2006 Baja 1000
| The Baja 1000 is run each year from
downtown Ensenada to La Paz. The course follows mostly dirt and rock strewn roads and paths for 1047.8 miles. Course Map. |
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Ojos Negros Mile 34.3 of the Baja 1000 Cactus Films Video at Ojos Negros |
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| Crossing Highway 3, a
45 degree turn to the left and then back on to the back-roads course
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Not to worry! When ready to go home just load the kids in the back of the truck and drive down the dust choked road against the oncoming racers (see above). Not being able to see the trophy trucks coming through the dust that completely obliterates all visibility is apparently not a problem because you can always hear the trucks coming. They sound and feel just like a fast-moving freight train. I suppose that these folks are very adept at determining whether the dust cloud contains 1, 2, or 3 trophy trucks, but I was always surprised when that 3rd or 4th truck emerged from the cloud of dust and only a few feet behind the lead truck. Maybe humming a few verses of Nearer My God to Thee would be appropriate when driving north against the south-bound racers.. |
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| It's impossible to
have this much craziness without some damage and today was no exception. They returned in about 30 minutes with an injured person. This link to Youtube may show the actual accident. (link) |
A distant view of the
course with the helicopter hovering overhead. I believe that this area is the area shown in the Youtube video of the accident. |
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| One of 5 support
trucks for racer 839. This one is manned by Clay and Craig |
The pit crew at work.
The driver stopped for a leaking transmission seal, so might as well get gas while he is stopped.. |
| Entering Gonzaga Bay at mile 276.9 | |
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| The final hills
before descending onto the plains at Gonzaga Bay. |
The photo is blurry,
but shows the people gathered at Rancho Grande (looking SW). |
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Night is falling on Gonzaga Bay, but the
race goes on for |
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| Trophy Trucks like
this one averaged over 50 mph along the entire course which means that on relatively smooth straight stretches (like here) they are doing near 120 mph. |
Out of the night it came ! |
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| Roaring off into the night! | One well organized pit crew. |
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| Airborne!! | This chase helicopter
landed after dark in a field by the road. A Pickup truck with 55-gallon drums of fuel was there waiting though the helicopter did not depart until dawn. |
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Dust to
Glory along the coast between Puertecitos and Punta Bufeo |
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