The Puerto Vallarta Race was established in 1971 as a biennial international yacht race from Marina del Rey in Southern California to the yacht harbor of the picturesque town of Puerto Vallarta on the mainland coast of Mexico -- a predominantly off-wind run down the coast of Baja with an exciting reach across the Gulf -- a rhumb line distance of 1125 nautical miles. During the 26 years that Del Rey Yacht Club has hosted this event, the PV Race has gone through several transformations as DRYC strives to meet the needs and desires of the current racing yachts. Presently, there are two divisions:

• The Racing Division provides PHRF and one-design class racing for the serious yacht racer who wants to test his racing skills and the capabilities of his yacht over a course -- that, in February, provides good winds, balmy weather, and a full moon -- ending in a fun-filled, exotic port. A course record of 4 days, 23 hours, 0 minutes, 14 seconds, established in 1985 by Camille and Richard Daniels' Macgregor 65, JOSS, waits to be broken.
• The Salsa Division is for the skippers and crews that want a more leisurely pace -- and an opportunity to explore some of the beautiful bays along the Baja Coast. The course consists or three racing legs and one fishing leg, each with layover time in a safe anchorage. Within this division, there is a Spinnaker Class for more competitive sailors and a Non-Spinnaker Class for more laid-back competition.

All participants in the 2007 PV Race will be provided with a satellite transformer pack affixed to their yacht's stern pulpit. These transformers will allow hourly tracking of each boat on the DRYC website. In addition, the establishment of "Crossing Lines" will create four legs within the Racing Division course for additional class trophies.
(See New for PV07)