There are a number of Off Road Races that do not get their fair share of attention. Here is a list of events that ever off road racers need to aspire to take part in. To win one of these races on 2 or wheels means that you will have a spot in history forever.
-Dakar Rally- January 1st thru January 16th 2011
Although the name of this event comes from it's traditional finish line in Dakar, the annual race is now held in South America. The Rally-raid used to begin in Paris, France and finish in Dakar, Senegal. In 2008 the rally was canceled because of security threats in Mauritania. Since the cancelation of 2008 the race has made it's home in Argentina and Chile. This year's event features 14 stages in 15 days with only one rest day in the middle. The rally will begin and end in Buenos Aries. The Race features pro and amatur classes in various motorbike, cars, and support trucks. Finishing this rally would be an accomplishment, winning is prestigious. Since the rally's beginning in 1979 no American driver or rider has won the event.
-Pikes Peak Hill Climb--June 26th 2011
The Pikes Peak Hill Climb is one of the oldest races in the US. The first race was held in 1916. Since then, lots of things have changed. Much of the route is now paved. The first winning time in 1916 was 20:55.6. The current record is 10.01.408. There are now as many as 21 classes of motorcycles and cars or trucks. The 156 turn 12.42 mile course begins at a 9,390 foot elevation and ends at the 14,110 summit. This amazing race has seen all types of vehicle make the trip up the hill including 250cc motorcycles to big rigs to Nobuhiro Tajima's 1000 horsepower Suzuki Super Car.
Baja 1000-November 16-20
The first Baja 1000 took place in 1967. The actual race distance was only 847 miles. The 1000 in Baja 1000 came from the race distance measured in kilometers. (1366 km in 1967) Since the first race in 1967 the race has had many different configurations. There is a point to point configuration that has the race begin in Ensenada and end in La Paz. The loop configuration has the racers start and end in Ensenada. The race distance varies between 800 and 1300 miles. In the year 2000 the course was 1726 miles long and the race was named the Baja 2000. Each competitor has 45 hours to complete the race distance. Riders and drivers are released on to the course in Ensenada in 30 second intervals. Overall time on course determines the winner. Top riders and drivers in the 2010 edition of the Baja 1000 will finish the 1061 mile distance in 19 to 20 hours. Past winners include off road legends Walker Evans, Ivan Stewart, Parnelli Jones, and Robby Gordon.
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals January 11-15 2010
The Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the biggest dirt oval race in the United States. Once a year all of the best dirt racers in the US get together in Tulsa Oklahoma to survive the elimination type competition. There are 3 nights of qualifying for nearly 300 cars battling for only 24 starting spots in the A-Main.
The Tulsa Expo Center has been the home of this race since the first event in 1987. The quarter mile indoor race track guarantees that the January race will occur no matter what the weather is outside.
This race is so difficult to win that there have only been 3 repeat winners in 23 years. Sammy Swindell has won the event 5 times, Tony Stewart twice, and Dan Boorse twice. If a driver does not perform well on their qualifying night, they will have to go through the alphabet soup preliminary mains that start as high as J!
Drivers from all major dirt series are represented as well as small time racer from local tracks try their luck at The Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart, and Kasey Kahne will enter the 2011 race in Tulsa. Racers from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car and Late Model Series, USAC drivers from all divisions, and all the best in open wheel dirt competition will be in Tulsa January 11-15 2011.
