800 Miles Through the Baja Peninsula (and Thanksgiving Weekend Racing)

Happy turkey-eating season, race fans!

If you’re like me, you’re still embracing fall while your Christmas decorations remain in storage until after Thanksgiving (unlike some of my co-workers). But, before we know it, the ground will be white, temperatures up north will have dipped below zero and the sweet “braaap” of two-stroke racing sleds will fill the air.

Thanksgiving is a big weekend in the racing world, and I’m here to share what’s coming up “In the Staging Area.” But first, let’s check out what’s “On the Track.”

On the Track

51st Baja 1000

Today kicks off the 51st running of the Baja 1000, the most grueling off-road race on the planet. Roughly 300 racers in both Pro and Sportsman classes will cover nearly 807 miles in cars, trucks, UTVs and motorcycles while hitting five physical checkpoints and 192 virtual checkpoints. Racers start and finish in downtown Ensenada, Mexico, then encounter the unpredictable terrain that is the Baja Peninsula throughout the looped course. This year’s most dreaded section? A loop behind Catavina, Mexico, with silt and daunting hill climbs.

Three-time Baja 500 winner (and AMSOIL-sponsored driver) Bryce Menzies will take to the sand in the Trophy Truck category, while six-time rock crawling champion and veteran Baja 1000 competitor Brad Lovell will once again compete.

Want to know Brad’s take on running another famous south-of-the-border race? Check out this edition of the AMSOIL Signature Series on the NORRA 1000 race here.

video
play-sharp-fill

In the Staging AreaBryce Menzies, B

Sending it into Snocross

Thanksgiving weekend isn’t just about turkey leftovers and Black Friday deals. It also means the start to the 2018-19 Snocross season. The AMSOIL Duluth National kicks off Friday, Nov. 23 at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minn., with the AMSOIL DOMINATOR Race. Racers go head-to-head in this winner-take-all, bracket-style elimination tournament.

Who will take home the $10,000? Who will stand atop the podium at the end of the season? With Tucker Hibbert’s retirement, everything is up for grabs this season. Plus, the playing field had been leveled after last season’s controversial rule change. We’ll be around all weekend sharing all the behind-the-scenes action from race weekend. And check back to the blog for a recap of what went down.

Want to see what AMSOIL team mechanics do to get the sleds ready for race season? Check out their breakdown here.

Young Guns

Not many people are aware that Factory Connection also fields a pretty impressive amateur team. Carson Mumford, Jo Shimoda and Hunter Yoder have consistently landed atop the podium in big amateur events like the Monster Energy Cup, Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Nationals and the Thor Mini Olympics, which kickoff this Thanksgiving weekend in Alachua, Fla.

TransWorld Motocross recently chronicled the different paths these star amateur racers took to the top of the amateur motocross world. Check out the interview below.

video
play-sharp-fill
As always, stay up-to-date on all the AMSOIL action via FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

We’ll see you at the races!

automatic transmission issues

Do Transmission Fluid Additives Work? John Baker| Feb 26, 2024 9:04 AM Walk the aisles of most auto parts stores and you’ll find multiple “mechanic-in-a-bottle”-type additives that claim to restore transmission performance. The claims made typically include some variation of the following: • Frees stuck valves to improve shifting • Fixes transmission slipping • Restores smooth […]

Understanding Oil Viscosity Viscosity is the measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. _by David Hilgendorf|January 17, 2023 The physical properties of lubricants are measured by characteristics like viscosity, shear stability, high- and low-temperature performance, water resistance and volatility. Lubrication science seeks to optimize a lubricant’s performance by managing these properties using different base oils […]

Top 5 Skid Steer Maintenance Tips _by David Hilgendorf|September 29, 2023 Skid steers are built for tough construction, excavation, agricultural and other professional projects. Whether you’re clearing land, moving rocks or tearing down a wall, a skid steer is an excellent piece of equipment for many different jobs. But these nimble machines can be expensive […]

thermal runaway occurs when viscosity drops out and wear increases

How Often Should I Change Differential Fluid? Fluid change intervals depend on your vehicle, driving conditions and gear oil quality. Save time and cash first by improving the situation with this differential fluid solution! _by David Hilgendorf|Feb 26, 2023 A differential is a set of gears that allows a vehicle’s driven wheels to revolve at […]

New European oils for 2023 0W-30 and 10W-60

New AMSOIL Synthetic European Motor Oil Viscosities A new 10W-60 and 0W-30 for several BMW, Volkswagen and other fancy European cars. _by Brad Nelson|June 13, 2023 Those who know, know. The sophisticated engineering, finely-tuned performance and artistic styling of European cars can turn a daily commute into a grin-inducing experience. The design of these vehicles […]

EZ marine lower gear lube service

Service Marine Lower Units to Prevent Water Damage Preventing rust and other water-related problems in marine lower units. Most other Marine Gear Oils fail to make the grade. We learn more on that from our own customers when they make the switch. by David Hilgendorf|April 24, 2023 Water and gear lube don’t mix. Unfortunately, you […]