After A Year Hiatus, The South-Of-The-Border Rock Race Returns.
Story and Photo Provided By: Ultra4 Racing
Baja brings out the best in people: teams, racers, cars, and staff. The 2021 El Rey de Las Bajas was no exception. All classes battled a challenging 22-mile loop course full of rocks, silt, sand, whoops, and fierce competition. Other full chassis classes pulled off 4 and 5 laps of this punishing course, but the Can-Am 4900 UTV competitors had to crush it during just 3 laps (66 mile) in the harsh San Felipe desert.
ULTRA4 Racing is known for vehicles that can race multiple types of terrain with power and authority. The “Swiss Army Knife” of off-road racing, this course challenged the desert racing side of things. Round 1 of the Western series challenged rocks in Moab, UT, but San Felipe threw heat, sand, ruts, whoops, and rock at the drivers. All courses are designed to challenge different aspects of the cars. Qualifying was a 1-mile sprints through pieces of all these elements to see who would have clear air and who would eat DUST. Clear air was a precious advantage with so many cars in each race.
The Can-Am 4900 UTV class pole was taken by Josh Smith once again (Josh was the Area BFE Beatdown pole winner in Moab), followed by Cole Clark, and Jacob Versey.
Race day started with a beautiful sunrise, the sounds of the ocean, and the smell of tacos as races enjoyed a later start than normal. The AM race was a combination of the 4500, 4800, 4900, and 4600 classes. While all classes were on course togethers, racers were only racing others in their class for position. The other classes were just obstacles.
In the second group off the line was the Can-Am 4900 UTV class. While a smaller group of racers than in other races, the best of the best showed up for San Felipe. Ripping off the line, their machines were built for this type of terrain. In a fun twist, Race Director JT Taylor removed all bypasses for the 4900 UTV class as the cars are getting more and more capable in the rocks. These guys ran the exact same course as the 4400 Unlimited class. The Blonde Ambition himself, Jacob Versey, powered his way to the top of the podium, following up a strong showing at Moab in April. Hot on his heels was Josh Smith, this event’s pole sitter, getting his 2nd straight podium. Rounding out the podium was veteran Travis Zollinger in his single seater.
To earn National Championship points, driver must compete in KOH as well as Nationals (October 15th and 16th in Reno, NV), plus at least 3 regional races. The 2021 El Rey de Las Bajas was a thrilling second race in the West region and has really tightened the battle for points in all the classes. Next up is the North series opener in Broadview, Montana, June 10 – 13, followed quickly by the East Round 2 at Adventure Off Road Park in East Pittsburg, Tennessee on June 25 – 26.
