Baja 1000 - PART 1 - Interview with Alan Kohl, why go?

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Alan Kohl of MotorMexico.com about the Baja 1000. Alan has been attending the Baja 1000 for 28 of the 42 years it's been running! During that time he has traveled great distances to attend, for example, he's come from Chile, Puerto Rico and Mexico City. One of our readers, Marty Erickson, called him the "Baja 1000 Spectator Czar".

I will post portions of my Baja 1000 interview with Alan on the Mexpro.com blog each week. Please come back often to learn more.

Q: Alan, what keeps you so faithfully returning to the Baja 1000 year after year?

©Alan Kohl

A: "This is a truly brutal race that takes place in the most difficult environment, often far from any place (civilization). The terrain is extremely rough throughout, resulting in an attrition rate that averages around 50%...meaning that only 50% of the racers keep their vehicle in running order throughout the grind. I have seen races in which only 1/3 of the starters actually finished.

Compared to racing on pavement, the desert race driver requires much more skill. Bad drivers don't last or they lose time making repairs or changing tires. For example, it is not uncommon for a racer to have several flat tires during the course of the race, simply from hitting rocks and obstructions along the way. Yet, there are very good drivers who have driven the entire 1000 miles without a flat."

In spite of the rough conditions it is not unusual for the winner to average 60 MPH over the entire 1,000 miles. And since they drive until they finish or break, much of the race includes night driving.

Stay tuned for more...