Day five of racing at NORRA’s Baja Mexican 1000 was the longest day of the rally. The bikes started in San Juanico and ran 560 kilometers down the Pacific coast before turning left to La Paz on the opposite side of the peninsula. The four wheeled vehicles started in Loreto and ran a long, circuitous route to join the bikes at the finish line in La Paz. The cars, trucks and UTV’s ran three special stages that totaled 309 miles of nasty Baja Sur terrain. The course went through some of the wildest areas on the peninsula. The harshness is incredibly beautiful, but the stray dogs are showing a few more ribs and the landscape shows more obvious signs of being tortured by the elements. The strain of racing took a toll on the vehicles, but the racers were undaunted.
About a third of the way through their massive day, we saw some familiar faces out front in the moto stages. Alex Ritz and Kevin Archer were leading the pack around race mile 170, but they would have many more kilometers to go. Stage one winner was Justin Moore with Alex Ritz second and Michael Fredrick third. Ritz does not have to win every stage to stay in the overall lead; he just has to outperform the riders who are close to him on time. Fellow Pro Rally class rider Fredrick taking the win does not change the overall standings for Ritz. It’s the long haul that counts. Stage two saw Kevin Archer win with Robert Creemers across the line in second. Justin Moore was third. Alex Ritz finished 6th place. This was a threat to Ritz as Creemers made time on him towards the overall. The gap between the two was 27 minutes and 40 seconds. That might sound like a lot, but that time could elapse quickly by having a flat tire, navigation error or any type of mechanical issue. On the final stage of this incredible day, Kevin Archer took another win followed by Creemers again and Larry Engwald in third. The results show Ritz still in the overall lead with Creemers only 12 minutes and 54 seconds behind. Larry Engwald is third, 23 minutes and 56 seconds behind Ritz. The two 60+ class riders Creemers and Engwald have been taking it to the Pros. Old Guys Rule! As is usually the case, the overall win will come all the way down to the final kilometers of the race. What a battle!
While the bikes were battling mano a mano, some carnage was taking place in the four wheeled classes. Several of the leaders suffered mechanical problems. Brent Fox had been putting on a clinic, driving fast and flawless in the rally overall lead. During special stage one, he lost the transmission. It was heartbreaking. Without a moment of thought, his team jumped into action replacing the broken parts. It took quite some time to get the truck back together, but the in car camera footage of him back on course, driving in full anger was spectacular. It showed how controlled he has been up until now. His full throttle assault of stage two was hair-raising as he was flying through some very technical terrain.
Another leader to suffer was PJ Jones. PJ is another driver that has perfected controlled aggression. He doesn’t get mad, he gets even. He made repairs to his steering and started charging through the pack; picking off others cars one by one. The Evolution Production Turbo UTV class lead was right there for Max Gordon to exploit. Unfortunately for Max, there was a lot of Baja punishment to go around. He also suffered a problem. As Max was being towed by his father and teammate Robby, PJ was chasing them down at an incredible pace. In the end it was Kyle Vestermark who made time on both taking the lead in class. Max is second and PJ third. The final day of the rally is going to be intense between these three.
The margin for error is so thin, it can bite you at any time. That’s what happened to Bill Zemak and his Daughter Isabella. They were dicing through the trees in a super technical section when tragedy struck them. Actually it was a tree. Just a little off line at a tricky junction and Bill clipped a rather defiant tree. The tree won, ending their race. They were disappointed but unharmed and already planning their return. Desert racers are a determined bunch.
Some suffered hardship, while others had their dreams come true. Larry Ragland is a NORRA veteran and always wanted to win on the section that made up stage three; it’s one of his favorites. He loves the fast flowy roads through the canyons that eventually emerge along the blue waters of the gulf. He got his wish. Larry drove the number 3 truck to wins in stage two and three. It’s amazing how such an accomplished racer can still fulfill his dreams racing with NORRA. NORRA’s rally format allows so many opportunities to win. It also allows great interaction with the fans. Other races travel through Baja Sur mostly at night. NORRA races during the day; letting them see their heroes in action. It also allows them more. While heading into La Paz on a transit stage, Larry noticed some fans that had posters of Larry and a door off his Chevy Trailblazer he raced 20 years ago. Larry pulled over and autographed their treasures for them. Imagine waiting 20 years for that opportunity. Larry was just as pleased as those fans.
Another racer who was rewarded on day 5 was Dave Mason. He won special stage one and moved into the top overall spot. His goal this year was to win the overall and he is in position to do that. He leads the Post truck by 13 minutes and 19 seconds going into the final day. This will be another incredible battle to watch unfold. Brent Fox’s misfortune allowed Zak Langley to parlay his strong, consistent pace to put him in the lead in one of the most highly competitive classes. He will lead Matt Legg and Matt Cullen on day 6 in the Evolution 6100 truck class. Legg trails Langley by 24 minutes and 8 seconds despite a nasty crash on day 3. Matt Legg has always been a Baja racer who never quits and gets to the finish one way or another. Cullen trails Legg by only 3 minutes.
One more day of racing will determine so many individual battles that make up the incredible adventure that is NORRA’s Baja. Everything comes down to the final miles of the race. The competition this year has been incredible and the winners will have earned every bit of their success. Anyone who makes it to the finish will be proud of achieving such an incredible accomplishment. You can be a part of Baja racing history too. After experiencing NORRA’s Baja Mexican 1000 just once, you too will be hooked. Everything you need to know about NORRA’s Baja Mexican 1000 and NORRA 500 can be found at www.norra.com. Go to the site and find out for yourself why NORRA has exploded in popularity. You can experience the same competition and adventure those pioneering thrill seekers sought in 1967 when you join NORRA in Baja. NORRA events honor the past, while forging the future. Don’t miss out on the fun and thrills.
