Baja XL

The Baja XL is a biennial off-road charity rally and road trip organized by the creators of the largest amateur rally in the world, the Budapest-Bamako.[1] It is the successor of the Baja 4000. It's a low budget, amateur version of the famous Baja 1000 and Dakar Rally. The first edition was held in January 2017.[2] The rally started in Los Angeles and traveled 4000 kilometers on the Baja California peninsula in Mexico.[3] In 2018 before the second edition of the event organizers changed the event's name from Baja 4000 to Baja XL.[4] From Jan 29-Feb 7, 2019 the second edition was held with 120 teams entering the event.

Baja XL
CategoryRally raid
RegionUnited States
Mexico
Inaugural season2017
Teams120
Official websitewww.BajaXL.org
Current season

Philosophy and rules

The guiding principle of the Baja XL is the same as the Budapest-Bamako's: "Anyone, By Anything, In Any Way".[5] There are no restrictions on the vehicles or individuals that can enter, and no set routes. Participants have to complete daily stages between Los Angeles and Cabo San Lucas and back. It is not a timed event. Points are awarded for completing daily stages. In addition there are geocaching challenges along the way for additional points. If a team does not complete a stage, they are still in the race. Cars do not have to arrive at the finish line, only participants. Teams can participate in racing or touring categories.[2]

Route

The rally starts from Los Angeles travels south on the Baja peninsula to Cabo San Lucas and north back to Los Angeles. Teams drive either on the Sea Of Cortez side of the peninsula or on the Pacific Ocean side.

More than 4,000 kilometers are covered within 10 days.

Categories

Teams can enter in the competitive category where navigational points need to be reached and daily stages completed. It is a point race and not a timed event. In touring category teams travel at their own pace and there is no competition.

Charity

The Baja 4000 is primarily a charity event, that raises donations for abandoned children and orphans in Mexico through Corazon de Vida and children needing heart surgeries through Cardio Start.

Name Change

In the summer of 2018 the Baja 4000 changed its name to Baja XL to further differentiate itself from other rallies following the Baja + number format.

References
  1. "marathonrally.com -Budapest-Bamako: Participants gear up for world's largest Amateur Rally.-". www.marathonrally.com. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  2. "Baja 4000 Amateur Rally". Off Road Xtreme. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  3. "Baja4000 Release and Info - race-deZert.com". www.race-dezert.com. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  4. Budapest- Bamako. "Introducion Baja XL - New name. Same great people. Same great rally". Retrieved 9 February 2019 – via YouTube.
  5. "Budapest Bamako Rally – the story of Raphael". dailynewshungary.com. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2019.

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