Wide Open Baja

Speed, sand, sun, and tequila on the horizon... I've never woken up at 4am so easily as to mobilize for this trip, which is entirely the opposite of Austin Powers attempting to do a multipoint turn, although the "yeah baby" thing applies here.  Dive in with this intro... (you can click through and do this one in HD). These machines are so badass it's hard to comprehend.




This is the closest to mountain biking as any 4 wheeled machine I've felt yet... except for 95mph over sand with no windshield is a little hard to replicate pedalling.

The video below is a great overview, but to cut it short, these are purpose built race cars for the Baja 1000. They've got 20" of suspension, and a little Porsche engine and 4 speed transmission that's pure petrol fueled enjoyment (although I think they've not phased in Subaru boxer engines). You drive these as best you can following the WIDE OPEN namesake - ie. you drive the living piss out of these things all day every day at full throttle, then while you're eating dinner and drinking tequila, the team of Mexican mechanics works on them all night long then sleep in the car during the day. I have no clue how they can sleep in these, but they do. They can swap an engine in the desert in about 30-45 minutes depending on conditions if need be.

Here's some HD Car and Driver footage. (this one is available in HD too if you click through).

Good god I'm pumped!

I don't think Roberto Guerrero will be there this year, his skills were awesome to watch when I got to ride with him, such a highlight from prior years. Life must look different when your day job is approaching corners at 300+kph.