The 2009 Baja 1000 is november 19th-22nd. I am looking for pointers from someone who has gone in the past. I just want to watch not participate. I have lived in Tijuana for the last 5 years (cheap rent and good tacos) and done alot of camping in the baja so I am not worried about dirty cops, bad water, drug wars, bad gas, carjackers,or even swine flu. I am planing on camping along the race route (not too close) with a big cooler full of beer and just watching the madness. So who has done it before???
Baja 1000 spectators
- Thread starter ss1ski
- Start date
Me, roverdude, elias and some other guys are going down. I havent been there before but they have, they probably have pointers
as long as you have a cooler full of beer, a gun and some free cash for oil, food and bribes you should be okay....
Look up Maxyedor on this site. I'm sure he's been. I know he is part of a crew for some pre-runner team.
eliaschristeas said:
Leave the gun at home, it's an instant ticket to Mexican jail, for a very long time, and some hefty fines, but the rape is free, so party on.
Pretty straight forward, find a copy of the race map, SCORE's website will have it, and go anywhere you want on the course. If you have to drive on course during the race (it's an open course so it's legal, but not recommended) GTFO if you see somebody behind you. Slow moving traffic gets a honk then punted.
Haven't really looked at the map yet, not looking like I'm going to make it down this year, but it's a loop again, so if you've never been to a race before and don't know that you'll have a chance to go again, I'd go to Ensenada for contingency, and somewhere within 45-60 minutes of Ensenada for the start (Ojos is good times), then jam over to somewhere in the last 100 miles for the finish, catch them going out and coming back. But, since you're in TJ, and this 1k is pretty small compared to when the economy doesn't suck, I'd post up somewhere near San Filipe RM310-380ish, San Filipe is rad, where as Ensenada is a shit-hole, then go back to San Filpe for the 250 to check out contingency.
However, if you do go to Ensenada, stop in at Paris for a wholesome, family friendly good time
If you get caught with a gun in mexico you will have a very bad day and probably the next few years will suck even worse. So I think I will just head toward San Filipe and play it by ear. Paris is definitly a required stop in Ensenada.... you know for the wholesome good time.
Thanks for the info
P.S. -If anybody is running it in a disco I will have some spare parts with me, just look for the drunk guy on the side of the course.
Thanks for the info
P.S. -If anybody is running it in a disco I will have some spare parts with me, just look for the drunk guy on the side of the course.
Here are a few hints on what to do…and what not to do when crossing the border!
• Never bring a firearm across the border! Don’t even attempt to do this unless you are of military need to take one with you. If you try to cross the border with firearm tucked away you risk spending time in a Mexican prison and you most likely won’t get into the country. If you absolutely have to bring a gun into Mexico you should contact the Mexican Consulate near you to figure out the best way for you to do this. If you don’t contact them first you will be asking for a world of trouble!
• Have your vehicle titles with you! If you are driving across the border in a personal car make sure you have the vehicle titles in the car as proof that it is yours. You may get turned around at the border if you fail to present these titles, which wouldn’t be a good thing! If you do not have title because you pay a lienholder, in Texas you will be required to carry a letter from the lienholder granting permission. Your lienholder will likely need to see your insurance policy prior to sending you this "permission letter." If you cross into Baja from California, they currently do not require proof of vehicle ownership or title.
• it's a good idea to bring your passport. Currently all that is required is your drivers license or ID stating citizenship, but rules in the works will cause this to change. Be proactive:
http://www.mexonline.com/mexguns.htm
SEMARNAP hunting permits come in six types:
Type I-Waterfowl, Type II-Doves, Type III-other birds, Type IV-mammals, Type V-limited, Type VI-special.
Permits are issued from a Government Licensed Dealer in Mexico.
In addition to the SEMARNAP hunting permit, foreign hunters need a consulate certificate, special visa, and military gun permit. The consulate certificate may be obtained from any Mexican embassy or consulate upon presentation of a letter from the hunter's local police or sheriff's office (on original police letterhead) verifying that the hunter has no criminal record. This certificate is also necessary for obtaining the military gun permits, which is issued by the army garrison in the major border town in the Mexican State in which you are going to hunt.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required. This document, must have your picture on it (i.e. Passport) if not, your voter's registration card accompanied by a photocopy of your Drivers License will suffice. Additionally, 8 passport size pictures are usually required with each gun permit and hunting license issued and the final number of pictures depends on the State you are hunting. Finally, a new regulation requires that all foreign hunters be accompanied by a licensed Mexican hunting guide. Your Hunting License agent can advise you on this requirement. Hunting License Cost is approx. $450 U.S. and includes Gun Permit.
The whole process of obtaining, on your own, the required permits and license is very time consuming, frustrating and discouraging for the average U.S. hunter. Even if you speak perfect Spanish, your better off arranging the license and permits through a U.S. broker or a licensed Mexican Outfitter, which specializes in the State that you are hunting. This assures you that a qualified agent is looking out for your interest, and that the job will be done in a manner which is acceptable to the State Agency for which you are hunting. A list of Licensed Outfitters can be requested from any Mexican Consulate in the State you are going to hunt.
Last and most important piece of advice, is to check out the references for the people that you plan to use. Use "common sense" questions when interviewing past clients of the lodge or outfit. Don't take anything for granted, ask the most basic questions you can think of.
• Never bring a firearm across the border! Don’t even attempt to do this unless you are of military need to take one with you. If you try to cross the border with firearm tucked away you risk spending time in a Mexican prison and you most likely won’t get into the country. If you absolutely have to bring a gun into Mexico you should contact the Mexican Consulate near you to figure out the best way for you to do this. If you don’t contact them first you will be asking for a world of trouble!
• Have your vehicle titles with you! If you are driving across the border in a personal car make sure you have the vehicle titles in the car as proof that it is yours. You may get turned around at the border if you fail to present these titles, which wouldn’t be a good thing! If you do not have title because you pay a lienholder, in Texas you will be required to carry a letter from the lienholder granting permission. Your lienholder will likely need to see your insurance policy prior to sending you this "permission letter." If you cross into Baja from California, they currently do not require proof of vehicle ownership or title.
• it's a good idea to bring your passport. Currently all that is required is your drivers license or ID stating citizenship, but rules in the works will cause this to change. Be proactive:
http://www.mexonline.com/mexguns.htm
SEMARNAP hunting permits come in six types:
Type I-Waterfowl, Type II-Doves, Type III-other birds, Type IV-mammals, Type V-limited, Type VI-special.
Permits are issued from a Government Licensed Dealer in Mexico.
In addition to the SEMARNAP hunting permit, foreign hunters need a consulate certificate, special visa, and military gun permit. The consulate certificate may be obtained from any Mexican embassy or consulate upon presentation of a letter from the hunter's local police or sheriff's office (on original police letterhead) verifying that the hunter has no criminal record. This certificate is also necessary for obtaining the military gun permits, which is issued by the army garrison in the major border town in the Mexican State in which you are going to hunt.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required. This document, must have your picture on it (i.e. Passport) if not, your voter's registration card accompanied by a photocopy of your Drivers License will suffice. Additionally, 8 passport size pictures are usually required with each gun permit and hunting license issued and the final number of pictures depends on the State you are hunting. Finally, a new regulation requires that all foreign hunters be accompanied by a licensed Mexican hunting guide. Your Hunting License agent can advise you on this requirement. Hunting License Cost is approx. $450 U.S. and includes Gun Permit.
The whole process of obtaining, on your own, the required permits and license is very time consuming, frustrating and discouraging for the average U.S. hunter. Even if you speak perfect Spanish, your better off arranging the license and permits through a U.S. broker or a licensed Mexican Outfitter, which specializes in the State that you are hunting. This assures you that a qualified agent is looking out for your interest, and that the job will be done in a manner which is acceptable to the State Agency for which you are hunting. A list of Licensed Outfitters can be requested from any Mexican Consulate in the State you are going to hunt.
Last and most important piece of advice, is to check out the references for the people that you plan to use. Use "common sense" questions when interviewing past clients of the lodge or outfit. Don't take anything for granted, ask the most basic questions you can think of.
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as of June 1st 2009 ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States.
Compliant Travel Documents for U.S. citizen travel via land and sea, as of January 31, 2008
Compliant Travel Documents for U.S. citizen travel via land and sea, as of January 31, 2008
- Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when available)
- Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
- U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business
- Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
- Form I-872 American Indian Card
Gem, have you ever been to Mexico? Where'd you copy this stuff from?gmookher said:
FWIW, you HAVE to take your passport with you. You may schmooze your way with barely a driver's license, but the rules now are - you have to either have a document with a valid U.S. visa, or a passport.
You need a passport, plain and simple. If you don't have one, get one. You can cross without one but you'll end up in secondary for ever...
DO NOT EVEN TRY TO BRING A FIREARM When you get caught, and you will get caught, you'll spend some time jail. Permits mean nothing to a military checkpoint staffed by a bunch of kids or a redneck cop.
Gem, not bashing but shut the fuck up. You have no clue about the reality of crossing the border and the shit your posting maybe factual, but it's not realistic.
99% of the time it's easy to come back over, just follow the rules, bring your passport and don't push your luck with alcohol and cigars
stay away from Ensenada for other than contigency, San Felipe is cool and close to the border...
DO NOT EVEN TRY TO BRING A FIREARM When you get caught, and you will get caught, you'll spend some time jail. Permits mean nothing to a military checkpoint staffed by a bunch of kids or a redneck cop.
Gem, not bashing but shut the fuck up. You have no clue about the reality of crossing the border and the shit your posting maybe factual, but it's not realistic.
99% of the time it's easy to come back over, just follow the rules, bring your passport and don't push your luck with alcohol and cigars
stay away from Ensenada for other than contigency, San Felipe is cool and close to the border...
We recently drove from Puerto Vallarta south 80 miles. Countless road blocks! Troop carriers armed to the hilt.. Not looking for gringos thankfully! Pinche Cabron!
Inner Mexico is okay. As long as you have cash, that talks more than your attempt at Spanish no matter who you are. Unfortunately, you have to get through the shithole border towns to get where you wanna go. So, it's fun, have cash, break it up, and yes do take your title. Above all, dont carry a gun unless you're really into prison sex.
What's wrong with Ensenada, Frank? I kinda like this town. I like the highway between San Felipe and Ensenada, too.