Baja 4000 facts for kids
| Category | Rally raid |
|---|---|
| Region | United States Mexico  |
| Inaugural season | 2017 |
| Teams | 50 |
| Official website | www.Baja4000.org |
 Current season |
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The Baja 4000 was an exciting off-road rally. It was also a fun road trip. This event helped raise money for charity. The same people who created the Budapest-Bamako rally organized it. That rally is the biggest amateur rally in the world.
The Baja 4000 was a simpler, lower-cost version. It was inspired by famous races. These include the Baja 1000 and the Dakar Rally. The very first Baja 4000 happened in January 2017. It started in Los Angeles, USA. Teams then traveled 4000 kilometers. They drove across the Baja California peninsula in Mexico. In 2018, the organizers changed the event's name. It became known as the Baja XL.
Contents
How the Baja 4000 Worked
The main idea behind the Baja 4000 was simple. It followed the same rule as the Budapest-Bamako: "Anyone, By Anything, In Any Way". This meant anyone could join. You could use almost any vehicle. There were no strict rules on how to travel.
- There were no limits on who could enter.
- Any type of vehicle was allowed.
- Teams could choose their own path.
Participants had to finish daily sections. These sections went between Los Angeles and Cabo San Lucas. Then they drove back again. It was not a race against the clock. Teams earned points for finishing stages. Points were given for completing them within certain times.
Challenges and Points
Along the route, there were extra challenges. These were like a treasure hunt. They were called geocaching challenges. Finding these spots earned teams more points. If a team did not finish a daily section, they could still continue. The important thing was for the people to reach the finish line, not just the cars.
Teams could pick how they wanted to participate. There were two main ways to join:
- Racing Category: Teams tried to earn the most points. They had to reach specific navigation points. They also needed to complete daily stages. This was a point-based competition. It was not about who finished fastest.
- Touring Category: Teams in this group traveled at their own speed. There was no competition involved. It was more about enjoying the journey.
The Route
The rally began with a long day in California. After that, teams crossed into Mexico. They entered at a place called Mexicali. Drivers went south along the Gulf of California side. Then they drove north on the Pacific Ocean side.
The journey covered over 4,000 kilometers. This adventure took about 10 days to complete.
Helping Others: Charity
The Baja 4000 was mostly a charity event. Its main goal was to help children. It raised money for abandoned children and orphans in Mexico. This was done through an organization called Corazon de Vida.
Why the Name Changed
In the summer of 2018, the Baja 4000 got a new name. It was renamed the Baja XL. This change helped make the event unique. It separated it from other rallies. Many other races use "Baja" followed by a number. The new name helped it stand out.
