For the past 20 years my dad, three brothers and myself have either "pre-run" raced in or spectated the Baja 1000. This years Baja 1000 was UGLY! My brother had is truck stolen, his friend had his YZ stolen at gunpoint, two of my friends had there vehicles broke into to. Even the locals are giving us crap for being there. They want our money and to steal whatever we have when we're down there. To top it off several racers were held at gunpoint right within viewing at the Mexico border crossing by men wearing black para-military outfits and were relieved of there expensive race vehicles and trailers. When I got back there was a hailstorm of other thefts and rapes reported on other websites. The police and Federales down there are also part of the problem and do nothing to stop the problem they just DGAF. Now Sal Fish who runs the Baja 1000 is being charged with murder by the Mexican government because several drug traffickers where killed in their helicoptor when they crashed into some powerlines during the race - it's is totally crazy. Anyhow that's it for me - no more Baja! Thanks for listening to my ranting!

Also check out this video:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/wor...ism.danger.cnn



Below is an email from the Hall family and there ordeal down there:

Last night our family made the decision to drive home at San Quentin. We felt fine, not tired and saw lots of chase and race teams on the road- heck, it was only another 5 hours to get into our own beds. The drive went just fine until we were 7 miles from the border. We were almost to the last toll booth in TJ when we were pulled over by “the police”. As soon as we stopped another car stopped in front of the truck and trailer blocking our path. At the same time this was happening the truck (our 2007 super duty and McMillin’s Weekend Warrior) were surrounded by men with guns, their faces covered. They stuck a gun to Chris’ head and pulled him out of the truck. They then proceeded to pull the kids out and stuck a gun in my side and told me to shut up and not move but to put my head down. The kids and Chris were stuck into the back seat of the truck with a man sitting next to Tyler (age 16, this week) who stuck a gun in his side for the next very long 2 hours. We were driven with our heads down and guns on us up into the hills above the area near La Playa. The gunmen yanked Chris out of the truck and made him disconnect the trailer and then finally shoved him back into the truck. There were 10 men, during this time they were ransacking the truck and trailer and taking everything including the jewelry off of our bodies. They pulled the GPS for the stereo out of the dash. We still had the gun men with guns stuck to our bodies. We were driven further up into some new development that was just graded. They first took Tyler out of the truck and shoved him to the side of the road. They then removed me and pushed me to the ground, I laid over Tyler as best as they would let me. They then covered us both with a sleeping bag and threw a pillow on us. At this point they brought Divinia and Chris around and forced them to the ground. We all told each other that we love each. Our truck drove away. We stayed there for about 10 minutes not moving. We then did a 1 ½ hour hike thru cactus, barbed wire down a mountain in the fog wearing our shorts tanks and flip-flops. We ended up on the south side of La Playa where we knocked on doors and rang security bells for over an hour before a very nice lady let us into her home and called the police. The La Playa police came and decided to hurry us out of the country, giving us a ride to the border. The customs and immigration folks were less than helpful and even less sympathetic to our situation. While they did let us walk into the US they would not let us use their phone, bathroom nor have a drink of water. They directed us to the McDonald’s for assistance.

So this is what happened. The rumors are close but this is the boiled down version of what transpired. Please be safe. After 25 years of the Baja we are done. We can replace material things; our greatest pleasure comes from our great kids. We consider ourselves blessed and lucky to be home and safe.

Our family is very sad to hear that there was so much loss of life this race. Our prayers are with those families. We wish those of you that continue with the great Baja racing tradition safe travels.

Chris, Debra, Divinia and Tyler Hall

 

Let me edit this since you added the other info...that is crazy...and I wouldn't return either. It sucks when a bunch of rejects ruin a good thing.

 

Wow - that'd turn anyone sour to it. Lucky to be alive, not to mention all their stuff stolen - that's expensive stuff. I hope they had insurance and can recover some at least.

 

Wow, who cares about material things when you get away with everyone alive!! Sounds pretty messed up.

 

Man. That is absolutely terrifying. I mean, the stuff can be replaced, but the peace of mind, the sense that their world is basically a good place, where you can go about your life without consantly being paranoid and looking over your shoulder is now gone for that family. That's really sad, especially for the kids. These experiences will be with them in their minds for the rest of their lives. Like they said, at least they escaped with their lives intact.

 

Whoa! I've heard stories about how crazy it is but never anything like this. Atleast they got away with there lives and hopefully their insurance will kick in. But in the grand scheme of things the kids will be freaked out by that for the rest of their lives.

 

Wow and why do I feel with all that is happening on the border and with all of the illegals in this country that this could be happening on our own soil soon if it isn't already> I have heard of some of this happening in Laredo Tx on the border. Just glad all are safe!

 

Like I always say, travel more. The US is a part of the world, not the center of it.

 

Your right, I'm just pissed right now.[:'(]

 

Mexico is just a corrupt cesspool thats backing up & flowing north!

Sorry to hear of your experence.