2005 Nissan Titan - So You Want To Race Baja

If you've ever been to the Baja during the 1000 race or watched it on TV, you probably found yourself asking how they do it. Specifically, how does a group of people put together a truck to tackle the toughest terrain on earth? Professional racing in any motorsport typically takes big bucks and full-time dedication. As such, the dream of owning a Baja-worthy race vehicle and actually competing in the SCORE Baja 1000 usually vanishes as quickly as the dust after race day when you start adding up what it costs. However, let's take a look at one particular team's effort in hopes of inspiring future racers while providing a little clarity about what it actually takes to compete in a low-budget average-Joe format.

This is Bob's truck before...        read full caption This is Bob's truck before he ever thought he'd be racing the 1000 in it. Lucky for Bob, Nissan Titans feature some pretty decent racer architecture right out of the box: 305 hp, five-speed automatic, fully boxed frame, independent front suspension, and a lightweight body with bold-chiseled good looks.

After the transformation occurred,...        read full caption After the transformation occurred, Bob's new race Titan still shared a resemblance with its past life. Glassworks Unlimited front fenders and bedsides accentuate the wheel arches and give the look of race pedigree. A Camburg long-travel suspension system featuring Sway-A-Way shocks was ready to smooth out the bumps, and a Ford 8.8 rear axle with a spool was swapped in favor of the stock Dana 44.

Sure everybody wants a Trophy Truck, but very few can afford to play that game. That's why SCORE created the Sportsman Truck class. In the Sportsman class almost anything goes. Originally it was intended for vehicles that didn't meet the exact criteria of other more competitive and heavily regulated classes. All the same safety rules apply, such as the use of a rollcage and fuel cell, however many of the strict technical limitations governing suspension, bodywork, engine, and drivetrain are absent. This allows those of us with smaller pocketbooks to configure a race truck with parts we have lying around or from components that are simply much more affordable and available to the mainstream.

This year we teamed up with Bob Graham of Orange, California, to walk through the process of transforming a bone-stock two-wheel drive '05 Nissan Titan into a race-ready Baja Sportsman truck. Bob has been racing Baja for 11 years and knows what it takes to take on the harsh deserts south of the border. Back in 2004, Bob placed Second in the Stock Full class in his red '04 Nissan Titan 4x4. Last July, Bob decided to step it up a notch and turn the stock full truck into a potent Class 8. However, economics forced him to put the project on hold for a while. Unhappy with the idea of missing the 40th annual Baja 1000, he turned to his daily driver/prerunner and started wrenching. The result of his hard effort was a fine-tuned low-buck sportsman class contender.

Safety is always a primary...        read full caption Safety is always a primary concern in off-road racing. That is why all race vehicles must run a SCORE-approved fuel cell. Bob's came from Fuel Safe and holds about 60 gallons. Notice the inexpensive plastic tubing that ventilates the cell while preventing spillage in the event of a rollover.

SCORE rules call for every...        read full caption SCORE rules call for every race vehicle to have at least one "always-on" amber taillight. This inexpensive LED-type was purchased from a local big rig supply house.

Bob did indeed splurge in...        read full caption Bob did indeed splurge in the GPS department. This new top-of-the-line Lowrance 9300C has a large 10-inch color display and a 30-gig internal hard drive. Much less expensive units will suffice for Baja racing, but high-end units like this one makes the codriver's job easy.

Some of the most often overlooked components of a race vehicle are lubricants and other vital fluids. Bob prefers Royal Purple oil in his engine, power steering, and rear differential, because Royal Purple designs its products specifically for racing applications where they are required to last longer and hold up through greater heat cycles. The aftermarket cooling system of Bob's Titan runs Evans waterless coolant because it simply will not boil no matter how hot the engine gets. The fuel Bob uses in his truck has a 100-octane rating. This allows the fuel to burn more efficiently giving Bob increased throttle response and smoother power. Together, these items give Bob a distinct advantage over other racers who use traditional off-the-shelf products.

The rear portion of the cab,...        read full caption The rear portion of the cab, though not intended for riders, does house plenty of race necessities. Spare parts include an extra steering rack, a wheel bearing/hub assembly, an alternator, and a rear axle gearset from Randy's Ring & Pinion. Other items secured here are a Hi-Lift Handle-All, ARB X-Jack, duct tape, zip ties, come-along and various handtools.	Up front the bumper was replaced...        read full caption Up front the bumper was replaced with a tubular prerunner-style bumper and lightbar. A 1/4-inch-thick aluminum skidplate protects the underpinnings while an assortment of Baja Designs HID and LED lights sit ready to negate Baja's darkness. A powerful lighting system is critical during high-speed night driving. Without such, you are forced to reduce speeds to drive safely. The two yellow lights in the middle help cut through the dust.	Wheels and tires are one place...        read full caption Wheels and tires are one place you don't want to skimp in Baja. This package consists of Center Line's new forged I.C.E. beadlock wheel and an all-new prototype set of 37x12.50 General Grabber tires. Bob scored these new meats by offering to provide General Tire with feedback on their performance after the race. These types of partnerships, though rare, are out there for the taking - all you need to do is find them.
A trusty floor jack was added...        read full caption A trusty floor jack was added to the rear of the truck between the two spare tires. This is a critical tool to have along for Baja racing because flat tires are almost expected in 1000-plus miles of brutal Baja desert.		The cockpit is all business...        read full caption The cockpit is all business featuring only essential race equipment. A carbon-fiber dash keeps everything organized. A steering quickener with a 1:1.5 ratio allows for better high-speed maneuvering. Two Beard suspension seats are mounted to the 2-inch chrome-moly cage. The OE shifter was rigged to the center console, and a pair of Auto Meter gauges helps Bob keep tabs on engine oil and transmission temps.