The 2009 Tecate Hare Scrambles is just 5 short days away... the course is cut, marked and ready to race!

A Very Important Note
We are privileged to be able to use private land for this race. This land is not to be used by anyone before or after this race. Pre-running the course is absolutely not allowed. Doing so will get you disqualified from the race and jeopardize our ability to use this land in the future. Please respect the land owners, our club and your fellow racers and refrain from riding on this land before or after the race.

Registration
Registration will be open on Friday from 3:30-7:00 PM at the staging area for the race (NOT at Hacienda Rancho Santa Veronica). We encourage all racers to check-in early to get your numbers and t-shirts. Sign-ups will be open Saturday morning at 7:00 AM.

Directions to the Race
The 2009 Tecate Hare Scrambles will start in the same location as the 2007 race, which is approximately 5 miles Southeast of Hacienda Rancho Santa Veronica off Compadre Trail.

You may cross into Baja at either Tecate (off CA State Hwy 94) or at Otay Mesa (South San Diego off of I-805 and Hwy 905). Do not bother crossing at the major entrance at the end of I-5 in downtown Tijuana (it can be tough to find your way East). AAA has GREAT Baja maps and guidebooks.

Make certain to bring current motorcycle registration! The border crossings have been more thorough inspecting vehicles as they cross the border – especially vehicles carrying motorcycles.

Crossing at Tecate - NOTE: THE TECATE BORDER CROSSING IS CLOSED FROM 11:00 PM TO 5:00 AM
From I-5, I-805, or I-15 South, take Hwy 94 East to Hwy 188 (Tecate turnoff). For those of you coming west from the Imperial Valley or Arizona, you can get off onto westbound Hwy 94 in the mountains at Lake Morena and take that to the Hwy 188 turnoff. The border crossing is about 1.5 miles off Hwy 94 at the end of Hwy 188. Proceed across the Border, meet the friendly courteous Customs Officer and proceed straight ahead (due South) to the second stoplight (the main drag). The very scenic Plaza is to your left across the street. Turn left at this light and simply follow the main road east out of town. This is the free (Libre) road, Hwy 2, that ultimately goes to Mexicali.

About 3 miles East of town after passing through an industrial area you will go up an overpass and be given a choice of the free road (Libre) to the left or the toll road (Quota) straight ahead to Mexicali. We recommend the Toll Road (Cuota). It is faster and a lot safer. After 15 miles on the toll road, you will reach a toll booth at the exit (Salida) for El Hongo. The toll for a single vehicle is about $2.30 (they accept dollars). EXIT THE TOLL ROAD ONTO THE FREE ROAD EASTWARD AT THIS BOOTH and proceed about 1 mile into the town of El Hongo. Turn right onto the first main dirt road you come to in town (look for the "Oxxo" convenience store on the Southeast corner). Proceed through town and pay close attention to the hard-to-see stop signs. Continue on the dirt road approximately 10 miles until you reach a split in the road. Do not turn right towards Rancho Santa Veronica - continue going straight on the dirt approximately 5 miles. The road will be marked with orange arrows and ribbon. The entrance to the race staging area will be on your left through a marked gate.

Crossing at Otay Mesa
From I-805 South, take Otay Mesa Road (Hwy 905) East and follow it all the way to the end at the Otay Mesa Border Crossing. Meet the friendly and courteous Customs Officer. Proceed straight ahead (due South) 1.2 miles through one stop sign (be careful, fast cross traffic coming from your right does not stop) to the first light. Turn left (East) at this light onto Industrial Boulevard, and pass about 2 miles through an industrial area where the street becomes the Hwy 2 toll road (Quota) to Tecate and Mexicali. 6.5 miles after crossing the border, you will pass through a pricey toll booth (about $5.25 for one vehicle and they accept dollars). At 9 and 15 miles past the toll booth you will pass turnoffs for Tecate, DO NOT TAKE THEM. Stay on the toll road till you get to the second toll booth (the one discussed above). Get off onto the free road at El Hongo and follow the above directions.

Please arrive as early as possible to give you (and us) plenty of time to get you registered and entered.

Please drive safely. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Justin Hambleton said:

both are now 24/7

I just called both border crossings to confirm (something I should have done earlier).

Tecate port of entry is closed from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM, 7 days a week
Otay Mesa port of entry is open 24 hrs/day, 7 days a week

Justin,
You are too quick. I sent you a private message.

oops! They expanded the hours 2 years ago or so at TKT, and for some reason I thought it was now 24 hour operation.

Must have confused it for the 24 hour bakery in Tecate. I know thats open 24 hours. :)

Justin Hambleton said:

They won't let you into Mexico through the Tecate border after 11:00pm, we tried once and had to drive back and around to the Otay crossing. Sucked.:banghead: Our fault though as we thought it was open until midnight.:bonk:

soylent_green said:

I don't think anyone would mind if you brought some panaderia's on your way down :thumbsup:

Justin,
That would be pan (bread) or pan dulce (sweet bread), not panaderia (bakery).

BajaFool said:

I was thinking he could just bring down the entire operation :bonk:

(I was close - need to brush up on my espanol)

RottenRob said:

... don't ya just love that?! :banghead:

I waited an hour or two, to be 3 cars back from the gate... and it was shut on us. I wondered why cars were backing down the line, parking, locking up, and walking away. They were getting ready for the next day - and the gates to be opened! ... it ends up being a 5hr border crossing on those kinds of nights.:foul:

That is good to know the Tecate port opens for southbound traffic at 5am now. It was 6am to 12am for decades before. I can get going an hour earlier now from CV.:ride: