I traveled to Mexico for the wet and wild 2019 SCORE Baja 1000 to chase the race, spectate, and gorge on tasty tacos. This is some of the gear I used to stay safe, moving, and comfortable.
The Baja 1000, arguably the most demanding off-road race in North America, is always full of surprises. This year it was torrential rains. They made pre-running notes obsolete and crushed more than a few competitors’ dreams of finishing.
Tens of thousands flock to the Mexican peninsula each November to spectate, crew, and race the rowdy event. The race fills Baja with turbocharged trucks and lead-foot drivers. The race is famous for rough roads, mischief from locals, and desolate desert. Winners of the race are quickly enshrined in history.
The race has become the ultimate testing ground for automakers, aftermarket fabricators, and tire and auto engineers. This year, the Baja 1000 featured the unreleased Ford Bronco, a futuristic Humvee for the U.S. military, and a bevy of suspension, lighting, and tire prototypes from various manufacturers. If a product can survive in Baja, it will work almost anywhere.
I was fortunate to get an opportunity to chase the race with the official photographers, spending a week south of the border scouting the course, watching test runs, and leapfrogging teams around the remote course on race day.
As an off-road enthusiast, I gained a greater respect for the desert and learned a lot about adventure gear too. Here’s a list of gear I learned to love in Baja.
Baja 1000: Geared Up to Chase
BFGoodrich KO2 Tires: From $149
As the title sponsor, BFG prints “Baja 1000 Champion” on every tire that has won in years past. We drove our support truck with its premier all-terrain tire, the KO2.
It proved ultra-durable while traversing the rough Baja dirt roads, laden with cactus and sharp rocks. The tire also runs smooth and quiet on the highway. But it truly excels in places with loose dirt and limited traction.