Baja Racing Club

The Only Place On Earth Where YOU Can Rent The Beast!

UPDATE! Monday, May 9, 2022

Innovating the off-road landscape for the hardest-core enthusiasts, the CABO Safari SPECIAL™ branded rental, is taking its desert racing expertise to a new level with the all-new SPECIAL – a first-of-its-kind limited-production CABO 1000 desert race SUV based on the expertise of generations of Southern Baja Mexico desert racing.

Built for our rental fleet at the CABO Safari RESORT

The SPECIAL is intended for off-road use. Bragging with a third-generation 5.0-liter V8 engine with variants available, that aim to generate more than 400 hp, suspension upgrades and safety cage, plus a host of other racing hardware improvements. The build director stated, “This collaboration between Ocotillo Wells and Dominator Performance continues the SPECIAL desert racing legacy that dates back to Bill Stroppe Racing’s never-repeated overall Mexican 1000 team win with Larry Minor, in a stock SPECIAL in 1969.”

The SPECIAL will make its debut in Los Cabos Mexico 2022 and is targeting entry in the 2022 CABO 1000, wearing CABO Safari classic, "Red-Orange and Black" livery honoring Bill Stroppe, Parnelli Jones, Ray Brock and Sr. Don Francisco and Larry Minor for the Mexican 1000 victory.

The CABO Safari SPECIAL packs a long list of hardware specifically for off-road desert racing. is The SPECIAL is targeting 55.1% more front suspension travel, at 15.8 inches, and 58.6% more at the rear, 17.4 inches, for remarkable capability over nearly any terrain. The vehicle – with a race weight of about 6,200 pounds – features an approach angle of 47 degrees, departure angle of 37 degrees and breakover angle of 33 degrees to give it the capability to take on the nastiest routes. A 73.7-inch front track and 73.3-inch rear track provide firm footing.

The SPECIAL rides on 37-inch GOODYEAR® Mud-Terrain tires (37x12.5R17) on racing wheels. The Cabo-winning tires feature an advanced compound for improved grip on rock and slick surfaces. An FEA-optimized full safety cage with the tested and proven 10R80 transmission and electric shift on the fly transfer case from the Detroit factory.

Torque is transmitted via independent electronically locking front and rear differential with 4.70:1 final drive ratios. Front half-shafts are unique designs to ensure robustness for added torque capacity and suspension travel. Optional large air intakes on the upper sides and another on the roof provide additional cooling air to the rear-mounted radiator. A 65-gallon fuel tank rides below the cargo area.

The SPECIAL carries over the four-wheel disc brakes from the production version and adds upgraded pads, while the electric power-assisted steering system with upgraded inner tie rod joints makes for increased articulation. Race-focused designed fiberglass race body that builds on the heritage-inspired style of the sixth-generation SPECIAL.

Behind the resin transfer molded (RTM) fiberglass body panels, the SPECIAL retains the four-door model’s frame and body structure. For desert racing optimization and weight saving, the air conditioning system, other interior amenities and all glass have been removed.

The SPECIAL desert racing portfolio that dates back to the Stroppe-Jones 1969 Mexican 1000 team win, with Larry Minor driving, has grown over the years, as the first-generation SPECIAL went on to claim Mexican 1000 class wins in 1967, 1969 (the only-ever 4x4 outright win ever), 1971 and 1972, plus two overall Baja 500 victories in 1970 and 1973. Later model year SPECIALs, 1978 to 1995, continued the legendary winning streak with nine Baja 500 Class 3 wins from 2004 to 2015 and 15 Baja 1000 Class 3 wins between 2002 and 2019.

The BAJA Racing CLUB is the Exclusive marketeer of the CABO Safari SPECIAL.