North America’s premier off-road race pushes competitors to their limits just weeks before the Dakar Rally.

The BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 1000 will kick off in Mexico in sixteen days, from November 11–17, 2024. With over 250 entries and more expected, this iconic desert race will see fierce competition across bikes, quads, buggies, UTVs, cars, and trucks. Pro-class racers will face an 869.13-mile single-loop course, and Sportsman competitors will tackle a challenging 736.61 miles. This North American event is a crucial test for many racers before the Dakar rally.

In 2019, Qatari rally star Nasser Al-Attiyah described his Baja experience as an eye-opener, sharing that it felt entirely new and uniquely challenging. He finished second that year, aided by Australian bike legend Toby Price, whose role as a truck’s first driver was crucial under the Baja rules, which require one truck to continue while crews switch for safety. Reflecting on that experience, Price noted his goal was to deliver an undamaged truck to his teammate, which he did with precision.

Five years later, Price is gearing up for the Dakar rally marathon in the car category, making this year’s Baja another critical test of his skills. Australian and American racers are preparing to test themselves. Americans Brock Heger and Max Eddy Jr. from Polaris also used Baja as a practice ground before performing as drivers and co-drivers in Saudi Arabia. 

While European and African rallies offer training grounds for Dakar, the intensity of the North American desert makes it ideal for drivers. However, co-drivers face a unique challenge as SCORE’s navigation style differs from European rally events.

As the countdown to November begins, excitement builds for racers and fans alike. The Baja 1000 isn’t just another desert race—it’s a grueling test of endurance, skill, and resilience. For those eyeing Dakar, it’s an invaluable chance to push limits, refine techniques, and gather insights before taking on the world’s most challenging rally.