To many off-road racers, the thought of racing cross country on a heavy utility ATV sparks humorous comments, and even laughter. Mention you’re considering racing the Baja 1000 on a utility ATV, and the reaction is tenfold.
Big 4x4 utility ATVs are not newcomers to racing, though, and the machines are certainly proficient at more than just plowing fields and hauling hay bales. Utility ATV racing has been a staple of the East Coast’s Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series for years, and off-road racing veteran, Mike Penland, has been racing utility ATVs in Baja just about as long as ATVs have been around.
When you think about it, racing these big ATVs in Baja makes good sense. They have independent rear suspensions that soften the rugged Baja terrain. Many utility machines have tall tires and 12 inches of ground clearance, which works far better through Baja’s notorious knee-deep silt beds — certainly more efficient than a straight axle sport quad design. There’s also far more storage space on Utility ATVs for items like tools and spare parts. On the other hand, the machines these guys are racing have been heavily modified. They weigh upwards of 700 pounds and have top speeds of over 80 mph. Staying focused on the trail ahead is key to surviving.
In more recent years the ATV manufacturers have recognized the potential for marketing the strength and endurance of their flagship big-bore 4x4 utility machines (now referred to as recreation/utility ATVs) by backing utility racers in Baja. Just a few years ago, Honda backed a team headed by ATV racing legend, Doug Eichner, on its Honda Rincon; Can-Am mounted a team on its Outlander 4x4 ATV led by factory racer Josh Frederick; and now Arctic Cat has jumped in the game by providing support for the Fines Double Racing Team on an Arctic Cat Thundercat.
The Fines Double Racing Team is led by Reid Rutherford, and includes racers Benn Vernadakis and Tony Valerio. All three are over 40 years old and call Colorado their home. They raced sport ATVs up until just a few years ago when Reid struck up a deal with the CEO of Arctic Cat to race the new 950cc V-twin Thundercat. Since then, the long distance racing has been non-stop and highly successful. The teams efforts even helped bring about an exclusive “utility class” to the ATV ranks, which started at the beginning of 2009.
The Baja series consists of three annual races – the San Felipe Baja 250, Baja 500 and Baja 1000. Currently, the Fines Double Racing Team leads the class with back to back wins in the 250 and 500. They’re preparing for the Baja 1000 now, which begins on November 19th in Ensenada, Mexico. They’ve also asked Trail Nation senior editor, Jeff Henson, and off-road racer, Jason Wade, to race with them at the Baja 1000, taking up some of the extra mileage that this race entails. Jeff plans to update the Trail Nation website daily on the team’s progress before and after the race during his ten-day stay. You’ll also be able to track the team’s position on your own computer via the magic of GPS (check back for details).
Back in June, the Trail Nation crew chased the Fines Double Racing Team for a week of fun and excitement at the Baja 500. You’ll be able to see the video footage on an upcoming episode of Trail Nation Television (see website schedule for times). But to tie you over for now, check out the Fines Double Racing Baja 500 photo diary by clicking the image to the right. We’ve got over 140 images of race preparation, the race itself and the always popular parade down contingency row. Enjoy the photos, and be sure to check back often as we get closer to full coverage of the 2009 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.