"It makes the Baja look like a stroll in the park."

[cabo500]

"It makes the Baja look like a stroll in the park."
Ronn Bailey on the Dakar.

Mike

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[Bricoop]

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25226

repost

[cabo500]

Rather than talk about Bailey Motorsports and their chances in this years Dakar, the differences in the two forms of offroad racing were the point.

I have talked with Bailey regarding the topic and with the stage race in southern Baja in September, a fresh topic, rather than a repost.

[PMAZ7]

Even thought this is Ronn's 3rd Dakar, he is still EXTREMELY new to motorsports. Sometimes people tend to not see the whole picture when they are "a little green". I wouldn't put much merit in the statement until Ronn actually compared Dakar to Baja(whether you think one is more difficult or easier than the other). I'm definitely not trying to start any type of argument here.

[cabo500]

Yea PMAZ7, I agree with you, the Bailey motorsports efforts are rather new.

The new stage race in southern Baja in September 28-30, Loreto to La Paz, then the next day La Paz to Cabo.

[aquafreer]

Well might as well dream a little .. how about a multi stage US-MEX RALLY-RAID event similar to ASO Rally Raid's such as Dakar ... start with stages in Nevada or AZ go south across the Altar desert ( dunes ) then route over to San Filipe and run a few stages across and down the Baja .... include 'liasons' ... and bivoacs , the whole nine yards ... for rider/drivers to better hone their rally skills to carry over to DAKAR , etc. ... their wouldn't be any shortage of competitors and spectators IMHO ... any thoughts ?

[Hog Wild]

I haven’t done Baja, but it’s obvious it is not an easy race.

But I suppose you could look at Dakar as a little bit like doing half of Baja one day,
then doing another half the next day,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then take a “rest day”
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then a short run down the beach and back.

Then remember, for us the race is overseas.
And EVERY crew member costs you about $20,000 to be part of it (entry fee plus other stuff).
And you have to arrange for and pay for shipping your race vehicle, support vehicle, and all your supplies over there 45 days before the start, or ship it by air at an enormous cost a week before.
And once in Africa, outside services get really sparse, and often do not exist at all.
And the race officials and locals don’t speak your first or second language.
And there is no pre-running.
And you don’t even know where the course goes until the night before each new stage.
And the GPS is disabled 98% of the time.
And there are unbelievable dunes like you’ve never seen before.
And there’s no Weatherman.
And none of your crew or equipment can be sent ahead to predetermined “pit” points, other than the daily move to the next bivouac.
And every spare part, tool, supply, tire, sleeping bag, etc. costs you $15/lb to be carried through the event. And more like $25/lb if it follows on the race course.
And your crew is driving sometimes 12 to16 hours per day, day after day.
And, as a non-Frenchie, half of the race organization will apply their rules unfairly or make up new rules to knock you out of the race, while letting their fellow countrymen slide.

And to cap it all off, in most of Africa, there is NO ALCOHOL.

So, though Baja should never be called “a walk in the park”, there seems to be a pretty high contrast between Baja and Dakar.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

"And to cap it all off, in most of Africa, there is NO ALCOHOL."

That's it I'm not going.

[bufeo]

I haven’t done Baja, but it’s obvious it is not an easy race.

But I suppose you could look at Dakar as a little bit like doing half of Baja one day,
then doing another half the next day,
then again,
....And once
.... And the
...And ....

Yes, and what else?

Allen R

[PMAZ7]

I haven’t done Baja, but it’s obvious it is not an easy race.

But I suppose you could look at Dakar as a little bit like doing half of Baja one day,
then doing another half the next day,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then take a “rest day”
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then again,
then a short run down the beach and back.

Then remember, for us the race is overseas.
And EVERY crew member costs you about $20,000 to be part of it (entry fee plus other stuff).
And you have to arrange for and pay for shipping your race vehicle, support vehicle, and all your supplies over there 45 days before the start, or ship it by air at an enormous cost a week before.
And once in Africa, outside services get really sparse, and often do not exist at all.
And the race officials and locals don’t speak your first or second language.
And there is no pre-running.
And you don’t even know where the course goes until the night before each new stage.
And the GPS is disabled 98% of the time.
And there are unbelievable dunes like you’ve never seen before.
And there’s no Weatherman.
And none of your crew or equipment can be sent ahead to predetermined “pit” points, other than the daily move to the next bivouac.
And every spare part, tool, supply, tire, sleeping bag, etc. costs you $15/lb to be carried through the event. And more like $25/lb if it follows on the race course.
And your crew is driving sometimes 12 to16 hours per day, day after day.
And, as a non-Frenchie, half of the race organization will apply their rules unfairly or make up new rules to knock you out of the race, while letting their fellow countrymen slide.

And to cap it all off, in most of Africa, there is NO ALCOHOL.

So, though Baja should never be called “a walk in the park”, there seems to be a pretty high contrast between Baja and Dakar.

Again, I don't think anyone is trying to start a TRUE comparison. I believe we're dealing with a certain level of "apples and oranges" here. Both tough, both different, and both cool, but not in the same ways. Obviously logistics are different depending on where you're coming from. I agree with you on the "high contrast" between the two.