.

And for over 30 years, Ensenada has also served as the host city for some of the largest off-road events ever held. SCORE-International has used Ensenada as the start and finish of many Baja off road desert races. From the days of Vic Wilson, Bruce Meyers, Drino Miller, Malcolm Smith, Parnelli Jones, Dick Landsfield and Bilstein's Doug Robertson. And all these legends of Baja off-road racing are no strangers to the quaint seaside village of Ensenada, Baja California.

And here in 2004, it will be no different. SCORE-International President Sal Fish plans to stand at the start line on June 5, 2004 and personally greet each driver/rider and co-driver of the Baja 500 and send them off into the wilds of the Baja Peninsula as they test man and machine against the harsh terrain of the Baja environment.

The world's top off-road desert racers have already been well at the preparation for what is regarded as one of the greatest off-road races ever held. Top competitors will finish the race in only 9-10 hours covering what is regarded as some of the wildest terrain in desert racing. From the hills outside of Ensenada to the wide-open beach runs on the Pacific Coast and all the desert in between top racers will average 45-60 miles an hour for hours on end. At the top end, Class 1 and the Unlimited Division Trophy Trucks will reach speeds of 125 miles per hour and more in search of the elusive first place SCORE-International Baja 500 trophy.

The Herbst Family is steep in off-road racing tradition. Led by Jerry Herbst, the Terrible Herbst Racing team fields three different race vehicles each driven by one Jerry's son, Tim, Troy and Ed.

In 2003, it was no different! Troy Herbst triumphed after a brutal 9 hours, 54 minutes, 46 seconds capturing the 2003 Baja 500 trophy as the first four-wheeled vehicle to finish the race only 21 minutes behind the first place motorcycle team of Johnny Campbell/Steve Hengeveld. Victory could be no sweeter for the Herbst Race Team as they had battled to the end in each and every race they entered. This race was special as Troy Herbst and well-known desert racer, Danny Anderson, battled to the finish line with only 46 seconds separating the two desert racing champions. After 452.93 miles of Baja terrain it was only 46 precious seconds that separated two top quality race teams. Herbst and Anderson embraced on the stage after the epic battle to the finish. Baja off-road racing was demonstrated at its finest.

Troy Herbst has remarkably won Class 1 in 14 of 28 SCORE races he's entered. Troy is the youngest of the three brothers and is a six-time SCORE Class 1 point champion including overall titles in 1998, 2000 and 2002.

Teamed with the man and legend known as Mr. Baja - Larry Roeseler because of his numerous Baja racing accomplishments, Troy Herbst is the driver to beat here in the 2004 Baja 500.

Back from his tremendous performance at the world famous Dakar Rally race held in Europe and Africa, the Baja 500 2003 Trophy Truck Champion will be back in the driver's seat as he and Ryan Arciero will defend their reign in Baja after capturing the 2003 Baja 500 Unlimited Trophy Truck Division.

Miller and Arciero won big last year capturing not only the Baja 500 held in early June, but also winning the Baja 1000 held in November.

Miller's championship ways were thrusted into the famed Dakar Rally in January 2004, as the desert racing world looked for Miller to take his momentum and rage into the African desert for another win. Miller gave it his all, but race truck problems plagued his team from the beginning. Visit www.MarkMillerRacing.com for the full feature on the 2004 Dakar Rally.

ORC staffers recently visited the Arciero Racing Facilities in Southern California. We weren't surprised to find Ryan himself hard at work in preparation for the Baja 500. Race Prep Services-Barry Beacham and his crew have been prepping the Mark Miller trophy truck as they are in search of yet another Baja 500 championship to add to their long list of Baja wins.

SCORE-International has set out a very different race course for the 2004 off-road competition and varies between the awesome coast runs as well as through the mountains and deserts of the Baja Peninsula.

ORC staffers will be working throughout the race event beginning with live event coverage from the Horsepower Ranch Baja Legends Fiesta on Thursday evening, June 3, 2004. As the greatest legends in off-road desert racing history gather at beautiful Horsepower Ranch, ORC staffers will provide you with a first hand look into who is inducted into the elite group of off-road desert racers in 2004.

On Friday, June 4, 2004 ORC staffers will be at contingency in search of the latest in desert racing technology and find out the strategic race plans of desert racings hottest racers. We will bring you the latest update from the King of Baja - Coco who will be on hand selling Coco's Corner t-shirts and we will give you a Friday night race course update from our pre-run crew led by the one and only, Baja Blackie.

And then on Saturday June 5, 2004 ORC staffers will spread out along the entire course in search of the wildest action. We will provide the latest updates as our staffers/photographers scour the Baja desert in search of everything that makes the Baja 500 what it is...outrageous desert racing!!! Stay tuned as we bring you the most comprehensive live event desert racing coverage available!