Contingency Day - “the day before”

Well, not sure why it’s called contingency, and to be frank, never bother to ask … what I can tell you, was that “the day before” the race is very hectic and quite the circus. We start with our breakfast and this time with our team complete, as Sheila and Michelle drove down the night before, getting into Ensenada around 2A.

The plan today is to go through contingency (which is like a parade), ending in tech inspection. The modifications that Ramon and his crew did, will get us through and the safety tech’s will make sure that our helmets meet code, every driving suit has the right fire rating, that 1503 has a survival kit, a first aid kit and everything else the rules require.

Tim leaves in 1503, the rest of us, make our way into town and find parking. Today, the streets are all closed off as the course starts in the town, makes a couple of turns and winds its way out of the city down a river wash. Michelle and I head in the truck into town … Abuelo, Rob and Brandon have managed to get press passes and they went in early (photographer, videographer and interpreter), as they’re allowed into special parts of the events. Sheila’s gone to registration … our plan is to meet up on the main parade route.

Imagine the street lined with vendors … then the race cars all in a line being pushed by the team towards the tech inspection area. When we  find 1503, it’s about 1 mile from tech, which is about 80 cars down the road … this is a slow process, for us it took 3-4 hours. It was our parade … trophy trucks, buggies, cars, sport trucks … all in line, all slowly marching towards the end … thousands of people milling about, locals, other racers, support teams, cruise ship passengers … we, like all others, where the attraction :).

Our “press team” gets fed, meets the “big name” racers, interviews the race organizer and shmoozes with the “race girls” … while this goes on … the team is pushing 1503 along, getting our pictures taken and enjoying the party. Along the way we pickup our transponder, install it into the Jeep and have it tested. The transponder is a safety device that all vehicles carry … it’s like “OnStar” for offroad racing … it allows race organizers to know where 1503 is at all times by having a GPS receiver and satellite transmitter in it. The tracker also can send "help” messages, should it roll over or hit something … the organizer also use the tracker to ensure that racers do not cut the course (cheat).

We get to the end … Tim and Dennis head into tech … and come out with everything we need to compete the next day.

We head back to our hotel, have some dinner, do a little more prep on the Jeep and then head over to the drivers meeting. Team Florida arrives a little early and we find a table. Within the next 30 minutes the hall fills up with 500+ people … it was at this point for me that it became a race … we’re going to race in the Baja 1000 … we’re here with Robby Gordon and other professional driver and riders from around the world … we’re part of this!

We get wished good luck by many … and head back to the hotel. Early night … tomorrow … we split up … Tim and Sheila will start the race. Dennis, Mark and Tom will be in the primary chase and swap at RM80. Brandon and Brooke will follow in another chase vehicle … Rob and Michelle will try to take pictures of everyone starting, then at another location … Abuelo and I will leave very early and get the truck and trailer to Borrego. The plan is to have everyone meet up in Borrego …

Tomorrow we race!