The ProBaja championship series consists of seven races, a mix of desert and short course - last year Tomba won six of those races and finished third once.
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As he did this year, K&N sponsored Andrea Tomba will once again honor the number 800 on his truck for 2011, by winning the ProBaja Class Championship for the second consecutive year.
Despite contesting this year's championship in a new truck, ATRacing still managed to make it two in a row.
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"This was a tougher season for us than last year," said Tomba. "Last year was pretty much as perfect a season as you could wish for, the truck ran perfectly, without a single problem."
In 2009, Andrea Tomba Racing (ATR) won the championship in commanding fashion, with six victories, and third place finish. They sold that truck though, and at the beginning of this season they began racing a new Ford Explorer.
Tomba says he feels the presence of his entire family and crew along with him when he races.
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"Although it is a great truck, a new truck will always have teething problems, and we had our share of those this season," commented Tomba. "Overcoming them was a challenge, as was dealing with some freak problems that lead to a blown motor, and at another time three blown shocks. So, all-in-all, it made this year's Championship win feel even better!"
ATRacing declares they have every intention making it three in a row in 2011.
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The Southern Baja Series, aka ProBaja, has proved that it's a force to be reckoned with during the last few years. By all accounts these are great races and very well organized, and as a result the number of participants in races is growing exponentially. Races generally run in the area between Cabo San Lucas and Loreto. Most racers admit that pre-running the visually stunning Baja Peninsula makes any journey worth the effort.
Generally, there are around 150 vehicles per race, with approximately 15 very strong Trophy Trucks, about 15 Class 1, and ten Class 8 Open vehicles. Over 100,000 fans spread out along the desert to cheer on racers. And over 10,000 spectators pack in to view the short course races. The championship is a mix of desert and short course races, with seven races total.
"It is also great to see more and more international drivers coming down to participate. For the Dos Mares race in May 2011," adds Tomba. "It runs 500 kilometers, leaving La Paz up a spectacular but challenging route up the Sea of Cortez, before cutting across the Peninsula and driving south along the last Baja 1000 section, from Cuidad de Constitucion to La Paz." Many top racers use this venue as a warm-up before the Baja 1000.
"The only moment that I would rather forget about this year was a DNF in the Coyote 300," remarked Tomba, "the first DNF in two years, and it was from an avoidable electrical problem."
"As for highlights... wow, there are so many. Probably the most memorable race was the Circuito Bronco Short Course, where we came in second, but it was a battle from the start, to a nerve wrecking near photo finish. It was what wheel to wheel racing is all about, 10 laps of adrenaline overdose, not only for us in the truck, but for all the spectators too. However, as in any racing, I think that the real highlight is coming in safe after every race, and to see the faces of family, crew and sponsors who really make it all possible. When you get out of the truck, filthy and tired, and you get a hug from them, you see them smiling from the heart, those are the moments that make me think - wow - all these people are sitting in the truck with me when I am racing!"
About the 2011 season Tomba says, "Of course we plan to make it three in a row! I would be very happy if we could do that, especially as the competition in Class 8 is going to get even better, with quite a few new trucks coming on to the scene. We are hoping to have the trucks dialed in better now, and to be able to start the season at 100 percent."
"The team is always working hard on improving what we have, and we are fortunate that we have support from some of the best brands in the industry. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to be able to discount some of the biggest threats in off-road racing, thanks to our sponsors continuing efforts to be industry leaders. In the last decade that we have run K&N Filters, we have not once had to stop due to filter problems, even when our races have run in what seems like unending miles of the finest silt you can imagine."
"More than anything, we would like to win a hat trick, as a way to show our appreciation to our sponsors and to our team. For over a decade now it is our sponsors that have helped to keep us on top. We can't express how much we appreciate their continuing support, especially through these tough economic times. ATRacing really just feels like one huge family."
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