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Baja 1000 2024: Spectacular race course full of magic, mystery set for BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 1000
The mysterious and magical roads of the Baja California peninsula will be the main attraction of the BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 1000. The race course map is now available for everyone at www.score-international.com, covering 869.13 miles for pro classes of motorcycle and trucks, all starting and finishing their adventure on the Boulevard Costero, adjacent to the Riviera de Ensenada Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada.
From Nov. 11 to 17, the excitement of the fourth and final round of the 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship will take place in "The Cinderella of the Pacific," with nearly 300 teams expected from Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, South America and North America in a new chapter of the world’s most important desert race, which has captured the attention of millions for over five decades.
Since its inception in 1967 as the Mexican 1000 by NORRA to its evolution into the SCORE Baja 1000 under Mickey Thompson and Sal Fish, this legendary desert race has reached levels of admiration that place it alongside the Dakar Rally in Africa and Europe, the Indianapolis 500, and even the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula One.
For the Sportsman classes of motorcycles, cars, trucks, and UTVs, the route will cover 736.61 miles, with all competitors having a 36-hour time limit to complete the elapsed-time SCORE Baja 1000.
Motorcycles and Quads will start receiving the Green Flag on the Boulevard Costero of Ensenada on Friday, Nov. 15, at 12:15am PT, while cars/trucks/UTVs will depart from the same area in front of the iconic Riviera de Ensenada Cultural Center at 9am PT.
Overall winners are expected to complete the desert journey in approximately 15 hours for cars/trucks/UTVs, while motorcycles/quads will take 16 hours. The raceroute will showcase the best of the northern Baja California peninsula in terms of terrain, starting just steps from the Pacific Ocean, then crossing to the other side of the peninsula to advance at night along the Sea of Cortez, surrounded by the majesty of nature in this part of Mexico.
ROUTE TO GLORY
From the start of the SCORE Baja 1000 on Boulevard Costero in Ensenada, it then heads by road, at a moderate speed, towards Nelson Ranch. Competitors then proceed to Ojos Negros, Ejido Uruapan, Santo Tomas, Ejido Erendira, Punta Colonet, Ejido Jaramillo, San Quintin, Ejido Nueva Odisea, El Rosario, Catavina, Guayaquil, La Bachata wash, San Ignacito, Gonzaga, the infamous Matomi wash, Llanos de San Martin, El Azufre wash, Puertecitos old road, Chanate wash, Morelia Junction, Diablo dry lake, Las Minitas wash, El Chinero, La Ventana, Ejido Saldana 2, El Arrajal wash, the San Matias wind farm, the San Matias crossing highway, Valley of Trinidad, the popular Goat trail, Ejido Jamau, Santa Catarina, Kilometer 77, Ojos Negros, Real del Castillo, Nelson ranch, and back to Ensenada.
There will be three physical, full-stop checkpoints. CP No. 1 will be at Ejido El Papalote (race mile 209.69), No. 2 at Rancho San Martín (rm 378.5), and No. 3 at San Matias (rm 731.85).
There will also be a total of 494 Virtual Check Points (VCPs along the race course.
A total of 20 speed-controlled zones are part of this SCORE Baja 1000 race course, covering 125.42 miles, with sections where competitors must maintain a speed of 37 miles per hour, and in other areas, the maximum speed will be 60 miles per hour.
REGISTRATION OPEN
This morning, the registration period opened for racers, navigators, and race teams, as well as for media outlets covering the BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 1000. Registrations can be completed at www.score-international.com, where the forms are already available to sign up and be part of the world's largest extreme adventure in motorsport and automotive racing.
PRE-RUNNING OPENS OCT. 26
On Saturday, Oct. 26, at 8am PT the pre-running for the SCORE Baja 1000 course will open for officially registered teams, marking the start of this special phase of desert racing, starting just past Ojos Negros. All participants are reminded to drive at moderate speeds, not racing speeds, during the reconnaissance, as well as to respect traffic laws in Mexico and the urban and rural areas through which the race course will pass.
METHOD RACE WHEELS QUALIFYING
Tuesday, Nov. 12 starting at 7am PT, the Method Race Wheels Qualifying for the SCORE Baja 1000 will take place for the SCORE Trophy Truck, SCORE TT Legends, and Trophy Truck Spec classes at a private venue.
Spectators are not allowed at the Method Race Wheels qualifying session, but SCORE Live will air the activity on the SCORE website and SCORE social media channels.
Method Race Wheels Qualifying will determine the starting order in these three classes for "The Granddaddy of All Desert Races," marking the first time in SCORE history that all four events have qualifying, generating greater economic impact in the event locations, such as San Felipe and Ensenada.
MUCHA FIESTA IN ENSENADA
For this SCORE Baja 1000, contingency row will be divided into two days: Wednesday, Nov. 13, and Thursday, Nov. 14. This popular activity will take place in the heart of Ensenada, on the Boulevard Costero, both days from 8am to 5pm (PT), with free entry for the public.
The awards ceremony for the SCORE Baja 1000 will be on Sunday, Nov, 17, at 12pm (PT) in the Cathedral Room of the Riviera de Ensenada Cultural Center. This event will be open to the general public, marking the conclusion of the 57th anniversary of this legendary desert race.
Source: Score International
Helder