11/24/2009

November 24, 2009 - Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 - One of the longest races on the Baja Protruck schedule, the infamous Baja 1000, held in Ensenada, Baja California Sur. The race kicked off last Thursday November 19th with pre-race festivities including tech inspections, pre-running and final planning and preparations for one of the longest and toughest races of the year. This years Baja 1000 would prove to be just that, stated by many whom dared to tackle this years race. Four Baja Protrucks took on this challenge pitting man and machine against some of the harshest conditions in off road racing.

Rob Reinertson in his #234 Ford Protruck has been trying for over 10 years to come home with a Baja 1000 win. Starting second off the line with his son as co-pilot they exchanged the lead with Gary Magness several times up until around the 300 mile mark. At that point Reinertson was able to get around Magness and never look back. Reinertson then handed the driving duties over to veteran off roader Rob Clouser who drove until the 600 mile mark. Clouser had a pretty clean run except for a leaky brake line which the crew was able to fix quickly. Clouser than gave the truck back to Reinertson to finish out the race and take the much deserved Baja 1000 win.

Rob Kittleson in his #240 Ford Truck , along with co-drivers Chelsea and Devin also proved tough by beating Baja and coming in second place. Plagued by race traffic and spectators creating challenges along the way they were able to hang tough for a much deserved second place finish. Third place went to the team of Nils Castillo and Joe Custer in there #260 Chevy Protruck. Steering issues seamed to be a tougher challenge than the race course itself. Fourth place would go to Gary Magness in his #250 Ford Protruck, whom also had some steering issues as well as race traffic hold ups. All in all it was a great day for the Baja Protruck teams. All four Protrucks finished the event for a perfect 100% finishing ratio. Congratulations go's out to all the teams that competed in this years Baja 1000.

Next up is the BITD Henderson's Terrible 400 in Henderson, Nevada December 4-6th. After that will be the final Baja Protruck race of the season the Baja Cup Challenge at Glen Helen Race Way Park in Riverside, CA December 11-12th.