Baja 500 Hydration Zones

[george.felix]

Curious what people racing think about this....specifically hydration zones without lost time. I'm
all for safety but if it's an endurance race I don't think it's fair to those that don't stop who trained and do well in the heat. I like it as an option and safety valve but your clock should still run. There also isn't any max allowable time....how long can you hang out here?


From Roger Norman
"A rancher has allowed us to use a route for the first time that makes it so there is no two way controlled speed traffic on the highway. When you receive the GPS route before pre-running starts you will see this new never before raced section that a land owner has graciously allowed us to use. There will be a hydration station that racers will be able to stop at and their race time will stop until they resume racing. Same as the rule for stopping to help another participant who may have injuries. It is only to be used for hydration. No working on equipment will be allowed.

 

[baja specialist]

Yeah, I am all for safety but this is not in the spirit of the Baja 500. It is a long distance endurance race, not a long distance endurance race until you get thirsty. This is what's wrong with most people today, they say it's hard and it's dangerous. And they want to change it so it's easier for people to race and not as hard or dangerous. It's the Baja 500 and it's not supposed to be easy!!! Suck it up, put in the work and prepare yourself and your team. Baja has all different kinds of terrain, it has mountains, beaches and also has deserts. And we are lucky enough in the Baja 500 to race on all of it.

 

[dezertracer]

I like the idea of having hydration stations but the clock should continue to run. I have raced bikes in the summer and its not fun at times but with proper preparation, training, and knowing when its time to stop and take a break in your pits is a vital part of desert racing

 

[NIKAL]

I think it's great a rancher has opened his property to eliminate the two way race traffic. I think it's also cool that they want to add a "hydration pit" but we already have those! They are called Baja Pits & Mag 7. Both of those pit support clubs have Pits about every 50-60 miles all the way around the course. If you are in need, especially due to dehydration or heat exhaustion, they will help you, even if your not signed up and paying to use their service. Their not going to let you die. If your camelback runs out of water, they will fill it.

If your hurting, 90% of the spectators around the course will help you, including every team around the course. Their is no reason with all the tracking we have now days to be dying out there due to dehydration.

The idea that you need a hydration pit with a stop the clock time out is just dumb!

 

[rico]

What if the car is thirsty? Can it get a drink too at the off-the-clock hydration stop? I have heard that in the brutal baja desert many cars become dehydrated and some even die due to it. I think this will really help.