2006 Baja 1000 Off-Road Race

Ridgecrest, Calif., businessman Chris Farrell's motorcycle team took only 27 hours and 6 minutes to travel the 1,050 miles between the Mexican cities of Ensenada and La Paz in the 2006 Baja 1000 off-road race.

Held in the fall, the 2006 Baja 1000 had a record turnout of more than 440 entries. Farrell's team finished 36th overall, one of just 232 to actually finish the course.

For the Ridgecrest resident and Sierra Furniture Gallery owner, it was a dream realized.

"For myself, racing the Baja 1000 has been a lifelong dream. I grew up here in Ridgecrest riding dirt bikes, and progressed to racing through the years."

According to Farrell, the Baja 1000 is one of the longest and most logistically difficult races in North America.

"The race was especially tough this year due to the hurricanes and storms that hit Baja shortly before the race. The storms washed out many parts of the course and created many water crossings during the event." Farrell explained that several of the water crossings were as deep as three feet.

His team consisted of six members, each chosen to ride a section of the course. Farrell's section took him from Bahia de Los Angeles to San Ignacio, a total of 185 miles.

"It [Farrell's section] was very fast in many areas, but very rocky and full of cactus in others. My entire section was pretty much devoid of spectators until very near the end of the course.'

"From about 15 miles out, there were just huge crowds of people. They were everywhere lining the course, screaming and cheering, blowing horns and trying to 'high-five' you as you went past. It was awesome.

"I was screaming and yelling right back at them."

Farrell completed his section in about three hours and 30 minutes, averaging roughly 53 miles per hour.

In the week leading up to the race, Farrell practiced running through his section a number of times. He estimates that planning the logistics of the race took about eight months, including two weeks he spent in Mexico.

"I've done other long distance races, but I've always wanted to do Baja. The Baja races are logistically very difficult.

"You have to plan everything out to be sure you have enough people, parts and fuel in place spread over 1,050 miles of another country."

Asked if he would consider doing the race again, Farrell called it the experience of a lifetime.

"It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Would I do it again? You know it."