LIVE ! WEBCAST ALL WEEKBAJA 500 2010 F A C T S H E E T:WHAT:42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 500 Desert Race—Rd 3, of the five-race 2010 SCORE Desert SeriesWHEN:Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 3-6, 2010WHERE:Ensenada-Baja California, Mexico (65 miles south of U.S./Mexico Border at San Diego)WHO:Nearly 300 entries from 26 States and 11 countries (U.S., Mexico, Austria, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan)COURSE:TOTAL MILEAGE: 438.81 miles (4 checkpoints, 22 virtual checkpoints). Starts and finishes in downtown Ensenada on Boulevard Costero in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, marking the third time and third straight year this race has ever FINISHED on Blvd. Costero. Starting and finishing in Ensenada, this year’s tight and technical course will run in a clockwise direction for the fifth straight year. It includes a wide variety of terrain and will the overall course is similar to last year, significant rainfall has caused significant change in the terrain. The course runs East to Ojos Negros area (race mile 35.18), South to Lllano Colorado (rm70) then East and Northeast up over the top of the 5,000-foot Summit (rm106.34), South into the Laguna Salada desert (rm 150) running parallel to the Sea of Cortez to Borrego (rm196.17) and then back Northwest, Southwest past the Mike’s Sky Ranch turnoff, North to near Valle de la Trinidad (rm255.32), followed by a West travel section, turning north,at the Pacific Ocean (rm307.30) then East, North and back West for the final charge back into Ensenada. The first 35.18 miles will be used both outgoing and incoming. The course also includes the traditional 30-plus mile run along the shores of the Pacific Ocean from race-mile 307.30 to 344.64. There are six pavement areas on the course, totaling 13.86 miles, with a maximum speed limit of 60 mph.Checkpoints: CK1-Santa Catarina, rm84.03; CK2-South of Borrego, rm196.17;CK3-Norwest of Colonet, rm307.30; CK4-West of Ojos Negros, rm397.53.PRE AND POST RACE SCHEDULE:THURSDAY, June 3, 2010--(all times PDT)Racer Registration, San Nicolas Hotel, 1p.m.-6 p.m.Media Registration, San Nicolas Hotel, 2p.m.-6p.m.FRIDAY, June 4, 2010--(all times PDT)Racer Registration, San Nicolas Hotel, 8:30a.m.-4:30 p.m.Media Registration, San Nicolas Hotel, 9a.m.-5p.m.Contingency/Tech Inspection, Blvd. Costero, next to Riviera Del Pacifico CC, 10a.m.-6p.m.Mandatory Racer Meeting, Cathedral Room, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, 7p.m.SUNDAY, June 6, 2010--(all times PDT)Posting of Unofficial Results-San Nicolas Hotel, 8a.m.Competition Review Board-San Nicolas Hotel, 9a.m.Awards Celebration-Poolside, San Nicolas Hotel, 11a.m.RACE DAYS SCHUDLE:SATURDAY/SUNDAY, June 5-6, 2010 (all times PDT)START/FINISH:In front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center on Boulevard CosteroLate Registration AND Late Tech, start line, 5:30a.m.RACE STARTS:Motorcycles & ATVs-6a.m.; Cars & Trucks-10 a.m. (Approx)CLASS STARTING ORDER: (30-second intervals)Motorcycles/ATVs:22, 30, 40, 21, 20, 50, 60, 25, 24, SPT M/C>, SPT M/C<, SPT ATV, 26Cars/Trucks:TT, 1, 10, SL, 8, PT, 1-2/1600, 4, 5, 6, 7, 5/1600, 7SX, 2, 3, 7-2, SF, SM, 9, 17, SPT TRUCK, SPT CAR, 11, SPT UTVTIME LIMIT:All vehicles have a 22-hour time limit to cover the course.SANCTION:Sanctioned and produced by SCORE International-Los Angeles CEO & President--Sal Fish;VP—Paul Fish; Attorney/Mexican Liaison—Oscar Ramos; Administration--Sue JohnsonBLACK BOXES:SCORE requires that special ‘black boxes’ is mandatory on all entries. International Race Consultants provides the ‘Black Boxes’ and tracking of each vehicles GPS data along with vehicle speedSPONSORS:Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels-official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull-official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, MasterCraft Safety, Blue C Advertising, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.Additional sponsors in Baja are the Office of the Secretary of Tourism of Baja California and ProTurismo de Ensenada.TOP RACERS:SCORE Trophy-Truck: 1 Robby Gordon, 97 B.J. Baldwin, 20 Rob MacCachren, 19 Tim Herbst, 49 Troy Herbst/Brian Collins, 8 Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler, 21 Gus Vildosola Jr./Gus Vildosola, 23 Mark McMillin, 31 Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, 71 Rick D. Johnson, 2 Pete Sohren, 16 Cameron Steele, 96 Bobby Baldwin, 39 Ron Whitton, 84 Nick Vanderwey, 22 Damen Jefferies, 30 Robbie Pierce, 13 Ed Stout, 9 Gary Weyhrich, 51 Kory Scheeler, 7 Scott Steinberger, 35 Jason Voss, 95 Scott Whipple; Class 1: Armin Schwarz/Martin Christensen, Ronny Wilson, Randy Wilson, Kory Halopoff/Harley Lenter, Daniel McMillin, Armin Kremer; Class 1-2/1600: Hiram Duran/Eric Duran, Brad Wilson/L.J. Kennedy/Sammy Ehrenberg, Brian Wilson, , Cody Robinson, Luke McMillin; Class 5: Kevin Carr; Class 6: Heidi Steele, Marc Burnett, Dave Caspino; Class 7: Dan Chamlee; Class 8: Clyde Stacy, Juan C. Lopez; Class 10: Mike Lawrence; SCORE Lite: Brent Parkhouse/Brian Burgess, Lee Banning, Justin Davis; Stock Full: Joe Bacal; Class 22: Kendall Norman/Quinn Cody, Colton Udall/Jeff Kargola, Robby Bell/Steve Hengeveld/Mike Childress; CLASS 30: Mike Johnson/Rex Cameron; CLASSES 30, 50: Jim O’Neal, Eizaburo Kawasara; CLASS 40: Brian Campbell, Louie Franco/Ricky Johnson/Brett Helm; CLASS 60: Donald Lewis; CLASS 20: Jesus Rios, Anna Cody; CLASS 25: Wayne Matlock; Class 24: Craig ChristyCLASSES:The race features 28 Pro & 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.Pro Cars & TrucksSCORE TROPHY-TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks)CLASS 1 (Unlimited single or two-seaters)CLASS 1-2/1600 (single or two-seaters to 1600cc)CLASS 3 (Short wheelbase 4X4)CLASS 5 (Unlimited Baja Bugs)CLASS 5/1600 (1600cc Baja Bugs)CLASS 6 (Unlimited, Production mini trucks)CLASS 7 (Open mini trucks)CLASS 7SX (Modified, Stock mini trucks)CLASS 8 (Full-sized two-wheel drive trucks)CLASS 9 (Short wheelbase, single or two-seaters)CLASS 10 (Single or two-seaters to 1650cc)SCORE LITE (Limited single-1776cc-or two-seaters-1835cc)CLASS 11 (Stock VW Sedans)STOCK FULL (Stock full-sized trucks)STOCK MINI (Stock mini trucks)PROTRUCK (Limited Production Trucks)CLASS 17 (Modified, Class 3 Jeep Cherokees)Pro MotorcyclesCLASS 22 (250cc or more)CLASS 21 (126cc to 250cc)CLASS 20 (Up to 125cc)CLASS 30 (Riders over 30 years old)CLASS 40 (Riders over 40 years old)CLASS 50 (Riders over 50 years old)CLASS 60 (Riders over 60 years old)Pro ATVsCLASS 25 (251cc or more)CLASS 24 (250cc or less)CLASS 26 (Limited, Utility2009 TOP FINISHERS:267 Total Starters174 Total FinishersOVERALL CARS & TRUCKS:1. Harley Letner/Kory Halopoff, Orange, Calif., Tatum-Chevy (Class 1)2. Rick D. Johnson, Barstow, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)3. Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix/Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif./Michael Vanderwey, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)4. Roger Norman, Reno, Nev./Larry Roeseler, Irvine, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)5. Pete Sohren, Glendale, Ariz., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck6. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford-F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)7. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif., Dodge Ram 1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)8. Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy CK1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck9. Arnoldo Ramirez/Misael Arambula, Ensenada, Mexico, Curry-VW (Class 1-2/1600)10. Eric Duran/Hiram Duran, Tecate, Calif., Neth-VW (Class 1-2/1600)11. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)OVERALL MOTORCYCLE--1. Bill Boyer, Lomita, Calif./Stuart Goggins, Upland, Calif./Nicholas Blais, Chino Calif., Honda CRF450X (Class 21) OVERALL ATV--1. Nick Nelson, Tehachapi, Calif./Brandon Brown, Eumantilla, Ore./Jorie Williams, Longview, Wash., Suzuki LTR450 (Class 25)2008 TOP FINISHERS:289 Total Starters195 Total FinishersOVERALL CARS & TRUCKS:1. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)2. Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)3. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif., Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)4. Luis Ramirez Jr., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, HMS-Chevy (Class 1)5. Roger Norman, Reno, Nev./Larry Roeseler, Irvine, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)6. Ron Whitton, Mesa, Ariz./Todd LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Ford-F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)7. Dale Ebberts, Wilton, Calif./Brad Etter, Villa Park, Calif., Porter-Chevy (Class 1)8. Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW (Class 1)9. Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, Calif./Tom Ridings, Los Alamitos, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)10. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif., Duvel-VW (SCORE Lite)OVERALL MOTORCYCLE--1. Robby Bell, Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif.,Honda CRF450X (Class 22) OVERALL ATV--1. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Marc Spaeth, Ramona,Calif./Rick Cecco, Brilings Springs, Penn., Honda TRX700XX (Class 25)2007 TOP FINISHERS:492 Total Starters (SCORE ALL-TIME RACE RECORD)282 Total FinisherS (SCORE All-Time RACE RECORD)OVERALL CARS & TRUCKS:1. Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz./Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)2. Robby Gordon, Mooresville, N.C., Chevy CK1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)3. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)4. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)5. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)6. David Scaroni/Matt Scaroni, Heber, Calif., Ford-F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)7. Garron Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)8. Todd Wyllie, New River, Ariz., Chevy C1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)9. Gus Vildosola/Gus Vildosola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)10. B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy (Class 1)OVERALL MOTORCYCLE--1. Robby Bell, Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif.,/Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif., Honda CRF450X (Class 22)OVERALL ATV--1. Danny Prather, Ramona, CA/Mike Cafro, Carlsbad,CA, Honda TRX450R (Class 25)2006 TOP FINISHERS:438 Total Starters:221 Total FinisherslOVERALL CARS & TRUCKS:1. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz., Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)2. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)3. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)4. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif., Smithbuilt-Ford (Class 1)5. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)6. Garron Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)7. Bob Shepard, Phoenix, Chevy CK1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)8. Ed Herbst/Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)9. Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, Calif./Ernie Castro Jr., Newport Beach, Calif., Jimco-Toyota (Class 1)10. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif./Brian Ewalt, Bonita, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)OVERALL MOTORCYCLE--1. Robby Bell, Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif.,Honda CRF450X (Class 22)OVERALL ATV--1. Danny Prather, Ramona, CA/Mike Cafro, Carlsbad,CA, Honda TRX450R (Class 25)2005 TOP FINISHERS:345 Total Starters179 Total FinishersOVERALL CARS & TRUCKS :1. Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy CK1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)2. Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Poway, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)3. Jason Baldwin, Laguna Beach, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck4. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Curt LeDuc, CherryValley, CA Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)5. Damen Jefferies, Oak Hills, Calif., Porter-Chevy (Class 1)6. Marty Coyne/Travis Coyne, El Centro, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)7. Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)8. Brian Ickler, Poway, Calif./Steve Sourapas, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)9. Corky McMillin, Bonita, Calif./Gary Arnold, El Cajon, Calif., Chenowth-Chevy (Class 1)10. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Larry Ragland, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)OVERALL MOTORCYCLE--1. Mike Childress, Wrightwood, Calif./Mouse McCoy, Santa Monica,Calif., Honda XR650R (Class 22)OVERALL ATV--1. Josh Frederick, Moapa, Nev./Cyle Chislock, Murrieta, Calif./Levi Marana, Hemet,Calif., Honda TRX450R (Class 25)2004 TOP FINISHERS:300 Total Starters181 Total FinishersOVERALL CARS & TRUCKS:1. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)2. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif., Smithbuilt-Ford (Class 1)3. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Jerry Whelchel, RanchoSM, CA, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck4. Jason Baldwin, Laguna Hills, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)5. Josh Baldwin, San Diego, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)6. Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Poway, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)7. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)8. Dan Smith/Dave Ashley, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)9. Dan Myers, Newport Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)10. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)OVERALL MOTORCYCLE--1. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif./Johnny Campbell,San Clemente, Calif., Honda XR650R (Class 22)OVERALL ATV--1. Ruben Martin/Gilberto Santana, Tijuana, Mexico, Bombardier Baja X (Class 25)OVERALL WINNERS RETURN:Among the overall race winners returning are 19 drivers/riders who have combined to win 47 overall car/truck and/or motorcycle titles, including drivers and riders from the eight of the last nine 4-wheel overalls and 9 of the last 10 motorcycle overall winners. Leading the way with multiple overall wins in this race are Larry Roeseler with 11 overall victories (including nine on a motorcycle), Robby Gordon and Troy Herbst with three each in 4-Wheel, and in 2-wheel, Steve Hengeveld with six, Johnny Campbell with five, and Robby Bell and Kendall Norman with three.MULTIPLE CLASS WINNERS RETURN:In the field are 80 racers who have combined to win 180 combined class wins in the history of this race.Leading this prestigious group of returning multiple class winners is Larry Roeseler whose 16 class wins arethe third-most in race history. The other racers with the most multiple class wins in this race who are back toattempt to add to their winning totals are: Jim O’Neal (12 each), Marcos Nunez (9), Steve Hengeveld, Troy Herbst, Eric Solorzano and Arnoldo Ramirez (7 each), Nick Vanderwey (6), Pancho Bio, Johnny Campbell, Rick D. Johnson, Rob MacCachren, Mark McMillin and Scott McMillin (5 each) and Craig Adams, Dan Chamlee, Robby Gordon, Eizaburo Karasawa and Steve Sourapas (4 each)DEFENDING CLASS CHAMPIONS:A total of 16 of the 24 defending Pro class winners (2 classes had no finishers) from last year are enteredso far this year, although two of them have switched classes. Back to defend their race wins are Rick D.Johnson (SCORE Trophy-Truck, Ford F-150), Harley Letner/Kory Halopoff (Class 1, Tatum-Chevy), Arnoldo Ramirez, Class 1-2/1600 (Curry-VW), Kevin Carr, San Diego (Class 5, VW Baja Bug), Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger), Robert Pickering, Las Vegas (Class 6, Ford Ranger), Mike Lawrence, Sunset Beach, Calif. (Class 10, Lothringer-VW), Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif. (SCORE Lite, Moulton-VW), Eric Solorzano, Tijuana Mexico (Class 11, VW Sedan), Joe Bacal, Anthem, Ariz. (Stock Full, Lexus LX570), Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas (Class 30, Honda CRF450X), Eizaburo Karasawa, Japan (Class 50, Honda CRF450X), Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif. (Class 24, Honda TRX450R) and Reid Rutherford, Montrose, Colo. (Class 26, Arctic Cat).Bill Boyer, Lomita, Calif. (Class 24) has switched to another team in Class 21 and Nick Nelson, Tehachapi, Calif. (Class 25) has switched riders of record to Brandon Brown, Eumantilla, Ore., and moved to Class 24)CROSSOVER/CELEBRITY RACERS:Among the crossover/celebrity racers entered in this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 500 are:Robby Gordon, NASCAR Team Owner/Driver (No. 1 SCORE Trophy-Truck)Armin Schwarz, Germany, 119 World Rally Championship starts (No. 103 Class 1)Cameron Steele, TV Sports Announcer including X-Games (No. 16 SCORE Trophy-Truck)Armin Kremer, champion German Rally racer (No. 123, Class 1)Scott Whipple, World Champion Top Fuel Sand Drag Racer (No. 95, SCORE Trophy-Truck)Harri Rovanpera, Finland, World Rally Championship driver, (No. 802, Class 8Jeff Kargola, freestyle motocross star (No. 12x, Class 22)Joe Bacal, Performance Driving instructor, cancer survivor (No. 879, Stock Full)FEMALE RACERS:While there are numerous female co-drivers/riders, the 5 women who are driver/rider of record are:Heidi Steele, Cameron Steele’s wife, (Class 6)Anna Cody, Class 20 (motorcycle, under 125cc)Olivia Rich, Class 20 (motorcycle, under 125cc)Talya Dodson, Class 30 (motorcycle riders over 30 years of age)Viry Felix, Sportsman Car (unlimited open-wheel desert race cars)
The Fifth Year of Baja Racing News.com LIVE! Webcasts Continues to Dominate!
The BAJA 500 2010 is a unique event and complete web coverage of the 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 500 will give motorsports enthusiasts around the world unprecedented access to one of the longest running and most prestigious off-road races on the international calendar.
The Web site http://www.bajaracingnews.com/ has planned five days of live video coverage, highlighted by exclusive live Web cast of the prestigious Baja Fiesta Party and Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at Ensenada, Baja, Mexico’s Horsepower Ranch on Thursday evening, June 3rd.
Launched Five Years ago, Baja Racing News.com’s purpose is to bring the legendary desert off-road racing series in Baja Mexico direct to fans and to the racing community. In addition to an enhanced live satellite tracking page that will monitor all of the 275 plus vehicles expected to start next week’s SCORE Baja 500, scheduled for June 4-6, 2010. Baja Racing News.com’s site will provide actual race course prerun video and photography; two streaming audio channels webcasting live event coverage and unofficial timing and scoring in 50-mile intervals. In addition, Baja Racing News.com will set up LIVE ! Webcasts of all the pre-race festivities, including Mikes Sky Ranch Dress-A-Thon.
The live race coverage also provides visitors to the site, which can be accessed via http://www.off-road1.com/ site and pre-race interviews, live streaming of the Baja 500 start/finish finish line and a chat room for teams to post updates on their drivers.
In addition to the race coverage, Baja Racing News.com announced the LIVE ! Webcast of the legendary Baja Fiesta Party at the Horsepower Ranch on Thursday, June 3rd from 6:00pm-9:00pm. The coverage will include a direct video and audio feed of the on-stage Hall of Fame induction ceremony that this year will include the Herbst family and five-time SCORE Baja 1000 winner Mark McMillin. Baja Racing News.com's LIVE ! Web cast will also include on-site interviews with event VIPs, corporate sponsors and members of the large crowd expected at Horsepower Ranch for the festivities. TI’s coverage will be co-hosted by Baja Legacy co-founder and Dirt Sports Magazine Editorial and Marketing Director Marty Fiolka, also a noted off-road racing historian. The Baja Fiesta Party began as part of the SCORE Baja 500 weekend in 2003, and Horsepower Ranch’s Carrera Cantina is adorned with a prestigious Hall of Fame that includes the sport’s biggest names.
Baja Racing News.com provides race tracking, multimedia content and safety monitoring to promoters teams and fans for extreme sporting events held in remote locations. At last year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the site generated traffic numbers that exceeded Five Million page views originating from over 100 countries for its innovative live event coverage.
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About Baja Racing News.com:
Baja Racing News.com is a highly interactive website providing international coverage of land, sea and air Baja desert off-road racing events & sports. Baja Racing News.com foundation is in the rugged and logistically demanding world of long-distance desert off-road races in the United States and Mexico. Via cutting edge technology, Baja Racing News.com increases event exposure for promoter, racer and sponsor, while allowing interactive enthusiast participation on a global scale.
SCORE-record 41 SCORE Trophy-Trucks ready to roarOn Saturday at 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 500 desert raceNearly 300 entries from 26 States, 11 countries; ‘live’ tracking at www.bajaracingnews.comENSENADA, Mexico—With much of the attention to be centered around a SCORE-record 41 SCORE Trophy-Trucks on the starting grid, adventurers and the world’s best desert racers from across the globe are heading to Mexico for the 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 500, the second-oldest continuous desert race in the world.Round 3 of the five-race 2010 SCORE Desert Series, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series, featuring nearly 300 entries, competing in 28 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, will be held Thursday through Sunday in Ensenada, Mexico. Traditionally one of the most popular events on the SCORE schedule, over 100,000 spectators are expected to enjoy the world’s most unique form of motorsport at this year’s 42nd anniversary of the Tecate SCORE Baja 500, the original desert race produced by SCORE on July 26, 1974. With vehicles starting one every 30 seconds in the elapsed-time race, the fastest finishers should finish in around 13 hours and the time limit to become an official finisher will be 22 hours.With late entries accepted up to race morning, entries have come from 26 U.S. States from Hawaii to Connecticut, along with the additional countries of Mexico, Austria, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan and the U.S. territory of Guam. The green flag will drop for the 438.81-mile race at 6 a.m. on Saturday for the motorcycle and ATV classes in the Tecate SCORE Baja 500, followed by the car and truck classes three hours after the last ATV at approximately 10 a.m. The elapsed-time race will start and finish in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center on Boulevard Costero in the heart of Ensenada, leaving and returning into the city through the spectator-laden Arroyo Wash.For the third straight year and just the third time in the 42-year history of the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 desert race, the colorful pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and Contingency, the start and finish line will all be located in the heart of Ensenada, Mexico on Boulevard Costero adjacent to the historic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. It will be the second time in race history that both the pre-race activities and the finish will be held on this historic boulevard.The SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, on Blvd Costero. Racer registration will again be held in the Grand Ballroom of the San Nicolas Hotel. Registration hours will be from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.The awards celebration will be held poolside at the San Nicolas Hotel on Sunday at 11 a.m.The featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division for high-tech, 800-horsepower, unlimited production trucks has a SCORE-record 41 entries in this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 500.The returning SCORE Trophy-Truck winners in this race are: Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif. (1995) who is a co-driver for Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix (No. 84, Chevy Silverado), Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas (1996) (No. 20, Ford F-150), Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C. (2005) (No. 1, Chevy CK1500), Brian Collins, Las Vegas (2006, 2007) who is a co-driver this year for Las Vegas’ Troy Herbst (No. 49, Dodge Ram1500), Las Vegas’ B.J. Baldwin (2008) (No. 97 Chevy Silverado) and Rick D. Johnson, Barstow, Calif. (2009) (No. 71, Ford F-150).Among the overall race winners entered this year are 19 drivers/riders who have combined to win 47 overall car/truck and motorcycle titles, including drivers and riders from eight of the last nine 4-wheel overalls and 9 of the last 10 motorcycle overall winners.Leading the way with multiple overall wins in this race are Larry Roeseler with 11 overall victories (including nine on a motorcycle), Robby Gordon and Troy Herbst with three each in 4-Wheel, and in 2-wheel, Steve Hengeveld with six, Johnny Campbell with five, and Robby Bell and Kendall Norman with three.In the field are 80 racers who have combined to capture a 180 combined class wins in the history of this race.Leading this prolific group of returning multiple class winners is Larry Roeseler whose 16 class wins are the third-most in race history. The other racers with the most multiple class wins in this race who are back to attempt to add to their winning totals are: Jim O’Neal (12 each), Marcos Nunez (9), Steve Hengeveld, Troy Herbst, Eric Solorzano and Arnoldo Ramirez (7 each), Nick Vanderwey (6), Pancho Bio, Johnny Campbell, Rick D. Johnson, Rob MacCachren, Mark McMillin and Scott McMillin (5 each) and Craig Adams, Dan Chamlee, Robby Gordon, Eizaburo Karasawa and Steve Sourapas (4 each).The talented field of veteran desert racers in Baja this week includes 16 defending class winners out of the 24 Pro classes that had finishers in last year’s race, including last year’s overall 4-wheel vehicle winners Kory Halopoff/Harley Letner of Orange, Calif. (unlimited Class 1) and SCORE Trophy-Truck champion Rick D. Johnson/Brian Sallee, of Barstow, Calif. Also entered are the top 11 overall finishers from 2009.While pre-running of the race course began on May 22, the only pre-running that will be allowed on the first 35.18 miles of the course will be outbound only and only this Thursday and Friday. No inbound pre-running on the last 35.18 miles of the course will be allowed. Pre-running of the rest of the course has been starting and finishind in the Ojos Negros area.Prominent Southern California industrialist and desert racer Ed Stout, who finished third in season points last year in his marquee class and earned a SCORE Toyota Milestone Award, received the first starting positions for 4-wheel vehicles in his No. 31 Stout Industries Chevy Silverado.While late entries will be accepted up to race morning, as of today, the Pro 4-Wheel vehicles classes with the most entries are: SCORE Trophy-Truck (41), Class 1 (26). Class 1-2/1600 (15) and SCORE Lite (13).Leading the Pro Motorcycle classes in entries so far are Class 22 (13) along with Class 21 and Class 30 (11 each). Class 24 leads the Pro ATV classes with 16 entries to date.Among the Sportsman classes, SPT Motorcycles over 250cc has 27 entries and there are also 15 SPT ATVs to date.Besides the Halopoff/Letner and Johnson/Sallee teams, other defending Pro class champions in the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 entered this year to date are: Kevin Carr, San Diego (Class 5, VW Baja Bug); Marcos Nunez, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 5/1600, VW Baja Bug), Robert Pickering, Las Vegas (Class 6, Ford Ranger), Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger); Mike Lawrence, Sunset Beach, Calif. (Class 10, Lothringer-VW); Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif./Brian Burgess, Riverside, Calif. (SCORE Lite, Moulton-VW); Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico (Class 11, VW Sedan), Joe Bacal, Anthem, Ariz., (Stock Full, Lexus LX570); Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Rex Cameron, Albuquerque, N.M. (Class 30, Honda CRF450X); Eizaburo Karasawa, Japan (Class 50, Honda CRF450X); Nick Nelson, Tehachapi, Calif./Brandon Brown, Eumantilla, Ore. (Class 25, Suzuki LTR450); Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif. (Class 24, Honda TRX450R) and Reid Rutherford, Montrose, Colo. (Class 26, Arctic Cat).This popular SCORE early summer race began in 1969 under the auspices of the old NORRA organization and SCORE began its enduring run with it on July 26, 1974. This year will be the 37th anniversary of the first SCORE race in Baja.In addition to season point class point championships, drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also racing to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to all car and truck class drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season. Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 25thconsecutive year, a total of 26 drivers remain eligible after Round 1 of the 2010 SCORE Desert Series. Racers are also competing for the annual SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year awards, including the MasterCraft Safety SCORE Rookie of the Year award.Included in the nearly $300,000 in contingency posting and cash purse for the race is the special $10,000 MasterCraft Safety cash contingency bonus for qualified racers in the car and truck classes.Tecate SCORE Baja 500All-time Overall winnersYear—DRIVERS/RIDERS, VEHICLE1969--Bud Ekins/Guy Jones, Baja Boot-OldsDoug Douglas/Jim McClurg, Ducati1970--Parnelli Jones, FordBill Silverthorn/Gene Fetty, Husqvarna1971--Bobby Ferro, Funco-VWMalcolm Smith/J.N. Roberts, Husqvarna1972--Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VWGene Fetty/Bill Silverthorn, Honda1973--Parnelli Jones, FordHoward Utsey/Mickey Quade, Husqvarna1974--Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VWMitch Mayes/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna1975--Ivan Stewart, Funco-VWLarry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Harley-Davidson1976--Bobby Ferro/Ivan Stewart, Funco-VWLarry Roeseler/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna1977--Ivan Stewart, Chenowth-VWLarry Roeseler/Jack Johnson, Husqvarna1978--Bud Feldkamp/Malcolm Smith, Funco-VWBrent Wallingsford/Scot Harden, Husqvarna1979--Malcolm Smith/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VWJack Johnson, Husqvarna1980--Bob Gordon, Chenowth-ChevyBruce Ogilvie/Chuck Miller, Yamaha1981--Malcolm Smith/Bill Newbury, Chenowth-ChevyLarry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Yamaha1982--Larry Ragland, Funco-VWLarry Roeseler/Chuck Miller, Yamaha1983--Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-VWDan Ashcraft, Husqvarna1984--Larry Ragland, Chaparral-VWDan Smith/Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna1985--Ron Gardner/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VWKurt Pfeiffer/Scot Harden, Husqvarna1986--Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-PorscheGarth Sweetland/Scot Harden, Husqvarna1987--Bob Gordon/Tim Crabtree, Chenowth-PorscheLarry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki1988--Mark McMillin, Chenowth-PorscheDan Ashcraft/Kurt Pfeiffer, Yamaha1989--Robby Gordon, Ford(no motorcycles)1990--Robby Gordon, FordLarry Roeseler/Danny LaPorte, Kawasaki1991--Ivan Stewart, ToyotaGarth Sweetland/Paul Krause, Kawasaki1992--Ivan Stewart, ToyotaLarry Roeseler/T. Hunnicutt Jr./P. Krause, Kawasaki1993--Ivan Stewart, ToyotaDanny Hamel/L. Roeseler/T. Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki1994--Ivan Stewart, Toyota (Trophy-Truck)Dave Ashley/Dan Smith, FordPaul Krause/Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki1995--Curt LeDuc, Jeep (Trophy-Truck)Mike Julson/Bob Lofton, Jimco-VWPaul Krause/Craig Smith, Kawasaki1996--Rob MacCachren, Ford (Trophy-Truck)Troy Herbst, Smithbuilt-PorschePaul Krause/Ty Davis, Kawasaki1997--Ivan Stewart, Toyota (Trophy-Truck)Mark McMillin, Jimco-PorscheJohnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda1998--Ivan Stewart, ToyotaJohnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda1999--Ivan Stewart, ToyotaJonah Street/Torsten Borstrom, Honda2000--Larry Ragland, ChevyJonah Street/Steve Hengeveld, Honda2001--Mark McMillin, Jimco-ChevySteve Hengeveld/Jonah Street, Honda2002--Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-FordSteve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda2003--Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-FordSteve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda2004--Alan Pflueger, ChevySteve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda2005--Robby Gordon, ChevyMike Childress/Mouse McCoy, Honda2006--Brian Collins/Larry Ragland, ChevyRobby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda2007--Larry Ragland/Brian Collins, ChevyRobby Bell/Kendall Norman/Steve Hengeveld, Honda2008—B.J. Baldwin, ChevyRobby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda2009—Rick D. Johnson, FordCameron Corfman/Craig Smith, Beta
""When SCORE President Sal Fish announced the idea of the TrophyTruck division 17 years ago, some wondered about the plan to introduce a prototype, 800-horsepower class into the already crowded lineup.
As it turns out, Fish was a visionary.
Saturday’s 42nd annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 has attracted a record 41 TrophyTrucks to Ensenada, the traditional start-finish line for the Baby Baja.
Most of the big names in off-road racing have long ago switched from the open buggies to TrophyTrucks, even in these challenging economic times.
And the TrophyTruck lineup reads like a Who’s Who of desert racing — Robby Gordon , Larry Roeseler and co-driver/owner Roger Norman, the father-son team of Andy and Scott McMillin plus Mark McMillin in a second entry, Rob MacCachren, Santee’s Robbie Pierce and the Las Vegas multi-truck team of Tim and Troy Herbst.
The TrophyTrucks will be the first four-wheel vehicles onto the 438.8-mile course at 10 a.m. Saturday. The first of the motorcycles and ATVs will start at 6 a.m.
Almost 300 motorcycles and vehicles are entered in off-road racing’s second-oldest event, which also represents the midpoint of the SCORE season.
And nearly a fifth off all the four-wheel starters will be TrophyTrucks — including seven of the race’s 16 previous TrophyTruck winners.
The all-time leader in TrophyTruck wins in the Baja 500 is retired driver Ivan Stewart of Lakeside, who scored four of his record nine overall Baja 500 wins in the TrophyTruck class.
The returning SCORE TrophyTruck winners in this race are: Curt LeDuc (1995), who is a co-driver this year for Nick Vanderwey of Phoenix; MacCachren (1996); Gordon (2005); Brian Collins (2006 and 2007); B.J. Baldwin (2008); and Rick D. Johnson (2009).
Among the favorites will be the trucks of Poway’s Andy McMillin and the Blossom Valley-based tandem of Roeseler-Norman.
Roeseler has a record 11 overall Baja wins to his credit with 11 coming on motorcycles. Roeseler also has 16 class wins, which is the third-highest count in Baja 500 history.
Spring Valley’s Pancho Bio, Rancho Santa Fe’s Steve Sourapas and brothers Mark and Scott McMillin all have four class wins in the Baja 500.
Defending class champions in the Baja 500 include San Diego’s Kevin Carr (open Baja Bugs).""
"Since we put the 3.5's on the front it's handled like a new car so we decided to give it a new look" said driver Harley Letner.
The Letner Racing Team worked with King Shocks to develop the new design. Be sure to look for the blue!
MASTERCRAFT HIRES CO-DOG FOR BAJA 500 2010
""MasterCraft Racing has "uped the ante" by securing "Turbo Tom" Geviss as the co-driver of the No. 30 Jimco-built SCORE Trophy Truck. During his 30 years of racing in both the driver's and passenger's seat, Geviss has accumulated five Baja 1000 victories and numerous class and series championships. Tom was also named the driver of record for the Man race support vehicle for Robby Gordon's 2009 Dakar program in the H3 Hummer. Navigating the treacherous and diverse South American terrain in the Man race support vehicle has added an incredible level of experience to Geviss' already impressive resume.
"I am confident that Robbie and I can add a few more trophies to the mantle," said a smiling Geviss. Pierce joins a who's-who list of talent that has teamed with "Turbo Tom", including off-road royalty such as Larry Ragland, Jon Nelson, Robbie Gordon, NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson, John Marking, and most recently, Jesse James. Geviss's co-driver position will be in the No. 30 Trophy Truck outfitted with MasterCraft 3G suspension seats and complimented by MasterCraft Safety five-point restraints and SFI-approved 3.2A/5 MasterCraft Safety race suit. MasterCraft Safety's full-line of performance seating offers both comfort and protection in high "G" load situations and provides an 84% reduction of energy in a 50 G load impact.""
Francisco Septien
“We don’t have the budget O’Neal has plus he has a tendency to go with 5 or more rider on a team, our plan is to keep it simple and go with Shane and Brian, we have not decided exactly where each of us will ride but we have a good idea. Shane is obviously the rabbit with great speed out of the gate and Brian is a solid runner that is reliable. I think I proved myself in San Felipe that I can run with the best”
Shane Esposito: “there has been some smack talk between O’Neal’s team and ours but all in good fun. I think when we lost one of our riders and he signed with O’Neal that will definitely motivate us all that much more to kick their ass! I’m doing my part.
Brian Pinard: I’m trying to take the high road and not get involved with all the talk between teams, I just want to get a clean ride in and do the best we can, we have all rode with each other on teams before but there seems to be more drama coming into the 500 after Francisco’s win in San Felipe.
The Kenda Tire backed Honda 305x will be leaving the line in 4th position on the 30 pro class Sat. morning June 5. Look for the 08 King of Baja Francisco (Poncho) Septien’s team close to the front as the event progresses.
US Sponsors
Kenda Tire Victor Race Prep
CHM Exhaust Rob Machaca
Barnett Clutch Hurtado Body Shop
Enduro
Pivot Works/Hot Cams Azteca Motorsports
O’Neal
Dirt Tricks/Iron Man Sprockets
Motive Gear makes the ring and pinion gears desert racers and short course racers count on, and partnered with Tubeworks power race winners and Champions. Both companies see a future witrh spec class racing and the 3000 Class, and feel the Bajalite is an exciting platform to showcase the Motive Gear Performance ring and pinions, as well as Tubeworks custom heavy duty 9" housings. More Details forthcoming...
McMillin Team BAJA 500 2010
Score Trophy-Truck
23 Mark McMillin / Chuck Hovey
31 Andy McMillin / Scott McMillin
Class 1
McMillin 101 Dan / Steve Sourapas
Class 1/2-1600
1603 Luke McMillin / Andrew DeVercelly IV
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* CHECKPOINT 1 - SANTA CATARINA / MILE 84.03 - SATURDAY @ 11:00 PM
* CHECKPOINT 2 - SOUTH OF BORREGO / MILE 196.17 - SUNDAY @ 5:00 AM
* CHECKPOINT 3 - NORTHWEST OF COLONET / MILE 307.30 - SUNDAY @ 7:00 AM
* CHECKPOINT 4 - WEST OF OJOS NEGROS / MILE 397.53 - SUNDAY @ 9:00 AM
What Happened to G&R Racing at the BAJA 250 last March?
""When G&R Racing rolled their Ford F-150 Trophy Truck off the trailer in downtown Ensenada, Mexico on Friday morning, all systems were go for what was expected to be a short sprint for endurance athlete and off road racing’s young gun, Garron Cadiente. Both Cadiente and his teammate, Ron Whitton, had been in Baja prerunning the SCORE Baja 250 throughout week and confidence was brimming in the G&R Racing stable. That all changed in a split second as the No.38 Geiser-built FORD race truck tangled with a dump truck skirting the race course late Friday afternoon. “The team came together and wrenched all night in order to put my freshly prepped truck on the start line early Saturday morning. They worked tirelessly, replacing bent tubes, shocks and steering components. We took a hard hit very close to the race, but the guys really put together a winning effort just to get the truck to the start line,” remarked a sore Cadiente. The short race saw both the No.38 and 39 G&R Racing race trucks get around the 215-mile race course without any major problems. Cadiente’s bruised race truck was fitted with spare suspension from his prerunnner and the setup was different than his race setup, barring him from racing at top speed. Claiming the 10th position in a field of 30 SCORE Trophy Truck starters, Garron continues to stride in search of a SCORE class championship. Cadiente explained,”Baja has been difficult for our team.""
Matlock Racing Prepares for the 42nd Annual Tecate SCORE ATV Race
2010 Tecate SCORE BAJA 500 - June 5th - Ensenada, Baja, Mexico
""After many months of preparation the Matlock Racing team will head south of the border once again to defend their overall title at the 42nd annual running of the Tecate SCORE Baja 500, the second oldest desert race in the world.
The team recently took the Overall win in the rst race of the SCORE series at the Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. This year’s team will consist of Wayne Matlock, Josh Caster and Wes Miller aboard the #1A Matlock Racing TRX700XX. The team will once again use a Honda TRX700XX as the quad of choice in the harsh terrain of the Baja peninsula.
The race quad has been prepped by Wayne Matlock and Rich Morel to provide another race winning performance. The team will head south of the border more than a week before the race to begin prerunning each section of the course multiple times before race day. Each member of the team carefully studies their sections religiously until they know every inch of the course. It is this dedication that keeps them at the front of the pack.
With nearly 300 entries at this year’s race the competition should be erce. The race course’s 439 miles will cover some of the roughest terrain the Baja peninsula has to o er. Starting in Ensenada, the course makes its way east into the mountains thru the town of Ojos Negros, then into the famous silt of Tres Hermanos before reaching the summit. Once reaching the summit the course drops dramatically to the dry lake bed of Laguna Salada before heading south towards the rocky whoops of Borrego. Before leaving the desert of Borrego the course turns west and climbs its way back into the mountains to the Famous Mike’s Sky Rancho. Thru the water crossings the course heads north to Valle De Trinidad before heading west once again to the Paci c coast. Once to the Paci c coast the course works its way north following the steep cli s and gullies along the ocean waves before turning east towards the town of Santo Tomas. Passing thru Santo Tomas the course continues east back to hills of Ojos Negros before its nal stretch back into Ensenada. This course will test the racers as they work to lead the pack and cross the fi nish line fir rst in Ensenada.
The #1A Matlock Racing quad will start second to the line in the PRO ATV class and each rider will be working hard to gain time on the competition from the drop of the green ag all the way to the crossing of the fi nish line and the checkered flag.
Spectators will be able to track the #1A Matlock Racing team’s progress throughout the race on Baja Racing News.com with live updates posted continually on race day.""
LIVE ! WEBCAST ALL WEEKENDBaja Racing News.com EXCLUSIVE Baja 500
Pre-Running with Baja Safari!
Well I was the lucky guy who won the Baja Safari Mexico Club to ride with LR, man I'm lucky none of you out bid me because it was one to remember. Thanks to everyone at Baja Safari Moto Reservations for arranging this ride with LR, what a super cool outfit they are.
So my son and I meet LR and his friend Scott at Ojos at around 9am, this is basically where the pre-running starts for the course at around RM35. We exchange pleasantries and after Larry talks to Mike Childress for a few minutes I jump in and Scott and my son Austin get in my truck and plan to meet us where the course meets back up with highway 3, approx. RM75 I think. So we take off and the fun begins. Right before we left Scott gave me some great advice, he said "just relax otherwise you will be really sore the next day". So this is what I tried to do, it is really hard though to do this when you see a giant whoop(s) coming and you are going really fast and you just think, no way, this is going to hurt. Soon I realized it doesn't, the truck just eats it up, simply amazing.
We meet up at the highway get a quick drink look the truck over and get back in and head for the summit. Aus and Scott are going to meet us around Borrego where we will next be seeing the highway, approx. RM195. They will stop in Valley T for a while and eat and relax as we will take longer than them to get there. We head off and it is just an absolute blast, Larry is either telling me great race stories or teaching technique over the head phones. He knows the course so well he doesn't even have the map loaded on his GPS. He seems to know every turn before it's there and is constantly pointing out what the rain has changed from last year. The course is definetley going to be a rough one for a lot of people.
After cruising on some basically flat really fun sections we approach the start of the summit, this is where it gets interesting. We see ahead a wicked hill climb which has two trucks broken down on it and one bike who has stalled out mid way. We approach it and go around the truck broken at the bottom and start climbing but the rut is a little deeper than the truck and sucks us in and bam we are stuck. The differential is now resting comfortably on the dirt.
So we dig out a bit around the differential and fill the rut with rocks. Larry jumps in and a few of us rock the truck back and forth and Larry backs it down the hill then heads up it avoiding the rut. There was a lot of help there because of the two trucks being downed, I believe one was a broken drive line and the other a bad fuel pump. Really not the place I would want to be broke down, hopefully they were able to get the parts out there and fix them.
I predict a bottle neck in this section during the race should be crazy!
Now we are un-stuck:
I jump back in and when we get to a place to pull over we do and let some air out of the tires. They were at 30 or so and LR was noticing it and wanted them at 22. Made a big difference. We make it to the top of the summit and there you get a spectacular view. The area in the far far distance that looks like a sandy lake is the southern end of Laguna Salada:
We start our descent off the summit and come to a fork where you can take either line, of course Larry likes the right-side line that is basically going along the edge of a cliff with me on the outside. Yes there is some pucker factor on this section, wish I had a pic. We make it down and then hit a super fun section to Laguna Salada. I tell you there is nothing like having a guy like LR describing previous races as we are running the same course and describing in detail where he passes guys, how he makes his move, where he nerfs them etc. Just simply thrilling.
So now we are jamming along the dry lake bed of Laguna Salada and out of nowhere appears an oasis called SPEED MEX Racing Baja Pits:
They have fresh made tacos and cold beer, you just gotta love Mexico!
We fill our bellies and take off for more fun that went from some super fast stuff to more super technical stuff over what you might call the mini summit. Probably around 3:00pm now and we roll into Borrego where Aus and Scott have been waiting a long time but amazingly enough are in great spirits.
Austin hoping he might get a ride?
Bingo! Time to strap up!
Larry and Austin ready to rail
Baja Racing News.com Go time!
They take off and will basically parrallel the highway back to San Matias which is cool because we will be able to watch some of the action from the road. Scott and I on the highway doing a hundy with LR and my boy right next to us on the dirt was a sight to see. After Stoping in San Matias LR takes Austin on the Mikes loop and we meet them in Valley T. In Valley T we scarf down some delicious tacos and call it a day around 7:00pm.
I'm not sure there is a nicer guy on our planet than Larry Roeseler. He gave us a day my son and I will never forget and was just such a gracious host I couldn't believe. Through out the day anywhere we stopped, I mean anywhere, people would come up to him to say hi, chit chat or get an autograph and he was always accomodating and nice. A real class act like no other I have met.
Baja Racing News EXCLUSIVE!