2019 Tours with MotoVermont

The 2018 BAJA RALLY offered riders a little bit of everything. From dust and mud, to epic sunsets on both sides of the infamous peninsula. Top competitors made themselves known immediately, but even they weren’t a match for Mama Baja. Hurricane Rosa had plowed through the race course just a couple of weeks prior, giving the Mexican state a facelift just in time for the rally. In reaction, BAJA RALLY founder Scotty Bloom scoured the tracks to ensure accuracy in the road-book. A necessary tactic which proved helpful during earlier challenges. But torrential downpours and unrelenting mist created new obstacles for racers and organizers alike, as Special Stages Two and Three had to be shortened.



Visiting Las Cañadas Campamento for another year, the Prologue offered some fresh twists and turns for competitors to warm up with. A surprise to maybe everyone but Scotty Bloom, some competitors had difficulty finding their way to the finish, which in many ways exposed the high bar for the coming hurdles. The first official day of racing launched near Baja favorite, Mamá Espinoza’s. Racers aimed for the beach then took some 90-degree turns back to the highway. What was supposed to be a swift stage took several teams minutes, if not hours, more than expected. Yet most racers all arrived at timing and scoring singing praise for a fun, well-rounded section – albeit a bit weary from the ride/drive. Others were not so lucky, using up all of their time searching for those waypoints, ultimately being rerouted to the highway before the sun could dip down into the Pacific.



Special Stage Two, setting off from Cataviña, and Special Stage Three, a loop edging the Sea of Cortez, asked a lot from participants whom all, despite some early DNFs, put up a good fight. 2014 Champ and podium hopeful, Scott Bright, ran into a bike malfunction midway through the challenge in Central Baja. On one of the more technical tracks of the event, he finished respectably mid-pack, despite having to navigate with his road book squeezed between his knees. A long, arduous liaison took the entire event past Coco’s infamous Corner and down a storm-struck México 5 highway leading to San Felipe for the first time in the rally’s short, but storied, history. Trials for the third stage were aggravated by rain, which ended the ride abruptly at the scheduled gas stop. Front runners held their places as adversaries no longer had the full time allotted to catch up to them. Pro rider, Colton Udall, pushed his way to the top before it was too late, while another racer new to rally, Ray Dal Soglio, snagged second. Last year’s motorcycle class victor, Garrett Poucher, sat comfortably in a well-earned third position after starting in an undesirable position.



Special Stage Four was full of excitement and heartbreak as the fastest test of the week brought everyone back to the westside, then poolside at the San Nicolas Hotel & Casino in Ensenada for a night of celebration. The podium was still anybody’s guess, but it was rally raid newcomer, Skyler Howes, who came out triumphant. Ray Dal Soglio sat in second with Rally Comp founder, and “sleeper” fast-guy, Mike Johnson nabbing third place overall. UTV #124, led by L. Javier Pelayo, and #111, with Joe Bolton at the helm, were neck and neck much of the race. But it was an uncharacteristic misstep by Team Bolton which put Pelayo on the podium and left Bolton in a ditch, literally. Formidable drivers and navigators, Mama Baja can mix a poisonous cocktail which, if taken too fast, can leave you on your ass. 2018 BAJA RALLY Champion, Skyler Howes, eloquently summed up the race:

“This rally completely re-lit my love for Baja. The trails that we took on these road books down the beach, up and over mountains, through fields of giant cactus and through the towns of Baja California were amazing. The conditions couldn't have been better with wet dirt, cool temps, and beautiful scenery with the land as green as I have ever seen it. Not only did I get the win, but I had a week-long adventure with friends new and old, ripping through the desert, reading drawings on a piece of paper telling us which way to go. That right there, in my opinion, is what racing is all about. Nothing but good times.” – Skyler Howes, Garrett Off-Road Racing

Hugo Moto is proud to announce the addition of a 750cc + Scrambler class to the last round of the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro to be held October 20th and 21st in Glen Daniel, West Virginia. Racers will have the opportunity to ride 6 timed sections per day, alternating between grass track and woods sections. Competitors must be at least 18 years of age on a street-legal 750cc or larger machine with DOT-approved tires.



“Hugo Moto measures performance in smiles per hour and we can’t think of anything much more fun than ripping around a golf course on scramblers,” said Jason Smith, Hugo Moto President. “The Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro format is a perfect fit for scrambler racing. We love the fact that riders get to run their own pace against the clock on some amazing terrain. Not having to worry about who’s lined up next to you and getting to run shorter, timed segments really makes it approachable for everyone.”

Jason Hooper, Founder and Promoter of the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series, stated, “We’ve watched the scrambler scene blow up over the last several years so we were excited when Hugo Moto approached us about adding a new class.They work closely with our title sponsor, Kenda, on scrambler tire development, so it’s a perfect fit. If the interest is strong, we’ll add it to selected events next year.”

About Hugo Moto:
Hugo Moto creates motorcycle accessories that empower average Janes and Joes to build exceptional bikes. Current focus: Making Harley-Davidson Sportsters great again with high-performance, bolt-on scrambler conversion kits. For more information visit https://hugomoto.com/ .

About The Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series:
The Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro is a nine-round AMA Championship Off-Road Racing Series. Each two-day event consists of six European-style “special test” timed sections per day, alternating between grass track and enduro tests. For more information visit http://www.sprintenduro.com/schedule/round-8-hidden-valley-golf/.

Beta USA is very excited to offer you the opportunity to test ride all of the new Beta models. There will be over 20 bikes to choose from including Evo trials bikes at each event. We have posted our first five months of scheduled events and will post more in the coming weeks. Here are the steps to get signed up. (You must sign up before you attend or you will not be able to ride)

Items you will need: (You cannot ride without them)

• You must bring a current driver license or ID.
• Helmet
• Motorcycle riding boots
• Goggles
• Riding pants, jersey & gloves

Beta’s crew will provide water and sports drinks as well as some snacks.
There will be two demo sessions per day. You can sign up for the morning AM session or the afternoon PM session. Morning Sessions between 9:00-12:00 and the afternoon sessions are 1:00-4:00

Space is VERY limited so please sign up early and if you are not able to make it after you have signed up, PLEASE email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. let them know so we can have another lucky rider go in your spot.

*Only riders 18 years or older may attend.

Come join us for a great experience! CLICK HERE to sign up.

Tour Schedule:

Morgan Hill, California 9-29-18
Junction City, Oregon 10-14-18
Washougal, Washington 10-20-18
E Burley, Idaho 10-27-18
Salt Lake City, Utah 12-1-18
Colorado Springs, Colorado 12-8-18
Dacono, Colorado 12-15-18
Aztec, New Mexico 1-2-19
Fluvanna, Texas 1-26-19
Fort Worth, Texas 2-2-19

Visit BetaUSA for for information on specific models. To register for your test ride, CLICK HERE!

Perfect for the adventure bike / dual-sport trail ninjas among you (and even if your ninja skills are rusty or you just want a fantastic scenic ride with a navigation challenge)! HUMMs are for the big girls and boys who want to figure out their own route to waypoints using either traditional compass-work or GPS. No GPX tracks provided - you've outgrown that kind of spoon-feeding! Strategy, navigation and teamwork will win the prizes!

HUMM's are the PERFECT event for those just getting started off-road too - YOU choose how easy or how hard the riding, from VERY easy anyone-can-do-it all the way to silly fools only!

Catch the action from previous HUMMs in this