MEXICAN RADIO Race Radio RECORDED RELAYS FROM THE BAJA 1000 2008
Baja 1000 RACEDAY UPDATES
Baja Racing News.com Baja 1000 Images
BAJA 1000 2008 FINAL COMPLETE RESULTS SCROLL DOWN
American Shot preparing for Baja 1000
American Dies preparing for Baja 1000
Racing risks racing in Mexico
Volkswagen blocks access to black box
Volkswagen Baja 1000 2008 Story
Baja 1000 2008 Mile 54.50 El Muerto Hill from Jose Luis Gomez on Vimeo.
Sidecars thru El Muerto Baja 1000 2008 from Jose Luis Gomez on Vimeo.
Baja 1000 2008 Cars Thru El Muerto from Jose Luis Gomez on Vimeo.
November 23, 2008
Norman Motorsports destroys Baja 1000 2008
From Ensenada, Baja Mexico:
In a race that had a race course that destroyed the best in the business, Norman Motorsports, with Roger Norman and Larry Roeseler piloted their Trophy Truck to victory early this morning in Baja California Mexico.
At the 41st Baja 1000, Roger and Larry destroyed the competition in crossing the finish line first, after running a fierce, horrific race course. Norman Motorsports won the pinnacle of Baja racing, Overall winner, getting to the finish line before all other four wheel Baja 1000 racers.
The Trophy Truck of Norman Motorsports is a duplicate vehicle of the Riviera Racing truck, once owned by the famous Nick Baldwin. The breed of equipment was a winner, Larry Roeselers magic and Roger Normans passion for the sport of desert off-road racing, combined, here in Ensenada to win the 2008 Baja 1000.
The race course was the phenom. Designed by legendary Sal Fish, President of SCORE International, laid waste to even world class efforts. It ran from the Mighty Pacific to the azure shores of the Sea of Cortez and back to the picturesque Casino at the Cove(Ensenada, Baja Mexico). Over the most challenging Baja Mexico terrain possible.
Class 1 Results
Chucky Dempsey and John Herder crossed to finish line to earn the 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 class win in their 101 Jefferies-Chevy buggy with an overall time of 14 hours, 59 minutes and 57 seconds. The team finished just over 16 minutes faster than the second-place Class 1 team in the 118 Alpha Performance-Chevy car of Harley Letner and Kory Halopoff.
Some speculated that the tight, technical sections of the 631-mile course might give the Class 1s a shot at the overall title, but that wasn’t the case at this year’s Baja 1000, as Dempsey and Herder finished 2 hours, 19 minutes and 24 seconds behind overall four-wheel winner Roger Norman and Larry Roeseler.
Rounding out the top three in Class 1 was the 117 Jimco-Chevy buggy of Ron Brant, Richard Boyle and Tom Kirkmeyer, who finished the race in 15 hours, 28 minutes and 15 seconds. It appears that ninth-place-finisher BJ Richardson, who entered the 1000 with the overall points lead in the class, earned enough points to secure the Class 1 points championship.
Honda Moto Victors
The three-man Honda team of Robby Bell, Kendall Norman and Johnny Campbell are the overall motorcycle winners of the 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. Team leader Campbell crossed the finish line in Ensenada shortly after 7 PM, last night as the team completed the 631.35-mile course in 12 hours, 29 minutes and 10 seconds for an average speed of 50.56 mph.
Baja Racing News.com
Volkswagen Refuses to hand over Black Box
Some Official Answers on the VW Trophy Truck
11/22/08 5:12 PM
More reports:
"It was the Gear Box. I saw Andrew with Xtrac at the Borrego pit. He said at Mile 130 the had to change out the gear box. He was not sure what broke inside. He did say they were more worried about rear ends, instead of the gear box. I saw it come through Borrego and I can't believe how quiet it is. They really need a siren on it, because I could see how a Bike during the day (during the race) could not know they were right behind them. It was quieter than the Super Duty. I did ask Andrew if he knew what the race schedule for next year was? He said he did not know. My guess would be that the next race will be the Baja 500" Another: They were down at race mile 130 for two and a half hours installing a brand new one".
"Defective seal causes major time loss
The Touareg TDI, which (was) powered by a 550-hp 5.5l V12 diesel engine from the Volkswagen Group, was running almost perfectly across the entire distance. Merely a defective seal on the gearbox caused a loss of time at an early stage and, subsequently, even required the gearbox to be exchanged. “Ultimately, a simple seal had an enormous effect with a big loss of time. This defect surprised us because it had never occurred before,” said Don Tebbe, Project Manager for the Arciero Miller Racing (AMR) team which, in close collaboration with Volkswagen Motorsport, is responsible for the development and fielding of the Baja Touareg. “Shortly before the finish we also exchanged the rear differential just to be on the safe side. From tests we knew that this part might possibly be at the limit. Work on an improved version is already in progress,” Tebbe added."" Sure.
Original Report 11/22/08 5:41 AM
Confirmed by Baja Racing News.com this morning, by a high level snarky source at International Racing Consultants, "the Volkwagen Baja Race Touareg TDI team refused to give us (the racing results company for the Baja 1000) the black box", "we still do not have the black box that was on the Volkswagen Trophy Truck in this race".
This makes all the results for the Volkswagen effort in the 2008 Baja 1000, questionable at least.
Early on, the purpose built Volkwagen effort "was hurting". Several reports from Ojos Negros stated severe mechanical problems had the chase crews in tow, while the Volkwagen team scrambled to solve the currently unknown issues. Now with the news of the 'black box' not being turned over to the racing results experts, it raises the obvious question. Does sponsor money pay for race results?
Do you think Baja Racing News.com will follow this story? Hell Yea!
Editor, Gary Newsome
Gavin Skilton Takes Class Win Defeats Hall
The Orange, Calif., racer led the Stock Mini category early in the event over competitors the likes of 19-time Baja winner Rod Hall and young star Ryan Millen. However, Skilton’s six-minute advantage evaporated when his Ridgeline truck suffered a flat tire. He charged back to close on Millen’s lead, but the Honda pickup then became stuck in a silt bed.
Skilton felt his race was over just four miles from the finish, when a rear axle broke. Skilton and his crew made the axle change expecting to finish second in the division.
However, just a mile beyond Skilton’s misfortune, Millen’s Toyota truck encountered trouble and Skilton was able to drive by to the finish line. Skilton’s elapsed time was 21 hours, 22 minutes and 21 seconds.
Gavin Skilton made history Saturday by driving his 2009 Honda Ridgeline truck to the Stock Mini class victory in the 41st annual Baja 1000 off-road race. Skilton, 38, recorded Honda’s first truck win in the legendary Baja 1000 in an exciting run to the finish line after 631.35 miles. Skilton, who also won the most recent SCORE International desert event at Primm, Nev., in September, came from behind with just three miles remaining to capture Honda’s first truck title on the rough Baja, California terrain.
Hall, seeking a record 20th class title in the Baja 1000, placed second in a Hummer H-3.
GAVIN SKILTON: "I held a six-minute lead but I made a mistake. I got caught in the silt. A friend’s truck pulled us out of the hole. I had to make up about six minutes and I couldn’t do it. I broke my vehicle trying to catch the leader. But the competitor [Ryan Millen in a Toyota] broke his vehicle even worse. He broke one mile from my final breaking point. We replaced our axle and he is still sitting there. I had a great race up to Mile 570. We had one small flat when I slammed into a road crossing. That was the only time I was out of the truck since noon [on the opening day]. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. It was a shorter race than usual in Baja, but the terrain was still tough. Never underestimate the Baja, ever. I thought my race was over four miles from the finish. Then, three miles from the finish, my competitor got stuck in a hole. We always say, ‘Don’t give up.’ And today was proof of that motto. The Honda Ridgeline was the best handling truck in our class today. It’s great to win this event for Honda." Baja Racing News.com
41st annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Top Overall Finishers Nov. 19-23, 2008—Final round of five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico (631.35 miles) TOTAL STARTERS: 347 TOTAL FINISHERS: 227 (65.4 Percent) Pro Cars & Trucks 2. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 12:45:26 (49.49 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 3. Chad Ragland, Vista, Calif./Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz., Toyota Tundra, 13:26:19 (46.98 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 4. Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 13:31:11 (46.70 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 5. Dan Friedkin, Houston, Danny Sullivan, Vista, Calif./Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif., Toyota Tundra, 14:34:55 (43.30 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 6. Justin Lofton/Bob Lofton, Westmorland, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 14:51:08 (42.51 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 7. Chuck Dempsey, Oak Hills, Calif./John Herder, Tucson, Ariz., Jefferies-Chevy, 14:59:57 (42.09 mph) (Class 1) 8. Harley Letner/Kory Halopoff, Orange, Calif., Alpha Performance-Chevy, 15:16:53 (41.31 mph) (Class 1) 9. Ron Brant, Oak Hills, Calif./Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif./Tom Kirkmeyer, Apple Valley, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 15:28:15 (40.81 mph) (Class 1) 10. Robbie Pierce/Mike Julson, Santee, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 15:30:45 (40.70 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 11. Ron Whitton, Mesa, Ariz./Garron Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz./Todd LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Ford F-150, 15:48:30 (39.94 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 12. Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Chevy, 15:50:30 (39.85 mph) (Class 10) 13. Rob Bruce, Sublimity, Ore./Mark Witte, Silverton, Ore., Jefferies-Chevy, 16:02:12 (39.37 mph) (Class 1) 14. Bobby Baldwin/Larry Job, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 16:32:15 (38.18 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 15. Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 16:42:47 (37.78 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 16. Arnoldo Ramirez/Misael Arambula/Daniel Lopez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW-Curry, 16:53:11 (37.39 mph) (Class 1-2/1600) 17. Arturo Velazco, Banning, Calif./Steve Cruz, San Diego/Abel Velazco, Banning, Calif., VW-Porter, 16:59:00 (37.17 mph) (Class 1-2/1600) 18. Jason McNeil, El Cajon, Calif., Ford F-150, 17:08:34 (36.83 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 19. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif./Dean Bayerle, Poway, Calif./Ramsey El Wardani, San Diego, VW-Duvel, 17:13:15 (36.66 mph) (SCORE Lite) 20. Mark Hutchins/C.J. Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., Kreger-Honda, 17:13:54 (36.64 mph) (Class 10) 21. Tito Robles/Arturo Salas, Chula Vista, Calif., Jimco-Honda, 17:18:10 (36.49 mph) (Class 10) 22. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif./Rick Geiser, Phoenix, Cadillac Escalade, 17:19:15 (36.45 mph) (SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK) 23. Jason Voss/Rich Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150, 17:48:30 (35.45 mph) (PRO TRUCK) 24. Brian Robinson/Beau Robinson/Travis Robinson, Australia, Jimco-Chevy, 18:04:49 (34.92 mph) (Class 1) 25. Dave Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif./Mike Malloy, Las Vegas/Travis Fletcher, Westminster, Calif., VW-Lothringer, 18:07:49 (34.82 mph) (Class 1-2/1600) Pro Motorcycles 2. Caleb Gosselaar, Juniper Hills, Calif./Timmy Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif./Quinn Cody, Buellton, Calif./Tim Morton, Escondido, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 12:55:35 (48.84 mph) (Class 22) 3. Scott Myers, Menifee, Calif./Shane Esposito, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico, Kawasaki KLX450, 13:06:12 (48.18 mph) (Class 30) 4. Ryan Penhall, Corona, Calif./Brent Harden, Sun City, Calif./Mike Childress, Wrightwood, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 13:15:51 (47.60 mph) (Class 22) 5. Jim O’Neal/Jimmy O’Neal Jr., Simi Valley, Calif./Jason Trubey, Mohave Valley, Ariz./Mac Stewart, N. Las Vegas/Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Luke Dodson, Castaic, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 13:20:25 (47.33 mph) 6. Colton Udall, San Clemente, Calif./Justin Seeds, Phelan, Calif./Bryce Stavron, San Clemente, Calif./Ron Wilson, Encinitas, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 13:29:50 (46.78 mph) (Class 22) 7. Grant Steele, Temecula, Calif./Jeff Kargola, San Clemente, Calif./Max Eddy, Barstow, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 13:32:36 (46.62 mph) (Class 22) 8. Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Kyle Abney, Albuquerque, N.M./Rex Cameron, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda CRF450X, 14:29:21 (43.57 mph) (Class 30) 9. Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Lou Franco, Sherman Oaks, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Bob Johnson, San Diego, Honda CRF450X, 14:39:37 (43.07 mph) (Class 40) 10. Francisco Arredondo, Guatemala/James West, England/Ivan Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico/Victor Rivera, Spain, Honda XR250R, 15:00:45 (42.05 mph) (Class 21) 11. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Doug Heil, Monrovia, Calif./Mike Sixbery, Bullhead City, Ariz./Andy Kirker, Santa Ana, Calif./ Paul Needles, Westlake Village, Calif./Robert Hansen, Carson City, Nev., Honda CRF450X, 15:47:17 (39.99 mph) (Class 50) 12. PG Lundmark, Sweden/Lukas Lundin/Hakan Lidgren, Canada/Peter Postel, Honda CRF450X, 16:07:40 (39.15 mph) (Class 40) 13. Chris Haines, Dana Point, Calif./Scott Pfeiffer, Costa Mesa, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Chuck Sun, Las Vegas, Honda CRF450X, 16:07:51 (39.14 mph) (Class 50) 14. Brian Campbell/Bill Cotton, Bakersfield, Calif./Peter Cochran, Laguna Beach, Calif./Ken Durr, Indio, Calif., KTM 530XCW, 16:11:11 (39.00 mph) (Class 40) 15. Chad Black, Laguna Hills, Calif./Connor Penhall, Corona, Calif./Brian Bebeck/Jake Hullet, Westminster, Calif., Honda CRF250X, 16:20:17 (38.64 mph) (Class 20) Pro ATVs 2. Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Bonsall, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz./Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif., Honda TRX700XX, 14:56:24 (42.26 mph) (Class 25) 3. Stefano Caputo, San Felipe, Mexico (Italy)/Felipe Velez, San Felipe, Mexico/Heriberto Marquez, Ensenada, Mexico/Nick Destaut, San Felipe, Mexico/Alfonso Alonzo, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, Honda TRX450R, 16:14:27 (138.87 mph) (Class 25) 4. Greg Row, Alpine, Calif./Travis Dillon, Santee, Calif./Tony Baker, Alpine, Calif./Rich Kappel, Remsenburg, N.Y., Bombardier DS650, 16:30:15 (38.25 mph) (Class 25) 5. Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif./ Steve Abrego, Covina, Calif./David Scott, Belen, N.M., Honda TRX450R, 16:57:53 (37.22 mph) (Class 24) 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Nov. 19-23, 2008 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico (631.35 miles) TOTAL STARTERS: 347 TOTAL FINISHERS: 227 (65.4 Percent) T O T A L O F F I C I A L F I N I S H E R S PRO CARS & TRUCKS (26 Starters, 15 Finishers) CLASS 1 (Unlimited single or two-seaters)—1. Chuck Dempsey, Oak Hills, Calif./John Herder, Tucson, Ariz., Jefferies-Chevy, 14:59:57 (42.09 mph); 2. Harley Letner/Kory Halopoff, Orange, Calif., Alpha Performance-Chevy, 15:16:53; 3. Ron Brant, Oak Hills, Calif./Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif./Tom Kirkmeyer, Apple Valley, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 15:28:15; 4. Rob Bruce, Sublimity, Ore./Mark Witte, Silverton, Ore., Jefferies-Chevy, 16:02:12; 5. Brian Robinson/Beau Robinson/Travis Robinson, Australia, Jimco-Chevy, 18:04:49; 6. Luis Ramirez Jr. /Carlos Sanchez/Luis Ramirez, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Jefferies-Chevy, 19:08:44; 7. Josh Rigsby, Santa Fe, New Mexico/Tony Murray, Tustin, Calif./Randy Ross, Oak Hills, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 19:25:31; 8. Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, Calif./Tom Ridings, Los Alamitos, Calif. Jimco-Chevy, 20:05:09; 9. B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas/Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore./TJ Flores, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy, 20:31:25; 10. Armin Schwarz, Austria/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW, 22:38:26 (29 Starters, 10 Finishers) CLASS 1-2/1600 (VW-powered, single or two-seaters to 1600cc)—1. Arnoldo Ramirez/Misael Arambula/Daniel Lopez, Ensenada, Mexico, Curry, 16:53:11 (37.39 mph); 2. Arturo Velazco, Banning, Calif./Steve Cruz, San Diego/Abel Velazco, Banning, Calif., Porter, 16:59:00; 3. Dave Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif./Mike Malloy, Las Vegas/Travis Fletcher, Westminster, Calif., Lothringer, 18:07:49; 4. Hiram Duran/Eric Duran/Evan Duran, Tecate, Calif., Neth, 18:29:57; 5. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif./Roberto Romoa/Jose Robles, Mexicali, Mexico, Curry, 20:12:25; 6. Manuel Cruz/Carlos Bernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, Curry, 20:53:59; 7. Edgar Alvarez Jr. /Edgar Alvarez Sr., Mexicali, Mexico, Curry, 21:47:12; 8. Kevin Walsh, Manchester, Mo./John Spar, Westlake Village, Calif./Shawn Umphries, Newbury Park, Calif., Penhall, 22:39:44; 9. Chris Langmayer/Jeff Hoover, Rowlett, Texas/Mike Herrick, Curry, 22:43:54; 10. Martin Shuster/Victor Lugo/David Romeo, Daytona Beach, Fla./Rocky Robbins, Leehigh Acres, Fla., Jimco-VW, 23:01:26; 11. Cory Boyer/Rick Boyer/Chris Boyer, Bakersfield, Calif./Fernie Padilla, Las Vegas, Lothringer, 23:07:36; 12. Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif./Steven Eugenio, El Centro, Calif./Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, Calif., Mirage, 23:32:19; 13. Roman Pereyra/Horacio Pereyra, San Ysidro, Calif., Garibay, 26:29:23 (17 Starters, 13 Finishers) CLASS 3 (Short Wheelbase 4X4)—1. Darren Skilton, Long Beach, Calif./Jon Kellwitz, San Dimas, Calif./Matt McCallum, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Jeep Wrangler, 18:46:15 (33.63 mph); 2. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif./Ken Moss, Marysville, Calif., Ford Bronco, 21:23:47 (4 Starters, 2 Finishers) CLASS 5 (Unlimited VW Baja Bugs)—1. Pietro Brassea/Ivan Pacheco, Mexicali, Mexico, 18:17:37 (34.51 mph); 2. Jim Anderson, Reno, Nev./Drew Belk, Coachella, Calif./Mike Belk, Indio, Calif., 18:42:30; 3. Kevin Carr/Noe Valdez, San Diego, 19:08:18; 4. Vince Wavra, Brawley, Calif./Terry McClintick/Rick McClintick, Orovada, Nev., 23:59:13; 5. Carlos Albanez/Luvian Voelker, Mexicali, Mexico, 26:17:06 (6 Starters, 5 Finishers) CLASS 5/1600 (1600cc VW Baja Bugs)—1. Marcos Nunez/Norberto Rivera, Ensenada, Mexico, 18:22:06 (34.37 mph); 2. Mario Reynoso/Francisco Reynoso, Tijuana, Mexico/Adrian Esparza, San Diego, 19:41:40; 3. Ernie Negrete, San Diego/Oscar Venagas, Rosarito, Mexico/Gabriel Diaz-Peralata, San Ysidro, Calif., 20:52:27; 4. Pedro Athie/Ruben de la Fuente/Rodrigo Hernandez, Ensenada, 22:11:25; 5. Alonso Angulo/Roberto Escobedo/Horacio Morales, Ensenada, Mexico, 27:04:18; 6. Erich Reisen/Ross Burden, Canada/Glynn Fisher, Panama/Peter Ryznar, Canada, 27:14:18 (15 Starters, 6 Finishers) CLASS 6 (Unlimited production mini trucks) –1. Marc Burnett, Chula Vista, Calif., Ford Ranger, 27:02:31 (23.35 mph) (3 Starters, 1 Finisher) CLASS 7 (Open mini trucks)—1. Guillermo Galvan/Ricardo Galvan, Bahia de Los Angeles, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 21:16:25 (29.68 mph); 2. Cesar Belloso/Oscar Belloso/Walter Padilla, Tijuana, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 23:10:02; 3. Jose Canchola Jr./Jose Canchola Sr., Mexicali, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 25:23:56; 4. Jose Gonzalez, Mexicali, Mexico/Roberto Gonzalez, Tijuana, Mexico/Curry Durazo, Calexico, Calif., Ford Ranger, 26:39:41; 5. Dan Chamlee/Tom Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger, 28:38:24 (7 Starters, 5 Finishers) CLASS 7SX (Stock mini trucks)—1. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif./Mark Landersman, Temecula, Calif., Ford Ranger, 20:15:11 (31.17 mph); 2. Heidi Steele/Rene Brugger/Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Ford Ranger, 20:27:38; 3. Noe Sierra, San Bernardino, Calif./Tony Sierra/Johnathan Sierra, Fontana, Calif., Ford Ranger, 21:45:36; 4. Rich Severson, Tucson, Ariz./Bruce Finchum, Mesa, Ariz./Pat Neveau, Phoenix, Ford Ranger, 22:30:30; 5. Rudy Suarez/Ricardo Garcia, Ensenada, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 25:32:24; 6. Norman Turley/Trevor Turley, Long Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger, 26:38:00; 7. Pepe Rodriguez, Perris, Calif./Jesse Rodriguez, Orange, Calif./A.J. Rodriguez, Perris, Calif., Ford Ranger, 28:16:25 (11 Starters, 7 Finishers) CLASS 8 (Full-sized two-wheel drive trucks)—1. Juan C. Lopez, Tecate, Mexico/Beny Canela, Indio, Calif., Ford F-150, 21:02:21 (30.01 mph); 2. Cory Susag, Mission Viejo, Calif./Mike Horner, Laguna Hills, Calif./Ted Hunnicutt, Mission Viejo, Calif., Toyota Tundra, 24:57:05; 3. Steve Olliges, Las Vegas/Greg Foutz, Gilbert, Ariz./Randy Merritt, Parker, Ariz., Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, 25:28:10; 4. Tom Bradley Sr., Las Vegas/Mayo Flores, Culican, Mexico, Chevy C1500, 27:33:52 (9 Starters, 4 Finishers) CLASS 9 (VW-powered, Short wheelbase, single or two-seaters)—1. Cisco Bio/Jorge Martinez/Pancho Bio/Francisco Guerrero, Spring Valley, Calif., Tubular Design-VW, 21:51:40 (28.88 mph); 2. Daniel Reyes Jr., Calexico, Calif./Julian Rivera, Indio, Calif./Hector Ortega, Tijuana, Mexico, Venegas, 24:48:37; 3. Ulises Morquecho/David Morquecho, Mexicali, Mexico, Borm, 28:09:07 (4 Starters, 3 Finishers) CLASS 10 (Single or two-seaters to 1650cc)—1. Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Chevy, 15:50:30 (39.85 mph); 2. Mark Hutchins/C.J. Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., Kreger-Honda, 17:13:54; 3. Tito Robles/Arturo Salas, Chula Vista, Calif., Jimco-Honda, 17:18:10; 4. Javier Robles/Alejandro Navarrete/Leonardo Navarrete, Mexicali, Mexico, Jimco-Honda, 18:17:45; 5. Will Higman, Newport Beach, Calif./Jake Johnson, Anaheim, Calif., Kreger-Honda, 19:07:25; 6. Sergio Salgado/Ricardo Corvera, Mexicali, Mexico, Jimco-Honda, 22:05:19; 7. Tim Pangborn, Las Vegas/Mike Brodeur, Wilmington, N.C., Kreger-VW, 22:44:40; 8. Mike Lawrence, Sunset Beach, Calif./Blake Kirkpatrick, Hacienda Heights, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 25:35:20 (11 Starters, 8 Finishers) SCORE LITE (VW-powered, Limited single-1776cc-or two-seaters-1835cc)—1. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif./Dean Bayerle, Poway, Calif./Ramsey El Wardani, San Diego, Duvel, 17:13:15 (36.66 mph); 2. Blaise Jackson/Mike Sandoval, Fallbrook, Calif./Mike Williams, Prescott, Ariz., Meco, 18:59:10; 3. Gary Johnson, Camarillo, Calif./Todd Starks, Agoura Hills, Calif, Messick, 19:46:22; 4. Matt Drever, Dana Point, Calif./Jim Vick/Dave Wert, San Clemente, Calif., Penhall, 20:43:47; 5. Lee Banning, Laveen, Ariz./Lee Banning Jr., Litchfield Park, Ariz./Rick Graf, Scottsdale, Ariz., Foddrill, 21:58:08; 6. David Callaway, Menifee, Calif./Scott Mapes/Troy Johnson, Riverside, Calif., Callaway, 22:16:48; 7. Derek Hill, Culver City, Calif./Brad Fauvre,/James Barker, Whittier, Calif., Penhall, 29:45:58; 8. Brian Martin, Oceanside, Calif./Dennis Cota, Mission Viejo, Calif./Robert Soldat, Thousand Oaks, Calif., Penhall, 30:25:09 (13 Starters, 8 Finishers) CLASS 11 (Stock VW Sedans)—1. Ramon Fernandez/Rogelio Robles/Favlan Aras, Ensenada, Mexico, 24:46:36 (25.48 mph); 2. Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico/Robert Johnson, Ahwahnee, Calif., 25:28:40; 3. Daniel Villa/Rafael Villa/Saul Trevino, Ensenada, Mexico/Elias Flores, San Diego, 30:23:00 (5 Starters, 3 Finishers) STOCK FULL (Stock, Full-sized trucks)—1. Chad Hall/Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3Alpha, 19:22:47 (32.58 mph); 2. Kent Kroeker, Valley Center, Calif./Rodolfo Iribe, San Ysidro, Calif., Dodge Ram2500, 21:09:18; 3. Josh Hall/Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H2SUT, 24:50:06 (5 Starters, 3 Finishers) STOCK MINI (Stock, mini trucks)—1. Gavin Skilton, Orange, Calif., Honda Ridgeline, 21:22:21 (29.54 mph); 2. Rod Hall/Mike Winkel, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3, 22:51:17 (4 Starters, 2 Finishers) PROTRUCK (Limited Production Trucks)—1. Jason Voss/Rich Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150, 17:48:30 (35.45 mph); 2. Jason Horsley, Salt Lake City, Utah/Jeff Horsley, Sandy, Utah, Chevy Silverado, 20:19:50; 3. Gary Magness/Steve Knudson, Denver, Ford F-150, 22:37:12; 4. Nils Castillo, Westlake Village, Calif./Joe Custer, Kanapolis, N.C., Chevy Silverado, 25:46:42 (4 Starters, 4 Finishers) CLASS 17 (Identically equipped Jeep Cherokees)—1. Mike Shaffer, Dayton, Nev./Lanee Clifford, Georgetown, Calif., Jeep Cherokee, 23:13:34 (27.18 mph); 2. Jason LaFortune/Lance Wells, Calif./Richard Hale, Upland, Calif., Jeep Cherokee, 25:07:00; 3. Scott Watkins, Stockton, Calif., Jeep XJ Cherokee, 28:01:40 (4 Starters, 3 Finishers) BAJA CHALLENGE (Identically equipped, Wide Open Baja touring cars with Subaru Engines)—1. Chris Kemp, San Clemente, Calif./James DeGaine, Palm Springs, Calif./Daniel Elkins, Indio, Calif./Vincent Trino, Arrin, Calif./Pat McCleish, Long Beach, Calif./Dino Crescentini, Manhattan Beach, Calif., 18:51:45 (33.47 mph); 2. John McInnis III, Gulf Shores, Ala./John McInnis, Jr., Orange Beach, Ala./Kerry Earnhardt, Mooresville, N.C./Rick Skelton, Atlanta, 19:02:00; 3. Mike Cassling/Brad Crosby, Omaha, Neb./Craig Donaldson, Mission Viejo, Calif./Marco Guerrero, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Roberto Guerrero, Mission Viejo, Calif./Mike Mitten, Omaha, Neb., 20:07:10; 4. Jay Culbertson, Portland, Ore./Joe Bagguio, Canby, Ore./Rick Hanneman, Cologah, Okla./Aaron Zeff, San Francisco, Calif./Todd Clement, Irvine, Calif., 20:18:05; 5. Bill Weber, La Mesa, Calif./Cassey Currie, Anaheim, Calif./Samuel Hubinette, Newport Coast, Calif.(Sweden)/Tracy Jordan, Wittman, Ariz./Steven Weber, Walla Walla, Wash./Oren Anderson, Capistrano Beach, Calif., 20:36:35; 6. Tim Dollander, Scottsdale, Ariz./Michael Brown, Chandler, Ariz./Walter Brown Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz./Martin Fairbank, Collbert, Ariz./Chris Hinkson, Scottsdale, Ariz./David Leyvas, Phoenix, 22:57:21; 7. Charles Ferguson, Fountain Hills, Ariz./Vanessa Ortega, Tempe, Ariz./Adrian Garofalo, N. Haledon, N.J./Tonya Moore, Shelby, Ohio, 23:09:28; 8. Erik Harp, Birmingham, Ala./David Woods, El Cajon, Calif./Mark Cripe/Ryan Thomas, Santee, Calif./Patrick Dempsey, Beverly Hills, Calif./Joe Foster, Atlanta, 23:14:55; 9. Ron Bauer/Darien Devine/Craig Aunnger, Canada/Dan Bauer/Alon Friedlander, England/Max Pozzoni, Miami, 23:22:10; 10. Victor Avila, Corona del Mar, Calif./Lee Hamann, Elkhorn, Neb./Eric Hamann, Washington D.C./Weston Anson/Rick Jones, La Jolla, Calif./Jim Reed, Newport Beach, Calif., 23:34:17; 11. Mike Dillard, Austin, Texas/Craig Allen/Tim Erway, Palm Coast, Fla./Jay Kubassek, New York City, 25:07:26; 12. Barry Ellis, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Fraser Wellon, Canada/Marcello Abello, Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Frank Rossi, Canada/Jep Thornton, Miami/Jeff Courtney, Milwaukee, Wisc., 25:10:59; 13. Matt Christensen, Newport Beach, Calif./Jim Christensen, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Jesse McRae, Laguna Niguel, Calif./Tom Cook, Anaheim, Calif./Rich Minga, Fallbrook, Calif./Doug Coleman, Camarillo, Calif., 26:58:22 (13 Starters, 13 Finishers) PRO MOTORCYCLES (15 Starters, 14 Finishers) CLASS 21 (126cc to 250cc)—1. Francisco Arredondo, Guatemala/James West, England/Ivan Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico/Victor Rivera, Spain, Honda XR250R, 15:00:45 (42.05 mph); 2. Marco Bernaldez, Ensenada, Mexico/Rene Bernaldez, Pasco, Wash./Alberto Ruiz, Ensenada, Mexico/Cris Villalobos, Tecate, Mexico, Kawasaki KLX250, 17:58:45; 3. Sergio Arroyo/David Zarate/Alberto Ross/Carlos Gonzalez, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 18:25:33; 4. Travys Armitage/Ryan Armitage, Las Cruces, N.M./Chad Thornton/Tony Zastrow/Mike Whitman, Farmington, N.M., KTM XC250, 19:30:03; 5. Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra, Chula Vista, Calif./Roberto Villalobos, Tecate, Calif., KTM 450XCF, 21:36:45 (7 Starters, 5 Finishers) CLASS 20 (125cc)—1. Chad Black, Laguna Hills, Calif./Connor Penhall, Corona, Calif./Brian Bebeck/Jake Hullet, Westminster, Calif., Honda CRF250X, 16:20:17 (38.64 mph); 2. Tony Rutter/Tim Steeneken/Hugh Lintott/Steven Blackley, New Zealand, Yamaha WR250, 17:00:34; 3. Mario Acosta/Oscar Hale, Ensenada, Mexico/Sergio Valenzuela, Tijuana, Mexico, Yamaha WR250F, 18:00:50; 4. Anna Cody, Simi Valley, Calif./Sarah Kritsch, Bakersfield, Calif./Cathy Duncan, Santa Barbara, Calif./Jennifer Morton, Escondido, Calif., Honda CRF250X, 20:53:05; 5. Larry Perkins, Strafford, Mo./Craig Goldsberry, Springfield, Mo./Malcolm Wood, Bolivar, Mo./Gerald Tims, Bethany, Okla./Chris Tucker, Oklahoma City/Steve Loftin, Muskogee, Okla., Honda CRF250X, 22:49:03 (5 Starters, 5 Finishers) CLASS 30 (Riders over 30 years old)—1. Scott Myers, Menifee, Calif./Shane Esposito, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico, Kawasaki KLX450, 13:06:12 (48.18 mph); 2. Jim O’Neal/Jimmy O’Neal Jr., Simi Valley, Calif./Jason Trubey, Mohave Valley, Ariz./Mac Stewart, N. Las Vegas/Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Luke Dodson, Castaic, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 13:20:25; 3. Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Kyle Abney, Albuquerque, N.M./Rex Cameron, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda CRF450X, 14:29:21; 4. Larry Gross, Capistrano Beach, Calif./Jeff Laubscher, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Marcus Brown, Laguna Niguel, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 17:36:17; 5. Rolf Helland, Morris, Ill./Matt Davidson, Trafalgar, Ind./Kris Egbert, Holley Springs, N.C./CR Gittere, Charlotte, N.C., Honda XR650R, 19:02:42; 6. Mordechay Eldar/Sagi Heymann, Israel, 19:10:59; 7. Radak Burkat, Canada/Andrew Krynen, Seattle, 19:53:48; 8. Carlos Chavez, Mexicali, Mexico/Mark Winkelman, Cedar Hill, Texas/Manuel Coma/Oscar Guadarrama/Octavio Ascolani, Jandres de Villa, Mexico, Honda XR650R, 22:33:20; 9. Rob Swan, Red River, N.M./Darren Flood, Rifle, Colo./James Guthro, Grand Junction, Colo./Wade Scherer, Lakewood, Colo., KTM 525EXC, 23:51:50 (10 Starters, 9 Finishers) CLASS 40 (Riders over 40 years old)—1. Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Lou Franco, Sherman Oaks, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Bob Johnson, San Diego, Honda CRF450X, 14:39:37 (43.07 mph); 2. PG Lundmark, Sweden/Lukas Lundin/Hakan Lidgren, Canada/Peter Postel, Honda CRF450X, 16:07:40; 3. Brian Campbell/Bill Cotton, Bakersfield, Calif./Peter Cochran, Laguna Beach, Calif./Ken Durr, Indio, Calif., KTM 530XCW, 16:11:11; 4. Stuart Goggins, Upland, Calif./Bill Boyer, Lomita, Calif./Steve Buckley, Oak Park, Calif./Earl Roberts, Calexico, Calif./Lance Kane, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 16:53:59; 5. Michael Korenwinder, Tulare, Calif., Yamaha WR450F, 18:13:11; 6. Lars Ferry, Phoenix/Lawrence Hacking, Canada/Michael Beakner, Scottsdale, Ariz., Honda CRF450X, 21:20:50; 7. Darren Griffiths, Australia, KTM 530EXC, 21:34:46; 8. Rob Barnum, Phelan, Calif., Husqvarna TC510, 21:40:05; 9. Steve Corrie, Brush Prairie, Wash., Honda XR400, 25:24:42 (10 Starters, 9 Finishers) CLASS 50 (Riders over 50 years old—1. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Doug Heil, Monrovia, Calif./Mike Sixbery, Bullhead City, Ariz./Andy Kirker, Santa Ana, Calif./ Paul Needles, Westlake Village, Calif./Robert Hansen, Carson City, Nev., Honda CRF450X, 15:47:17 (39.99 mph); 2. Chris Haines, Dana Point, Calif./Scott Pfeiffer, Costa Mesa, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Chuck Sun, Las Vegas, Honda CRF450X, 16:07:51; 3. Kenny Hayden, Shadow Hills, Calif./Doug Smith, Upland, Calif., KTM 525XCW, 16:42:26; 4. Ben van Ziltveld/Floyd Reves/Reid Daruda/Robin Muglich, Canada, KTM 525XCW, 19:43:00 (5 Starters, 4 Finishers) CLASS 60 (Riders over 60 years old)—1. Donald Lewis, Marlborough, Conn./Sam Dempsey, Lake Balboa, Calif./Bob Gates, Hesperia, Calif.//Mike Harper, Landers, Calif./Charles Koistra, Menifee, Calif./Will Rogers, Escondido, Calif./Dan Doerksen, Oak Hills, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 23:09:29 (27.26 mph) (1 Starter, 1 Finisher) PRO ATVs (8 Starters, 7 Finishers) CLASS 24 (under 250cc)—1. Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif./ Steve Abrego, Covina, Calif./David Scott, Belen, N.M., Honda TRX450R, 16:57:53 (37.22 mph); 2. Tom Wright II, Tabernacle, N.J./Andy Lagzdins, Baltimore/Jim Stack, Quarryville, Pa., Honda TRX450R, 17:51:51; 3. Sergio Alvarado/Gary Gonzales/Bilgerto Perez/Angel Martin, Mexicali, Mexico, Honda TRX450R, 19:03:57; 4. Rob Ransford, Downers Grove, Ill./Mike Rodgers, Brooksville, Fla./David Bailey, Spring Hill, Fla., Honda TRX450X, 19:50:37; 5. Benjamin Lopez Jr., San Ysidro, Calif./Jesus Lopez, San Diego/Miguel Arellano, San Ysidro/Marco Marruio, Chula Vista, Calif./Jesus Monguia, San Ysidro, Honda TRX450R, 21:10:40; 6. Shawn Robins/Matt Remesz/Clayton Hurlbert/Rocky Glasgo/Eric Bremer, Canada, Honda TRX450R, 21:22:38 (8 Starters, 6 Finishers) SPORTSMAN (4 Starters, 1 Finisher) OVERALL SPT TRUCK— Bob Land, Lake Forest, Calif./Eric Garcia/Brendan Garcia, Indio, Calif., Jeep Cherokee, 24:50:39 (25.41 mph) (6 Starters, 1 Finisher) OVERALL SPT UTV (600cc, 4-2h33l utility vehicles)— Jim Creagan, Yacott, Wash./Chris Fallon, Battle Ground, Wash., Arctic Cat Prowler, 27:57:20 (22.58 mph) (8 Starters, 3 Finishers) OVERALL SPT M/C<250cc—>Jesus Rios, Calexico, Calif./Joel Leal, Mexicali, Mexico/Cauhtemac Beltran/Mario Acosta, Calexico, Calif./Alejandro Olguin/Alfredo Osornio, Mexicali, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 17:15:19 (36.59 mph) (15 Starters, 11 Finishers) OVERALL SPT M/C>250cc— Bill Gilbert, Ladera Ranch, Calif./Mark Fishburn, Fort Collins, Colo./Kevin Krasner, Mission Viejo, Calif./Mick Brejwo, Cambell, Calif./Dennis Greene, Sky Valley, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 16:55:53 (37.29 mph) (39 Starters, 28 Finishers) OVERALL SPT ATV— Jesus Mendivil/Alain Gamino/Alfredo Gonzales, Mexicali, Mexico/Oro Calderon, Calexico, Calif./Carlos Raygoza, Mexicali, Mexico, KTM 450, 20:33:40 (30.71 mph) (15 Starters, 8 Finishers) OVERALL SPT SIDECAR—(2 Starters, 0 Finishers) | |
San Diego Locals Results
UT San Diego
A day after Johnny Campbell erased his record for overall motorcycle wins, former Santee resident Larry Roeseler rewrote another part of the SCORE Baja 1000 record book. Roeseler teamed with Nevada's Roger Norman to finished first overall in the four-wheel division of the 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, which officially ended at 7:30 last night.
Driving a Ford F-150 TrophyTruck, the Roeseler-Norman team covered the 631.35-mile loop course, which started and finished in Ensenada, in 12 hours, 40 minutes and 33 seconds for an average speed of 49.81 mph. Only the overall winning Honda motorcycle team of Campbell, Kendall Norman and Robby Bell (12:29:10) covered the distance faster than the 800-horsepower Roeseler-Norman pickup. The victory was the 13th overall title claimed by Roeseler, who was tied with Campbell with 10 overall motorcycle titles before the San Clemente rider won his 11th two-wheel title Friday night. Roeseler also picked up his 17th class title and the second straight overall win this season for the Roeseler-Norman tandem.
Roeseler drove the first 400 miles, with Norman taking the winning pickup to the finish line, reaching Ensenada just before midnight Friday. Finishing second in the overall four-wheel standings was the Chevrolet Silverado TrophyTruck driven solo by B.J. Baldwin of Las Vegas (12:45:26). Vista's Chad Ragland teamed with father Larry to finish third overall (13:26:19) in the overall four-wheel and TrophyTruck classes. San Diego County claimed the first two spots in the overall ATV division. The team of El Cajon's Wayne Matlock, Ramona's Marc Spaeth, Fallbrook's Wes Miller and Harold Goodman of Michigan won the title in 14:47:25 for an average speed of 42.69 mph. Coming in second, nine minutes back, was the team led by Danny Prather of Ramona and Mike Cafro of Bonsall. Besides Chad Ragland, the only other driver listed in the top 10 overall in the four-wheel division was the Santee team of Robbie Pierce and Mike Julson. They finished ninth overall and seventh in the TrophyTruck class in a Silverado in 15:30:45. El Cajon's Jason McNeil was 11th in the featured TrophyTruck class. In addition to the Matlock-led ATV team, four other San Diego County teams won class titles.
John Holmes of Olivenhein won the Modified Mini-Pickup title in a Ford Ranger. The father-son tandem of Pancho and Cisco Bio teamed with fellow Spring Valley drivers Jorge Martinez and Francisco Guerrero to win the short-wheelbase buggy title. Rick St. John of Encinitas, Dean Bayerle of Poway and Ramsef El Wadini of San Diego teamed to win the SCORE Lite buggy title. And Poway's Brett Helm led the team, which included San Diego's Bob Johnson, that won the 40-year-old-rider motorcycle title. Second in the class was the team of Fallbrook's Blaise Johnson and Mike Sandoval.
Also finishing second was Valley Center's Kent Kroeker and San Ysidro's Rodolfo Iribe in the Stock Full pickup class. Chula Vista's Tito Robles and Arturo Salas finished third in the 1650cc buggy class won by Tijuana's Lobsam Yee. End Report
What happened to G & R Racing and Riviera Racing?
Report: "G&R only raced one truck. The #39 of Ron. Garron Cadiente still drove. The #39 was higher in points. The #39 Trophy Truck, Ron started the race then Garron got in at Borrego. Garron made up alot of time running in the top four coming down from Mikes he got stuck and was blocking the course slightly Mark Post of Riviera Racing came up and couldn't clearly get around Garron without giving him a bump to get around. In doing so Post damaged his lower lights trying to get around. In the long run Post had to stop and fix his damage lights on the beach, Garron finally got out and both the Trophy Trucks finished the race." End
General Baja Mexico Reports LOADING>>>
Report from Craig Williams: "Last two 1000's we had stuff jacked from the "Bunker" underground parking at The Coral Hotel. This year private security was hired to protect everything. They show up on scene, park in the Bunker, and all of their stuff gets jacked!!!! LOL!!!! Welcome to Baja!!!"
General Tire Coverage Baja Racing News.com
KORE Kroeker HALL Hummer Baja Racing News.com
General Tire Coverage Baja Racing News.com
KORE Kroeker HALL Hummer Baja Racing News.com
Baja Racing News.com
41st Annual Baja 1000
Nov. 19-23, 2008—Baja Racing News.com Series
TOTAL ENTRIES: 371 (39 States, 24- Countries) (as of 11/19/08)
Schedule of Events
PRE/POST RACE SHEDULE
LIVE! WEBCAST BEGINS TODAY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19th
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 19--(All times PST)
Media Registration, Grand Ballroom-San Nicolas Hotel
Racer Registration, Grand Ballroom-San Nicolas Hotel
THURSDAY, Nov. 20--(All Times PST)
Racer Registration, Grand Ballroom-San Nicolas Hotel
Media Registration, Grand Ballroom-San Nicolas Hotel
Contingency Row, Boulevard Costero, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Technical Inspection, End of Contingency Row, 10 a.m. - 6p.m.
FRIDAY, Nov. 21--(all times PST)
Posting of Unofficial Results—Race in Progress, Finish Line, Media Center & San Nicolas Hotel
SATURDAY, Nov. 22--(all times PST)
Posting of FINAL UNOFFICIAL Results—San Nicolas Hotel
Competition Review Board—San Nicolas Hotel
SUNDAY, Nov. 23--(all times PST)
Awards Celebration-Poolside, San Nicolas Resort -10 a.m.
RACE DAYS SCHEDULE FRIDAY/SATURDAY, Nov. 21-22--(all times PST) (631.35-mile course)
START/FINISH: Adjacent to the Riviera del Pacifico Convention Center, Blvd. Costero, in downtown Ensenada
FRIDAY, Nov. 21—(all times PST)
Late Racer Registration, Riviera
Late Tech, Start Line, 5:30 a.m.
Late Media Registration, Start Line, 6 a.m.
RACE STARTS: (Friday, Nov. 21):
Motorcycles and ATVs-6:30 a.m.
Cars and Trucks-10:30 a.m. (Approx.)
STARTING ORDER (Subject to change): (One vehicle every 30 seconds)
Motorcycles and ATVs--22, 30, 40, 21, 20, 50, 60, 25, 24, SPT M/C>, SPT M/C<, SPT ATV, Sidecar
Cars and Trucks--TT, 1, 10, SL, 8, PT, 1-2/1600, 5, 6, 7, BC, 5/1600, 7SX, SF, SM, 9,3,17,SPTTruck,SPTCar,11,SPT UTV
TIME LIMIT: All vehicles will have a 31-hour time limit from the time they start.
Baja Racing News.com
RACE F A C T S H E E T
2008 Baja 1000
(as of 11/19/08)
WHAT: 41st Annual Baja 1000 desert race
Final event of the fifteen-race 2008 Baja Racing News.com Off-Road Desert Series
WHEN: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 19-23, 2008
WHERE: Ensenada-Baja California, Mexico (65 miles south of U.S./Mexico Border)
WHO: Over 375 entries from 39 U.S. States, and 24 countries, competing in 28 Pro and 7 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs
COURSE: TOTAL MILEAGE: 631.35 miles (6 checkpoints plus the finish line). Starts and finishes on Blvd. Costero, adjacent to the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in Ensenada. From the start in Ensenada the course will go east to Ojos Negros for almost 35 miles which will be used in both directions in the race. From Ojos Negros, the course will travel in a clockwise direction covering much of the incredibly beautiful northern section of Baja California. From Ojos Negros, the course turns Northeast through the Pine Forest nearly up to the U.S. border and up and down the treacherous La Rumorosa grade, west of Mexicali. The course turns south at the top of the infamous Laguna Salada, paralleling Mexican Highway 5. Next will be the San Felipe loop where the course will cover some of the rugged Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 course including Chanate Wash.
After the San Felipe loop, the course will head north and northwest, joining Highway 3 for a short distance to the Mike’s Sky Ranch turnoff. Then the course heads to the Lllano Colorado section and Highway 1. From this point the course is very similar to this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 500 heading north along the Pacific Ocean below San Vicente and past Erendira, back inland up through Santo Tomas then turning northeast just past Uruapan winding its way back to Ojos Negros for the final charge back to Ensenada.
This year’s race course will feature 6 outlying checkpoints where each vehicle is required to quickly stop before continuing on. The checkpoints will be located as follows: Checkpoint No. 1—No. of Laguna Salada (race mile 141.06), No. 2—West of Borrego (rm 286.19), No. 3—West of San Felipe (rm 351.09), No. 4—West of Borrego (rm 407.08), No. 5—San Vicente Vineyards (rm 496.18), No. 6—West of Ojos Negros (rm 589.38)
RACE STARTS: (Friday, Nov. 21) Motorcycles, ATVs-6:30 a.m.; Cars, Trucks-10:30 a.m. (Approx)
STARTING ORDER (Subject to Change): (One vehicle every 30 seconds)
Motorcycles/ATVs--22, 30, 40, 21, 20, 50, 60, 25, 24, Sportsman M/C>, Sportsman M/C<, Sportsman ATV, Sportsman Sidecar Cars/Trucks--TT, 1, 10, SL, 8, PT, 1-2/1600, 5, 6, 7, BC, 5/1600, 7SX, SF, SM, 9, 3, 17, SPT Truck, SPT Car, 11, SPT UTV TIME LIMIT: All vehicles will have a 31-hour time limit from the time they start. TOP DRIVERS & RIDERS: TOP RACERS: SCORE Trophy-Truck: 1 Mark Post/Rob MacCachren, 97 B.J. Baldwin, 7 Scott Steinberger/Mike Childress, 12 Brian Collins/Chuck Hovey, 77 Robby Gordon, 38 Garron Cadiente, 4 Gus Vildosola Jr./Gus Vildosola, 2 Pete Sohren, 16 Cameron Steele/Rick Geiser, 96 Bobby Baldwin/Larry Job, 39 Ron Whitton, 22 Damen Jefferies, 35 Robbie Pierce, 84 Nick Vanderwey, 38 Garron Cadiente 33 Chad Ragland/Larry Ragland/Steve Hengeveld, 8 Roger Norman/Larry Roeseler, 71 Rick D. Johnson/Ricky Johnson, 34 Dan Friedkin/Danny Sullivan; Class 1: Billy Gasper, Dale Ebberts/Brad Etter, B.J. Richardson, Pat Dean, Armin Schwarz/Martin Christensen, Eric Chase, Armin Kremer/Adam Pfankuch, Chuck Dempsey, Luis Ramirez Jr., Josh Rigsby; Class 1-2/1600: Dave Caspino, Adam Pfankuch/Steven Eugenio, Cory Boyer/Rick Boyer, Arturo Velazco/Able Velazco, Hiram Duran; Class 3: Donald Moss; Class 5: Kevin Carr; Class 5/1600: Marcos Nunez, Mario Reynoso, Ernie Negrete, Jose Montoya, Tommy Croft; Class 7: Dan Chamlee; Class 7SX: Rich Severson, Heidi Steele, John Holmes, Jim Hinesely; Class 10: Mike Lawrence; SCORE Lite: Rick St. John, Steve Mamer; Stock Full: Chad Hall, Josh Hall, John Griffin/Jeremy Spirkoff,; Stock Mini: Rod Hall, Gavin Skilton. Ryan Millen/Rod Millen; Class 22: Robby Bell/Kendall Norman/Johnny Campbell, Caleb Gosselaar; Class 40: Brett Helm; CLASSES 30 & 50: Jim O’Neal; Class 60: Donald Lewis; Class 25: Wayne Matlock/Harold Goodman Jr., Danny Prather/Mike Cafro HISTORY OF START/FINISH: In the 41-year history of the SCORE Baja 1000, this will be the 34th time the race has started in Ensenada and the 19th time it has finished in Ensenada. It has also started three times in Mexicali (1972, 1993, 1994), twice in Tijuana (1967, 1995) and once each in Santo Tomas (1998) and Ojos Negro (1999). The last time this race ended in Ensenada was 2005. TIRE STREAK: BFGoodrich Tires, long a staple in desert racing, had an amazing streak of 20 consecutive overall 4-wheel vehicle winners broken in 2006 by Toyo Tires, but won again in 2007. ENGINE WINNERS: In 4-wheel vehicle competition, VW motors and Ford have each produced 12 overall winners, followed Chevy with 10, Porsche with 3, Toyota with 2, and Dodge with 1. CHASSIS WINNERS: Among 4-wheel vehicles, Chenowth and Ford have each produced the chassis for 10 overall winners, followed by Chevy with 6, Toyota, Funco, Raceco, Jimco and Smithbuilt with 2 each and Miller, Hi-Jumper, Dodge, and Meyers Manx with 1 each. MOTORCYCLE WINNERS: In motorcycle competition, Honda leads with 18 overall victories (including 11 straight), followed by Husqvarna with 11, Kawasaki with 9 and Yamaha with 2. IRC Tracking Devices: Continuing to help increase safety, verify route and speed, SCORE is requiring the mandatory use of tracking devices from International Racing Consultants in ALL classes. Race tracking of all entries can be accessed at www.racetheworld.net. THEY JUST KEEP ON GOING, AND GOING...: When veteran Rod Hall straps on his racing helmets and take the green flag, he will keep his incredible streak alive of being the only racer who has competed in all 41 SCORE Baja 1000 races. Hall, who will turn 71 on Nov. 22, will drive in Stock Mini. Hall is the all-time winningest racer in this event with 19 class wins CONTINUING STREAKERS: Donald and Kenneth Moss have won Class 3 for six straight years and Jim O’Neal, an age-group motorcycle rider, also has put together teams of riders who have six class wins in the last four years, including and amazing three in 2006 (Class 40, Class 50 and Class 60). With three straight class wins is Josh Hall (2 in Stock Full, one in Stock Mini. With two straight class wins are: Dan Chamlee (Class 7), Mike Shaffer (Class 17), and Danny Prather/Mike Cafro (Class 25). Changing classes after six straight wins in Class 22 in Steve Hengeveld and two straight wins in ProTruck is Rick L. Johnson. Both Hengeveld and Johnson will race this year in SCORE Trophy-Truck. TIGHT OVERALL POINTS: SCORE points are determined both on final finishing position and number of vehicles which started the race within the individual class. After four events, just 36 points separate the top 10 and just 44 the top 15 SCORE point leaders and for 2008. Adam Pfankuch has earned 288 points to lead the SCORE overall points and Class 1-2/1600 as well in their in a VW-powered Mirage. In what has developed into one of tightest overall point battles in SCORE history, second in overall and leading the unlimited Class 1 is B.J Richardson (285), while third overall and leading SCORE Trophy-Truck points is B.J. Baldwin (Chevy Silverado-271). Fourth overall and second in Class 1 is the team of Armin Schwarz/Martin Christensen with 269 points in a Jimco-BMW while fifth overall and second in Class 1-2/1600 with 268 points is rookie Cory boyer in a Lothringer-VW. TOYOTA AWARDS: The 2008 SCORE Desert Series also involves the hunt for the 23rd annual Toyota Milestone Awards. The prestigious Toyota Milestone Awards are presented to every racer who completes every required mile of every race in the 2008 SCORE Desert Series. A total of 15 drivers are still eligible for Toyota Milestone awards. $5,000 Volkswagen Contingency race bonus and $20,000 season bonus: As part of its $100,000 cash contingency bonus for the 2008 SCORE Desert Series, Volkswagen of America is also offering for this race a $5,000 bonus to the highest finishing VW-powered vehichle as well as a season-ending $20,000 bonus to the VW-powered vehicle with the most points this year.. SCORE TROPHY-TRUCKS: An extremely talented field of 28 SCORE Trophy-Trucks are entered to date. The marquee SCORE racing division featuring 800-horsepower unlimited production trucks includes two cross-over drivers in addition to the talented field of regulars and a very close point’s race for the season championship. Six of 14 previous season point champions are entered and 60 of 85 SCORE Trophy-Truck race winners are represented as well along with nine of the previous14 SCORE Trophy-Truck winners in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Second All-Time in SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins is Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz., with 10. Ragland is racing this year with his son Chad Ragland in the No. 34 Toyota Tundra. Returning as defending race champions and 2007 SCORE Overall point champions are Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, in the No. 1 Ford F-150.. CROSSOVERS/CELEBRITY RACERS: Among the crossover/celebrity racers officially entered in this year’s race are (as of 11/10/08): --Robby Gordon, NASCAR Team Owner/Driver, three-time Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Overall Winner, No. 77 SCORE Trophy-Truck --Cameron Steele, action sports, No. 16 SCORE Trophy-Truck and No. 742 Class 7SX --Brendan Gaughan, NASCAR Truck Series regular, No. 119, Class 1 --Armin Schwarz, of Germany who lives in Austria, seven-time World Rally Championship race winner, No. 104, Class 1 --Armin Kremer, of Germany, top German rally racer, No. 119, Class 1 --Danny Sullivan, 1985 Indy 500 winner, TV personality, No. 34, SCORE Trophy-Truck --Roberto Guerrero, raced in both Formula1 and IndyCar with 17 Indy 500 starts, No. BC1, Baja Challenge Class --Kerry Earnhardt, son of the late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, works for DEI and has raced in every NASCAR Series, No. BC5, Baja Challenge Class --Ricky Johnson, legendary former Supercross star/NASCAR regional series racer, TV show host, No. 71 SCORE Trophy-Truck --Patrick Dempsey, Star of ABC series "Grey's Anatomy", competed in Panoz and Miati sports car series and part of championship Team Hyper Sport in Grand-Am Koni Challenge Series Grand Sports Class team in 2008, fourth straight year in this race, BC2, Baja Challenge Class --Rod Millen, World Rally Championship racer, Pikes Peak Hill Climb record holder, champion in the old Mickey Thompson Off-Road Stadium Series, No. 762 Stock Mini Class --Justin Loftin, second-generation desert racer who ran the ARCA stock car series this year, racing with his father, Baja vet and class champ Bob Lofton, No. 20, SCORE Trophy-Truck --Derrick Hill, veteran of several open wheel pavement series, son of the late Formula1 Champion Phil Hill, No. 1248, SCORE Lite --Joe Korgola, the “Ox” is a top Moto X rider, part of the Metal Mulisha, co-rider on No. 2x, Class 22 --Max Eddy, versatile speedway pavement and Freestyle motocross rider, co-rider on No. 2x, Class 22 --Joe Foster, 2008 Grand-Am Koni Challenge Series Grand Sport Class point champion, Team Hyper Sport, co-driver in BC2, Baja Challenge Class --Rick Skelton, 2008 Grand-Am Koni Challenge Series Grand Sport Class point champion, Team Hyper Sport, 5, Baja Challenge Class --Malcolm Smith, 67, legendary motorcycle racer with 5 SCORE Baja 1000 overall race wins, including the first one in 1967, returns to race with his daughter Ashley and son Alexander in No. 1404, Sportsman Car --Ryan Thomas, 1996 SCORE Baja 1000 Overall winner with four class wins, returns as a guest in No. BC2, Baja Challenge Class --CR Gittere, AMA pro road motorcycle racer, No. 306x, Class 30 --Rich Minga, 1987 SCORE Overall Point Champion, professional stunt driver, No. BC3, Baja Challenge Class --Loreno Lazard, World Rally Racer from Uruguay, Sportsman Motorcycle>250cc, No. 292x
--Sandro Lanaro, Italy/Ruedi Howald, Switzerland, International Rally racers, Sportsman Motorcycle Sidecar, 1SC
--Bud Brutsman, Show Creator and TV Producer of ‘Rides’ and ‘Overhaulin’, BC 6, Baja Challenge Class
--Samuel Hubinette, “The Crazy Swede”, two-time Formula Drift champion, professional stunt driver, BC6, Baja Challenge Class
--Tracy Jordan, Rock Crawling pioneer with championships in three different series, BC6, Baja Challenge Class
--Cassey Currie, Third generation desert racer and short-course Pro Lite truck racer, BC6, Baja Challenge Class
--Bill Weber, Retired Navy Seal turned desert-racing enthusiast with two SCORE Baja 1000 class wins, BC6, Baja Challenge Class
--Barry Ellis, Fraser Wellon, Frank Rossi, Marcello Abello, drivers for two-car Ranger Sports Racing team in Grand-Am Koni Challenge Series, BC4, Baja Challenge Class
--Jep Thornton, 2007 Gramd-Am Koni Challenge Series point champion, BC4, Baja Challenge Class
--Jeff Courtney, regular on the 2008 SPEED World Challenge GT sports car series with a season-high 5th at 12 hours of Sebring, BC4, Baja Challenge Class
--Chris Paulsen, Former IndyCar crew chief, Sprint Car racer, owner of C&R Racing in Indianapolis, columnist for National Speed Sport News, No. 126, Class 1
--Nelson Stewart, father of NASCAR star Tony Stewart and former Sprint Car racer, No. 126, Class 1
WINNINGEST TEAM:
How about 29 Class wins for the No. 548x Class 50 (riders over 50 years old) motorcycle team of Chris Haines (13 class wins), Craig Adams (11) and Scott Pfeifer (5). They have all been rider of record at least once.
WINNINGEST FAMILY:
While there are many families with lots of combined class wins, none have more than the Hall family of Reno, Nev., which has a total of 29 class wins. Led by dad Rod Hall’s race-record 19 class wins, his son Chad has six and oldest son Josh has coud. This year, Team Hummer will have Rod Hall in Stock Mini and Chad and Josh Hall will drive separate Hummers in Stock Full.
TWO-TIMERS:
This race always has a few ‘bravehearts’ who enter in two classes, hoping for double wins. Among those this year are: Cameron Steele (SCORE Trophy-Truck No. 16 and Class 7SX No. 742), Mike Childress (SCORE Trophy-Truck No. 7 and Class 22 No. 7x), Adam Pfankuch (Class 1 No. 119 and Class 1-2/1600 No. 1601), Jim O’Neal (Class 30 No. 300x and Class 50 No. 500x), Craig Adams (Class 40 No. 400x and Class 50 No. 548x) and John Crowley (Sportsman M/C>250cc 253x and Sportsman UTV No. 1801). Of note, Rod Hall and his sons Josh and Chad are all listed on each other’s Hummers in the Stock Mini and SCORE Full classes. It is possible that one or more may drive in two of the vehicles, but unlikely any would drive in all three.
BACK TO THEIR ROOTS:
Besides Robby Gordon (NASCAR; SCORE Trophy-Truck) among the other second-generation desert racers returning to their racing roots are Brendan Gaughan (NASCAR Truck Series, SCORE Class 1) and Justin Loftin (ARCA/ReMAX Series, SCORE Trophy-Truck).
BAJA CHAMPS-OVERALL:
Entered in this year’s event are 18 racers who have combined for 59 overall wins in either the 4-wheel or motorycle divisions. The leaders are: Larry
Roeseler, 12, (10 on a motorcycle and two years in a car); Johnny Campbell has with 10 (all on a motorcycle), Steve Hengeveld with seven including six straight (all on a motorcycle). With five overall wins are Larry Ragland and Malcolm Smith. Roeseler and Hengeveld are both racing in SCORE Trophy-Truck this year.
BAJA CHAMPS-BY CLASS:
Entered in this year’s event are 107 racers who have combined for an amazing 307 class wins. The leaders in multiple class wins entered this year are: Rod Hall with 19 (first overall), Larry Roeseler with 16 (second overall), Chris Haines with 13 (fourth overall), Craig Adams with 11 (sixth overall) Johnny Campbell and Steve Hengeveld with 10 each (tied for 7th) , Eric Solorzano with 9 (tied for ninth), Malcolm Smith with 8 each (tied for 12th) and Ted Hunnicutt Jr. and Jim O’Neal with 7each (tied for 17th).
IronRiders: (as of 11/15/07)
Nearly three dozen motorcycle riders and two ATV riders will attempt to run the race solo, with no co-riders. If they succeed, they will each receive one of the prestigious Sal Fish SCORE IronRider awards. So far, these 31 riders have officially confirmed they will be attempting to ride solo: Class 22—4x Jack McCormick; Class 30—303x Lloyd Andrew, Class 40—402x Daren Griffiths, 403x Steve Corrie, 408x Robert Barnum; Sportsman Motorcycle <250cc—205x>250cc—253x John Crowley, 257x Adrian Lovelace, 258x Michael Ott-Eulberg, 260x Mike Kaplan, 263x Mark Lucke, 269x Andrew Vela, 270x Vernon Smith, 277x Greg Matherly, 278x Yvan Perroud, 279x Davy Patterson, 281x Graham Wilson, 282x Robbie McAlerney, 286x Ken Kosiorek, 288x Brett Bardsley, 289x Tibi Imbuzan, 290x Brady Van Mare, 2992x Laurent Lazard; and Sportsman ATV—51 Martin O’Leary, 53a Josh Hogan, 57a Warren Lovelace, 65a Yoav Regev. Of note, Andrew, Griffiths, Adrian Lovelace, Warren Lovelace are all from Australia, Lavee and Regev are from Israel, Ott-Eulberg is from Germany, Perroud is from France, Imbuzan is from Hungary, Patterson, Wilson and McAlerney are all from Ireland and O’Leary is from Spain.
FAMILY TIES:Desert racing has always been about family teams and this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja1000 is a prime example of that fact. This year’s starting grid currently includes 89 brothers racing together and 18 racing separately. The race also has 48 fathers racing with their 57 sons and 12 fathers whose 14 sons are racing in separate vehicles. There are also five husband/wife teams competing together and one separately.
THIRD GENERATION:
Among the third generation racers is Bryan Freeman racing with Gus Vildosola Jr. in SCORE Trophy-Truck.
BROTHERS TOGETHER:
Among the brothers racing together are: Gary and Mark Weyhrich (Class 1), Billy and Dave Gasper (Class 1), Ronny, Randy and Rick Wilson (Class 1), 36-year old TWIN brothers Arturo and Abel Velazco (Class 1-2/1600), Eric, Hiram and Evan Duran (Class 1-2/1600), Donald and Kenneth Moss (Class 3), Nick, Michael and Larry Vanderwey (SCORE Trophy-Truck).
FATHER/SONS—TOGETHER:
Among the father and sons racing together are Gus Vildsosola and his son Gus Vildosola Jr. (SCORE Trophy-Truck), Bob and Justin Loftin (SCORE Trophy-Truck), Larry Ragland and his son Chad Ragland (SCORE Trophy-Truck), Dan and Tom Chamlee (Class 7), Pancho and Cisco Bio (Class 9), Ryan Millen and his father Rod Millen (Stock Mini), Gerardo Iribe and his father Carlos (Class 5/1600), Clive Skilton and his son Darren (Class 3).
FATHER/DAUGHTER—TOGETHER:
Among the dads who will drive along with their daughters is legendary desert racer Malcolm Smith who is teamed with his daughter Ashley and son Alexander in a family affair in the Sportsman Car Class.
FATHER/SONS-SEPARATELY:
Among the father-sons who will race in separate vehicles include B.J. Baldwin (SCORE Trophy-Truck) and his father Bobby (SCORE Trophy-Truck), Curt LeDuc and his son Todd LeDuc, also both in SCORE Trophy-Truck, and Rod Hall (Stock Mini) and Chad Hall (Stock Full).
FEMALE RACERS:
Among the female racers expected to compete as a driver/rider or co-driver/rider are…
--Heidi Steele--Class 7SX-No. 742. Vice-President of Human Resources for a national home health-car firm, she is the wife of Cameron Steele, is a SCORE regular, was the 2005 SCORE Sportsman Car class point champ and is leading the Class 7SX points this year.
--Anna Cody—Class 20-No. 169x, leading the points with an all-female team that incudes Sarah Kritsch, Cathy Duncan, and Jennifer Morton
--Ashley Smith—Sportsman Car-No. 1404, daughter of legendary SCORE Baja racer Malcolm Smith who will be racing with her famous father and brother Alexander Smith
--Tiffany Thomas—Sportsman M/C>250cc-No. 749x
THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER:
Australia has brought its largest entry ever to this race with a total of five entries. The Thunder from Down Under includes the Class one family team (No. 113) led by Brian Robinson and four solo riders: Lloyd Andrew (Class 30, No. 303x), Darren Griffiths (Class 40, No. 402x), Adrian Lovelace (Sportsman M/C>250cc, No. 257x) and Warren Lovelace (Sportsman ATV, No. 57a). The Lovelaces are brothers.
MEDIA CENTER: Nov. 19-20-San Nicolas Hotel. Nov. 21-23-Corona Hotel (adjacent to Start/Finish line on Boulevard Costero).
MEDIA CONTACTS: Dominic Clark, SCORE Media Relations Director, c/o Image Media 702.735.7123
Dominic Clark, Doug Strauss, Tom Blattler, Paul Hansen, Brian Hilderbrand, guests-San Nicolas Hotel in Ensenada, 011.52.646.176.1901
CLASSES: The 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Desert Race features nearly 375 entries in 28 Pro & 7 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs. Class winners will be decided along with the overall race winner in Pro 4-wheel, Pro Motorcycle and Pro ATV.
Cars & Trucks
SCORE 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 production mini trucks)
CLASS 7S (Stock mini trucks)
CLASS 7SX (Modified 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)
BAJA CHALLENGE (Limited, identical Baja touring cars)
CLASS 17 (Class 3, modified Jeep Cherokees)
Motorcycles
CLASS 22 (250cc or more)
CLASS 20 (125cc)
CLASS 21 (126cc to 250cc)
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)
ATVs
CLASS 25 (251cc or more)
CLASS 24 (250cc or less)
LAST YEAR’S TOP FINISHERS:
40th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 (1,296.39 miles)
Nov. 11-16, 2007—Ensenada, Baja California to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico
TOTAL STARTERS: 424, TOTAL FINISHERS: 237 (Race Record) (55.9 Percent)
Pro Cars & Trucks
1. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas/Carl Renezeder, Laguna Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 25:21:25 (53.43mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
2. Gus Vildosola/Gus Vildosola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Ford F-150, 25:42:20 (50.43) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
3. Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif./Troy Herbst, Las Vegas, Smithbuilt-Ford, 26:30:10 (48.92) (Class 1)
4. Robby Gordon, Mooresville, N.C./Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, Calif., Chevy CK1500, 27:12:14 (47.64) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
5. Steve Strobel, Clarks, Neb./Gay Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo./Bob Lofton, Westmorland, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 27:26:44 (47.24) (Class 1)
6. Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif./Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif./Rick Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 27:50:35 (46.56) (Class 1)
7. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif./Brian Ewalt, Bonita, Calif./Mike Julson, Santee, Calif./Cameron Parrish, San Marcos, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 28:02:02 (46.24) (Class 1)
8. Rick L. Johnson, Oak Hills, Calif./Dane Cardone, Huntington Beach, Calif./Jimmy Nuckles, Brawley, Calif., Toyota Tundra, 28:28.44 (45.52) (Pro Truck)
9. Tim Noe, San Diego/Tom Watson, El Centro, Calif./Gary Arnold, El Cajon, Calif./Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, Calif., Jimco-VW, 28:30:44 (45.47) (SCORE Lite)
10. Billy Gasper, Chino Hills, Calif./Dave Gasper, Santa Barbara, Calif./Scott Schovajsa, Humble, Texas, Porter-Chevy, 28:35:52 (45.33) (Class 1)
11. Stan Potter, San Marcos, Calif./Dan Worley, Encinitas, Calif., Jimco, 28:44.08 (45.11) (SCORE Lite)
12. Pete Sohren, Glendale, Ariz., Ford F-150, 28:59:06 (44.73) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
13. Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz./Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif., Dodge Ram, 29:11:47 (44.40) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
14. Chris Lucas, Dublin, Ohio/Rick D. Johnson, Barstow, Calif./Steve Barlow, Temecula, Calif., Ford F-150, 29:16:23 (44.29) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
15. Garron Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz./Todd LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Ford F-150, 29:19:26 (44.21) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
16. B.J. Baldwin/Danny Anderson, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 29:35:39 (43.81mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
17. Pancho Bio/Cisco Bio, Spring Valley, Calif./Alejandro Navarette/Leonardo Navarette, Mexicali, Mexico, Tubular Design-VW, 29:47:08 (43.52) (SCORE Lite)
18. Matt Cullen, Long Beach, Calif./Juan Avila, Ensenada, Mexico/Matthew Balkeman, Fountain Valley, Calif./MarkParriott, Mission Viejo, Calif., AlumiCraft-VW (30:09:51) (42.99) (Class 10)
19. Gus Vildosola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico/Bryan Freeman, Las Vegas/Gustavo Vildosola Sr., Mexicali, Mexico, Toyota Tundra (30:09:51) (42.98) (Pro Truck)
20. Dale Lenk, Newport Bach, Calif./Randy Perry, Santa Ana, Calif./Jerry Penhall, Costa Mesa, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 30:34:17 (42.41) (Class 1)
21. Drew Belk, Coachella, Calif./Jim Anderson, Reno, Nev./Dave Bonner, Norco, Calif./Mike Belk, Indio, Calif., VW Baja Bug 30:35:27 (42.38mph) (Class 5)
22. Arnoldo Ramirez/Misael Arambula/Jacob Gutierrez, Ensenada, Mexico, Curry-VW, 31:13:51 (41.50) (Class 1-2/1600)
23. Victor Barreda, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico/Alejandro Diaz/Santiago Diaz, La Paz, Mexico, Curry-VW, 31:15:01 (41.48) (Class 1-2/1600)
24. Hiram Duran/Eric Duran/Evan Duran, Tecate, Calif., Neth-VW, 31:38:02 (40.98) (Class 1-2/1600)
25. Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif./Bob Shepard, Phoenix, Calif., Chevy C1500, 32:06:08 (40.38) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
Pro Motorcycles
1. Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif./Steve Hengeveld, Hesperia, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 24:15:50 (53.43mph) (Class 22)
2. Tim Morton, Escondido, Calif./Ron Wilson, Encinitas, Calif./Jason Trubey, Bullhead City, Ariz./Caleb Gosselaar, Valencia, Calif., Jonah Street, Ellensburg, Wash., Honda CRF450X, 25:34:45 (50.68) (Class 22)
3. Quinn Cody, Buellton, Calif./David Pearson, Las Vegas/Cyril Despres, France, KTM 690Baja, 25:56:00 (49.99) (Class 22)
4. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Scott Myers, Sun City, Calif./Jeff Sheets, Henderson, Nev./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico /Taber Murphy, Wenatchee, Wash./Mouse McCoy, Santa Monica, Calif./Jimmy O’Neal Jr., Chatsworth, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 26:48:15; (48.37) (Class 30)
5. Gerardo Rojas, Vincent Guerrero, Mexico, Honda XR650R, 27:05:53 (47.84) (Class 30)
6. Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Louie Franco, Sherman Oaks, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Bob Johnson, Temecula, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 28:01:11 (42.27) (Class 40)
7. Francisco Arredondo, Guatemala/Kent Pfeiffer, Costa Mesa, Calif./Kurt Pfeiffer, Riverside, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 28:28:54 (45.52) (Class 21)
8. Chris Haines, Dana Point, Calif./Jack Johnson, Boulder City, Nev./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Scott Pfeiffer, Costa Mesa, Calif./Jimmy Sones, Honda XR650R, 28:35:30 (45.34) (Class 50)
9. Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra/Ivan Ramirez, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 29:03:39 (44.61) (Class 21)
10. Donald Connelly, Alpine, Calif./Joe Bolton, Corona, Calif./John Griffin, Lake Forest, Calif./Mark Howell/Greg Luck, El Cajon, Calif./Earl Roberts, Calexico, Calif./Mark Vanscourt, Corona, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 29:17:39; (44.58) (Class 40)
11. Dan Walsh, Ramona, Calif./Steve Martz, San Marcos, Calif./Johnny Jensen, San Dego/Eric Luck, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki KLX450R, 29:30:35 (43.93) (Class 20)
12. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Scott Myers, Sun City, Calif./Jeff Sheets, Henderson, Nev./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico /Taber Murphy, Wenatchee, Wash./Mouse McCoy, Santa Monica, Calif./Jimmy O’Neal Jr., Chatsworth, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 29:35:21 (43.81mph) (Class 50)
13. Joe Desrosiers, San Marcos, Calif./Aaron Tuck, Brawley, Calif./Cameron Corfman, El Centro, Calif./Sunny Irvine, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico/Tony Rutter, New Zealand, Honda XR650R, 29:37:39 (43.76) (Class 22)
14. Jason Edie, Grass Valley, Calif./Ben Mills/Scott Mills, Nevada City, Calif./Garrett Norton, Auburn, Calif./Scott England, Nampa, Idaho/Joseph Cochran, Grass Valley, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 30:06:01 (43.43) (Class 22)
15. Keith Spier, Fillmore, Calif./James Andefer, Montecito, Calif./Doug Smith, Upland, Calif./Mark Amondson, Wildomar, Calif./Phillip Riddle, Hesperia, Calif., Honda XR650R, 30:46:54 (42.12) (Class 50)
Pro ATVs
1.Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Bonsall, Calif./Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif./Marc Spaeth, Warner Springs, Calif./Dana Creech, Murrieta, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 29:48:58 (43.48) (Class 25)
2. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz./Wes Miller/Keith Little/Harrold Goodman, Honda TRX450R, 29:57:57 (43.26) (Class 25)
3. Carmen Cafro, Vista, Calif./Lance Schoonmaker, Alpine, Calif./Earl Thigpen, Murrieta, Calif./Allen Fox, Alpine, Calif./Scott Callen, El Cajon, Calif./Mike Findlay, Temecula, Calif., Honda TRX650R, 31:45:31 (40.82) (Class 25)
4. Francisco Servin, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 32:05:50 (40.34) (Class 24)
5. Josh Row/Geg Row, El Cajon, Calif./Travis Dillon, Spring Valley, Calif./Alfonso Cota,Alpine, Calif./Chris Row, Ruldoso, N.M., Bombardier DS650; 36:56:30 (35.09) (Class 25)
2006 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000—Ensenada to La Paz (1,047.8 miles)
431 Total Starters (Race Record), 234 Total Finishers (54.3 percent)
Pro Cars & Trucks
1. Andy McMillin, Poway, Calif./Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy CK1500, 19:15:27 (54.41mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
2. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif., Smithbuilt-Ford, 19:56:22 (52.55) (Class 1)
3. B.J. Baldwin/Tom Bradley Jr., Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 20:01:25 (52.33) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
4. Ron Whitton, Maricopa, Ariz., Ford F-150, 20:39:49 (50.71) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
5. Gary Weyhrich/Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore./B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas, Jimco-Chevy, 20:44:56 (50.50) (Class 1)
6. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz., Chevy Silverado, 21:07:51 (49.59) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
7. Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif./Ron Brant, Oak Hills, Calif./Travis Howard, South Padre Island, Texas, HMS-Chevy, 21:27:33 (48.83) (Class 1)
8. Todd Wyllie, New River, Ariz./John Marking, El Cajon, Calif./Eduardo Gastelum, La Paz, Mexico, Chevy Silverado, 21:28:16 (48.80) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
9. Darren Hardesty, Ramona, Calif./Mark Randazzo, Poway, Calif., AlumiCraft-VW, 21:34:28 (48.57)(Class 10)
10. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 21:35:40 (48.52) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
11. Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif./Jeff Lewis, San Clemente, Calif., Ford F-150, 21:43:02 (48.25) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
12. Eli Yee/Perry McNeil, Lemon Grove, Calif., Jimco-Honda, 21:56:50 (47.74) (Class 10)
13. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif./Brian Ewalt, Bonita, Calif./Cameron Parrish, San Marcos, Calif./Scott McMillin, Coronado, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 22:17:52 (46.99) (Class 1)
14. Chad Ragland, Phoenix/Danny Anderson, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 22:24:37 (46.76) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
15. John Cooley, Santee, Calif./Chris Harrold, Chula Vista, Calif., AlumiCraft-VW, 22:32:48 (46.47) (Class 10)
16. Sammy Ehrenberg, Las Vegas/L.J. Kennedy, Orange, Calif., Jimco-VW, 22:44:30 (46.07) (Class1-2/1600)
17. Nick Vanderwey/Michael Vanderwey, Phoenix/Larry Vanderwey, Litchfield Park, Ariz., GMC Sierra, 22:45:39 (46.04) (Class 8)
18. Rick L. Johnson, Oak Hills, Calif./Dane Cardone, Huntington Beach, Calif./Jimmy Nuckles, Brawley, Calif., Toyota Tundra, 23:09:10 (45.26) (ProTruck)
19. Brian Burgess, Riverside, Calif./Daniel Folts, Chino, Calif., 23:13:09, Bunderson-VW (45.13) (Class 1-2/1600)
20. Dave Creagan, Woodland, Wash./James Wasson, Maple Valley, Wash./Mike Nicholson, Vancouver, Wash., Ford F-150, 23:19:12 (44.93) (ProTruck)
21. Kevin McGillivray, Valencia, Calif./Joe Custer, Harrisburg, N.C./Casey Folks, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 23:28:40 (44.63) (ProTruck)
22. Jason Voss/Rich Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150, 23:31:38 (44.54) (ProTruck)
23. Tim Noe/Tom Watson/Travis Clarke, El Centro, Calif., Jimco-VW, 23:37:52 (44.34) (SCORE Lite)
24. Arturo Velazco/Abel Velazco, Beaumont, Calif./Steve Cruz, San Diego, Porter-VW, 23:45:43 (44.10) (Class 1-2/1600)
25. Gus Vildosola, Mexicali, Mexico/Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 23:47:30 (44.04) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
Motorcycles
1. Steve Hengeveld,Oak Hills, Calif./Mike Childress, Wrightwood, Calif./Quinn Cody, Santa Barbara, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 18:17:50 (57.27mph) (Class 22)
2. Robby Bell,Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 20:31:08 (51.07) (Class 22)
3. Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, Calif./Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii/Jeff Kaplan, Newberry Park, Calif./Randy Morales, Prescott, Ariz./Tom Willis, Las Vegas, Honda XR650R, 21:28:45 (48.78) (Class 40)
4. Gerado Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Jorge Hernandez/Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda XR650R, 21:32:38 (48.64) (Class 30)
5. Ron Wilson,Encinitas, Calif./Scott Myers, Sun City, Calif./Steve Garnett, Carson City, Nev./Tim Morton, Escondido, Calif., Honda XR650R, 21:36:50 (48.48) (Class 30)
6. Dan Walsh/Chris Gunnett/Rob Gibson, Ramona, Calif., Honda XR650R, 22:43:17 (46.12) (Class 22)
7.Tom Grisham,Chula Vista, Calif./Carl Fischer, Highland, Calif./Mike Mitchell, Salt Lake City, Utah/Mark Chicado, Las Vegas, Honda CRF450X, 23:31:50 (44.53) (Class 21)
8.Shaun Hanson, Murrieta, Calif./Jim McKay, Hemet, Calif./Mark Milne, Aztec, N.M., Honda CRF450X, 23:34:27 (44.45) (Class 21)
9.Brian Pinard,Wildomar, Calif./Taber Murphy, Wenatchee, Wash., Sergio Vega, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda XR650R, 23:41:50 (44.22) (Class 30)
10. Scott Atchison/Greg Hauser/Larry Collins, Bakersfield, Calif., Honda XR650R, 23:44:02 (44.15) (Class 40)
11. Chris Parker,Newport Beach, Calif./Tim Bina, Lake Elsinore, Calif./Randy Blevins, Garden Grove, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 24:10:53 (43.33) (Class 21)
12. Chris Eberz, Santa Barbara, Calif./Mark Daniels, Oxnard, Calif./Sean Eberz, Santa Barbara, Calif., Honda XR650R, 24:27:38 (42.84) (Class 22)
13. Kris Papworth, Draper, Utah/Zac Jacobson, Cedar City, Utah/Allan Donaldson, KTM EXC525, 24:45:57 (42.31) (Class 22)
14. Beau Hayden, Shadow Hills, Calif./Peter Postel, Newbury Park, Calif./Ron Bishop, Escondido, Calif./Tony Megla, Newbury Park, Calif./Chuck Dempsey, Oak Hills, Calif., BMW HP2, 24:54:53 (42.06) (Class 22)
15. Carlos Gonzalez, Navojoa, Mexico/Javier Hernandez, Obregon, Mexico/Eduardo Rosas, Huatabameo, Mexico, Honda CR450X, 24:55:54 (42.03) (SPT M/C over 250cc)
ATVs
1. Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Carlsbad, Calif./Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif./Marc Speath, Warner Springs, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 22:37:46 (46.30mph) (Class 25)
2. Jeff Hancock, Salome, Ariz./Joshua Edwards/Kirk Schreier, Phoenix, Honda TRX450R, 24:27:16 (42.85) (Class 25)
3.Josh Frederick,Moapa, Nev./Tony Baker, El Cajon, Calif./Shane Strunk, Phoenix/Michael Swift, Can-Am Renegede, 24:55:54 (42.03) (Class 25)
4. Alex Camanini, El Cajon, Calif./Carmen Cafro, Vista, Calif./Earl Thigpen, Murrieta, Calif./Allen Fox, Alpine, Calif./Scott Prather, Ramona, Calif., Honda SRP650, 25:04:37 (41.78) (Class 25)
5. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz./Keith Little, Russelville, Al./Wes Miller, Costa Mesa, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 26:48:04 (39.10) (Class 25)
AND
2005 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000—Ensenada to Ensenada (708.8 miles)
342 Total Starters, 163 Total Finishers
Pro Cars & Trucks
1. Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif./Troy Herbst, Las Vegas, Smithbuilt-Ford, 15:06:19 (46.92) (Class 1)
2. Bob Shepard, Phoenix/Rick Geiser, Desert Hills, Ariz., Chevy CK1500, 15:48:49 (44.82) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
3. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu, Chevy Silverado, 15:56:08 (44.48) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
4. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif./Brian Ewalt, Bonita, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 15:57:57 (44.39) (Class 1)
5. Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 16:00:35 (44.27) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
6. Damen Jefferies/Casey Jefferies, Oak Hills, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 16:05:01 (44.07) (Class 1)
7. Chad Ragland, Phoenix/Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz., Chevy Silverado, 16:08:06 (43.93) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
8. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Ford F-150, 16:17:02 (43.53) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
9. Marty Coyne/Travis Coyne, El Centro, Calif., Ford F-150, 16:45:02 (42.31) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
10. Garron Cadiente/Ron Whitton, Mesa, Ariz., Ford F-150, 16:47:35 (42.21) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
11. Corky McMillin (In Memoriam, 1929-2005) Drivers--Gary Arnold, Bonita, Calif./Hector Cuadras, Chula Vista, Calif., Chenowth-Chevy, 16:50:49 (42.07) (Class 1)
12. Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif./Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif./Rick Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 16:51:29 (42:04) (Class 1)
13. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 16:58:37 (41.75) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
14. Lobsam Yee/Eli Yee, Angel Barajas, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Honda, 17:15:05 (41.09) (Class 10)
15. B.J. Richardson/John Gaughan/Pat Dean, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy, 17:25:10 (40.69) (Class 1)
16. Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Poway, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 17:47:17 (39.85) (Class 1)
17. Kory Sheeler/Larry Job, Las Vegas, Chevy CK1500, 17:52:44 (39.64) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
18. John Cooley, Santee, Calif./Dave Richardson, La Mesa, Calif., Alumi Craft-VW, 17:56:34 (39.50) (Class 10)
19. Jason Baldwin, Laguna Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 18:10:12 (39.01) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
20. Jesse Jones, Litchfield Park, Ariz., Ford F-150, 18.39:14 (38.00) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
21. Jim Nuckles/Jeff Dickerson, Brawley, Calif., Ford F-150, 18:47:37 (37.71) (ProTruck)
22. Stan Potter, San Marcos, Calif./Dan Worley, Encinitas, Calif., Jimco-VW, 18:48:00 (37.70) (SCORE Lite)
23. Rick L. Johnson, Oak Hills, Calif./Dan Cardone, Huntington Beach, Calif., Toyota Tundra, 18:50:12 (37.63) (ProTruck)
24. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz., Chevy Silverado, 19:14:17 (36.84) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
25. Tom Watson/Tim Noe, El Centro, Calif., Jimco-VW, 19:18:48 (36.70) SCORE LIte
Pro Motorcycles
1.Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif./Mike Childress, Wrightwood, Calif., Honda XR650R, 14:20:30 (49.42mph) (Class 22)
2. Robby Bell, Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Quinn Cody, Buellton, Calif., Honda XR650R, 14:38:01 (48.44) (Class 22)
3. Brian Pinard, Wildomar, Calif./Scott Myers/Ron Wilson, Honda XR650R, 16:07:18 (43.97) (Class 30)
4. Tim Morton, Escondido, Calif./Salvador Hernandez, Ensenada, Mexico/Jason Trubey, Bullhead City, Ariz., Honda CRFX250, 18:01:38 (39.32) (Class 21)
5. Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, Calif./Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii/Jeff Kaplan, Newbury Park, Calif./Louis Franco, Honda XR650R, 18:19:08 (38.69) (Class 40)
6. Kevin Johnson, Vista, Calif./Ryan Gustine, San Diego/Anthony Sanchez, Wildomar, Calif., Yamaha YZ250, 18:46:20 (37.76) (Class 21)
7. Robert Laughlin, Solvang, Calif., Honda XR650R, 19:00:12 (37.30) (SPT M/C over 250cc)
8. Chris Haines, Dana Point, Calif./Jack Johnson, Las Vegas/Scott Forward, Montrose, Calif./Jim Castillo, Los Alamos, Calif., Honda XR650R, 19:08:49 (37.02) (Class 50)
9. Joe Desrosiers, San Marcos, Calif./Dean Sharpe, San Diego, Yamaha YZ250, 19:37:40 (36.11) (Class 21)
10. Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Arturo Salas, Tijuana, Mexico/Francisco Real, San Diego, Honda XR650R, 20:25:40 (34.70mph) (34.70) (Class 30)
11. Sergio Vega/Manuel Luna/Arnoldo Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico, BMW HP2, 20:42:09 (34.24) (Class 30)
12. Mark Jerman, Huntington Beach, Calif./Joe Bolton, Corona, Calif./Steve Buckley, Oak Park, Calif., Honda XR650R, 20:51:04 (33.99) (Class 40)
13. David Gonzalez/David Gonzalez Jr./Carlos Casas, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda XR650R, 20:51:37 (33.98) (SPT M/C over 250cc)
14. Jimmy Lewis, Costa Mesa, Calif./Dave Donatoni, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Jonah Street, Ellensburg, Wash./Beau Hayden, Sunland, Calif., BMW HP2, 20:57:43 (33.81) (Class 22)
15. Chris Blais, Apple Valley, Calif., KTM 620 LC4, 21:40:38 (32.70mph) (Class 22)
Pro ATVs
1. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Chad Prull, Honda TRX450R, 18:06:53 (39.13) (Class 25)
2. Wes Miller, Fallbrook, Calif./Dan Creech, Honda TRX450, 18:52:37 (37.55) (Class 25)
3. Mike Cafro, Carlsbad, Calif./Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./William Yokley, Honda TRX450R, 19:24:36 (36.52) (Class 25)
4. Joel Leal/Israel Reyes/Indalecio Jimenez, Mexicali, Mexico, Bombardier Baja 650, 20:22:41 (34.78) (Class 25)
5. Francisco Ruano/Gerardo Sepulveda/Rafael Pinedo, Tijuana, Mexico, Honda TRX 450R, 21:32:18 (32.91) (Class 25)
AND
2004 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000—Ensenada to La Paz (1,013.57 miles)
284 Total Starters, 198 Total Finishers
Pro Cars & Trucks:
FIRST OVERALL 4-WHEEL VEHICLE:1. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif., Smithbuilt-Ford, 16 hours, 18 minutes, 14 seconds (62.17 miles per hour) (Class 1)
2. Mark Miller, Carefree, Ariz./Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 16:24:54 (61.75mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
3. Dan Smith/Dave Ashley, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150, 16:47:05 (60.39mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
4. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Ford F-150, 16:48:18 (60.31mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
5. Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Poway, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 16:54:18 (59.96mph) (Class 1)
6. John Marking, El Cajon, Calif./Chris Harrold, Chula Vista, Calif./Bob Lofton, Westmorland, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 17:25:47 (58.15mph) (Class 1)
7. Ed Herbst/Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 17:35:10 (57.34mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
8. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 17:44:59 (57.10mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
9. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif./Brian Ewalt, Bonita, Calif./Daniel McMillin, El Cajon, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 17:50:03 (56.83mph) (Class 1)
10. Gus Vildosola, Mexicali, Mexico/Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 17:56:31 (56.49mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
11. Ron Brant, Oak Hills, Calif./Dennis Boyle, Ventura, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 18:00:09
12. Bob Shepard, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado, 18:03:02 (56.15mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
13. Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif./Dave Mason, Valley Center, Calif., Jimco-BMW, 18:32:24 (54.67mph) (Class 10)
14. Buddy Feldkamp/Bud Feldkamp, Redlands, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 18:34:03 (54.59mph) (Class 1)
15. Todd Wyllie, New River, Ariz./Dan Fowler, Peoria, Ariz., Chevy C1500, 18:49:49 (53.83mph) (Class 8)
16.Jesse Jones, Phoenix/Scott Steinberger, Cypress, Calif., Ford F-150, 19:12:59 (52.75mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
17. Will Higman, Newport Beach, Calif./Jerry Higman, Huntington Beach, Calif., Kreger-Honda, 19:14:55 (52.66mph) (Class 10)
18. Rick Romans/Jerry Bennett, Big Bear Lake, Calif., Jimco-Chevy; 19:20:46 (52.39mph) (Class 1)
19. Rick L. Johnson, Oak Hills, Calif./Tony Vanillo, Hesperia, Calif., Toyota Tundra, 19:36:40 (51.68mph) (PROTRUCK)
20. Jason Baldwin, Laguna Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 19:41:55 (51.45mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
Pro Motorcycles
FIRST OVERALL MOTORCYCLE: 1. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif., Honda XR650R, 15:57:37 (63.51mph) (Class 22)
2. Chris Blais, Apple Valley, Calif./Kellon Walch, Las Vegas/Andy Grider, Los Olivos, Calif./Scot Harden, Menefee, Calif., KTM 700LC4, 16:22:12 (61.92mph) (Class 22)
3. Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, Calif./Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii/Jeff Kaplan, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda XR650, 17:33:13 (57.74mph) (Class 40)
4. Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Sergio Vega/Manuel Santana, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda XR650, 17:35:23 (57.62mph) (Class 30)
5. Lukas Lundin/PG Lundmark, Canada, Honda XR650, 18:22:11(55.18mph) (Class 40)
Pro ATVs
FIRST OVERALL ATV: 1. Ruben Martin/Gilberto Santana, Tijuana, Mexico/Arnoldo Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico, Bombardier DS650 Baja X, 19:52:23, (51.00mph) (Class 25)
2. John Gregory, Spring Valley, Calif./Doug Eichner, El Cajon, Calif./Marc Speath/Danny Rudd, La Habra, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 20:01:16 (50.63mph) (Class 25)
3. Ray Schooley, Poway, Calif/Ryan Wheeler, El Cajon, Calif./Tony Baker/Greg Row, San Diego, Bombardier DS650X, 24:34:40 (41.24mph) (Class 25)
AND
2003 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000—Ensenada to Ensenada (808 miles)
272 Total Starters, 153 Total Finishers
FIRST OVERALL 4-WHEEL VEHICLE—1. Doug Fortin/Charlie Townsley, El Cajon, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1)
2. Mark Miller, Carefree, Ariz./Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif., Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
3. Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
4. Scott McMillin/Andy McMillin, Poway, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1)
5. Gus Vildsola, Mexicali, Mexico/Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
6. Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, Calif./Ernie Castro Jr., Newport Beach, Calif., Jimco-Toyota (CLASS 1)
7. Ron Brant, Oak Hills, Calif./Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1)
8. Dan Smith/Dave Ashley, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
9. B.J. Baldwin/Larry Job, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
10. Kory Holopoff/Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., Henry Chassis-Honda (CLASS 10)
First Overall Motorcycle--1. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif./Johnny Campbell, SanClemente, Calif., Honda XR650R (CLASS 22)
AND
2002 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000—Ensenada to La Paz (1,017.31 miles)
234 Total Starters, 151 Total Finishers
FIRST OVERALL 4-WHEEL VEHICLE—1. Dan Smith/David Ashley, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150, (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
2. Ed Herbst/Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
3. Mike Julson, El Cajon, Calif./Bob Lofton, Westmorland, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1)
4. Doug Fortin, El Cajon, Calif./Charlie Townsley, Las Vegas, Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1)
5. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif., Smithbuilt-Ford (CLASS 1)
6. Scott McMillin/Andy McMillin, Poway, Calif., Porter-Chevy (CLASS 1)
7. Robby Gordon, Orange, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
8. Scott Steinberger, Cypress, Calif./Jesse Jones, Phoenix, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
9. Gary Weyhrich/Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1)
10. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu/Dan Ragland, Cave Creek, Colo., Chevy Silverado (ProTruck)
First Overall Motorcycle--1. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif./Johnny Campbell, SanClemente, Calif., Honda XR650R (CLASS 22)
Baja Racing News.com
CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE NOVEMBER 2008 SET OF RACING REPORTS
THE BAJA 1000 2008 Ensenada Loop Race
CLICK HERE
BAJA STATE COLLAPSE? GOBERNADOR
Baja Racing News.com, since 2004, THE FIRST EVER TO LIVE! WEBCAST THE BAJA 1000 AND
OUR FOURTH YEAR OF LIVE! WEBCASTS OF THE BAJA 1000!
BAJA 1000 RaceDay UPDATES
Contingency Photos
LIVE! Collins MOPAR Report:
"After the official SCORE press conference for today’s SCORE Tecate Baja 1000, Dirt Sports stopped to chat with Team Mopar driver Brian Collins, who announced to us that his Mopar backing will not continue into the 2009 racing season. Apparently, winning the SCORE San Felip 250 and the Mint 400 were not enough to overpower the financial constraints the Detroit Big Three are facing, and Collins’ racing effort is among the first off-road team affected.
“It’s purely a financial thing on their part and not because of anything we did or didn’t do,” Collins said. “They’ve told me that they might be back with me for 2010, but if Chevrolet gets in the game I don’t see that happening. I could end up playing Chevy against Mopar. In the meantime I will still be driving a Mopar truck with a Mopar engine.”
Regardless of the situation with Mopar, Collins says he is more than ready to bring home a win in this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The strategy for him and teammate Chuck Hovey is to stay steady and consistent and run a solid race. Collins told us he thinks there will be a lot of passing in the first 100 miles, but his team’s goal is not to win the first 100 miles … or the first 400 for that matter. To Collins, the last few hundred miles of the 631-mile course is where the 1000 will be decided. Collins plans to race the first 280-or-so miles or until it gets dark, and his strategy is to not push the vehicle too hard early in the race.
“I have to run just hard enough to stay up front, but I also have to take it easy so that when I hand the truck over to Chuck he has a truck to race,” Collins said."
LIVE! FORD RAPTOR RACING REPORT:
"It was a long day of lots of driving, border crossings and trying to lead an eleven truck convoy through Tijuana but I am finally here in Mexico for the upcoming SCORE Baja 1000! Making this trip to Baja unique is the fact that I am here with the Ford F-150 Raptor racing team as what you can call an embedded reporter. I will be attached to the team for the whole race as they make history by racing the first Raptor race truck.
The Raptor is based on the new 2009 Ford F-150 but is a way more radical version of it featuring massive Fox shocks, different control arms for more travel, wider fenders and bedsides, BF Goodrich all terrains tires and a host of other features to make it at home in the desert. Think of it as a cool prerunner straight from the factory. The Raptor R (as the race truck is referred to) is based heavily on the production Raptor but is built for the extremes of desert racing. Tomorrow I get to take a closer look at it and will bring you the details.
The race team is a unique effort combining some of Ford’s best drivers such as Greg Foutz and Randy Merrit and their crews into one super team. It is also obvious that Ford is heavily involved as engineers from Ford and SVT are here as well to provide their expertise and lend assistance
LIVE! Lofton Racing Report:
"Justin Lofton returns to his desert racing roots this weekend behind the wheel of the Lofton Cattle Chevy Trophy Truck in the 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. "We had a great pre-run last weekend" said Lofton. "The truck handles amazing. A lot of the course that is run this year hasn't been run since the mid-90's so most of the field will be running it for the first time. I'm really looking forward to running this thing. It has been a lot of fun practicing and preparing for the race."
The Baja 1000 is an endurance event; 629.74-miles split between a team of two drivers. In Lofton's first ever Baja 1000, his teammate is his father, Bob Lofton. The elder Lofton has been competing in desert racing for over 22 years and has claimed victory in his division in three Baja events. In 1993, Bob Lofton and JIMCO Racing CEO-Mike Julson won their first SCORE 1600 Championship and in 1995 the pair claimed the SCORE Class 1 Championship. Justin was named the 2004 Best in the Desert (BITD) Rookie of the Year. With Matt Loiodice as his teammate, Lofton claimed the BITD Class 1000 Championship that same year, winning the Parker 400, Vegas 200, and Henderson 300.
Justin Lofton will drive the Lofton Cattle Trophy Truck for the first 400 miles with friend and former teammate, Loiodice, as his navigator. Bob Lofton will take over at mile marker 400 with Rusty Szymanski riding as his navigator. The Lofton men will race against the clock under sun and stars. You can track the Lofton Cattle truck's position on the course on Baja Racing News.com. Click on "Strobel Motorsports" for the tracking beacon. "I'm really excited to race again with my dad," added the younger Lofton. "He has been a huge supporter of mine and has been my sounding board throughout my career and especially this year. I think we have a good shot at winning this race and sharing the podium with him would be such an honor." End
LIVE! Report from one of the sidecar teams:
"Swiss Team to Start Baja 1000. Scott reports via phone that the Swiss team managed to get their sidecar out of its US Customs hostage situation and are in Ensenada. He also reports that they will probably not have the official IRC tracking system nor a spot tracker, so news of their whereabouts will probably only come via the Weatherman radio broadcast or some other random method. Good Luck Lenaro & Howald!"
LIVE! Report from Ensenada:
"FROM Craig Perronne, Now this is actually kinda funny. Shouldn't laugh, but I had to. The Ford Factory Team that our editor Craig Perronne is living the Baja 1000 week with, hit the border with full security detail. A caravan of six vehicles, including six off-duty police. Armed. According to Craig's first Blog report, they did have some trouble at the border and once in Ensenada, so he was glad they DID have the security detail with them.
However, at SCORE check-in headquarters, it was one of the Security vehicles that got broken into, and personal items (ID, credit cards and cell phones) stolen from!
I guess if I had to choose having a team guarding my body or guarding my truck, I'd bring them all with me personally, every where we went. But - you didn't leave ONE person out with the tens of thousands of dollars of vehicles and equipment? Oh, this is going to be a really entertaining week. Can't wait to hear about Scott and Josh's adventures with the VW team!
Well it didn’t take long for one of our vehicles to get broken into here in Baja. The amazing part is that it happened in broad daylight and right outside the San Nicolas Hotel which is SCORE’s headquarte
LIVE! From Speed Technologies Chances for Baja 1000
"Speed Technologies is in the running for some big awards. The team is currently chasing the Toyota True Grit Award – an awarded given each year to a Class 1 team that starts and finishes each race. Driver of Record Chuck Dempsey, along with co-driver Raymond Barre and the Speed Technologies crew, has worked tirelessly this year to ensure that the Speed Technologies HMS Avenger Class 1 car starts and finishes each SCORE race. But that’s not all – Speed Technologies is currently third overall for Class 1 points in the SCORE Desert Race Series. If the team does well at the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 they could very well capture first overall. “We’re feeling pretty good about everything,” said Team Manager Phil Johnson. “We’ve got strong drivers behind the wheel, a pit crew that already has a Baja 1000 under their belts and the support of John Harrah and the rest of the Speed Technologies team.”
The HMS Avenger (101) is first off the starting line. John Herder, along with co-driver Joe Weining, will begin the race and hand the car over at mile marker 350 to Driver of Record Chuck Dempsey and co-driver Raymond Barre. Both Dempsey and Herder are no strangers to Baja racing. They’ve each racked up numerous wins and finishes and they’re hoping to add this race to their collection. “We’ve really been putting everything we have into the HMS Avenger,” said Chuck Dempsey. “Kevin Singleton, owner of Exotic Engines, has been fine tuning the motor for the past month at Speed Technologies headquarters at Ranch Harrah in Reno, NV and it’s running better than ever. Speed Technologies spent two weeks pre-running the Baja course and working out any kinks that might come their way ensuring that they have a top finish in this prestigious race. Follow the Harrahs on Baja Racing News.com. END
LIVE! REPORT FROM ROD HALL RACING:
"I'm sitting in a coffee house in downtown Ensenada while the race trucks slowly snake through the streets for tech and contingency. We wrapped up pre-running yesterday after five days out on the course. Although the race is a short one this year at approximately 640 miles, it is long in some respects. It is definitely a tough, tedious, technical loop - but well suited for our HUMMER race trucks. A highlight of the first 148 miles to BFG Pit 1 is the descent off La Ruma Rosa. The several thousand foot decrease in altitude is marked by sheer cliffs and stunning vistas. It will be an impressive sight to see over 300 trucks race it - knowing that a missed turn could be fatal. Multiple corners involve three-point turns.
The loop from Borrego through San Felipe is completely whooped out and the last portion of the course on the Pacific side is marked by several treacherous silt beds. We are very happy to have four-wheel drive vehicles and have marveled on several occasions at the Class 11 drivers who finish the race in stock VW Beetles. We'll have regular reports for the race."
Baja 1000 Earthquake
A temblor struck near Mexicali, happens all the time, today CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Baja 1000 Earthquake
A temblor struck near Mexicali, happens all the time, today CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Contingency is today. What is it? Contingency is Tech Inspection and Sponsors Booths lined up in a gauntlet. Race cars and trucks line up hours going through for tech inspection and final scrutineering. We'll load photos and vids as the day goes on, so stay tuned. We have a special skill of knowing when the debauchery begins!
Now, the serious racers and teams are either sleeping or working their tails off getting things set for raceday on Friday. The racers are right now, working on their rigs and lining up for inspections.
San Felipe is on the Sea of Cortez on the EAST coast of Baja. Ensenada is on the WEST coast. In between, 10,000+ ft. mountains, large tracts of Mexican desert. It's Sonoran/San Felipe desert on the east side of the mountains. On the west of the mountains, high desert and chapparal changes to coastal mediteranean lands and climates.
Todays Regular Press Story:
By Bill Center
“Despite what is going on in Baja California Ensenada
Entries from 39 states and a record 24 countries have been accepted for the 631.35-mile race that starts and finishes in Ensenada
Although there will be approximately 50 fewer entries from the 2007 edition that covered 1,296.4 miles from Ensenada to the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, this should still be one of the five largest fields for the Baja 1000.
Despite the economy. And despite the off-course incidents that marred last year's race. Yes, this field is missing some names synonymous with off-road racing and particularly the Baja 1000 – most notably the McMillins of San Diego County and Herbst Racing of Nevada El Cajon Mexico
Among the racers with the most on the line tomorrow will be 26-year-old Adam Pfankuch of Carlsbad Nevada Germany San Diego
“We are knocking on the door,” Pfankuch said. “But we have to conquer the Baja 1000 before we can take a breath and enjoy what we've done this season in SCORE,” said Pfankuch, who earlier this year won his class in the Baja 500 over parts of the Baja 1000 course. Pfankuch is one of seven San Diego County San Diego
Wayne Matlock of El Cajon leads the open ATV division with the Chula Vista Spring Valley 's Anna Cody is the rider of record on the leading, all-female 125cc team. Poway 's Brett Helm leads the team atop the 40-year-old rider class.
Honda factory rider Johnny Campbell will be seeking his record 11th overall motorcycle victory while teaming with Kendall Norman and Robby Bell. Campbell, 37, and former Santee resident Larry Roeseler are currently tied with 10 overall motorcycle wins. TrophyTruck racers Mark Post and Rob MacCachren return as defending overall four-wheel champions of the Baja 1000.
But this year's featured TrophyTruck is a turbo-diesel VW Touareg co-driven by Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero. The vehicle was designed for races like last year's canceled Dakar Rally.[Oops, sorry regular press, WRONG. Bad reporting, but what do you expect from a writer who writes about off-road once a year]
One of the teams to beat this year is *Wednesday Night LIVE! in Ensenada, Baja Mexico.
*Many reports in town tonight (Ensenada) a six foot, left hand dropoff on sections of the first fifteen miles heading out of town.
*If you are headed down the Coast (1)toll road notice! Esy to get stuck in a several mile construction project. The South bound lanes are shut down at the Half-Way House and are not re-opened until Puntas Piedras. Finally got turned around at La Saline. The South-bound traffic is moved over to the other side - one lane in each direction with only a yellow line and orange cones seperating traffic. There are no open off ramps South-bound through the construction zone. If you want to go the the Pyramid resort, Alistos, La Fanda, etc. get on the Free Road at the Half-Way-House exit!
*Lots of pre-run carnage reports. Pistol Pete reports he screwed up today blew out a couple tires missing the new sections heading out of town, first twenty miles.
*The VW Club in Ensenada is closed. Not even open for the race. Welcome to Mexico. The Baja Racing Club is OPEN on the course near Mexicali, check it out.
*Baja racers are talking about the 'suspect rear end'. "The gear box-third member, with all that torque, can they make 500 miles"? We'll find out. They are running bigger tires, 37 inch, may be a disadvantage'.
*Sal Fish claims it cost score $13,000 to build the road at the La Rumorosa Grade, years ago. They used it twice before this years race. Sal also says, todays Volkswagen LA Auto Show unveil was the best ever in SCOREs history. Lots of trees with big pinecones (pinons), Sal talked about the 'killer pinecones', funny.
*Pete Sohren talked about how the race really starts at RM 126. Six hours of daylight from the start to nightfall. He also talked about how if you were on the United States side of the border near RM 137, you could see the race. True, but the Border Patrol guys there would shoo you away. Its a very sensitive area. No border fence.
In the old days, you could have a few cold ones in Ocotillo on the US side of the border, cross through that stretch of desert into Mex, grab some cold ones at El Oasis, they had a cantina then. And back into the states before midnight. A great might of off-road driving.
*According to most teams, the fastest vehicle will make a time near 14 hours.
*Gobernador, the Governor of Baja California said today, "El Presidente" de Baja California has mandated that all Marines, Soldiers and Cops will work the streets to try to keep racers, chasers and score staff safe. This will hopefully scare the "no good idiots" away and let us enjoy this event". Another indication the race venue is unstable and insecure.
*American Killed Preparing for Baja 1000
Reportedly on Monday, the racer was speeding and driving in an unsafe manner, the deceased American racer drove into a ditch and died on the scene. The accident, on highway 3, is no longer being investigated. The final report blames the racer.
*Update Report from the states, TT #16 being towed on I-8 heading west through Yuma this morning around 9:30 AM .
*Security Situation Update
As the State of Baja California spirals into chaos in Tijuana and Rosarito, the violence and police actions in Ensenada have been ramping up for the last several months. On the very day pre-running started for this Baja 1000, one of the largest drug-currency-cartel equipment busts in the county's history went down in Ensenada. Because of the size and geography of the state, drug running is family business in this neck of the woods. And always will be. For many years, the assorted murders of tourists are all related to the drug trade.
The Feds are slowly reaching into Ensenada county and taking down singular families or cels, in the drug trade. The busts broke out onto the Ensenada streets just days ago, when an execution murder happened right on the main tourist drag, here in Ensenada. The patrols of Federal police and troops, around the clock, have changed the face racers see of Ensenada. Every hour. If any security issues arise during raceweek, you'll get the skinny here on Baja Racing News.com
More tracking resources will be posted here, as the teams make them public. This time last year, all the teams pre-running tracking was up for God and everyone to see for weeks. Not anymore. They don't want the BADGUYS to track them. Big changes keep happening, because of the Baja crime breakout that started at last years Baja 1000.
There were NO security concerns made public at last years Baja 1000. Except from professionals, who knew the situation. Amazingly, racing crackheads covered up the reports. Teams didn't give a crap and either did the authorities. This year, no team tracking is public. *Weather Situation Update
It's been better than normal weather for the last two weeks, here in Northern Baja. Conditions called 'Santa-Anas', have kept high pressure and warmer than normal temperatures on the coast and foothills lately. Only on race day, will the well-known coastal clouds and cool November temperatures, creep back into town. It's been warm and clear, the weather people expect from 'Sunny Mexico', we've had for two weeks and perfect for pre-running. No fogs or coastal clouds, most often experienced in November, in Baja Norte today. Baja Racing News.com will provide very up-to-date conditions on our LIVE RACE coverage. Race day forecast:
*Friday, Overcast. High: 75° F. / 24° C. Wind NW 6 mph. / 10 km/h. :
*Racers Situation Update
Baja Racing News.com has seven reporters all over town and three embedded with teams finishing their pre-runs and doing rebuilds on the race cars, after crashing out on the course this last week. Race Week. Friday is race day, so only the very last preparations are being done now. One universal point the teams have made to our reporters in the last two days, is the mud at Laguna Salada. Not a surprise, but a struggle for the Baja race newbies. They think desert racing, dry. Well, out at the desert 'dry' lake, MUD-LODO, is a constant.
So are booby-traps. Traps set by locals to bust the racers chops. So far there have been a minimum of the regular booby-trap surprises. On raceday, we'll report on the trouble they cause. We always have traps, its a Baja racing tradition, the locals just can't get enough of gringo crashes.
There are no current LIVE cameras in Ensenada. They get stolen every time they go up. What does that tell you?
*Situation Updates LOADING>>>
Robby Gordon Testing and Baja 1000 2007 Videos
American dies in Baja Mexico preparing to race in the Baja 1000
Here is the Mexican Press account:
American dies in Baja Mexico preparing to race in Baja 1000
"Ensenada, B.C. - An American runner who would participate
as co-pilot the next November 21 in the off-road race Baja 1000,
died on Monday after a car accident deribado driving his unit
with speeding. The incident took place on the road Ensenada-San Felipe,
when Steven Wayne Ward , aged 43, was heading toward this port.
The now deceased was driving a Chevrolet pick trademark gray,
with plates xxxxxxx California, United States, which used to
provide technical support to the pilots who carried out reconnaissance
of the track. Authorities of the Federal Preventive Police (PFP)
reported that the person died around 16:00 am on Monday after
a volcadura occurred at the height of the 16 kilometer stretch of
highway +10 Valle de la Trinidad-Ensenada, where he lost control
of his unit to exit toward the right side of the asphalt ribbon.
Information obtained by El Vigia concerns that the U.S. was
driving by the highway stretch, and because of a lack of caution
tape was released from asphalt and fell to a ravine about 10
meters deep. At the scene of the accident turned the Public Ministry
agent to attest to the death, as well as elements of the federal
corporation to take control. During yesterday afternoon the team
"jackals Racing", with whom the deceased would participate,
conducting rescue efforts of the unit, as it brought acetylene
equipment, jerry cans with fuel, spare tires and tools.
7H89724in the race would mark a Ford Ranger
pickup 7sx class, which was co-owner with Jim Hinesley.
Report: Accident Monday late afternoon.
The truck cab was crushed flat,
it had gone off the road and rolled.
Back up the road a couple of hundred
yards was a flatbed trailer and a Rhino
off to the side that had rolled of of the
trailer and was damaged.
Another translation:
"American (racer)runner who would participate like copilot next
the 21 of November in the race outside Low way 1000,
passed away Monday after an automobile accident derived to
lead his unit with excess of speed. The facts happened in the
highway San Felipe-Embosom, when Steven Wayne Ward,
of 43 years of age, went course to this one port. The now deceased
lead pick marks to Chevrolet gray color, with plates 7H89724 of
California
support to the pilots who realised recognitions of the track.
Authorities of PolicÃa Federal Preventiva (PFP) informed
that the person passed away around the 16:00 hours of
Monday after a volcadura happened around kilometer 16+10
of the wagon section Valley of Trinidad-Embosom, where
lost the control of its unit to leave towards the right side of
the asphalt tape. Data obtained by the Watch refers that
the American lead by the wagon section, and due to the
lack of precaution left the asphalt tape and fell to a
precipice of around 10 meters of depth. To the place of the
accident the Agent of the Ministry went I publish to give
aith of the decease, as well as elements of the federal
corporation to take the control. During afternoon of the
equipment “Racing Jackals”, with that the deceased would
participate, yesterday they realised rescue work of the unit,
since it brought equipment of acetylene, cans with fuel,
rims of spare part and tool. In the
would lead pick marks to Ford Ranger class 7sx,
was co-owner with Jim Hinesley."
TUESDAY, November 18 UPDATE
Are you tired of the press releases yet? Not us!
Riviera Racing Weighs In To The Baja 1000 2008 Media Mayhem!
"Facing their biggest racing challenge of the 2009 desert racing season, 2007 SCORE Baja 1000 Overall & Trophy Truck Champions, Mark POST and Rob MACCACHREN, will arrive to Ensenada, Baja California with everything in order to repeat their 2007 winning performance.
The 41st Annual SCORE Baja 1000 race is the oldest and most well known of all desert races held in the world. The first race kicked off in 1967 and has been a draw to off road racers and adventurers ever since. The mystical 1100-mile finger of land that juts south of the Southern California Mecca is a rugged off road paradise. Remote and rugged deserts, high mountains and white sand beaches border the Baja Peninsula on both sides as the Pacific Ocean borders the west and the magical Sea of Cortez lines the peninsula on the east side.
This year's odyssey will test man and machine over 631.35 torturous miles with the start and finish held on Boulevard Costero along the beautiful Bahia de Todos Santos in front of the historical Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center on Ensenada's Malecon.
Mark POST began his off road journey over 20 years ago. Post explained, "Racing in Baja has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my off road racing career. Winning the overall race at the 40th SCORE Baja 1000 was definitely the biggest victory as of yet. This year we've had some great performances by our team and we'll be charging for this season's Baja 1000 victory along with several other top teams."
Riviera Racing began preparation for this year's race in late October when Mark POST & Rob MACCACHREN led sponsors down a 700-mile off road adventure ending at the beautiful Cabo Azul Resort in Cabo San Lucas. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!
"It was encouraging to spend a week running last year's Baja 1000 course before we ever started prerunning for this year's Baja 1000. When we arrived back from the sponsor run, we immediately started prerunning and haven't looked back since. The pre-run schedule has been hectic as the team has dissected the entire race course section-by-section," commented Mark Post.
Over 250,000 people are anticipated to be spread out along the race course with nearly 50,000 fans expected to pack into contingency and technical inspection. Fans will line the course beginning in the Ensenada wash where spectators begin to line up on the race course the night before the race. The race course travels through the Pine Forest up over the infamous La Rumorosa grade to near Tecate and Mexicali, down Laguna Salada to San Felipe and back to the Pacific Coast and up through Santo Tomas and back to Ojos Negros on the way back to Ensenada, covering much of the northern half of the majestic Baja California peninsula.
Las Vegas native, Rob MACCACHREN, has raced in the SCORE Baja 1000 each year over the last two decades and he commented," This race is certainly the biggest race of the season. I never get tired of racing in Baja and our team has really worked hard towards prepping the championship truck and preparing for this year's race. After a couple weeks of prerunning the race course in its entirety, it is certainly going to be a challenging race. We have a great strategy and we just need to go out and have a clean race."
The No.1 Rockstar/Makita/Monarch Grand Vacations Trophy Truck will begin the journey at approximately 10:30 a.m. as vehicles leave in 30-second intervals. Over 30 SCORE Trophy Trucks have entered the race and a total of 359 entries have been officially entered in this edition of the 2008 SCORE Baja 1000.
Riviera Racing thanks all of their sponsors, including Monarch Grand Vacations, Rockstar Energy Drink, Makita Industrial Power Tools, Pacific Monarch Resorts, BFGoodrich Tires, PIAA Lights, Ultra Wheels, Javier's Cantina & Grill, Anaheim Hills Auto Body, Patton Racing Engines, DirtBagz, K&N Air Filters, Borla Exahust, Ron Davis Radiator, Sinister Films, DIRTnewz.com and Sunset Signs.
About Monarch Grand Vacations: Leader in Worldwide Resort Development
Since its founding 19 years ago, Pacific Monarch Resorts Inc. has gained an exemplary reputation as a leader in resort development, offering exceptional value with the highest level of professional hospitality and resort management expertise. Our senior executive team is directly responsible for our strong growth and healthy financial portfolio with aggregate sales in excess of $725 million. With more than 100,000 guest arrivals each year enjoying their vacations at nine, Pacific Monarch Resort locations offering more than 1,550 luxury villas, our legacy is prominent in the industry.
About Rockstar: Bigger. Better. Faster. Stronger.
ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blends of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is scientifically formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles-from athletes to rock stars. PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR!
About Makita Industrial Power Tools: Dedicated to Quality
Makita owes its reputation for building outstanding quality power tools to the drive and determination for excellence that began over 90 years ago as a manufacturer of electric motors. In 1958, Makita introduced their first electric tool. Today Makita is one of the world's largest power tool manufacturers with seven manufacturing facilities globally and a selection of over 350 superior, innovative tools and well over 4,500 accessories."
NICE! A thoughtful press release for a change! We are gettin' way tired of the overprocessed press releases. You know the who's worst? F-ing Rod Hall. Nothing but CRAPOLA!
Robby Gordon Wants Some!
"Proving once again that he never tires of racing, Robby Gordon left this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finale in Homestead, Florida and headed straight for Ensenada, Mexico to compete in the 41st annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, one of the most grueling off-road races in the world. Gordon, a three-time overall winner, hopes to pilot his No. 77 Monster Energy / Toyo Tires Chevy CK 1500 to his fourth victory when the race commences on Friday, November 21st.
The Baja 1000 is the world’s longest non-stop and most famous desert race. This year’s race will be a challenging 631.35-mile journey around the northern Baja California peninsula, beginning and ending in Ensenada. It will be trying even to the most skilled racers as they weave their way over rocky desert landscape and mountain terrain.
When asked about this year’s event, Gordon commented, “This year’s course is very technical, very rough and very fast, which plays right into our team’s strengths. The team has done a good job building up the reliability in our Monster Energy / Toyo Tires / 4Wheel Parts trophy truck. We’ve been in Mexico pre-running the course over the past few weeks. Having covered the course twice, I feel very confident of our chances. With the assistance of both our Off-road and NASCAR team personnel, we have a really good support staff in place. Everyone is well informed on our race strategy and goals for this week. If all goes according to plan, we should bring home our fourth overall Baja 1000 victory.”"
Sure. I'm still paying off the last bet on Robby Gordon to win.
###
RACE WEEK STARTS!
MONDAY, November 17 UPDATE
The Baja Racing Party in Ensenada
Baja 1000 - Racers Briefing
1) The Competitors Meeting will be held on Thursday 11/20 at 7:00pm in the Cathedral Room of the Riviera Convention Center.
2) All competitors are reminded that off road racing is an inherently dangerous activi ty that can result in serious injury or even
death. YOU MUST BEAR THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY.
3) The roads used for this race course are open to the public. You must expect at all times to encounter oncoming traffic.
Be advised that spectators may engage in malicious activity. When approaching a group of spectators, slow down and be alert.
4) The speed limit for all race vehicles on all highway speed zones is 60 mph. This speed limit will be enforced with the IRC
tracking device. Passing on the highway sections must be made on the left-hand side only and within the 60 MPH speed limit.
All participants MUST possess a valid driver license while operating the race vehicle.
5) HIGHWAY SPEED ZONES - There are FIVE (5) paved highway sections subject to the 60 mph speed limit. It is not
permissible to run dirt roads that may parallel the highway in order to exceed the 60 MPH speed limit or pass other vehicles.
1) Rumorosa (2.9 Miles) - Right on HWY 2 KM 72 @ Mile 116.1 / Right off HWY 2 KM 66 @ Mile 119.0
2) Salada (2.9 Miles If Necessary) - Right on HWY 5 KM 69 @ Mile 223.2 / Right off HWY 5 KM 74 @ Mile 226.1.
3) San Matias (2.5 Miles) - Right on HWY 3 KM 142 @ Mile 422.8 / Left off HWY 3 KM 137 @ Mile 425.3.
4) San Vicente (3.9 Miles) - Right on HWY 1 KM 102 @ Mile 491.3 / Left off HWY 1 KM 96 @ Mile 495.2.
5) Santo Tomas (6.8 Miles) - Left on HWY 1 KM 51 @ Mile 549.8 / Right off HWY 1 KM 41 @ Mile 556.6.
6) HIGHWAY SPEED PENALTY - SCORE evaluates the highway speed data for EVERY finisher. Penalties for exceeding the
mandatory 60 MPH highway speed limit are based on the duration and degree of the violation.
7) All competitors must do their part to protect and preserve the Baja ecological environment. Please instruct your team that it
is very important to properly dispose of all solid and liquid waste. Do not litter, start fires, or deviate from the marked course.
8) The race course is marked with orange/white ribbon, yellow reflective tape, orange directional arrows, green wrong ways, and
mile markers every five miles. SCORE cannot guarantee that course markings will be in place on race day. It is the responsibility
of each competitor to race in a controlled manner and be able to slow down to avoid danger spots.
9) Four-Wheel vehicles that are in a position to pass a motorcycle or atv MUST NOT ATTEMPT TO PASS UNTIL THE RIDER
HAS MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE COURSE. Motorcycles and ATVs must remain aware of approaching traffic and move
over as quickly as possible. Four-Wheel vehicles are ultimately responsible for the safety of passing. USE YOUR HORN!!!
10) SCORE will use 151.625 (Weatherman Relay) for the main race operations radio frequency. Please use this frequency to
report an emergency or ask for help.
11) Stub Cans WILL NOT used at this race. You are required to enter all checkpoints in a single file manner and come to a
complete stop at the stop sign. The checkpoint corridor is not considered part of the race course. Entering and exiting all
checkpoints must be done in a safe and prudent manner in order to guarantee the safety of all checkpoint workers.
12) Passing is not permitted 300 feet before a checkpoint. Pitting is not permitted within 300 feet before and 100 feet after a
checkpoint. Pitting is not permitted within 100 feet before or 100 feet after a paved highway crossing. No towing, pushing or
pulling through a checkpoint or greater than 1% of the course, which at this race is 6.3 miles.
13) No towing or pushing of Four-Wheel vehicles within 1 mile of the finish line. However, wristbanded vehicle occupants are
permitted to push a disabled race vehicle across the finish line.
14) A competitor who is late for his assigned start time will start at the back of the class that is currently starting. The elapsed
time of a late starter begins with his DESIGNATED START TIME, not the late start time.
15) All competitors will have 31 HOURS from their designated start time to complete the race, provided that each checkpoint
is cleared within the scheduled closing time. Checkpoint locations and closing times are as follows:
CHECKPOINT 1 – NORTH OF LAGUNA SALADA / MILE 141.1 – SATURDAY @ 2:00AM.
CHECKPOINT 2 – WEST OF BORREGO / MILE 286.2 – SATURDAY @ 7:00AM.
CHECKPOINT 3 – WEST OF SAN FELIPE / MILE 351.1 – SATURDAY @ 10:00AM.
CHECKPOINT 4 – WEST OF BORREGO (REPEAT) / MILE 407.1 – SATURDAY @ 1:00PM.
CHECKPOINT 5 – SOUTH OF SAN VICENTE / MILE 496.2 – SATURDAY @ 4:00PM.
CHECKPOINT 6 – WEST OF OJOS NEGROS / MILE 589.4 – SATURDAY @ 7:00PM.
16) The race will Start and Finish in front of the Riviera Convention Center on Boulevard Costero.
17) Motorcycles and ATV classes will report to staging at 6:00AM for a 6:30AM start.
One every 30 seconds in the following order: 22, 30, 40, 21, 20, 50, 60, 25, 24, SPTMOTO>, SPTMOTO<, SPTATV, SIDECAR. 18) There will be a three hour gap between the last SIDECAR starter and the first SCORE TROPHY TRUCK starter. 19) Four-Wheel vehicles will begin staging at 9:30AM and will start at APPROXIMATELY 10:30AM to 10:45AM. 20) Four-Wheel vehicles will start one every 30 seconds in the following order: TT, 1, 10, SL, 8, PT, 1/2-1600, 5, 6, 7, BC, 5-1600, 7SX, SF, SM, 9, 3, 17, SPTK, SPBG, 11, SPUTV. 21) Late registration will open on Friday morning at 5:30AM in the Red Room at the Riviera Convention Center. 22) A technical protest MUST be filed no later than 30 minutes after the first finisher out of the money in your class. 23) Unofficial Results will be posted at the San Nicolas Hotel Saturday evening at 7:00PM and the Competition Review Board will meet at 9:00PM. The Awards Presentation will be held Sunday morning at 10:00AM pooliside at the San Nicolas Hotel.
November 16, 2008 UPDATE
Baja Racing News.com Selects Zorro Team Francisco Cervantes of Ensenada, Baja California Mexico!
This Baja 1000 2008 is special. 1000 kilometers of pure Baja Mexico Off-Road Racing, perfect for Zorro Francisco, who knows this route very well. Being in Ensenada, his team are experts in knowing the course, the conditions and the big competition.
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November 15, 2008 UPDATED!
Clarion call to all the other Baja desert racers! This just in! Mark Miller has been "dominating" you for over 20 years. When one claims dominance in a form of racing, you're really saying 'over other racers in your class'.
From the press release you would think Mark Miller is Superman. Well, Baja Racing News.com reviewed Miller and Arcierros records of Baja racing. At best, its a mixed bag. When in competition as Arcierro-Miller, not a good record, most directly, recently. That roll with the new Trophy Truck was glaring, lots of Did Not Show-ups and DNF's.
With Volkswagen, you get this spin press and more support. Baja Racing News.com sees this effort in the top ten. If they don't, its a BIG Baja 1000 embarasment. Just like earlier this year, in the DAKAR replacement race in Central Europe Rally, where Miller-Volkswagen crashed out.
From the Press Release:
""Mark Miller has been selectively dominating the sport of off-road racing for over twenty years. His unprecedented driving skills were recognized by one of the top leaders in Volkswagen motorsport, and in 2005 Mark made a full time commitment as a factory works driver for the Volkswagen Motorsports team based in Hanover, Germany.
"To become a professional racing driver was the best decision of my life. I just should have made it earlier," said Mark Miller. In his youth he actually sacrificed a promising career in motorbike racing to study. As Volkswagen factory driver he now traces the path in reverse: The investment manager withdrew from the business to concentrate solely on his motorsport activities. Miller's strength: He is one hundred percent committed; for example he undertakes an intensive fitness program. His mental strength helps him to concentrate but stay relaxed at the same time: "One of my plus points is that I don't target any unrealistic goals and in doing so don't put myself unnecessarily under pressure," Miller added.
Miller, who is one of the few Americans to start the Dakar Rally, is regarded as multi-talented. In 1979, he competed in the SCORE Off-road Challenge for the first time on a motorcycle in his homeland, was successful in a NASCAR truck series, and scored several wins in the Trophy Truck class of the famous Baja 1000 and Baja 500 rallies.
Growing up in the racing world Ryan has experienced first-hand what victory feels like. Maintaining the legacy of his legendary racing family Ryan is determined to continue 50 years plus of Motorsports success that the Arciero family has worked so strongly to achieve. Whether Ryan is racing a 1000 mile off-road race or turning laps on the pavement, the skills and experience he gained have produced one of the most diverse drivers and successful racing resumes. As a Volkswagen factory driver, Ryan was instrumental in the inaugural season of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series, where he coached and mentored a group of thirty up and coming talented young drivers on what it takes to succeed in the world of professional motorsports.
"The last time I won the Baja 1000 was in 2004 and it is something that drives me more and more everyday to get back to that feeling inside of being the best at what I do and to win one of the most demanding races in the world. For that day or that moment you are the best, number 1, and that feeling for me is like no other," said Arciero. "To now line up at the start of the 2008 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in the all-new Volkswagen clean diesel powered Baja Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck for the very first time will also be a great feeling that I am really looking forward to," added Arciero.""
November 10, 2008
First turbo-diesel Trophy Truck in SCORE series
Volkswagen of America, Inc. has announced the all new Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI, powered by a clean diesel TDI engine, will enter this year’s 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race in the SCORE Trophy Truck class. Volkswagen will unveil its purpose-built Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck during Los Angeles Auto Show.
“We’ve had success running our clean diesel TDI powered vehicles at the Dakar Rally, Baja 500, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and also in our Jetta TDI Cup series,” said Clark Campbell, motorsport manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “This entry of a new, purpose-built Touareg TDI Trophy Truck is the next step in the evolution of our motorsport program and showcases our commitment to racing clean diesel vehicles and to SCORE International.”
The Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI will roll off from the 14th position when the race starts on Friday, November 21, the positions were announced at a drawing held October 11 in Temecula, California. “The first 10 starting positions are reserved for the top 10 series point’s leaders competing in the SCORE Trophy Truck class,” said Campbell. “With this being our first time competing in the SCORE Trophy Truck class, drawing 14th actually gives us a very good starting position.”
The Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI will be driven by the Baja veterans Mark Miller, Cave Creek, Ariz. and Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif. Arciero and Miller have seven career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins between them, including three wins driving together. Willie Valdez Jr. a seasoned off-road racer and Baja competitor will be navigating for Miller and Benny Metcalf Jr. a veteran of off-road and SCORE series racing will navigate for Arciero.
Volkswagen-Red Bull Baja Race Touareg TDI Specifications
Powertrain
Engine 5.5 Liter, 90 degree V-12 TDI Twin Turbo Diesel
Valve train 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
Induction Dual Garrett TR 30 R with dual 43.5mm air-restrictors, 2.94 bar (absolute) pressure
Emissions Dow Automotive Diesel Particle Filters (2)
Horsepower 550 HP (405kW)
Torque 625 ft-lb (850Nm)
Layout Mid-engine, rear wheel drive
Transmission Xtrac 6 Speed Sequential
Rear Axle Custom Built solid 9” Rear Axle
Suspension
Front Double A-Arm Suspension – 25” wheel travel (63 cm)
Rear 4-Link Rear Suspension – 30” wheel travel (76 cm)
Front Shocks Fox Racing Shocks - 3.0 Coil-over with 3.0 Bypass/Multi-adjustable Dampener
Rear Shocks Fox Racing Shocks - 3.0 Coil-over with 3.0 Bypass/Multi-adjustable Dampener
Springs Eibach Coils
Wheels KMC 17” Custom Forged Beadlock
Tires BFGoodrich Baja KRT 37x13.5x17
General
Owner Volkswagen of America Inc.
Chassis Design Arciero Miller Racing
Body Design Volkswagen Design Center California
Dimensions
Wheelbase 125 in. (317 cm)
Overall Length 213 in. (541 cm)
Track Width 92 in. (233 cm)
Overall Height 78 in. (198 cm)
Weight 5650 lbs. (2562 kg)
Brakes Brembo 6 Piston Calipers
Steering Lee Manufacturing
Interior
GPS Lowrance 9200 system
Seats Sparco Carbon Fiber Racing seats
Fuel Cell 65 Gallon (240 Liter) Capacity, designed by Harmon Fuel Cells
Sponsors Sponsored by Red Bull, BFGoodrich Tires, Dow Automotive, Oakley, KMC Wheels.
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Possible Mark Miller Response (unconfirmed) to the Editorial Board of Baja Racing News.com Baja Race Touareg TDI story:
"That (Oct. 30 Update/Editorial Board Conclusions[Below])article is inaccurate in many areas. I only have to say that Don Tebbe and Trevor Harris designed the chassis and coordinated everything with Volkswagen Motorsport. They are the premier design and development team in off-road racing and they are at AMR on this long term project."
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October 30 Update
The Editorial Board of Baja Racing News got together on Tuesday, via telephone and has reviewed the chances of the Arciero-Miller-VW Baja 1000 2008 effort. Gary Newsome/Editor, The Fly, Mr. X, Dan McCormack and the Publisher of Baja Racing News.com make up the Editorial Board, here are our conclusions:
We are dissappointed that the development schedule for the "Arciero-Miller, Baja Race Touareg TDI-VW " seems forced and behind schedule. The Arciero-Miller race outfit, only now has time, to prerun the Baja course. In a winning effort, a minimum of two preruns should have been accomplished by this Saturday, November 1. With the dog and pony show at the LA Auto Show on November 19, time is very short.
We are uncomfortable with the design process having so much Arciero-Miller (A-M) input. The racing team has not proven itself in any other design efforts, thus our feelings. An insider at A-M tells Baja Racing News.com, "the geometry has been forced", "the rear suspension is not at any stability level to be happy with". Now, if this was a VW driven and controlled process, we would be much more comfortable with the effort.
A-M has not proven itself to be a winning, stable racing effort at the support to vehicle level, during recent Baja races. This loop course, to and from Ensenada for this years race, will test great teams and break all the rest. A host of chase chokepoints, topography and team strength issues will pressure everyone, including A-M, even more than last years run to Cabo.
There are going to be several paved road timing and access problems that will cripple some teams chase crews. Road accidents, Army security and drunken locals accidents will make it so.
Clark Campbell, spokesman of VW Motorsports, in a late interview commented on any 2009 racing plans for Baja Mexico, "We haven't decided on anything for 2009". Yet, in another interview, noting the recent racing history of Baja off-road racing, '67-on, "Volkswagen’s history in off-road racing dates back to the first Baja 1000 in 1967", stressed Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.Nissen continued, "next month’s Baja 1000, the first for VW and its new specially designed Touareg, will set the stage for a serious challenge in 2009", the auto maker’s racing chief says. Motorsports Director Kris Nissen is realistic about the auto maker’s chances in its first go-around at the Baja 1000 race next month, but vows "2009 will be a watershed". Kris Nissen pictured.
VW Motorsports, in last years Baja 500 Touaregs, had a better chance in last years Baja 1000. Too bad they decided to skip the 40th running. We forecast the A-M VW Baja 1000 2008 results, will disappoint many VW racing fans expecting a big win. Baja Racing News.com sees a little win is possible, but the Riviera Team is too good, not to choose for the 2008 Baja 1000 favorite this time around, for Baja Glory.
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Baja Racing News.com
UPDATED VW INTERVIEW
Kris Nissen, VW Motorsports Director
October 30, 2008
WOLFSBURG, Beerlandia : October 30, 2008 – Volkswagen AG hasn’t raced in its first Baja 1000 yet, but it already is promising to do better the next time around.
Motorsports Director Kris Nissen is realistic about the auto maker’s chances in its first go-around at the Baja 1000 race next month but vows 2009 will be a different story.
VW will unveil its specially built Touareg TDI Baja racer at the Los Angeles auto show Nov. 19 before heading off for the Nov. 20-23 event, which starts and finishes in Ensenada, Mexico. The racecar is powered by the same 5.5L V-12 turbodiesel used in the Audi R10 Le Mans racecar. It generates 550 hp and 627 lb.-ft. (850 Nm) of torque in the 4,850 -lb. (2,200-kg) Touareg.
“We don’t expect to win the first race,” Nissen says here at a media backgrounder on VW’s expansive racing program. “It’s a new vehicle, with rear-wheel drive; a heavier vehicle. “We’ll do our best to finish the race, then work hard in the winter – and I promise we’ll be a winner in 2009. Our goal is to go to the 2009 Baja 1000 next November and have a good feeling we can win the race.” Although it is outspent on racing by sister Audi AG, Nissen says he believes VW has built over the past four decades the auto industry’s most expansive racing program.
In addition to this year’s entry in the Baja 1000, VW races in the Dakar Rally Series, 24-Hours of Nurburgring, the Formula 3 Euro Series and the Formula ADAC Masters. It also operates its own racing circuits, such as the Polo Cup in Germany and Jetta TDI Cup in the U.S., in eight countries worldwide and is looking to continue expanding into new markets. “Our goal is to have national cups in as many countries as possible,” Nissen says. “Our goal is to add one new country a year.” The Cup programs give young drivers a chance to race VW-provided vehicles at relatively low investment costs.
In the U.S., for example, racers pay $35,000 per season, with VW providing the track-prepped Jetta TDI sedans, maintenance and training. Drivers are responsible only for their helmets and travel expenses. The season’s winner gets $100,000, but that is hiked to $150,000 if he is signed to a professional contract within six months of the final race.
Next year’s Jetta TDI Cup already has drawn interest from more than 1,000 potential drivers, and VW has yet to officially solicit applications. The eventual list will be culled to 100 who will be invited to a Sonoma, CA, track to select the circuit’s 30 drivers. These will be judged not only on their driving abilities but also for their media-friendly skills and how well they would handle other off-track duties. For now, VW is getting ready for the Dakar Rally, which Nissen says is the auto maker’s No.1 racing program. Slated for Jan. 3-18, the 5,600-mile (9,000-km) race starts and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with about 90% of it run over sandy terrain and under the most extreme conditions.
VW is entering the race with the Touareg 2, powered by a 5-cyl. turbodiesel generating 280 hp and 443 lb.-ft. (600 Nm) of torque. It features a 5-speed manual transmission and permanent 4-wheel drive. Two similar Touaregs competed in VW’s first foray in Baja in 2007, finishing a surprising 11th and 16th overall in the 500-mile (805-km) Baja 500. Weighing in at 3,942 lbs. (1,788 kg), the Dakar-bound Touareg 2 can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in 6.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 118 mph (190 km/h).
“This is the hardest race on people and technology,” Nissen says. “It’s absolutely incredible.” Participating gives VW the chance to prove its mettle in front of some 600 million people who watch the race worldwide, he says. Interview End.
Baja Racing News.com Lucerne VW TT SPY PHOTOS+VID
Here it is folks, Arciero Miller Racing, testing the unofficially non-unveiled naked VW Baja Race Touareg, that was under testing for weeks at Lucerne.
Baja Racing News.com EXCLUSIVE
UPDATED! Oct. 27
Miller Interview:
Interviewer: In the next few weeks, with the Baja 1000 in Mexico where you´ll be using a newly developed Baja-Touareg with a V12 TDI engine, you´ve got another personal highlight on your agenda. To what extent will this event help you to prepare for the "Dakar" - and vice versa?
Miller: "The Baja 1000 is a fantastic weekend event for which we prepare with similar care as we do for the Dakar Rally. That´s why we spent a lot of time in the California desert during the past three weeks to test and prove the durability of the completely new prototype. However, as we´re practically starting from scratch and the regulations differ a lot, there are no technical commonalities with the Race Touareg. Nevertheless, the work on the Baja project helps a great deal to sharpen one´s senses for many different tasks."
Interviewer: Both the "Dakar" and the Baja 1000 require good physical fitness. How do you physically prepare for these two events?
Miller: "Unless I´m testing in Morocco or Mexico a daily fitness regime is part of my schedule like going to the office is for others. This year, in addition to endurance training on the bicycle, the programme also includes aerobics exercises. Compared with the past three years, this is a new element in my preparations."
UPDATE October 16, 2008
From The Arciero Miller VW TEAM: "All is going great with the VW Touareg. We just finished up testing on Friday. We had been out in Lucerne for the past three weeks testing the new TT. All went well and we are very excited for the fans to see the new Touareg. It looks incredible. I am not allowed to release any pictures of it. That is Clarks responsibility and you are more than welcome to drop him a note and see if he can allow you to do anything. I don’t think he will allow it but you can ask.
We are very excited for our unveil of the new TT at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 19th. That will be the first time the public and media get a chance to see the Touareg with the body, paint and decals. It will look amazing. All the fans in Baja will be very excited I promise."
UPDATE September 10, 2008
Interview with Clark Campbell of VW Motorsports
Firstly, the Baja Race Touareg TDI, the next generation in off-road, WILL BE at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19, 2008, before the 2008 Baja 1000. This project has been a "great learning experience", Campbell said. "Right now, the motor-chassis-suspension has been completed. The body is being done at our VW design center in Santa Monica."
No testing has been completed yet.
"The motor produces 750 horse and 1100 torque." The new VW Baja Race Touareg is limited to 65 gallons of fuel. The other classes have 100 gallon limits.
At the 2007 Baja 500, the race Touaregs ran past the other classes that had to refuel. "Even with only nine inches of wheel travel, we were only 50 minutes behind the first trophy trucks across the line." The VW didn't have to stop for fuel." Pistol Pete called them "the little blue speed bumps", those have now morphed into the next Trophy Truck eating nightmares that will ruin Petes baja fun, among others.
Campbell also pointed out the differences between with the stock Cayennes and the Touaregs. "The Cayenne is a road vehicle. The Touareg is designed for the dirt." Its heritage is off-road and we'll see that in this years Baja 1000".
TROPHY TRUCKS BE AFRAID, VERY AFRAID!
The Road To Baja. The story of Volkswagen racing in the Baja 1000 in November 2008.
The Original Story:
Proving the new Trophy Touaregs, two have been produced, for the first time will be tested in less than a month. Clark Campbell, VW motorsports manager USA, confirmed recently. Campbell showed some photos to this reporter of Baja Racing News.com of the revolutionary German racing truck-SUV.
The vision in the new design from Don Teebe and Willie Valdez Junior, will be a scheme of silver, blue, red and yellow. An sdditional racing vehicle, an upgraded twin of the first, is in progress. The other will be released in the 2009 racing season. The knights of the desert, pilots-races chosen by Campbell to man the new units, are Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero, but the other vehÃcles will have two surprises at the wheel, Giniel De Villers and the Carlos Spanish Sa'inz.
The tests of the Trophy Truck Touaregs will be in different deserts from California and Arizona, but Campbell assured this reporter that VW will also come to Baja California, San Felipe, before the 1000, to prove the racing trucks, as well as the routes, since the plan of Volkswagen is to not just race, but, to win the race. The November Baja 1000 will be the fir
st race for the new trophies.
Gary Newsome Reports
”BAJA RACE TOUAREG TDI (SCORE Trophy Truck Division)coming in 2008. Volkswagen announced that it will build and race a competition Touareg TDI race vehicle in the 2008 SCORE International Racing Series. Competing in the SCORE Trophy Truck Open Production - Unlimited Class, the vehicle will be introduced in late 2008. The Touareg TDI race vehicle will be driven by multiple Baja winners, Mark Miller, a longtime Volkswagen Factory driver, and Ryan Arciero. Miller set the record for best finishing time in a diesel vehicle at the 2007 Baja 500. Arciero set a world record at the 2007 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in July with the fastest time in the alternative fuel diesel truck high performance showroom stock division.”
The SEMA PRESS RELASE, "LAS VEGAS — Volkswagen of America, Inc. has announced that it will build and race a competition Touareg TDI race vehicle in the 2008 SCORE International Racing Series. Specifically engineered to address the unique and harsh terrain of the Baja peninsula, the Touareg TDI race vehicle will compete in the SCORE Trophy Truck Open Production – Unlimited Class. The vehicle will be introduced in late 2008.
"Volkswagen's off-road racing heritage dates back to the very first Baja 1000 and we've been very successful in recent off-road racing events such as the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Dakar Rally and a fantastic result at the 2007 Baja 500," said Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director. "The experiences gained from previous racing successes with high-powered diesel engines will allow us to build the Touareg TDI race vehicle to address the various challenges of Baja."
"The vehicles and technology that Volkswagen has contributed to the SCORE Baja races for the past 40 years have helped to define the series," said Sal Fish, president and CEO of SCORE International. "We look forward to continuing the relationship with them and bringing clean diesel technology to the racers."
The Touareg TDI race vehicle will be driven by multiple Baja winners, Mark Miller, a long –time Volkswagen Factory driver, and Ryan Arciero. Miller set the record for best finishing time in a diesel vehicle at the 2007 Baja 500. Arciero set a world record at the 2007 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in July with the fastest time in the alternative fuel diesel truck high performance showroom stock division."
At the recent Baja 500, Volkswagen was been selected as the Grand Marshall for the race and was represented at the event by Clark Campbell, Volkswagen of America Motorsports Manager. Volkswagen is developing the Trophy Truck Touareg TDI For Famous Baja 1000 in southern California, today.
This 2008 motorsport season, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is contesting the popular U.S. off-road racing series SCORE with a Touareg TDI. The Touareg TDI is being developed specifically for the extremely tough demands of the Mexican peninsula Baja California, which, since 1967, has been the annual venue of the most famous event of this kind – the Baja 1000. The Volkswagen prototype will be prepared for the "SCORE Trophy Truck Open Production – Unlimited Class". "Volkswagen’s history in off-road racing dates back to the first Baja 1000 in 1967," stressed Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. "In the world famous Dakar Rally, which at a length of 9,000 kilometres over 15 legs is the most demanding offroad competition of all, as well as in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race and in the Baja 500 in June 2007 Volkswagen achieved remarkable results. These experiences, which we gained with innovative diesel engines in the various offroad vehicles, are helping us to build a Touareg TDI prototype that will master the very special challenge of a Baja and thrill the enthusiastic American audience."
"Baja Trophy Truck racing is a very special challenge, beyond the B models and beyond most vehicles with Volkswagen components. The driver line-up for the Touareg TDI prototype that is supposed to make its début at the end of 2008 has been determined already: Mark Miller, Volkswagen factory driver since 2005, who, in fourth place overall finished the Dakar Rally in January 2007 as the best of the factory drivers, is part of this motorsport program, as is his compatriot Ryan Arciero. In addition, Miller at the wheel of a Volkswagen Race Touareg was the best driver of a diesel-powered vehicle at the Baja 500 in June. Arciero in a production-derived Touareg V10 TDI in the "Alternative Fuel Diesel Truck High-Performance Showroom Stock division” set a new record in the world famous Pikes Peak Hillclimb Race in July.
Sal Fish, President and CEO of SCORE International, who recently paid a visit to Volkswagen Motorsport in Germany, welcomed the Volkswagon commitment: "Over the past 40 years, Volkswagen’s vehicles and technology had a significant impact on how the SCORE Baja events basically developed. We look forward to the future of this partnership and also to clean diesel technology making its way into our sport.” With 13 victories since 1967, Volkswagen has shaped the Baja 1000 as one of the leading engine manufacturers, particularly in the first two decades. To this day, several classes of the non-stop race across the Baja California peninsula are specifically reserved for Volkswagen.
For several years now, Volkswagen has been running diesel-powered Touaregs in a variety of off-road series around the world, including the Dakar Rally, and in the last couple of years, they have won their classes at the Baja 500 and Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The versions used so far have run either a 2.5L five-cylinder engine or the 5.0L V10. Arciero Miller Racing announced at last year's SEMA show that it was building a new Touareg to compete in the SCORE Trophy Truck Open Production - Unlimited Class. VW of America PR boss Steve Keyes revealed that the new truck would be powered by the 6.0L V12 TDI diesel that is going into the Audi Q7 TDI V12. That's also the same engine that propels the Audi R8 TDI concept and LeMans efforts.
The new 6.0L V-12 that will be used in the production Audi Q7 V-12 TDI later this year, is that same power plant, mostly. The new truck is a tube frame design currently by built by Arciero-Miller specifically for the SCORE Trophy Truck class. Volkswagen is creating a body patterned after the body style of the Touareg. The body will be about a foot longer than the production SUV. The V-12 power-plant is based on the 60 degree V-angle block that has been shown in Audi Q7 and R8 concepts in 2007 and 2008. The engine used in the Audi R10 TDI Le Mans prototype uses a 90 angle between the banks of the block.
Aside from the block configuration, the two engines share much of the same technology including high pressure common rail injection and piezo electric injectors. The latest Score Rule Book defines a Trophy Truck as follows: Open Production, Unlimited. "Unlimited 4 wheel vehicles. Vehicle must have a production looking Utility or Sports Utility body. Engine must be of same manufacture as that of the body."-Vehicle must weigh 3500 lbs. minimum. Must maintain a production appearing body, stock appearing grill, and headlight opening must be retained. Body subject to Score approval. This animal will boast 500 hp and 738 ft lbs of torque, plus.
Sounds like this Off-Road/VW/Audi program is going to include some new technology. Maybe with this heavier powertrain package they will be the first TT to design it as part of the chassis rather than a component bolted to it?
The important caveat "a foot longer than the production SUV" makes it legal. Was the "SUV" part in the old rules? VW IS the official vehicle of the Score International series.
This is the same motor that the sports car teams, the guys that run the LeMans 24 Hour and similar races are using in their cars, if so, they are going to be tough to beat. VW/Audi have invested millions of dollars in that program over the years and dominate sports car racing. The inside word has it that a lot of the same guys are working on the desert-Off-Road program. The Touareg Trophy Truck will debut sometime this fall. Drivers Ryan Arciero and Mark Miller will compete in the Baja 1000 with the Touareg V-12 TDI in November 2008. Arciero and Miller have previously won the diesel class at the Baja 500 with a 2.5L five cylinder Touareg TDI and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with a 5.0L V-10 powered version.
From the company website: "Arciero-Miller Racing Facility is comprised of 13,500 square feet and serves as the main headquarters for the team at Foothills Ranch, Southern California. The Arciero-Miller racing goal: "Continue their domination of the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000. Ryan and Mark want to continue to be the most unbeatable team in the Trophy Truck class this century." "Arciero-Miller Racing is a partnership between SCORE Trophy-Truck drivers Ryan Arciero and Mark Miller. Arciero-Miller Racing drivers won the SCORE Baja 500 in 2000, ’02, ’03 and ’04 as well as the Baja 1000 in 2003, ’04 and ‘05. The team continues to grow at a record pace, as sponsorships for Arciero Miller Racing reach an all time high."
"Mark Miller has rsien from a four stroke national enduro racer to Dakar marathon rally racing. Mark made a fulltime decision as a works driver for Volkswagon based in Hanover, Germany. In April of 2008 he competed in the 2008 Central Europe Rally, the first in the new series of events created by the promoters of the Dakar Rally. Miller was competing for the VW factory team in a diesel Touareg (#206) but crashed out of the competition on the first day.
Sources: Volkswagen Motorsport Information: Central Europe Rally 2008 press book published by Volkswagen Motorsport GmbH Communications 2008.
Arciero-Miller:
Sporting Career Highlights
1979 - First participation in SCORE desert series on motorbike
1996 - 5th place SCORE International class 1 (Buggy)
1997 - 1st place NASCAR Ultra Wheels truck series
1998 - 6th place Moroccan Rally on motorbike (KTM)
1999 - Silver medal in Portugal, 250cc 4-stroke class (KTM)
1999 - 1st place AMA 4-stroke Enduro championship
2000 - 1st place Trophy Truck class Nevada 2000 (GM)
2000 - 3rd place Trophy Truck class Baja 2000 (GM)
2000 - 2nd place Pikes Peak Hill Climb Sedan class (Cadillac)
2002 - 19th place Dakar Rally, 1st place Toyota Trophy (Toyota)
2002 - 1st place Trophy Truck class Baja 500 (Chevrolet)
2003 - 1st place Trophy Truck Baja 1000/ Baja 500 Parker 425
2004 - Dakar Rally Protruck (Chevrolet), 1st Trophy Truck Baja 1000
2005 - 6th place Baja Portalegre (VW Race Touareg)
2006 - 5th place Dakar Rally (VW Race Touareg 2)
2007 - 4th place Dakar Rally
2007 –Baja 500 First VW Race-Class Win, Baja 1000 DNF.
Placed Moroccan Rally (VW Race Touareg 2)
2008 – Crashed out of Dakar Replacement Race,
Central Europe Rally. DNF.
No shows at Baja 250 and Baja 500.
More Reading and Pictures:
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434397
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/detroit-r8-deciphering-the-audi-v12-tdi
CLICK THESE!
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Baja Racing News.com EXCLUSIVE
November 15, 2008
""Dear Friends, partners and sponsors, We are rapidly approaching the highlight of the year. On 21 November the flag drops for the 41st Baja 1000 in Ensenada on the Mexican Pacific coast. We at All German Motorsports have a big goal. We want to take the overall win. And we still have the chance to win our class championship. The feeling is almost the same as trying to climb Mt Everest with our Buggy - at express tempo.Desert racing: the Baja 1000 is the "Mount Everest", and we want to climb it at express speed! I left home on the 13th November and headed for the west coast of the USA to make my way down to Escondido in southern California to the All German Motorsports headquarters. We then went straight out into the desert to do the pre-run. From 14 to 18 November, Martin Christensen and I will recce our respective routes with our co-drivers. 630 miles - that's 1000 kilometres of sand, deep dust, rocks, water crossings. My navigator, Bryan Little, and I will write pace notes for the more tricky stretches, just to make sure we are fast and safe. On the open sections I'll be hammering it. Things get serious early on 21 November. The start in Ensenada will be a huge festival, from 10.30 am the four wheel vehicles head off. Martin and I have drawn the starting number 107. That means we are the seventh Buggy to take off. And in front of them we have 30 Trophy Trucks thundering through the desert, ahead of us, with 200hp more than our 640 hp. So we have to overtake them to get to the front - in thick dust with almost zero viz. Well, optimism is part of our business! Before the start I have a good look at the competition: how well are they prepared? Before the start I check out the competition. How are the drivers looking? How are they prepared technically? I'll have a real good look at number 102. B.J. Richardson sits in this Buggy. He's currently leading the Buggy Class 1 classification. As driver of the first stint, I'll have to overtake B.J. as quickly as possible - which won't be easy because the guys who contest the SCORE stuff are not exactly easy pickings. My stint runs over 500 km. That's seven or eight hours of tough slog at the wheel in scorching temperatures if last year is anything to go by. The first 60 km are chaotic. Everyone roars off like crazed bulls. There are many junctions, and masses of fans along the way. You've got to have eyes everywhere. With all that dust it's hard to know if there's just one car in front of you or maybe more. Which reminds me of something my old friend and rally photographer, Reinhard Klein, used to say: "If you can't see it then there's nothing there." Okay, he works with his eyes and should know. So we just go for it! Rolling up to the start: Very soon we are going to take off. From the town of Ojos Negros the terrain opens up. We can make a lot of time here, sometimes if I catch up to two fighting for positions I can pass both at once. They don't notice me until I pull alongside.
It's hard to see anything behind you so you have to keep your ears open, too. Or listen to the radio. Our boys out on the track - there are around 80 people working for AGM - tell us when a competitor is behind us in striking distance.
And then, after all the fighting and driving and excitement, Bryan and I will reach the pits in the middle of nowhere, we'll leap out of the Buggy. Martin and his navigator Greg will jump in and rocket away from the pits to do their stint - that's another 500 kilometres. And in that night we will know if we've scaled our Mt Everest in the middle of Mexico's hot desert. Armin""
""We are on the way to the Baja 1000, we have very hi hopes for this years Race. We are second in the points Championship for the year and need to get a good finish to win. Again this race we will be running a 2 car team. Armin Kremer and Adam Pfankuch in the Chevey car. Armin Schwarz and My self in the BMW car. Armin and Armin will be starting in both cars and Adam and myself will be getting in the car just before dark, if we have a perfect race we will finish about 1.00-2.00 Saturday morning. Please cross your fingers for us, See Yaa after the Race. All the best, Martin.""
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November 14 UPDATE
Teams continue to pre-run the course this weekend
SPEED Mex and others will be running their third and final Pre Runners Pit Stop this coming weekend at RM 280 from approximately 9 am to 5pm Saturday and 9 am to sometime after 1pm Sunday. This site will be the location for a double pit at the B1K as well next Friday/Saturday. As is usual, we will have Carna-a-Cue at lunch Saturday, loads of free water for the thirsty, and shade to sit under. A small amount of emergency fuel will be on hand too, in case you are out. It cost the going rate for Pemex.
Next week, the SPEED Mex and other pits Pit Drop Off is next to the SUNOCO Trailer in Ensenada. Pit Drop off will be all day Wednesday and up until 11 am Thursday. Pit Crews have to pick up there supplies and racer spares after 11 am to make the trip to their individual pits before dark. See any of you this weekend at the pre run pit and/or in Ensenada next week at Pit Drop Off. Good luck with the race.
"The Generals" Stephen Stenberg and John Brady will be at the start line Friday morning making contact will all race teams before the start of each race. We will be answering any of your last minute questions, providing stickers to any race entries who didn't get one Wednesday or Thursday from Pit Drop Off, and wishing you good luck. Look for us wearing our Yellow Pits shirts walking the starting line for both the Bikes/Quads and later the Vehicle starts Friday morning. SPEED Mex Racing Services
End Message.
November 12 UPDATE
The car and truck classes with the most entries to date are the unlimited Class 1 (31), SCORE Trophy-Truck (29), Class 1-2/1600 (19), Class 5/1600 (16), SCORE Lite (14), Baja Challenge Class (13) and Class 10 (12).
Honda’s Johnny Campbell revving for record 11th overall
Motorcycle win at 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race
Campbell’s JCR team has three factory-supported Hondas as well as providing Honda Pit Support program;
Racers from 39 States, 20 countries entered to date in internationally-televised Granddaddy of all desert races;
LOS ANGELES—Desert racing champions become legends in Baja and Southern California’s popular Johhny Campbell is hoping to enter a league of his own by winning a race-record 11th overall motorcycle title next week during the legendary 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
A veteran American Honda factory rider and former longtime Honda employee, Campbell, 37, of San Clemente, Calif., is completing his first year as owner of Johnny Campbell Racing (JCR) with three factory-supported Honda CRF450X motorcycles entered in Class 22 for open motorcycles that will lead over 150 motorcycles and ATVs into the wilds of the northern part of the magnificent and mysterious Baja California peninsula.
Spending more time with logistics and team management this year, Campbell did pinch hit for then-injured 1x co-rider Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif., and won the Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 with team rider of record Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif. Campbell is expected to ride about a third of this year’s race as part of the Bell/Norman team in his quest to capture an unprecedented 11th overall motorcycle win. The 1x team won both the SCORE San Felipe 250 and the SCORE Baja 500 this year and the team will be looking to win SCORE career season point titles No. 11 for Campbell, and third straight for Bell and Norman.
Hoping to break the 10-10 tie in overall motorcycles wins with legendary Larry Roeseler in this race, Campbell has also signed up on the JCR’s 10x Honda that will be ridden by Caleb Gasselaar, Juniper Hills, Calif./Timmy Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif./Quinn Cody, Buellton, Calif./Tim Morton, Escondido, Calif. While Gasselaar and Weigand are new to the Honda team, Cody was part of the overall winning motorcycle team in 2006 and Morton is a veteran Baja racer with four career class wins in this race.
Riding the third JCR entry, the No. 16x Honda will be the ‘futures’ that features newcomers San Clemente, Calif./Justin Seeds, Phelan, Calif., and Bryce Stavron, San Clemente, Calif., with veteran Baja racer Ron Wilson, Encinitas, Calif.
With over 375 entries expected to compete in 28 Pro and 7 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, the granddaddy of all desert races. Completing its 35th year as the World’s foremost desert racing sanctioning body, the event is the finale of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series. To date entries have come from 39 U.S. States and 20 countries.
“I have been incredibly blessed in my motorcycle racing career, not only with the opportunities I have received to ride for the Honda factory team, but even more importantly, to learn how to ride and
about the sport from a great teacher like Bruce Ogilvie,” said Campbell, who also has seven career overall wins in the Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 and five in the Tecate SCORE Baja 500.
“Now that my position has changed to team owner, the demands are even greater and I am thoroughly enjoying the process of developing and maintaining the next generation of factory-supported Honda desert racers. We could likely sweep the podium at this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, but the important thing is we will be well-prepared, be riding on the best equipment available, and should be right in the thick of things throughout the challenging race. I’ve ridden just about every inch of Baja and I can’t remember an overall more difficult and demanding course than this year’s race.”
Campbell’s JCR team has also taken over operation this year of the prominent Honda pit program that will support more than 50 of the motorcycle teams entered in the race with 15 pits spread out along the race course.
In desert racing, riders don’t retire as early as other sports, they move onto the very competitive age-group classes that SCORE offers at its three Baja races.
Racers are so attracted to riding the magnificent Baja California peninsula that SCORE has Pro classes for engine size as well as age group classes for motorcycles and two Pro ATV classes for engine size. Additionally, SCORE offers competition for two Sportsman Motorcycle classes based on engine size and one Sportsman ATV Class.
And riders enjoy racing in Baja so much that many ride for multiple teams, hoping to pull of double class wins if possible.
Among the motorcycle and ATV classes, Class 22 for open motorcycles has the most entries to date with 16, followed by age group classes Class 30 (riders 30 and older) with 11 and Class 40 (riders 40 and older) with 10.
Leading the Sportsman classes in the race to date are Sportsman Motorcycle over 250cc (44), Sportsman ATV and Sportsman Motorcycle under 250cc (16 each).
Testimony to the lure of this great race, all seven Pro motorcycle and both Pro ATV class winners have returned to defend their titles this year.
Among the legends of Baja who will be riding in this year’s race are nine riders who have earned 64 class wins between them.
Besides Campbell’s 10 wins in Class 22, entered this year are Chris Haines, Dana Point, Calif. (13, Class 50), Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif. (11, co-rider in both Class 50 and Class 40), Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, Calif. (7, Class 50 and Class 30), Richard Jackson, Acton, Calif. (6, Class 60), Bill Nichols, Peoria, Ariz. (5, co-rider in Class 60), Scott Pfeiffer, Costa Mesa, Calif. (5, co-rider in Class 50), Tim Morton, Escondido, Calif. (4, co-rider in Class 22) and Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico (3, co-rider in Class 30).
On the ATV side of the race, the battle for the overall appears to be between the two Honda-supported teams of No. 1a Danny Prather and No. 8a Wayne Matlock. Both teams ride the new Honda TRX700XX ATV.
Riding with Prather, the 2007 SCORE ATV point champion from Ramona, Calif., are Mike Cafro, Bonsall, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz. and Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif.
Riding with Matlock, El Cajon, Calif., who has led teams to victory in the first two SCORE Baja races this year, are Harold Goodman, Brownstown, Mich./Marc Spaeth, Ramona, Calif. and Wes Miller, Fallbrook, Calif.
The motorcycle and ATV classes in this race have also attracted adventurers from not only the U.S. and Mexico, but also, Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
To make the challenge even greater, nearly three dozen Motorcycle and ATV riders are expected to enter the race as a solo rider. If they succeed, they will each receive one of the prestigious Sal Fish SCORE IronRider awards.
So far, these 32 riders have officially confirmed they will be attempting to ride solo: Class 22—4x Jack McCormick; Class 30—303x Lloyd Andrew, Class 40—402x Daren Griffiths, 403x Steve Corrie, 408x Robert Barnum; Class 50—503x Gary Barr; Sportsman Motorcycle <250cc—205x>250cc—253x John Crowley, 257x Adrian Lovelace, 258x Michael Ott-Eulberg, 260x Mike Kaplan, 263x Mark Lucke, 269x Andrew Vela, 270x Vernon Smith, 277x Greg Matherly, 278x Yvan Perroud, 279x Davy Patterson, 281x Graham Wilson, 282x Robbie McAlerney, 286x Ken Kosiorek, 288x Brett Bardsley, 289x Tibi Imbuzan, 290x Brady Van Mare, 292x Laurent Lazard; and Sportsman ATV—51 Martin O’Leary, 53a Josh Hogan, 57a Warren Lovelace, 65a Yoav Regev.
Andrew, Griffiths, Adrian Lovelace, Warren Lovelace are all from Australia, Lavee and Regev are from Israel, Ott-Eulberg is from Germany, Perroud is from France, Lazard is from Uruguay, Imbuzan is from Hungary, Patterson, Wilson and McAlerney are all from Ireland and O’Leary is from Spain.
As an added bonus will be $150 for the fastest Sal Fish SCORE IronRider, $100 for the second fastest and $50 for the third fastest posted by Ott-Eulberg, a German attorney who will be making the attempt himself. Ott-Eulberg’s posting has been matched by Tom Wimberly of Bakersfield, Calif.
The 631.35-mile race will start for the 34th time and finish for the 19th time in Ensenada. The motorcycle and ATV classes will start their journey at 6:30 a.m. (Friday, Nov. 21) with the car and truck classes starting at approximately 10:30 a.m., or three hours after the last ATV leaves the line. Vehicles will leave in 30-second intervals in the elapsed-time race and while the fastest finishers are expected to complete the course in approximately 14 hours. All vehicles will have a 31-hour time limit to become official finishers in the legendary adventure.
The race will start and finish on Boulevard Costero along the picturesque Bahia de Todos Santos in front of the historical Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada.
By drawing the first starting position in the race, Grant Steele, 38, Temecula, Calif., and his team, will lead the 16 entries to date in Class 22 for open motorcycles on a Honda CRF450X. Grant’s older brother Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., drives the No. 16 SCORE Trophy-Truck and will be a third driver in Class 7SX on the team led by his wife Heidi Steele. Heidi Steele is leading her class point standings entering the race and is attempting to become the first female driver of record in history to capture a SCORE season truck class point title.
While late entries are accepted up to race day, a total of 369 entries have officially been accepted for the race as of today which will put the starting field in the top five in the 41-year history of the storied event.
The Course travels through the Pine Forest up over the infamous La Rumorosa grade to near Tecate and Mexicali, down Laguna Salada to San Felipe and back to the Pacific Coast and up through Santo Tomas and back to Ojos Negros on the way back to Ensenada, covering much of the northern half of the majestic Baja California peninsula.
41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
Nov. 19-23, 2008—Final round of five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico-TOTAL ENTRIES: 369 (39 States, 2- Countries)
OFFICIAL ENTRIES
(By Class Starting Order—as of 11/12/08
Pro Cars & Trucks
PRO MOTORCYCLES
CLASS 22 (250cc or more)
2x Grant Steele, Temecula, Calif./Jeff Kargula, San Clemente, Calif./Max Eddy, Barstow, Calif., Honda CRF450X\
3x Cory Evenson, Ramona, Calif./Justin Herrmann, Vista, Calif./Kirk Russel, Bend, Ore., KTM 530XCW\
4x Jack McCormick, Tempe, Ariz., Honda XR650R
5 R. Hank Salyer/John Friend, Richmond, Ky./Wolfgang Wiener/Tom Richard, Phoenix, Honda XR650R
6x Ryan Penhall, Corona, Calif./Brent Harden, Sun City, Calif./Mike Childress, Wrightwood, Calif., Honda CRF450X
7x Mike Childress, Wrightwood, Calif., Honda CRF450X
1x Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif. Honda CRF450X
9x Gabriel Williams, Provo, Utah, Honda CRF450X
10x Caleb Gosselaar, Juniper Hills, Calif./Timmy Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif./Quinn Cody, Buellton, Calif./Tim Morton, Escondido, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X
11x Jimmy Lopez, El Cajon, Calif./Aaron Tuck, Brawley, Calif./Cameron Corfman, El Centro, Calif./A.J. Stewart, Jamul, Calif., Honda XR650R
12x Justin Wiberg, Hyrum, Utah/Michael Mitchell, Hyde Park, Utah/Brian Petersen, Providence, Utah/Sil Jeppson, Logan, Utah, Honda CRF450X
13x Jesse Sharpe, Escondido, Calif./Mason Gillespie, Oceanside, Calif./Sean Ebberz, Santa Barbara, Calif./Ryan Baillargeon, La Mesa, Calif./Kyle Corfman, El Centro, Calif., Honda XR650R
14x Rod Thornton, Norman, Okla./Richard Thornton, Ft. Worth, Texas, Honda CRF450X
15x Norman Thornhill III, Friendswood, Texas/Steven Davidson/Cleveland Custer, League City, Texas/Steve Wright, Friendswood, Texas
16x Colton Udall, San Clemente, Calif./Justin Seeds, Phelan, Calif./Bryce Stavron, San Clemente, Calif./Ron Wilson, Encinitas, Calif., Honda CRF450X
17x Mark Bradford/Stephen Bradford/Ray Rasbery, Los Angeles/Aaron Preman, San Diego/Kelly Malobovich, Victorville, Calif., Honda CRF450X
PRO ATVs
CLASS 25 (over 251cc)
2a Greg Row, Alpine, Calif./Travis Dillon, Santee, Calif./Tony Baker, Alpine, Calif./Rich Kappel, Remsenburg, N.Y., Bombardier DS650
3a Jason Greenhaw, Bakersfield, Calif./Nick Nelson, Tehachapi, Calif./Brandon Brown, Eumatilla, Ore./Andy Nelson, South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Honda TRX450R
1a Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Bonsall, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz./Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif., Honda TRX700XX
5a Stefano Caputo, San Felipe, Mexico (Italy)/Felipe Velez, San Felipe, Mexico/Heriberto Marquez, Ensenada, Mexico/Nick Destaut, San Felipe, Mexico/Alfonso Alonzo, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, Honda TRX450R
6a Javier Robles, Mexicali, Mexico/ /Adolfo Arellano, Tijuana, Mexico/Cesar Lopes, San Felipe, Mexico/Alfonso Cota, Tecate, Mexico/Nick DeStout, Oceanside, Calif., Honda TRX450R
7a Reid Rutherford, Montrose, Colo./ Ben Vernadakis, Rico, Colo./Tony Valerio, Telluride, Colo., Arctic Cat Thundercat
8a Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Harold Goodman, Brownstown, Mich./Marc Spaeth, Ramona, Calif./Wes Miller, Fallbrook, Calif., Honda TRX700XX
9a Ray Fay/Mike Crawford, Phoenix/David Scarponi, Peoria, Ariz./Jason Fritz, Globe, Ariz., Kawasaki, KFX450.
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November 10 UPDATE
November 20 Insiders Report:
November 20 is Contingency in downtown Ensenada. A regular CF, this year will be a MAJOR CF. Be prepared.
Mexican Holiday, was moved from Nov 17th to Nov 20th. So that day will be all celebration and stuff according this year holiday schedule. "The day before this year's Baja 1000 will be a major national holiday with lots of parades, no school for kids, banks closed, etc. This is something you may need to take into account as you finalize your pre-runs or head out to your pit locations. I have seen Hwy 1 closed for some small town parades in past years, so allow some extra time". ###
November 8 UPDATE
Race Notes:
Race Mileage change went from 629 to 631 miles. See maps below in the pre-run area, those changes at Laguna Salada and near the coast are the mileage where the mileage adjustments are located.
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Chase and Pre-run Notes:
Pemex stations near the race course:
Ojos Negros, on Hwy 3. RM 43 Prerun start.
Rumorosa, on Hwy 2. RM 116.
Mexicali (west), on Hwy 2. RM 147.
Durango, on Hwy 5 and in Colonia. RM 190.
San Felipe, various in town (RM 350) and new one on Hwy 5 east of Zoo Rd (RM 360).
Valle de Trinidad, Hwy 3, RM 454.
San Vicente, Hwy 1, RM 495.
Erendira, not a Pemex, but sell behind a store. Ask. RM 520.
Santo Tomas, Hwy 1, RM 550.
Some will have Premium. Large ranchos may sell you a gallon. You can take a chance that 4-wheel prerunners and their support will be encountered at Borrego or Morelia and may sell you some.
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November 7, 2008
Pre-Running Reports UPDATED Scroll down this story to get the UPDATED Reports
Norman Motorsports’ Larry Roeseler hoping to add to legacy
At upcoming 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race
Back in SCORE Trophy-Truck, Roeseler has 16 class wins, with race-record 12 overall crowns (10 on m/c);
Racers from 39 States, 19 countries entered to date.
LOS ANGELES—Like Kobe is to the NBA, JJ is to NASCAR, RC is to Supercross, LR is to desert racing in Baja California, Mexico—the one individual everyone wants to beat—if they can. LR, of course, is Larry Roeseler, the most renown of all the great desert racers from around the world who have competed in the legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, which will be held for the 41st time Nov. 19-23 in Ensenada.
A Southern California native, Roeseler, 51, has been racing in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 since 1972 and he has compiled an amazing total of 16 class wins, both on two wheels and four wheels, including a race-record 12 overall victories, 10 of which came on a motorcycle.
In any discussion on the legends of Baja, ‘LR’ is at the top of the short list of all-time greats who have earned their places in the history of this most storied of all desert races.
After starting this year without a ride or a team, the man who has tamed the mysterious and majestic Baja peninsula more than any other racer in history, Roeseler will drive in this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 for just the fourth time ever in SCORE Trophy-Truck when he makes his first start in this event for Roger Norman in the No. 8 Norman Motorsports Ford F-150.
With nearly 375 entries expected to compete in 28 Pro and 7 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs. Completing its 35th year as the World’s foremost desert racing sanctioning body, the event is the finale of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series. To date entries have come from 38 U.S. States and 19 countries.
“No doubt about it, we want to win the SCORE Baja 1000, and then let the cards fall where they may relative to the season points,” said Roeseler, who rode motorcycles in this race from 1972 through 1994, earning 10 class wins, all of which also brought the overall crown as well.
In his first season racing in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division for high-tech, 800 horsepower unlimited production trucks, Norman decided in May that Larry Roeseler would be the man to help him build his fledgling motorsports team to the elite level it has quickly risen.
Starting the year as a solo driver, Norman, the 45-year-old Reno, Nev., developer who owns the Crystal Bay Casino on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, did not finish the SCORE Laughlin Challenge in January and then had a very respectable fifth place finish in March’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.
But Norman knew he needed a second driver to help him continue his quest, especially considering the last three races of the season would also be much longer and much tougher than Laughlin and San Felipe.
Recommended by others who knew him much better, Norman secured the services of Roeseler both as a driver in the desert and a team consultant in the race shop in Irvine, Calif.
In their first race together, Norman/Roeseler finished fourth in May’s Tecate SCORE Baja 500 and backed that up with an impressive overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck victory in September’s SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300.
“I have been extremely fortunate in my desert racing career to have incredible equipment, great co-riders and drivers and superb crews,” said Roeseler, who still does public relations works for Kawasaki as well as race in up to 10 Gran Prix-style motorcycle races each year in age group classes. “I am a product of all the great people I have been associated with for over 35 years in the desert. Even after things changed this year with Terrible Herbst Motorsports, I was able to land another position with another extremely good team that has the commitment, goals, equipment and resources to know we could win races.”
While Roeseler’s race-record of 10 overall motorcycle wins in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 seemed unbeatable when he set it in 1994, it did last 13 years before Honda’s Johnny Campbell, 37, San Clemente, Calif., tied it last year.
“All records are made to be broken and when mine does get surpassed, it couldn’t be done by a better racer and a nicer guy than Johnny Campbell,” said Roeseler, who won his first three overall wins on Husqvarna motorcycles, one on a Yamaha and six on Kawasaki motorcycles.
“Johnny is a great racer with an amazing team and his consistency is very similar to what mine has been which has helped him achieve as much as he has. I do have 12 total overalls with the two Class 1 wins, so I am still ahead of Johnny and the rest of the field in combined overall victories in this great race.”
While Roeseler was the constant on his 10 motorcycle championship teams in this race, he had eight different riding partners over the years. He won his first on a Husky with Mitch Mayes (1976) and his next three with Jack Johnson (1978 and 1979 on a Husky and 1980 on a Yamaha).
His six wins on Kawasaki motorcycles were achieved with Paul Krause and Danny LaPorte (1988), LaPorte and Ted Hunnicutt (1989 and 1990), Hunnicutt and Marty Smith (1991) and his final two with the late Danny Hamel and Ty Davis (1993 and 1994).
The results are clearly evident in the season point standings where they have climbed into contention for the season point championship. They are currently in sixth place with 245, just 26 points out of first place and nine out of second.
Ahead of Norman/Roeseler in SCORE Trophy-Truck points are B.J. Baldwin (271), Brian Collins (254), Mark Post/Rob MacCachren (253), Robbie Pierce (247), and Damen Jefferies (246).
After winning the unlimited Class 1 in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 for a race-record four consecutive years (including two overalls) (2004-2007) while driving with Troy Herbst, Roeseler found himself unemployed in January when Terrible Herbst Motorsports decided to take an indefinite leave from desert racing.
In seven years with Terrible Herbst Motorsports, Roeseler drove in 11 Class 1 victories. In addition to the four SCORE Baja 1000 wins with Troy Herbst, he won the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 four times with Troy, including three consecutive years (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006).
With Terrible Herbst Motorsports, Roeseler also won the Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 with Troy in 2006 and drove solo to win the Tecate SCORE Baja 250 in 2007. He also won the SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300 with Troy in 2007.
This year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will mark the just the fourth time in his legendary desert racing career that Roeseler will drive a SCORE Trophy-Truck in this race. After leaving his brilliant desert motorcycle career behind him after winning the 1994 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 on a Kawasaki, Roeseler made his debut in the marquee SCORE desert racing class in the world’s premier desert race, finishing sixth in class in a Walker Evans’ Dodge.
Driving for the popular Team MacPherson from 1996-1999, he drove in SCORE Trophy-Truck just one year, finishing second overall and in SCORE Trophy-Truck in the 1999 race in a Chevy CK1500.
His third attempt in SCORE Trophy-Truck in the once-in-a-lifetime Tecate SCORE Baja 2000 ended up as an early DNF after less than 100 miles when mechanical problems sidelined the Cal Well’s Toyota SR5 that he was to turn over to Ivan Stewart midway through the race.
While Norman/Roeseler will start fifth in SCORE Trophy-Truck, NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner/driver Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., whose roots are in SCORE desert racing, drew the 28th starting position in SCORE Trophy-Truck in the Team Gordon No. 77 Chevy CK1500. Gordon will be heading to the the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 right after driving in the NASCAR Sprint Cup season finale in Florida on Nov. 16. Gordon has three class wins in this race, all overall titles (1989, 1990 and 2006). Running two or three SCORE races a year Gordon has seven career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins, tying him for fifth on the all-time win list in the class with teammates Mark Post and Rob MacCachren.
Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, are the defending Overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck champions in this race in the No. 1 Riviera Racing Ford F-150.
Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, Ariz., will be the second driver for his son Chad Ragland, in the No. 33 TForce Motorsports Toyota Tundra. Larry Ragland’s 10 career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins are the second most out of the 85 races held in the 15 years since the featured racing class started in 1994.
Starting first in the SCORE Trophy-Truck class will be the team of Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif., in the No. 12 Collins Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram 1500. Collins has five career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins, including driving solo to victory in March’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.
Leading the SCORE Trophy-Truck point standings is 2006 class point champion B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, in the No. 97 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado. He won this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 500 by just seven seconds over Post/MacCachren. Baldwin, whose father Bobby Baldwin drives the No. 96 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado, has three career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins.
Making its debut in the race in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division will be the new No. 81 Red Bull Volkswagen Baja Race Touareg TDI, the first clean Turbo-diesel vehicle ever raced in SCORE Trophy-Truck. The new vehicle will be driven by the veteran team of Mark Miller, Cave Creek, Ariz./Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif. With seven career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins between them, including three together, Miller/Arciero drew the 14th starting position for the race in the first Turbo-diesel to run in the featured SCORE racing division.
Four other SCORE Trophy-Truck race winners are entered this year, led by two-time winners Garron Cadiente, Mesa, Ariz. (No. 38 GNR Racing Ford F-150), Hawaii’s Alan Pflueger (No. 28 Pflueger Racing Chevy Silverado) and Bob Shepard, Phoenix, the 2005 season point champion, who will be the third driver this year for Greg Nunley, Tulare, Calif. in the No. 11 Chevy Silverado.
The other driver with one career race win in SCORE Trophy-Truck entered is Mexico’s Gus Vildosola, who will be the second driver for his son Gus Vildosola Jr. in the No. 4 Vildosola Racing Ford F-150.
It’s the oldest and most well known of all desert races, and it remains as the single most appealing accomplishment to a driver. Since 1967, the Granddaddy of all desert races has been run over the mysterious Baja California peninsula. Because of the economics and logistics involved, some years it is a peninsula run while most years it is a loop race, starting and finishing in Ensenada.
The 631.35-mile race will start for the 34th time and finish for the 19th time in Ensenada. The motorcycle and ATV classes will start their journey at 6:30 a.m. (Friday, Nov. 21) with the car and truck classes starting at approximately 10:30 a.m., or three hours after the last ATV leaves the line.
Vehicles will leave in 30-second intervals in the elapsed-time race and while the fastest finishers are expected to complete the course in approximately 14 hours. All vehicles will have a 31-hour time limit to become official finishers in the legendary adventure.
The race will start and finish on Boulevard Costero along the picturesque Bahia de Todos Santos in front of the historical Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada.
Pre-running on the 631.35-mile loop course officially started on Nov. 1. Pre-running will be allowed only from Ojos Negros and back. One way pre-running from the start to Ojos Negros will be allowed only on Wednesday and Thursday of race week (Nov. 19 and 20).
While late entries are accepted up to race day, a total of 359 entries have officially been accepted for the race as of today which will put the starting field in the top five in the 41-year history of the storied event.
With massive crowds reaching nearly 300,000 anticipated to again be spread out along the rugged course that travels through the Pine Forest up over the infamous La Rumorosa grade to near Tecate and Mexicali, down Laguna Salada to San Felipe and back to the Pacific Coast and up through Santo Tomas and back to Ojos Negros on the way back to Ensenada, covering much of the northern half of the majestic Baja California peninsula.
Pre-race festivities on Thursday, Nov. 20, for the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, including the vastly popular tech and contingency of all vehicles and the SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Boulevard Costero in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. The pre-race mandatory driver/rider briefing will be held Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral Room at the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. Racer and media registration will be held at the San Nicolas Resort Hotel from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20.
The post-race Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Survivor’s Celebration will be held poolside at the San Nicolas Resort Hotel at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23.
The car and truck classes with the most entries to date are the unlimited Class 1 (30), SCORE Trophy-Truck (29), Class 5/1600 and Class 1-2/1600 (15 each), SCORE Lite (14) and Class 10 and Baja Challenge Class (13 each).
Among the motorcycle and ATV classes, Class 22 for open motorcycles has the most entries to date with 16, followed by age group classes Class 30 with 11 and Class 40 with 10.
Leading the seven Sportsman classes in the race to date is Sportsman Motorcycle over 250cc (41), Sportsman ATV (17) and Sportsman Motorcycle under 250cc (16).
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November 4, 2008
ROAD CONDITION ADVISORY
HWY 3 Between Tecate and Ensenada
"Road work on the section around San Antonio de las Minas. Road work begins a few miles outside of the turn off out of Ensenada and goes on for 10 or 15 miles. Looks like a road widening operation, but it is really f-ed up and dangerous. Going north, they have cut off anywhere from 3' to 15' straight down right at the passenger side edge. No barriers, no room for error, only ass scary drop offs. Add to that, you have the trucks, buses, probably some drivers gassed up on wine, and other vehicles coming at you crossing into your lane. And it is not for short sections.
Very bad after dark. A lot of people think that taking the Tecate-Ensenada road is safer because you avoid Tijuana. Please rethink this at least until the road is finished. TJ is dangerous, but you are out of the city in 10 minutes once you cross and get to the toll booth. If you have to drive it becasue you are chasing/supporting the Northern section."
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Very bad after dark. A lot of people think that taking the Tecate-Ensenada road is safer because you avoid Tijuana. Please rethink this at least until the road is finished. TJ is dangerous, but you are out of the city in 10 minutes once you cross and get to the toll booth. If you have to drive it becasue you are chasing/supporting the Northern section."
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November 3, 2008 UPDATE
Raptor in Baja 1000 2008
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, Ford’s new king of the off-road just found a best friend. The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R, which features modified components, was developed by SVT and Ford Racing specifically to race in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 – one of the most grueling off-road races on the circuit.
“Ford’s commitment to using racing as a test bed for new technologies is expanding to the off-road arena with the F-150 SVT Raptor R,” said Brian Wolfe, Ford Racing Technology director. “Racing the new truck in the elite Baja 1000 is the ultimate off-road test and will allow Ford to evaluate how well the F-150 SVT Raptor will hold up under the most unique and extreme conditions.”
Prepared for racing in off-road endurance events, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R uses stock components of F-150 SVT Raptor, including the transmission, brakes and axles. The frame – the part of the truck that will take the most stress – is the same proven fully boxed frame that delivers class-leading towing and hauling in the base F-150. The race truck is powered by a specially calibrated 500 horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
While the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has off-road capability that isn’t available in any other production vehicle, the F-150 SVT Raptor R adds to that capability with enhancements to prepare it for one of the world’s best-known off-road races.
“The race truck has even more suspension, better approach and departure angles, more horsepower, more ground clearance, and full racing specification seats, safety cage and harnesses, all of which combine to make an even faster, more visceral off-road experience,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer.
Even if the typical Ford customer will not be putting their truck through the punishing paces of the Baja 1000, the point is this, they could.
“You can say the average customer is not likely to take their vehicle and enter it in the Baja 1000, but if you look at the things that happen in that 1000 kilometer race, over the life of a vehicle, you just might repeat those events,” said Hameedi. “Maybe not all day, but over that 100,000 miles, knowing the vehicle will stand up to the Baja 1000 is important to off-road enthusiast customers.”
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R not only emulates the ‘Built Ford Tough’ motto with its toughness and capability, but it also shows the level of high-performance vehicles that SVT develops.
“Raptor R is a natural SVT extension of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor,” said Hameedi. “It’s very analogous to what a race prepped Cobra R was to an SVT Cobra or what a Mustang FR500C is to a Mustang GT.”
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R in the Baja 1000 also serves as a test bed for the development of a lineup of race-proven, desert-tested, off-road performance parts that will be available through the Ford Racing catalog.
Ford Truck Motorsports has a successful past in off-road racing, sponsoring the desert endurance racing series “Best-in-the-Desert” with Ford trucks serving as the official vehicle.
Ford is bringing some of the best stock class off-road truck drivers together to drive the F-150 SVT Raptor R in the Baja 1000.
The team includes driver of record Steve Oligos and co-drivers Randy Merritt, Greg Foutz and Bud Brutsman who will compete in class eight for moderately modified full-size pickup trucks.
The Baja 1000 will run from Nov. 20-23. The intense off-road endurance race runs from sea level to 7,000 ft. altitude over 1,000 kilometers of sand, rock and mountain passes on the Mexican Baja Peninsula. ###
“Ford’s commitment to using racing as a test bed for new technologies is expanding to the off-road arena with the F-150 SVT Raptor R,” said Brian Wolfe, Ford Racing Technology director. “Racing the new truck in the elite Baja 1000 is the ultimate off-road test and will allow Ford to evaluate how well the F-150 SVT Raptor will hold up under the most unique and extreme conditions.”
Prepared for racing in off-road endurance events, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R uses stock components of F-150 SVT Raptor, including the transmission, brakes and axles. The frame – the part of the truck that will take the most stress – is the same proven fully boxed frame that delivers class-leading towing and hauling in the base F-150. The race truck is powered by a specially calibrated 500 horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
While the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has off-road capability that isn’t available in any other production vehicle, the F-150 SVT Raptor R adds to that capability with enhancements to prepare it for one of the world’s best-known off-road races.
“The race truck has even more suspension, better approach and departure angles, more horsepower, more ground clearance, and full racing specification seats, safety cage and harnesses, all of which combine to make an even faster, more visceral off-road experience,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer.
Even if the typical Ford customer will not be putting their truck through the punishing paces of the Baja 1000, the point is this, they could.
“You can say the average customer is not likely to take their vehicle and enter it in the Baja 1000, but if you look at the things that happen in that 1000 kilometer race, over the life of a vehicle, you just might repeat those events,” said Hameedi. “Maybe not all day, but over that 100,000 miles, knowing the vehicle will stand up to the Baja 1000 is important to off-road enthusiast customers.”
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R not only emulates the ‘Built Ford Tough’ motto with its toughness and capability, but it also shows the level of high-performance vehicles that SVT develops.
“Raptor R is a natural SVT extension of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor,” said Hameedi. “It’s very analogous to what a race prepped Cobra R was to an SVT Cobra or what a Mustang FR500C is to a Mustang GT.”
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R in the Baja 1000 also serves as a test bed for the development of a lineup of race-proven, desert-tested, off-road performance parts that will be available through the Ford Racing catalog.
Ford Truck Motorsports has a successful past in off-road racing, sponsoring the desert endurance racing series “Best-in-the-Desert” with Ford trucks serving as the official vehicle.
Ford is bringing some of the best stock class off-road truck drivers together to drive the F-150 SVT Raptor R in the Baja 1000.
The team includes driver of record Steve Oligos and co-drivers Randy Merritt, Greg Foutz and Bud Brutsman who will compete in class eight for moderately modified full-size pickup trucks.
The Baja 1000 will run from Nov. 20-23. The intense off-road endurance race runs from sea level to 7,000 ft. altitude over 1,000 kilometers of sand, rock and mountain passes on the Mexican Baja Peninsula. ###
October 30 UPDATE
Baja 1000 Racing Fuel ServicesThis notice is about getting the pricing rates distributed and order information out for the BAJA 1000. We are not selling the fuel in Mexico, just the noticing the company that sells the fuels to distributors (including the ones in Mexico) and are coordinating the orders for the fuel to be sent down there.
Deliveries of all your Sunoco, F&L and some VP to the off road races (SCORE/BITD/SNORE/MORE/etc). Sunoco is the Contingency Program administrator for SCORE and other sanctioning bodies ... if you win, all of your checks/vouchers will be issued.
Here is the pricing, prices are in Ensenada & include everything (importation, tax, etc.). These prices are good until the race unless Mexico changes it's tax rates.
F&L Race Fuels
SP-1 (111 octane, leaded): $8.50/gallon SP-3 (113 octane, leaded): $9.25/gallon
Sunoco Race Fuels
Sunoco Standard (110 octane, leaded): $9.25/gallon Sunoco Supreme (112 octane, leaded): $9.95/gallon Sunoco 260GTX (98 octane, unleaded): $9.50/gallon.
Fuel is already in Ensenada ready for pre-running & the race. Contact SPEED Mex for making it easy on racers! A Mexico based company, to insure that you're dealing with quality fuel, that will be there when you arrive in Mex without hassle, call Steve at 619-251-9486.
Sunoco Race Fuels, their Official Fuel Supplier, is excited to roll out a new Universal Fleet Card for their affiliated businesses. With access at 90% of all fueling locations across the USA through Wright Express, the Sunoco Universal Fleet Card is the perfect solution at the right time.
With the Sunoco Universal Fleet Card, your team and business can now gain control of your fuel expenses with detailed reporting and purchase alerts. You assign the controls and restrictions, and have full online access to monitor and maintain your account. This control reduces theft and abuse of fuel and provides fueling details that help you control costs.
Currently, this program includes a cost savings rebate based on gallons purchased at over 4600 Sunoco branded stations located in the Eastern and Mid West US. SCORE members with access to these stations can take advantage of this program. 2009 may see exciting improvements to this rebate program nationwide.
For everyone that signs up for and are issued the Sunoco Universal Fleet Card, Sunoco Race Fuels will boost their remaining 2008 contingency program payout by 50% for 1st through 3rd place and in addition pay 3rd place award money to 4th through 6th place finishers for the upcoming Primm and Baja 1000 races. Racers need to race with Sunoco Race Fuel, place decals on their race vehicle and register with the Contingency Director during contingency and tech inspection.
###
October 29, 2008
Odds and Favorites!
Baja Racing News.com 2008 Baja 1000 TOP TIP: Mark Post, Riviera Racing.
DARK HORSE: Vildosola Racing. Top Ten Finish: Cervantes Racing.
BAJA 1000 Top Tips by Tony Tellier
TROPHY TRUCK:
12 Brian Collins Might run away with it 2 to 1, 7 Scott Steinberger Oldest in field 5 to 1, 35 Robbie Pierce Wants a finish 4 to 1, 97 B. J. Baldwin Needs a win 2 to 1, 8 Roger Norman Fluke? 5 to 1, 33 Chad Ragland Not to be discounted, Pete 4 to 1, 39 Ron Whitton Solid performance 5 to 1, *1 Mark Post Blackie's a STUD! 2 to 1, 71 Rick D. Johnson Needs to light his fire 4 to 1, 16 Cameron Steele Will have to be beyond game 5 to 1, 47 James Bult Sadly mistaken 9 to 1, 92 Jeff Smith Bastard Stopped Again? 9 to 1, 13 Ed "Clyde" Stout Won't hear VW a-comin'! 6 to 1, 81 Mark Miller TOP TIP 2 to 1, 2 Pete Sohren Fast, out before Borrego 5 to 1, 84 Nick Vanderwey Mike can't rescue effort 6 to 1, 28 Alan Pflueger Hun-gry for results 4 to 1, 4 Gustavo Vildosola, Jr. Well-staffed … 4 to 1, 38 Garron Cadiente Been on pace 4 to 1, 50 Jason McNeil Overachiever 6 to 1, 72 Kash Vessels DARK HORSE 3 to 1, 51 Kory Scheeler Needs to back off! 5 to 1, 20 Justin Lofton Too pretty NOT to win! 4 to 1, 54 Jesse James Pullin for him 5 to 1, 69 Francisco Cervantes Crowd pleaser 9 to 1, 96 Bobby Baldwin "Media Goon" Killah 6 to 1, 22 Damen Jefferies Hard times 5 to 1, 77 Robby Gordon Win … or break 4 to 1, 34 Dan Friedkin Dan not the man 9 to 1, 78 Lloyd Sproule One giant step ... 9 to 1, 11 Greg Nunley-1st RS* Chance: None 9 to 1.
CLASS 1
101 Chuck Dempsey Watch those mirrors 3 to 11, 02 B. J. Richardson Championship run 2 to 11, 03 Rob Bruce Reeled in by Hwy 3W 9 to 11, 04 Eric Chase Top Five 3 to 11, 05 Dale Ebberts Feast or famine? 3 to 11, 06 Brian Parkhouse Sometimes surprises 5 to 11, 07 Armin Shwarz Needs the points 2 to 11, 08 Pat Dean TT'S PICK 2 to 11, 09 Luis Ramirez, Jr. Lightning doesn't strike twice 4 to 11, 10 Todd Welling Ill, I'd say 9 to 11, 1 Charles Rudolph Has $ Rhino 9 to 11, 12 Josh Rigsby Often troubled 9 to 11, 13 Brian Robinson Crystal ball cracked 9 to 11, 14 Mike Voyles Usually a player 5 to 11, 15 Steve Raskett Good V2R run 4 to 11, 16 Mike Walser Texan 9 to 11, 17 Ron Brant Never say never! 4 to 11, 18 Harley Letner DARK HORSE 2 to 11, 19 Armin Kremer Has skills, needs luck 5 to 11, 20 Jay Manning Baja Surly 7 to 11, 21 Lobsam Yee Will break … 9 to 11, 22 Randy Wilson Will be tough 3 to 11, 23 Brendan Gaughan Need 4 corners … 4 to 11, 24 Ronny Wilson TOP TIP 2 to 11, 25 Dale Lenk Ever-improving 3 to 11, 26 Lee Patton Not a full-timer 5 to 11, 27 Mark Weyhrich I mean … WTF 5 to 1*, 100 Billy Gasper Off his "#100" pace 3 to 11, 29 Alan Roach* Should stick to bikes 6 to 11, 30 Willie Cummings* Off the throttle 9 to 1.
CLASS 1/2-1600:
1601 Adam Pfankuch Close to "Even" 9 to 8, 1602 Chris Langmayer What a hoot-er 6 to 1, 1603 Edgar Alvarez, Jr. Top Five? 4 to 1, 1604 Eliseo Garcia Bettern you think … 4 to 1, 1605 Cody Robinson Might be buffaloed 8 to 1, 1606 Arturo Velazco Good program 3 to 1, 1607 Scott Graham Not cracked up to be … 7 to 1, 1608 Brent Parkhouse Mid-pack, at best 5 to 1*, 1600 David Caspino Still crazy! 7 to 6, 1610 Manuel Cruz Will not cruise 8 to 11611 Hiram Duran DARK CABALLO 3 to 1, 1648 Cory Boyer-2nd RS Will be very aggressive 8 to 7, 1649 Josue Delgado A.-1st RS "F." 9 to 1.
CLASS 3:
301 Gale Pike Baker rises early 6 to 1, 302 Donald Moss Smoother is faster 1 to 1, 303 Darren Skilton Might gather some moss 2 to 1, 349 Scott Wooden-1st RS Wouldn't 6 to 1.
CLASS 5:
2 501 Kevin Carr Run at 66% 2 to 1502 Jim Anderson Once-"10"? 3 to 1503 Gregory Morley or lessly 6 to 1518 Carlos Albanez-2nd RS No data = DNF 6 to 1, 519 Vince Wavra-1st RS Only one close? 3 to 1.
CLASS 5-1600: 551 Ernie Negrete Boyz need to considered 4 to 1, 552 Ruben Gutierrez, Jr. Can deliver 4 to 1, *550 Mario Reynoso A good bet 3 to 1, 554 Mark Low Bajo 6 to , 555 Colin Campbell ??? 9 to 1, 556 Alonso Angulo Mid-pack finisher 5 to 1, 557 Tommy Craft A possibilty 4 to 1, 558 Carlos Iribe Vociferous 3 to 1, 559 Erich Reisen Ear ache 8 to 1, 574 Ernesto Arambula-6th RS Hard to beat 2 to 1, 575 Pedro Athie-5th RS Abogado Meister 4 to 1, 576 Javier Morales-4th RS Shouldn'ta missed LDC 3 to 1, 577 Jose Montoya-3rd RS Top 3rd 4 to 1, 578 Marcos Nunez-2nd RS I mean, who else? 2 to 1, 579 Greg Perryman-1st RS Wrong "Perry", man 9 to 1.
CLASS 7.0001: 601 Marc Burnett Should win 4 to 1, 602 Benjamin Wright "1450" guy 5 to 1, 603 Dana Dague Big step 6 to 1.
CLASS 7:
701 Scott Ulrich ex-Sportsman 5 to 1702 Chris Taylor MIGHT challenge Chamlee 3 to 1*700 Dan Chamlee Professional 2 to 1704 Brandon Walsh Too new? 5 to 1705 Jose Canchola, Jr. 2nd Generation 5 to 1.
CLASS 7SX:
741 Beto Iriarte I bet-o not 5 to 1, 742 Heidi Steele Championship race 3 to 1*, 740 Rich Severson Will have to stretch effort 3 to 1, 744 Noe Sierra Corazon Malo 9 to 1, 757 Jim Hinesley-3rd RS On a given day, might 4 to 1, 758 Billy Bunch-2nd RS Could scourge field 4 to 1, 759 John Holmes-1st RS Championship race 3 to 1.
CLASS 8:
801 Juan C. Lopez Will pin it then break it … 3 to 1, 802 Andrea Tomba "Tumba Burro"? 9 to 1, 803 Tom Bradley, Sr. Not a quaker 4 to 1, 804 Noah Ostanik Solid 3 to 1, 805 Glen Greer Overdriver 4 to 1, 806 Cory Susag* SHOULD be tough … 4 to 1, 839 Steve Olliges-1st RS* Looks for victory 3 to 1.
CLASS 9:
901 Jay Wells Why bother 9 to 1, 948 Ulises Morquecho-2nd RS* An Odyssey 9 to 1, 949 Daniel Reyes, Jr.-1st RS* Cinch 5 to 1.
CLASS 10:
1001 Adam Ashcraft Should run away … 2 to 1, 1002 Mikey Lawrence Consistent 4 to 1, 1003 Jesus Gonzalez TOP TIP 3 to 1, 1004 Tim Pangborn "12" in over his head 8 to 1, 1005 Brendan Fikes Could be in hunt 4 to 1, 1006 Brady Helm How about his Truggy? 6 to 1, 1007 Mark Hutchins Class effort 3 to 1, 1008 Will Higman "He slimed me!" 3 to 1, 1009 Lonny Hart Training day? 6 to 1, 1010 Tito Robles Must have game 3 to 1, 1011 Javier Robles DARK HORSE 2 to 1, 1012 Sergio Salado V. "V" not for "Victory" 5 to 1, 1013 Alex Croxthwaite* Not there, yet 6 to 1, 1049 John Hsu-1st RS Nope 5 to 1.
CLASS 11: Baja Racing News.com TOP TIP Black Class Eleven in crosses first.
1101 Eric Solorzano Hat's off to Eric Even, 1102 Jim Graham Long day 0 to 0, 1103 Michael Brown Long night 99 to 1.
SCORE LITES:
1201 Jake Jones Uneven 4 to 1, 1202 Steve Mamer Fitting end to great season 3 to 1, 1203 Perry McNeil NRIARWAM 3 to 1, 1204 Dave Callaway Unrecognized charger 4 to 1, 1205 Matt Drever Top Five? 5 to 1, 1206 Luis Barragan Might surprise 4 to 1, 1207 Lee Banning Helluva season! 3 to 1, 1208 Gary Johnson In the pink! 4 to 1, 1209 Bill Hernquist Too many torts 5 to 1, 1210 Rick St. John Championship race 3 to 1, 1211 Roberto Encinas Not a player 7 to 1, 1212 Ty Thompson Wrong "Ty" 9 to 1, 1213 Blaise Jackson* Always hot 3 to 1, 1248 Derek Hill-2nd RS Over the hill 9 to 1, 1249 Brian Martin-1st RS Tail end 9 to 1.
CLASS 17:
1701 Cliff Cook Not hot enough 9 to 1, 1717 Jason LaFortune-3rd RS Will tech 'em all a lesson 4 to 1, 1718 Bryant Layton-2nd RS Spare track rods? 9 to 1, 1719 Scott Watkins-1st RS Might 5 to 1.
PROTRUCK:
250 Gary Magness Rusty 5 to 1, 260 Nils Castillo Mr. Wizard 3 to 1, 235 Jason Voss Shoe-in 2 to 1, 277 Jason Horsley Left out 9 to 1, 203 Dave Creagan Will not challenge 5 to 1, 253 Ken Losch xx W/D240 Rob Kittleson-1st RS Off pace 6 to 1.
STOCK MINI:
760 Rod Hall Fast ol' geezer 3 to 1. 761 Steve Kovach Top Three 4 to 1, 779 Gavin Skilton-1st RS Could run Rod down? 3 to 1.
STOCK FULL:
861 Chad Hall Damned good field 3 to 1, 862 Kent Kroeker Damned good field 3 to 1, 863 Josh Hall Damned good field 3 to 1*, 860 John Griffin Damned good field 3 to 1, 879 Clyde Stacy-1st RS Damned good field 3 to 1.
BAJA CHALLENGE:
BC1 Mike Cassling Need names of all team members BC2 Erik Harp BC2 Matt Christensen 3 to 1, BC4 Barry Ellis BC5 John McInnis BC6 Bill Weber BC7 Charles Ferguson BC8 Tim Dollander BC9 Jay Culbertson 3 to 1, BC10 Mike Dillard BC11 Ron Bauer BC12 Victor Avila BC20 Chris Kemp-1st.
RS SPTS. BUGGY
*1400 Peter Lang Amazing … 3 to 11401 Jerry Smith Will not see SF 9 to 1, 1402 Shaun Dunbar Done 9 to 1, 1403 George Jackson Will snarl in Ensenada 2 to 1, 1419 Jose Quintero-1st RS Onward, I guess 6 to 1.
SPTS.TRUCK:
1501 Mike Long Will come up short 9 to 1*, 1500 Keith Growe TOP TIP 3 to 1, 1503 Bob Land Bob's race … 3 to 1, 1504 Ken Fraizer* Kennot 9 to 1, 1549 Randy Swink-1st RS Starts with lights! 9 to 1. end
Baja 1000 2008 Course Notes
BEGIN PRE-RUNNING EAST OF OJOS NEGROS
ACCESS RACE COURSE FROM HWY 3 @ KM 43
LINE RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION TRIP MILE
X Start Line At Riviera Cultural Center On Boulevard Costero 0.00 0.00
1 BEGIN PRERUN EAST OF OJOS NEGROS / Stay Right At Y 42.10 42.10
2 Go Through Open Fence 0.19 42.23
3 Left At Hard Pack Road 0.31 42.54
4 Left At Y 0.16 42.70
5 Hard Right Turn / Turn Is Easily Missed / Use Caution 6.73 49.43
6 Left Turn Down Hill 1.17 50.60
7 Steep Uphill Climb 0.57 51.17
8 Straight At 4-Way Intersection 1.90 53.07
9 Hard Right Turn 0.70 53.77
10 Ranch On Right At Bottom Of Hill 0.46 54.23
11 Begin Rocky Up Hill Climb / CAUTION 0.20 54.43
12 Left Onto Compardre Trail / Right Is Access To HWY 3 @ KM 54 0.62 55.05
13 Stay Straight At Casa Verde Intersection / (Old Cowboy Boot) 6.94 61.99
14 Right Off Compadre Trail / Straight Is Access To HWY 2 @ KM 98 1.01 63.00
15 Stay Straight / Road Joins From Right 4.84 67.84
16 Stay Straight / Go Through Water Crossing 3.20 71.04
17 Go Right At Y 0.14 71.18
LINE RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION TRIP MILE
18 Pass Through Fence 0.55 71.73
19 Go Right / Road Joins From Left / Ranch On Right 2.08 73.81
20 Hard Left At Y 1.93 75.74
21 Go Left At Y 1.45 77.19
22 Go Right / Road Joins From Left 0.33 77.52
23 Go Left / Rancho Malantial On Right 0.33 77.85
24 Stay Straight / Concrete Structure On Left 1.38 79.23
25 Hard Left Turn 0.25 79.48
26 Go Left Around Washout 0.86 80.34
27 Stay Straight At "Alto" Sign 2.77 83.11
28 Go Right 2.81 85.92
29 Right Turn At T Intersection 0.34 86.26
30 Go Left 0.96 87.22
31 Drop Into Wash, Then Turn Left Out Of Wash 0.71 87.93
32 Stay Straight / Go Between Telephone Poles 3.55 91.48
33 Hard Right Turn 1.89 93.37
34 Entrance To Rancho Ponderosa 6.01 99.38
35 Rancho Ponderosa 0.81 100.19
36 Right Turn Out Of Rancho Ponderosa 0.15 100.34
37 Cross Wash 0.40 100.74
38 Go Right At Y 0.51 101.25
39 Stay Straight Through Intersection 4.93 106.18
40 Pass Through Fence 1.81 107.99
41 Right Onto Main Graded Road 0.38 108.37
42 Pass Through Fence / Rumorosa Wind Developers On Right 3.42 111.79
43 Fence On Left 1.08 112.87
44 Right Onto HWY 2 At Tecate Sign / HWY 2 @ KM 72 3.23 116.10
45 Rumorosa Delegation And Red Cross / HWY 2 @ KM 69 1.97 118.07
46 Lalo's Tacos And Cabanas / HWY 2 @ KM 67 0.50 118.57
47 Right Off HWY 2 Before Rumorosa Tollgate @ KM 66 0.48 119.05
48 Right Off Pavement / Small House On Right 0.47 119.52
49 Go Right At Y 0.48 120.00
50 Pass Through Gate / Begin Descending Rumorosa Grade 0.15 120.15
51 Stone House On Right / End Of Rumorosa Grade 6.95 127.10
52 Pass Through Gate Near HWY 2 3.49 130.59
LINE RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION TRIP MILE
53 Left Before HWY 2, Then Go Right And Pass Under HWY 2 @ KM 44 0.04 130.63
54 Cross Paved Road 0.75 131.38
55 Right Turn 0.81 132.19
56 Go Right At Y 2.02 134.21
57 Stay Straight 0.44 134.65
58 Go Left At Y / Right Goes Over The Big Hill 0.96 135.61
59 Stay To Right / Stay Off Parallel Graded Powerline Road 3.47 139.08
60 Right Turn / CHECKPOINT 1 1.98 141.06
61 Cross Under HWY 2 @ KM 28 4.92 145.98
62 Right At T Intersection / To Laguna Salada Dry Lake Bed 1.61 147.59
63 Left At End Of Fence Onto Laguna Salada Dry Lake 0.30 147.89
64 Go Right At Y 3.97 151.86
65 Stay Straight 20.33 172.19
66 Either Or / GPS Goes Left 11.69 183.88
67 Turn Right Into Wash 3.22 187.10
68 Cross Road And Go Right 2.49 189.59
69 Right At T Intersection 3.05 192.64
70 Right Onto Good Graded Road / Left Is Access To HWY 5 @ KM 49 0.47 193.11
71 Go Left At Y 3.17 196.28
72 Go Left At Y 3.55 199.83
73 Go Left 1.94 201.77
74 Merge With Good Road From Dry Lake Bed 12.41 214.18
75 Right Onto Laguna Salada / Go To Canal 1.04 215.22
76 Left Into Canal And Briefly Run Inside Canal 0.78 216.00
77 Right Out of Canal, Then Go Left And Parallel Canal Toward HWY 5 0.10 216.10
78 Right Just Before HWY 5 @ KM 74 / Head South Across Dry Lake 5.59 221.69
NOTE: IF RAIN CREATES TOO MUCH MUD SO THAT FOLLOWING THE NOTES
FROM LINE 75 IS IMPOSSIBLE, THEN FOLLOW THIS ALTERNATE ROUTE,
WHICH IS 3.48 MILES LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL PRIMARY COURSE:
A Stay Straight / Do Not Go Right To Laguna Salada and Canal 1.04 XXX
B Stay Straight / Tire Corral On Right 0.59 XXX
C Go Right To Avoid Washout / CAUTION 0.69 XXX
D Go Left To Avoid Washout / CAUTION 0.37 XXX
E Right Toward Highway 5.09 XXX
F Right Onto HWY 5 @ KM 69 0.16 XXX
G Right Off HWY 5 @ KM 74 2.98 XXX
H Left Just After Leaving Highway And Head South Across Dry Lake 0.07 XXX
LINE RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION TRIP MILE
79 Cross Jose Saldana Road / Access HWY 5 @ KM 87 10.34 232.03
80 Go Left 5.32 237.35
81 Go Right At Y 1.72 239.07
82 Go Right At Y 0.72 239.79
83 Drop Into Wash, Then Go Left 4.42 244.21
84 Right Out Of Wash 2.34 246.55
85 Cross La Ventana Pipeline / Access HWY 5 @ KM 107 0.21 246.76
86 Go Right At Y 3.64 250.40
87 Cross Wash, Then Go Right 0.35 250.75
88 Right Up And Out Of Wash 2.67 253.42
89 Left Uphill And Out Of Wash 3.99 257.41
90 Right Out Of Wash 5.64 263.05
91 Drop Down Into Wash 1.05 264.10
92 Go Left At Y 4.05 268.15
93 Cross Wash And Go Uphill 1.25 269.40
94 Cross HWY 3 @ KM 179 / Borrego Crossing 5.38 274.78
95 Borrego Pit Area 4.32 279.10
96 Cross Under Double Wood Powerpole Lines 2.69 281.79
97 Cross Steel Tower Powerline Road / CHECKPOINT 2 4.40 286.19
98 Left Onto New Road To Bypass Ranch 0.04 286.23
99 Pass Through Fence 0.84 287.07
100 Entering Wide Area 1.60 288.67
101 Left Onto Villa Del Sol Graded Road / Do Not Use Diablo Dry Lake 0.32 288.99
102 Concrete Washout / CAUTION 8.84 297.83
103 Cross Road - Chinalito Sign On Right 2.12 299.95
104 Stay Straight / Ranch On Right 0.65 300.60
105 Either Or 2.05 302.65
106 Stay Straight / Fenceline On Left 0.41 303.06
107 Go Left 0.44 303.50
108 Cattle Guard With Stone Pillars 1.03 304.53
109 Left Out Of Wash 0.78 305.31
110 Right Out Of Wash 2.38 307.69
111 Go Right 3.21 310.90
112 Right At Morelia Junction / Left Is Access To HWY 5 @ KM 181 0.51 311.41
113 Stay Straight On Graded Road 6.75 318.16
LINE RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION TRIP MILE
114 Washout / CAUTION 2.37 320.53
115 Hard Left Into Chinate Wash 2.73 323.26
116 Go Left At Y 18.07 341.33
117 Go Left At Y 0.41 341.74
118 Road Merges In From The Right 0.55 342.29
119 Road Merges In From The Right 0.26 342.55
120 Road Merges In From The Right 1.43 343.98
121 Road Merges In From The Right 2.92 346.90
122 Road Merges In From The Right 1.20 348.10
123 Left At T Intersection / CHECKPOINT 3 2.99 351.09
124 Right Turn Before T Intersection 0.63 351.72
125 Road Merges In From The Right 1.58 353.30
126 Left Onto Dump Road / Right Is Access To San Felipe Arches 0.59 353.89
127 Zoo Road Crossing / Right Is Access To HWY 5 @ KM 181 7.06 360.95
128 Right Off Powerline Road 4.79 365.74
129 Stay Straight / Road Joins From Right 3.30 369.04
130 Go Left At Y / Right Is Access To HWY 5 @ KM 168 1.75 370.79
131 Stay Straight At Intersection / Right Is Access To HWY 5 @ KM 166 1.88 372.67
132 Left Before HWY 5 / Straight Is HWY 5 @ KM 159 4.11 376.78
133 White Cement Marker On Left 7.28 384.06
134 Go Left At Y, Then Merge Left Onto Graded Road 1.26 385.32
135 Go Left At Y 2.19 387.51
136 Either Or / Go Right Or Follow Double Powerpole Road 8.87 396.38
137 Either Or / Go Left Or Follow Double Powerpole Road 1.04 397.42
138 Go Right / Borrego Pit Area Is Ahead 2.36 399.78
139 Borrego Pit Area / REPEAT 0.23 400.01
140 Cross Under Double Wood Powerpole Lines 2.64 402.65
141 Right Onto Steel Tower Powerline Road / CHECKPOINT 4 4.43 407.08
142 Cross Road 0.61 407.69
143 Cross Villa Del Sol Road 1.32 409.01
144 Cross Road 2.92 411.93
145 Stay Straight / Road Joins From Left 3.17 415.10
146 Right At Y 0.25 415.35
147 Right Turn Through Fence, Then Left Before HWY 3 0.24 415.59
148 Pass Through Open Fence Before HWY 3 1.13 416.72
LINE RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION TRIP MILE
149 Cross HWY 3 @ KM 151, Then Continue In Wash 0.03 416.75
150 Fenceline On Right / HWY 3 On Left / STAY OFF HIGHWAY 4.30 421.05
151 Right On HWY 3 @ KM 142 / San Matias 1.75 422.80
152 Left Off HWY 3 @ KM 137 / Mike's Sky Ranch Turnoff 2.45 425.25
153 Cross Cattle Guard 2.71 427.96
154 Go Right At Y 0.31 428.27
155 Cross Cattle Guard 4.53 432.80
156 Right Onto Mike's Cutoff Road / Course Does NOT Go To Mike's 6.11 438.91
157 Go Right / Road Joins From Left 0.50 439.41
158 Go Left At Y 1.40 440.81
159 Right At T Intersection 1.30 442.11
160 Cross Cattle Guard 1.27 443.38
161 Cross Cattle Guard 2.47 445.85
162 Right At T Intersection / Llandro Valle Village 3.60 449.45
163 Left Off Graded Road Before Cattle Guard 4.93 454.38
164 House On Left, Then Cross Field And Merge With Graded Road 7.92 462.30
165 Cross Cattle Guard 0.65 462.95
166 Either Or 25.45 488.40
167 Merge Left Across Field Toward HWY 1 / BFG Pit 2.63 491.03
168 Right Onto HWY 1 @ KM 102 / Llano Colorado 0.27 491.30
169 Left Off HWY 1 @ KM 96 / South of San Vicente 3.94 495.24
170 Right Off Graded Road, Then Climb Uphill / CHECKPOINT 5 0.94 496.18
171 New Chainlink Fence / STAY OFF VINEYARD GRADED ROAD 0.41 496.59
172 Go Left Around Mountain 1.47 498.06
173 Left Onto Graded Road / Right Is Access To HWY 1 @ KM 89 0.60 498.66
174 Stay Straight At Intersection 0.12 498.78
175 Right Off Graded Powerline Road 0.39 499.17
176 Hard Left Turn / Dam Is Straight Ahead 6.59 505.76
177 Either Or To Pacific Ocean 1.02 506.78
178 Stay Straight / Road Joins From Right 0.73 507.51
179 Pacific Ocean 1.29 508.80
180 Through Concrete Fence Posts 2.32 511.12
181 Straight Through Fenceline 0.62 511.74
182 Go Right Up Hill / Cement Structure On Left 0.62 512.36
183 Descend To Village Of Erendira 2.03 514.39
LINE RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION TRIP MILE
184 Drop Into Wash, Then Left Before Pavement At Tecate Market 1.80 516.19
185 Cross Road In Wash 0.35 516.54
186 Cross Road In Wash 0.63 517.17
187 End Of Wash / Turn Right At Beach 0.44 517.61
188 Left Onto Graded Road After Cliffside Houses, Then Hard Right At Cliff 1.26 518.87
189 Right Off Graded Road Before Coyote Cal's / Take Shortcut Over Hill 1.92 520.79
190 Right Turn Back Onto Graded Road 0.42 521.21
191 Cross Cattle Guard 3.22 524.43
192 Right At T Intersection 9.84 534.27
193 Left At Intersection, Then Follow Residential Street To Highway 13.72 547.99
194 Left Onto HWY 1 @ KM 51 / Santo Tomas 0.15 548.14
195 Military Inspection Roadblock On HWY 1 3.94 552.08
196 Right Off HWY 1 @ KM 40.5 / Acambaro Restaurant Bar & Market 2.87 554.95
197 Top Of Hill, Then Go Left And Downhill, And Then Uphill 0.59 555.54
198 Stay Straight / Cross Road 0.47 556.01
199 Either Or / Uphill 0.15 556.16
200 Exposed Pipeline / CAUTION 0.28 556.44
201 Either Or 0.20 556.64
202 Pass Through Open Fence 0.24 556.88
203 Go Left At Y 0.10 556.98
204 Go Left At Top Of Hill 0.27 557.25
205 Either Or 0.11 557.36
206 Left At T Intersection 0.20 557.56
207 Hard Right Turn 0.14 557.70
208 Go Right At Y 0.33 558.03
209 Left Through Gate Between Fences 0.27 558.30
210 Stay Straight / Road Joins From Right 0.28 558.58
211 Stay Straight At 4-Way Intersection 0.10 558.68
212 Pass Through Gate 0.03 558.71
213 Stay Straight / Road Joins From Left 0.05 558.76
214 Go Left, Begin Hill Climb 0.75 559.51
215 Go Left At Y 7.64 567.15
216 Top Of Hill / CAUTION WASHOUT 1.30 568.45
217 Pass Through Open Fence With Metal Posts 0.47 568.92
218 Water Crossing / Tall Trees Section 3.82 572.74
LINE RACE COURSE DESCRIPTION TRIP MILE
219 Go Left At Y In Open Field 2.94 575.68
220 Pass Through Open Fence 0.56 576.24
221 Go Left At Y 0.93 577.17
222 Top Of Hill / View Of Ojos Negros Valley 1.73 578.90
223 Metal Post On Right 0.95 579.85
224 Left Turn / Tres Hermanos Road Is Straight 1.33 581.18
225 Pass Through Open Fence, Then Go Downhill 1.38 582.56
226 Go Right At Y 0.66 583.22
227 Pass Through Gate 1.11 584.33
228 Stay Straight / Road Merges In From The Left 0.34 584.67
229 Go Through Open Fence 0.02 584.69
230 Through White Metal Gate, Then Left Off Ranch Road 1.16 585.85
231 Go Left At Y 0.96 586.81
232 Go Left At Y 0.61 587.42
233 Pass Through Open Fence 0.09 587.51
234 Left at T Intersection, Then Climb Hill / CHECKPOINT 6 0.26 587.77
235 Either Or 0.80 588.57
236 Stay Straight / Road Joins From Left 0.52 589.09
237 Pass Through Open Fence 1.87 590.96
238 Go Left At Y 0.08 591.04
239 Go Left At Y, Then Climb Hill 0.09 591.13
240 Pass Through Open Fence 0.73 591.86
241 Pass Through Open Fence 0.14 592.00
242 END OF PRERUNNING / HWY 3 @ KM 35.5 Is Straight Ahead 0.70 592.70
X Course Turns Left To Finish Line, But No Pre-Running In This Direction X X
X Exit Course By Going Straight Across Large Field To HWY 3 @ KM 35.5 X X
X Finish Line At Riviera Cultural Center On Boulevard Costero 37.04 629.74
End Course Notes
Baja Racing News.com EXCLUSIVE Pre-Running Reports LOADING NOW!>>>
November 10, 2008 UPDATED!
CLICK HERE FOR THE DEEP INSIDER REPORT ON BAD RACER EMERGENCY RESPONSE
November 7, 2008 UPDATE
Baja 1000 Pre-Running Carnage Reports!
Report from the Baja racer shot in Baja Mexico and his moto riders, pre-running the Baja 1000 2008. Unredacted.
""Friends, family, supporters, and fellow off road enthusiasts
Since the events of Nov. 2nd, I’ve been praying for the timing to give a statement regarding the facts, along with a story to give everyone a better understanding of what happened. My main goal is to give awareness to all and provide clarification of what actually happened, as well as document for not only myself but for Steve, Aaron and our families.
Typing this will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Remembering exactly what happened, step-by-step, and writing down what Aaron, Steve, and I witnessed and experienced is something that still haunts us. Please accept my apology if this is too graphic or disturbing, but the facts need to be addressed for us all. Ultimately, we are all fortunate that this will be written as a testimonial of events as opposed to an obituary. It is because of the grace of God and overall support that Steve, Aaron and I are still here. I apologize in advance for not mentioning everyone who helped Steve to safety or orchestrated any of the supports.
I’m encouraging you to take the information as it is and please do not alter it to fit what you would rather believe or be influenced to believe. This is all true facts of what we experienced. I am by no means a writer but I will do my best to keep things as simple as possible. I was compelled to write this after reading all the posts online and hearing local news reports state that this was an unfortunate hunting accident. Steve, Aaron and I have no doubts in our minds that this was no accident. Yet the three of us have no explanation for why someone would fire a rifle at close range (less than 100 feet) and then point the rifle again at another rider. We have many speculations of why this happened but I will leave it at this: we simply came across an area where we were not welcome and someone was willing to kill, even though we were on what we know as public property.
Our weekend started off by Aaron, Steve and I departing for Mexico
During the night our chase guys, who didn’t skip a beat during the day, ended up having a little too much fun and come morning, they were no where to be found. As luck would have it, Chris Haines Tours was staying at Mike’s and one of their chase drivers offered to carry our bags across the border for us so we didn’t have to carry them on our bikes. Wondering if we would have enough gas to get back to Valle De Trinidad (VDT), we noticed that our bikes were mysteriously topped off with fuel. Our chase guys, who had originally planned to head home the next morning, probably realized we needed fuel, went off to have their fun, and simply forgot about a couple of bags. No big deal so we made some jokes and were on our way.
With our bikes full of fuel and our bags taken care of, we departed Mike’s after breakfast, around 8:30 Sunday morning. We rode out of Mike’s and picked up the course, following it towards VDT. On the way, Aaron, unfortunately influenced by me, pulled a wheelie on his xr650r Honda, looping it out. Laughing and slightly embarrassed, he picked up his bike and continued on without a rear fender. Once we hit VDT, we fueled up, topped off our water packs and were ready to head for home. Our plan was to ride up Hwy 3 to Ojos and catch the remaining part of the Baja 1000 course back into La Rumorosa to finish out our weekend of pre-running. With no desire to ride the course any longer we started pounding pavement. With a couple of veteran racers and an impatient young adult, that only lasted about 7-9 miles. Over the radio we all agreed that the Hwy sucked and we should ride some trails to at least have some fun heading home.
We turned off at Jamau and headed north, parallel to the highway. We knew the area rather well as it had been used in recent race events. It is also a well-traveled area by many Baja riders. We rode more or less at a slow rate of speed, admiring the scenery and doing the usual picking on each other over the race radios. Aaron led for a while, then Steve, then Aaron, and back and forth while I cruised in the back staying just slightly out of the dust. At this point we were approximately 15-17 Km from the initial turnoff. Heading north, we picked up sections of old Baja 500 and 1000 race courses, which were familiar to Steve and I. We stopped for a quick break near a small pond and continued on.
Shortly after we had stopped I rounded a corner still riding in the back and noticed that Steve’s bike was lying on the ground in front of a fence, which caught me off guard. It wasn’t a high-speed area or directly in a corner so my first reaction was Steve dropped his bike to pretend he had fallen. Not buying it since I saw no skid mark or any reason he would have crashed, I then saw Aaron drop his bike and start crawling very fast in a few strides and then he leaped over a bush. He was screaming at me, “get down!! He’s shooting at us; he’s got a gun! He’s got a gun…get down!!” It took me a couple of seconds to realize that this was not a joke. Steve appeared to be in a state of shock and was holding his chest. I immediately dropped the Kawasaki
If this shooter was going to shoot again he probably would have already done it. I made it a point to say loudly, “we are leaving, we are leaving!!! Don’t shoot, we are leaving.” I told Steve to get on the back of my bike but he said he couldn’t and would try to ride. He was gasping for air and groaning like I’ve never heard before. I picked up his Yamaha 450 with my back still turned away from the fence and tried kicking it over. I didn’t count the kicks but when I was about to puke from the adrenaline and kicking faster than normal… I think about 15-20 kicks, I yelled to Aaron who was scared to death to move to come kick it and help me. Aaron had seen the shooter aim the rifle directly at him and watched Steve buckle over and fall off of his bike hitting the ground. Even though he was shocked and had made eye contact with the shooter, Aaron still worked up the courage to run toward the fence and help me with the Yamaha. After Aaron tried unsuccessfully to kick several times he threw the bike down. I started the Kawasaki
We managed to make it approx 1.5 miles riding slow and by then we started looking over our backs to make sure we were not being followed. Steve was yelling at me, “stop, stop, stop I can’t go another foot stop and let me down.” I later found out from Steve that since I was still wearing my backpack and hydration system it was pushing on Steve’s chest making it even more unbearable. We stopped, still not knowing if we were being followed or why we were even a target. I looked at Steve’s wound and rolled him over to see if the bullet had exited his body. The wound was a small caliber size hole but I was just as worried knowing what a low caliber round will do bouncing around inside a body. Aaron used his phone to call Bi National Insurance. After a couple of failed attempts (they were not answering the phone), he called his dad, who was initially in disbelief, thinking we were kidding. Within seconds and after some reassuring choices of vocabulary, Mr. Cornicelli was all over it and remained calm, telling Aaron to provide the GPS coordinates and he would make the calls to Bi National Insurance and dispatch a helicopter.
At this point I insisted that Aaron head to the highway (an 8 mile trip) to get help. He said, “no, we need to stick together.” I told him I would go and he could stay with Steve and again, he said no. He was worried the shooter could be coming for us. Aaron made it pretty clear without busting my face that we were sticking together. Realizing we were in a situation out of our control with no way to help Steve’s condition, we began to pray over Steve. We asked for guidance and ultimately for the Lord to step in and take control. Steve, in complete agony and with no way to explain in words his pain, said, “Get me on the bike and I’ll ride.” We started the Kawasaki
Steve continued on, hiding the pain and convincing us that he was going to make it to the highway. About half way to the highway, Steve lifted his helmet and vomited twice. This was the second scariest part as I was not sure if Steve was truly going to make it to the highway. Without stopping we rode directly beside him ready to catch him if he fell. We could only pray while riding and watch his eyes closing and him groaning over the sound of the bike. Aaron and I were basically coaches, almost as if beside a woman in labor, coaching him to breathe and hang in there. It was clear he had either a punctured lung or some major internal injuries because he could barely breathe. He continued to vomit throughout the 10 miles of dirt roads. We realized the vomit was deep brown to almost purple in color. Knowing he was bleeding internally made the 10 miles feel like 100 miles. We knew if we kept encouraging him to continue riding a few more feet we would hit the highway, get help, and a chopper would fly him to a hospital.
Steve made it to the highway and literally collapsed from exhaustion and pain. Aaron and I helped Steve get into some shade, and then we ran onto the highway to flag down a car. The first car came into range within 4 or5 minutes, but it seemed like 45 minutes. The first 3 or 4 cars we stopped (because we were not moving off the highway) wanted no part of what was happening. They were most likely locals, had small kids and sped off. The 4th or 5th car that stopped was a lifted truck with a racing number of 500 on the rear window. They helped us by heading back into VDT to find police or an ambulance. Keep in mind that the first stop we made was to call a Medi-Vac through Bi National Insurance. Unsure if they ever received the GPS coordinates from Joe, we were afraid to move Steve in case a chopper was already en route. My fear was that we’d move him too far and miss his opportunity to be flown out.
A few minutes passed when a police truck pulled up to assist. Shortly after, a large group of military soldiers were passing by and they quickly surrounded the area. They stood around for some time while we explained where the shooting took place. We showed them the exact location on the GPS and explained that we left a bike on the scene. They had no comments, just kind of stood around. Aaron needed confirmation if the chopper was in route but had poor phone range. So, while I was trying like crazy to fill Steve with encouragement that he would make it through this, Aaron jumped in the truck with the gentlemen who went and flagged down the police. They headed north two miles where Aaron made another call to his dad to confirm where we were. Around this time even our chase guys who disappeared the night before showed up and were there to help. For them to show up at this time would have never happened had they been chasing from the time we initially headed off the highway. They helped translate for us and later went back and retrieved the bike with a police escort.
At this point I began arguing with the police when they said we need to get Steve to a clinic in VDT as there was no ambulance that could come. I told him forget it, a chopper was coming and I would not move him again until the chopper landed and he was on his way to a hospital. At this point the police man grabbed Steve’s hand and felt his pulse and vitals. He then put Steve’s hand in mine and said, “Feel how cold amigo? He will not make it if we don’t go now!” Without a further word or thought I picked Steve up and we carried him to the back of the police pickup truck. We rushed south to VDT. I was praying someone would see us or find Aaron and let him know we were going to the clinic. At this point Steve was really gasping for air and I was pleading with him to take short breaths. I figured he had multiple broken ribs and maybe a punctured lung. As we entered VDT I saw directly across the street some Americans and a lifted truck with Team SRD on the window. I knew that truck belonged to a friend, Justin, and started calling his name. The sirens were blasting over my shouts and I was on my knees holding Steve’s head, keeping him from getting a concussion while the police truck hit every possible pothole! I yelled a few times for Justin but never saw him. Just some racers and chase crews looking and trying to figure out what was happening.
Fortunately, I caught the attention of probably the best people to have around in a situation like this. Cameron Steele’s wife, Heidi, along with one of their Desert Assassin (DA) crew guys, Cody. They saw my name on my jersey and sent someone to see what was going on. DA’s guy, Poncho, arrived at the small clinic in VDT and immediately learned that this was a life or death situation for Steve. Within minutes, Steve was hooked up to an IV and oxygen and the doctor was checking his vitals. Steve was in bad shape as his blood pressure was dropping and things were way more than could be taken care of in this small clinic.
Cameron and his entire crew of friends and racers were there almost immediately after Poncho radioed them, like an army of soldiers ready to come and fight for us. Cameron immediately contacted Oscar Ramos, Score’s attorney. Oscar began searching for the quickest source of air support. Steve was in horrible pain and was asking me over and over “where the fuck is the helicopter.” I told him over an over it was on the way and he was going to make it. Poncho and I took turns holding the oxygen mask on him and encouraging him to fight. Cameron and his guys were all outside contacting everyone they could and getting the word out about what had happened.
I remember Cameron coming into the small room and telling Steve, “You’re going to make it Steve, a chopper is coming.” Without looking up, Steve knew who was there speaking and it gave him that much more comfort knowing the word was out, support was there, and help was coming.
Aaron made it to the clinic by simply following the commotion and expressed that he had contacted several sources for air support. At one point I know a small plane from S.D. was ready to depart, and the No Fear helicopter was ready to go, just waiting for a location or a medic. It seemed like anyone who knew someone with a plane or helicopter was contacted and getting ready to come for the rescue. Steve continued fighting while we finally got confirmation that a police chopper was en route from Ensenada
The police chopper finally arrived, close to 2 hours from the time we made it to the clinic. This was a very small police chopper, primarily used for patrolling locally in Ensenada Angelos Hospital
At this point Aaron and I were still in shock from the events. Our bikes and gear were loaded up on the DA’s caravan, but they needed to drive south to pick up a truck / trailer before heading up towards Mexicali Mexicali
I realized it would take several additional hours to see Steve again if I went with the DA guys, even though I had promised him and Jody that I would not let him die or leave his side. Close to 40 minutes after the chopper left Trinidad I was riding with Cameron, his dad (Big Daddy), Heidi, and their family dog – Booger. I’m sure Booger sensed my concern because he rested his head on my lap giving me a sense of ease. I heard Cam mention it sounded like the chopper had made it and landed. I was relieved but still a mess not knowing Steve’s condition, so I tried my best to relax and just pray to myself. Close to 20 minutes later, still heading south towards San Felipe, Cameron talked to Oscar and confirmed the chopper hit a storm going into TJ and had not landed yet, but was circling around until things cleared. At this point I was pretty much jumping out of the truck and was determined to find a way to travel to TJ by hitch hiking. Cameron calmed me down and arranged for another chase truck heading to Ensenada Ensenada Ensenada
Aaron stayed with Cam ’s group and encouraged them to continue on, as he was sure I would make my way to Steve and his family. Fortunately Aaron was riding in another vehicle, otherwise he would have knocked me out and kept me safe with Cameron and the DA guys. Aaron thinks things through and knew the best thing was to stick with safety and get across the border and then come back later since family was at the hospital and Steve was in good hands. I had other thoughts…since I heard over the radio that Steve was still floating around in the air with his face literally getting beat by a storm; I pretty much acted on impulse.
To sum it up, some incredible dudes from Callaway racing managed to get me to one of their friends in Ensenada Ensenada
Steve had an exploded spleen (which was removed), a tear in his liver and damage to his intestine and colon, but his major organs were OK. He lost more than 50% of his blood and doctors said if he had taken an ambulance from VDT to even Ensenada
The Callaway race team guys planned to stay in Ensenada that night, but promised to get me to a taxi or bus, or drive me to TJ themselves. Before even seeing a taxi, I noticed a truck full of bikes pulling out and immediately jumped out and asked where they were heading. They said Rosarito and I said awesome, I’m coming with you guys. Without any issues, these complete strangers who live in Rosarito agreed to help me get to Rosarito. I explained the situation to the guy sitting next to me in the back seat and he couldn’t believe what he had heard. To my amazement he scrolled his 2-way to Oscar Ramos who was already at the hospital and let him know he was bringing me to the hospital. It was crazy that I ran into someone who not only agreed to take me directly to the TJ hospital, but he had contacted the very same Oscar who had pulled the right strings to get the chopper down to VDT. It turns out I was in great hands since the guy I was sitting next to is a race promoter in Mexico Ensenada
With all that said, I made it to the hospital and met up with the Martz family in the waiting room. Seeing the looks on the faces of Steve’s parents and Jody, I knew that Steve was doing much better than when I had last seen him. Completely spent with exhaustion but overwhelmed with joy, I made it to see Steve not only alive but drugged up and out of pain. He then told me more details about the shooting. He actually saw the shooter very clearly, and remembered everything and every second of agony. He said he was in so much pain on the one-hour helicopter ride that he was cursing God and asking to end this misery. I assured him God had other plans and ultimately even controlled his thoughts. I truly think the Lord just allowed Steve to seek and recognize God even being involved and ultimately the one calling the shots.
After a quick visit with Steve I stayed the evening in the waiting room eager to see his progress the next morning. Jody and I talked for hours, until the sun rose, about how strong Steve was and how Aaron and I managed to find ways to keep him encouraged as we knew he was going to still be a damn good father and husband and hard-headed pain in the rear!
Aaron was traumatized by the day’s events and once I spoke with his family and knew he made it back across the border safe it was just another big sigh of relief. He ranted on and on about how the DA guys hooked him up and took extra care of him. From clothes to dinner and even offering to pay the tolls, the DA’s refused to let him pay for anything.
Monday was a blur after a sleepless night. We had a few visits and meetings with the District Attorney’s from TJ & Ensenada, but we simply just wanted Steve back home in the U.S. U.S. Angelos Hospital U.S.
Once the chopper fired up shortly after nightfall it was as if we all held our breath and as it flew away and disappeared behind the building we all let out a big sigh of overwhelming joy. At that point I fell apart and finally realized Steve was going to be OK. Jody was falling apart with joy and I couldn’t even look at her through the tears. Steve’s mom and dad, and several of his friends and I were all more than ready to jump in the vehicles and head for the border. Steve made it back to a S.D. hospital and was in great hands once again. His recovery has been going extremely well and he is expected to be home within 6-8 days if he continues at the rate he’s going.
Steve’s a fighter and is already eager to get home and tell his story. The Martz family has requested minimal, family-only visiting to give Steve the rest he needs. He wants so much to see everyone, entertain, and tell the stories, but it is just too much for now. We are planning a welcome home celebration and will keep everyone informed.
On behalf of the Martz family, Aaron and myself, we really want to encourage everyone to understand what Steve went through and how he suffered while simply enjoying what he loves the most. He has told me more than once throughout our friendship and racing career that if he died he would want to be doing what he loves, which is racing or having the time of his life racing anything with a motor for that fact. Steve was clinging to his life over something as random as a gunshot wound, in a familiar area we have traveled before. And for an unknown man, wearing hunting camo’s and directly shooting one of the nicest guys in the world, over what? That’s our confusion and this wasn’t Steve’s time to go. We are fortunate the gun was only fired once and that we all made it out without another shot fired. We are thankful we are alive, but we also want to make all of our friends in the off road industry aware of the fact that we had no doubt in our minds that we were not going to be effected by any violence in Mexico, only to be caught off guard with this life changing experience. I pray for anyone still going down to Mexico
(Aaron’s Take) After leading for sometime, Steve passed me. I came around a corner and saw a gate up ahead and recall saying to myself, “That gate looks odd, oh well we will have a look when we all get there.” As I continued on toward the gate, I noticed Steve had stopped about 20 feet from the gate and was straddling his bike. Still riding toward Steve, I saw him start to fall over as if he went to put his foot down but the ground was not there. At first I was like, what is he doing, until I heard him say, “He shot me!” That was when I looked up and to the right of the gate and I saw a rather large bush and a man dressed in camouflage gear turning to aim a rifle at me. I must have been 10 feet from Steve, still rolling, when I saw this and all I could do was jump off my bike screaming, “No, no, no…what are you doing?....Don’t shoot.” All the while trying to delete the shooters line of sight from me. As I jumped behind a bush, I saw Dan coming around the corner and I was extremely concerned that he would be shot next. Unable to warn him via the radios, I began yelling, “he’s got a gun, get down.” I remember being baffled by Dan as he rode right up to Steve as if no shooter was going to stop him. Then all of a sudden, it seemed to sink in that Steve had been shot and I was terrified.
All of a sudden Dan stood up (never looking towards the shooter) saying, “We are leaving!” At that point, Dan turned his bike around and got it started. He picked up Steve’s Yamaha and began trying to kick start it. I remember being so terrified that I was extremely hesitant to go over and get my bike. With great encouragement from Dan, I ran over and grabbed my XR and began kicking it until it started. Once my bike was started, Dan yelled at me to come over and try to get Steve’s bike started. After about 20 kicks from me, I looked at Dan and he said, “Leave it!” I dropped it and hopped on my bike riding side by side with Dan and Steve. We rode 1.5 miles away from the scene and Steve yelled to pull over. I told Dan to get my phone. The first number I dialed was Bi-National Emergency….Ring…Ring….Ring….no one answered. My next call was to my dad to have him start making arrangements. I gave him the GPS points and told him to hurry. After getting off the phone, Dan told me to head to the highway for help. I told him NO as I was not coming back to find them both dead. He said he would go and I could stay but I refused. At this point I was concerned for all of us and we really did not know who shot and why. I told Dan that we were all leaving together as a team. We gave Steve the option to ride by himself or with one of us. He decided to ride by himself. From here on, Dan’s report explains the rest and I agree 100% with everything he has written as I was there and witnessed this entire thing. November 2, 2008, was a horrible day and it is simply because of the grace of God that Steve, Dan and I are alive. It is clear to me that God has other plans for us and that is why we are so blessed to be home, safe and sound, with only a wounded friend and a story to tell.
I hope Score can redirect their attention to this matter and simply warn competitors, letting them know that this was no hunting accident and could have been much, much worse. We were extremely lucky for the most part. After reading just some of the events, ask your self if it is worth it? As of this past weekend we were not scheduled to compete in this 1000, but our sole intention was to pre-run sections of the course and make ourselves available to compete if another team needed a last minute rider. We were not on the course and were several miles from the course on our way back home, but ultimately were riding in a very common area where we would have never questioned our safety; until now. Sal Fish spoke with me in the TJ hospital and both Sal and Oscar Ramos were very accommodating and heartfelt about the situation and expressed their deepest concerns. However, as of this weekend, about a week after Steve was shot, I have not heard of any attempts from Score to check on Steve’s condition. I’m bothered by that, knowing not only was Steve a licensed top Baja racer for many years, but also competed in several classes including 7S, Class 22 pro motorcycles, and premier class 1 cars. Our team finished last year’s season with a 3rd place in points championship followed by a 4th place finish (class 22) in last year’s 40th anniversary Baja 1000.
In my humble opinion I am disappointed by the conduct and overall attitude of Score, primarily for two reasons: the fact that I feel the organization has not yet released facts or made efforts to speak with the Martz family, or publicly announced that this was not an accident. We were not scheduled for this race but we left the opportunity available. I hope to see something even as brief as a warning for the racers and general race fans to be extremely careful since this past week’s incident could happen again and could be more than a “hunting accident.”
Steve, Aaron and I absolutely loved riding and competing in Baja, along with coordinating several hosted tour rides, and are saddened to step back from a once such rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle. We truly will miss it and hope things can change soon. As recognized (I hope) Score professional racers, I can only hope this story can build awareness for all racers’ safety in the next Baja 1000 and future races. I personally won’t be back since I was directly affected in many ways. I think competitors will always compete knowing the danger is there, but being honest with the facts does go a long way with a community of racers.
Moral of the story: Several heroes worked on saving the life of a fellow racer and he was ultimately saved by the grace of God and His involvement the entire time. This story will be closure to us and our families, knowing that we have set the facts straight and will no longer need to explain the same story over an over. Again, none of us are angry with Score knowing that this was out of their hands and ultimately not race course related, but we feel the public needs to know the truth and if it can happen in the area of VDT, it could happen anywhere. Be careful and race safe! The off road community is a brotherhood and watching racers go out of their way to do anything for us is just another reason the sport is what it is. Currently, as of 10 days from the incident, Steve is still in excruciating pain following another emergency surgery on Monday evening. Doctors discovered another hole in the stomach interior which was causing infection and severe pain. Steve is still in ICU and struggling with the recovery process.
Steve told me he is at peace and has forgiven the unidentified individual for shooting him. He made it clear from the day after the shooting he was not going to pursue or press charges and is comfortable with his decision.
God Bless,
Dan Walsh, Aaron Cooper and Steve Martz""
FINAL UPDATE
Nov. 6, 6 PM
State of California Department of Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and now future Gubernatorial candidate in 2010, wants to get to the bottom of the Baja racer shooting! A representative of Commissioner Steve Poizner said today, "Mr. Poizner is concerned about the image of Mexican insurance and related products, sold under license of the State of California by brokers, being valid or worthless paper".
Poizners representative went further, "the shooting and all its ramifications will be investigated by the Commissioners office". Mr. Poizners website at http://www.stevepoizner.com/
Baja Racing News.com has learned now, the depositions taken in Mexico of the events by the victims, were manipulated in an attempt to foster the failed 'hunter' cover story, to benefit SCORE. "Racers, families, associated chase and pit crews, sponsors, everyone is now aware of the true facts and re-considering ever racing in Mexico again".
Not only did an American moto racer get shot in Mexico by a drug thug, but the first emergency calls that went to 'this company' failed big time. An 'authorized' entity of the sanctioning bodies Mexican insurance company fails and a cover story was attempted by the sanctioning body failed and has been exposed! If it weren't for the blessed survival of the victim and that the events happened in Mexico, some people, could well be facing charges and possible jail time.
Remember SCORE racers, as of today, the authorized SCORE Mexican insurance company continues to sell 'this company', the one that doesn't answer its phone. Remember fans, all of the 'SCORE racers are on the "kool-aid"' and will continue to go about their business in Baja. The best body bag crash dummies in motorsports.
This story is exactly why the editor and staff of Baja Racing News.com hunts down the facts to bring them to you, so you can see why, Baja racing is "the most dangerous and notorious racing in the world". This story is just one of the NOTORIOUS parts.
Gary Newsome
Baja Racing News.com
Nov. 5, 2008 9 AM Update
The Victim is back in the states. The bullet was still in the victimafter returning to the U.S., that's how serious the wound was. He is reportedly doing as well as could be expected. He is expected to be released from the hospital by the end of the week. Baja Racing News.com continues its reporting on the shooting until we have all the answers.
Nov. 4 UPDATE
Baja Racing News.com is closely following the story of the failed first emergency call. Stay tuned.
Another of the big questions down from these events, 'are the racers who got shot at going to race now?'. The answer is NO, "i highly doubt any of us will be going or riding in it".
A great comment from a fellow racer responds to the SCORE cover-story, "...a hunter that manages to nail a rider in the abdomen doesn't really constitute an accident in most folks' books...what a mess all this has/is/will cause for everyone down the line...". Unfortunately, the bad SCORE cover story places blame on the racer, not the shooter.
The victims fellow racer, on scene, nails the point, "I was there and saw the guy with a gun (rifle)...it was not a "Lost Bullet", he was taking aim at me, after he shot [the victim]".
The victim is back in the United States and in better condition. Baja Racing News.com is awaiting some direct quotes and information to fill in this story. Most importantly, what can be made good, hopefully has been accomplished.
Nov. 3, 2008, 12 Noon UPDATE
AP The Associated Press in Tijuana gets the story and runs it Worldwide. You gotta see Oscars quote. Can you say, 'bad cover-story'! CLICK HERE
Associated Press story documents SCORE Failed cover-up of the shooting of a Baja racer, while pre-running for 2008 Baja 1000.
Ramos credibility takes a major dump. "Oscar Ramos, a lawyer helping Martz, said the San Diego-area man was probably shot mistakenly by a hunter. He believes this was a completely unfortunate accident," Ramos said. Oh yes, its unfortunate. Unfortunate to be shot by a HUNTER?! A hunter after Baja 1000 motorcyclists, off-roaders, Americans! Jeez, all Ramos had to state was 'a rancher' and he'd look golden. OOPS! Yea, he's a hero. Isn't that his job? Every racer in Baja needs Oscars phone number now. Or NOT!
UPDATED! Nov. 3, 2008, 10:00 AMBaja Racing News.com has learned today that the victim shot in Baja Mexico, pre-running the Baja 1000 course, was shot by a criminal defending drugs, not a 'rancher' as first reported. Also confirmed, the victim was pre-running the Baja 1000. The victim is currently in critical condition.
In other big developments in this story, the first emergency call for help in this situation failed. Report from Aarons Dad, Joe, "I tried about three times and all the phone did was ring, It never even went to an answering machine (as you could imagine I was pissed since many of us hold a policy with this company it makes me wounder why, It was worthless)". Baja Racing News.com suggestion, contact the State of California Department of Insurance immediately and report this. Fill out a 'Request for Assistance'. This incident is a violation of the terms of agreement you have with the service provider. Baja Racing News.com reached the Insurance Commissioners office today for comment, they said, "we are aware of this company".
Also, file a complaint with the San Diego County District Attorney office. Baja Racing News.com reached the San Diego DA's office today for comment, they said, "we are aware of this company".
This is all inevitable. The publisher and staff wish to send kudos to everyone who helped this American victim. Thankfully, the victim did not die. Emergency medical issues for international travel in Baja Norte at this time, are beyond unstable. Next time, an arranged American chopper goes in, without a permit ASAP and gets the victim to an American Hosptial, right away and gets this done fast, the RIGHT way! Just ask Baja Safari!
An American racer, shot by a Baja Mexican drug thug, You know, Baja Racing News.com is following this story very closely!
Fellow rider reports: "Has anyone ever entered a race late...you guys are all trying to down play this. We WERE...pre-running....get that through you heads!"
Aarons Dad, Joe reports: "Hi Guy's, At 10:40 am I received a call from my son Aaron about the shooting he was hysterical and I thought that he was joking at first until i heard Dan In the background saying it was true, [the victim] had been shot. My first reaction was to call Bi Med Insurance. I tried about three times and all the phone did was ring, It never even went to an answering machine (as you could imagine I was pissed since many of us hold a policy with this company it makes me wounder why, it was worthless). At 10:50 I called a friend of mine [for a chopper] (who needed to get a permit and wasn't used for the service). My wife Kari was working a different angle, they were very concerned with putting [the victim] into a helicopter and not noing if he was in stable condition and safe to fly. We were working another angle at the same time trying to get the (another service) in there, Now we have three possible means of getting [the victim] out to care. While all this is going on we were also making calls to [the victims] family and friends. At 12:30 [the chopper] was ready to go, we were on another phone at the same time with A nurse from [a hospital] who was with a Dr. who was on the phone with Dr. Oscar Gonzolas from Valle De Trinidad, the Mexican police had transported [the victim] to a clinic in town. At about 12:45 I received a call from Aaron that [another Baja 1000 racer] was with them at the clinic and had made a call to Oscar Ramos who got the State police helicopter set up to get [the victim] to The Hospital Of the Angel's In TJ."
Witnesses have expressed their stories saying, "it was clear that the shooter WAS NOT a rancher. I believe that Dan, [the victim] and I rode up on a drug farm. If you read the article you will notice that the gate was covered with branches to almost make it "blend in" with the surroundings. Also the shooter was dress in clothes that seemed to "blend in" as well. Once at the highway, I gave directions to the Police and the Military to where the bike was and neither agency went looking for it. I wonder why? For those who have never had a gun pointed at your let me say that is terrifying. It was scary to know that the guy your looking at from 100 feet away has already shot one of your friends."
More details: "The rider and shooting victim has been identified as [the victim], who was riding with Aaron Cooper, who reports the following bold comments. "This all started near Mike's Sky Rancho on Sunday heading home from pre running in Northern Baja, when our chase crew ditched us.
Sometime in the middle of the night, the chase crew driving a pickup truck left for Mexicali seemingly abandoning the three riders at Mikes Sky Rancho. [Another group of racers] also spent the night at Mikes Sky Rancho and agreed to tote the riders gear bags to Ensenada while the three riders rode North to Ojos to catch the course up to RM120 and finally on home.
The riders ventured into the dirt at the turn off to Jamau and headed north and came across a fence line covered in brush where the shooting took place. As [the victim] rode towards the gate, I (Aaron Cooper) was about 40 feet behind [the victim] when I saw him fall over as if he had went to put his foot down but the ground was not there. As I looked up and to the right I saw a man with a gun on the other side of the fence about 100 feet out behind a large bush. He was aiming a gun at in our direction. Before I could get to [the victim] I was off the bike running to get out of the man’s line of sight. I was screaming at Dan to stop as he was coming up behind me.
[The victim] was struck in the sternum by what was described as a small caliber bullet. With [the victim] on the ground, Cooper scrambled for cover. Dan Walsh arrived and thought that [the victim] and Cooper were joking around when in fact [the victim] had been shot in the chest. Walsh attempted to start [the victims] moto kicking it some 10-15 times but it wouldn't start. Aaron ran over and pushed the bike out of the line of site and tried to start the bike with no luck. They abandoned [the victims] bike and put [the victim] on the back of Walsh' motorcycle and headed for Highway 3. Enroute they discovered that the shooting victim could not hold on the back of Walsh while riding. They stopped 1.5 miles from the shooting and began to make emergency calls. Aaron’s first call was to Binational Emergency were no one answered. Aaron’s second call was to his Dad. After getting the call for help out, we placed [the victim] on Walsh bike and let [the victim] ride solo to the highway. Once at the highway, Dan and Aaron waved any and every vehicle done for help."
Don't count on any justice in this case. The Attorney General in Baja California is well known for being staunchly anti-American.
The victim is still in critical condition in a hospital in Tijuana, "the bullet hit his liver, stomach, upper colon and the doctors removed his spleen". "He's lost alot of blood", "he is in ICU".
Another report: There are a lot of marijuana farms scattered all over that area, as well and weapon and ammo depots. If you're pre-running, don't wander around away from the race course, because this could happen to you, too. I'm not saying that this guy asked for it, [this incident] is just not a good idea. It could have been a much bigger caliber weapon (7.62 or 2.23, cartel's gunmen favorites) that shot him and then who knows if he would have made it. I used to ride around that area many years ago, and I could tell there are places where people are just not wanted. I hope this dude gets better, and all of you pre-running, please be safe."
Another Report: "Isn't this the same area as Rudy and Lance had the very close call with the wire across the road?"
Another report: "I have been shot at and rifle butted in Baja. I had a rancher show me a double barrel pre-running 2 years ago. Robberies- shootings, this type of stuff has been happening in Baja for many years. I know a top-racer that use to pre-run with a bullet proof vest. I was attacked, robbed, beaten, a few years ago, not far from this incident."
Another report: "We were there pre-running with a crew and were there for the whole thing. We just got word that [the victim] is out of surgery, is stable and recovering in ICU. It looks like he is going to be ok. However, the bullet hit his stomach, liver, colon and spleen. His spleen had to be removed but again, looks like he will be ok! FYI, Their chase trucked took off the night before from Mike's but the incident itself happened in the middle of the day. The victim actually rode one of the other guys bike to safety after his bike wouldn't start and was left at the scene. Aaron arrived at the scene right behind the victim who had just passed him 30 seconds before. He noticed that the victim went down for some reason, he looked up and saw the sniper pointing the gun at him so he bailed his bike, got Dans attention then ran for cover till they could go retrieve [the victim] and go for help. We just dropped Aaron off to family members on the US side of the Tecate border and Dan got a ride with another crew up to the hospital to be with the victim."
What's the most common response to all this: "Glad he is recovering. What are the Police doing about all this ?? ***k mexico."
Baja Racing News.com Original Report:
A moto rider, pre-running for the Baja 1000, was shot by a local rancher, was transported to the nearest clinic at Valle de Trinidad and is now in the United States receiving treatment. The victim is reportedly not an official participant of the race, but is part of a pit crew for the race.
We are withholding the name of victim out of respect for his family. The racer, who finished the 2007 SCORE Baja 1000 in 5th position in Class 22, Open Pro Motorcycles, was riding with teammate/driver of record, Dan Walsh along with Aaron Cooper near Mike's Sky Rancho on Saturday. A described 'chase crew' ditched the racers at Mikes Sky Ranch, with no support.
The motorcycle rider was shot near Jamau, some 40 miles from the nearest portion of this year's SCORE Tecate Baja 1000 race course. The shooting was of an unknown caliber weapon and occurred on a hunting ranch in the vicinity of Jamau.
Today at 2:10 p.m. PST, the evacuation chopper lifted the victim and landed at a Tijuana hospital at 2:45 p.m. The victim was last reported being treated for a gunshot wound. The victim's mother and wife had arrived to the Tijuana hospital shortly after 3:00 p.m. and were at the side of the victim. After surgery, the victim is still in critical condition. The rider was reportedly not, pre-running on the race course when this shooting occurred. Details loading...
In more pre-running carnage, Baja Racing News.com has also learned Perry McNeil and his family was also injured running the course Saturday, in a cliff fall, some forty feet, with Perry receiving serious injuries. Perry McNeil has a broken ankle and bruises. His wife Marsha has a broken arm and a hurt back. We are not sure if Perry will make the race now.
Reportedly from McNeil Racing, "they were headed down some paved road, by a mine road , they cut out a 15 foot section, headed back and hit the other side, from my previous report. Also heard that my Aunt has a broken arm other arm is fractured and a broken Pelvis. They helicopter evacuated to San Diego with Perry.
From another prerun report, "it happened near San Antonio de las Minas (10 or 15 miles from Ensenada). This is the area between Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe - road between Ensenada and Tecate Highway 3. I was driving in that section Saturday (around 11am). The road is absolutely a mess from north of San Antonio de las Minas to a few miles outside of Ensenada. From the edge of the road, they have cut out sections for miles and miles. Some places 3' down, others easily 15' and no shoulder what so ever on the road. It is for widening purposes I guess, but it is beyond dangerous - narrow 2 lane road with trucks buses etc coming at you and drifting in your lane on one side, and a 15 foot drop off on the other. I know a lot of people think the TJ -Ensenada toll road is dangerous and think it is a better alternative to go through Tecate. Please rethink this. If you are chasing and supporting and have to go on that section, be vigilant and do so in day light hours. If you are driving to Ensenada, take the toll road."
DATELINE:
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
November 1, 2008 5 AM PST
Baja Racing News.com Staff
November 1, 2008 Pre-Running Officialy starts!
As of this very moment, Official Pre-Running has begun for the Baja 1000 2008. The 41st running of the Old Lady of Off-Road racing, began this morning, here in Ensenada, Baja California, with many teams having breakfast, grabbing coffee and hitting the race course for a weekend of slamming, jamming and ramming across the Baja Mexico countryside.
In Baja North today, the weather is cool and will warm into the 90's out in the desert stretches of the 2008 Baja 1000 race course. So, many teams have been stocking up over-night getting provisions, water, food, extras for the long road of pre-running the race course. From Ensenada to the La Rumorosa Grade, to San Felipe is the long first leg. From San Felipe to the Pacific coast the second and from the sunny Pacific coast to the Finish line is the third leg.
EXCLUSIVE ENSENADA SITUATION REPORT:"Elements of Mexican Navy (Naval Marines tasked for anti-crime details) and municipal police of the port of Ensenada (Federal and local cops), surrounded Ensenada from dawn of this Friday (Oct. 31), with the arrest of several people. Police would not comment on any details. Late Saturday, it was announced, one of the largest busts in Mexican history went down in Ensenada Friday and today. Nearly 2 tons of drugs and 400 million dollars, of American currency, was taken in Ensenada."
In most teams plans, at least three 'pre-runs' are planned, at least three long days of running the course, at speed, before the race starts on November 20th. Baja Racing News.com will be LIVE! starting on November 18th, covering everything about this race event. From the food, drinks, events, parties and even the race itself, will be LIVE! Webcast here at Baja Racing News.com DONT MISS THE FUN!
CLICK HERE FOR THE ONGOING BAJA 1000 COVERAGE EVERYDAY!
Baja Racing News.com
More Pre-Running info>>>
October 26, 2008
From the Press Release: Sal Fish of SCORE states, "We have been able, with the dedication and cooperation of many of our friends in Baja California, a race course for the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 that will seriously challenge the most seasoned of our great SCORE desert racers," commented Sal Fish, SCORE President/CEO since soon after it was founded in 1973. "This course present the competitors with all of the variety of terrain and elevation changes you could possibly have along with the dramatic beauty of Baja. The La Rumorosa grade runs from about race-mile 111 to 127 and the infamous climb and descending grade, filled with switchbacks and large dropoffs, has only been used in the 1995 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 and the 1996 Tecate SCORE Baja 500. SCORE actually paid to have the dirt trail graded through the mountains."
From the start in Ensenada the course will go east to Ojos Negros for almost 35 miles which will be used in both directions in the race. From Ojos Negros, the course will travel in a clockwise direction covering much of the incredibly beautiful northern section of Baja California. From Ojos Negros, the course turns Northeast through the Pine Forest nearly up to the U.S. border and up and down the treacherous La Rumorosa grade, west of Mexicali. The course turns south at the top of the infamous Laguna Salada, paralleling Mexican Highway 5. Next will be the San Felipe loop where the course will cover some of the rugged Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 course including Chanate Wash.
After the San Felipe loop, the course will head north and northwest, joining Highway 3 for a short distance to the Mike's Sky Ranch turnoff. Then the course heads to the Lllano Colorado section and Highway 1. From this point the course is very similar to this year's Tecate SCORE Baja 500 heading north along the Pacific Ocean below San Vicente and past Erendira, back inland up through Santo Tomas then turning northeast just past Uruapan winding its way back to Ojos Negros for the final charge back to Ensenada.
The course will feature six checkpoints, where vehicle numbers and passing times are recorded to help verify the information gathered on the electronic recording devices that are mounted on all vehicles in the race.
The location of the six checkpoints are: Checkpoint 1 (race-mile[rm] 141.06, North of Laguna Salada), CP2 (rm 286.19-Borrego), CP3 (rm 351.09-San Felipe), CP4 (rm 407.08-Borrego), CP5 (rm 496.18-San Vicente Vineyards) and CP6 (rm 587.77-Ojos Negros)." ###
October 24, 2008 UPDATE
Alan Pflueger Announces to Race Baja 1000, (Lara)"I know many of you have been asking, so I'll be the first to tell you, Alan will be racing the Baja 1000! Mike Johnson (aka Bronson, CORR Pro 2 #31) will be the team's 2nd driver. Atilla will be the weapon of choice."
Sierra Brothers racing defines its Baja 1000 plans, (Tony Sierra)"Noe Sierra (Sierra Bros Racing Driver Of Record) had 2 mild heart attacks in June due to a combination of stress, not eating well and lack of exercise. After only 3 months of exercising, dieting and taking care of himself, the doctors have cleared him to race again. We decided that we are racing the Baja 1000 hoping for a repeat of last year’s success. Before we do the 1000, we had to make sure Noel was really ready. We decided to run Record's San Vicente 200 this past Saturday to see how he would do.-Now for the good news: IT WAS BETTER THAN WE EXPECTED! A trim Noel showed up 30 pounds lighter and looking real healthy. He was a bit nervous at first, but he wanted to start the race. Since this was a race of 4 laps at 50 miles each, we planned on me going in the truck after the 2nd lap. Noel started the race, along with co-driver Luis Partida, in the 8th spot. It took him 1:11 to do the first lap and by then he was in 4th place. Then it took him 1:07 to do the 2nd lap, were he was right behind the leader, Beto Iriarte who had started in front of everyone. At this point, I asked Noel how he was feeling and told him that he should not stop and keep on going because the leader had stopped to put gas. He said it was o.k. and he wanted to keep on going. At the end of the 3rd lap (which took him 1:06) Noel was the first truck in our class to come in and he said he wanted to stay in the truck. He said "I just need gas, Hurry!", so he stopped real quick for gas. During the stop we noticed a broken leaf spring, but we decided not to change it and keep on going.Thanks to our call of not stopping in the 2nd lap, Noel had a dust free 3rd lap. When he took off for the 4th and last lap, he had 7 minutes on 2nd place Daniel Iriarte and 9 minutes on 3rd place, Jose Abelardo Grijalba. Grijalba is the class 7s points leader of record. Needless to say he is a very good driver!In the last lap we were all waiting for Noel to tell us the mile he was in and every time he told us we were all cheering for him. He had to slow down a little because of the broken leaf spring, but finally he came in to the finish line in FIRST PLACE! Just a few seconds directly behind Noel was Grijalba, who had made an extremely fast 4th and last lap. We had to wait for the final word from the RECORD officials, and after 2 hours of biting our nails, the lap times were in and Noel had won by 17 seconds! After the race, we asked Noel how he felt and he declared himself fit and ready for the Baja 1000!"
October 22, 2008
Official Race Clock
Bike start 6:30 AM
31 hour time limit
Vehicle Start 10:30 AM
Last Start 1:00 PM
Finish Line Closes at 6 PM
Official Race Mileages
Start Line RM 0, check 1 RM 141, check 2 RM 280, check 3 RM 364, check 4 RM 410, check 5 RM 499, check 6 RM 590 Finish Line RM 634.
Officical Race Checkpoints
Start Ensenada
Check 1 mexicali
Check 2 tres hermanos
Check 3 san felipe
Check 4 tres hermanos
Check 5 san vicente
Check 6 san antonio
Finish Ensenada
Official Baja Racing News.com Race Clock, starts at 6 AM Pacific Time, and 17:00 local time is 11 AM Friday, 27:00 is 3:00 AM Saturday.
October 21, 2008
From SCORE Trophy-Truck to M/C Sidecar, 37 U.S. States,15 countries among entries in 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
To be held Nov. 19-23 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
319 entries from across the world, November’s 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. From Connecticut to Florida and Alaska to Hawaii in the U.S. and from Japan to Australia and England to New Zealand. The Baja 1000 2008, from 37 U.S. States and 15 countries. With over 350 entries expected to enter in 28 Pro and 7 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, the greatest spectacle of desert racing in the world will be held Nov. 19-23 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Completing its 35th year the event is the finale of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series. While a majority of the international entries are motorcycles and ATVs, non-US entries appear in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division along with the unlimited Class 1 and most of the car and truck classes as well. From SCORE Trophy-Truck, where there are entries from Mexico and Canada along with the U.S., there is also an international entry in the special Sportsman Sidecar motorcycle class with an international rally team with riders from Switzerland and Italy.
With entries accepted up until the start of the race (Friday, Nov. 21), among the 319 vehicles entered to date are racers from five continents. In addition to the United States and host country Mexico, entries so far have come from Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland. “Not only does this race continue to attract the world’s best desert racers year after year, it also attracts adventurers and crossover racers from every corner of the globe,” said Sal Fish, SCORE President/CEO who has been part of the organization since soon after it was founded in 1973.
“The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 is truly everyman’s race and we have ‘Joe the plumbers’ from all over the U.S. and the world. It is a privilege for SCORE to be able to produce an event that is so carved into the culture of international motorsports.” The race will start for the 34th time and finish for the 19th time in Ensenada. The motorcycle and ATV classes will start their journey at 6:30 a.m. (Friday, Nov. 21) with the car and truck classes starting at approximately 10:30 a.m., or three hours after the last ATV leaves the line. Vehicles will leave in 30-second intervals in the elapsed-time race and while the fastest finishers are expected to complete the course in approximately 14 hours. All vehicles will have a 31-hour time limit to become official finishers in the legendary adventure.
The race will start and finish on Boulevard Costero along the picturesque Bahia de Todos Santos in front of the historical Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada. While the U.S. will represent well over half the field, Mexico will be second with as many as 75 drivers/riders of record. Among the top Mexican nationals racing in the event are SCORE Desert Series regulars in the car and truck classes: Gus Vildosola Jr. and Francisco Cervantes in SCORE Trophy-Truck, Luis Ramirez Jr. and Lobsam Yee in the unlimited Class 1, Ernie Negrete, Mario Reynoso, Carlos Iribe, Ernesto Arambula, Jose Montoya and Marcos Nunez in Class 5/1600, Jose Canchola Jr. (Class 7), Juan C. Lopez and Andrea Tomba (Class 8) and Eric Solorzano (Class 11). Leading the Mexican contingent entered to date in Motorcycle and ATV classes are Gabriel Williams (Class 22), Marco Bernaldez and Edy Garcia (Class 21) and Javier Robles (Class 25). Canada is also among the countries with the most entries, including its first two entries ever in the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division. Jeff Smith (No. 92) and Lloyd Sproule (No. 78) will both make their SCORE debut in this race.
Among several entries from Australia is the Class 1 team led by Brian Robinson while Germany has two drivers in Class 1 who are SCORE regulars-Armin Schwarz and Armin Kremer. Switzerland and Italy have entered an international rally team of Sandro Lanaro and Ruedi Howald. Japan will also have several entries in sportsman motorcycle over 250cc including Tomoki Hayashi and Yuji Kikuchi. Leading several sportsman motorcycle entries from Israel will be Yoram Lavee, a prominent racer including supermoto, who has entered solo in the SPT M/C under 250cc class. With crowds of Mexican Nationals spread out along the rugged course that travels through the Pine Forest to near Mexicali, down Laguna Salada to San Felipe and back to the Pacific Coast through Santo Tomas covering much of the northern half of the majestic Baja California peninsula.
Pre-race festivities on Thursday, Nov. 20, for the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, including the vastly popular tech and contingency of all vehicles and the SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Boulevard Costero in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. The pre-race mandatory driver/rider briefing will be held Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral Room at the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. Racer and media registration will be held at the San Nicolas Resort Hotel from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20. The post-race Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Survivor’s Celebration will be held poolside at the San Nicolas Resort Hotel at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23. The car and truck classes with the most entries to date are SCORE Trophy-Truck (30), Class 1 (28), Class 5/1600 (15), SCORE Lite (14 each) along Class 1-2/1600, Class 10 and Baja Challenge Class (with 13 each). Among the motorcycle and ATV classes, Class 22 has the most entries to date with 15, followed by Class 30 with 11. Leading the seven Sportsman classes in the race to date is Sportsman Motorcycle over 250cc with 35 entries and Sportsman Motorcycle under 250cc with 15 entries. Pre-running on the 634-mile loop course will officially begin on Saturday, Nov. 1. Pre-running will be allowed only from Ojos Negros and back. One way pre-running from the start to Ojos Negros will be allowed only on Wednesday and Thursday of race week (Nov. 19 and 20).
This year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race will be televised on a delayed basis as a one-hour NBC Sports special for the fifth consecutive year, scheduled to air at 1 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, Dec. 14 on the NBC Television Network. It will also air on a delayed basis outside of the U.S. on ESPN International. The 2008 SCORE Desert Series also includes the chase for the $20,000 Volkswagen of America Point Leader Bonus and the run for the Toyota Milestone Awards for car and truck racers who complete every required mile of the season. The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 also features the $5,000 Volkswagen bonus to the highest finishing Volkwagen-powered vehicle in the race. Among the other special awards at the event will be the Sal Fish SCORE IronRider award presented to all declared motorcycle and ATV riders who are official finishers of the race while riding solo. To date, 16 total motorcycle (14) and ATV (2) riders have declared their attempt to run the race solo to try and earn a Sal Fish SCORE IronRider award. ###
October 17, 2008 Baja 1000 Update
Your rig is broken, you've somehow broken a bone(s) and you feel as though you are moments away from going into shock. Like you are going to pass out and maybe never wake up.
This is when your medical emergency preparedness will make the difference between life and death.
Firstly, an automatic satellite service notifying of your crash would be the best of all worlds. A number of such services are available. Many can't afford such services and many more don't even know about the services because the sanctioning bodies of racing may not promote the service. Contact us Baja Racing News.com at safari2002@cox.net for more information.
Secondly, you must know your teams communications capabilities and be able to rely on them. They must know how to relay the situation to Weatherman, BFG relay, SCORE Ops (Operations) and onto SCORE Medical (Emergency Medical Services).
Thirdly, you have minutes to communicate to someone of your situation. With 75% of all emergency calls coming in from the Weatherman radio net, you have loaded the Weathermans frequency in your radio, you better know Weathermans frequency and you should ensure your radio can do the job to reach Bob and know how that radio net works.
Fourth, lets say you can't reach Weatherman. Your next best shot for help is via the BFG radio relay, get their frequency have it loaded and know how their radio net works.
Fifth, lets say the first four don't work. You must now reach the nearest SCORE checkpoint or Pit Service. You must know where you are and your nearest possible radio relay for help. You must have preloaded all of these frequencies into your radio and have the ability to reach one of them from your location. Ultimately, word must get to SCORE Medical so that they can dispatch assistance to you.
Sixth, this is a long shot, but at times, it works. Preload local emergency frequencies, Red Cross, Federal Highway Police, etc. This network may be your only shot to communicate your situation.
Seventh, you may be forced to relay your situation to a passing racer. Try to communicate this info in writing.
Finally, you should have onboard your rig, emergency gear appropriate for your venture and know how to use them.
At this point we want to salute Rod and the great team at MotorsportsMedical.com and their dedication to the sport of off road and their work for SCORE International for the Baja 1000 this November.
See http://www.motorsportsmedical.com/
or call 1-702-277-1007.
Please contact them to prepare yourself for your adventure in the Baja 1000.
Good Luck Teams and God Bless all the medical emergency people for this years race.
Gary Newsome
Baja Racing News.com
October 12 UPDATE!
Canyon El Parral AKA Azufre
Cañada el Parral is the topo name... SCORE coined the term 'Azufre Wash' because the east end is very near the sulfur mine (sulfur = azufre). Talk has been within the Baja racing crew that teams ran pits up in Azufre. Only 60 or so miles into the course. Clutch adjustments are the main requests for repair. Azufre wash has some really deep sand and as narrow as it is there are not multiple lines like Matomi. It isn't steep, but it's up hill the entire way too.
October 11
Starting Pull Results:
PRO CARS & TRUCKS SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK (30)
12 Brian Collins, 7 Scott Steinberger, 35 Robbie Pierce, 97 B.J. Baldwin, 8 Roger Norman, 33 Chad Ragland, 39 Ron Whitton, 1 Mark Post, 71 Rick D. Johnson, 16 Cameron Steele, 47 James Bult, 92 Jeff Smith, 13 Ed Stout, 81 Mark Miller, 2 Pete Sohren, 84 Nick Vanderwey, 28 Alan Pflueger, 4 Gus Vildosola, Jr., 38 Garron Cadiente, 50 Jason McNeil, 72 Kash Vessels, 51 Kory Scheeler, 20 Justin Lofton, 54 Jesse James, 69 Francisco Cervantes, 96 Bobby Baldwin, 22 Damen Jefferies, 77 Robby Gordon, 34 Dan Friedkin, 78 Lloyd Sproule.
CLASE 1 (27)
101 Chuck Dempsey, 102 B.J. Richardson, 103 Rob Bruce, 104 Eric Chase, 105 Dale Ebberts, 106 Brian Parkhouse, 107 Armin Schwarz, 108 Pat Dean, 109 Luis Ramirez Jr., 110 Todd Welling, 111 Charles Rudolph, 112 Josh Rigsby, 113 Brian Robinson, 114 Mike Voyles, 115 Steve Raskett, 116 Mike Walser, 117 Ron Brant, 118 Harley Letner, 119 Armin Kremer, 120 Jay Manning, 121 Lobsam Yee, 122 Ronny Wilson, 123 Brendan Gaughan, 124 Randy Wilson, 125 Dale Lenk, 126 Lee Patton, 127 Mark Weyhrich.
CLASE 1-2/1600 (12)
1601 Adam Pfankuch, 1602 Chris Langmayer, 1603 Edgar Alvarez Jr., 1604 Eliseo Garcia, 1605 Cody Robinson, 1606 Arturo Velazco, 1607 Scott Graham, 1608 Brent Parkhouse, 1600 David Caspino, 1610 Manuel Cruz1, 1648 Cory Boyer, 1649 Josue Delgado.
CLASE 3 (4)
301Gale Pike, 300 Donald Moss, 303 Darren Skilton, 349 Scott Wooden.
CLASE 5 (3)
501 Kevin Carr, 502 Jim Anderson, 519 Vince Wavra.
CLASE 5/1600 (13)
551 Ernie Negrete, 552 Ruben Gutierrez Jr., 550 Mario Reynoso, 554 Mark Low, 555 Colin Campbell, 556 Alonso Angulo, 557 Tommy Craft, 558 Carlos Iribe, 575 Pedro Athie, 576 Javier Morales, 577 Jose Montoya, 578 Marcos Nunez, 579 Greg Perryman.
CLASE 6 (2)
601 Marc Burnett, 602 Benjamin Wright.
CLASE 7 (4)
701 Scott Ulrich, 702 Chris Taylor, 700 Dan Chamlee, 704 Bandon Walsh.
CLASE 7SX (6)
741 Alberto Iriarte, 742 Heidi Steele, 740 Rich Severson, 757 Jim Hinesley, 758 Billy Bunch, 759 John Holmes.
CLASE 8 (5)
801 Juan C. Lopez, 802 Andrea Tomba, 803 Tom Bradley Sr., 804 Noah Ostanik, 805 Glen Greer.
CLASE 9 (1)
901 Jay Wells.
CLASE 10 (10)
1001 Adam Ashcraft, 1002 Mike Lawrence, 1003 Jesus Gonzalez, 1004 Tim Pangborn, 1005 Brendan Fikes, 1006 Brady Helm, 1007 Mark Hutchins, 1008 Will Higman, 1009 Lonny Hart, 1049 John Hsu.
SCORE LITE (13)
1201 Jake Jones, 1202 Steve Mamer, 1203 Perry McNeil, 1204 David Callaway, 1205 Matt Drever, 1206 Luis Barragan, 1207 Lee Banning, 1208 Gary Johnson, 1209 Bill Hernquist, 1210 Rick St. John, 1211 Roberto Encinas, 1248 Derek Hill, 1249 Brian Martin.
CLASE 11 (3)
1101 Eric Solorzano, 1102 Jim Graham, 1103 Michael Brown.
STOCK FULL (5)
861 Chad Hall, 862 Kent Kroeker, 863 Josh Hall, 860 John Griffin, 879 Clyde Stacy.
STOCK MINI (3)
760 Rod Hall, 761 Steve Kovach, 779 Gavin Skilton.
PROTRUCK (7)
250 Gary Magness, 260 Nils Castillo, 235 Jason Voss, 277 Jason Horsley, 203 Dave Creagan, 253 Ken Losch, 240 Rob Kittleson.
CLASE 17 (3)
1701 Cliff Cook, 1718 Bryant Layton, 1719 Scott Watkins.
BAJA CHALLENGE (13)
BC 1 Mike Cassling, BC 2 Erik Harp, BC 3 Matt Christensen, BC 4 Barry Ellis, BC 5 John McInnis, BC 6 Bill Weber, BC 7 Charles Ferguson, BC 8 Tim Dollander, BC 9 Jay Culbertson, BC 10 Mike Dillard, BC 11 Ron Bauer, BC 12 Victor Avila, BC 20 Chris Kemp.
PRO MOTORCYCLESCLASE 22 (14)
2x Grant Steele3x Cory Evenson4x Jack McCormick5x R. Hank Salyer6x Ryan Penhall7x Mike Childress1x Robby Bell9x Gabriel Williams10x Caleb Gosselaar11x Jimmy Lopez12x Justin Wiberg13x Jesse Sharpe14x Rod Thornton15x Norman Thornhill III
CLASE 21 (4)101x Marco Bernaldez, 102x Jon Kolbensvik, 103x Francisco Arredondo, 104x Edy Garcia.
CLASE 20 (5)151x Larry Perkins, 152x Tony Rutter, 153x Chad Black, 168x Mario Acosta, 169x Anna Cody.
CLASE 30 (11)301x Rodak Burkat, 302x Mordechay Eldar, 303x Lloyd Andrew, 304x Carlos Chavez, 305x Scott Myers, 306x Rolf Helland, 300x Jim O’Neal, 308x Chris Parker, 309x Mike Johnson, 310x Larry Gross, 311x Rob Swan.
CLASE 40 (7)401x Stuart Goggins, 402x Darren Griffiths, 403x Steve Corrie, 404x Mike Prunty, 405x Michael Korenwinder, 406x Brian Campbell, 400x Brett Helm.
CLASE 50 (6)501x Ben van Ziltveld, 502x Kenny Hayden, 503x Gary Barr, 504x Charles Wallace, 548x Chris Haines, 500x Jim O’Neal.
CLASE 60 (2)618x Richard Jackson, 600x Donald E. Lewis.
PRO ATVSCLASE 25 (7)2a Greg Row, 3a Jason Greenhaw, 1a Danny Prather, 5a Stefano Caputo, 6a Javier Robles, 7a Reid Rutherford, 8a Wayne Matlock.
CLASE 24 (5)101a Craig Christy, 102a Shawn Robins, 103a Tom Wright II, 104a Benjamin Lopez Jr., 105a Abraham Romero.
SPORTSMANSPT CAR (5)1400 Peter Lang, 1401 Jerry Smith, 1402 Shaun Dunbar, 1403 George Jackson, 1419 Jose Quintero.
SPT TRUCK (3)1501 Mike Long, 1500 Keith Growe, 1503 Bob Land.
SPT UTV (4)1801 John Crowley, 1802 Sergio Castillo, 1800 Thomas Graves, 1819 Mark Lindsay.
SPT SIDECAR (1)1SC Lanaro Sandro.
SPT M/C 250< (16)201xTravis Armitage, 202x Mark Springer, 203x Bernard Caradec, 204x Matt Ladendorf, 205x Scott Anderson, 206x Jesus Rios, 207x Seppo Saarinen, 208x Greg Willitts, 209x Anthony Nicodemo, 210x Yuval Sharon, 211x Tim Pritchard, 212x Fred Sobke, 213x Ronnie Wilson, 214x Jason Lulis, 215x Sol Saltzman, 249x Yoram Lavee.
SPT M/C 250> (32)251x Randy Roy, 252x Stephan Duchaine, 253x John Crowley, 254x Erik Litzenberg, 255x Tomoki Hayashi, 256x Jeff Moore, 257x Adrian Lovelace, 258x Michael Ott-Eulberg, 259x Jay Wilgus, 260x Mike Kaplan, 261x Jeff Leonard, 262x Ray Grupp, 263x Mark Lucke, 264x Jeff Martin, 265x Bill Gilbert, 266x Adam McCamish, 267x Jack Pflueger, 268x Jeff Chapman, 269x Andrew Vela, 270x Vernon Smith, 271x Gary Gonzales, 272x Carlos Becerril, 273x Luis Napoles, 274x Duncan Ragsdale, 275x Matt DeVall, 276x Craig Anstine, 277x Greg Matherly, 278x Yvan Perroud, 279x Davy Patterson, 280x Andy Padulo, 281x Graham Wilson, 282x Robbie McAlerney.
SPT ATV (10)51a Martin O’Leary, 52a Marco Geraldo, 53a Josh Hogan, 54a Joselito Muro, 55a Mario Yorba, 56a Roberto Ruiz, 57a Warren Lovelace, 58a Ken Lehmann, 98a Gustavo Ameca, 99a Mike Penland.
###
October 7
Check out the La Rumorosa Vids Posted Below!
October 3
Baja 1000 2008 Map Out
CLICK HERE FOR FIRST VERSION OF MAP
Baja 1000 2008 Map Out!
October 2 UPDATE!
Desert racers whine about the La Rumarosa Grade
Cammy Steele shakes in his boots: "I rode the Rumarosa Grade yesterday.....Riding up to the edge is one of the heaviest feelings I have had in a long time......4-5000 vertical dropTo say that TT's are going to have to three point turn is an understatement". Sorry Cammy, it's far from a 4-5000 ft vert drop. It's merely the biggest grade in Baja. Make sure you wear your "Depends".
Another whiner: "Wow that is I big hill to fall off of. I mean with gravity accelerating you at 9.8 meters per second per second up to whatever terminal velocity of a 6000lb T-truck turns out to be, a driver and co driver would have a solid 25 seconds to think about what just happened… I am just saying". Seriously, take a college class, get some learnin'.
Another whiner: " When PAB and Ox come back shaking thier heads and say that is "F'n NARLY!" then you know it is rough. Pictures don't do it justice. It is real easy to get vertico just stopping and looking out.The biggest problem people are going to have is to keep an eye on the road as the scene around them is very distracting.The bikes are going to have to be extra careful as there are alot of rocks in the road that can toss you off course, and there is little room for error."
Guys, its desert racing, get a grip.
Leave it to Tim to make it clear: "Picture this - To the West it's 85 miles to reach sea level. To the East you have 2 miles to reach almost sea level."
Baja Racing News Tip: The Pro bikes have an even gnarlier "line" down the grade. To the south of the switchbacks is the gas pipeline "chute," a straight-down screamer that is not for the faint-hearted. It will cut off 4-5 minutes from the switchbacks but is definitely "bikes only" and do-able by many riders. If Sal will announce whether that is a bike "either/or" before race day it will avoid alot of drama.
You can see the 'gas pipe route' traced with waypoints (image below) and the switchbacks of the 'ol road. I see it hard to use that for a race due safety issues, I don't think the gas company who owns the pipeline, would give permission to use that road. Although other racing organizations have had use sections of the gas pipe line on their courses. SCORE must clarify those "either/or's" before the prerun. On the 500 I found out that the wash at the bottom of the Summit that was legal all the way to coabuzo junction
Baja 250 Baja Crime Story Comes Out
"Just talked with a friend yesterday, he and his brother are new to offroad they were at the Baja 250 this year. After the race they went into their hotel room to grab their bags and 30 sec later 20 ft away, their truck was gone. A gated hotel, with a guard to open the gate no body saw anything. The team they were with has great mexican ties after 20 min investigation it was confirmed the police had taken his truck . Then it was strongly suggested (the police said) that they just go home. So F@#K mexico and their bs".
October 1, 2008 UPDATE
Official Pre-Running Begins November 1, 2008
SCORE International, founded in 1973 by the late Mickey Thompson and headed by Sal Fish since 1974. SCORE races feature 17 Pro and three Sportsman classes for cars and trucks in the U.S. with 10 additional Pro and three more Sportsman classes for motorcycles and ATVs competing in the races in Mexico. SCORE races in the U.S. average nearly 200 entries while the average in Mexico, with motorcycle and ATV classes running as well as the cars and trucks is over 300. Pre-running on the approximately 635-mile loop course that will start and finish in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada will officially begin on Saturday, Nov. 1. The 2008 SCORE Desert Series also includes the chase for the $20,000 Volkswagen of America Point Leader Bonus and the run for the Toyota Milestone Awards for car and truck racers who complete every required mile of the season. The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 also features the $5,000 Volkswagen bonus to the highest finishing Volkwagen-powered vehicle in the race. Among the other special awards at the event will be the Sal Fish IronRider award presented to all declared motorcycle and ATV riders who are official finishers of the race while riding solo. ###
October 7
Check out the La Rumorosa Vids Posted Below!
October 3
Baja 1000 2008 Map Out
CLICK HERE FOR FIRST VERSION OF MAP
Baja 1000 2008 Map Out!
October 2 UPDATE!
Desert racers whine about the La Rumarosa Grade
Cammy Steele shakes in his boots: "I rode the Rumarosa Grade yesterday.....Riding up to the edge is one of the heaviest feelings I have had in a long time......4-5000 vertical dropTo say that TT's are going to have to three point turn is an understatement". Sorry Cammy, it's far from a 4-5000 ft vert drop. It's merely the biggest grade in Baja. Make sure you wear your "Depends".
Another whiner: "Wow that is I big hill to fall off of. I mean with gravity accelerating you at 9.8 meters per second per second up to whatever terminal velocity of a 6000lb T-truck turns out to be, a driver and co driver would have a solid 25 seconds to think about what just happened… I am just saying". Seriously, take a college class, get some learnin'.
Another whiner: " When PAB and Ox come back shaking thier heads and say that is "F'n NARLY!" then you know it is rough. Pictures don't do it justice. It is real easy to get vertico just stopping and looking out.The biggest problem people are going to have is to keep an eye on the road as the scene around them is very distracting.The bikes are going to have to be extra careful as there are alot of rocks in the road that can toss you off course, and there is little room for error."
Guys, its desert racing, get a grip.
Leave it to Tim to make it clear: "Picture this - To the West it's 85 miles to reach sea level. To the East you have 2 miles to reach almost sea level."
Baja Racing News Tip: The Pro bikes have an even gnarlier "line" down the grade. To the south of the switchbacks is the gas pipeline "chute," a straight-down screamer that is not for the faint-hearted. It will cut off 4-5 minutes from the switchbacks but is definitely "bikes only" and do-able by many riders. If Sal will announce whether that is a bike "either/or" before race day it will avoid alot of drama.
You can see the 'gas pipe route' traced with waypoints (image below) and the switchbacks of the 'ol road. I see it hard to use that for a race due safety issues, I don't think the gas company who owns the pipeline, would give permission to use that road. Although other racing organizations have had use sections of the gas pipe line on their courses. SCORE must clarify those "either/or's" before the prerun. On the 500 I found out that the wash at the bottom of the Summit that was legal all the way to coabuzo junction
Baja 250 Baja Crime Story Comes Out
"Just talked with a friend yesterday, he and his brother are new to offroad they were at the Baja 250 this year. After the race they went into their hotel room to grab their bags and 30 sec later 20 ft away, their truck was gone. A gated hotel, with a guard to open the gate no body saw anything. The team they were with has great mexican ties after 20 min investigation it was confirmed the police had taken his truck . Then it was strongly suggested (the police said) that they just go home. So F@#K mexico and their bs".
October 1, 2008 UPDATE
Official Pre-Running Begins November 1, 2008
SCORE International, founded in 1973 by the late Mickey Thompson and headed by Sal Fish since 1974. SCORE races feature 17 Pro and three Sportsman classes for cars and trucks in the U.S. with 10 additional Pro and three more Sportsman classes for motorcycles and ATVs competing in the races in Mexico. SCORE races in the U.S. average nearly 200 entries while the average in Mexico, with motorcycle and ATV classes running as well as the cars and trucks is over 300. Pre-running on the approximately 635-mile loop course that will start and finish in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada will officially begin on Saturday, Nov. 1. The 2008 SCORE Desert Series also includes the chase for the $20,000 Volkswagen of America Point Leader Bonus and the run for the Toyota Milestone Awards for car and truck racers who complete every required mile of the season. The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 also features the $5,000 Volkswagen bonus to the highest finishing Volkwagen-powered vehicle in the race. Among the other special awards at the event will be the Sal Fish IronRider award presented to all declared motorcycle and ATV riders who are official finishers of the race while riding solo. ###
Aussies Baja Mexico Baja 1000 seeking Baja Glory and Parties
While the elite of Australia’s Off Road Racers will be taking a well earned rest in preparation for the upcoming 2009 season, there is still one thing left on the calendar for one of Australia’s well known racing families.
The Robinsons from West Australia, are preparing to compete in the 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the worlds toughest desert race.
For 41 years, adventurers from every corner of the globe have been making the journey to Mexico, to take on the challenge of the world’s most gruelling race.
Beginning on Friday 21st of November 2008, competitors will spend the next 24 hours(or more) battling the environment and terrain to make the trek south from Ensenada towards the bottom of Mexico and back up in a gruelling 1000 mile loop back to Ensenada.
Brian, Beau and Travis Robinson will share the driving duties in the newly acquired ex-Wilson Jimco, they will have the help and expertise of Jimco’s Mike and Matt Julson preparing the car and pitting most of the 7 fuel stops aswell as Wilson Motorsport and BFGoodrich Tyres.
The Baja presents new challenges, far beyond those of just the driver and the car, but a test of man. The race is run on everything from paved roads to sand to terrain covered in jagged rocks.
“Baja is something that we have always followed and wanted to try, and fortunately thanks to the guys at Jimco, the Wilson boys and BFGoodrich Tyres, we can go over there and compete,” said Beau Robinson.
“We have no real idea of what to expect, but one thing we do know is that the logistical challenges are enormous, not just for us but for all competitors. Aswell as the fact that we have to watch ourselves in Mexico as it is a dangerous place to be at the moment……but I guess that’s all part of the fun.”
The Robinsons will be in Baja a week and half before the start and will pre-run for 5 or 6 days to get an idea of the course, they will then head back across the border to carry out all the fianl preparation on the Jimco and to pack the chase trucks.
“We have 8 very generous crew that will be helping us out for the 1000, they will be split into 2 trucks and will follow us along the course. On top of this we will be stopping at 6 or 7 pits to refuel, swap drivers, get fresh tyres, put light bars on etc etc. Jimco, will be pitting us for the majority of these and the rest will be with the BFGoodrich guys and their pit program.” Explained Brian.
“It is like nothing that we have in Australia, the fact that we have to do 1000 miles without stopping is phenomenal, we have a huge amount of spare parts organised, not only in the trucks but actually in the racecar itself. The Jimco will have everything from alternators, steering arms, axles, CVs, spare ECU, coil packs etc etc the list is endless. Its all part of our plan to go over there and finish.”
“We have drawn a good starting position in the middle of the class 1 pack at number 13, not only will we have the 12 class 1 vehicles in front of us but we will also have to contend with the 30 Trophy Trucks in front aswell.” Stated Beau
“We plan on having as much fun as we can while we are over there,” said Trav “Hopefully we can show those Americans how to Party”.
The Robinsons will have had plenty of practice come the start as they have entered 3 cars in the Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash which they will compete in the weekend before they leave for America.
For more information on the Baja 1000 visit the following sites, all of these sites will also have live updates. Look out for car 113.
The Robinsons from West Australia, are preparing to compete in the 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the worlds toughest desert race.
For 41 years, adventurers from every corner of the globe have been making the journey to Mexico, to take on the challenge of the world’s most gruelling race.
Beginning on Friday 21st of November 2008, competitors will spend the next 24 hours(or more) battling the environment and terrain to make the trek south from Ensenada towards the bottom of Mexico and back up in a gruelling 1000 mile loop back to Ensenada.
Brian, Beau and Travis Robinson will share the driving duties in the newly acquired ex-Wilson Jimco, they will have the help and expertise of Jimco’s Mike and Matt Julson preparing the car and pitting most of the 7 fuel stops aswell as Wilson Motorsport and BFGoodrich Tyres.
The Baja presents new challenges, far beyond those of just the driver and the car, but a test of man. The race is run on everything from paved roads to sand to terrain covered in jagged rocks.
“Baja is something that we have always followed and wanted to try, and fortunately thanks to the guys at Jimco, the Wilson boys and BFGoodrich Tyres, we can go over there and compete,” said Beau Robinson.
“We have no real idea of what to expect, but one thing we do know is that the logistical challenges are enormous, not just for us but for all competitors. Aswell as the fact that we have to watch ourselves in Mexico as it is a dangerous place to be at the moment……but I guess that’s all part of the fun.”
The Robinsons will be in Baja a week and half before the start and will pre-run for 5 or 6 days to get an idea of the course, they will then head back across the border to carry out all the fianl preparation on the Jimco and to pack the chase trucks.
“We have 8 very generous crew that will be helping us out for the 1000, they will be split into 2 trucks and will follow us along the course. On top of this we will be stopping at 6 or 7 pits to refuel, swap drivers, get fresh tyres, put light bars on etc etc. Jimco, will be pitting us for the majority of these and the rest will be with the BFGoodrich guys and their pit program.” Explained Brian.
“It is like nothing that we have in Australia, the fact that we have to do 1000 miles without stopping is phenomenal, we have a huge amount of spare parts organised, not only in the trucks but actually in the racecar itself. The Jimco will have everything from alternators, steering arms, axles, CVs, spare ECU, coil packs etc etc the list is endless. Its all part of our plan to go over there and finish.”
“We have drawn a good starting position in the middle of the class 1 pack at number 13, not only will we have the 12 class 1 vehicles in front of us but we will also have to contend with the 30 Trophy Trucks in front aswell.” Stated Beau
“We plan on having as much fun as we can while we are over there,” said Trav “Hopefully we can show those Americans how to Party”.
The Robinsons will have had plenty of practice come the start as they have entered 3 cars in the Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash which they will compete in the weekend before they leave for America.
For more information on the Baja 1000 visit the following sites, all of these sites will also have live updates. Look out for car 113.
###
September 19, 2008 UPDATES
For 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
Live SCORE Draw for start positions set for Sat., Oct. 11
At newest Off Road Warehouse facility in Temecula, Calif.
Off-Road vendors, SCORE desert racing vehicle displays,Refreshments all part of Noon to 5 p.m. free public event
LOS ANGELES—As a prelude to November’s 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race, SCORE International has announced that a LIVE drawing for starting positions will be held during an open-house on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the newest Off Road Warehouse facility in Temecula, Calif.
With over 300 entries expected from 30 U.S. States and a dozen countries to compete in 27 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, the granddaddy of all desert races will be held Nov. 19-23 in Ensenada, Mexico. Completing its 35th year as the World’s foremost desert racing sanctioning body, the event is the finale of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series.
The SCORE Baja 1000 day at the Off Road Warehouse in Temecula will run from Noon until 5 p.m. and the actual live drawing will be held for start positions, by class, at 2 p.m.
Open to the public at no charge the special day at the store, located at 26901 Jefferson Avenue (just north of the Winchester exit on I-15), will include refreshments, a vendor’s village, along with appearances by several of the top SCORE desert racers and numerous SCORE desert racing vehicles on display. There will also be special showings of SCORE Baja official race DVDs.
“We are grateful and excited about this offer to have a live drawing for our flagship event at Randy Weisser’s newest Off Road Warehouse,” said Sal Fish, the legendary desert racing pioneer who has been part of SCORE since soon after it was founded in 1973. “ORW is a very strong supporter of SCORE desert racers and Randy and his team have been around desert racing as long as I have.”
“It’s always enjoyable to get together with racers and crews when the atmosphere is more relaxed than at a race. Our sport raises the intensity level very high so it’s great to get together when we can relax and tell some of our unique desert racing stories.”
The new 6,000-square foot ORW Temecula store is the fifth outlet of the popular group in San Diego County. Off Road Warehouse, headquartered in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego has been a racer’s favorite since 1972 and the Temecula store will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 27. With over 1 million items to choose from, ORW outlets present over 600 product lines in their colorful showrooms.
Leading the group of racers and vehicles on display B.J. Baldwin, Andy McMillin as well as the All German Motorsports’ BMW-powered Jimco open-wheel desert race car that races in the unlimited Class 1 in the SCORE Desert Series.
Currently second in 2008 SCORE Class 1 point standings, Martin Christensen, of Escondido, Calif., the team’s second driver, will be part of the festivities on Oct. 11. Driver of record for the team this year is Germany’s Armin Schwarz, a veteran World Rally Championship series driver. The team has won their class this year both in March’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 and the recent SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300.
Baldwin, of Las Vegas, was the 2006 SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion and is the current SCORE Trophy-Truck point leader in the No. 97 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado.
Part of the legendary McMillin Motorsports team of San Diego, Andy McMillin, a third-generation desert racer, was the 2006 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 overall winner with Robby Gordon. McMillin drives the No. 31 McMillin Motorsports Chevy CK1500 SCORE Trophy-Truck.
SCORE International, founded in 1973 by the late Mickey Thompson and headed by Sal Fish since 1974, continues today as the premier sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing. SCORE races feature 17 Pro and three Sportsman classes for cars and trucks in the U.S. with 10 additional Pro and three more Sportsman classes for motorcycles and ATVs competing in the races in Mexico. SCORE races in the U.S. average nearly 200 entries while the average in Mexico, with motorcycle and ATV classes running as well as the cars and trucks is over 300.
Pre-running on the approximately 650-mile loop course that will start and finish in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada will officially begin on Saturday, Nov. 1.
The 2008 SCORE Desert Series also includes the chase for the $20,000 Volkswagen of America Point Leader Bonus and the run for the Toyota Milestone Awards for car and truck racers who complete every required mile of the season.
The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 also features the $5,000 Volkswagen bonus to the highest finishing Volkwagen-powered vehicle in the race. Among the other special awards at the event will be the Sal Fish IronRider award presented to all declared motorcycle and ATV riders who are official finishers of the race while riding solo. End Release.
###
LOS ANGELES—As a prelude to November’s 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race, SCORE International has announced that a LIVE drawing for starting positions will be held during an open-house on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the newest Off Road Warehouse facility in Temecula, Calif.
With over 300 entries expected from 30 U.S. States and a dozen countries to compete in 27 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, the granddaddy of all desert races will be held Nov. 19-23 in Ensenada, Mexico. Completing its 35th year as the World’s foremost desert racing sanctioning body, the event is the finale of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series.
The SCORE Baja 1000 day at the Off Road Warehouse in Temecula will run from Noon until 5 p.m. and the actual live drawing will be held for start positions, by class, at 2 p.m.
Open to the public at no charge the special day at the store, located at 26901 Jefferson Avenue (just north of the Winchester exit on I-15), will include refreshments, a vendor’s village, along with appearances by several of the top SCORE desert racers and numerous SCORE desert racing vehicles on display. There will also be special showings of SCORE Baja official race DVDs.
“We are grateful and excited about this offer to have a live drawing for our flagship event at Randy Weisser’s newest Off Road Warehouse,” said Sal Fish, the legendary desert racing pioneer who has been part of SCORE since soon after it was founded in 1973. “ORW is a very strong supporter of SCORE desert racers and Randy and his team have been around desert racing as long as I have.”
“It’s always enjoyable to get together with racers and crews when the atmosphere is more relaxed than at a race. Our sport raises the intensity level very high so it’s great to get together when we can relax and tell some of our unique desert racing stories.”
The new 6,000-square foot ORW Temecula store is the fifth outlet of the popular group in San Diego County. Off Road Warehouse, headquartered in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego has been a racer’s favorite since 1972 and the Temecula store will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 27. With over 1 million items to choose from, ORW outlets present over 600 product lines in their colorful showrooms.
Leading the group of racers and vehicles on display B.J. Baldwin, Andy McMillin as well as the All German Motorsports’ BMW-powered Jimco open-wheel desert race car that races in the unlimited Class 1 in the SCORE Desert Series.
Currently second in 2008 SCORE Class 1 point standings, Martin Christensen, of Escondido, Calif., the team’s second driver, will be part of the festivities on Oct. 11. Driver of record for the team this year is Germany’s Armin Schwarz, a veteran World Rally Championship series driver. The team has won their class this year both in March’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 and the recent SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300.
Baldwin, of Las Vegas, was the 2006 SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion and is the current SCORE Trophy-Truck point leader in the No. 97 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado.
Part of the legendary McMillin Motorsports team of San Diego, Andy McMillin, a third-generation desert racer, was the 2006 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 overall winner with Robby Gordon. McMillin drives the No. 31 McMillin Motorsports Chevy CK1500 SCORE Trophy-Truck.
SCORE International, founded in 1973 by the late Mickey Thompson and headed by Sal Fish since 1974, continues today as the premier sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing. SCORE races feature 17 Pro and three Sportsman classes for cars and trucks in the U.S. with 10 additional Pro and three more Sportsman classes for motorcycles and ATVs competing in the races in Mexico. SCORE races in the U.S. average nearly 200 entries while the average in Mexico, with motorcycle and ATV classes running as well as the cars and trucks is over 300.
Pre-running on the approximately 650-mile loop course that will start and finish in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada will officially begin on Saturday, Nov. 1.
The 2008 SCORE Desert Series also includes the chase for the $20,000 Volkswagen of America Point Leader Bonus and the run for the Toyota Milestone Awards for car and truck racers who complete every required mile of the season.
The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 also features the $5,000 Volkswagen bonus to the highest finishing Volkwagen-powered vehicle in the race. Among the other special awards at the event will be the Sal Fish IronRider award presented to all declared motorcycle and ATV riders who are official finishers of the race while riding solo. End Release.
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B.J. Baldwin leads SCORE Trophy-Truck
Class 1-2/1600 racer Adam Pfankuch leads class and Overall
2008 SCORE Desert Series points heading to season finale
Richardson, Schwarz/Christensen are top two in unlimited Class 1 points;
LIVE Start Draw for 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 on October 11
LOS ANGELES—While the points have never been tighter all season San Diego county desert racer Adam Pfankuch still leads the Overall and Class 1-2/1600 point standings after four rounds of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series.
The final round of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series will be the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, to be held Nov. 19-22, in Ensenada, Mexico. The LIVE drawing, by class, for the race, will be held Saturday, Oct. 11 and SCORE will be announcing the time and proxy_current_url in the next few days.
Pfankuch, of Carlsbad, Calif., finished third in the season-opener in Laughlin then visited the winner’s circle in the two races in Mexico and was fourth in Primm to compile 288 championship points to date. He drives a Mirage open-wheel desert race car powered by a 1600cc Volkswagen engine.
Closest to Pfankuch, 26, in the hunt for the overall title is unlimited Class 1 point leader B.J. Richardson of Las Vegas, just three points back with 285 points after four races with consistent results.
Following second place finishes in both Laughlin and San Felipe, a 10th in Ensenada and another second in Primm, Richardson, 43, a veteran desert racer, races for the Las Vegas Dissemination Company team in a Chevy-powered Bunderson open-wheel desert race car that is prepped by Valley Performance of Las Vegas.
Las Vegas’ B.J. Baldwin, 29, leads the extremely close point’s race in the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division in the No. 97 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado with 271 points, just 17 behind Richardson.
Pfankuch, who owns Powerbox Transaxles, has been the second driver for two season point championship teams. He was the second driver for the title team in Class 1-2/1600 SCORE points both in 2003 (with Eric Allen) and in 2004 (with Brian Jeffrey). In 2004, the Jeffrey/Pfankuch tandem was also the SCORE Overall Point champions.
In Laughlin, Pfankuch finished third and then drove solo again to win his class in March’s 22nd Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 in his 2005 Mirage-VW. In the 40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, May 31-June 1 in Ensenada, Mexico, Pfankuch also raced in Class 1 and helping him win Class 1-2/1600 by splitting the driving duties was Steven Eugenio, El Centro, Calif. Pfankuch drove solo at the 13th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300, overcoming various mechanical issues to finish four in class to keep his overall and class point leads.
Baldwin, 29, was the the 2006 SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion, and this year was second in Laughlin, seventh in San Felipe and earned his third career SCORE Trophy-Truck race win in Ensenada, but slipped to 10th in Primm to keep his point lead but see margin get smaller in the marquee SCORE racing division for high-tech, 800-horsepower, unlimited production trucks. Baldwin drives solo in the No. 97 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado.
Pfankuch will be doubly busy in Baja this year as he now is also the second driver for the Class 1 All German Motorsports Team’s second entry. Driver of record is Germany’s Armin Kremer. Pfankuch has yet to name his second driver in Class 1-2/1600 for November’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
“We are knocking on the door, but we have the granddaddy of all desert races to conquer before we can take a breath and enjoy what we have done this year in the SCORE Series,” said Pfankuch. “Between my business and opportunities to race in other classes, I’m still trying hard to keep my focus, and now it’s all on the line and I want to win both Class 1-2/1600 for myself and Class 1 for the All German Motorsports team.”
The All German Motorsports team of Germany’s Armin Schwarz and Martin Christensen, of Escondido, Calif., are fourth in overall points and second in Class 1. After pulling off their second Class 1 victory of the season in Primm, the Schwarz/Christensen duo have moved into contention for both the 2008 Class 1 and the SCORE Overall point title with 269 championship points.
Fifth in overall points is Corey Boyer, of Bakersfield, Calif., who is second in the current point standings in Class 1-2/1600 behind Pfankuch with 268 points.
Boyer, 23, is a second-generation desert racer who along with his father Rick and brothers Greg and Chris, have spent much of their lives in the desert. Boyer, who works for the family-owned Asbury Transportation trucking business in Bakersfield, was planning on running select SCORE races this year and decided just three days before Laughlin to go ahead and race and go from there. The result was he brought the Boyer Racing Lothringer-VW to the checkered flag in first place in the two-day 14th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge and top 10 finishes they rest of the way have kept him close to the front in points.
While the top five SCORE Overall point leaders are separated by just 20 points, the second five are separated by just five points and the third five are separated by just six points.
Mexico’s Marcos Nunez, with two class wins this year, leads Class 5/1600 and is sixth in overall points with 257 in a 1600cc VW Baja Bug.
Seventh overall is Class 3 point leader Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., who is undefeated this season with four wins and 255 points in the Moss Brothers Ford Bronco.
With one race win this year and a second in Primm, Las Vegas’ Brian Collins has moved up to eighth overall and second in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division with 254 points in the No. 12 Collins Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram 1500.
Teammates Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, are third in SCORE Trophy-Truck points and ninth overall with 253 points, just one point behind Collins. Post/MacCachren, with a pair of second place finishes this season, are the reigning SCORE Trophy-Truck and SCORE Overall point champions in the No. 1 Riviera Racing Ford F-150. They have 14 career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins between them.
With three class wins this season, Mexico’s Ramon Fernandez leads Class 11 and is 10th overall with 252 points in a stock VW Sedan.
Numbers 11th through 15th in SCORE Overall points are: Chuck Dempsey, Oak Hills, Calif./Mark Levrett, Sparks, Nev. (251 points, HMS-Chevy, 3rd in Class 1), Kevin Carr, San Diego (249, unlimited VW Baja Bug, 1st in Class 5), Robbie Pierce, Santee, Calif. (247, No. 35 MasterCraft Chevy Silverado, 4th in SCORE Trophy-Truck), and tied for 14th with 246 points each are: Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif. (No. 22 Herman Motorsports Chevy Silverado, 5th in SCORE Trophy-Truck) and Luis Ramirez Jr., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (HMS-Chevy, 4th in Class 1).
With motorcycles and ATVs racing in the three SCORE Baja races, the team of Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., lead the overall motorcycle and open Class 22 standings with 168 points after winning both in San Felipe and Ensenada on the factory-supported No. 1x Johnny Campbell Racing Honda CRF450X. Bell/Campbell won in San Felipe and Bell/Norman won in Ensenada.
On top of the ATV classes overall is the Class 24 team of Francisco Servin/Isaac Castro/Rocky Merino, of Chula Vista, Calif., with 73 points on a Honda TRX450R after their San Felipe and Ensenada race wins.
Rod Hall, who has 13 career SCORE class season point titles including three SCORE Overall point championships, leads the Stock Mini class in a Hummer H3 with three class wins this season.
Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., has two class wins this season and was second in Primm and leads Class 7SX in a Ford Ranger.
Besides Steele, the other female racer who is leading a SCORE class so far in 2008 is Anna Cody, Spring Valley, Calif., who leads an all-female motorcycle team in Class 20 with one race win with co-riders Stacy Doerkson, Apple Valley, Calif./Cathy Duncan, Los Alamos, Calif./Sarah Kritch, Bakersfield, Calif., on a Honda CRF250X.
Among the car and truck classes, other point leaders after two races include: Dan Chamlee, Cupertino, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger), Mike Lawrence, Brea, Calif. (Class 10, Lothringer-VW), Steve Mamer, Holtville, Calif. (SCORE Lite, Raceco-VW) and Chad Hall, Reno, Nev. (Stock Full, Hummer H3Alpha). Hall has two class wins this season while Chamlee has one and Lawrence and Mamer are leading their class point standings without a win so far.
Among the other motorcycle classes, three defending season class champions are in first in their respective classes after two of the three SCORE Baja races. After wins in San Felipe, reigning champs leading the class points this year are: Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif. (Class 30, Honda CRF450X and Class 50, Honda CRF450X0, Carlos Casas, Chula Vista, Calif. (Class 21, KTM 450CXF), Brett Helm, Poway, Calif. (Class 40, Honda XR650R) and Donald Lewis, Marlborough, Conn. (Class 60, Honda CRF450X).
Leading Class 25 for open ATVs after winning both races so far this year is the team of Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Marc Spaeth, Warner Springs, Calif. With a different third rider and vehicle each race, they won in Ensenada with Wes Miller, El Cajon, Calif. as the third rider earning the first SCORE race win for the new Honda TRX700XX all-terrain vehicle.
The 2008 SCORE Desert Series also includes the chase for the $20,000 Volkswagen Point Leader Bonus and the run for the Toyota Milestone Awards for car and truck racers who complete every required mile of the season. End Release
2008 SCORE Desert Series points heading to season finale
Richardson, Schwarz/Christensen are top two in unlimited Class 1 points;
LIVE Start Draw for 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 on October 11
LOS ANGELES—While the points have never been tighter all season San Diego county desert racer Adam Pfankuch still leads the Overall and Class 1-2/1600 point standings after four rounds of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series.
The final round of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series will be the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, to be held Nov. 19-22, in Ensenada, Mexico. The LIVE drawing, by class, for the race, will be held Saturday, Oct. 11 and SCORE will be announcing the time and proxy_current_url in the next few days.
Pfankuch, of Carlsbad, Calif., finished third in the season-opener in Laughlin then visited the winner’s circle in the two races in Mexico and was fourth in Primm to compile 288 championship points to date. He drives a Mirage open-wheel desert race car powered by a 1600cc Volkswagen engine.
Closest to Pfankuch, 26, in the hunt for the overall title is unlimited Class 1 point leader B.J. Richardson of Las Vegas, just three points back with 285 points after four races with consistent results.
Following second place finishes in both Laughlin and San Felipe, a 10th in Ensenada and another second in Primm, Richardson, 43, a veteran desert racer, races for the Las Vegas Dissemination Company team in a Chevy-powered Bunderson open-wheel desert race car that is prepped by Valley Performance of Las Vegas.
Las Vegas’ B.J. Baldwin, 29, leads the extremely close point’s race in the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division in the No. 97 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado with 271 points, just 17 behind Richardson.
Pfankuch, who owns Powerbox Transaxles, has been the second driver for two season point championship teams. He was the second driver for the title team in Class 1-2/1600 SCORE points both in 2003 (with Eric Allen) and in 2004 (with Brian Jeffrey). In 2004, the Jeffrey/Pfankuch tandem was also the SCORE Overall Point champions.
In Laughlin, Pfankuch finished third and then drove solo again to win his class in March’s 22nd Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 in his 2005 Mirage-VW. In the 40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500, May 31-June 1 in Ensenada, Mexico, Pfankuch also raced in Class 1 and helping him win Class 1-2/1600 by splitting the driving duties was Steven Eugenio, El Centro, Calif. Pfankuch drove solo at the 13th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300, overcoming various mechanical issues to finish four in class to keep his overall and class point leads.
Baldwin, 29, was the the 2006 SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion, and this year was second in Laughlin, seventh in San Felipe and earned his third career SCORE Trophy-Truck race win in Ensenada, but slipped to 10th in Primm to keep his point lead but see margin get smaller in the marquee SCORE racing division for high-tech, 800-horsepower, unlimited production trucks. Baldwin drives solo in the No. 97 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado.
Pfankuch will be doubly busy in Baja this year as he now is also the second driver for the Class 1 All German Motorsports Team’s second entry. Driver of record is Germany’s Armin Kremer. Pfankuch has yet to name his second driver in Class 1-2/1600 for November’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
“We are knocking on the door, but we have the granddaddy of all desert races to conquer before we can take a breath and enjoy what we have done this year in the SCORE Series,” said Pfankuch. “Between my business and opportunities to race in other classes, I’m still trying hard to keep my focus, and now it’s all on the line and I want to win both Class 1-2/1600 for myself and Class 1 for the All German Motorsports team.”
The All German Motorsports team of Germany’s Armin Schwarz and Martin Christensen, of Escondido, Calif., are fourth in overall points and second in Class 1. After pulling off their second Class 1 victory of the season in Primm, the Schwarz/Christensen duo have moved into contention for both the 2008 Class 1 and the SCORE Overall point title with 269 championship points.
Fifth in overall points is Corey Boyer, of Bakersfield, Calif., who is second in the current point standings in Class 1-2/1600 behind Pfankuch with 268 points.
Boyer, 23, is a second-generation desert racer who along with his father Rick and brothers Greg and Chris, have spent much of their lives in the desert. Boyer, who works for the family-owned Asbury Transportation trucking business in Bakersfield, was planning on running select SCORE races this year and decided just three days before Laughlin to go ahead and race and go from there. The result was he brought the Boyer Racing Lothringer-VW to the checkered flag in first place in the two-day 14th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge and top 10 finishes they rest of the way have kept him close to the front in points.
While the top five SCORE Overall point leaders are separated by just 20 points, the second five are separated by just five points and the third five are separated by just six points.
Mexico’s Marcos Nunez, with two class wins this year, leads Class 5/1600 and is sixth in overall points with 257 in a 1600cc VW Baja Bug.
Seventh overall is Class 3 point leader Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., who is undefeated this season with four wins and 255 points in the Moss Brothers Ford Bronco.
With one race win this year and a second in Primm, Las Vegas’ Brian Collins has moved up to eighth overall and second in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division with 254 points in the No. 12 Collins Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram 1500.
Teammates Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, are third in SCORE Trophy-Truck points and ninth overall with 253 points, just one point behind Collins. Post/MacCachren, with a pair of second place finishes this season, are the reigning SCORE Trophy-Truck and SCORE Overall point champions in the No. 1 Riviera Racing Ford F-150. They have 14 career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins between them.
With three class wins this season, Mexico’s Ramon Fernandez leads Class 11 and is 10th overall with 252 points in a stock VW Sedan.
Numbers 11th through 15th in SCORE Overall points are: Chuck Dempsey, Oak Hills, Calif./Mark Levrett, Sparks, Nev. (251 points, HMS-Chevy, 3rd in Class 1), Kevin Carr, San Diego (249, unlimited VW Baja Bug, 1st in Class 5), Robbie Pierce, Santee, Calif. (247, No. 35 MasterCraft Chevy Silverado, 4th in SCORE Trophy-Truck), and tied for 14th with 246 points each are: Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif. (No. 22 Herman Motorsports Chevy Silverado, 5th in SCORE Trophy-Truck) and Luis Ramirez Jr., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (HMS-Chevy, 4th in Class 1).
With motorcycles and ATVs racing in the three SCORE Baja races, the team of Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., lead the overall motorcycle and open Class 22 standings with 168 points after winning both in San Felipe and Ensenada on the factory-supported No. 1x Johnny Campbell Racing Honda CRF450X. Bell/Campbell won in San Felipe and Bell/Norman won in Ensenada.
On top of the ATV classes overall is the Class 24 team of Francisco Servin/Isaac Castro/Rocky Merino, of Chula Vista, Calif., with 73 points on a Honda TRX450R after their San Felipe and Ensenada race wins.
Rod Hall, who has 13 career SCORE class season point titles including three SCORE Overall point championships, leads the Stock Mini class in a Hummer H3 with three class wins this season.
Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., has two class wins this season and was second in Primm and leads Class 7SX in a Ford Ranger.
Besides Steele, the other female racer who is leading a SCORE class so far in 2008 is Anna Cody, Spring Valley, Calif., who leads an all-female motorcycle team in Class 20 with one race win with co-riders Stacy Doerkson, Apple Valley, Calif./Cathy Duncan, Los Alamos, Calif./Sarah Kritch, Bakersfield, Calif., on a Honda CRF250X.
Among the car and truck classes, other point leaders after two races include: Dan Chamlee, Cupertino, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger), Mike Lawrence, Brea, Calif. (Class 10, Lothringer-VW), Steve Mamer, Holtville, Calif. (SCORE Lite, Raceco-VW) and Chad Hall, Reno, Nev. (Stock Full, Hummer H3Alpha). Hall has two class wins this season while Chamlee has one and Lawrence and Mamer are leading their class point standings without a win so far.
Among the other motorcycle classes, three defending season class champions are in first in their respective classes after two of the three SCORE Baja races. After wins in San Felipe, reigning champs leading the class points this year are: Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif. (Class 30, Honda CRF450X and Class 50, Honda CRF450X0, Carlos Casas, Chula Vista, Calif. (Class 21, KTM 450CXF), Brett Helm, Poway, Calif. (Class 40, Honda XR650R) and Donald Lewis, Marlborough, Conn. (Class 60, Honda CRF450X).
Leading Class 25 for open ATVs after winning both races so far this year is the team of Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Marc Spaeth, Warner Springs, Calif. With a different third rider and vehicle each race, they won in Ensenada with Wes Miller, El Cajon, Calif. as the third rider earning the first SCORE race win for the new Honda TRX700XX all-terrain vehicle.
The 2008 SCORE Desert Series also includes the chase for the $20,000 Volkswagen Point Leader Bonus and the run for the Toyota Milestone Awards for car and truck racers who complete every required mile of the season. End Release
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The famous off-road group Loco Mocos will buy you a TECATE Beer at Papas & Beer! Just say "Loco Mocos" to your server at the Ensenada Papas & Beer and you'll get a beer, bought for you by Loco Mocos, the famous off-road group. Thank Gadget for this very special free beer giveaway. (Good only during the weekend of the 2008 Baja 1000 race)
CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT
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2008 SCORE Desert Series Point Leaders
(Five-race series in U.S. and Mexico. Through 13th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300.
Remaining race: 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000-Ensenada, Mexico, Nov. 19-22)
Top 25 Overall Cars and Trucks
(Five-race series in U.S. and Mexico. Through 13th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300.
Remaining race: 41st Tecate SCORE Baja 1000-Ensenada, Mexico, Nov. 19-22)
Top 25 Overall Cars and Trucks
(Position, Drivers, Vehicle-Engine, Class, Points)
1. Adam Pfankuch,Carlsbad, Calif., Mirage-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 288
2. B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy (Class 1), 285
3. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 271
4. Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW (Class 1), 269
5. Cory Boyer, Bakersfield, Calif., Lothringer-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 268
6. Marcos Nunez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (Class 5/1600), 257
7. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco (Class 3), 255
8. Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 254
9. Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 253
10. Ramon Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Sedan (Class 11), 252
11. Chuck Dempsey, Oak Hills, Calif./Mark Levrett, Sparks, Nev., HMS-Chevy (Class 1), 251
12. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (Class 5), 249
13. Robbie Pierce, Santee, Calif., Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 247
14. Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif., Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 246
14. Luis Ramirez Jr., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, HMS-Chevy (Class 1), 246
16. Roger Norman, Reno, Nev./Larry Roeseler, Irvine, Calif., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 245
16. Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3 (Stock Mini), 245
18. Heidi Steele, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 7SX), 244
19. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 7SX), 236
19. Chad Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3Alpha (Stock Full), 236
21. Dale Ebberts, Wilton, Calif./Brad Etter, Villa Park, Calif., Porter-Chevy (Class 1), 232
22. Steve Mamer, Holtville, Calif., Raceco-VW (SCORE Lite), 231
23. Pat Dean, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy (Class 1), 227
24. Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 7), 222
25. Ernie Negrete, San Diego/Oscar Venagas, Rosarito, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (Class 5/1600), 220
2008 SCORE Desert Series Class Point Leaders
(With Class wins in parenthesis)
Pro Cars and Trucks
(With Class wins in parenthesis)
Pro Cars and Trucks
SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK—1. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (1), 271; 2. Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram 1500 (1), 254; 3. Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 253; 4. Robbie Pierce, Santee, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 247; 5. Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 246; 6. Roger Norman, Reno, Nev., Chevy Silverado (1), 245; 7. Ron Whitton, Mesa, Ariz., Ford F-150, 214; 8. Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado, 195; 9. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., GMC Sierra, 166; 10. Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 156.
CLASS 1—1. B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy, 285; 2. Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW (2), 269; 3. Chuck Dempsey, Oak Hills, Calif./Mark Levrett, Sparks, Nev., HMS-Chevy, 251; 4. Luis Ramirez Jr., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, HMS-Chevy (1), 246; 5. Dale Ebberts, Wilton, Calif./Brad Etter, Villa Park, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 232; 6. Pat Dean, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy (1), 227; 7 Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 211; 8. Dale Lenk, Newport Beach, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 177; 9. Eric Chase, San Diego, Penhall-Chevy, 174; 10. Billy Gasper, Chino Hills, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 132.
CLASS 1-2/1600—1. Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif., Mirage-VW (2), 288; 2. Cory Boyer, Bakersfield, Calif., Lothringer-VW (1) 268; 5. Juan Gallo, San Felipe, Mexico, Curry-VW, 149; 3. Dave Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 211; 4. Hiram Duran, Chula Vista, Calif., Amplified-VW, 201; 6. Arturo Velazco/Able Velazco, Banning, Calif., Porter-VW, 124; 7. Ray Files, Carlsbad, Calif., B&R Buggie-VW, 118.
CLASS 3—1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco (4), 255.
CLASS 5—1. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (3), 249.
CLASS 5/1600—1. Marcos Nunez/Norberto Rivera, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (2), 257; 2. Ernie Negrete, San Ysidro, Calif., VW Baja Bug, 220; 3. Jose Montoya, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (1), 216; 4. Tommy Craft, El Cajon, Calif.,VW Baja Bug, 201; 5. Alonso Angulo, Ensenada, Mexico, 177.
CLASS 7—1. Dan Chamlee, Summerland, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 222; 2. Chris Taylor, El Centro, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 162; 3. A.J. Rodriguez, Orange, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 134.
CLASS 7SX—1. Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Ford Ranger (2) 244; 2. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., Ford Ranger (2), 236.
CLASS 8—1. Noah Ostanik, Encinitas, Calif., Ford F-150 (1), 145; 2. Rodrigo Ampudia Jr./Rodrigo Ampudia Sr., Ensenada, Mexico, Ford F-150 (1), 66.
CLASS 9—1. Daniel Reyes Jr., Calexico, Calif., Venegas-VW (1), 120.
CLASS 10—1. Mike Lawrence, Brea, Calif./Chris Lawrence, Los Alamitos, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 212, 2. Brendan Fikes, Midland, Texas, Porter-Honda, 112; 3. Javier Buelna, Ejido Hechicera, Mexico, Jimco-Chevy, 102; 4. Mark Hutchins/C.J. Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., Kreger-Honda, 100.
SCORE LITE—1. Steve Mamer, Holtville, Calif., Raceco-VW, 231; 2. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif., Duvel-VW (1), 219; 3. Lee Banning, Laveen, Ariz., Foddrill-VW, 214; 4. David Callaway, Menifee, Calif./Scott Mapes, Riverside, Calif., Callaway-VW, 1945. Jake Jones, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Chenowth-VW, 174.
CLASS 11—1. Ramon Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Sedan (3), 252; 2. Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Sedan (1), 156.
STOCK FULL—1. Chad Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3 Alpha (2), 236; 2. Clyde Stacey, Bristol, Va., Dodge Ram2500, 195; 3. John Griffin, Mission Viejo, Calif./Jeremy Spirkoff, El Cajon, Calif., Ford F-350, 188; 4. Kent Kroeker, Valley Center, Calif., Dodge 2500 (1), 148; 5. Josh Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H2SUT (1), 107.
STOCK MINI—1. Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3 (3), 245; 2. Steve Kovach, Tempe, Ariz., Ford Ranger, 154.
PROTRUCK—1. Jason Voss/Rich Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150 (2), 179. 2. Dave Creagan, Woodland, Wash., Chevy Silverado, 87.
Pro Motorcycles
CLASS 22—1. Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X (2), 168; 2.; Ryan Penhall, Corona, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 147, 3. Caleb Gosselaar, Valencia, Calif./Timmy Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 141; 4. Cory Evenson, Ramona, Calif., KTM 525XCW, 137; 5. Nick Saia, Morro Bay, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 134.
CLASS 21—1. Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra, Chula Vista, Calif., KTM 450CXF (2), 153; 2.Bernard Bohrer, Laguna Niguel, Calif./Kurt Samuelson, Corona, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 134; 3. Edy Garcia/Cesar Garcia, Ensenada, Mexico, Yamaha YZ250, 128.
CLASS 20—1. Anna Cody, Spring Valley, Calif./Stacy Doerkson, Apple Valley, Calif./Cathy Duncan, Los Alamos, Calif./Sarah Kritch, Bakersfield, Calif., Honda CRF250X (1), 140; 2. Larry Perkins, Strafford, Mo./Craig Goldsberry, Springfield, Mo./Malcolm Wood, Bolivor, Mo./Gabriel Hinshaw, Olathe, Kansas, Honda CRF250X, 131; 3. Chad Black, Laguna Hills, Calif./Conor Penhall, Corona, Calif., Honda CRF250X (1), 110.
CLASS 30—1. Jim O’Neal/Jimmy O’Neal Jr., Simi Valley, Calif./Jason Trubey, Mohave Valley, Ariz./Scott Glimp, Las Vegas/Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, Honda CRF450X (1), 151; 2. Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Kyle Abney, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda CRF450X, 141; 3. Scott Myers, Sun City, Calif./Shane Esposito, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Steve Garnet, Carson City, Nev./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico/Jeff Sheets, Henderson, Nev., Kawasaki KLX450 (1), 109; 4. Chris Parker, Newport Beach, Calif./Collie Potter, El Cajon, Calif./Tim Bina, Irvine, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 86.
CLASS 40—1. Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Tim Withers, Honolulu, Honda CRF450X (2), 150; 2. Stuart Goggins, Upland, Calif./Jeff Horsley, Goodyear, Ariz./Tim Vasquez, Monrovia, Calif./Scott Horsley, Claremont, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 130; 3. Todd Winslow, Clovis, Calif./Troy Winslow, Elk Grove, Calif./Steve Achey, Clovis, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 79.
CLASS 50—1. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Doug Heil, Monrovia, Calif./Andy Kirker, Santa Ana, Calif./Dan Dawson, Agua Dulce, Calif./Paul Needles, Westlake Village, Calif./Mike Sixberry, Bullhead City, Ariz./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 145; 2. Kenny Hayden, Shadow Hills, Calif./Doug Smith, Upland, Calif./Dave Potts, Burbank, Calif./Bill Boyer, Honda CRF450X, 135; 3. Jamie De La Torre, Tijuana, Mexico/Gilberto Gallardo/Leonel Vallejo/Cesar Parra, San Diego, KTM 530EXC, 125.
CLASS 60—1. Donald Lewis, Marlborough, Conn./Gene Dempsey, Apple Valley, Calif./Sam Dempsey, Lake Balboa, Calif./Bob Gates, Hesperia, Calif./Mike Harper, Landers, Calif., Honda CRF450X (2), 150.
Pro ATVs
CLASS 25—1. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./ Marc Spaeth, Warner Springs, Calif./Wes Miller, El Cajon, Calif., Honda TRX700XX (2), 162; 2. Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Carlsbad, Calif./Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz., Honda TRX450R, 145; 3. Javier Robles, Mexicali, Mexico/Adolfo Arellano, Tijuna, Mexico, Cesar Lopez/Alfonso Cota, Honda TRX450R, 143; 4. Stefano Caputo, San Felipe, Mexico (Italy)/Felipe Velez, San Felipe, Mexico/Jorge Romo, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda TRX450R, 137.
CLASS 24—1. Francisco Servin/Isaac Castro/Rocky Merino, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda TRX450R (2), 167; 2. Javier Beltran, San Ysidro, Calif/Santos Perez, Tijuana, Mexico/Cristian Rojas, San Ysidro, Calif., Kawasaki KX450, 155; 3. Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif./Robin Fawcett, Santee, Calif./Steve Abrego, Covina, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 147.
Sportsman
SPT TRUCK—1. Bob Land, Lake Forest, Calif., Jeep Cherokee (1), 137.
SPT CAR—1. Peter Lang/Terry Cottar, Santa Rosa, Calif., Homebuilt-Chevy, (3), 227.
SPT UTV—1. Mark Lindsay, Polaris RZR (1), 86.
SPT M/C>250cc—1. Jesus Rios, Calexico, Calif/Alfredo Osornio/Alejandro Olguin, Mexicali, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 146.
SPT M/C<250cc—1.>
CLASS 1—1. B.J. Richardson, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy, 285; 2. Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW (2), 269; 3. Chuck Dempsey, Oak Hills, Calif./Mark Levrett, Sparks, Nev., HMS-Chevy, 251; 4. Luis Ramirez Jr., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, HMS-Chevy (1), 246; 5. Dale Ebberts, Wilton, Calif./Brad Etter, Villa Park, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 232; 6. Pat Dean, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy (1), 227; 7 Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 211; 8. Dale Lenk, Newport Beach, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 177; 9. Eric Chase, San Diego, Penhall-Chevy, 174; 10. Billy Gasper, Chino Hills, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 132.
CLASS 1-2/1600—1. Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif., Mirage-VW (2), 288; 2. Cory Boyer, Bakersfield, Calif., Lothringer-VW (1) 268; 5. Juan Gallo, San Felipe, Mexico, Curry-VW, 149; 3. Dave Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 211; 4. Hiram Duran, Chula Vista, Calif., Amplified-VW, 201; 6. Arturo Velazco/Able Velazco, Banning, Calif., Porter-VW, 124; 7. Ray Files, Carlsbad, Calif., B&R Buggie-VW, 118.
CLASS 3—1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco (4), 255.
CLASS 5—1. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (3), 249.
CLASS 5/1600—1. Marcos Nunez/Norberto Rivera, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (2), 257; 2. Ernie Negrete, San Ysidro, Calif., VW Baja Bug, 220; 3. Jose Montoya, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (1), 216; 4. Tommy Craft, El Cajon, Calif.,VW Baja Bug, 201; 5. Alonso Angulo, Ensenada, Mexico, 177.
CLASS 7—1. Dan Chamlee, Summerland, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 222; 2. Chris Taylor, El Centro, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 162; 3. A.J. Rodriguez, Orange, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 134.
CLASS 7SX—1. Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Ford Ranger (2) 244; 2. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., Ford Ranger (2), 236.
CLASS 8—1. Noah Ostanik, Encinitas, Calif., Ford F-150 (1), 145; 2. Rodrigo Ampudia Jr./Rodrigo Ampudia Sr., Ensenada, Mexico, Ford F-150 (1), 66.
CLASS 9—1. Daniel Reyes Jr., Calexico, Calif., Venegas-VW (1), 120.
CLASS 10—1. Mike Lawrence, Brea, Calif./Chris Lawrence, Los Alamitos, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 212, 2. Brendan Fikes, Midland, Texas, Porter-Honda, 112; 3. Javier Buelna, Ejido Hechicera, Mexico, Jimco-Chevy, 102; 4. Mark Hutchins/C.J. Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., Kreger-Honda, 100.
SCORE LITE—1. Steve Mamer, Holtville, Calif., Raceco-VW, 231; 2. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif., Duvel-VW (1), 219; 3. Lee Banning, Laveen, Ariz., Foddrill-VW, 214; 4. David Callaway, Menifee, Calif./Scott Mapes, Riverside, Calif., Callaway-VW, 1945. Jake Jones, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Chenowth-VW, 174.
CLASS 11—1. Ramon Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Sedan (3), 252; 2. Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Sedan (1), 156.
STOCK FULL—1. Chad Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3 Alpha (2), 236; 2. Clyde Stacey, Bristol, Va., Dodge Ram2500, 195; 3. John Griffin, Mission Viejo, Calif./Jeremy Spirkoff, El Cajon, Calif., Ford F-350, 188; 4. Kent Kroeker, Valley Center, Calif., Dodge 2500 (1), 148; 5. Josh Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H2SUT (1), 107.
STOCK MINI—1. Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3 (3), 245; 2. Steve Kovach, Tempe, Ariz., Ford Ranger, 154.
PROTRUCK—1. Jason Voss/Rich Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150 (2), 179. 2. Dave Creagan, Woodland, Wash., Chevy Silverado, 87.
Pro Motorcycles
CLASS 22—1. Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X (2), 168; 2.; Ryan Penhall, Corona, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 147, 3. Caleb Gosselaar, Valencia, Calif./Timmy Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 141; 4. Cory Evenson, Ramona, Calif., KTM 525XCW, 137; 5. Nick Saia, Morro Bay, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 134.
CLASS 21—1. Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra, Chula Vista, Calif., KTM 450CXF (2), 153; 2.Bernard Bohrer, Laguna Niguel, Calif./Kurt Samuelson, Corona, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 134; 3. Edy Garcia/Cesar Garcia, Ensenada, Mexico, Yamaha YZ250, 128.
CLASS 20—1. Anna Cody, Spring Valley, Calif./Stacy Doerkson, Apple Valley, Calif./Cathy Duncan, Los Alamos, Calif./Sarah Kritch, Bakersfield, Calif., Honda CRF250X (1), 140; 2. Larry Perkins, Strafford, Mo./Craig Goldsberry, Springfield, Mo./Malcolm Wood, Bolivor, Mo./Gabriel Hinshaw, Olathe, Kansas, Honda CRF250X, 131; 3. Chad Black, Laguna Hills, Calif./Conor Penhall, Corona, Calif., Honda CRF250X (1), 110.
CLASS 30—1. Jim O’Neal/Jimmy O’Neal Jr., Simi Valley, Calif./Jason Trubey, Mohave Valley, Ariz./Scott Glimp, Las Vegas/Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, Honda CRF450X (1), 151; 2. Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Kyle Abney, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda CRF450X, 141; 3. Scott Myers, Sun City, Calif./Shane Esposito, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Steve Garnet, Carson City, Nev./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico/Jeff Sheets, Henderson, Nev., Kawasaki KLX450 (1), 109; 4. Chris Parker, Newport Beach, Calif./Collie Potter, El Cajon, Calif./Tim Bina, Irvine, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 86.
CLASS 40—1. Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Tim Withers, Honolulu, Honda CRF450X (2), 150; 2. Stuart Goggins, Upland, Calif./Jeff Horsley, Goodyear, Ariz./Tim Vasquez, Monrovia, Calif./Scott Horsley, Claremont, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 130; 3. Todd Winslow, Clovis, Calif./Troy Winslow, Elk Grove, Calif./Steve Achey, Clovis, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 79.
CLASS 50—1. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Doug Heil, Monrovia, Calif./Andy Kirker, Santa Ana, Calif./Dan Dawson, Agua Dulce, Calif./Paul Needles, Westlake Village, Calif./Mike Sixberry, Bullhead City, Ariz./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 145; 2. Kenny Hayden, Shadow Hills, Calif./Doug Smith, Upland, Calif./Dave Potts, Burbank, Calif./Bill Boyer, Honda CRF450X, 135; 3. Jamie De La Torre, Tijuana, Mexico/Gilberto Gallardo/Leonel Vallejo/Cesar Parra, San Diego, KTM 530EXC, 125.
CLASS 60—1. Donald Lewis, Marlborough, Conn./Gene Dempsey, Apple Valley, Calif./Sam Dempsey, Lake Balboa, Calif./Bob Gates, Hesperia, Calif./Mike Harper, Landers, Calif., Honda CRF450X (2), 150.
Pro ATVs
CLASS 25—1. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./ Marc Spaeth, Warner Springs, Calif./Wes Miller, El Cajon, Calif., Honda TRX700XX (2), 162; 2. Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Carlsbad, Calif./Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz., Honda TRX450R, 145; 3. Javier Robles, Mexicali, Mexico/Adolfo Arellano, Tijuna, Mexico, Cesar Lopez/Alfonso Cota, Honda TRX450R, 143; 4. Stefano Caputo, San Felipe, Mexico (Italy)/Felipe Velez, San Felipe, Mexico/Jorge Romo, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda TRX450R, 137.
CLASS 24—1. Francisco Servin/Isaac Castro/Rocky Merino, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda TRX450R (2), 167; 2. Javier Beltran, San Ysidro, Calif/Santos Perez, Tijuana, Mexico/Cristian Rojas, San Ysidro, Calif., Kawasaki KX450, 155; 3. Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif./Robin Fawcett, Santee, Calif./Steve Abrego, Covina, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 147.
Sportsman
SPT TRUCK—1. Bob Land, Lake Forest, Calif., Jeep Cherokee (1), 137.
SPT CAR—1. Peter Lang/Terry Cottar, Santa Rosa, Calif., Homebuilt-Chevy, (3), 227.
SPT UTV—1. Mark Lindsay, Polaris RZR (1), 86.
SPT M/C>250cc—1. Jesus Rios, Calexico, Calif/Alfredo Osornio/Alejandro Olguin, Mexicali, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 146.
SPT M/C<250cc—1.>
2008 SCORE DESERT SERIES
Race-by-Race Class Winners
Race-by-Race Class Winners
14th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge
Laughlin, Nevada • Jan. 26-27, 2008
Total Starters: 141 Total Finishers: 41
Cars & Trucks
TROPHY-TRUCK—Rich Ronco, Peoria, Ariz., Chevy Silverado
CLASS 1—Pat Dean, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy
CLASS 1-2/1600—Cory Boyer, Bakersfield, Calif., Lothringer-VW
CLASS 3—Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco
CLASS 5—Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug
CLASS 5/1600—Enrique Zazueta Jr., La Paz, Mexico, VW Baja Bug
CLASS 7—No Finishers
CLASS 7SX—Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Ford Ranger
CLASS 8—No Finishers
CLASS 10—Chris Harrold, Chula Vista, Calif., AlumiCraft-Honda
SCORE LITE—Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif./Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif. Duvell-VW
CLASS 11—Ramon Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Sedan
STOCK FULL—Chad Hall, Reno, Nev, Hummer H3 Alpha
STOCK MINI—Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3
PROTRUCK—Jason Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150
22nd Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250
San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
March 15, 2008
Total Starters: 263 Total Finishers: 181
Cars & Trucks
TROPHY-TRUCK—Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram 1500
CLASS 1—Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW
CLASS 1-2/1600—Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif., Mirage-VW
CLASS 3—Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif./Ken Moss, Marysville, Calif., Ford Bronco
CLASS 5—Pietro Brassea/Ivan Pacheco, Mexicali, Mexico, VW Baja Bug
CLASS 5/1600—Marcos Nunez/Norberto Rivera, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug
CLASS 7—A.J. Rodriguez, Perris, Calif./Paul Sullivan, Riverside, Calif., Ford Ranger
CLASS 7SX—John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif./Mark Landersman, Temecula, Calif., Ford Ranger
CLASS 8—Rodrigo Ampudia Jr./Rodrigo Ampudia Sr., Ensenada, Mexico, Ford F-150
CLASS 9—No Finishers
CLASS 10—Mark Hutchins/C.J. Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., Kreger-Honda
SCORE LITE—Ricardo Malo/Arturo Honold, Mexicali, Mexico, Curry-VW
CLASS 11—Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Sedan
STOCK FULL—Josh Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H2
STOCK MINI—Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3
PROTRUCK—No Finishers
Motorcycles
CLASS 22—Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X
CLASS 21—Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra, Chula Vista, Calif., KTM 450CXF
CLASS 20—Anna Cody, Spring Valley, Calif./Stacy Doerkson, Apple Valley, Calif./Cathy Duncan, Los Alamos, Calif./Sarah Kritch, Bakersfield, Calif., Honda CRF250X
CLASS 30—Jim O’Neal/Jimmy O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Jason Trubey, Mohave Valley, Ariz./Luke Dodson, Castaic, Calif./Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, Honda CRF450X
CLASS 40—Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Callif./Tim Withers, Honolulu, Honda CRF450X
CLASS 50—Charles Marshall, Carmichael, Calif./Erik McKenna, Loomis, Calif./Dana Reed/Tim Rigg, KTM 530EXC
CLASS 60—Donald Lewis, Marlborough, Conn./Gene Dempsey, Apple Valley, Calif./Sam Dempsey, Lake Balboa, Calif./Bob Gates, Hesperia, Calif./Mike Harper, Landers, Calif./Charles Koistra, Menifee, Calif., Honda CRF450X
ATVs
CLASS 25—Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Harold Goodman Jr., Brownstown, Mich./Marc Spaeth, Warner, Calif., Honda TRX450R
CLASS 24—Francisco Servin/Isaac Castro/Rocky Merino, Chula Vista, Calif., Yamaha WFC450
40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500
Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
May 31-June 1, 2008
Total Starters: 289 Total Finishers: 195
Cars & Trucks
TROPHY-TRUCK—B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado
CLASS 1—Luis Ramirez Jr., Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, HMS-Chevy
CLASS 1-2/1600—Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif./Steven Eugenio, El Centro, Calif., Mirage-VW
CLASS 3—Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco
CLASS 5—Kevin Carr/Perry McNeal, San Diego, VW Baja Bug
CLASS 5/1600—Jose Montoya, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug
CLASS 7—Dan Chamlee, Summerland, Calif., Ford Ranger
CLASS 7SX—Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., Ford Ranger
CLASS 8—Noah Ostanik, Encinitas, Calif., Ford F-150
CLASS 9—Daniel Reyes Jr., Calexico, Calif., Venegas-VW
CLASS 10—Jesus Gonzalez, Ensenada, Mexico, Dunrite-Honda
SCORE LITE—Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif., Duvel-VW
CLASS 11—Ramon Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Sedan
STOCK FULL—Chad Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3Alpha
STOCK MINI—Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., Hummer H3
PROTRUCK—Dave Creagan, Woodland, Wash., Chevy Silverado
Motorcycles
CLASS 22—Robby Bell, Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif., Honda CRF450X
CLASS 20—Chad Black, Laguna Hills, Calif./Connor Penhall, Corona, Calif., Honda CRF250X
CLASS 21—Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra, Chula Vista, Calif., KTM 450CXF
CLASS 30—Scott Myers, Sun City, Calif./Shane Esposito, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Steve Garnet, Carson City, Nev., Kawasaki KLX450
CLASS 40—Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif., Honda CRF450X
CLASS 50—Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, Calif./Doug Heil, Monrovia, Calif./Andy Kirker, Santa Ana, Calif., Honda CRF450X
CLASS 60—Donald Lewis, Marlborough, Conn./Gene Dempsey, Apple Valley, Calif./Sam Dempsey, Lake Balboa, Calif., Honda CRF450X
ATVs
CLASS 25—Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Marc Spaeth, Ramona, Calif., Honda TRX700XX
CLASS 24—Francisco Servin/Isaac Castro, Rocky Merono/Edgar Moreno, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda TRX450R
13th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300
Primm, Nevada
September 6, 2008
Total Starters: 124 Total Finishers: 87
Cars & Trucks
TROPHY-TRUCK—Roger Norman, Reno, Nev./Larry Roeseler, Irvine, Calif., Ford F-150
CLASS 1—Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW
CLASS 1-2/1600—Aaron Hawley, Las Vegas/Bryan Freeman, Henderson, Nev., Seagrove-VW
CLASS 3—Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco
CLASS 5—Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug
CLASS 5/1600—Marcos Nunez/Norberto Rivera, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug
CLASS 7—Chris Taylor, El Centro, Calif./Josh Quintero, Imperial, Calif., Ford Ranger
CLASS 7SX—John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif./Mark Landersman, Temecula, Calif., Ford Ranger
CLASS 10—Bekki Wik/Adam Wik, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Honda
SCORE LITE—Perry McNeal/Alfie Bueno, San Diego, Lothringer-VW
CLASS 11—Ramon Fernandez/Thomas Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Sedan
STOCK FULL—Ken Kroeker, Valley Center, Calif./Frank Martwek, San Clemente, Calif., Dodge 2500
STOCK MINI—Gavin Skilton, Orange, Calif., Honda Ridgeline
PROTRUCK—Jason Voss/Richard Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150
CLASS 17—Scott Watkins, Stockton, Calif./Casey Bount, Danville, Calif., Jeep XJ Cherokee. End release.
###
September 15, 2008 BAJA 1000 UPDATE
More behind the scenes Baja 1000 2008 details only on Baja Racing News.com posted daily until the start of the LIVE! Webcast, November 18.
Registration and Tech inspection will be on Thursday November 20. The Baja 1000 2008 starts on Friday, November 21, 5 AM Pacific Time.
This years Baja 1000 is a loop race from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico and back to Ensenada. 660 miles in length and will follow this route: (See Map Below)Ensenada - Ojos Negros - El Condor - La Ponderosa - Rumorosa - Laguna Salada - San Felipe - Azufre wash - Morelia Jct - San Matias - Mike's Sky Rancho - Valle de Trinidad - Llano Colorado - San Vicente - Santo Tomas - Ojos Negros - back to Ensenada.
Regarding the Ojos and past the Laguna Salada section, "Ojos Negros - Casa Verde - Gavilanes (nearby Las Pilitas) - El Topo - La Ponderosa - Old Rumorosa Road to Laguna Salada". After the Old Rumorosa Road the course will go to the north side of Laguna Salada, then head south on the east side of Laguna Salada skirting Cucapah Sierra. East at La Wariana wash and back in to Laguna Diablo lake bed thru Azufre pass before heading farther south. END
The Baja Insider: Baja 1000 2008: La Rumorosa Grade
Baja Safari has worked on many Hollywood Baja shoots, including Troy in Cabo San Lucas, yes ladies, with Brad Pitt. We did most of the horse wrangling and lots of 'lost' pilot shoots. The E! Entertainment 'Celebrity Adventure' pilot, in the southern Baja waterfalls, was one of our favs.
One of our first technical jobs was the "License To Kill", finale scene at the La Rumorosa grade. The film company had hired us for general field work, since the crew would be there for over a month and we spoke english. Most of the crew was from England and had never been in Mexico before and didn't speak spanish. We showed them the more entertaining haunts of Mexicali, Tijuana, Ensenada and Tecate. The town of Rumorosa, the coldest in Baja, has a great bakery and serves Cinnamon Coffee.
All of the semi-truck stunts, explosions and various stunts for the film was done at the La Rumorosa grade, Baja California Mexico. This years, 2008 Baja 1000 hits the grade area again!
We also had special 'talents' handling the local challenges, lets say. In those days the grade was made up of two asphalt lanes from the top of the grade, in pinon pine forests, to the bottom of the grade, in the lower Mexicali desert. Almost as dry as Death valley. Because the government was just starting to realign and rebuild the highway, the film crew had permission to use the newly closed road to do all its dangerous film shooting. Including stunts, explosives and time consuming star film work.Now the highway to the bottom is a wide, safe, super-toll road. Except for the trail the racers will use in just a few days!
Baja Safari was able to make things easy for everyone with our intimate local knowledge and respect for the local culture. Including the spirit caves, curses and stories of the souls who had passed in car crashes on the very dangerous La Rumorosa road. If you get a chance to visit the exhibit at La Rumorosa, of INAH work there, maybe you'll see a ghost.
"A James Bond Ghost Story!
I have just acquired the DVD of the James Bond film, License To Kill. The documentary on the making of the film contains a very interesting story about how one area where they filmed was supposedly haunted.
For the film's climactic truck-chase scene, where Bond has to destroy a convoy of large trucks that are loaded with drugs, the producers were given permission to use a stretch of road in Mexico that had been closed due to the alarming number of fatal accidents there. The stretch of mountainous road consisted of many twists and turns as well as wide,level sections.
During filming, many accidents occurred, some minor and some quite serious. This is to be expected, you might say, in a movie with many dangerous stunts. However, some of these accidents were quite bizarre. A man fixing telegraph poles TWO MILES from where they were filming was hit and injured by a missile that went astray from the set! Timothy Dalton was close to death when a truck he was driving narrowly missed going over the edge of a cliff when another truck that shouldn't have been there veered into him.
It was the stories of ghosts and apparitions that really interested me. Strange, ghostly figures were seen in the area where the trucks were parked overnight. When challenged by the security guards, they simply vanished. A truck moved by itself and parked itself somewhere else!
But the best story came from Albert Wooster, the Second Unit Director. While filming the explosion in which the baddie (Robert Davi) is killed, he explains that behind him, one of the stuntmen was taking snapshots of the explosion for himself. Wooster (and the rest of the crew for that matter) was astounded when he was shown one particular photograph. It clearly showed a giant, flaming, clawed hand reaching out of the explosion! He was so amazed that when he tried going through the film of the explosion, frame by frame , to see if the other cameras had caught the bizarre phenomenon, none had."
For the film's climactic truck-chase scene, where Bond has to destroy a convoy of large trucks that are loaded with drugs, the producers were given permission to use a stretch of road in Mexico that had been closed due to the alarming number of fatal accidents there. The stretch of mountainous road consisted of many twists and turns as well as wide,level sections.
During filming, many accidents occurred, some minor and some quite serious. This is to be expected, you might say, in a movie with many dangerous stunts. However, some of these accidents were quite bizarre. A man fixing telegraph poles TWO MILES from where they were filming was hit and injured by a missile that went astray from the set! Timothy Dalton was close to death when a truck he was driving narrowly missed going over the edge of a cliff when another truck that shouldn't have been there veered into him.It was the stories of ghosts and apparitions that really interested me. Strange, ghostly figures were seen in the area where the trucks were parked overnight. When challenged by the security guards, they simply vanished. A truck moved by itself and parked itself somewhere else!
But the best story came from Albert Wooster, the Second Unit Director. While filming the explosion in which the baddie (Robert Davi) is killed, he explains that behind him, one of the stuntmen was taking snapshots of the explosion for himself. Wooster (and the rest of the crew for that matter) was astounded when he was shown one particular photograph. It clearly showed a giant, flaming, clawed hand reaching out of the explosion! He was so amazed that when he tried going through the film of the explosion, frame by frame , to see if the other cameras had caught the bizarre phenomenon, none had."October 7 La Rumorosa VIDEOS POSTED!
Here's a description of the same area from a 1995 pre-run:
"SWITCHBACKS FROM HELL The run down to the desert floor from the La Rumarosa dump was exhilarating, to say the least. The Sierra Juarez escarpment is a virtual 4000-foot drop to the Laguna Salada basin -- all of which can be seen where the so-called road disappears before ones very eyes. Imagine God's great ice cream scoop gouging out the mountain side down to sea level.
As the La Rumarosa dump is cleared a vista of immense proportion appears. Laguna Salada and the eastern-bounding Sierra Cocopahs lay far below, as if viewed from a Phoenix-bound 737. But you are, rather, on the edge of a solid earth-bound escarpment and can barely see the vertical face of the granite fault line that lies below you.
The vista is intimidating. It is as if you were on a window of a skyscraper and planned on driving down the face of the adjoining building, switching back and forth, ledge to ledge, to the rocks below. The cut-rock course, freshly-bladed (by who knows w ho ... he was not paid nearly enough) zig-zags across the imposing granite wall.
Switchbacks lead to switchbacks which lead to more switchbacks, all of which drop off into near-vertical talus slopes. An outer edge occupant cannot even see the next two switchbacks down below as the driver hugs the inner wall. One-eighty-degree turns r equire backing up by longer cars. Portions of the "road" had enough exposure ... vertical drops ... such that any reasonable imagination could envision a fall that would kill one from fright -- before the impact some hundreds of feet below.
Old wash-outs are loosely filled in. Outer berms are buttressed with a few stones. Nothing could prevent the a car from plummeting, plunging into the abyss. Imagine racing down Bright Angel Trail into the Grand Canyon. With Tom Koch hammering on your bumper. It would be difficult to argue that acrophobia -- the fear of heights -- is unreasonable. As they joke, it's not the fall, it's the sudden stop at the end that gets you.
No. it is the THINKING about it. Or riding along with someone else. Even someone as adept as Diehl. Tellier later remarked that he thought that he had been frightened before but this slow crawl down the face was it. Diehl thought it would have been better if Tony had not hit the throttle pedal with his foot on a switchback.
Ron Brandt was reported to have had to back up several times in "Blackie" to get around. Pete's Camp "jefe" Rafael Navarro remarked that this road was the original route from Mexicali to TJ. "Buses would meet and have to back up ... or down ... to a wid e spot." Walking would seem safer and certainly less stressful. Cutting brakes WILL be required.
After the chance of death dropped to an acceptable 50-50 proposition, the course passed by a decrepit aluminum trailer peopled by tequila-swilling locals. The cars then dropped into a reed-filled black-water swamp several football fields in length. Boun ded on both sides by fifteen-foot high bulrushes, avoiding the axle-deep ruts appeared to be cause for concern as angular granite boulders were everywhere. This section ought to be well-RotoTilled come race morning. Water proof everything!
ASSESSMENT Get down to the desert floor cleanly and you will be on the road to a good finish. Get behind the power curve on the plateau and making up time will be difficult. Not impossible, of course. Just difficult. SAME OLD STUFF After the junked T-Bird the course heads out to the old T94 dry lake road to Cohobuzo Junction, the two Salada and Oasis access points, the Crack of Doom and the usual Borrego crossing. Kirk and Rick tore the sidewall out of a "Baja" on a buried rock just past the La Ventana well field. Ever notice how the flats and the trees and the stickers come on the passenger's side?" From, the incomparable Tony Tellier.
WHO’S GONNA DIE?!
The ‘What About You’, Bob Bowers is too old to write.
How many of you will not be coming home after the race? Dead and Gone.
Read on Brother. Don’t just expect the worst out of yourself. You're racing in Baja, “The Most Notorious and Dangerous Racing in the World”. Expect the worst from everyone else on the road!
It’s time to race and live. “No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn”.
- Sleep until you can’t sleep any more. Sleep before you cross the border.
- Eat likes it’s your last meal. It might be!
- Know your driving limits. No booze or nothin’ else, unless you want to race death!
Gary Newsome, Editor
More Loading every day until the Baja 1000 race GOES LIVE ON November 18...
More Loading every day until the Baja 1000 race GOES LIVE ON November 18...
SPEED Mex is taking orders for complete race services for the 2008 Baja 1000, November 20-23 2008, at Ensenada, Baja California. edia Support and Race Team Services are available. Book now, deadline for service provision is October 29.