After reading this past week's posts, it has come to my attention that there are people on these boards unfamiliar with the topography of the Baja California peninsula. The 1679 mile race course between Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas has many varieties of terrain, including some very technical sections (unlike the previous Baja 1000 or 500). To describe the Baja 2000 as "narrow-focused" would not be an accurate description. After 40+ hours of nearly continuous machine operation, it would likewise be unfair to consider this "just one race".

The Baja 2000 is the longest and toughest off road race in North America. To make it to the finish line of this most brutal race is an accomplishment in of itself. To be the first ATV in Cabo, on a lightly modified production machine, says a great deal about the design excellence of the Bombardier DS650. Rider/machine familiarity did not play a role in the winning of this race (as has been suggested). None of the riders on the first-place team were familiar with any DS650 prior to Bombardier releasing the race vehicle to them a mere five weeks before the race.

Furthermore, I congratulate the four Raptor teams that attempted the race. A special congratulations goes to Honda- the only ATV that did not have mechanical failures. We, as recreational riders, should all thank each and every team for providing the manufacturers with valuable information that will no doubt be part of future production adjustments.

Very few of us have the intestinal fortitude to put our mind, body, and machine through this sheer torture test. In my eyes, everyone that made it to Cabo is a winner!

 

Thank you for your insight OBI-WAN KENOBI.

 

The new "KING" DS650 prevails as the winner.