The longest-distance off-road race in 2025
Off-road racing has been a cornerstone of local culture since 1967, thanks to the peninsula’s unique geography, which invites families to enjoy the thrill of the sport on weekends. However, it’s been two years since Baja California Sur (BCS) participated in the Baja 1000, the region’s most traditional race, leaving a noticeable void for fans, drivers, and mechanics alike.
In a recent meeting at the municipal government palace, Loreto Mayor Paz Ochoa reaffirmed the administration’s support for PROBAJA, an organization dedicated to motor events since 2003. Led by its president and founder, Manolo Núñez, PROBAJA is set to launch the inaugural Loreto 500, scheduled for April 11 – 13. This exciting new race will begin in Loreto, the first capital of the Californias, with its first checkered flag in Ciudad Constitución before continuing overnight and concluding in La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur.
A groundbreaking addition to the event is the Data Logger, a technological innovation designed to enhance fairness and ensure healthy competition. The Loreto 500 will be the longest-distance race in Baja California Sur, structured in a two-stage format that adds a fresh dynamic to the off-road racing scene. Núñez emphasized that the success of such an ambitious project relies on community enthusiasm, meticulous organization, and institutional backing, including the mayor’s support.
The race is endorsed by key figures such as Salvador Carrillo, president of the Baja California Sur State Automobile Association; José Juan Islas, coordinator of the Loreto 500 in Comondú; and Maciel Acosta, leader of the Loreto Hotel Association and representative of the Loreto Tourism Trust. Spanning 560 kilometers (310.7 miles) of stunning terrain, the event has already drawn pre-registered drivers who have begun reconnaissance runs.
Motorcycles will start at 7:00 a.m. on April 12, followed by ATVs and cars at 9:00 a.m. Competitors will race to Ciudad Constitución, where they will pause before tackling the second stage to La Paz under a rally-style format, all within a single race day. While there are no closing times for intermediate checkpoints, strict cutoff times will be enforced for each stage. Stage 1 will end in Ciudad Constitución at 4:30 p.m. on April 12, and Stage 2 will conclude in La Paz at 4:30 a.m. on April 13.
A mechanical inspection will take place on Friday, April 11, from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. along the Loreto boardwalk, offering fans a chance to meet the drivers and get a close-up look at the vehicles. Additionally, renowned Loreto driver Stanley Burns will be honored as Grand Marshal for his outstanding off-road racing career, which includes victories in the Loreto 400 and the Baja 1000.
Mayor Ochoa acknowledged the deep passion Loreto’s people have for off-road racing, recognizing it as an integral part of their identity. She emphasized the sport’s role in strengthening community bonds, bringing families and friends together to celebrate victories and shared experiences. The Loreto 500 is poised to become an annual highlight, uniting the community through a shared love for racing and the beautiful land they call home.