In the wake of the deadly accident in the buildup to the Baja 500 in June, SCORE has updated its pre-running policies ahead of September’s Baja 400.

Race personnel will be stationed at various parts of the designated pre-run courses to gauge test speeds and driver conduct. Parts of the course that go through crossroads and towns will also be marked on GPS files where they must slow down.

The sanctioning body posted the following bulletin on Thursday:

Remember that the pre-run period is a privilege. We are being allowed to use roads frequently used by residents and neighboring ranch owners. These are their roads, and we must respect them and avoid any action causing an accident.

SCORE will take steps to ensure safe pre-run activity. SCORE staff will be present at various randomly selected points along course during pre-run days. Observers will be checking speeds and overall safe vehicle operations, especially on local roads.

There are three new rules that will be implemented during pre-running, starting with the 2025 Baja 400, and will be enforced at all future races:

1. STOP AT CROSSROADS. For references, SCORE will include STOP waypoints at Road Crossings in the GPS file, and these will also be marked with physical signs. Only those marked in the official GPS file.
2. PRE-RUN SLOWLY IN TOWNS. SCORE will include in the GPS file and with physical signs, one mile before entering and one mile after leaving or passing a town, where we must drive slowly.
3. BE PATIENT – DO NOT PUSH / PRESS or MOVE OTHER VEHICLES. SCORE asks you to pre-runm patiently if you encounter another competitor who may be going slower or even completely stopped. This is not the race. Please avoid pushing/moving or endangering other competitors or local vehicles on the road.

SCORE will be extremely vigilant in ensuring compliance with these above three new rules beginning with the Baja 400. A penalty will be imposed at the discretion of the race director for the following:

a) If you are reported, with evidence, of breaking any of these rules or,
b) If SCORE personnel observes the breaking any of these rules,

This means you will be starting the race with a penalty already in place!

Pre-running for the Baja 500 was overshadowed by an accident in which a Trophy Truck crashed into a local’s car at speed while going through the Eréndira. The town’s residents planned to protest the race by blocking parts of the course until SCORE was able to secure a settlement between the team and the victim’s family.

The new pre-running policies are among a slate of rule changes by SCORE that will kick in for the 400. On Monday, the sanctioning body added Class 1 to qualifying.

The Baja 400 will take place on September 13, with pre-running in the weeks leading up to it.

Featured image credit: Art Eugenio / Red Bull Content Pool