SCORE Contingency Idea

[cosmo]

I have attended and worked a few Baja 500 and 1000 contingencys.I don't know about the rest out there but I can't handle it anymore.I know I'm getting old,but come on.When the T shirt vendors and taco vendors out number the "real" vendors by 20 to 1 and the "music"( read BOOM,BOOM,BOOM) gives you a headhache by 10:30 am. enoughs enough! What if the 1000 Tech,Contingency was held here(USA) say,San Diego,or Poway or? This way,they might get the hint, ALL the race vendors would come out,we could all get thru it with out wanting to nuts.I know that if I'm racing the next day I DON'T want to drink.After dealing with Contingency in Ensenada all day,I'm usually ready for a few. Anyone else thought of trying this?

[SPONSOR]

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[michael_loomis]

personally ... (just speaking of the annoyance's) i wish they would have it over on the strip starting up by papas... kinda spread the crowd and the BOOM BOOM BOOM out a bit .. i could stand it if the crap wasnt coming from all directions .. then i could focus more an the T & A ...

[cosmo]

Yes,those were the days! What about having just TECH (checking your car,helmet,suit etc.) the day before?? That way,you are not sitting in line waiting,and waiting, and.......

[Racbaja]

This has been brought up before, and I for one think it is a great idea. Have contingency on a Thursday so the racers can enjoy a cold one and still have time to hydrate before the race. Contingency could be held someplace like Chula Juana or National City. I believe with this format there would be a lot more vendors comming out to support our sport. I think a city state-side would welcome this with open arms and would allow the host city to be part of the Baja experience. Just a thought.
www.bajacoalition.net

[Tony_Barraza]

Cosmo-

The scenario of having "contingency" and "tech inspection" in San Diego has been considered by the larger vendors for quite some time. Especially since the trouble last year. It's been one of the first recommendations. The problem with that scenario becomes logistics.

Many, if not most, race teams competing in a Baja event, travel across the border to prerun and test, during the week, prior to the event. So all of the race cars, and at least one, two, or even three members of a team would have to return to the San Diego area with the race car on a trailer, to go through tech.

The fuel vendors would have to remain in Mexico, since they are the only ones allowed transport fuel across the border.

I think there would be great promotional value in holding a true "Contingency Day" in the San Diego area. Enthusiasts not able to make the race could attend these "pre-race" festivities more easily. The opportunity for anyone in the general public, who may be a fan of motorsports, but not neccessarily a hard-core desert racing enthusiast, would then be able to discover more of what's involved with our sport. Of course, San Diego is a resort destination, so the chance for someone on vacation in the area stumblng onto an event with "a bunch of race cars" would be an added bonus.

Radio stations like 91X could do live features from contingency. Local TV stations could be contacted and encouraged to report from the event site. They could interview drivers, business owners, race officials and even some of the fans.

Maybe sponsorship opportunities would be made available from local businessess (Hotels/Restaurants/Clubs/Auto Dealers/Etc.) knowing that they will receive, and can benefit from real exposure, while participating in some of the race activities.

I think San Diego is capable of offering/hosting some great ancillary events, just as an event in Las Vegas would.

LOTS of benefits to holding contingency in the San Diego area. Also LOTS of difficulty.

I'm with you though..I have blown-off the "T-shirt/Taco/Thumpin Music Fest" associated with the running of the Baja 500/1000 for the past two years. I travel between all of the hotels in town to see who I need to see.

Great topic!

[Rory]

Personally, I loved selling in Mexico but after the 500 last year it probably won't happen again until it is worth it for us to sell down there. I would have to charge my customers $25.00 for a t-shirt that they can buy for $15.00 any other day of the week back in the states. Selling in SD would be great but I don't think that Ensenada would allow it if they are paying to have a race put on in there city. SD would make a profit from Score and they wouldn't be hosting. Also, most spectators that come from all over the southwestern states have a tough enough time coming on Friday for tech, let alone a Thursday. As for the music, Charlie Englebart was trying to get "Coca Cola" and "Tecate" to move there "dance floors" to the southern part of the tech area, well away from the vendors so they can conduct buisness like they need to and not worry about being able to yell over the NOISE. Hopefully they will figure it out but until then I will keep enjoying my Fridays kicking back and watching the madness instead of being in the middle of it.

[AZ45]

I think getting the racers out of Mexico for a Thursday event would be a tough sell but getting vendors there for a one day deal in the US wouldn't.
It's really evolved away from the original point of contingency anyway. I recall the early years when it was about the vendors getting the racers to use their products, and the racers leaving with piles of stuff that was given away by the vendors in exchange for some advertising.
I think the program needs some updating, maybe having going through contingency more worth while by getting rid of the 50.00 an engine rebuild deals and replacing them with cash or product payouts only.

[VEGAS VIXEN]

personally ... (just speaking of the annoyance's) i wish they would have it over on the strip starting up by papas... kinda spread the crowd and the BOOM BOOM BOOM out a bit .. i could stand it if the crap wasnt coming from all directions .. then i could focus more an the T & A ...

T & A...
Ha Ha...

VEGAS VIXEN

[shrek]

Keep in mind that contingency and tech in Ensenada is part of our "give back" to the locals for allowing us to do what we do down there. It generates alot of revenue for the local businesses, and keeps the public interested and involved.

Personally I love it.........Its the only place that I can make someones day with a .02 cent sticker............and make some little kid smile because this nobody signed their t-shirt.........

I think it is the least that we can do.........Sure it could be faster, and more organized, but then it would not be Mexico.


Shrek

[sanfelipeoffroad-dean]

Shrek is on point. You all should voice your opinions to SCORE about how the event is run. If we take the Mexico out of the Mexican races you all might as well just run six races at Primm or Barstow and call it a season.