Baja Desert Racing Classes are listed in starting order, weights are dry. Subtract 3-5 horsepower for a single port in the VW-based classes.
Trophy Truck:
Unlimited single and two seat vehicles. Vehicles must have a production appearing utility or sports utility body.
Aka: Trick Truck, 1400 (BITD)Horsepower: 650-850Wheel Travel: 24-28 Front, 32-36 RearWeight: 4500-8000Top Speed: 135 Cost New: $250,000 - unlimited budgetCost Per Prep: $25,000Basic Rules: Motor must be of the same manufacturer as that of the body.
Class 1:
Unlimited 4 wheel single and two seat vehicles.
Aka: 1500 (BITD)Horsepower: 350-800Wheel Travel: 20-24 Front, 22-26 RearWeight: 2500-5500Top Speed: 120-130Cost New: $125,000-250,000Cost Per Prep: $7,500-15,000Basic Rules: No production bodied vehicles allowed in this class. Live axle(3 or 4 linked) or dual pivot trailing arm rear suspension systems allowed.
Class 10:
Single or two seat buggies limited in engine size. There are 3 different limiting motor choices per configuration (single or two seat).
Horsepower: 200-250Wheel Travel: 20-24 Front, 20-24 RearWeight: 1900-2100Top Speed: 110 Cost New: $75,000-125,000Cost Per Prep: $5,000-10,000Basic Rules: Motor limited to 4 cylinders, with a minimum production of 5,000 units (specifics below). No fenders allowed.Engine:Single seat:- 1650cc 16 valve water-cooled with single carburetor or stock fuel injection- 1700cc 8 valve water-cooled with single carburetor- 1915cc air-cooled pushrod with single or dual carburetorsTwo seat:- 1750cc 16 valve water-cooled with single carburetor or stock fuel injection- 1800cc 8 valve water-cooled with single carburetor- 2000cc air-cooled pushrod with single or dual carburetors or stock fuel injection
Class 8:
Full-size 2-wheel drive trucks that must retain original front end concept (I-beam, a-arm, etc). Must retain entire length of stock framerails as well as be a readily available vehicle in the U.S.A.(at least 5,000 units sold in a 12 month period.)
Horsepower: 500-650Wheel Travel: 22-26 Front, 26-32 RearWeight: 5500-6500Top Speed: 130Cost New: $100,000-300,000Cost Per Prep: $5,000-15,000Basic Rules: Manufacturer's body, engine, and chassis combination must be retained. Wheelbase must be +/- 2'' of that of the stock vehicle.
Engine Rules: Engine must be of the same manufacturer as the body and chassis and the engine block must be made of the same material(cast iron, aluminum, etc.) of that installed in that particular vehicle as stock. Any make of automotive carburetor may be used but is restricted to one (1) four-barrel carb. Stock fuel injection may be used as well.
Protruck:
Limited production spec-truck.
Aka: 1200 (BITD)Horsepower: 400-500Wheel Travel: 21 Front, 24 RearWeight: 3800 PoundsTop Speed: 125Cost New: $125,000Cost Per Prep: $5,000-15,000
Score Lite:
Single or two seat vehicles limited to air cooled engines.
Aka: 1100 (BITD)Horsepower: 135 Single-seat, 150 Two-seatWheel Travel: 12-18 Front, 18-24 RearWeight: 1650-2100Top Speed: 90Cost New: $40,000-80,000Cost Per Prep: $3,500-7,000Basic Rules: Front suspension is limited to VW Type configuration; suspension must be of the twin beam, trialing arm type. Front and rear trailing arms are open(length, width, and manufacturer) as well as spindles.
Engine must be a VW type 1 and limited to the following:Single Seat:- Has a maximum of 2 valves per cylinder.- Displacement must not exceed 1776cc.- Limited to 1 carburetor; any manufacturer is acceptable.
Two Seat:- Has a maximum of 2 valves per cylinder.- Displacement must not exceed 1835cc.- Limited to 1 carburetor; any manufacturer is acceptable.
This is a rear engine class only, and must be placed behind the axle centerline.
Class 5:
Vehicle must be a VW Sedan Type 1 Hardtop or Convertible as delivered from the factory.
Horsepower: 175-250Wheel Travel: 12-18 Front, 18-24 RearWeight: 2200-2400Top Speed: 105Cost New: $50,000-90,000Cost Per Prep: $4,000-8,000Basic Rules: Front and rear suspension is open, as long as it retains stock concept. Length, width, and manufacturer is open, as long as the wheelbase does not exceed 105 1/2'' at ride height.
Engine Rules: Any manufacturer air cooled, 4 cylinder, single cam, pushrod, VW concept engine is allowed. VW 4 cylinder water cooled engines may also be used. Displacement is open.
Class 7:
Unlimited mini or mid-size trucks/SUV
Aka: 7200 (BITD)Horsepower: 250-550Wheel Travel: 18-26 Front, 24-35 RearWeight: 4,000-5,500Top Speed: 120Cost New: $60,000-150,000Cost Per Prep: $4,000-8,000Basic Rules:Chassis:- Stock frame must be retained and no material may be added or removed. Crossmembers are the exception.- Wheelbase must be within 2 inches of stock configuration.- Track width is limited to 78 inches.Engine and Drivetrain:- Engine is limited to 6 cylinders; displacement is limited to 4.5 liters.- Engine must be located within 1 inch of stock mounting location.- Transmission is open. Front differential must remain stock but may be strengthened.- Rear axle assembly must use a standard automotive production housing and third member.Suspension:- Front suspension must retain the original stock concept (a-arms, i-beam, etc.).- Shock may not protrude through the hood.- Rear suspension is open.
BITD Rules (new for 2007):- Engine is limited to 6 cylinders; displacement is open.- Track width is limited to 85 inches.- Vehicle must have fenders.
1/2-1600:
Single or two-seat buggies limited to 1600cc Type 1 engine and Type 1 suspension components.
Aka: 2000 (BITD)Horsepower: 77-82 Single seat (dual port), 82-87 Two-seat (dual port)Wheel Travel: 9-10 Front, 16-21 RearWeight: 1550-1600Top Speed: 75-85Cost New: $30,000-60,000Cost Per Prep: $2,500-6,000
Basic Rules:
Suspension Components:Front:- Suspension is based on VW Type 1 ball join or link pin style- Any manufacturer's beam of 2 steel torsion tubes may be used but must retain stock VW width.- Front trailing arms may be reinforced or replaced but must retain stock length and width.- Track width will be measured from wheel mounting serface to the opposite; maximum is 55 1/2".Rear:- Suspension is based on VW Type 1 (IRS) or swing axle- Trailing arms may be replaced or reinforced as long as length is retained at +/- 1".- Torsion tube may be replaced or reinforced and torsion adjusters may be installed; any manufacturer may be used.- Trackwidth may not exceed 58 1/4'' and is measured wheel mounting face to the opposite site.- Entire outer cv must remain inside of the trailing arm inner bearing; no midboard or out-board hubs allowed.
5-1600:
Baja bugs limited to 1600cc type 1 motor and type 1 suspension parts. Must retain working doors, stock floor pan and baja bug fenders.
Aka: 5150 (BITD)Horsepower: 85-90 (dual port)Wheel Travel: 9-10 Front, 15-18.5 RearWeight: 1750-1900Top Speed: 80-85Cost New: $20,000-50,000Cost Per Prep: $2,000-4,000
Basic Rules:
Suspension Components:Front:- Suspension is based on VW Type 1 ball join or link pin style- Any manufacturer's beam of 2 steel torsion tubes may be used but must retain stock VW width.- Front trailing arms may be reinforced or replaced but must retain stock length and width.- Track width will be measured from wheel mounting serface to the opposite; maximum is 55 1/2".Rear:- Suspension is based on VW Type 1 (IRS) or swing axle- Trailing arms may be replaced or reinforced as long as length is retained at +/- 1".- Torsion tube may be replaced or reinforced and torsion adjusters may be installed; any manufacturer may be used.- Trackwidth may not exceed 58 1/4'' and is measured wheel mounting face to the opposite site.- Entire outer cv must remain inside of the trailing arm inner bearing; no midboard or out-board hubs allowed.
7S:
Vehicles built from a 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive mini or mid-sized pickup having a maximum stock wheelbase of 127''.
Aka: 7100 (BITD)Horsepower: 175-265Wheel Travel: 12 Front, 16-20 RearWeight: 3200-4000Top Speed: 100+Cost New: $20,000-60,000Cost Per Prep: $2,000-5,000
Basic Rules:
Suspensions Components:- Front and Rear suspension must be of the same manufacturer, shape, size and configuration as the stock vehicle being used.- All suspension components except shocks and rear leaf springs will reamin in original stock locations and mounting methods.- A-arms, I-beams, and front axles must remain stock length; material may be added for strength and stock mounting locations retained.- Rear springs may be lengthened to that of the longest stock production rear leaf spring as delivered by the manufacturer. (57 1/2")Engine:- Must be of the same manufacturer basic design and type with a max of 6 cylinders.- Must use the stock block and cylinder heads as delivered for highway use from the manufacturer.- Updating and predating is allowed within the vehicle chassis and body series.- Maximum displacement of 3000cc.
Jeepspeed:
Production Jeep Cherokee XJ models from 1984-2001.
Horsepower: 250-260 Pro, 200-225 Sportsman Wheel Travel: 10 Front, 12 RearWeight: 3500+Top Speed: 100+Cost New: Vehicle + $15,000 Pro, $10,000 SportsmanCost Per Prep: $1,000-2,500Basic Rules:
Suspension Components:- Any manufacturer suspension lift kit may be used provided it is readily available to the general public. Kit components must be installed per manufacturer’s instructions.- Maximum front travel is 10”. - Springs are open (diameter, rate, length, etc.) but must remain in the stock location. - A single shock absorber per side is allowed with a maximum diameter of 3” non-bypass or 2-1/2 inches with bypass. Remote reservoirs are allowed with a maximum diameter of 3” and a maximum length of 16”. - Leaf springs may be of any manufacture, but may only have a maximum length of 55” eye to eye measured along the curvature of the main leaf. Rear shackle length may be 6” maximum when measured eye to eye. - Maximum rear suspension travel is 12”. Engine:- Maximum engine displacement is 4097cc (250 cu in.) This would allow a 4.0-liter engine to be rebuilt with .060 oversized pistons with a little extra for honing cleanup. - Stock block and cylinder head must be retained. - Engine must be in stock location +/- 1. Motor mounts are open. - Engine radiator must be in stock location +/- 1. Aluminum replacement radiators are not allowed.- Only street legal, unleaded pump gas may be used.
Class 9
Aka: ChallengerHorsepower: 72-76 (dual port)Wheel Travel: 5.5 Front, 9.5 RearWeight: 1450-1600 PoundsTop Speed: 80+Cost New: $8,000-15,000Cost Per Prep: $1,000-2,500
Basic Rules:
Engine and Drivetrain:- Nearly stock type 1 1600cc engine is required. Case is open. Camshaft is open. Compression is limited to 7.5 to 1. Dual port heads are allowed.- Transmission is limited to swing-axle. Stock 1st and 2nd gears must be retained. 3rd and 4th are open. R&P must be 4.12 or 4.37. Case is open.Suspension:- Stock type 1 suspension components must be used throughout. No modifications are allowed to stock parts except for the spindles. The may be reinforced and the speedometer hole filled. Must run ball-joint front end. Strengthening of beam is allowed by way of one tube attached at each shock tower. Must use stock front shock mounts.- Rear shock mounts are open. Spring plates are open. Torsion adjusters are allowed.- Maximum shock size is 2.5 inches. No external bypass allowed. No hydaulic bump stops allowed.Other:- Brakes must remain stock VW but type 3 and thing drums are allowed. Drilling is allowed. May use 4 or 5 lug.- No aluminum wheels are allowed.- No power steering allowed. Tie rods and tie rod ends/heim joints are open.
Class 11:
Stock production VW bug with roll cage and upgraded shocks and tires.
Horsepower: 72-76Wheel Travel: 5.5 Front, 5 RearWeight: 1950-2100 PoundsTop Speed: 90Cost New: Vehicle + $3,000-5,000Cost Per Prep: $500-2,500Basic Rules:
Suspension:- Front axle tubes may be cut, rotated, re-welded to increase ground clearance or front torsion adjusters may be installed.- Shock tower may be gusseted and supported but gussets may not extended more than 2'' above the torsion tube.- Stock front spindles and trailing arms must be retained.- Any rear suspension torsion bars, spring plates, and torsion bar adjusters may be used and installed.- Rear torsion tube may be supported, only by that tube meeting a part o the roll-cage.- Lower shock mounts on 1969 and older models may be shortened by no more than 1.5''. - Only one shock absorber per wheel is allowed. Cooling fins and resevoirs are allowed.
Engine and Drivetrain:- Must be of VW Type 1, 1600cc components and dimensions.- Cylinder heads must be single port.- Stock carburetor must be used, with maximum venturi size of 24.10 mm.- Must use stock fan shroud.- Air cleaner may be of any manufacturer and any size; location is open.- Transmission must be a stock Type 1, 4-speed bug.
Sportsman Truck:
Open trucks that are usually pre-runners. There are rule variations between sanctioning organizations. Specs may vary greatly.
Aka: 1450 (MDR), 1500 (SCORE)Horsepower: 150-300+Wheel Travel: 13-20 Front, 14-30 RearWeight: 3000-4500 PoundsTop Speed: 110+Cost New: Vehicle + $5,000-40,000Cost Per Prep: $500-5,000.
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