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Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Baja 1000 Countdown

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Baja 1000 Race Sheet

WHAT: 40th Annual Baja 1000

WHEN: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, November 11-16, 2007.

WHERE: Ensenada-Baja California, Mexico (65 miles south of U.S./Mexico Border) to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

WHO: Nearly 450 entries from 43 U.S. States, and 16 countries, competing in 28 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.

COURSE: TOTAL MILEAGE:
1,296.39 miles (10 checkpoints plus the finish line). Starts on Blvd. Costero, adjacent to the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in Ensenada, finishing at Campos de Futbol “Yenecamu” soccer fields in Cabo San Lucas. Starting on the Pacific Ocean side of the Baja California peninsula, the course west to Ojos Negros then southeast to the Valle de Trinidad (rm 110.98) back southwest to climb up through Mike’s Sky Rancho, down by Rancho El Coyote (rm 155.72) continuing southwest to Santo Domingo and a long loop southward to near El Rosario (rm 306.21). From there the course heads southeast and onto Highway 1 at Guayaquil (rm 368.60) for a 60-mile run on the highway before turning of east (rm 428.91) to head to the famous Coco’s Corner (rm 441.92) heading south along the Sea of Cortez to Bahia de Los Angeles (rm 519.09), looping southwesterly by El Arco (rm 607.92) down to another pavement run on Hway 1 to San Ignacio (rm 695.15). From there the course heads directl back to the Pacific Ocean at El Datil, joining the pavement at San Juanico (rm 800.29) for another 34 miles Southeast to just above Loreto (rm 867.59) and then down through Loreto before cutting back across the peninsula to complete the backwards ‘C’ Loop to above Ciud Insurgentes and back to the Pacific Ocean (rm 1,015.03). The rest of the magnificent course hugs the Pacific Ocean shoreline down past Santa Rita then to Tepetate and down to Todos Santos (rm 1,243.47) near El Refugio. The final run past ranchos and through washes with many turns and caution areas to the finish line in Cabo San Lucas.

CHECKPOINTS:
This year’s race course will feature 10 outlying checkpoints where each vehicle is required to quickly stop before continuing on. The checkpoints will be located and close as follows:
RACE STARTS Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 AM
Checkpoint No. 1--Santa Catarina (race mile 85.05) T.13-10PM
No. 2--San Telmo Road (rm 177.71)W.14-2AM
No. 3--El Rosario Wash (rm 306.21)W.14-9AM
No. 4—Coco’s Corner (rm 441.97)W.14-1PM
No. 5—Bahia de Los Angeles (rm 519.09)W.14-5PM
No. 6—San Ignacio (rm 695.15)W.14-9PM
No. 7—Loreto (rm 867.59)TH.15-5AM
No. 8—Insurgentes Crosssing @ KM 30 (rm 1,015.03)TH.15-10AM
No. 9—Rancho Santa Fe (rm 1,120.38)TH.15-1PM
No. 10—El Refugio (rm 1,243.47)TH15-4PM
FINISH LINE CLOSES Thursday, November 15-6PM.

BAJA 1000 2007 RACE SCHEDULE:

SUNDAY, Nov. 11--(All times PST) Racer Registration/Media Registration, Grand Ballroom, San Nicolas Hotel, Ensenada 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
MONDAY, Nov. 12--(All Times PST)Racer Registration/Media Registration, Grand Ballroom, San Nicolas Hotel, Ensenada 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Contingency Row, adjacent to San Nicolas Hotel, 10 a.m., Ensenada- 5:30 p.m.Technical Inspection, End of Contingency Row, 10 a.m., Ensenada– 5:30p.m.Mandatory Racer Meeting, Cathedral Room, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, Ensenada-7 p.m.
TUESDAY, Nov. 13, RACE STARTS 6:30 AM
THURSDAY, Nov. 15, FINISH LINE CLOSES 6 PM
FRIDAY, Nov. 16- Awards Ceremony-High Noon(all times PST).

START: Boulevard Costero, adjacent to Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center-Ensenada. FINISH: Campos de Futbol “Yenecamu” soccer fields-Cabo San Lucas.

RACE DAYS SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY/FRIDAY/SATURDAY, Nov. 13-15--(all times PST)Late Registration, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, Ensenada-5:30 a.m.Late Tech, Start Line, 6 a.m.Late Media Registration, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, Ensenada-6 a.m.RACE STARTS: (Tuesday, Nov. 13) Motorcycles, ATVs-6:30 a.m.; Cars, Trucks-10:30 a.m. (Approx)STARTING ORDER (Subject to Change): (One vehicle every 30 seconds) Motorcycles/ATVs--22, 30, 40, 21, 20, 50, 60, 25, 24, Sportsman M/C>, Sportsman M/C<, Sportsman ATVCars/Trucks--TT, 1, 10, SL, 8, PT, 1-2/1600, 5, 7, BC, 5/1600, 7S, 7SX, SF, SM, 9, 3, 17, JS, SPT Truck, SPT Car, 11, SPT UTV.

TIME LIMIT:


All vehicles will have a 53-hour time limit from the time they start.


HISTORY OF START/FINISH:

In the 40-year history of the SCORE Baja 1000, this will be the 33rd time the race has started in Ensenada and the second time it has finished in Cabo San Lucas. It has also started three times in Mexicali (1972, 1993, 1994), twice in Tijuana (1967, 1995) and once each in Santo Tomas (1998) and Ojos Negro (1999). The only other time this race ended in Cabo San Lucas was 2000.

ENGINE WINNERS:

In 4-wheel vehicle competition, VW motors have produced 12 overall winners, followed by Ford with 11, Chevy with 10, Porsche with 3, Toyota with 2, and Dodge with 1.

CHASSIS WINNERS:

Among 4-wheel vehicles, Chenowth has produced the chassis for 10 overall winners, followed by Ford with 9, Chevy with 6, Toyota, Funco, Raceco, Jimco and Smithbuilt with 2 each and Miller, Hi-Jumper, Dodge, and Meyers Manx with 1 each.

MOTORCYCLE WINNERS:

In motorcycle competition, Honda leads with 17 overall victories, followed by Husqvarna with 11, Kawasaki with 9 and Yamaha with 2.

CELEBRITIES TO WATCH:

Patrick Dempsey, Star of ABC series "Grey's Anatomy", competed in Panoz and Miati sports car series and the 2005 Grand Prix of Long Beach Celebrity race, third straight year in this race, BC2, Baja Challenge Class--Jeremy McGrath, legendary former Supercross champion, BC16, Baja Challenge Class--Rod Millen, World Rally Championship racer, Pikes Peak Hill Climb record holder, former champion in the Mickey Thompson Off-Road Stadium Series, , No. 762 Stock Mini Class AND BC2, Baja Challenge Class--Rhys Millen, Pikes Pike Hill Climb class winner and National Drifting class champion, Hollywood Stunt driver, BC2, Baja Challenge Class--Ken Losch, Former SCCA Formula Mazda racer, current Indy Pro Series owner/driver, No. 253, Protruck--Ken Block, Founder of DC Shoes, Pro Rally racer, X Games star, BC16, Baja Challenge Class--Tanner Foust, Pro Rally racer, X Games Gold medalist, Hollywood Stunt driver, BC2, Baja Challenge Class--Bud Brutsman, Show Creator and TV Producer of ‘Rides’ and ‘Overhaulin’, BC 13, Baja Challenge Class--Erin Crocker—USAC, ARCA and NASCAR Truck racer, BC13, Baja Challenge Class--Paul Thacker, Pro Snowmobile racer, BC16, Baja Challenge Class--Tracy Jordan, Rock Crawling pioneer with championships in three different series, BC13, Baja Challenge Class--Kyle Loza, Freestyle MX, XGames Gold medalist, BC16, Baja Challenge Class--Chris Burandt, Pro Snowmobile Racer, BC16, Baja Challenge Class--Scott Atchison, former IndyCar driver, No. 403x, Class 40--Gay Smith, Pike’s Peak Hill Climb champion, No. 118, Class 1--Luke Trembath, Pro Sowboarder, BC16.

BAJA 1000 WINNINGEST TEAM:

How about 36 Class wins, including four overall wins for the No. 549x Class 50 (riders over 50 years old) motorcycle team of Chris Haines (12 class wins), Jack Johnson (11 class wins, 4 overalls), Craig Adams (9) and Scott Pfeifer (4). They have all been rider of record at least once.

BAJA 1000 JAPANESE TEAMS:

10 total entries from the land of the Rising Sun, including one in Trophy-Truck, and in the following motorcycle classes: Class 21 (1), Class 30 (1), Sportsman M/C 250cc< (2), Sportsman M/C 250cc> (5).

BAJA 1000 CLASSES:

The 2007 Baja 1000 Desert Race features nearly 450 entries in 28 Pro & 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs. Class winners will be decided along with the overall race winner in Pro 4-wheel, Pro Motorcycle and Pro ATV.Cars & Trucks.

TROPHY-TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks)CLASS 1 (Unlimited single or two-seaters)CLASS 1-2/1600 (single or two-seaters to 1600cc)CLASS 3 (Short wheelbase 4X4)CLASS 5 (Unlimited Baja Bugs)CLASS 5/1600 (1600cc Baja Bugs)CLASS 7 (Open mini trucks)CLASS 7S (Stock mini trucks)CLASS 7SX (Modified mini trucks)CLASS 8 (Full-sized two-wheel drive trucks)CLASS 9 (Short wheelbase, single or two-seaters)CLASS 10 (Single or two-seaters to 1650cc)SCORE LITE (Limited single-1776cc-or two-seaters-1835cc) CLASS 11 (Stock VW Sedans)STOCK FULL (Stock full-sized trucks)STOCK MINI (Stock mini trucks)PROTRUCK (Limited Production Trucks)BAJA CHALLENGE (Limited, identical Baja touring cars)CLASS 17 (Class 3, modified Jeep Cherokees)Motorcycles. CLASS 22 (250cc or more)CLASS 20 (125cc)CLASS 21 (126cc to 250cc)CLASS 30 (Riders over 30 years old)CLASS 40 (Riders over 40 years old)CLASS 50 (Riders over 50 years old)CLASS 60 (Riders over 60 years old) ATVs: CLASS 25 (251cc or more)CLASS 24 (250cc or less).
LAST YEAR’S TOP FINISHERS:

2006 Baja 1000—Ensenada to La Paz (1,047.8 miles)431 Total Starters, 234 Total Finishers (both Race Records) (54.3 percent)
Pro Cars & Trucks1. Andy McMillin, Poway, Calif./Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy CK1500, 19:15:27 (54.41mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck) 2. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif., Smithbuilt-Ford, 19:56:22 (52.55) (Class 1)3. B.J. Baldwin/Tom Bradley Jr., Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 20:01:25 (52.33) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)4. Ron Whitton, Maricopa, Ariz., Ford F-150, 20:39:49 (50.71) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)5. Gary Weyhrich/Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore./B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas, Jimco-Chevy, 20:44:56 (50.50) (Class 1)6. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz., Chevy Silverado, 21:07:51 (49.59) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)7. Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif./Ron Brant, Oak Hills, Calif./Travis Howard, South Padre Island, Texas, HMS-Chevy, 21:27:33 (48.83) (Class 1)8. Todd Wyllie, New River, Ariz./John Marking, El Cajon, Calif./Eduardo Gastelum, La Paz, Mexico, Chevy Silverado, 21:28:16 (48.80) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)9. Darren Hardesty, Ramona, Calif./Mark Randazzo, Poway, Calif., AlumiCraft-VW, 21:34:28 (48.57)(Class 10)10. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 21:35:40 (48.52) (Trophy-Truck).

First Overall Motorcycle--1. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif./Johnny Campbell, SanClemente, Calif., Honda XR650R (CLASS 22).

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