The Baja 1000 is one of the most gruelling and longest-running off-road racing events in the world. Spectators from all over the world flock to the annual event just to get a taste of the incredible adrenalin-fueled action, and the dust... there is a lot of dust. For the top drivers, it is all about the tense, high-risk competition, others just want to finish.
Over the years, the Baja has evolved from a somewhat amateur adventure into a high-octane international sporting event, with machines capable of scarcely believable speeds over terrain most wouldn’t even take their off-roader. With the speed comes danger; a rock, or a spectator, in the wrong place on the course can end in tragedy. “But you know, that’s Baja.”
10 Big Party
Essentially, the Baja, for most involved, is a week-long party in the desert. Obviously, for those who actually want to compete, more time will be spent driving and wrenching, but there is still always room for just a little party.
These days the event attracts several celebrities that in their own way promote the event and, naturally, keep that party spirit alive.
9 Brutal Terrain
Arguably the biggest attraction for any competitor or fan for that matter is the incredibly challenging terrain the competitors have to face.
From bone jarring jumps to soft silt sand that you can get stuck in for ages, it has it all, but the most difficult part of the whole event is finding a way to effectively deal with the dust.
8 Same Course For All Competitors
Unlike most off-road events that will have different stages for different types of vehicles, the Baja uses the same course for all vehicles, making for a bit of a crowded field.
That being said, the course changes ever so slightly every year for several reasons, including the preservation of the local environment (sort of) and the safety of competitors.
7 Incredible Selection Of Vehicles
From garage built VW Dune Buggies to full-on factory-spec trophy trucks, the Baja has it all. With it, the ability to inspire and capture the imagination of all off-road enthusiasts.
The fact that they now include UTVs makes it more accessible than ever before, vehicles that pretty much come ready to race straight from the factory.
6 Big Sponsors
Although the prize money is not insubstantial, it isn’t necessarily all that much compared to other global events. What it does have is an incredible list of sponsors, all forking out for other lower tier prizes that incentivize more competition.
They all also do their part to promote the event, creating interest, building support bases and generally keeping everyone entertained.
5 The Scenery
The arid beauty of the desert is hard not to love, add to that some of the most beautiful isolated beaches and undulating landscape.
It is a beautiful place to be and for those who have been there only have good things to say about the region, although not everything people get up to there is necessarily good.
4 The Spectators
Well this is where things get a little interesting, yes, most spectators, both local and those from abroad, are there to enjoy the racing, there are some that seem to be there for less honorable reasons.
Extortion is a common practice, overindulgence is another. It is the latter that becomes seriously life-threatening, with fans often wandering onto or too close to the course, putting themselves and the competitors in danger. At the end of the day, without the fans, there is no Baja.
3 Death Defying
Fans are one of the road hazards, others are inconspicuous rocks. Unlike Rally Raid events that have detailed pace notes, the Baja just gives competitors a “rough guideline.”
Which leaves them almost completely blind in some parts of the course, which can be thrilling, but deadly when you run out of luck.
2 Camaraderie
Helping competitors is part of the deal, especially in the case of a crash. Helping fix each other's cars just brings everyone closer.
At the end of the day, most people are there to simply finish this grueling week-long spectacle, not win the thing. Wrenching together with other enthusiasts over a couple cold beers is one of those experiences every automotive enthusiast can relate to.
1 Wild West
It might come off as patronizing, but in reality the organization of the event is still a bit of a chaotic mess compared to some other off-road racing events around the world. This is mostly down to the fact that it is just impossible to rely on local authorities for any real assistance, everything will fall on the race organizers and some things just fall through the cracks.
There are still people trying to ruin it for others, setting booby traps and even threatening competitors in some instances, but on the flip side, if local authorities paid more attention, maybe there would be no event at all. With growing concern over the safety of both fans and spectators, and the effect it has on the local environment, many are calling for the Baja to be canceled.