2014 Mexican 1000
May 10-14, 2014
It was time for another NORRA
Mexican 1000, this time running down the Baja peninsula from Ensenada
to San Jose del Cabo. My bike was prepped again by Les, Chris, and Chad
Martin (M-Power) and ready to go. Having run two NORRA races in 2013, I
now had a little bit of experience under my belt, and felt like I could
at least compete for a win in my class (the over 50 guys). Again, my
good friends Joel Paez and Cory Johnson would help provide pit support
along with Robbie Nuttall joining in for his first time.
This year the motorcyles would
have a 5-day schedule for the race, with the race beginning on Saturday
afternoon.
Pre-Race
We arrived in Ensenada late
Thursday afternoon to get situated. Friday was Tech Inspection, which
went smoothly. I obtained the navigational Road Book scrolls, and
started marking them up to be ready for the race.
The bike was ready!
Race Day 1
Saturday morning began with a good breakfast, checking the bike over one last time, and making sure the pit vehicles were ready to go.
Late morning, I began to get my gear ready and the n head over for the Rider's Meeting near the starting line.
Rider's Meeting...
Then it was time to get to
the starting area, where the cars/trucks were still finishing going
through their Tech Inspection (cars and trucks would not start until
the next morning). It was quite an event near the starting line...
Pretty soon, teh NORRA girls were coming along to make the final check-in for the race and confirm starting order...
The it was finally time to get the helmet and gloves on and get in line for the start...
The bikes start at 1 minute
intervals, and I was abour 14 in line to begin the race. It was finally
time to get the goggles on and wait for the green flag...
The race would begin with a
28 mile liaison pavement section (which is not timed), before starting
the actual racing Special of 153 miles (which is timed). The liaison
would take us to Santo Tomas, where we would then hit the dirt and be
racing for the most part down the Pacific Coast to San Quintin, and
then another 32 mile liaison into El Rosario.
Here I am coming into section
of the course that comes on to the highway, and lets my pit crew
perform a quick check on the bike...
Then it was more racing until I reach San Quintin!
I had a great first day of
racing. I finished in 4th place overall for the day, and 1st place in
my class with a comfortable lead.
After reaching El Rosario, it
was time to find our hotel for the night. My pit crew immediately began
working on the bike to get it ready for the next day, and then we had a
good dinner before calling it a day and getting some rest. It would be
an early start the next day...
The race course for the first day...
Race Day 1 Race Day 2 Race Day 3 My Post-Race