The second-largest field ever raced the length of the Baja California peninsula with few problems on the course.
But what happened around the event has created concern for the future of the greatest, most challenging event in off-road racing.
At least five people were killed in highway accidents away from the course that involved vehicles and crew members supporting the race.
Two Mexican nationals died in the crash of an unauthorized helicopter that may have been supporting a late entry in the race.
And reports of members of race teams being robbed, extorted or harassed before and after the race between the border and the Ensenada staging area are growing since Chris Hall, a truck driver and crewman who supports off-road racers, went public last week about his family's harrowing ordeal near the northernmost toll booth on the toll road.
SCORE President Sal Fish returned to Mexico this week to meet with Mexican officials as the Internet became a forum for racers, crew members and fans voicing concerns about attending future Mexican off-road races unless safety and security concerns were addressed.
Mexican officials, who believe the three Baja races pump $30 million annually into the Baja California economy, are also concerned. Observers said the number of American spectators in Ensenada for the Nov. 13 start was down from past years, possibly the result of problems surrounding a SCORE race last March in Ensenada.
"Obviously, everyone is concerned," Fish said Wednesday. "I'm personally upset and have sympathy for anyone who had any problem. But some of these things can happen anywhere. There are precautions we all have to take."
In addition to the Halls' ordeal, SCORE officials have confirmed a number of incidents, including the theft of an open-class motorcycle from the headquarters hotel parking lot on the eve of the race, the pointing of a rifle at a prominent racer the same night and the pursuit of racer Ryan Arciero's team by masked gunmen as it headed to Ensenda before the race.
Ives Lelevier, the assistant secretary of tourism for the state of Baja California, admits there have been many complaints received from Americans involved in the Baja 1000.
"I can't say how many messages, but it's various pages," said Lelevier. "We have detected much of this since the Baja 1000. This quantity of information started to come to us and lots were saying they were also at the Baja 1000 and that they are concerned."
"What is happening is a threat to racing in Mexico," a veteran SCORE driver who asked not to be identified said this week.
"Gangs and fake cops were preying on racers just as they have preyed on other groups. There was a serious escalation of incidents this past year. But it's not just the race."
Last year, while looking back on riding in every Baja 1000, motorcyclist Ron Bishop talked about how Baja California has changed. He remembered riding out of Tijuana into a virtual wilderness with only a primitive map and a compass to show him the way south.
"I remember some of my earliest races when you wouldn't see a light for miles at night," recalled Ivan Stewart. "We'd stop at hamlets where families would provide you meals.
"Baja California has grown, just like everywhere on both sides of the border have grown."
No one wants to see off-road racing in Mexico collapse. And Fish has vowed that SCORE will keep racing in Baja California.
Off-roaders have almost run out of places to race on this side of the border. Lose Baja California and SCORE might have to travel to Utah or New Mexico to field an event on the scale of the Baja 500 or 1000.
