http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=498108

Synopsis- 4 of us are coming to the 1000 for the first time. We have a ford Exploder to drive.

Now that the route is released, what do the vetrans of the race have to say about spectating?

Beginning or end of the race?

Try to chase the whole thing or find a spot to watch them go by?

I really want to see the start/contingency. Is it all I am hoping for?

Any advice would be great. We are just spectating this year.

I am not sure about the start/contingency, looks like a blast. I have been down to watch the point to point three years ago. I chased for some friends that were racing, what a great time. I had so much fun I am going back this year. I have been down for the SF250 as well, good times.

For the most part, plan to watch the race from one location. Race traffic (racers, chasers, spectators, livestock, and general public) can cause the roads to be very dangerous. I did not realize this until I experienced it for myself. As I was driving down the Hwy 1 at night (with our #2 rider in the truck) trying to catch up to rider #3 in San Ignacio thinking "this aint no big deal". Almost hit a cow in the road a few moments later. Then came upon a car with four different sized tires and no lights swerving all over the road, at 5mph (another close call). Then the Hwy turned into part of the race course. WOW, what an experience to have a trouphy truck pass on a tight twisty road at night. Pretty scary stuff for me anyway.

We go and prerun to the point that we want to watch the race, then try to head home before too many people get stuck at the boarder.

Buy the insurance at the boarder.

Bring stickers!

Remember you are in their country.

And enjoy!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=498108

Synopsis- 4 of us are coming to the 1000 for the first time. We have a ford Exploder to drive.

Now that the route is released, what do the vetrans of the race have to say about spectating?

Beginning or end of the race?

Try to chase the whole thing or find a spot to watch them go by?

I really want to see the start/contingency. Is it all I am hoping for?

Any advice would be great. We are just spectating this year.


OK, Contingency is a must do for a first timer. The start?? I don't know, I've never been to the start as I'm always somewhere on the course waiting for my team. But being in town with no where to park and cubic mega spectators, I don't think I would want to do that. Who do you want to see??? If you are a bike guy then you have to get up early as they start at around 0600. The first car (trophy truck) goes off an hour after the last quad. I strongly recommend no trying to be in town for the start and then trying to get on the road to see them in Ojos Negros. Too many race cars, race bikes, race quads, chase crews, spectators, local traffic, and semi trucks on the highway, it is totally insane on that little two lane mountain pass.

How far do you want to drive??? Are you going all the way to La Paz?? You do realize that half of the race is at night and you can't see shit right? If you go all the way over to San Flippy ane you are going to have to drive all the way back around to Ensenada and then head south. If you do that, remember that it will take you like 5 to 6 hours of driving and it only takes the racers like 3 to 4 hours on the race course, so you will be several hours behind the guy you last saw in Flippy.

It is a diffacult race to spectate. You will do mega miles and only see any one car or bike once, maybe twice if you are lucky.

Thanks for the reply's.

So here is a Idea. Tell me if this sounds like a sound plan.

Get to Ensenada a couple days early and check out all the rigs. Haul ass over to San Felipe and watch them all go by.

OR

Contingency and then Bust ass all the way down to CoCo's corner and watch them all pass?

I am thinking San Felipe. But I am up for anything just want to use the EXP of everyone here to make a first timers time the best.

The road from San Filepe to CoCo's is all dirt (over 100 miles). To get to CoCo's from the other direction means that you will have to go backwards down the course (from what I remember anyway) and that is not a good plan (even before the race because people like me will be prerunning there). So I guess I am recomending that you stay in San Filepe. Just my thoughts... Good luck and have fun.

EDIT: After looking at the course notes, it looks like I could be wrong about getting to CoCo's corner. I guess ask someone who knows. (sorry)

Here is what I did two years ago and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Go to Contingency on Wednesday. Have fun hang out don't drink TOO much. Leave Contingency a couple hours before Sundown and head to San Felipe. Rent a Palapas at Petes Camp (hopefully some will be available) chill out and sleep on the beach, just watch out for random dogs that enjoy pissing on sleeping bags ;) , Wake up at the butt crack of dawn, load up on any supplies you might need and head south to Puertocitos. This will get you away from the insanity and crazyness of the crowds. Hang out in Puertocitos or find a nice bluff somewhere along the way, pitch a tent and just hang out. Stay put for the entire day and just enjoy yourself.
Make sure you have everything you need so you do not have to drive anywhere. since either way you go you'll be on the race course.

Like I said make sure you have some shade, set your race radio to Weatherman channel and disconnect the microphone, an external speaker is nice to have. Get your camera ready and crack a cold one. The bikes are fun to watch and cheer on but there is nothing like hearing an 800 hp Trophy Truck in the distance getting louder and louder and then fly by you. Stay the night, cars will be coming by well into the morning. Wake up and head back up to San Felipe or Percebu, somewhere along the way, whatever just find yourself a nice spot on the beach, soak up some sun and relax. Maybe try to do some fishing in the rocks near Puertocitos if that's your gig.
The race is over for you but you can still enjoy a Baja Vacation. If you make it back to San Felipe there are several nice spots for nightlife, I like the Rockodile, there will be pit and chase teams in town living it up. Just stay sober enough to coherently get back to where you are staying. Enjoy!!!

Whitewater has the plan. Stay relaxed and enjoy the race over on the Flippy side, nothing any more exciting to see in Coco's really with a lot more driving. Puertecitos is about 15 miles down the race course from where the highway ends. If you go down that road, do not expect to go backwards on the course back up towards San Flippy for a long time. Puertecitos is race mile 230 and will take the fast guys around 4.5 to 5 hours to get there from the start. I think the first bike starts at 0600, so you need to be in place down there by 0900.

Another vote for parking your a$$ and enjoying. You can get yourself in trouble trying to drive around on/near the race course.

Find a good spart and party all night. San Felipe is nice but it will be crowded. I'd head down to El Crucero, there is usually a good party going there and not as crowded.

Have fun and be safe. You'll get your ass locked up in a heartbeat if you're caught doing anything wrong!!!

Jack

Thanks for the tips guys.

If you see 4 crazy ass Alaskans along the coarse near San Felipe feel free to stop in and say hi. We have a 2 beer minimum so if you stop you have to atleast stay for 2 beers.

Whitewater has it nailed:D
But he forgot a few key items. The next morning stop in Mama Concitas on the beach road in San Felipe for some fish taco's, sevichi (SP) and cervesa's.

I'm digging the beach and chilling part. It fawking started snowing today, so I'm down with some swimming if it's above 50*F (high of 32 today).
2 beer minimum for sure, we might have to pick up some local tequilla though to get the full experience of being in Baja....nothing like a good mind erasing.

Yeah, since there will be limited travel, sitting at one vantage point will be fine. I have no problem if we hit Ensanada the day before and gawk over some of the cool rigs and Tecate chicas. I'd prefer to not see a headline that says "Moronic Alaskans kill Baja competitors".......