2013 Mexican 500
October 2013
October 2013
The 3 day NORRA Mexican 500 was a navigational rally in Northern Baja, and my 2nd race since starting to race again (last race was in my early 20's). The race started in Ensenada and ended in Mexicali on Day 1, would travel to San Felipe on Day 2, and return to Ensenada on Day 3.
The first day was a very rough and technical track, that was definitely not made for my big rally bike. It was a tough ride for me, and really wore me out by the day's end. I wanted to bounce back on the 2nd day, which was comprised of two racing stages. The first stage had a pretty fast first section - exactly what my rally bike was built for - and I soon found myself in the physical lead of the race. Some technical riding followed, and I was sure that some of the other motorcycles would pass me in the rough sections but I held the lead. Unfortunately, a navigational error on my part ended up with me getting lost for about 45 minutes, and I didn't win the stage. The 2nd stage on Day 2 was in an area of Baja that I was quite familiar with though, and I had a really good ride. I ended up winning the stage overall.
Day 3 started well for me again. I caught the leaders shortly after the start, but hit a square-edge bump on a really fast section (probably close to 100mph) and ended up with a flat rear tire. After getting the flat fixed, I was on my way again and rode to the finish of the day's first stage. Once I got off the bike, though I noticed that not only did I have now have a flat front tire but that the rim was broken as well. I had to wait for my chase truck to arrive to change out the wheel. Then I rode carefully to the end of the race.
After the finish, my friend wanted to get another picture of me coming into the finish line. So I went out, tried to be flashy coming in for the picture, crashed and dislocated my thumb. After getting my thumb reset in an Ensenada hospital I was able to enjoy the awards ceremony, taking first in class (riders 50 years or older) and third overall.
The first day was a very rough and technical track, that was definitely not made for my big rally bike. It was a tough ride for me, and really wore me out by the day's end. I wanted to bounce back on the 2nd day, which was comprised of two racing stages. The first stage had a pretty fast first section - exactly what my rally bike was built for - and I soon found myself in the physical lead of the race. Some technical riding followed, and I was sure that some of the other motorcycles would pass me in the rough sections but I held the lead. Unfortunately, a navigational error on my part ended up with me getting lost for about 45 minutes, and I didn't win the stage. The 2nd stage on Day 2 was in an area of Baja that I was quite familiar with though, and I had a really good ride. I ended up winning the stage overall.
Day 3 started well for me again. I caught the leaders shortly after the start, but hit a square-edge bump on a really fast section (probably close to 100mph) and ended up with a flat rear tire. After getting the flat fixed, I was on my way again and rode to the finish of the day's first stage. Once I got off the bike, though I noticed that not only did I have now have a flat front tire but that the rim was broken as well. I had to wait for my chase truck to arrive to change out the wheel. Then I rode carefully to the end of the race.
After the finish, my friend wanted to get another picture of me coming into the finish line. So I went out, tried to be flashy coming in for the picture, crashed and dislocated my thumb. After getting my thumb reset in an Ensenada hospital I was able to enjoy the awards ceremony, taking first in class (riders 50 years or older) and third overall.
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