Motorsports: Documentary offers inside look at Baja 1000
By: DAN HAYES - Staff writer | ∞
Robby Gordon hasn't had much go his way during NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series this season.
Off the track, however, he's one of several featured drivers in the recently released "Dust To Glory," an entertaining documentary from IFC Films based on the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
"Dust to Glory" which is showing at theaters in Encinitas and El Cajon, is a 1-hour, 38-minute film directed by Dana Brown that gives an insiders' look at a race that is hard to capture because of its very nature ---- it's a 1,000-mile, point-to-point off-road race rather than your standard oval or road course event.
The film's strength is that it manages to visually capture the dangers each driver faces: fans repeatedly darting across the track in front of moving vehicles; competitors racing on open Mexican highways complete with traffic, police, livestock and station wagons; and fans literally feet from the track as bikes, trucks and buggies fly by at 100-plus mph.
The film also pays homage to those behind the scenes and the history of the event.
But instead of just focusing on the winners, the film also pays attention to the diversity of the event and all those who race it.
Brown covers the motorbikes, the pro trucks and my favorite, a pair of brothers racing an unmodified 1982 Volkswagen Bug across the desert.
The movie is almost a complete package ---- save for several driver interviews that end up sounding cheesy in an attempt to glamorize the race.
As far as negatives, that's about it.
What I liked most about the film was it wasn't just centered on the racing ---- it showed why these drivers and their crews come back again and again.
But when the film did focus on the racing, the cinematography was outstanding, including a great segment featuring driving through silt.
If you have a chance, see the movie before it leaves theaters.
Motorheads delight
Speaking of Gordon's NASCAR troubles, they are a featured item during the second season of "NASCAR Drivers: 360," set to debut Friday at 7:30 p.m. on FX.
The show, which enjoyed solid ratings last year, returns to give viewers a unique look at several drivers' lives on and off the track, including Gordon, who started his own race team this season.
These days it seems you can stamp NASCAR on a toothpick and it would sell, but this show definitely has merit.
It's the first show to continually take viewers into the life of a professional athlete.
Granted, like reality TV in general, it's overexposure ---- everyone is aware the camera is on.
But the show excels when you see how the pressure to perform in a sponsor-driven sport gets to a Kenny Wallace or Gordon ---- that strained face is real.
Another interesting aspect is the comparison and contrasts of two of NASCAR's rising stars.
The first episode features 2004 Rookie of the Year Kasey Kahne and 2004 champion Kurt Busch ---- two drivers on the opposite end of the spectrum with fans.
Kahne, a shy, humble character, is learning to deal with his near rock-star status.
And the camera is there when an attractive female fan is calling out to Kahne as he leaves a race and he's blushing, not sure what to make of the situation.
On the other hand you have Busch, who's obviously clamoring for good PR because his aggressive driving style has hurt his image with the fans.
Need proof?
Check out how Kahne gets mobbed at an autograph session and Busch doesn't.
Locals advance
Jacob Pearlman of Carlsbad, Cole Fugate of San Marcos and Jake DeRoades of Encinitas were the three kart drivers from Carlsbad's K1 Speed to advance in this year's Red Bull Driver Search.
The trio is part of a group of 180 drivers across the United States who will compete in one of two runoffs. The local three will head to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma on Aug. 9-11 for their next competition.
Pit passes
Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at (760) 739-6643 or dhayes@nctimes.com.
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