Event Overview
Two YPO Telluride teams will compete in the legendary SCORE Baja 500 off-road race through Baja California, Mexico. Powered by Brenthel Industries' Arrive & Drive program, each team will train in 525hp Spec Trophy Trucks before racing 500 miles of unforgiving desert terrain.
The trip is split into two phases: three days of intensive training at Johnson Valley, California, followed by three days of race prep and competition in Ensenada, Mexico. Event Chair Pete Boulden is coordinating all logistics for the group.
Event
Baja 500
Teams
2 Teams of 4
Trucks
4 Spec Trophy
Training
3 Days
Race
500 Miles
Chapter
YPO Telluride
Itinerary
Training
June 1–3 · Johnson Valley, San Bernardino County, CA
Arrival + Orientation
Sunday, June 1
Arrive at the VRBO house near Palm Springs. Meet the Brenthel crew, safety briefing, vehicle walkthrough, and orientation on the Spec Trophy Truck systems. Evening team dinner.
Training Day
Monday, June 2
Full day of driving instruction at Johnson Valley with personal coaching. Each driver gets their own truck. Learn desert navigation, high-speed handling, and race techniques on the legendary King of the Hammers course.
Training + Travel to Baja
Tuesday, June 3
Morning training session to refine skills. Afternoon travel from Johnson Valley to Ensenada, Mexico. Check in at Hotel Lucerna. Evening race strategy meeting.
Race Week
June 4–6 · Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Pre-Race Prep + Registration
Wednesday, June 4
SCORE race registration and tech inspection at the Ensenada Cultural Center. Vehicle prep with Brenthel's pit crew. Course reconnaissance and final strategy session. Contingency planning and communications check.
Race Day
Thursday, June 5
The main event — 500 miles of Baja California desert. Both teams compete with full Brenthel pit crew support, real-time mechanical assistance, and strategic guidance. This is what you trained for.
Wrap-Up + Departure
Friday, June 6
Post-race debrief and celebration. Vehicle return and final logistics. Departure from Ensenada. Flights home from San Diego or Tijuana.
Helicopter Support
Aerial Shadow Program
Available during training and race day
Brenthel works with one of the best helicopter pilots in the business. While your teammates are behind the wheel of the trophy truck, the rest of the team can shadow them from the air — following the truck through the desert terrain in real-time.
This isn't just a sightseeing ride. You're tracking your teammate at speed through canyons and washes from a helicopter, watching them push a 525hp truck through the same terrain you'll be racing. It's an incredible vantage point for understanding the course, and an adrenaline rush on its own. The same helicopter service is available during the actual Baja 500 race as well.
During Training
Shadow teammates from the air while they train in Johnson Valley. See the terrain from above before you drive it.
During the Race
Follow your team's truck through the 500-mile Baja course. Real-time aerial support and an unforgettable experience.
Helicopter services are not included in the base Brenthel quote. Pricing available on request from Mark.
Pre-Running Package
Optional: Drive the entire Baja 500 course before race day with a professional coach.
What's Included
Hotel & food not included in pre-run package.
Accommodations
01Training Phase — June 1–3
Stay north of Palm Springs near Highway 62, close to the Johnson Valley training grounds. Pete is handling lodging separately from Brenthel's quote.
VRBO House #1
16 guests · San Bernardino County
Large private home near the training site. Fits the entire group under one roof — ideal for team bonding and strategy sessions.
VRBO House #2
16 guests · San Bernardino County
Alternative property in the same area. Similar capacity, available as a fallback if House #1 is booked.
02Race Phase — June 4–6
Ensenada's preferred luxury hotel for race teams, located near the Cultural Center where SCORE events take place.
Hotel Lucerna Ensenada
4 rooms · Double occupancy
Flight Information
Flights are booked individually. Below are the recommended airports and routing for each phase of the trip.
Inbound — June 1
Arrive for Training Phase
Palm Springs International (PSP)
Closest to Johnson Valley training site. ~1hr drive via Hwy 62.
Ontario International (ONT)
Alternate option. ~1.5hr drive. More flight options from ATL.
LAX / San Diego (SAN)
Farther out but most flight availability. ~2.5–3hr drive.
Outbound — June 6
Depart from Race Phase
San Diego International (SAN)
Best option from Ensenada. ~1.5hr drive north via Tijuana border crossing.
Tijuana (TIJ) via CBX Bridge
Cross-Border Xpress walkway connects to US side. ~45min from Ensenada.
Passport Required: You'll be crossing into Mexico for the race phase. Ensure your passport is valid through at least December 2027.
Ground Transportation
Brenthel offers round-trip transportation between San Diego International Airport and Ensenada for $2,000 per team. The drive from Johnson Valley to Ensenada is approximately 4–5 hours via I-15 South and the Tecate or Tijuana border crossing. Pete is coordinating ground transport details.
Team Rosters
Each team has 4 members. Team 2 has one open slot — recruit pending.
Team 1
Team 2
Budget & Deposits
Why This Is a Steal
There's a well-known operator running the exact same Baja "Arrive and Drive" experience for YPO chapters at $85,000 per person. Our deal through Brenthel Industries — the team that actually builds and races these trucks — comes in at a fraction of that cost.
Competitor Price
$85K
per person
Brenthel Rate
~$39K
per person*
You Save
~55%
per person
Competitor Total (8 people)
$680,000
Our Total (8 people)
~$309,000
Total group savings: ~$371,000
*Based on ~$154,500 per team of 4 (original $170.5K minus lodging). Plus, we're locked in at 2026 rates for a 2027 race.
This Entire Race Is a Marketing Expense
Each trophy truck will be wrapped in your business logos — turning every mile of the Baja 500 into a rolling billboard for your brand. The wrap cost of $3,500 per car is included in the Brenthel quote and applied at race time.
Because the vehicles carry your company branding, the entire trip qualifies as a marketing expense. Brenthel will provide full documentation to support this classification with your CPA. Training, race entry, pit crew, fuel — all of it falls under the marketing umbrella.
Wrap Cost
$3,500
per car · included in quote
Total Wraps
4 Trucks
$14,000 total · at race time
Documentation
Provided
by Brenthel for your CPA
Note: Brenthel pulls the fiberglass bodies during training to protect them, then applies your custom wraps before race day. Your logos will be in pristine condition at the starting line. Consult your CPA for specific tax guidance.
Brenthel Industries Quote
Race-Ready package: 4 trucks, 3 days training, race entry ($5,500), pit crew support, fuel, supplies, and insurance. Price is per team of 4. Lodging excluded (handled separately by Pete).
| Item | Per Team | 2 Teams | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrive & Drive + Training (4 trucks, 3 days) | ~$154,500* | ~$309,000* | Awaiting final |
| Race Entry Fee ($5,500) | Included | Included | |
| Fuel + Supplies | Included | Included | |
| Insurance | Included | Included | |
| Pit Crew + Professional Coaches | Included | Included | |
*Original quote was $170,500/team (Feb 1, included oceanfront lodging + airport transport). Lodging ($14K) and transport ($2K) removed. Awaiting Mark's final updated number.
Per-Person Cost Breakdown
All payments go directly to Brenthel Industries. A 50% deposit locks in your spot, trucks, crew, and 2026 pricing for the 2027 race.
| Breakdown | Per Person | Per Team (4) | Both Teams (8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Cost | ~$38,625 | ~$154,500 | ~$309,000 |
| Deposit (50%) | ~$19,313 | ~$77,250 | ~$154,500 |
| Balance Due | ~$19,312 | ~$77,250 | ~$154,500 |
Payment: All payments are made directly to Brenthel Industries. Mark will send invoices once teams are confirmed. Exact amounts pending Mark's final updated quote (original $170.5K minus lodging).
Additional Costs (Not in Brenthel Quote)
| Item | Est. Cost | Paid By |
|---|---|---|
| Training VRBO (3 nights) | TBD | User Pay |
| Hotel Lucerna (4 rooms, 2 nights) | TBD | User Pay |
| Airport ↔ Ensenada Transport | $2,000/team | User Pay |
| Flights (round trip) | Varies | User Pay |
| Meals | Varies | User Pay |
| Helicopter (optional) | TBD — ask Mark | Group |
| Pre-Run (optional) | $18,500/vehicle | Group |
Brenthel Videos
Brenthel Arrive & Drive
Overview of the full race program
Race Highlights
Trophy trucks tearing through Baja
Training Program
What to expect during your 3-day training
Packing & Gear Checklist
Documents
Race Gear
Ask Mark about gear rental options if you don't own race equipment.
Personal
RACE READY
Logistics Checklist
Frequently Asked
Key Contacts
Mark Bechtold
Race Coordinator · Brenthel Industries