October 18, 2017 
The most famous sporting event in Baja is also the most famous off-road racing event in the world: the legendarily rugged Baja 1000.
So devilish and dangerous did this annual off-road journey through the untamed heart of the peninsula prove that by the late 1960s and early 1970s it became a badge of honor, one that attracted Hollywood stars of the era like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and James Garner. Even traditional motorsports stars like Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones and 7-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson later felt the need to try it, as if driving fast over paved roads wasn’t enough of a challenge.
This year, the iconic race celebrates its 50th running – its golden anniversary – with a suitably epic 1200-mile point-to-point course from Ensenada to La Paz, scheduled from Nov. 14-18, 2017.
Over 350 entrants, from approximately 40 U.S. states and 30 countries, are expected to compete in the BF Goodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000; and will do so across multiple classes – in motorcycles, cars and trucks, ATVs and UTVs. The race will be televised on the El Rey Network, available in over 45 million homes in the U.S.
When the Baja 1000 originally premiered back in 1967 – as a race from Tijuana to La Paz – it was under the auspices of off-road pioneers Ed Pearlman, Don Francisco, and their newly formed organization NORRA (National Off-Road Racing Association). Following the OPEC Oil Crisis in 1973, however, there was a change in organizers, and since 1975 the Baja 1000 has been run under the SCORE (Southern California Off-Road Enterprises) banner.
This year’s start and finish points are considered a bow to tradition: Ensenada has served as the starting line a record 43 times; La Paz, meanwhile, has been the site of the finish line on 21 occasions.
The Baja 1000 has finished in Los Cabos only twice: in 2000 and 2007, when the race was run from Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas. The cape cities, though, are home to a vibrant off-road racing culture. Numerous local companies offer dune buggy adventures across rugged beach, desert and mountain terrains, and one even offers excursions in actual Baja 1000 style race cars.
As a matter of fact, they’ll even let you enter one of the regional SCORE sponsored races (there are four each year, culminating with the Baja 1000), and provide in-race communications and other technical support. All prospective drivers need is plenty of nerve and a valid credit card number.
For more information about the SCORE Baja 1000 and other local events, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.
Photo courtesy of SCORE International.
Upcoming Event Calendar
October
Sammy Hagar Birthday Concerts – Oct. 9, 11, 13 – 14
Fiestas Patronales (Patron Saint Festival) in Cabo San Lucas – Oct. 17 – 22
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 15 – 19
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 19 – 22
Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 24 – 28
David Pack’s Legends Live at Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 28
IAGTO Golf Tourism Convention – Oct. 29 – Nov. 4
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
November
San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June
WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament – Nov. 1 – 4
Jim Flick Invitational Golf Tournament at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 7 – 12
Los Cabos International Film Festival – Nov. 8 – 12
Ironman Los Cabos Triathlon – Nov. 12
50th SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18
Día de la Revolucion (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20
Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 23
Extreme Sailing Series – Nov. 30 – Dec. 3
December
LigaMAC Christmas Party – Dec. 5
Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 8
Sabor a Cabo Food and Wine Festival – Dec. 9
Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12
Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March
Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
January
Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6
Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21
Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19
La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21
Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3
February
Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour – Feb. 10 – 11
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – February 14
Carnaval La Paz – Dates Not Yet Announced
Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced
March
Todos Santos Film Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17
El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
East Cape Arts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 19
Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced
Please let me know what you think about this!