Whether you’re a beginner or pro, these Baja events are sure to thrill. “Baja can offer some of the most remote and most difficult terrains to reach,” says Subaru motorsports marketing manager Rob Weir. Along the way, there are beautiful sights to see and unique experiences to take in. If you’re interested in checking out a desert race, consider the following events.
Baja 1000
The Baja 1000 celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. The flagship event for SCORE International, it’s the most serious kind of real deal, and provides action in spades. Qualifying takes place in Las Vegas, and race week sees vehicles make the run from Ensenada to La Paz in Baja California. Mid-November.
Vegas to Reno
Billed as the longest off-road race in the United States, this one-day event covers 550 miles with hundreds of trucks competing in several classes. Mid-August.
Mojave Off-Road Racing Enthusiast Series
The M.O.R.E. organization holds a number of thrilling desert races, primarily in the storied off-road destinations of Barstow, California, and the Lucerne Valley, both in the Mojave Desert. Races throughout the year.
Dakar Rally
One of the ultimate desert races, this was originally the Paris-Dakar Rally, and its route spanned Europe and Africa. The Dakar Rally relocated to South America in 2009, however, punishing drivers and machines over more than 6,600 miles. Early January.
