Chasing the Baja 1000: A Creator’s Journey

My passion for cars has been with me since I was a kid, I have to blame my sister and my brother-in-law for that. They would take me to car shows, and I would help them fix their cars. But as I got older, that passion evolved. It grew into a love for the outdoors, camping, and off-roading. For me, being outdoors is where I feel most free. The Baja 1000 represented everything I loved, which is why the idea of chasing it had been on my mind for
years, but I was super hesitant about doing it.

Sometimes, when we get an idea, it’s easy to come up with reasons not to pursue it. I’ve been guilty of that too. But when the Baja 1000 came to mind, I asked myself, “What do I have to lose? I love this, so why not go for it?” I also have to blame my wife because she said I had to do it, after all, it was all I talked about.

From that moment, I started planning. I outlined what I wanted to document, how I wanted to approach it, and how to make it happen. But in all honesty, I had no idea where to start. I had never been to Ensenada, let alone knew anything about the race.

Building The Team

To bring this idea to life, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I reached out to my friend Ramón — someone I’d only known through social media. He was the one who first told me I should go shoot Baja. I was drawn to his work because it was all about racing, and he had years of experience in the Baja scene. As a native of Ensenada, he was a crucial part of the puzzle.

Now that I had someone to guide me, I needed someone to help film. If you know anything about racing, you know that as a chase truck, you’re constantly on the move. So I needed someone I could trust behind the camera. That’s where Jesús came in — an incredible filmmaker, friend, and cinematographer. He was essential because I’d be behind the wheel most of the time, and I needed someone who could capture it all with a creative eye.

My goal for this trip was to document my journey as a creator, filmmaker, and photographer pursuing a dream project — something that blended my love for content creation, the outdoors, and off-road adventures. Let me tell you: it was nothing like I expected.

Preparing For The Baja 1000

Let’s talk about the tools for the job. Besides my camera gear, I needed a chase truck, this is where my FJ Cruiser comes in. To me, a car is a representation of who you are — an extension of yourself. Having a vehicle that allows me to go places not everyone can reach is a must.

Adventure is thrilling because no matter how much you prepare, you never know what’s going to happen, and Baja was no different.

The day before the race, I left my hometown of Bakersfield, CA, and drove to Ensenada to prep the FJ for the grueling demands ahead. What I assumed would be a quick fix turned into a much bigger issue. Parts needed replacing, and the clock was ticking. It was already late, and finding the right part was a challenge. Fortunately, I managed to locate the last one in the city. After hours of work, we finally finished the repairs and installed extra lighting — driving at night in Baja is no joke.

By 8 p.m., we were ready, but we had to wait for Jesús to arrive from San Diego. I give a lot of credit to Jesús, after a long day on set, he still managed to travel from San Diego to Ensenada to be part of this.

Meanwhile, Ramón and I went to meet the team we’d be chasing — the Vera Brothers. Visiting their shop was unforgettable. The energy was electric, with race cars, logistics, and passionate people bringing the Baja 1000 to life before my eyes. Ramón, in charge of the GoPros, showed me a few tricks —like how he modified the cameras to record for hours on end, a must for a 24-hour race.

The Race Begins

After grabbing some tacos (a must in Ensenada), Jesús arrived around 11 p.m., and we set off into the night. At this point, I had been awake for 20 hours. I was exhausted, but the adrenaline and excitement kept me going.

Our first destination was two hours away, and driving through the night in Mexico felt surprisingly safe. The entire area was buzzing with race energy, pit stops, chase trucks, and spectators lined the route, creating a sense of community and excitement. Even the Mexican soldiers were excited. I remember being stopped at a checkpoint, and they asked us if we were chasing the race. I was a bit nervous, not going to lie, but I told them, “Yes, we’re chasing a team and heading to a checkpoint.” They seemed excited and let us pass.

Eventually, we veered off the road and went under a bridge, super sketchy, literally in the middle of nowhere, following Ramón to our campsite. It wasn’t until we started driving under the bridge that I realized we were on the actual race track! The terrain was challenging, and at one point, I thought we might roll over, but the FJ Cruiser came through. Exhausted, we set up camp and got a couple of hours of sleep.

At 4 a.m., I was awakened by the sound of a dirt bike engine in the pitch-black desert. The eerie sound in the middle of nowhere was both haunting and exhilarating. I couldn’t sleep after that. I got up, grabbed my camera, and prepared for the moment I had been waiting for.

Capturing the Magic

Stepping out of my rooftop tent, camera in hand, I felt a sense of joy I hadn’t experienced in a long time, I felt truly happy. Creating content in this environment was a dream come true. Jesús was tired, but a few minutes later, he joined me. We weren’t thrilled about the cold, but like any good creators, we started shooting.

As the sun rose, the desert came alive with activity. Dirt bikes, quads, and trucks roared past us, kicking up clouds of dust. I quickly realized I wasn’t fully prepared for how fast and intense this was about to become. The fine dirt coated everything, cameras, lenses, and gear. But none of that mattered. We were immersed in the moment, capturing shots of trophy trucks, helicopters chasing vehicles, and the raw energy of the race.

Another thing I really loved was the culture surrounding the race, seeing entire families with their kids, excited and cheering as the cars passed by.

Challenges Along the Way

After hours of shooting, we found out the Vera Brothers’ car had broken down. So we had to pivot — this was where our race truly began. Ramón and I rushed to their location to capture what had happened. One of the coolest things about Baja is how you can be at a checkpoint surrounded by ranches and houses, and then, after a twenty-minute off-road drive, arrive at the next checkpoint by the sea.

Somewhere around mile 120, they lost the transmission — a tough fix out there. Yet in just ten minutes, the team replaced it and got the car back in the race. Our journey continued with a three-hour drive to the next checkpoint, where Bruce, one of the drivers, would take over. The route was grueling and pitch-dark, with dangerous roads and no signal. At one point, I seriously thought we might be lost. But eventually, we spotted the glow of lights in the distance and knew we’d arrived. It was a powerful moment for me. As we neared, I thought, “This is incredible — we’re in the middle of nowhere, all here for the same purpose: to see this team finish the race.” We reached the pit stop just in time — ten minutes before the car arrived. Even Bruce was surprised we made it, and we were there to capture him getting into the car.

I kept imagining what it would be like in the driver’s seat. He was about to spend the night alone, hurtling through the desert. Just remembering that feeling sends a jolt of adrenaline through me. We waited for the car, standing only five feet from the track while vehicles roared past at 70 mph. Then the Vera Brothers’ car arrived, and about twenty crew members swarmed around it. Every second counted. But there was a problem: the starter wasn’t working. That meant if the car stalled in the desert, the driver would be stranded in freezing temperatures with no way to restart.

But Baja does something to you — it builds character. Racing here is a dream for many, myself included, so giving up wasn’t an option. They push-started the car, and off it went, undeterred. Despite every setback, the team’s sheer determination was unforgettable.

The End of My Race

By this point, exhaustion had taken its toll. Lack of sleep, adrenaline, and the intensity of the race environment had finally caught up with me. I decided to set up camp and call it a night because, given how tired I was, continuing would have put both myself and others at risk. As the desert quieted, I reflected on the experience.

The next morning, I found out that the Vera Brothers were still racing and close to winning. Although I didn’t finish the journey with them, I realized that my race had already been won. The growth, creativity, and adventure I experienced were the real rewards. To me, this was more than just a project, it was a life lesson about perseverance and believing in myself.

A Final Reflection

The Baja 1000 started as an idea, and by chasing it, I turned it into reality. If you’re reading this and have a dream or a goal, I encourage you to take action. It’s not about the end result, it’s about the journey and the growth that comes with it.

For fellow filmmakers and photographers, I urge you to pursue projects that ignite your passion. Remember why you started creating in the first place. Nurture that fire, because if you don’t, it will fade.

Life is like a race, you only have one lap. So go, pedal to the metal.