Quick Summary
- Race start: Friday, Nov 13, 2026, from San José del Cabo (Los Cabos), Baja California Sur. Awards are Sunday, Nov 15
- The golden rule: Stay at least 100 ft (30 m) from the course, behind something solid, and never on the outside of a turn
- Speeds: Trophy trucks can pass spectators at over 100 mph
- Track it live: SCORE Live Tracking (GPS), the SCORE App, SCORE TV and live results at results.score-international.com
- Course map: Not released yet. We’ll add viewing areas when SCORE publishes the route
- Pack: Water, food, sun protection, layers, a full tank of fuel and an offline map
Watching the Baja 1000 isn’t like going to a circuit. There are no grandstands and no fences, just open desert and race vehicles coming at triple-digit speeds. For 2026, the 59th running starts and finishes in Los Cabos, and it’s the first course to run entirely within Baja California Sur. This guide covers SCORE’s official spectator rules, how to follow the race live and what to take out on the course.
SCORE’s Spectator Safety Rules
These come straight from SCORE International’s official Spectator Guide. They aren’t optional. People have been hurt and killed watching desert races.
| Rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Park and stay at least 100 ft (30 m) from the course | Race vehicles can leave the course at speed, especially over bumps and in dust |
| Never stand on the outside of a turn | That’s where vehicles go when they slide wide or lose control |
| Stand behind protection, with an escape route | Rocks, hills or your own parked vehicle can shield you |
| Never drive on the course, in either direction | Racers won’t expect you, and dust hides oncoming traffic |
| Don’t walk on, beside or across the course | Cars and motorcycles run through the day and night |
| No ATVs, motorcycles, bicycles or UTVs within 100 ft | Keeps the course and its edges clear |
| Keep kids under 16 with an adult at all times | Children must never play within 100 ft of the course |
| Leave pets at home, or keep them leashed | A loose dog on course is a serious hazard |
| Don’t abuse alcohol or drugs | Judgment and reaction time matter out here |
| Obey race officials | They know where the danger points are |
Never dig holes, build jumps or place obstacles on the course. “Booby-trapping” the course endangers racers and spectators, and it is taken extremely seriously.
How to Follow the Race Live
| Tool | What you get | Where |
|---|---|---|
| SCORE Live Tracking | GPS position of every race vehicle on the course map (powered by TrackLeaders) | score-international.com/liveTracking.php |
| SCORE App | Tracking, news and updates on your phone | App Store / Google Play: search “SCORE International” |
| SCORE TV | Live video and highlights | scoremediahouse.com and SCORE’s YouTube channel |
| Live results | Unofficial timing and results by class | results.score-international.com |
Pro tip: keep live tracking open at your viewing spot. You’ll see which trucks are coming and how far away they are. Cell signal is patchy in the backcountry, so check it before you head out and keep an offline map downloaded.
2026 Race-Week Schedule
| Date (2026) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 24 | Pre-running opens |
| Mon, Nov 9 | Registration (qualifying teams only) |
| Tue, Nov 10 | Qualifying and registration |
| Wed–Thu, Nov 11–12 | Registration, technical inspection and contingency |
| Fri, Nov 13 | Race start |
| Sun, Nov 15 | Awards |
Start times, the start/finish venue and the contingency location haven’t been published yet. We’ll update this table as soon as SCORE releases them.
Where to Watch
SCORE hasn’t released the 2026 course map yet. We’ll publish a dedicated “where to watch” guide, with road-access spots near Los Cabos, once the route is official. Until then:
- The start and finish in Los Cabos will be the easiest places to see the race without a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
- Road crossings near paved highways usually draw crowds. Arrive early, park well clear, and follow the 100-ft rule.
- Remote sections need a high-clearance vehicle, a spare tire and full supplies. Don’t go alone.
What to Bring
- Plenty of water and food. SCORE specifically asks spectators to be self-sufficient
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses) and layers for cool desert nights
- Dust protection: a bandana or mask, and eye protection
- A headlamp or flashlight if you’ll stay after dark
- A full tank of fuel, a spare tire, and offline maps
- Cash in pesos for roadside food and supplies
- A trash bag. Leave your spot cleaner than you found it
Last Year’s Winners (2025)
The 58th Baja 1000 in 2025 ran as an 835.52-mile loop out of Ensenada. Christopher Polvoorde and Bryce Menzies won overall in the #94 Ford Raptor Trophy Truck in 15:48:24. In motorcycles, Tyler Lynn, David Kamo and Carter Klein won overall on the #7x SLR Honda in 17:55:39, on the 854-mile motorcycle course.
FAQ
When does the 2026 Baja 1000 start?
The race starts Friday, Nov 13, 2026, in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur. Awards are Sunday, Nov 15. Official start times haven’t been published yet.
How close can you stand to the Baja 1000 course?
SCORE says to park and stay at least 100 feet (30 meters) from the course at all times, behind protection and never on the outside of a turn.
How can I track the Baja 1000 live?
Use SCORE Live Tracking at score-international.com/liveTracking.php, the SCORE App, SCORE TV at scoremediahouse.com, and live results at results.score-international.com.
Is the 2026 Baja 1000 course map out?
Not yet. SCORE hadn’t released the 2026 course as of September 2026. We’ll publish viewing spots once it’s official.
Who won the 2025 Baja 1000?
Christopher Polvoorde and Bryce Menzies won overall in the #94 Ford Raptor Trophy Truck in 15:48:24, on an 835.52-mile course out of Ensenada.
Baja 1000 Trip Planner
- Flying to Los Cabos + where to stay for the Baja 1000
- Things to do in Los Cabos during race week
- 2026 SCORE Baja 1000: event page, dates and schedule
- Los Cabos start/finish: venue page
- Full 2026 Mexico racing calendar
- Mexico race tracks and venues
- Driving into Mexico for a race: permits and insurance
- Is it safe to attend a race in Mexico?
- Trackside packing list (incl. Mexico City GP bag rules)
- Trip cost calculator
- Which Mexican race should you go to?
Sources: SCORE International – Spectator Guide (PDF) · SCORE – Spectator safety · SCORE – Live Tracking · SCORE – 2026 Baja 1000 announcement · SCORE – 2025 Baja 1000 winners · Engine Builder – 2025 winners · Cycle News – 2025 motorcycle results · SCORE – 2026 schedule (PDF, June 30, 2026). Facts verified September 2026.