Open discussion : Possible Fall Targa Baja California event October 16-19 ??.

[TRE Cup]

Hi
First back ground info:
Some of you may know that I had been involved with organizing a few rally/tours and street based road races south of the border. ( a few of you have participated in them) Well, after losing money , time and the drug cartel situation getting bad (never an incident), we quit putting on events there. Another promoter has been successful with running races in Tijuana and Tecate since then. They have been fun for the participants with their low buck cars. They get consideration crossing into Mexico, so customs does not hang them up.

Fast forward to the present, with six Targa California events under our belts. Our friends in Ensenada have excellent relations with the various government agencies, and want to invite us back for a fun weekend. The very scenic coastal highway is slated to be fully open again, after repairs. The pavement is smooth and locals pay attention to their mirrors (unlike the hordes of Prius owners , north of the border, here on the left coast )

The event might be structured like this:
Sign in Wedneday evening Oct 16 San Diego area hotel (location tba)/ Final sign in Thursday am. Caravan to the border and cross together. Meet our police escort for a brisk spirited drive down the coastal road to Ensenada. Some afternoon event TBA, then welcome dinner Thursday night

Friday Oct 18, Back roads drive to Baja Calif wine region, visit wineries, lunch. Post lunch back roads to Ensenada, possible drive to La Bufadora south of town (cool road, tourist trap overlooking the beach) Friday night open. (its three blocks walk into town for various restaurants)

Saturday Oct 19 Ensenada International Car Show and Concours. We enter our cars in appropriate categories. Entertainment and lunch at the show site. Awards . Possible group dinner (being discussed)

Sunday Oct 20- group caravan, police escort , back to the border crossing. (expect to cross around noon- 1 pm , given the traffic)

Important details:
a) Sanctioned event from the USA side of the border, Sanctioned event from the Mexican side of the border. So liability insured.
b) working on stated value policies for the cars for south of the border. Will inform if we move forward with this event
c) Police escort border to Ensenada and back (they enjoy our sports purpose attitude )
d) Emergency road service support south of the border included
e) secured guarded parking at h.q. hotels
f) we will let you know what water you can drink
g) Costs to be determined- being a two nation event (even though we only caravan from SD, we will have liability coverage) the cost will be higher than TaCa, but certainly still reasonable

So please fire away with your (constructive) comments and questions.

Thanks
Dave

[ibmiked]

Oh please yes.

[blucille]

Damn, my car arrived home from the west coast yesterday

Sure, count me in, need to buy a west coast car.

[Haasman]

Sounds like a good time!

[Frank Beck]

Sounds like fun but I still think an armored Humvee would be my vehicle of choice.

[LongRanger]

I've been doing the Rosarito-Ensenada Fun Rides for years . . .
http://www.rosaritoensenada.org/ingles/

. . . and I love Mexico . . . the people, the scenery, the weather, the food . . . always had a good time --- especially the further-away I get from the Border. Folks there have always greeted/treated us wonderfully --- they literally shut-down their towns for us when we're there. 'Course, there are like 20,000 of us, too, so . . .

Coupla things . . .

1) Roads can be a bit rough --- so I'd be concerned about low-profile tires + race-track suspensions taking a bit of a beating. Also animals --- specifically horses and cattle . . . are out on some of the roadways --- all the time, but especially after dusk. I've had some 'close-ones,' so . . .

2) Mechanical issues/support. Cars need to be healthy, ie. 'CMA' in a well-lit/equipped garage w/proper tools can be a different/interesting concept South of the Border


I'd also be a bit apprehensive about the timing . . .


BIG El Nino 's forecast for this year . . . and October's getting late

[curtisaa]

Sounds like fun but I still think an armored Humvee would be my vehicle of choice.

Nice gesture Dave, however, the situation there has not gotten any safer over the last administration. The Polizia would be easier to deal with than the Federale$ looking for mordida's from some rich Americans driving Porsches or other hotrods.

Have fun but stay sober....!!

[RSTarga]

Don't believe everything you read in the paper. It is a beautiful area full of americans living full time and even more surfing and vacationing.

[Frank Beck]

I agree that it's a beautiful place David but it's still horribly corrupt and violent.

When a 2nd Amendment fan mistakenly drives across the border and is still in jail months later something is terribly wrong.

I'll pass.

Dave,
How about planning a tour to get that Marine out?

I would absolutely be in on that one.

[TRE Cup]

We have a friend that is a commander of the Federales for the area. So we don't expect any problems. We had a great experience in the past, that has to be told in person