2024 LOS ANCIANOS TECATE ENDURO

ENTRANT INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

Welcome to the Legendary Los Ancianos Tecate Enduro. The club has worked very hard to provide a fun and especially challenging modern Enduro for you. This race will be run under Los Ancianos Baja California rules.   The event will be held at Hacienda Santa Veronica near the hotel.  It is imperative that you read and understand these rules and requirements! There will NOT be a formal RIDERS MEETING before the race.

SIGN-IN, HOTEL, CAMPING, PARKING, and SECURITY: The Hacienda Santa Veronica hotel may be charging a fee to camp so be prepared to pay at the gate! Space is limited so remember it is first come first served. Be respectful and do not block off large areas we need to give a chance to as many racers as possible to be in the area.  As at any event, North or South of the border, you should lock your bikes, vehicles etc. up for extra security.

THOSE WITH ROOMS:  When you check in to get your room you MAY be given a wrist band and parking sticker to put on the mirror of your vehicle. That allows you to go in and out at will. If you are sharing a room, a second vehicle, you might be given a second free parking sticker. More than that talk to Joannie Ellis. 

REGISTRATION: It will be in the restaurant at Hacienda Santa Veronica on Friday afternoon, around 4pm.  Late Sign Up will be race morning inside the restaurant about 6am. Your sign-up package will include your race bike numbers and tags for your filled gas can.  You MUST run the supplied race numbers to be scored. If you did not pay for a spot, on October 23^rd  (sign up day online) you will likely be turned away. We sell out fast and we get very few cancellations.

RIDER/COURSE/PIT INFORMATION

COURSE IS CLOSED. NO PRERUNNING!  There is a PRACTICE TRACK.  The only riding allowed in the Hacienda Veronica area is to the start and to the practice areas. The PRACTICE TRACK is marked with arrows for ONE WAY riding only.  ANY RIDING on the Enduro course before the start or outside the PRACTICE area is forbidden.   Any riders seen riding outside the practice area in the Veronica area may be DISQUALIFIED and not allowed to start the race.  Follow the arrows marked “start” within Hacienda Veronica to the starting area.  Also follow the arrows marked “PRACTICE” to the practice area. Practice track will close prior to 6:45am on race day!

There are 3 Loop/Tests of 20-35 miles each. Each loop is an individual timed test section.      Riders in the over-60-year-old class (Masters), Sportsman and the Women’s class, have completed their race at the end of Loop/Test #2.  All other classes must finish all three Loop/Tests to complete their race.  The combined cumulative time for all required Loop/Test sections is the rider’s score.  Lowest score wins. 

Riders will start at one-minute intervals, four riders per minute.   Each rider will be assigned a “key” start time for each required Test/Loop.  Masters and Women will have 2 key/start times.   All others will have 3.  For all riders, your scoring time begins on your assigned key starting minute, even if you are late to the start check.  That is your penalty for being late. 

LOOP/TEST STARTING CHECKS: There will be FOUR RIDERS starting on the same minute. The first digit(s) OF YOUR RACE NUMBER is your STARTING MINUTE/ROW. The LAST digit is the rider identification number.   For example, rider number “12” starts on the first minute/row and is the second rider on that line. Rider number “431” starts on the 43^rd minute/row and is the first rider on the line.  All riders will be timed and scored individually. The four riders on Line #1 will start Loop/Test #1 at Veronica, at EXACTLY at 7:01:00 AM. 

1. Loop/Test #1 will start at Santa Veronica behind the tennis courts and finish at the remote pit. Your gas will be transported to the remote pit.  Mag 7 MAY be there to provide limited mechanical/pit assistance there, and there will be water and snacks available. If possible, have a pit crew ready to assist you. Your pit crew will have access if you want to have a truck meet you at the pit, the road will be marked for them to find you. A high clearance vehicle is highly recommended to access the remote pit.

2. Loop/Test #2 will Start and Finish at the remote pit, your gas will be there. Water and light snacks for riders will be provided at the end of Loop/Test #2.

3. Loop/Test #3 will start at the remote pit and will finish at Hacienda Santa Veronica.

There will be short rider breaks, 25 &40 minutes between Loop/Test sections to refill hydration, eat, and gas.  Exact break times will vary depending on when you finish your test against your key time.

CRITICAL!  Your bike MUST be capable of 45 race miles on one tank of gas 75 if you don’t fuel in between each test. If it’s not, you better carry extra fuel. We will haul your filled gas can to the remote pit if your tagged non-leaking can is on a gas trailer by 6:00AM on race day.  If it’s not, you better be good at begging.

REMOTE PIT/RIDER SUPPORT: The only gas available to you on the entire 90+- mile course is your own supplied gas that we will haul to the remote pit or your pit crew.  The gasoline must be in a marked container that DOES NOT LEAK and loaded onto one of the designated gas trailers.  If your container is visibly leaking when you bring it to the loading area, we will NOT carry it.  Your gasoline MUST BE LOADED BEFORE 6:00AM on race day as once the Los Ancianos gas vehicles leave at 6:00AM there will be no way to get your gas to the remote pit unless your pit crew brings it.  After the pit area is closed your gas containers will be bought back to the same staging area at Veronica. 

HOURING OUT – IMPORTANT!  If, at any point in the event, should a rider fall ONE HOUR OR MORE BEHIND their assigned “key” start time for the next succeeding Loop/Test, that rider has “HOURED OUT”, and will not be allowed to start the next Loop/Test.  

Loop/Test #3 has very technical sections. It is almost 35 miles long and requires lots of endurance and a very high degree of riding skill.  If you are close to being late on your Loop/Test #3 starting minute, very fatigued, and/or mentally tired, please, please use your best judgment and DO NOT start Loop/Test #3.  We don’t want to have to go find you in the dark.  Loop/Test #3 will have some “bail outs” in the second half of the Test. DO NOT START LOOP 3 IF YOU ARE FATIGUED.

Only a rider that officially finishes all class-required loop/test sections without houring out will be considered eligible for a trophy.  Any rider that finishes their required race distance under their own power AND ahead of sweep will be eligible for a finisher pin.

If a sweep rider catches you during the sweeping of the course, you are DONE and will be escorted back to the pits or start finish.

DEAD ENGINE STARTS: Dead engine starts at EVERY Test section start. All riders must push their bikes into all starting areas.   They will line up, with their engines off, and start their engines immediately AFTER the green flag drops for their start minute.  If you have trouble with your engine starting, immediately push off to the side and continue your efforts there..

LATE TO YOUR START: If you are late for your starting minute for any loop/test section, proceed to the LATE RIDER LANE on the right side of the starting line.  You must STOP to have your number recorded.  You will be allowed to start immediately after the next line of riders starting on their correct minute. If you do not stop, you will have 5 MINUTES added to your  time. 

There will be a sign at the start of each loop/test section indicating the number of the loop/test section. The sign will also indicate the total length in miles of this test section. The course will be mileage-marked every five miles, or closer depending on the location. There may be signs indicating the name of this particular section of the course.

At the remote pit, there will be signs directing you to the start of the next loop/test.   You will have to watch your time to make sure you are not late for your “key” start time for each loop. We will have a clock there for your reference.

LOOP/TEST FINISH CHECKS: The finish checks will funnel entering riders into a SINGLE LANE. Please use some SELF RESTRAINT when entering the funnel to not take out the check markings or our check workers.                                            

You MUST STOP at the timing line to have your number and time recorded. We are using computers and a manual backup to record your number and give you your correct time. You should be stopped for only a few seconds.

Only proceed when directed by the check worker.  Remember your number in case you lose your front number plate, or your number is not readable. We will ask for it. If you do not STOP and continue through the stop, we will not be able to record your number and time and we will NOT BE ABLE TO SCORE YOU for the race.

COURSE CUTTING: Any rider found racing off the marked course, taking a SHORT CUT, shall be immediately DISQUALIFIED.  Any PROTESTS must be made in writing to the club RACE DIRECTOR before the end of the day. GPS EQUIPMENT will not be allowed on the motorcycles in the race and must be removed prior to starting or it will be removed by the start/check workers.

COURSE MARKINGS AND SAFETY

MARKING DISPLAY: While lined up for the start of the race there will be a large board displaying the club arrows with descriptions of how they at used to mark the course. It will be to your advantage to familiarize yourself with the course race markings.

The course is marked primarily by orange LOS ANCIANOS club arrows on a black background. Some fluorescent pink ribbon is used as needed to confirm the course between arrows.

The ANGLE of the ARROW indicates the direction and sharpness of the turn. We are now using part of the Caselli Foundation standard format where there is ALWAYS a SINGLE arrow AT the turn. When there is a sharp turn off a high-speed section, there may be two, or even three then two arrows staked as a “countdown” in the approach the turn i.e. 3-2-1 or just 2-1 depending on the severity of the turn. Where possible the arrows will be on the “right” side of the course and on the outside of corners.

Single or multiple ARROWS pointing straight down are marking a DANGER on the course.  We are not kidding when we mark danger – slow down – pay extra attention!

There is “W” wrong way markers where other trails/roads intercept the racecourse. If you overshoot and go off the marked course, be extremely careful about getting back on the correct course – DO NOT RIDE BACKWARDS ON THE COURSE! If you are seen doing this, you will be DISQUALIFIED!

There will be several road crossings on the course. There will be a sign “ROAD Xing” before the road. A Los Ancianos club member or volunteer will man these crossings. Traffic on the road has PRIORITY!   We cannot guarantee that vehicles on the road will stop for the race, so unless you want to become a hood ornament, slow down and proceed as directed by those manning the crossing. You may have to stop, or you may be directed to proceed.

The approach to both start and finish checks will be marked with signs indicating CHECK AHEAD. Be prepared to stop! We will appreciate you not running over one of our course workers or taking out the course markings at the check.

BAIL OUTS: The racecourse makes several major road crossings.  These will be manned.  If you are hurt, fatigued, dehydrated, or cramping, please use common sense and stop there.  Riders will escort you safely back to Veronica.  It’s only going to get tougher.   Don’t be stupid.  If you have a problem, it becomes our problem, and Sweep will have to get you out.

SWEEP:  This time of year, daylight is limited.  Sweep must clear the entire course before dark.  If a rider, or riders, are not progressing quickly enough to remain ahead of the sweep riders, Sweep may elect to escort the rider or riders off the course and direct them back to Veronica on the roads.  This will be at the discretion of Sweep.

MEDICAL: We will have teams of medical personnel, EMTS, and certified Paramedics on the course during the race. They will be carrying radios and medical support supplies. Also, we will have ambulance services available, but they are primarily transport services.

If you are injured, or come upon an injured rider, get yourself, or the injured rider, and the motorcycle OFF THE COURSE.  DO NOT MOVE an injured rider if it appears there is a NECK OR BACK INJURY. If this is the case stay and direct the approaching riders around the injured rider. In any case STOP the first rider that comes to the injury site, give them the bike number, how serious of injury and the approximate course mileage/location of the injury.  At any check, or Los Ancianos member with a RACE OFFICAL number plate on their motorcycle, give this injury information to them so that they can radio for medical assistance.

If you have a mechanical problem, or cannot continue riding, get yourself and your motorcycle off the course so as not to become a potential accident site. Do not attempt to find your way back by yourself.  Wait for the Sweep and they will get you back.

SCORING REQUIREMENTS:  This event does not require timing equipment and calculations to maintain set average speeds.  We will NOT be using TRANSPONDERS.

We will post un-official results at the race as soon as we have the data from the last timed test section calculated. We request that if you think you are a potential winner to please stay until the results are posted. We intend to have a presentation to the winning rider and the winning team at Veronica after the race.

Official results will be posted on the Los Ancianos website, www.losancianos.com, and the Los Ancianos Group on Facebook.

If you are here and it’s time to sign up refresh this page and the link to sign up will be available. Or go to https://www.losancianossignups.com/

Here is the entry list/starting order for this years race. It is a file attachment you will need to open. If there is something legitimately incorrect that NEEDS change you can email lamcracesignup@gmail.com. Please do not message me directly as it convolutes the process. Thank you

We are bringing back the Sportsman class after not utilizing it for quite a few years. This is an open/all ages class that only does 2 of the 3 loops. Finishers will still receive a finishers pin and it is trophy eligible. This class is intended for riders of any age who want to participate in our race but are not Strong A/EXPERT riders or they are racing in Tecate for the first time and want to gauge their abilities and the terrain. If you are unsure where you stand in skill level or you are aware that you are not a strong A(EXPERT) rider then please enter this class. There are extensive safety issues involved with riding in a class above your skill level, so please be self aware when signing yourself up in the any race class.

Current classifications

PRO – Invite only/Pros only

Open A – All ages Expert

Vet – 30-39 Expert

Senior – 40-49 Expert

Super Senior – 50-59 Expert

Masters – 60-69 Expert

Sportsman – All ages Strong B/Weak A riders

Women – All ages Pro/Expert

Read completely!! These are Directions to Hacienda Santa Veronica from the Tecate border crossing ESPECIALLY for people with RV’s and large trailers. We have had some issues with the municipal police about taking RV’s and large trailers down the usual route through town. I have been pulled over personally with my 20′ toy hauler and we want to avoid these issues with you guys as much as possible.

1. Cross through the border and take the first or second left.
2. Then take your first right
3. Follow the road down through the stop signs and take a left after the McDonalds
4. Stay left at the fork and this will take you into the roundabout by the new Walmart.
5. Continue East as you normally would

See google maps directions below. Save this link and put it in your phone. If you are not driving a RV or have a large trailer you can just take the main drag to the roundabout.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.5764087,-116.6274968/Hacienda+Santa+Veronica/@32.5510749,-116.3060016,57519m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-116.6258662!2d32.5722187!3s0x80d912b95f87e075:0x1e5dfc596ec7d00c!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0xcce5146d3662b4ca!2m2!1d-116.3615299!2d32.4588242!3e0?entry=ttu

2023 Tecate Enduro

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a VALID PASSPORT to drive back into the US from BAJA? – It’s the fastest way to get back. For USA citizens, a Passport Card will also suffice and gives access to the Northbound Ready Lane in San Ysidro and OTAY. If all you have is your driver’s license and a certified copy of your birth certificate, you will get back into the country, but you may be sent to Secondary Inspection.

2. Can I bring gas in cans into Mexico? – NO, only what is in your tanks. They won’t let you dump it in your truck, they will send you back to the USA. Buy it at one of the many gas stations on your way through Tecate. Better gas anyway, no ethanol.

3. Do I need to show registration for my bike to get it into Mexico? – ABSOLUTELY! It MUST be original (not a copy), current, valid registration. And definitely NOT a pink slip. Be sure you have no more bikes than passengers. 

4. Do I need Mexican auto insurance? – Yes! Regular U.S. insurance is not recognized by the authorities in Mexico. You can easily buy and print out a policy online from www.BajaBound.com Mexican Insurance. They are also a sponsor of Los Ancianos, so show them some support!

5. Should I enter this event? Not if you are a Novice, weak B or C Rider, because you will likely hour-out early on. If you are a solid and tough B rider, or above, yes. Tests will increase in difficulty with #3 being the most technical.

6. Where will it start? Hacienda Santa Veronica, Tecate, Baja California (Google it). Pre-running is prohibited.

7. What time will it start? First key time 7:01AM 12/2/2023.
8. What is the format? 3 Timed Test Sections of 20-35 miles each. Total of ~90 miles (+/-). (Masters and Women do first 2 sections only).  Total cumulative time for all tests is your score. Lowest score wins.
9. What is the start format? 1 Minute intervals x 4 riders on a minute. No exceptions.  You will be assigned a key time for each Test. You can arrive early to an entrance check, but if you are late your race time has already started at your key time. You must stay within an hour of an average speed to avoid houring out.  Engines off while waiting in line.  DEAD engine start at all starts and checks.

10. How is starting order determined? We will start everyone in groups by class, fastest

classes first. NEW: The first 5 rows of each class will be reserved for the top 20 entrants who also raced the 2022 Enduro. Starting order for those 20 will be based on their 2022 finishing order. From row 6 and beyond starting order will be determined by date of registration/entrance/signup.

11. What classes? PRO, Open A(Expert), Vet (30 and >), Sr (40and >), Super Sr (50 and >), Master (60 and >), Sportsman, Women

12. NEW CLASS ADDITION! – We are bringing back the Sportsman class after not using It for quite a few years. This is an open/all ages class that only does 2 of the 3 loops. Finishers will still receive a finishers pin and it is trophy eligible. This class is intended for riders of any age who want to participate in our race but are not Strong A/EXPERT riders or they are racing In Tecate for the first time and want to gauge their abilities and the terrain. If you are unsure where you stand in skill level or you are aware that you are not a strong A(EXPERT) rider then please enter this class.  

13. Can I enter more than one class? – Nope.
14. Can I request to ride on the same minute with my friends? Yep. With up to 3 other entrants (presuming you have that many friends who will ride with you). If you want to do this send an email to lamcracesignup@gmail.com after all of you have successfully entered and paid.  We will try to accommodate your request.  You will all start in the class that corresponds with the slowest class member in your group.

15. How much does it cost? Pre-entry: $200 plus tax. The race sells out in an hour or two. So, if you do not get in, email us at lamcracesignup@gmail.com to be put on the wait list. Entry Includes a T shirt, water/snacks and we will haul your gas to the remote pit. NO REFUNDS AFTER NOV. 20th, NO EXCEPTIONS.

16. How do I enter? ALL entries will be made electronically, link will be posted on our website www.LosAncianos.com and on our Facebook page. Only these electronic entries will be valid.  You must be prepared to pay with a credit/debit card at the time of registration.  Entries NOT paid at time of registration will not be valid.

NOTE: Pro Entries will be NOT be online.  PROs Contact Matteo Paxson at Paxsonic@gmail.com Only Pros please
17. When do entries open? The Enduro’s electronic entry form will open at 6:00pm(PDT) October 25th, 2023. The direct link to the entry form will be published at www.losancianos.com and on our Facebook Group. 

18. When do entries close? Electronic entries close at 11:59pm October 25th 2023! or when maximum rider limit (300) is met. Usually within an hour or two…
19. Purse for PRO class? Yes, Thanks to our generous sponsors the Pro Class we will award $2500 for 1st Place, $1000 for 2nd Place, and $500 for 3rd.
20. How many Trophies? We award one trophy for every six riders in a class. Ex: 18 in the class, trophies to 3rd.
21. Where will it go? Enter. Show up where we tell you to. Start on time. Follow the orange LAMC club arrows.

22. How long is it? ~90 miles (+/-) Three (3) 20-35 mile tests which increase in difficulty. All entrants except MSTR (60) and Women and Sportsman, must ride all 3 tests to successfully finish. MSTR, Sportsman and Women ride 1st & 2nd tests only. If you ride the full required course and do not hour out or get caught by sweep, you will receive a finisher pin
23. How far does my bike have to go on a tank of gas? 45 trail miles at race speed. 75 if you want to skip a pit stop. We highly recommend you fuel up at each pit.
24. Will there be gas on the trail? No but you will be able to pit at the end of each test.
25. Will my gas be hauled for me?  Yes.
26. Is lunch included? There will be plenty of water and snacks at the end of test 1 & 2.

27. Will the event be cancelled in the event of weather? No. But we would then expect less finishers and less dust.

28. Scoring. Your time starts at your key time, your time ends when you cross the finish of each check. Accuracy to 1 second. Any ties will be decided by who had more section wins between the tied riders.

29. Other Questions? – email Matteo – paxsonic@gmail.com or post your questions to the Los Ancianos Motorcycle Club Facebook Group.  If your question may be of interest to other riders use Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LosAncianos/ Questions about your entry, cancellations, etc. email lamcracesignup@gmail.com

30. Where will info updates be made available? Competitors will receive entry confirmation via email. In addition, you can check for updates on the site & Facebook.   Rider entry packet including your race numbers will be provided at the event onsite registration.