– Your equipment
Be careful with your equipment, especially at the end of the day, when your first instinct is to get out of the car and forget about the stinky, wet helmet that you have been wearing for G-d knows how long! Put it somewhere safe, preferably store it in our support vehicle if possible, or in your room, but don’t just leave it hanging around. Before going to bed, I always suggest cleaning your helmet, and leaving it upside down to dry out a little. The head sock you can rinse and hang to dry. Hang your suit up so it doesn’t get moldy after a couple of days… As mentioned earlier, it is your responsibility to give our chase guy your bags that you want in your next hotel when you arrive. Have it ready in the morning for breakfast and personally give it to him. Don’t just leave it on the porch and telepathically send a message for it to be picked up and placed in van.
– Your Truck
It is very important to remember that NO race truck is indestructible! Not even the Million dollar Trophy Trucks can withstand all the abuse drivers throw at them. In your case, you are driving a VINTAGE race truck. It is over 20 years old!!! Some of the suspension set up is the same as it was when the early guys fought it out in Baja, in the original NORRA. Remember part of the NORRA slogan… “Honoring the Past”. This is part of why you are here. You are here to relive some of the conditions that the earlier racers had to face when they made Baja history… You have the advantage of radios, GPS, intercoms etc. However, it is Baja and always expect the unexpected. Things break, go wrong… whatever. It is Baja! These things happen and there is no Summit racing store around the corner. Make the best of your situation, and always keep smiling. And remember that these trucks are limited, and although they are a lot of fun, you only get one, and you have to make it OVER 1,300 miles. That’s a lot. So drive sensible, smooth and keep it smart. Look around don’t miss the beauty of Baja because you are too concentrated on not having the truck fall apart on you.
– Your meals
We aim to keep you as well fed as possible, and Ensenada and especially the area surrounding Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe is growing as a world renowned culinary center and hosts some great vineyards. Due to our short stay in Ensenada, our non-racing visits will be limited, and NORRA supplies dinner for competitors and crew on all evenings once the race starts, however, we will generally let you know of our back up plan if someone prefers something different. During race days, the support vehicles will carry snacks and drinks so please let the crew know if you would like anything special.
Each day, we will have breakfast together, as a gathering point, and place to hand off luggage etc. At the end of each day, DO NOT DISAPPEAR to bed, or wherever without having checked with us as to where breakfast will be the next day and what time, as we have still not received a schedule by NORRA yet.
Please make sure that you let us know if you have any allergies or particular dislikes.
Alcohol is not included, and each person is responsible for his /her drink tab. Just as a note, there are some very good wines in Ensenada that are well worth trying.