Earlier this month Maxxis-sponsored enduro racer Eddie Meek embarked on a brutal 1200-mile rally through the Baja Desert, Mexico. Going head to head against motorcycles, quad bikes, trucks, locals, and the full force of mother nature, the two-day off-road epic endurance event, which embodies all that is crazy and addictive in off-road motorsport, certainly pushed the rider to his physical and mental limits. Rising to every extreme challenge the solo pro moto ironman category, where racers complete the whole course on two wheels on their own, Eddie crossed the finish line after 43 hours, 1 minute and 31 seconds to claim a well deserved 6th place.
2017 marks the golden anniversary of the motor-sporting spectacle, and this year’s course was designed to be historic as the Baja 1000 celebrated its 50th year. Already known as a test of endurance, skill, engineering and determination, this year’s track pushed competitors even further, with the course being 305 miles longer than previous years.
Starting in Esenada, BC and ending in La Paz, BCS, the course took the drivers through some of the most popular Baja spots, such as the ‘Goat Trail’, Wiliwas Wash, Coco’s Corner, and Scorpion Bay; destinations all known for the extremity of their conditions. For Eddie to complete the desert race in the 48-hour time limit, he had to average 23.63 miles an hour, whilst combating the untamed wilderness, impenetrable fog and desert dust.
Of the 400 competitors, from 27 countries competing in the Baja 1000, Eddie was one of only 19 to ride the whole 1200-mile circuit on his own. Commenting on his recent success, Eddie says: “The Baja 1000 has to be one of the craziest experiences of my life, and taking 6th place in the solo pro moto ironman category is an indescribable feeling. Right now, I am overwhelmed with happiness and relief knowing that I finished. But the event was extreme, conditions were incredibly hard and getting to the end of the 1,200 miles was a huge challenge in itself.”
“My Maxxis desert IT tyres illustrated why they are world renowned for being high quality, high performance enduro tyres. Even when I was confronted with injury, bent handle bars, a broken GPS tracker and a problematic oil cooler, my Maxxis desert IT tyres remained strong and consistent. Providing me with reassurance when I need it the most. I was so lucky to have a brand that gave me confidence and solidity on the track.”
Maxxis’ desert tyres benefit from a unique knob and groove tread design, offering Eddie exceptional and precise handling, particularly through intermediate conditions. The support of the best accessories and components were key in ensuring a smooth and successful ride for the racer from Kendal, Cumbria.
Commenting on Eddie’s success, Maxxis’ managing director, Derek McMartin, said: “Eddie showed dogged determination and great skill to achieve what he did. The Baja 1000 is a challenging and demanding competition for everyone that takes it on, but to compete it as a solo rider on two wheels is just unbelievable.
“The mental challenge of the race is not for the faint hearted, and the fact that we could provide Eddie with a tyre he could trust all the way to the finish meant he had one less thing to worry about as he took on the daunting course. The Desert IT has all the key ingredients needed in such extreme conditions, with a stiff carcass that minimises the risk of pinched tubes, a compound that ensures it will last the distance, and tall knob design that provides riders with plenty of traction to keep pushing forward. Eddie certainly squeezed all of the performance out of our rubber, and we are very proud to have been a part of making his dream of competing in and completing the Baja 1000 come true.”
