One of the many reasons why the Hoodoo 500 is the best 500-mile race is that you and your teammates decide your racing strategy. You can pretty much do whatever you want!

Based on experiences of team racers at other events over the years, certain strategies have proven pretty effective and fun, and are described below. By no means are we suggesting that this is the only way to do it. Only you can decide what’s best for your team!

Whether you’re racing on a two-person, four-person, or tandem relay team, the ideal situation includes at least two vehicles (both set up to follow at night) and four crew (two per vehicle).  The strategies below are based on having two vehicles.

•  Divide the team so that Racer A and B are in Car 1 and Racer C and D are in Car 2.

•  Racers A and C pair up, and  Racers B and D pair up. A and C race while B and D rest. Then B and D race while A and C rest.

•  On flat to rolling terrain: Racer A rides for 20-30 minutes. Racer C is driven up the course 8-10 miles and waits for A. When Racer A is in view, Racer C starts pedaling slowly up the course. When A catches, and crosses wheels, C takes off and A pulls over. A loads up in Car 1 and is driven up the course 8-10 miles and waits for C. When C is in view, A starts pedaling slowly up the course. When C catches and crosses wheels, A takes off and C pulls over. This process is repeated for 2-3 hours; then A & C rest and B & D take over and do the same thing. This works best on flat terrain.

•  In the mountains: When the grades are 2-5% each racer should take a pull of three or four miles. If the grades are over 5%, pulls should be no more than two miles.  Over 8%, consider one mile pulls. Be mindful that to make an exchange there must be a proper pullout on the road.

•  Descents: Regardless of whose turn it is to ride, the most skilled descender should ride down the mountain, especially at night. Many of the descents are steep and technical. Plan to have the best descender waiting at the top of the hill to make an exchange.

•  Into the wind: If drafting amongst your teammates is necessary in windy conditions (most likely between Torrey and Panguitch), put three racers on the course at a time, and rotate one out every half hour so each still has a chance to rest.

•  Racer A is in Car 1 and Racer B is in Car 2.

•  On flat to rolling terrain: Racer A rides for 30-60 minutes. Racer B is driven up the course 15-20 miles and waits for A. When Racer A is in view, Racer B starts pedaling slowly up the course. When A catches, and crosses wheels, B takes off and A pulls over. A loads up in Car 1 and is driven up the course 15-20 miles and waits for B. When B is in view, A starts pedaling slowly up the course. When B catches and crosses wheels, A takes off and B pulls over. This process is repeated during all daylight hours. At night, if the racers want to take turns sleeping, each racer should take a 3-4 hour pull. The crew vehicle transporting the resting racer should stay close just in case an unexpected exchange is required.

•  In the mountains: When the grades are 2-5% each racer should take a pull of four or five miles. If the grades are over 5%, pulls should be no more than three miles.  Over 8%, consider one to two mile pulls. Be mindful that to make an exchange there must be a proper pullout on the road.

•  Descents: Regardless of whose turn it is to ride, the most skilled descender should ride down the mountain, especially at night. Many of the descents are steep and technical. Plan to have the best descender waiting at the top of the hill to make an exchange.

•  Into the wind: If drafting is necessary in super windy conditions (most likely between Torrey and Panguitch) both racers may be on the course.