The Triumph Scrambler 1200 isn’t really supposed to be a race bike, but that didn’t stop Triumph from entering in the National Off-Road Racing Association Mexican 1000 Rally. Factory rider Ernie Vigil rode the Scrambler 1200 XE, finishing fifth out of 13 entrants in the Modern Open Class, which was mostly comprised of off-road dedicated 450 dirt bikes and a few Honda XR650Rs.
Vigil was originally supposed to race the Scrambler 1200 in the Baja 1000 last fall but had to withdraw after breaking his left ankle during training. Back to health, Vigil completed the five-day, 1,037-mile Mexican 1000 rally in a time of 25 hours and 37 minutes.
#278 was Steve McQueen’s number for when he raced the 1964 ISDT.
The Scrambler did have some advantages (having more than twice the displacement of most of its competition helps) but it’s still a mostly street-focused machine, and competed in nearly stock condition including the suspension. The only technical setback was a failed Bib Mousse suffered on Day 2 which caused a three-hour delay. Triumph and Vigil still plan on competing in the Baja 1000 which takes place in November.
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ERNIE VIGIL FINSHES 5TH AT MEXICAN 1000 RALLY
RIDING THE NEW SCRAMBLER 1200 XE ERNIE VIGIL DELIVERS STUNNING RESULT AT THE NORRA MEXICAN 1000 RALLY

Triumph Factory rider Ernie Vigil piloting the all-new Scrambler 1200 XE finished an incredible 5th place at this year?s NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally.
Competing in the Modern Open ...