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The 2013 SCORE Baja 1000 features the biggest and best in desert racing, and some changes in this year's event make the spectacle a must-see event for any fan of speed and danger.

The pro motorcycles and ATVs took off on Thursday night as the race was separated between the two classes. This year marks the first time in the event's illustrious history that one portion of the race began at night.

With a more even playing field set for the cars and trucks, passions will be at an all-time high on Friday as the best compete for the prized championship.

Keep reading for more information on the Baja 1000.

Baja 1000—Cars and Trucks

When: Friday, Nov. 15

Start Time: 9 a.m. PST/12 p.m. ET

Start Location: Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Length: Approximately 900 miles

Guide to 2013 Baja 1000

SCORE changed many aspects of the Baja 1000 heading into this year's race, and it's garnered plenty of talk across the off-road racing world.

The most obvious and glaring change is in splitting up the two classes, asking a heap of drivers to begin racing in the dark and posing all sorts of danger problems. Ironically enough, the decision to start one race at night was made with safety at the forefront.

According to a report from Bill Center of UT San Diego, the new course will assert its place in the record books. The course spans 883 miles. That's the longest course in the history of off-road racing. 

Just as well, a set of qualification events were set up for this year, increasing the two-day event to all of five days. 

Behind all of the changes is Roger Norman, who purchased SCORE last year. The 2008 Baja 1000 champion saw a blueprint for giving the people what they desired.

According to Center's report, off-road truck racer Rob MacCachren gave Norman and his efforts a shining endorsement:

I think Roger has a lot of great ideas about the Baja 1000 and where he wants to take SCORE as a series. Drivers wanted different courses, different routes. Roger delivered. We’re seeing areas in this Baja 1000 that we’ve never seen before. This is the toughest loop race I’ve ever seen. Some drivers think it is too tough.

But it is supposed to be hard. This is the Baja 1000.

After an entire year devoted toward making the Baja 1000 better than ever, Norman and SCORE's efforts will unfold on the near 900-mile course on Friday. 

All of these changes will only add to a race that has gained notoriety for its loose play and unpredictability.

Typically dangerous, noticeably controversial but always exciting, this year's Baja 1000 is shaping up to be quite the spectacle. 

While he might be just 20 years of age, Marc Marquez has already taken the Moto GP world by storm in his first year of competition, smashing barriers, records and expanding his horizons along the way.

That being said, the youngster’s prolific form is only set for bigger and better things, the next opportunity for which comes this weekend in Indianapolis.

At the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix in Monterey, Calif. last month, Marquez claimed his third win of the season, extending his lead over Dani Pedrosa to 16 points in the process. As a result of the feat, Marquez also became the youngest-ever rider to ever win consecutive races in the top tier of GP racing, a record previously held by Freddie Spencer.

However, with BBC Sport reporting via Twitter that the Spaniard also finished practice the fastest in Indianapolis, the starlet is quite possibly set to etch his name even further into the history books:

Barely out of his teenage years, Marquez’s achievements so early in his career are already remarkable. Having finished on the podium in 14 of his last 17 races in the Moto2 class, big things were always expected from the Honda representative, but perhaps not as big as this.

Finishing second to Marquez in the Indy practicing was England’s Carl Crutchlow. The Yamaha rider was just three-tenths of a second behind Marquez’s impressive time of one minute and 40.781 seconds.

Earlier this month, the BBC’s Ben Parrish painted Spain’s grid leader as the emerging favourite to now go ahead and win the 2013 title, even though those involved are only halfway through their campaign.

However, one massive factor in that will be the youngster’s fitness, which he has so far managed to maintain while, as Parrish points out, Pedrosa's has not.

At this stage of his career, Marquez can be both susceptible to injury and the least likely to pick up something debilitating, relying largely on the vast hunger that’s undoubtedly in his belly.

Other than Pedrosa and fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi would’ve also been a rider many would have considered as a candidate for silverware come season’s end.

However, with another victory on Sunday, young Marquez will assuredly be in the driver’s seat (no pun intended) to claim top spot come November—and given his current trajectory, there’s no reason why Honda’s newest disciple can’t do just that.

Danish race car driver Tom Kristensen helped Audi win the 2013 "24 Hours of Le Mans" on Sunday, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history.

Driving the No. 2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro, Kristensen shared the top step of the podium with teammates Allan McNish of Scotland and Loic Duval of France. It was McNish's third victory at Le Mans and a career-fulfilling first for Duval, but Kristensen, winning his record ninth running of the race, deserves the greatest recognition for that achievement.

The race, colloquially known as the grand prix of endurance and efficiency, is really just that: an event that tries a driver's mind just as much as his body. Winning takes not just technical proficiency but mental discipline, drivers needing to race fast at times, but also preserve enough speed to last 24 hours. One must find the perfect balance between speed and forethought if they hope to finish on top.

Driving in teams of three, racers, at times, have to manage that delicate balance for two-hour-long shifts, spending copious amounts of time on the track before being able to pit and call for a relief driver. If you thought the final immunity challenge on Survivor was a taxing feat of endurance, this event might be too daunting for you to even watch.

All of which only makes Kristensen more impressive. Granted, by definition, this race is a team contest; drivers race in triads, and three men share each spot on the podium. But out there on the track for hours at a time without pitting, it often feels like a solo affair. The race is closer to baseball, a group of individuals competing for one team goal, than basketball, where teammates work together in unison to achieve success.

In winning the 2013 race on Sunday, Kristensen further burrowed his way into Le Mans immortality, capturing the checkered flag for the ninth time in his career. He didn't break the record with this victory—that happened in 2005, where he won his seventh race, passing German Jacky Ickx for the all-time lead—but he further extended his lead in that category, making it more and more likely that he will always reign atop the leaderboard at Le Mans.

Kristensen's victory is also of note because he hadn't won at Le Mans since 2008. He won his first 24-hour race in 1997 before sweeping six straight between 2000 and 2005. He didn't win again until 2008, and this was his first victory since. In other words, since his first victory at Le Mans 16 years ago, this ended the longest drought of his career.

It also gave Kristensen victories in three different decades. In an event that measures microcosmic endurance—that is, how long you can stay sharp over a 24-hour binge—achieving such macrocosmic longevity is just icing on the cake. It reveals the consistency of Kristensen's ability, proof that even over the long haul, he is worthy of the title Le Mans has granted him. He is truly the king of endurance.

According to The Telegraph, Kristensen's father passed away in March. Before he died, though, he predicted his son would end the four-year drought and win his ninth title at Le Mans.

With his and his teammates' remarkable driving this weekend, Kristensen made sure his father's last prediction came true. 

When winter winds are still howling in northern states, the lure of balmy air and abundant sunshine in Florida in spring is the reason the Sunshine State is so populated. It’s also a great reason to go NHRA drag racing for a weekend before your beach time.

That works for locals and tourists.

The result at Auto-Plus Raceway, home of Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals, is robust crowds and the energy of early season potential. It’s great air to mix with Nitromethane.

Sportsman and professional NHRA Mellow Yello drag racing teams rush to Gator territory where winning is a huge part of nearby University of Florida's turf and strong on the drag strip as well.

Low sea level and forests of Southern Pine provide great air and tuning conditions for hungry NHRA engines.

The season may be in an infant stage with only three races done of the total 24 venues across the U.S., but drivers and teams are gathering data and logging experience.

More top speed will be coming throughout the long and fast NHRA Mello Yello season, but for fans, sometimes comments by drivers after a big race can have good meaning and provide entertainment as well.

NHRA’s Gatornational standouts Antron Brown, Johnny Gray, Allen Johnson, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Hector Arana Jr. had thoughts to share.

The 2012 Top Fuel Dragster champion is first in this quote journey and is rarely at a loss for words.

Antron Brown (Top Fuel Dragster)

“It’s a great team effort,” Brown said. It felt good to bring that win home and hopefully we can put Pomona behind us and keep moving forward.”

“To win you have to have every piece of the pie. It was important to be consistent and as fast and quick as you can be. Every round was tough. It’s a great win for this team. It gives you great confidence as a driver to see the car running like this and come out and win after what happened in Pomona.”

Although Gray has announced his retirement from driving after this season, he seems thrilled to be a part of Don Schumacher Racing.

Johnny Gray (Funny Car)

“Don has been great to me and to be a part of that it’s an awesome feeling for everybody down the line who has contributed to this, which started with Don winning the first one,” Gray said. “To be a part of his organization is unbelievable.”

The 2012 Pro Stock champion, Allen Johnson, has merged his team with fellow Dodge Avenger drivers Vincent Nobile and  Coughlin Jr. to share data and resources. That move seems to have helped all involved.

Allen Johnson (Pro Stock Car)

“Everyone asks me why I would hire two assassins,” Johnson said. “They make me better. Vincent challenges me and it’s the same with Jeggie; I knew I would have to do my ultimate best to beat him. I hope we have to go head-to-head like that a bunch more.”

Coughlin Jr. is a four-time Pro Stock champion and hopes to add more trophies to his extensive record. After struggling last year the move to align his team with those in Allen Johnson’s proficient camp has been productive.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock Car)

“We've been to three races—made it to two finals,” Coughlin said. “We'd like to be on the good side, but haven't yet. We'll keep giving it a go.

“When A.J. and I put this deal together, it truly was to have one team with two cars. Today couldn't have exemplified that more. I was happy for him to win. Of course, I wanted to, but it went his way today. Maybe next time it'll go mine."

Arana Jr. learned motorcycle drag racing from a past NHRA champion, his dad Hector Arana Sr., and now they race each other for top prizes. This race, the first for Pro Stock Motorcycle in the 2013 season, belonged to junior as he sped his way up the ladder to nab the win light in the Gatornational finals.

Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle)

“I am looking forward to a very competitive season and some close racing this season,” Arana Jr. said. “This is a step in the right direction. When my dad won his championship he won the Gatornationals, and Eddie Krawiec has done that the last two years. I hope to keep that trend going this year as well.”

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained from personal interviews or official release materials provided by sanction and team representatives.

For off-roading enthusiasts, the Baja 1000 is one of the year’s most exciting events, and the three-day race produced several impressive finishes.

This grueling 1,121-mile contest allows several types of vehicles to compete and challenges all the contestants to make it through the rugged terrain as fast as possible without incident. The race started in Ensenada, Mexico and finished in La Paz.

Dirtnewz.com reported the official results of the race. Here are the top finishers from the 2012 Baja 1000.

(Photos courtesy of VildosolaRacing.com)

Vildosola Gets Another Victory

Gus Vildosola Sr. and his son Tavo Vildosola had the fastest time among cars and trucks, completing the course in 19:45:00.

This is their second win in three years after also taking the title in 2010. The Vildosolas posted the best overall time of any vehicle to add to their impressive finish.

To sweeten the victory even more, this father-and-son duo will enjoy their accomplishment in their native Mexico. 

Udall, Weigand and Kamo Win the Motorcycle Competition 

Riding the Honda CRF450X, Colton Udall, Timmy Weigand and David Kamo posted the top time among two-wheeled vehicles.

In some years, the motorcycles beat out the cars and trucks, but the dominance from the Vildosolas ensured that did not happen in 2012. Udall, Weigand and Kamo completed the race in 20:09:30.

They were able to hold off the team of Kurt Caselli, Ivan Ramirez, Mike Brown and Quinn Cody, who were unable to catch the front-runners and came in second.

  

Frederick, Warnia, McLure and Webster Beat Out ATVs

The last category of vehicles was ATVs, and the team of Josh Frederick, Jeremie Warnia, Jarred McLure and Collin Webster beat out the competition.

They finished the race in 27:03:00, making them the slowest winner in the competition.

Still, this will undoubtedly be a memorable accomplishment for the members of this team, as they will go down as a winners in this extremely competitive race. 

Technology has changed significantly since the inaugural Baja 1000 in 1974. The advent of GPS and satellite phones, the mapping of the Baja peninsula and emergence of affordable helicopters have steadily taken their toll on the race that originally ran from Tijuana to La Paz.

The starting point for Thursday's race is Ensenada and travels 1,121 miles to La Paz. This is the 38th time Ensenada has been the starting point for the oldest and most most famous desert races.

The original course was established with Mickey Thompson, one of the race's initial organizers, dropping notes from a helicopter. Race founder Sal Fish would follow in his VW Thing, picking up directions tied to rocks, according to Bill Center of the North County Times.

Follow this gully two miles to a boulder shaped like an elephant and turn right...

Head down the trail about five miles until you cross the stream...

Follow the trail on the other side for 10 miles until you pass the adobe farmhouse.

The goal of the early races wasn't about money or fame. It was about pride and the accomplishment of finishing the most grueling one-day racing event on the planet. 

The arrival of celebrities like Jesse James has changed the makeup and perception of the race. There is a fame-factor now, and sponsorship has increased with the now internationally televised event.

Racers are competing for points and financial compensation in the overall SCORE season class point championships. There's also nearly $400,000 in cash winnings available specific to the Baja 1000.

But some participants, like NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson, know the race can quickly become about survival.

Johnson crashed during the 1995 event and spent a day atop a rock. He was sleeping under an orange tarp when he was spotted from a helicopter. "It was while I was sitting there on that boulder that I realized I needed to take my career in another direction."

NASCAR fans are glad the day turned out like it did. 

As technology has grown, Fish and his team respond accordingly.

They've found new routes to make the course more challenging. A pass across the summit of the San Pedro de Martir mountains, created by the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, has been added to the event.

“Not even the Mexican nationals knew that trail was there,” Fish revealed, stating even the fastest trucks navigate that section at 10 miles per hour.

Other adjustments to the race that was known for not having rules include requirements to stay on the course between checkpoints. At one point all that mattered was hitting every checkpoint and arriving at the finish line within the required time.

The ability to use helicopters and satellite phones to guide participants around obstacles and rougher terrain have created the need for adjustments. 

Another requirement is maintaining a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour while on paved roads. The expansion of civilization on the peninsula has led to more of the course being covered by roads instead of desert terrain.

Fish has reduced the amount of time spent on roads for the 2012 event, though.

Racer Mark Post likes the changes. "They've roughed the course up some and I like that."

Equipment has improved, off-road vehicles get faster and have better suspensions, and celebrities bring in sponsorship money and a glitz factor to the event. Despite those changes, Fish makes sure the Baja 1000 stays true to its core.

It is as challenging as ever and will be so long as the 73-year-old founder is in charge.

The Baja 1000 is a grueling, 1,000+ mile race down the expanse of mainland Mexico. The heart-stopping, pulse-pounding test of adrenaline is equal parts invigorating and dangerous––the kind of event that could easily claim one of your limbs.

But for three inspiring riders in this year's rally, they've already been there and done that.

Jim Wazny, Chris Ridgeway and Mario Panagiotopoulos––three amputees, or adaptive riders––will be participating in this year's race on motorcycles.

The riders are part of the HERO Racing Team––which stands for Help Everyone Reach Out––and are being supported by M&M Racing, Johnny Campbell Racing, Fox Shox and FMF.

Let's start by stating the obvious: This feat should not be taken lightly. Even those with all their limbs need to be part daring, part crazy and part lucky to complete this race. It is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of the toughest races on the planet.

In fact, in an interview with ESPN.com, the riders relayed a harrowing statistic: Out of the roughly 400 vehicles that start the Baja 1000, only about 30 percent of them finish the race. That's only about 120 vehicles.

I use the vague term of 'vehicle' for a reason, too. One of the things that makes the Baja 100 so unique (and also so terrifying) is the fact that a multitude of vehicles race at the same time. Bikes, ATVs, Volkswagon Buggies and million-dollar trucks all share the same course at the same time.

Riding a bike in the middle of all that mayhem––as the HERO team plans to do––is absolutely insane.

But what really makes the HERO team, and their story, transcendent is their philanthropic endeavor. Having partnered up with Challenged Athletes Foundation, the group worked to provide a new leg for a young boy in need.

They want to prove to the world, through their on-course actions, that amputees are capable of accomplishing the same ends as anybody else. They want to prove that even as adaptive riders, they can be part of the 30 percent of vehicles who finish the grueling race. On it's own, that makes them worthy of our praise. They go above and beyond by striving to be just as inspiring off the course.

The Baja 1000 isn't the highest-profile event on the sports calendar, and it's doubtful you'll ever see this story popping up on Sportscenter. But the HERO team (not-so-coincidentally) reminds us that there are heroes all around us everyday.

And that makes them one of the best stories in sports this year.

It was announced that the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the American Le Mans Series will merge into one series in 2014.

This is a great move by both series.  

Both organizations have great racing that is only going to get better with the merger.  Grand-Am has the Rolex 24 at Daytona while ALMS has 12 Hours of Sebring.  

What is going to benefit ALMS are the resources that Grand-Am has from being a part of NASCAR.  The Rolex 24 at Daytona is growing in popularity and one reason is how NASCAR drivers come to race for the Grand-Am teams.  

Details about the name of the series, rules, or even schedule are still being worked on, but the fact that the process is moving forward is huge for American sports car racing.  There at least doesn't seem to be any bitterness or fighting like when IRL and ChampCar merged.  

While major questions come up about sponsors and affiliations with different organizations, both series are doing the right thing by waiting until 2014 to merge so that decisions won't be rushed.  

It will be interesting to see how both organizations work to deal with sponsors and commitments.  It will be a real test over the next year for Grand-Am and ALMS to make tough decisions.  As long as the new board of directors, which is compiled of executives from Grand-Am and ALMS, work well together, there should be minimal issues by the time 2014 rolls around.

I'm slowly becoming a fan of both series because of the great racing that has so much drama due to the time elements.  It is amazing to watch how these teams work and the strategies that they to implement in order to survive these races.

The ALMS began in 1999, while Grand-Am began back in 2000.  2014 looks to bring great things for fans of American sports car racing.

Just as long as everyone is willing to play nice when these major decisions are made. 

Bobby Gerhart pulled off an improbable victory at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, starting off the 2012 ARCA season with his eighth win at Daytona International Speedway.

Gerhart claimed pole position on Friday after posting an insanely fast lap of 183.479 mph. Unfortunately, his engine failed the post-race inspection, and Gerhart was forced to start 42nd.

However, that didn't stop the seasoned vet from adding another memorable victory to his resume. He took advantage of some poor decisions by other drivers and executed a textbook sling shot maneuver on the final lap to move from fifth to first.

The wild finish amazed everyone, including Dave Rodman of Nascar.com.

Holy Smokes! Bobby Gerhart proves for the 8th time @DISupdates that old age,treachery, great pit strategy and #badass crew chief prevail

It was the eighth time Gerhart took first place at Daytona. As one race fan identified only as "Tony" pointed out, Gerhart would own ARCA if they had more races on the legendary track.

Too bad for Bobby Gerhart that ARCA doesn't only run at Daytona.

Unfortunately for Gerhart, ARCA likes to throw a little diversity into their season.

What It Means

Gerhart started off 2012 on the right foot, but his past success at Daytona hasn't always translated to a big year. It will be interesting to see if he can build on this momentum.

Although Gerhart will get all the headlines, Drew Charlson (second), Brett Hudson (third) and Nelson Canache (fourth) all had solid races.

What's Next

Next up is the the Mobile ARCA 200 at Mobile International Speedway. The race will be held on March 10.

The ARCA Racing Series is nearing the start of its season. Like NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, it opens at the Daytona International Speedway and is part of the week-long Daytona 500 experience. 

ARCA's opening race is the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, which is an 80-lap, 200-mile race. Past champions include NASCAR stars Ryan Newman (2001) and Kyle Busch (2004). Joey Logano also has a runner-up performance in this race to his name, which came in 2009. That was the same year he won the Sprint Cup Series' Rookie of the Year. 

Bobby Gerhart won the race in 2011 and 2010, and has recorded five wins since 2005 and seven overall.

Where: Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach, FLA

When: Saturday, Feb. 18 at 4:30 p.m. EST

Watch: Speed TV

Lineup

Defending champion Bobby Gerhart leads a field of 43 racers. Unfortunately for Gerhart, a disqualification in qualifying is causing him to start from the No. 42 spot.

Sean Corr has the pole position while Ryan Reed joins him on the front row. 

A list of the full field, their starting position and qualifying times can be found at ARCAracing.com.

What They're Saying

Godwin Kelly of the Daytona Beach News-Journal wrote that this is a big event for more than just the ARCA series, but that it can also be a nice view of the future. 

NASCAR teams will use the ARCA 200 event to give their up and coming talent a taste of Daytona's 31-degree high banks. Danica Patrick made her first stock car start in the 2010 race. She finished sixth. Kyle Petty, Richard Petty's son, made his first stock car start in the 1979 ARCA 200 and won the race.

Dark horse: Steve Blackburn

His car is always extremely fast and this year is no different. Blackburn is starting from the No. 3 position, so he has a great chance to win. His lack of history here has come from bad luck in terms of accidents. If he stays out of trouble, Blackburn will be hard to beat. 

Prediction: Chris Buescher

It might seem tough to pick against Gerhart in this race given his phenomenal history, but starting from the back of the field is going to be too much to overcome. 

Buescher is the reigning series Rookie of the Year, is starting from a good position (number eight), and had an impressive second-place performance in 2011's event. He will emerge victorious in this field, getting his 2012 season off on a good note.

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