Anyone wanna race the Mexican (Baja) 1000 desert race on a trike? Details inside.

[Dammit!]

I love How you think you need an entire parts truck to finish this race. Most common parts to break or fail 1. Air filter 2. tires/ rims 3. brake pads 4. chain / masterlink 5. axel / hubs 6. light system / bulbs If the motor blows your out the frame snaps...you can repair. The big thing is your in an endurance race you need to finish which means the rider has to SAVE the machine. Repair time is limited thats why you need to prepaired prior to the race. HD tires/ Rims, guseted frame, armor as in skidplates, a good motor that can run on low octane....Mexican Gas is crap so a racer on 110 octane could be a detriment to the cause. 2stroke is NOT the choice of winner....name the last winner to cross the line on a two stroke? You need to get 100miles out of a tank because if the stops are 80miles appart you need to factor, getting lost, and bad fuel at race speed. So parts availablity is NOT an issue. Sorry to stomp on you R guys dream ride...but the 350X is a better choice. Top speed is really a misconseption, overall speed with minor pit times is the key.

I think you're forgetting there were plenty of 350X's around back in the 80's but the winners were still running 2-strokes in the desert races. You can carry up to 6 gallons of gas on a R when properly equipped (4 gallon desert tank, rear rack with a couple gallon container). The 250R dominated desert racing despite the availability of the 350x. I don't even remember those guys carrying more gas than just their 4 gallon tanks. I would guess you can get around a hundred miles out of 4 gallons. Somewhere close to that anyway.

I don't want to start an argument but it seems there's only one person in this thread that's done this before and he's saying the R is the way to go.

[oldskool83]

if this can be done i think 3ww should put up an account with a paypal address so any members can sponser whoever would be riding. good way to get the site name out there and possible more support from atleast aftermarket MFG's.

[fabiodriven]

if this can be done i think 3ww should put up an account with a paypal address so any members can sponser whoever would be riding. good way to get the site name out there and possible more support from atleast aftermarket MFG's.

I like that idea.

[RapidRick]

Well if you get this up and running, I might be able to help out with another team of two wheeler racers who already have pits and chase teams put together. I could approach them to see if they would consider pooling resources.

Remember, this just isn't show up on race weekend and run. Whoever is running each leg always comes down for a couple of weeks or weekends prior to prerun their particular sections. Just thinking out loud.

[Bryan Raffa]

Come ON Jason... get that Bike Prepped and some Baja lights! "The Dream Team"

[Tecate250]

Dream team I like it.

[oscarmayer]

if I can get my racing 200x completed, I'm in! I'll run that bastage into the dirt!
here's how I figure it, an air cooled 4-stroker is to me probebly the best bet out there due to head and cliemate issues. if i get the engine settled downa nd ready, it shoudl run for hell 5k miles before it needs a rebuild. so it shoudl be fine for the race.
I may not do the prettying up thing but if can get the time to finish it, I'll run the race as well. sponsorships? eya that's be nice, but i double I'll get any so I'm going to save $ up now.

[Jason Hall]

I have a 86 R that has the suspension for the job, and the frame has been gussoted. All It needs Is a fresh piston, and a BIG gas tank!!! Count me IN. I'm sure If we all wanted to make It happen we could do It. If everybody from 3ww & 3WO could send part's to Rapid Rick we could rebuild the bike at each stop LOL. I have a couple extra engine's that could be used for Backup. How many people can run the same machine??? We could just keep rotating In fresh Riders and win the damn thing

[RapidRick]

Well, I think the bikes usually run 4 rider teams and switch off (remember they have a lot more suspension).

I'm ok with receiving parts and such, also have access to a shop to store goodies at which is close (15 mi) from Mexicali. The race usually starts in Ensenada though. Logistics wouldn't be that much of a problem.

IF, there were a couple of entries they could use the same pits. Probably would take a minimum of 2- 3 pit crews leap frogging down the peninsula and at least one chase vehicle per entry. Last I heard race fuel can't be taken into Mex but the race fuel vendors have a deal worked out that you buy it directly from them down there.

To get a feel for the terrane watch some of the youtube vids, practice riding in lots of dust, boulders, sand, endless whoops, booby trap ditches, logs, tires,wildlife, cows, steers, burrows, horses, cowboys, locals, locals racing their own vehicles, stuck or broken entrants, stuck or broken locals, rocks, bushes and trees leaping out at you while you pass probably many of these http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y89h_...eature=related all while trying not to get run over by faster, larger, and wider vehicles, while simutaneously avoiding all the previously mentioned in addition to what I've forgot, all the while being sore, tired, thirsty, some what disoriented and staying on the course.

AND for the lucky few they get to do it at night for a couple of hours at a time (just driving down Mex 1 on pavement at night is spooky) while experiencing all or more in the above paragraph.

Remember #1 that your are trying to go as fast as your body will let you and still keep the ride all together or the same hoping you'll make to the next pit where everything will get fixed AND maybe trade off to another rider. All the while hearing every sound imaginable that could fortell the trike falling apart at any moment, and if it does you could be stranded for either minutes or literally hours either alone or in the dark and alone till your chase crew can get to you and either get you back together again or haul you dejected, sore, bruised, sorry ass out back to some sense of reality which will probably be out in the middle of no where miles from anything but it will be near pavement.

Remember #2 this isn't over in a short moto, this will put every rider to a test. The desert racers among us who have run D38 and D39 have a good idea of what to expect.

If it is a loop race the logistics will be far easier as far as chase and pits. IF it is a race to Cabo/La Paz it's not only more difficult it is a longer ride back to the U.S.



It's not for the faint of heart, BUT IT IS SURE IS KICKASS FUN !!!!!!!!!! so let's "git er done" :

[3Razors]

Just to be able to finish one of these races is a feat in itself. Everything needs to be just right with the machine, certain things like flats and such will be inevitable and at very least need reinforced rings on the wheels and aftermarket axle. And don't forget the booby traps the locals set for their enjoyment and your misery. I have a XR650R that is supposed to be honda's flagship baja bike that I thought would be fun to ride just for the experience but never got more than just thinking about it. Doesn't Honda race the 700XX atv in baja now?

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

yes they do, wayne mattlock, wes miller and harold goodman have the #1a plate this year again on a 700

[boosted96cobra]

I'm interested in attending/riding/pit crewing the race I have no idea on a sponsor but it sounds awesome if it happens I'm there. I'll save my tax return and sell my dirt bikes for money to make it there, very interested.

Dude I have told you about the desert races here in utah. They allow trikes plus you might want to maybe start small.

[Dirtcrasher]

I don't have much $$ but if you guys need $$ to put this together you have 10$ from me..... Multiply that times 100 or so members??!!

Be nice to see it happen and the publicity!!

[Brockey]

I don't have much $$ but if you guys need $$ to put this together you have 10$ from me..... Multiply that times 100 or so members??!!

Be nice to see it happen and the publicity!!

I am with ya there DC, I'll sponsor $10 aswell.

[Kintore]

I would be able to take time off work if this is serious.


I may not be too used to desert, but Ill step up to the plate...
I can provide my services as a rider???