Baja Hosts Inaugural MTB Stage Race

July 22nd, 2010 12:36pm

If distance Mountain Bike racing and Mexican food is your thing, then add a new race to your schedule. The Baja Epic Stage race will feature more than 300 miles and 24,000 feet of climbing in its first year effort. But unlike the relenting reputation of La Ruta, or the financial and time commitment of Cape Epic, “The Baja Epic will be a little more fun than most existing stage races,” said Armando Carrasco, president of Too Much Fun Promotions, the race organizer. “Racers and guests will have the opportunity to stay at host hotels every night. Now you can suffer and recover among the beautiful Mexican hospitality. The event organizers will even pick up participants from the San Diego Airport and transport them to the start of event. Now that's service.... For more information visit BAJA Epic or call them at (619) 819-6323

More..... This event is attracting participants from North of the Border as well as Europe and South America, making it a global opportunity for brand exposure. “This is an incredible opportunity for European distance enthusiasts. The exchange rate of the dollar, the exotic locale of Mexico, and the warm weather compared to Europe in November makes this an ideal race for the end of the year,” said celebrity starter Hans “No Way” Rey. There are two packages of registration for the event: full package and economy. The full package racers will be transported by bus from the San Diego Airport to the start on the Playa Rosarito, and from stage to stage, while economy package entrants will provide their own transportation and lodging at each stage. Too Much Fun Promotions was founded in 1986 by Armando Carrasco, the former head promoter for the Baja Department of Tourism. Armando cut his teeth on events such as the Baja 1000 and the Rosarito-Ensenada, a 50-mile bicycle tour, and over the past two decades his company has organized hundreds of events in Baja. Specializing in motocross, mountain bike and beach events, Carrasco has built Too Much Fun into a successful business enterprise; with his experience and government contacts in Mexico, he is Baja’s promotional powerhouse.

An accomplished BMX racer in the late 70's, and experienced motocross racer, Carrasco has won 4 Baja State Motocross Championships, raced the Baja 250, 500 and the World famous Baja 1000. He resides in Rosarito Beach with his wife and two children and is a visible and upstanding member of the local business community. He started the "Montaña Grande" Mountain Bike Ride in Rosarito Beach. The first organized mountain bike event in Mexico, later founded the King of the Mountain, NITE RIDE in Tecate. With Too Much Fun’s history in the area, Carrasco’s intimate knowledge of the geography, and his bike industry contacts and marketing savvy, the Baja Epic was destined to become a success. With strong connections to the cycling world, Carrasco will draw past, present and future stars to the Baja Epic MTB Race.

The event is scheduled November 5-8, 2008. It will start and finish in Rosarito Beach, but will definitely include the Cities of Tecate and Ensenada. The course will highlight Baja’s diverse geography—from beach to high alpine to desert terrain. The Baja EPIC has many allures: a chance to race in an exotic locale; a destination that’s easily accessible for American athletes (racers will fly into San Diego and be shuttled to the start by organizers); an epic physical test for everyone from world class racers to accomplished amateurs; and the organization of a company that has earned a reputation for excellence over the last 20 years. The appetite for off-road stage races is still growing. The Trans Alp challenge in Europe, Cape Epic in South Africa and Trans Rockies in Canada are a few that have continued to grow over the last few years.

Response to the concept of The Baja Epic has been overwhelmingly positive. More than 100 pro and amateur racers have given positive RSVPs for the debut event in 2008. The mountain bike community is technically savvy, with an active internet community that creates buzz for new events. Word about the Baja Epic will travel fast. The State of Baja California is 100 percent behind the event and is cooperating in every way for a flawless event. Get ready. The first annual Baja Epic starts at 6 a.m. in Rosarito Beach on November 5th, 2008. See you there.