Honda Rincon wins beating

Honda Rincon wins beating all the pure sports Atvs across the Desert.

I thought your readers may be interested to hear about the 2002 Baja 1000 desert race from which myself and a friend have just returned. Held in Mexico and run by the SCORE organisation since 1967 this race runs the length of the Baja peninsular, north to south over some 1017 miles. Starting this year from Ensenda (only 2 hours south of the US border) and finishing in La paz the course comprises mainly of dirt roads ranging from technical rocky sections to wide open desert tracks, woods, bogs, hidden stumps, total darkness, stray dogs/spectators and oncoming local traffic seem to be the main hazards. Unfortunately due to the limited off roading capabilities of our hire car we were forced to watch an early section of the race which although fast did not provide us with any crashing or blowing up action for the video. (excluding one trophy truck who lost his way and went straight on at an uphill hairpin, jumping the main road clearing the tarmac and landing in a nearby potato field, much excitement, no one injured).

Most of the solos were big four strokes mainly XR650's and they left first at 0630 followed by the ATVs. Two of the top desert racers Gregory and Row were on the new Honda Rincon and although heavy, these utility / sport bikes were travelling at fair clip, I expect Honda, as many of the factorys in the past have done were using this race to give there new machine the Baja proven stamp.

250Rs, 400ex's, Cannondales, DS 650's and Raptors made up the rest of the pack all but one Banshee piloted by famous GNCC 4x4 class racer Mike Penland and Co.

Most teams use between 2 and 4 riders/drivers for the event and a vast aray of back up equipment, support vehicles and personnel. Fuelling and repairs are carried out either on the track by the chase vehicles or by the main pit company who most teams purchase their pit packages from in advance. All in all this is one expensive race to run and one hell of an experience, competitors range from first timer armature 3 man teams to full factory teams whose big bucks don't necessarily shorten there odds of finishing.
Next up after the quads are the "Trophy trucks" these things are the kings of the desert and they just about rip, as loud and nearly as expensive as an F1 car but way more fun. The ground shakes and your lungs fill with dust when these things pass you with monster truck capabilities and awesome speed they are fast, if your riding a quad they WILL be passing you.( best pull over I'm told) When I asked how do you know when a truck's coming the response was "you'll know ".

Mexico is a great place and we will defiantly be returning to experience the carnival atmosphere and brilliant sunshine of the Baja 1000. We combined our trip with 3 days of dune riding at the amazing 3700acre Oceono Dunes(better known as Pismo) on the superb new Suzuki Z400 and a trip to the world biggest Dirt bike store, Chaparral in LA. (Smiths roll offs complete kit $9.50) etc etc.
Cambell won the Solo race on an XR 650 and Reuben Martin one the Pro ATV on a Rincon. Gregory also on a Rincon came third after a low speed crash in a silt bed meant they had to crawl to the finish on 3 wheels. Nelson came in 2nd Stephensen 4th and Row5th. Wes Miller of Heuvos/ H bomb films had a DNF. The winning ATV time for the 1017 mile race was 23:20:03, not bad.
A great trip if any one wants information on any part of this trip please feel free to contact me.