Hello everyone
Check out this idea for a fall '06 run for us. Early S and R Gruppe members. This incorporates some terrific roads on both sides of the border

I would like to take this opportunity to give you a quick "tour" of what i have in mind for R Gruppe run that we can do later this year (in the fall) or early next year. As you may, or may not, know I've been doing a backroads weekend "rally/tour", for several years, from Alpine (located about 1/2 hour drive east of San Diego off the 8) thru usa side excellent back roads- julian, dulzura and we stop at the border xing in tecate. We cross as a group , meet my Ensenada based partner at the border. Then after doing a tour of the Tecate brewery, we take off over the windy hills/roads leading from tecate to ensenada. We do it in "stages" where we go for about 20-25 minutes, then stop at each town that straddles the road so everyone (including the chase car and flat bed tow truck) can catch up. Besides allowing everyone to drive at their own pace, it keeps us from speeding through each of these towns that straddle the road.
We do this several times with one of the stops being a very nice winery. Depending on the time of year, there are various events or entertainment at some of the stops.
Before we get into Ensenada we stop at a restaurant and enjoy a ala carte lunch (if the group is large enough, i suggest we just include it as part of the entry fee that can be determined- do a buffet style). We can continue the experience with having mariachis show up and play for us. From lunch we do a caravan cruise into Ensenada to the HQ hotel. There are two hotels worth considering: The San Nicolas is within stumbling distance from the towns main street (Hussongs, Papas and Beer, etc) the parking, though outdoor , is in a gated lot with decent security- only guests allowed. The hotel is owned by one of the town's major business leaders and he has sponsored both Baja races and our street races. His hotel, though old, has a great central courtyard pool area, on premises nightclub, a couple of bars, and other services. The other hotel is the Marina Coral which is located on the entry to the city. everyone would have to take a taxi or drive to get to main street as it is a couple miles walk. accomodations here are excellent and the prices reflect it. Full services with excellent restaurant, pool, etc. I would leave the hotel accomodations to be done on their own with the choices clearly described.

Anyway- Friday afternoon, we can wash our cars at the hotels, relax some, then all get together directly across the street from the san nicolas at the Los Broncos Restaurant- another supporter of car clubs and tourism (and the current mayor of ensenada!) great bbq steak and chicken.

Sat get up and meet around 9:30-10 am for a caravan main road to the south for a spirited run over the free road to la mision- great curves and lots of variety- a mid way stop for refreshments/bathroom. then back over the same route to caravan on the main road to la bufadora for lunch. la bufadora (blow hole) is a tourist trap, but has great restaurants overlooking the bay with lots of parking for the gruppe. Caravan back to the hotels- then options on free night to enjoy the other restaurants/ go shopping. Sunday am we typically go to las casuelas- a terrific local restaurant- for breakfast so we get on the road to go home by 10-10:30

We go back up the highway to re-enter the usa at tecate- best xing time and least hassle to do it there.

Concerns:
Gas- pemex is pretty darn good and usually less $$ than usa- i've run my 10.5 :1 3 liter on it flat out- no problemo- plentiful supply where we go

Policia- we are friends with one of the big commandantes of the Federales. As long as everyone is within the group and plays where we are supposed to, then its a free pass. This does not include outright stupidity of course, but they are very flexible with us. Some sections that are free of towns/civilization are pretty much wide open

Insurance- most of our cars will qualify for liability only due to their age. USA insurance does not cover south of the border claims. We must purchase insurance from an estalished mex company before we cross. we will offer contact #s so members get it in advance of the event. it is reasonable cost and a felony jail deal if you do not carry mex insurance in case of accident.

To put it bluntly, thieves there are more interested in suv's and four wheel drives than some hunk of german tin that is too low to the ground

Breakdowns- we have the flat bed at our disposal for the weekend. He accompanies us on each section along with my partner in the sweep/ last car. His cost is included in the entry fee. we can push a car back across the border so AAA can pick it up from there , in case we ever need it.

Costs: depending on the amount of cars and entertainment /food we set up for will determine the entry fee. We are thinking somewhere in the $125-150 per car entry inc Friday's lunch and some entertainment here and there- (Mariachis are actually pretty expensive to hire) Every car gets a route book, letter from secretary of tourism, letter from mayor of ensenada so if separated from the gruppe, an individual can get back on track or at least have someone to call. We would have event T shirts as well.

Some of the R Gruppe members have already responded that they want to participate in this event. Please indicate your interest and other questions here , so i can better guage the response and what else can be done with the event.
I will post dates and other details as they become available

This event is truly memorable and a ton of fun