It has withstood bad weather, course changes and political and management adjustments, but like Old Man River, the Baja 1000 has rolled on and on for 40 years.
Three-time winner Ivan Stewart refers to it as motorsports’ X Games. And those games will be played again with more than 300 vehicles involved in 28 pro and six sportsman classes, Nov. 13-15.
“It’s the thrill of the unknown and the fact they can race on the same course as Robby Gordon, Parnelli Jones, Walker Evans and I raced on,” said the man known as the Ironman. “Can’t do that at Indianapolis or in Formula One racing.
“You don’t have to be very good and nobody sees you make mistakes. That’s the romance of it. You can be slower than hell and nobody cares.”
He reflected on the past while attending a recent Baja 1000 reunion at the San Diego Auto Museum, attended by some 40 invitees including Johnny Johnson, Bruce Meyers, Malcolm Smith, Doug Fortin and Judy Smith.
“Southern California and Baja have been the heart of desert racing,” the San Diegan said. “There was Borrego desert, Baja and Mickey Thompson’s promotions [Riverside Raceway and several stadiums].”
Admittedly it has been a roller-coaster ride.
“Jim Baldwin’s bringing back closed course racing is the best thing that could happen,” Stewart said. “Brings off-road racing back into the limelight.”
Historically, Stewart played a dominant role in stadium racing, winning championships at Thompson-sanctioned events at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Anaheim and San Diego Qualcomm Stadiums.
After Thompson’s death, those races faded away.
“The only events to make money were in Anaheim and San Diego,” he said. “It cost too much to bring in all that dirt.”
Looking around the museum, he said: “For most of these drivers, it was a fun hobby. For me, it was a business.”
Stewart is concerned that high costs and lack of sponsorships might reduce the competition. However, the 300-plus-entry list for the 40th trip to the tip of Baja might belie that statement.
If so, Stewart, himself, might have been a culprit. With his highly financed operation by sponsor Toyota he had the advantages of top-grade equipment, a large crew and even a helicopter for support.
“We’re doing the same thing that is happening to Indy racing, Formula One and drag racing,” he said. “That’s why TransAm is gone. Too expensive and you can’t find good sponsorship to campaign those cars.”
If the high end of racing is becoming too expensive, his business eye views a solution.
“That’s exactly why I started my Baja Pro Truck business,” he said. “A pro truck will probably cost you in the neighborhood of $300,000 to $400,000. Trophy trucks will cost you over half a million bucks. I’ve passed 50 in sales and headed for 60 trucks.”
Business expansion is in his plans and he’s looking into Tucson, Phoenix and the Sacramento area.
Noteworthy: Follow my historical and event coverage stories on the web: www.speedmachinesmagazne.com…Jon Miller, executive vice president, NBC Sports and Jim Baldwin, CORR series owner announced the extension of the network’s partnership with Championship Off Road Racing through 2009. NBC has agreed to air nine, 90-minute programs for the 2008 and 2009 seasons…San Diego’s annual international auto show is scheduled Dec 26-30 at the Convention Center.