Zoom

The countdown to what is arguably the world's most unusual rally is running: On 21 November 2008, Volkswagen will start to the Baja 1000 in Mexico with a specially designed Touareg TDI for the first time.

Today, Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board for Technical Development of Volkswagen, unveiled the spectacular prototype for the race at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles. "We're extending our motorsport activities in North America by a pillar in off-road sport this way,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "By contesting the Baja 1000, we're committing ourselves to yet another discipline within the circle of the world's toughest motorsport events.”

If the Dakar Rally is the world's toughest rally, then the Baja 1000 in Mexico is its most unusual event: 630 miles – a little more than 1,000 kilometres – without any interruptions, constantly against the clock, on the most brutal terrain. The rules of engagement: there are but a few. The field: it ranges from the production VW Beetle to the 800-hp Trophy Truck in the Unlimited Class, added to which are two-wheeled vehicles and quads. Mark Miller, who is also part of Volkswagen's "Dakar” factory line-up, and his American compatriot Ryan Arciero will take turns at the wheel of the 550-hp off-road prototype – after all, 14 hours of driving time have been calculated for this distance.

The origins: Volkswagen marks the beginning of the Baja 1000
41 years ago, on 19 April 1967, the Baja 1000 started to its inaugural round on the Mexican peninsula Baja California. The first winners: Vic Wilson/Ted Mangels in the Meyers Manx Volkswagen, the forefather of all dune buggies. It took the two Americans 27 hours and 38 minutes to cover the distance, which broke the existing motorcycle record on the route from Tijuana to La Paz by several hours. This marked the beginning of two legends: the Baja 1000 evolved into America's most important off-road competition, comparable to the later fame acquired by the Dakar Rally in other parts of the world. And it marked the beginning of a long, successful tradition of Volkswagen products and assemblies at the Baja 1000.

The technology of the robust Beetle in the hand of privateers fighting for class victory has since remained unrivalled as many as 13 times – and continues to make its mark to this day. No less than eight vehicle classes today are still open to Volkswagen chassis, engines or complete vehicles from any model year and, to some extent, even expressly prescribe the use of this technology. This is good reason for Volkswagen to complement its factory commitment by an attractive promotional programme: in November 2008 some 100,000 U.S. dollars in prize money will be offered to the best drivers of these traditional vehicle designs.