Baja San Felipe 250

Ladies and Gentlemen… start your engines!

The Baja 250 is one of San Felipe’s most popular, most exciting and most anticipated events of the year. Thousands of people come from all over the world to rev their engines and take part in this high-speed race through San Felipe.

The Baja 250 is held the last weekend in February in San Felipe. In 2014, close to 200 racers competed in this 250 mile course, ranging from 16 year olds to racers in their 60’s. The beauty of this race is the way it brings all different types of people, from all walks of life, together for one weekend of fun, sun and a lot of speed.  The Baja 250 is one race in a series of races, including the Baja 1000, Baja 500 and Prim 300.  The Baja 250 is considered the “main” event and is what people look forward to the most about this event. The race features highly modified vehicles competing to attain the shortest time over competing vehicles in the same category or across the different categories, and reaching the finish line with both drivers and vehicle in one piece.  Along the racecourse, drivers encounter very tough and unforgiving desert conditions.  Everything from mountains, very dusty sand spots where almost everything gets stuck, rocks, dry creeks, thorns, fauna, bushes, and all sort of obstacles that the Mexican Baja desert may throw in their way to keep them from reaching they precious goal  - THE FIRST PLACE.

Before the wheels start spinning and the engines roar, there is plenty to see and do before the race. Stroll along the Malecon to see (and taste, and hear) a variety of authentic Mexican specialties. To start with, there is always an abundance of delicious food to sample and buy. Shrimp skewers, fish tacos, spicy chili dishes, plenty of cerveza and some tequila too! The aromas of these freshly cooked dishes swirl through the Malecon, basically begging you to stop at each and every vendor to take a bite. You can’t taste all of this delicious food without washing it down with an ice cold beer, which makes having the Mexican beer Tecate as a sponsor very convenient. As you walk down the Malecon, you’ll have to keep yourself from breaking out into a dance when you hear the fun and upbeat music coming from several talented artists and bands all along the boardwalk. The catchy tunes are a nice change from the loud, powerful engines of the bikes and cars at the starting line.

When it is time for the race to begin, it can seem chaotic to the untrained eye, but there are hundreds of professionals working behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly. Unlike the popular races in the US, the Baja 250 is open to a variety of different types of racing vehicles. Cars, trucks, ATVs and motorcycles are all allowed to race, and are broken up into different classes and levels based on age and vehicle type. Some riders choose to ride individually, while others race as a team. The energy at the starting line is unmistakable, and you can’t help but get excited, even if this is your first time at the races.

Because this is such a popular event, lodging fills up very quickly for this time. Hotels right on the Malecon can be crowded and busy, and not to mention the loud noises and partiers up at all hours of the night. A great alternative is El Dorado Ranch Resort, since it is just a short drive from the Malecon. It is easy to get to and from the races, but it is far enough away that you won’t spend most of your night fighting large crowds and sitting in traffic.

If you are thinking about racing in the Baja 250, you will need a few things to make your registration process go smoothly. Your name address, email, phone number and date of birth will be asked for on almost all paperwork. You will also need to be a member of SCORE International, the host of the Baja 250. To register you must know your SCORE International membership number.  You will also be asked about the vehicle class in which you are riding, the vehicle type, the engine make and the names of your sponsors.  The process to become a member of SCORE is easy but can be time consuming, so the earlier you can get all of your information turned in, the earlier you can be approved and registered for the Baja 250.

If you don’t plan on participating, there are plenty of areas for spectators to get a front row seat of all of the action. Along the 250-mile course are designated areas for spectators, placed behind a fence to ensure the safety of everyone involved.  Inspection day is the day before the races, allowing spectators to get up close and personal with these highly modified and very impressive vehicles.

The entire community gets involved in this landmark event. A local restaurant, Rice and Beans, is historically known as one of the biggest Baja 250 supporters. It’s recommended to stop by during this action packed weekend for a great meal and to be surrounded by people who are passionate about the race. If it’s your first time in San Felipe for the races, stop by Rice and Beans and talk to the owners; they can give you a detailed rundown of the history and highlights of this highly anticipated racing weekend.

A successful race weekend is a safe weekend, and police are on high alert to make sure people follow the rules and stay safe. Whether you are racing or watching, make sure you abide by all posted signs and instructions given by race staff.

The Baja Race Series is sure to be a San Felipe memory you won’t soon forget. Bring your camera and snap some pictures with the beautiful people and powerful racing machine’s that line the San Felipe coast.  You may want to bring ear plugs, it can get pretty loud!

• Address: , San Felipe
• Start date: 02-27-2014
• End date: 03-02-2014