Dos Mares 500

Dos Mares 500 race on the internet

Dos Mares — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:10:02 +0000

How did the Dos Mares 500 race – the Grand Carrera de Baja Sur – competition on the internet go?? What do we have on competitors?? International – barely any recognition. A few posts made at the Race Dezert forum, some statements in connection with the NORRA race from that folks and on the website they operate. That was it. Plenty of room to improve, in fact relative easy yet it requires determination and some effort. Read on and you find out. Since we got basically no international competitors in the Dos Mares 500 internet race let’s look at the local competitors. We got the organizer ProBaja with their website. Heavily supported by larger sponsors (Sony, Coppel, Tecate, MABE) so their should be a reasonable marketing budget available to get the word out. Looking at the event there is actually no real competition for them Probaja folks. There is another promoter, El Pato Rojo – we just had a funny experience with/about them a few days back, read here… – which used to be connected with ProBaja and if we recall correct they split up some-when last year. Supposedly there been some missing funds issues the reason for that, whatever, they are now competitors to each other. Unfortunately we got to say. Look what’s up on the calendar. 30.4./1.5 2010 = Dos Mares 500 (ProBaja), 15.5/16.5 2010 Titanes del Desierto (El Pato Rojo), 19.6/20.6 2010 = Coyote 300 (ProBaja). So one can say 3 races in 1 1/2 month. This is great for hardcore off-road fans and spectators. The question is: how will the teams hold up, how will the equipment handle it and most: how will the money go along for this much racing. Just like in the US the economic situation is by far not as it should/could be and we hear a lot of talk on how tight the pocket-book situation is.
When we compare below – we have in mind – as also the claimed goal by club and organizers – to improve the race locally AS WELL attract more competitors from up road. This goes way beyond the sport of off-road racing yet it’s part of organizing a race. After all: the area should have some out of that event, revenue created by visitors staying in town, bringing friends etc. But for that is there a cooperation between the promoting organizer and the Tourism office.
Or in other words you what could be and what is. Oh yeah, we compare to our little, insignificant, independent, weekend-end warrior operated website running as a side=product on a low powered server. To put it right up front: we out-powered the professional promoter by 100+ % in the majority of the statistics.

www.sitelogr.com traffic and website visitors estimates

You can check yourself either Sitelogr Dos Mares 500 or Sitelogr Pro Baja Online for the current evaluation.

www.statbrain.com traffic and website visitors estimates

You can check yourself either Statbrain Dos Mares 500 or Statbrain Probaja for the current evaluation.

www.trafficestimate.com traffic and website visitors estimates

You can check yourself either Traffic Estimate Dos Mares 500 or Traffic Estimate Pro Baja for the current evaluation.

www.Websites Outlook.com traffic and website visitors estimates

You can check yourself either Website Outlook Dos Mares 500 or Pro Baja for the current evaluation.

So looking at that data – if that would been a off-road race I say: you driving with old, faulty plug wires and flat tires and just got your buns waxed send home like the guy below….

And what’s that all about?? Well, just like sport – you get beaten, you motivate yourself for the next race, you try to perform better and beat the opponent. That’s what’s all about. Some people are way to much crema and lean back when there is so much more that COULD be done. For the city and it’s people. Viva La Paz!!

Dos Mares 500 Race Video

Dos Mares — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:01:25 +0000

Dos Mares 500 Race Video From Southern Baja Mexico. A better DosMares 500 as last year and hopeful this trend will continue for Dos Mares races to come as well other off-road races at the southern Baja peninsula.

Dos Mares 500 race on the internet

Dos Mares 500 photos

Dos Mares — Sun, 02 May 2010 18:33:56 +0000

We did a few photos before the ceremonial start to the 2010 Dos Mares 500 at the new location in La Paz Fidepaz. There was a crowd around start time. Best you can see when referring to the time on the photos and you see how occupied it was. No matter what or who, I believe the “old” location at centro La Paz by the Artesano / Skater Park was more attractive and I did miss the atmosphere created to be on the Malecon with the Bay right there. Hopefully they will re-consider for next years race. We could make our quick interview with Roger Norman just 15 minutes before his start. You’ll find the interview here

Dos Mares 500 ceremonial start

Dos Mares — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:50:49 +0000

Some videos we just made over there. No very good quality but hey – better as none and for that soon after it happens…. It’s a beautiful day in La Paz and I estimate – minus the race team folks and officials – about 1000 spectators made it out there to watch the Dos Mares racers leave.

Many more images to come during the evening!!!

Dos Mares Off-Road Festival

Dos Mares — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:55:56 +0000

Dos Mares 500 contingency row, or off road fest as the organizer named it, from Friday evening at the La Paz Malecon. We will have during the course of the day tomorrow our own videos from the ceremonial start published on here at the independent Dos mares 500 website as well at www.puro-off-road.com, the #1 English language unbiased off-road eZine from Baja California. Keep in mind there is an translated map here.Since the event is already running and the Dos Mares 500 carrera preparation is over, we have a comparison: pre Dos Mares 500 – who won the digital Dos Mares 500 race on the internet? How much did the race fans get on feedback to make this event interesting to come and visit or even race it…..?? Interesting facts and stats for supporters/sponsors of the race as much as for lurkers.

Find info on today’s Mexican 1000 Rally schedule and today’s section map here.The rally is on it’s way from Loreto to La Paz. Start at the Loreto Wash for first vehicle 8:00 hr local time.

Credits for this clips go to Norman Motorsports – RogerNorman8 Videos.

Dos Mares 500 minus 2 days

Dos Mares — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:04:10 +0000

Sorry for lacking here but we do have a “real” life also with a “real” j.o.b. . First of all we do need to apologize to all Baja Sur race fans waiting for the Roger Norman audio cast / phone interview. It’s 101% our fault. Roger was available for it but we been not capable to sort out our gremlins. Talking little geek here: we prefer using open source software as much as we can instead feeding Billy Gates all few month for new software updates or use pirated software. The negative site of that is getting compatible parts if needed. La Paz is not a very Linux friendly city when trying to get, like in our case, a sound card for our computer integrated phone recorder. Linux SuSe rules but not when getting spares… so our fault. We will try to make up on that and either catch him before the race or check around mile 175 of the race where he will change the truck over to Zorro according to his info if we make that. Enough computer talk – what’s new?? First of all the change of location for the “ceremonial” start of the race. Malecon start, as it used to be the last years got canceled for reasons that sound ok – conflict with ongoing festivities, laying locations together with the Mexican 1000 folks, the NORRA rally will finish at the Grand Plaza around the corner.

Yet will it limit the convenient opportunity for passer-by’s to see some off-road racers close up. Will the same atmosphere as on the picture come up out there?? Next week we will know more. For sure all the insiders and hardcore off-road fans will know and go to the chosen new location at Carretera Transpeninsular near the “Cola de la Ballena” shopping center (Walmart/Sam’s). But how about the folks in the city enjoying the La Paz foundation fair and festival? Will they jump into their car and drive to Fidepaz at the outskirts of La Paz to get a glimpse?? I’m not sure on that. From the personal point of view I sure like the new start place – i could almost throw a stone over there, no need to fire the vehicle up to drive there since it is in easy walking distance.

Dos Mares entry list update

Dos Mares — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:03:44 +0000

ProBaja updated entry list for the 2010 Dos Mares 500 race. With about 2 weeks until race day the entry list is showing 58 entries. In the latest statement of the promoters website is emphasized for all participating teams to remember speed limitations in populated areas. In particular the ranch “El Corral de Piedra” is named. Below the list as published by ProBaja
TROPHY TRUCK (9)

3 Rodimiro Amaya Zamorano

25 Martín Ibarra

38 Luis Camarena

20 Martín Avendaño

28 Ernesto Cervantes

1 Valerio González / Víctor Barreda

69 Francisco Cervantes / Roger Norman

4 Gary Magness

99 Alejandro Abaroa

2 Martín Avendaño Jr.

21 José Luis Abaroa

CLASS 1 (6)

108 Andrés Ruffo de Alba

111 Francisco Huerta/Jaime Huerta

170 Arturo Castilla/Héctor Tapia

101 Raúl Castilla/Daniel Arreola

149 Juan Cota/Jorge Domínguez

103 José Vizcaíno

CLASS 8 (2)

800 ATR

801 Tom Bradley

CLASS 5-Open (3)

500 Héctor Guadalupe Ibarra Espinoza

501 Víctor Ceseña Angulo

503 Juan Carlos de Jesús Jiménez

CLASS 12 (7)

1200 Samuel Araiza Vázquez

1203 Jaime Huerta/Octavio Dávalos

1216 Carlos Castilla

1211 Alfredo León

1201 Francisco Villagómez

1228 Franco Niño de Rivera/José Cervantes

1206 Humberto Osuna

CLASS 7 (5)

700 Hugo Rafael Sáenz

725 Ricardo Yee

726 Samuel Tuchman/Eduardo Angulo

729 Carlos Ramos Murill

746 Francisco Chávez Velarde 1RS

CLASES 1600 Stock (9)

1600 Víctor Barreda Lozano/ Valerio González

1639 Rolando Holmos Montaño

1603 Eddy Castil

1604 Othoniel Huerta

1691 Romeo Gamboa

1621 Jesús Manríquez / Adrián Díaz

1626 Armando Boheme

1610 Pablo Cota

1695 Juan Carlos Montaño

CLASS 5/1600 (3)

569 Armando Macías

550 José Juan Islas

566 José María Hernández / Abraham Collins

CLASS 8 STOCK (4)

888 Toñita Abaroa/José Juan Abaroa

865 Gustavo Nava/Agustín Agúndez

882 Antonio / Mickey / Iván Monroy

861 Humberto Hugo Gómez

CLASS 6 (1)

600 Eduardo Fernández

CLASS STOCK MINI (3)

799 Antonio Cázares

769 Arturo Niño de Rivera

787 Abraham Careaga / Mike Juárez

CLASS 9 (6)

989 Jesús Villagómez

999 Abraham Collins

998 Fabricio Barreto

930 José Ricardo López Araiza

900 Alejandro Vega / Rolando Holmos

902 Ramón Humberto Herrera

Who’s racing the DosMares 500?

Dos Mares — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:19:55 +0000

Enlisted so far, as of 6th of April 2010, 31 teams/vehicles. Trophy Trucks (5): #1 Valerio González/Juan Cota; #4 Gary Magness; #21 José Luis Abaroa; #28 Ernesto Cervantes; #99 Alejandro Abaroa. As for Class 1 so far listed are #108 Andrés Ruffo de Alba; #111 Francisco Huerta/Jaime Huerta; #170 Arturo Castilla/Héctor Tapia; #101 Raúl Castilla/Daniel Arreola; #149 Juan Cota/Jorge Domínguez. Class 8 show 2 La Paz teams, #800 AT Racing and #801 Tom Bradley Racing. Class 5 open has #500 Héctor Guadalupe Ibarra Espinoza; #501 Víctor Ceseña Angulo and #503 Juan Carlos de Jesús Jiménez listed. Class 12: #1200 Samuel Araiza Vázquez; #1203 Jaime Huerta/Octavio Dávalos; #1216 Carlos Castilla; #1211 Alfredo León; #1201 Francisco Villagómez
#1228 Franco Niño de Rivera/José Cervantes; #1206 Humberto Osuna.
Class 7 shows #700 Hugo Rafael Sáenz and #705 Francisco Chávez Velarde
1600 Stock: #1600 Víctor Barreda Lozano; #1639 Rolando Holmos Montaño; #1603 Eddy Castil; #1604 Othoniel Huerta; #1691 Romeo Gamboa
Class 8 Stock: #888 Toñita Abaroa/José Juan Abaroa
Class 9 #989 Jesús Villagómez.
One can expect there will be more teams enlisted. I’m, positive that in the trophy Truck class Francisco Cervantes and his Camaro TT are there since Roger Norman will race with Team Zorro that truck.
This years race will be run in memory of Marco Antonio López “Guero” Cinco. He was the first overall winner of the Dos Mares 500 race in 1994 racing Class 8. With Marco Antonio López “Guero” Cinco passed a pioneer of this race away at 21st of February 2010. God Speed.
The ProBaja promoter also announced for the teams from the mainland of Mexico planning to participate at the race here at Baja California will be eligible for a discount with Baja Ferries.

As of the earthquakes impact on the NORRA / Mexican 1000 Rally – the Mexican 1000 Rally and the 2010 Dos Mares 500 share the finish line in La Paz – and adjusting the plans due to the earthquakes damage in and around Mexicali: The race is on schedule. NO CHANGES. That was as of yesterday evening straight from the promoters mouth which had a appearance at the weekly TORR show during a NORRA Mexican 1000 special. NORRA’s Mike Pearlman and Michael Noval have family roots to the earliest days of the original Mexican 1000 and discussed the forthcoming NORRA rally. You can find an archived version of that off-road broadcast here…

We also still have the phone interview with Roger Norman pending. We are waiting for a replacement part for the recording device, and we are also pretty sure that Roger Norman Motorsport has a “hotline” to the event organizers and would share any race changes with us.

Roger Norman’s ride at the Dos Mares 500

Dos Mares — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 23:13:10 +0000

Roger Norman will race the Zorro Racing Team #69 Camaro Trophy Truck. A truly unique TT named “Zorro” that is build to assemble a ‘67 Camaro. The owner is Francisco Cervantes. The builder of this off-road hotrod is Augustine Raso of Maistrin Performance in Ensenada. The looks of that trophy-truck sure adds a bit of nostalgia to off road racing. Francisco Cervantes has raced local RECORD races in the past and the 2005 Baja 500 was a first step into the big league of competitive Trophy Trucks. SCORE mandates a current truck body for the class so all drivers signed a petition to make a one time exception to the rule and let him compete in the Trophy Truck class.
The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro – Trophy Truck had his debut in 2004. With a wheelbase of 112 inch, track-width of 85 inch weighting in at 1750 kg (3858 pound/lb). Powered by a Chevrolet V8 with a displacement of 383 cubic/inch (6.276 liters) producing +/- 640 hp.

Transforming this power into forward motion is a Hydra-Matic Turbo 400 tranny prepared by Pachecos Performance. The rear-end is a Dana 60 full floater. Front and Rear Suspension feature 24 inch respective 30 inch travel. Robby Gordon wheels, 37×15 BFGoodrich Project T/A, Mastercraft seats are covered up by a Betos Fiberglasse body.

More images at the Zorro Camaro Page here…

Image Credits: RacedeZert and Joseph DiGiovanni UTVUnderground

Roger Norman interview

Dos Mares — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:59:12 +0000

Today we had the chance to talk with Roger Norman and ask a few questions related to the upcoming NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally as well to his participation at the 2010 Dos Mares 500 race. This Roger Norman interview was asked for and planned all as a phone interview however there was some technical flaws – operator error from our side with the recording device and things did not work out. However, Roger Norman is a good sport and spares some more of his time for Puro Off-Road and we will do the phone interview beginning of coming week. So Baja race fans: stay tuned!! We did a little Q & A with Roger Norman during our conversation and here is a rough write up on that.
Q: What race vehicle will you race during the NORRA Mexican 1000
A: We will race the Duralast Trophy Truck. This truck is a multiple Baja 1000 winner. The 1000hp motor has been taken out and replaced by a 750hp Patton racing engine. We run in the alternative fuel class.
Q: Will you approach the Mexican 1000 NORRA race like any other race i.e. racing to the max.?
A: The Mexican 1000 is a 3 day rally with overnight stops so it will be definitely not raced as “hard” like the Baja 1000 and we also like to have fun.

Q: Who will drive and what section?
A: Roger Norman will start at the first day in Mexicali and during the day a driver change will be made with Mark Post (Riviera Racing) taking over driving duties. At the second day Mark Post will start and Roger Norman will take over during the driver change. At the third day Mark Post will start and Larry Roessler will take the wheel when changing drivers. Roger Norman will drive at the 3th day to La Paz to take part at the contingency event of the Dos Mares 500. The Off-Road party at the Malecon in La Paz starting 16:00hr contingency row and safety inspection for the 2010 Dos Mares 500 Baja Sur race.
Q: What will you race at the Dos Mares 500??
A: Roger Norman will not race one of the Roger Norman Racing race trophy trucks but the Zorro Racing Team #69 Camaro Trophy Truck of Francisco Cervantes. This Trophy Truck is build to assemble a ‘67 Camaro, nicknamed “Zorro” (spanish for fox). Build by Augustine Raso – Maistrin Performance and debuted 2004 featuring a 383ci Chevrolet V8

Roger Norman interview will continue here…