Steve Hengeveld and Kendall Norman went to war as they raced into the night section of the BAJA 1000 and made history with the closest physical race in recent memory.

The highly anticipated battle of 2009 lived up to every bit of hype leading up to this 42nd annual BAJA 1000 because there were great races in almost every bike class. Starting with the open pro class 22 it came down to around :30. The amazing difference is that this time gap was on a physical basis, meaning TEAM GREEN was in the sights of Norman’s JCR prepped HONDA 450x for most of the last 171 miles of night racing. JCR and Norman used the strategy of keeping “your friends close and your enemies closer”. Norman simply allowed Hengeveld to pace the 450s through the hilly sections starting in Valley T and leading through Ojos Negros in route to the Ensenada finish line.

At the finish line, both TEAM GREAN and JCR waited for an hour while neither had any idea who was leading in the final miles. An elated TEAM GREEN began celebrating as Steve Hengeveld rode the 1x KAWASAKI across the finish line and on to the victory mound. That elation turn to dejection as the roar of Norman’s bike overcame the crowd as Norman laid down a NASCAR style burnout at the checkered flag. Both riders sat on their bikes side by side as the media crews clamored over the racers while Sal Fish asked Hengeveld if there had every been a closer physical race.

2-time world speedway champ and AMA Hal of Fame inductee Bruce Penhall is credited with bringing together a collection of championship racers for the 1x bike. From Robby Bell to Steve Hengeveld and Destry Abbott to his son Ryan, Bruce Penhall built a solid team backed by MONSTER ENERGY, BLUE C, WAHOO’S and of course, TEAM GREEN.

The 1x led the entire day and at one point putting more than 10 minutes on the 12x bike of Kendall Norman. But in the end, a crash by Robby Bell would set Hengeveld back enough for Norman to keep him within sight for the entire 171  miles that the two battled it out on in route to the finish line. These results are unofficial at this time but expected to be ratified in the coming days.

Hats off to JCR’s Kendall Norman for actually towing the line in this race. Norman started and rode the first 205 miles to Borrego Junction. Timmy Weigand and Quinn Cody rode the San Felipe and Mike’s loops before handing back to Norman in Valley T. Both Norman and Hengeveld battled it out from that point on. No word yet as to weather Penhall Motorsports will campaign again in the 2010 BAJA series, but it looks like they made a big enough splash this time to warrant another go next season.

Shane Esposito pulled double time and rode for two teams, Ivan Ramirez (11x) and Ronnie Wilson (102x). Both teams finished in the top 5 and 102x won the class championship. Espo was a huge part of that.

309x Ron Wilson (Encinitas, CA) went solo and dominated his class while holding top ten for the entire first half of the race.
Full story coming in the next digital issue of DUST.

Reported By Scotty Breauxman