I'll try almost anything - at least once. Last weekend was my first experience with professional off-road racing. While visiting in San Diego, Baja Lory & I attended the CORR racing event - which may be airing on NBC very soon. It was held at the new Chula Vista Raceway, also known as 'the Quarry'.
Although I have been to Mike's Sky Ranch several times & off-roaded all over northern Baja, California & Utah, I had never seen arena racing in the dirt. This was a closed course environment & the high tech rigs, cool people & bitchin' cameras made it fun. Total Escape Adventures has lead many road trips to Mexico, but I have yet to see a real Baja Race up front & in person. Lory likes this stuff way more than me, cuz she grew up with in the Mojave desert with a family of off-roaders. I am not to fond of crowds, noise & dust. I cherish my seclusion, experiencing quietness & nature. But last weekend was different than I expected & I was so surprised - I actually liked it.
The vehicles they were racing Sunday were similar to the infamous 'trophy trucks', but are referred to as Pro4 & Pro2 . They also had Buggies & Super Buggies. This is a big dirt track, grandstand, crowded, sold out each day deal. This is big business for this crew: the Baldwin's. A driver from Fridays race was hospitalized for a head injury; Go figure! I couldn't believe how fast these guys go. And yes, there are a few chick drivers too.
This is more than a weekend hobby for these folks, it is a way of life. The custom building, the logos, the marketing, the racing. As the queen of back roads in California, I consider myself an off-road girl, since I prefer dirt road driving over pavement any day. I had never seen such creative & capable vehicles up close. It was a real treat. From running up the Glamis dunes to rock crawling in the Mojave, & wheeling the high Sierra Rubicon, off-roading is so expansive.
The race coordinators & fans are so passionate, the drivers are total dare devils & adventurous fools. Some are even hot looking; Now I gotta go check out the rock crawling competitions & see what that's all about. Dallas where are you?
Lory introduced me to her brother Lee, from MDR - Mojave Desert Racing, who was working this event. We met lotsa folks including drivers: Carl Renezeder, who was the winner & Matt Barney, who hit a cow, while going 70 mph, on a motorbike - on the beach in Baja.
Fun stuff!
The stories are always endless. Who's got time to complain?
