For this week's final video blog dedicated to the sights and sounds of what is arguably the world's most dangerous off road race, we find two trophy trucks drifting in the sand as two wild horses almost get turned into glue during this year's Baja 500. The sky is beautiful and the color of the dirt is even pretty in its own way. Then the camera catches the cars close up as they blow by some spectators who have a perfect view of these bad ass trucks kickin' up dust.
While flipping through the channels on my TV this week, I saw an advertisement for the show "Jesse James is a Dead Man" on Spike TV. This particular week's episode was about Jesse's preparation to race in the Baja 500, an off road race that is often considered the most dangerous race in modern times. So with this enticement, I've decided to feature my log this week to the notorious Baja races.
For the uninitiated , The Baja 500 is an off road race that takes place in Ensenada, Mexico and encompasses motorcycles, ATVs, and trophy trucks. The race winds through cities, deserts, mountains and cliffs, and the race typically takes about 9 hours to complete. Its dangerous reputation comes not only from its off road atmosphere but also from potential set-ups such as booby traps, sand dunes, water and pits along the way. This race has been responsible for multiple deaths of both drivers and spectators, and is breath taking both in concept and execution.
This video here is a compilation of Baja 500 races past, and it features the variety of vehicles that participate in the race including motorcycles, ATVs and trophy trucks. It's a fun little promo for what Baja 500 is all about, but trust me it isn't all fun jumps and sand dust. This week we will get to see both the good, the bad, and the ugly of what Baja is all about.
(Credit:
Dvice)
As many carmakers try to outdo each other with cutting-edge technologies, we may be seeing a the beginnings of a trend to take accessories back in time, at least where design is concerned.
That makes sense, especially for those of us who appreciate vintage cars but can't stand the jarring appearance of a new digital radio ruining the aesthetics of a '57 Chevy's dashboard. Companies such as RetroBelt have figure this out with products like its "Retro Sound" sound system, and now Becker has done them one better by adding GPS features to a retro stereo of its own.
In addition to the navigation, the classically pinstriped "Mexico 7948" (we're don't understand the name either) includes an MP3 player, iPod connection, voice recognition, and Internet access, according to Dvice. It's available in Europe now, though a U.S. version is planned for release this year. But at an estimated $2,300, it might better to just buy a new car.
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