Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by NIKAL on September 21, 2009 at 5:34pm

Well seeing that your back East I would wait until his next TORC short course race. I dont know what his schedule is, but that by far would be the best way to see him race. For one you will get way more actual race viability and these types of races have open pit areas, so their is a very good chance you could go up to his trailer and wait to see him and maybe meet him in person too.

The desert stuff can be much harder. For one unless you have been in Baja and know your way around, I would never suggest going down there for your first time to see a race. Most likely you would not even find much of the course unless you know your way around or were with someone who has done this before. When you do see them go by its only once and you have to move on to see him again. And having "Baja Smarts" is important when traveling in Baja. Then you have the State side off-road desert races like Primm and Laughlin, those are easier and safer to go to, but because of the BLM land restrictions you are very limited to where you can be. And if your not with a team then you can also check off going too any of the pit areas to watch and see the action.

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Permalink Reply by wolfie909 on September 21, 2009 at 6:57pm

Thank you for your time and information. I do go to several nascar races, but would like to watch Robby race other trucks/cars as well. I saw that he won the Primm 300 and would love to be able to watch him race and get closer to his pit then you can at the nascar races.

I noticed the TORC races are all out west, have to try to plan to go and hopefully his plans don't change so he will be racing when I get there.

Thanks again Diane

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Permalink Reply by lin neal on September 21, 2009 at 7:05pm

Laughlin would be the best place to go, the have hotels right by the coures and you can see much of the race from the grandstands and the race is for 2 day he would run 1 race a day and the race is for about 1.5 hr per day so you would see alot of racing.

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Permalink Reply by soylent_green on September 21, 2009 at 7:18pm

Like Nikal said, baja smarts and a good guide is needed south of the border.

Unlike TORC or its dead brother CORR, racing in Baja you will not get to see the beginning, the middle, and the end of an event. Even without the crazy penalties like this year, you probably will not know who won or finished until you get stateside or find out the next day in Ensenada. And you will most likely see your favorite driver or drivers only for a matter of seconds. You could even miss them because they might be coming through in the back of someone's dust. Driving to and from your spots will also suck and will seem as crazy as racing in Mexico. And the border crossing will stink when you come back.

That said, the Baja 500 is by far the best offroad race to see. Its as much of an event as it is a race.

Contingency the day before where you get up close with all the vehicles.
Finding a cool spot to watch the race.
The adrenalin of being a few feet away from 800 horsepower kicking up rocks and dust.
The chance of seeing something really bitchin that only you, the few people around you, and the vehicle racing will only experience at that specific moment. A cool pass, getting air, or getting thrown the peace sign from one of the heroes.
Getting play by plays on your radio from the weatherman.
And if you can stage close enough for the 500 to watch pretty much most of the vehicles go by and head into town and see the finish.
Oh, and don't forget the perfect first week of June weather in Baja.
And it is always a loop race and the top vehicles arrive between 7ish to 9ish at night.
Fish tacos.
Tecate girls

Maybe the Baja 500 seems so special because my birthday is during the first week of June so its a double celebration for me?

TORC is like a piece of cherry pie. Cherry pie is good. The Baja 1000 is a whole cherry pie. For me, the Baja 500 is a whole cherry pie with a shitload of french vanilla ice cream on top.

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Permalink Reply by NIKAL on September 21, 2009 at 7:52pm

I 100% agree with you Soylent. If you know off-road racing and if you know Baja then their is nothing like it. The Baja 500 would have to be my choice to, with San Felipe a very, very close 2nd.

If you dont know about off-road racing and if you dont know about Baja, TORC is a great way to see the action.

When not racing our own car or not helping another team Erendira right on the beach is one of my favorite spots to be. You can camp right on the ridge over looking a million dollar view of the ocean (For free! Try to find that in the States!) and you get to watch all the classes come threw and listen to Weatherman and hear the action unfold while eating and drinking great food with friends.

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Permalink Reply by Scott B on September 21, 2009 at 7:36pm

Come out to Laughlin in January. We are putting a "Planet Trip" together.

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Permalink Reply by wolfie909 on September 21, 2009 at 9:05pm

please send me info about this - I maybe interested in this race !

thanks

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Permalink Reply by Scott B on September 21, 2009 at 9:36pm

Hey man, no real info/plan yet. We are just starting to work on it.

Most everyone else is from the Vegas area or Cali.

I am from the east coast as well, and this will be my first offroad race as well.

I have heard its just a really big party down in Laughlin and the hotels are cheap.

I will keep you posted.

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Permalink Reply by wolfie909 on September 21, 2009 at 9:49pm

Thank you ! Look forward to meeting you there - keep me in the loop.

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Permalink Reply by choochoo on September 22, 2009 at 12:37pm

U can add me to that list too. Love to watch the laughlin race from the hills opposite the grand stand.

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Permalink Reply by Bryan Bruner on September 21, 2009 at 9:32pm

I've been watching Robby race off-road since he was sixteen years old. I was a mere lad at twelve. All the races are exciting to watch, but I would agree that Laughlin would be the best race for a first timer. You can watch most of the action from one or two stand points and the racing is broken down into bite sized chunks. The TORC races are ok, but I recommend watching Robby in the desert discipline of racing because this is where it all started. The sheer speed he carries on the course is exhibited no better than in the desert. A real exciting event to witness.

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Permalink Reply by wolfie909 on September 21, 2009 at 9:39pm

Bryan: As I have only gone to Nascar tracks any help on how I would go about setting up my first trip would be greatly appreciated. Are there web sites which would help me with the hotels and track info that you can recommend? I would sincerely appreciate it. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you again for your honesty and for pointing me in the right direction. Diane

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