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B.J. Baldwin beats Post/MacCachren


After 441.15 miles, B.J. Baldwin beats Post/MacCachren For 4-wheel Overall victory at 40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500

Bell/Norman ride Honda CRF450X to 3-peat Overall Motorcycle Desert racing victory over 289 starters in Ensenada, Mexico

In what will likely go down in history as one of the most classic battles in desert racing history, solo driver B.J. Baldwin held it all together for 441.15 miles of the rugged Baja peninsula to capture the Overall 4-Wheel victory Saturday by a mere seven seconds over the veteran team of Mark Post/Rob MacCachren at the 40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 in Ensenada, Mexico.

Driving the No. 97 Baldwin Motorsports Chevy Silverado SCORE Trophy-Truck, Baldwin, of Las Vegas, covered grueling desert race course in nine hours, 10 minutes, 47 seconds, averaging 48.06 miles per hour to win the closest overall 4-wheel vehicle finish in the 40-year history of the second oldest desert race in the world.

Post of Laguna Beach, Calif. and Las Vegas’ MacCachren, the reigning SCORE Trophy-Truck point champions finished first physically in the elapsed-time race but the corrected-time results revealed their second place finish as Baldwin started 60 seconds behind Post/MacCachren No. 1 Riviera Racing Ford F-150 SCORE Trophy-Truck, but came into the finish line just 53 seconds after MacCachren had crossed it.

With racing continuing in the elapsed-time race that had a 20-hour time limit until 6:35 a.m. Sunday, both the start and the finish line were located in the heart of Ensenada, Mexico on Boulevard Costero adjacent to the historic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. It was the first time in race history that the pre-race activities and the finish were held on this historic boulevard. Mexican tourism officials estimated the race-day crowd spread out along the course at more than 100,000.

Round 3 of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series, featured 289 starters, competing in 27 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs over the rugged 441.15-mile course. Entries came from 24 U.S. States from Hawaii to Connecticut as well as Mexico, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan and Uruguay. The total number of starters was the 12th most in the 40-year history of the popular race. The starting list included 150 cars and trucks and 139 motorcycles and ATVs. There were a total of 195 finishers, the third most in the event’s 40-year history, for an impressive finishing percentage of .675.

“This win is massive. It is very important to me,” said Baldwin, the 2006 SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion. “I have a hand full of trophies, but what I don’t have is that Montezuma thing, the first overall in a SCORE Baja race. That’s what I always wanted.”

“The truck is hurt,” added Baldwin. “It’s been hurt since the beach. The brakes on this thing are shot. When I rev it out really hard, the power steering belt slips. It’s been a lot of hard work to get it here. I really sucked it up. I’m going to have to go back to the hotel for some beer and some advil.”

“For 60 miles I was stuck behind Ron (Whitton). We had a little bit faster pace than him, but I could get around him because of the dust. Every time we got close, I just didn’t want to take the chance.”

For Baldwin, who finished second to Post/MacCachren in the 2007 SCORE Trophy-Truck points, it was his third career SCORE Trophy-Truck win and his first in the Tecate SCORE Baja 500. With a second and seventh place finish this season prior to this victory, Baldwin will increase his season point lead in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck racing division for 800-horsepower, high-tech, unlimited production trucks.

“We’ve been running hard ever since the beach,´ said MacCachren, who took over driving from Post at race mile 206 to the finish line. “He (Baldwin) kind of had the advantage because he could stick to me and follow me. “The last 30 miles we tried to pick it up and put time on him. We did the best we could. We tried to get away from him. We just couldn’t.”

“Mark had some flat tires,” MacCachren added, But it doesn’t matter if you get them or not. Ultimately, it’s like a chess game. You’re cruising along trying to stay somewhere near the front of the pack and pick your battles at the end. The course was torn up a little bit.”

“I’d like to have made it here eight seconds faster,” said Post whose Riviera Racing team now has two second-place finishes in 2008 following a rare did-not-finish in the season opener. “I was 40 seconds behind B.J. when I gave the truck to Rob, so we got back on the pace. I had three flats otherwise we would have had a nice truck today. That was a heck of a run. It’s the SCORE Baja 500, a technical race. It’s just a great race.”

Hoping for a 3-peat victory, Las Vegas’ Brian Collins came up a bit short, finishing third Overall and in SCORE Trophy-Truck with new teammate Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif., crossing the line 15 minutes behind Baldwin in a time of 9:25:47 in the No. 12 Collins Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram 1500. Driving solo, Collins won this year’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 in March and this was Hovey’s first SCORE race with Collins Motorsports after driving several years for his own team in the unlimited Class 1 for open-wheel desert race cars.

Earning a third consecutive overall motorcycle victory was the team of Robby Bell, Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif., on the No. 1x Johnny Campbell Racing Honda CRF450X. The defending SCORE Desert Series Class 22 point champions used their experience and factory-sponsored motorcycle held off the team led by Ryan Penhall, completing the course in 8:43:38, averaging 50.55mph, three miles per hour quicker than their average speed last year.

Riding the fastest ATV in the race for his second win of the season and first in this race was the team led by Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Marc Spaeth, Ramona, Calif./Wes Miller, El Cajon, Calif., on a new Honda TRX700XX. Matlock and his team finished in 10:10:40, beating the team led by Javier Robles, Mexicali, Mexico, by just 21 seconds and the two-time defending ATV race winning team led by Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif., by eight minutes, 25 seconds.

Bell and Norman each rode three separate sections of the course on the way to the overall motorcycle win. Bell started and rode to race mile 103, Kendall rode from rm 103 to rm 206, Bell from rm 206 to rm 207, Kendall from rm 270 to rm 398.5 and Bell from rm 398.5 to the finish line.

“It was just experience, just knowing not to get too excited with them (Penhall) riding with us,” said Bell, who won this year’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 with SCORE Baja legend Johnny Campbell while Norman was recovering from knee surgery. “We didn’t get too nervous. As soon as you start to worry about the team behind you, you start making mistakes. Around Valle de Trinidad (race mile 260) was the closest they got. I had to do a quick repair on the bike and they came in one second behind me. From there, we kind of kept pulling away.”

Luis Ramirez Jr. of Cabo San Lucas was the first Mexican national to win the unlimited Class 1 in this race, finishing fourth overall among 4-wheel vehicles in a Chevy-powered HMS open-wheel desert race car in 9:36:55.

Fifth overall and fourth in SCORE Trophy-Truck was Roger Norman, Reno, Nev., who split driving with his new teammate Larry Roeseler, Irvine, Calif., in the No. 8 Roger Norman Racing Ford F-150 in 9:44:55. For Roeseler, who has a race-record 11 overall victories among his 16 total class wins in this race, it was his first race with Norman, the Northern Nevada casino owner and developer.

Venerable veteran Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., became the all-time winningest driver in the history of this race by earning his 18th class win and remaining undefeated in three SCORE races this year. Hall and Mike Winkel, also of Reno, piloted his Rod Hall Racing Hummer H3 to first place in Stock Mini in a time of 14:42:54. Hall, 70, finished an hour and a half after his youngest son Chad Hall, also of Reno, won the Stock Full class in a Hummer H3Alpha for Team Hummer in 13:09:53 for his first win in the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 and second class win this season.

With co-riders Brent Harden, Sun City, Calif. and Mike Childress, Wrightwood, Calif. splitting the riding time on a Honda CRF450X, Penhall, Corona, Calif., stayed within minutes of the Bell/Norman tandem throughout the race, with Penhall losing ground at the end, riding the final 40 miles to the finish with a broken arm. Penhall crossed the finish line with a time of 9:12:00 and was immediately transported to a nearby local hospital to treat his injury. The team finished as the second overall and second Class 22 motorcycle.

Defending Class 30 winner Scott Myers, Sun City, Calif., switched teams this year and beat last year’s lead rider Jim O’Neal while finishing an impressive third overall motorcycle in 9:13:46 on a Kawasaki KLX450. Myers co-riders this year where Shane Esposito, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Steve Garnet, Carson City, Nev./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico/Jeff Sheets, Henderson, Nev.

O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif., saw his Class 30 team that included himself, his son Jimmy O’Neal Jr., Simi Valley, Calif./Jason Trubey, Mohave Valley, Ariz./Scott Glimp, Las Vegas/Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico finish second in Class 30 and fourth overall on a Honda CRF450X in 9:23:16.

Earning his 12th career class win in this race and 11th in the last eight years, another talented team led by O’Neal won Class 50 on a Honda CRF450X. O’Neal’s co-riders in Class 50 were 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.

Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif., won for the second time this season in SCORE Lite and finished 10th overall in a Duvell-VW, picking up the $5,000 bonus purse from Volkswagen of America as the highest-finishing VW-powered finisher in the race.

Staying undefeated in 2008 with their third straight win and their sixth class win in this race was the Moss Brothers Racing team, led by Donald Moss, who won Class 3 in a Ford Bronco.

Also winning for the second time this season were Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif., (Class 1-2/1600, Mirage-VW), Jason Voss, Cupertino, Calif. (Protruck, Ford F-150) female driver Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif. (Class 7SX, Ford Ranger) and Kevin Carr, San Diego (Class 5, unlimited VW Baja Bug). Pfankuch, along with co-driver Steven Eugenio, El Centro, Calif. also finished 12th overall.

Winning their respective classes for the second straight year were: Jose Montoya, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 5/1600, 1600cc VW Baja Bug), Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger) and Ramon Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 11, VW Sedan).

Other 4-wheel vehicle class winners included: Jesus Gonzalez, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 10, Dunrite-Honda), Daniel Reyes, Calexico, Calif. (Class 9, Venegas-VW) and Noah Ostanik, Encinitas, Calif. (Class 8, Ford F-150).

Among the motorcycle classes, two other teams won their respective classes for the second straight year: rider of record Carlos Casas, Chula Vista, Calif. (Class 21, KTM 450CXF) and the team led by rider of record Brett Helm, Poway, Calif. (Class 40, Honda CRF450X).

Both reigning SCORE Class point champions, Casas’ co-ride in Class 21 was Noe Ibarra, Tijuana, Mexico while Helm’s teammates in Class 40 were Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Lou Franco, Sherman Oaks, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Bob Johnson, Temecula, Calif.

Winning the motorcycle Class 20 race was the team lead by Chad Black, Laguna Hills, Calif., on a Honda CRF250X while winning the ATV Class 24 race was the team led by Francisco Servin, Chula Vista, Calif., on a Honda TRX450R.

The team led by Donald Lewis of Marlborough, Conn., won Class 60 for riders over 60 years old for the second straight race of the season on a Honda CRF450X. Also riding with Lewis for separate sections of the course were Gene Dempsey, Apple Valley, Calif./Sam Dempsey, Lake Balboa, Calif./Bob Gates, Hesperia, Calif.//Mike Harper, Landers, Calif.

Aura360, SCORE’s electronic media partner, filmed this year’s race to be televised in 22 countries on ESPN International while the domestic telecast is being finalized and will be announced shortly. Aura360 is also producing the exclusive Tecate SCORE Baja 500 40th anniversary DVD which will be available online at thebajaunlimited.com.

This race began in 1969 under the auspices of the old NORRA organization and SCORE began its enduring run on July 26, 1974. This year is the 35th anniversary of the first SCORE race in Baja.

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.

Next on the 2008 SCORE event schedule is the SCORE Las Vegas Cup IV, a special non-points short-course race featuring the marquee SCORE Trophy-Trucks to be held on July 17-19 at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Round 4 of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series will be the 13th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300 on Sept. 5-6 in Primm, Nev.

Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant, Red Bull–official energy drink and Bosch Power Tools-official power tool. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Terrible Herbst Inc., Blue C Enthusiast Advertising, Kartek Off-Road, American Suzuki, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

Additional race sponsor for the 40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 was Proturismo of Ensenada.

For more information regarding the series, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500

Round 3 of 2008 SCORE Desert Series

May 31-June 1—Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 441.15 miles

TOP OVERALL FINISHERS
Cars & Trucks

1. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 9 hours, 10 minutes, 47 seconds (48.06 miles per hour) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
2. Mark Post, Laguna Beach, Calif./Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 9:10:54 (48.05mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
3. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif., Dodge Ram 1500, 9:25:47 (46.78mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
4. Luis Ramirez Jr.,/Juan Araiza/Luis Ramirez, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, HMS-Chevy, 9:36:55 (45.88mph) (Class 1)
5. Roger Norman, Reno, Nev./Larry Roeseler, Irvine, Calif., Ford F-150, 9:44:55 (45.25mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
6. Ron Whitton, Mesa, Ariz./Todd LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Ford F-150, 9:54:04 (44.56mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
7. Dale Ebberts, Wilton, Calif./Brad Etter, Villa Park, Calif., Porter-Chevy, 10:00:34 (44.07mph) (Class 1)
8. Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW, 10:08:00 (43.53mph) (Class 1)
9. Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, Calif./Tom Ridings, Los Alamitos, Calif. Jimco-Chevy, 10:13:00 (43.18mph) (Class 1)
10. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif., Duvel, 10:44:25 (41.07mph) (SCORE Lite)
11. Robbie Pierce, Santee, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 10:46:40 (40.93mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
12. Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif./Steven Eugenio, El Centro, Calif., Mirage, 10:59:53 (40.11mph) (Class 1-2/1600)
13. Arnoldo Ramirez/Misael Arambula Ensenada, Mexico, Curry, 11:03:00 (39.92mph) (Class 1-2/1600)
14. Ray Files, Carlsbad, Calif./James Tiglio, Oceanside, Calif./Josh Tieman, Carlsbad, Calif., Cochran. 11:23:34 (38.72mph) (Class 1-2/1600)
15. Lee Banning, Laveen, Ariz./Lee Banning Jr., Litchfield Park, Ariz., Foddrill, 11:30:05 (38.36mph) (SCORE Lite)
16. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif./Rick Geiser, Phoenix, GMC Sierra, 11:30:50 (38.31mph) (SCORE Trophy-Truck)
17. Jason Voss/Rich Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Ford F-150, 11:35:10 (38.08mph) (Pro Truck)
18. Dave Creagan/Chris Creagan, Woodland, Wash./Brian Coats, Los Alamitos, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 11:45:20 (37.53mph) (Pro Truck)
19. Jake Jones, Aliso Viejo, Calif./Scot Jones/Whitney Jones, San Clemente, Calif., Homebuilt, 11:53:37 (37.09mph) (SCORE Lite)
20. Eric Chase, San Diego/Stuart Chase, Burbank, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 12:01:51 (36.67mph) (Class 1)

Motorcycles

1. Robby Bell, Sun City, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif. Honda CRF450X, 8:43:38 (50.55mph) (Class 22)
2. Ryan Penhall, Corona, Calif./Brent Harden, Sun City, Calif./Mike Childress, Wrightwood, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 9:12:00 (47.95mph) (Class 22)
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, 9:13:46 (47.80mph) (Class 30)
4. 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, 9:23:16 (46.99mph) (Class 30)
5. Ivan Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 9:52:33 (44.67mph) (Class 22)
6. Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Kyle Abney, Albuquerque, N.M./Bryan Lowery, Las Lunas, N.M., Honda CRF450X, 9:58:37 (44.22mph) (Class 30)
7. Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./ Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Jon Ortner, Santa Barbara, Calif./Lou Franco, Sherman Oaks, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Bob Johnson, Temecula, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 10:02:10 (43.96mph) (Class 40)
8. Carlos Casas, Chula Vista, Calif./Noe Ibarra, Tijuana, Mexico, KTM 450CXF, 10:08:47 (43.48mph) (Class 21)
9. 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, 10:14:37 (43.07mph) (Class 50)
10. Cory Evenson, Ramona, Calif./Justin Herrmann, Vista, Calif./Kirk Russel, Bend, Ore./Josh Smith, Oceanside, Calif., KTM 525XCW, 10:28:30 (42.11mph) (Class 22)

ATVs

1. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Marc Spaeth, Ramona, Calif./Rick Cecco, Briling Springs, Pa., Honda TRX700XX, 10:10:40 (43.34mph) (Class 25)
2. Javier Robles, Mexicali, Mexico/Adolfo Arellano, Tijuana, Mexico/Cesar Lopez, San Felipe, Honda TRX450R, 10:11:01 (43.32mph) (Class 25)
3. Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Bonsall, Calif./Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz./Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif., Honda TRX700XX, 10:19:05 (42.76mph) (Class 25)
4. Francisco Servin/Isaac Castro/Rocky Mereno/Marco Moreno/Edgar Moreno, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 10:44:26 (41.07mph) (Class 24)
5. Javier Beltran, San Ysidro, Calif./Cristian Rolas, San Ysidro/Santos Perez, Tijuana, Mexico/Juan Sanchez, Chula Vista, Calif./Raul Cano, Tijuana, Mexico, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 10:57:05 (40.28mph) (Class 24)

Tecate SCORE Baja 500

All-time Overall winners

Year—DRIVERS/RIDERS, VEHICLE
1969–Bud Ekins/Guy Jones, Baja Boot-Olds
Doug Douglas/Jim McClurg, Ducati
1970–Parnelli Jones, Ford
Bill Silverthorn/Gene Fetty, Husqvarna
1971–Bobby Ferro, Funco-VW
Malcolm Smith/J.N. Roberts, Husqvarna
1972–Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW
Gene Fetty/Bill Silverthorn, Honda
1973–Parnelli Jones, Ford
Howard Utsey/Mickey Quade, Husqvarna
1974–Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW
Mitch Mayes/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna
1975–Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Harley-Davidson
1976–Bobby Ferro/Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna
1977–Ivan Stewart, Chenowth-VW
Larry Roeseler/Jack Johnson, Husqvarna
1978–Bud Feldkamp/Malcolm Smith, Funco-VW
Brent Wallingsford/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1979–Malcolm Smith/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW
Jack Johnson, Husqvarna
1980–Bob Gordon, Chenowth-ChevyBruce Ogilvie/Chuck Miller, Yamaha
1981–Malcolm Smith/Bill Newbury, Chenowth-Chevy
Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Yamaha
1982–Larry Ragland, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/Chuck Miller, Yamaha
1983–Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-VW
Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna
1984–Larry Ragland, Chaparral-VW
Dan Smith/Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna
1985–Ron Gardner/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW
Kurt Pfeiffer/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1986–Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche
Garth Sweetland/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1987–Bob Gordon/Tim Crabtree, Chenowth-Porsche
Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki
1988–Mark McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche
Dan Ashcraft/Kurt Pfeiffer, Yamaha
1989–Robby Gordon, Ford

(no motorcycles)
1990–Robby Gordon, Ford
Larry Roeseler/Danny LaPorte, Kawasaki
1991–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Garth Sweetland/Paul Krause, Kawasaki
1992–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Larry Roeseler/T. Hunnicutt Jr./P. Krause, Kawasaki
1993–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Danny Hamel/L. Roeseler/T. Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki
1994–Ivan Stewart, Toyota (Trophy-Truck)
Dave Ashley/Dan Smith, Ford
Paul Krause/Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki
1995–Curt LeDuc, Jeep (Trophy-Truck)
Mike Julson/Bob Lofton, Jimco-VW
Paul Krause/Craig Smith, Kawasaki
1996–Rob MacCachren, Ford (Trophy-Truck)
Troy Herbst, Smithbuilt-Porsche
Paul Krause/Ty Davis, Kawasaki
1997–Ivan Stewart, Toyota (Trophy-Truck)
Mark McMillin, Jimco-Porsche
Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda
1998–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda
1999–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Jonah Street/Torsten Borstrom, Honda
2000–Larry Ragland, Chevy
Jonah Street/Steve Hengeveld, Honda
2001–Mark McMillin, Jimco-Chevy
Steve Hengeveld/Jonah Street, Honda
2002–Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-Ford
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2003–Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-Ford
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2004–Alan Pflueger, Chevy
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2005–Robby Gordon, Chevy
Mike Childress/Mouse McCoy, Honda
2006–Brian Collins/Larry Ragland, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda
2007–Larry Ragland/Brian Collins, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman/Steve Hengeveld, Honda
2008—B.J. Baldwin, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda

Tecate SCORE Baja 500

All-Time Race Sites, Starters, Finishers

Top Total Starters

Year, Number (Finishers)
1. 2007—492 Starters (283 Finishers)
2. 2006—438 Starters (221 Finishers)
3. 1977—384 Starters (161 Finishers)
4. 1976—384 Starters (179 Finishers)
5. 1975—365 Starters (153 Finishers)
6. 2005—345 Starters (179 Finishers)
7. 1973—333 Starters (138 Finishers)
8. 1972—301 Starters (144 Finishers)
9. 2004—300 Starters (181 Finishers)
10. 1987—299 Starters (185 Finishers)
11. 1980—294 Starters (126 Finishers)
12. 2008—289 Starters (195 Finishers)
13. 1979—283 Starters (139 Finishers)
14. 1978—282 Starters (96 Finishers)
15. 1974—279 Starters (173 Finishers)
16. 1981—277 Starters (117 Finishers)

Top Total Finishers

Year, Number (Starters)
1. 2007—283 Finishers (492 Starters)
2. 2006—221 Finishers (438 Starters)
3. 2008—195 Finishers (289 Starters)
4. 1987—185 Finishers (299 Starters
5. 2004—181 Finishers (300 Starters)
6. 2005—179 Finishers (345 Starters)
7. 1976—179 Finishers (384 Starters)
8. 1986—174 Finishers (277 Starters)
9. 1974—173 Finishers (279 Starters)
10. 1995—172 Finishers (251 Starters)
11. 1970—170 Finishers (260 Starters)
12. 1991—163 Finishers (254 Starters)
13. 1977—161 Finishers (384 Starters)
14. 1990—159 Finishers (272 Starters)
15. 1975—155 Finishers (365 Starters)

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40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500

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40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500


For the first time in the 40-year history of the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 desert race, the colorful pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and Contingency, the start and finish line will all be located in the heart of Ensenada, Mexico on Boulevard Costero adjacent to the historic Riviera Cultural Center, SCORE International race official announced Tuesday. It will be first time in race history that the pre-race activities and the finish will be held on this historic boulevard.

Round 3 of the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series, featuring over 300 entries, competing in 28 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, will be held May 29-June 1 in Ensenada, Mexico. Traditionally one of the most popular events on the SCORE schedule, over 100,000 spectators are expected to enjoy the world’s best desert racers in action at this year’s 40th anniversary of the Tecate SCORE Baja 500.

With late entries excepted up to race morning, entries are expected for the approximately 440-mile race from over 25 U.S. States, Mexico, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. The green flag will drop for the elapsed-time race at 6 a.m. on Saturday (May 31) for the motorcycle and ATV classes in the Tecate SCORE Baja 500, followed by the car and truck classes three hours after the last ATV at approximately 10 a.m. The final entry field is expected to be among the top 10 largest number of racers in event history.

“To have the pre-race festivities along with both the start and the finish of the 40th anniversary of the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 on Boulevard Costero will add another colorful dimension to this great race,” said Sal Fish, SCORE CEO/President since soon after it was founded in 1973. “We will now be able to finish as well as start the race through the wash which will be great for the thousands of spectators that line both sides of the course and stand on the bridges to see the action.”

“Additionally, the cooperation from the Mexican authorities has been phenomenal, especially when you consider all of the government leaders are new this year. It is also very encouraging to see first hand all of the increased safety and security measures that the Mexican government has implemented and will even expand further during race week. In particular the involvement from Baja California State Secretary of Tourism Oscar J. Escobedo and Ensenada Mayor Pablo Lopez has been remarkable.”

The SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 30. Racer and media registration will again be held in the Grand Ballroom of the San Nicolas Hotel. Registration hours will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 29 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday May 30.

The post-race awards celebration will be held poolside at the San Nicolas on Sunday, June 1 starting at 10 a.m.

The race began in 1969 under the auspices of the old NORRA organization and SCORE began its enduring run on July 26, 1974. This year will be the 35th anniversary of the first SCORE race in Mexico.

All three overall winners from last year’s race are entered and all three have won two consecutive years. Las Vegas’ Brian Collins, Las Vegas, returns seeking a third straight overall 4-Wheel vehicle victory with new teammate Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif. Collins, who drives the No. 12 Mopar Collins Motorsports Dodge Ram 1500, won the last two year with Larry Ragland as his teammate.

Returning as the two-time overall motorcycle and Class 22 champs is the team of Robby Bell, Murrieta, Calif./Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif., on the No. 1x Honda CRF450X. Back to defend their overall ATV and Class 25 victory is the team of Danny Prather, Ramona, Calif./Mike Cafro, Carlsbad, Calif., on the new No. 1a Honda TRXX700. Splitting the seat time with Prather and Cafro this year will be Chad Prull, Laveen, Ariz., and Levi Marana, Hemet, Calif.

Collins/Hovey drew the eighth starting spot in SCORE Trophy-Truck while Bell/Norman will be fourth off the line in Class 22 and Prather/Cafro/Prull/Marana will start seventh in Class 25.

To date, the Pro 4-Wheel vehicles classes with the most entries are: Class 1 (23), SCORE Trophy-Truck (22), Class 1-2/1600 (16), SCORE Lite (15) and Class 5/1600 (12).

Leading the Motorcycle classes in entries so far are Class 22 (15) and Class 30 (11).

Class 25 and Class 24 lead the ATV classes with nine entries each.

Among the Sportsman classes, SPT Motorcycles over 250cc has 29 entries.

Among the other early entries is venerable veteran Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., who has entered the Stock Mini class in a Hummer H3. Hall, 70, is tied for first with 17 class wins in the Tecate SCORE Baja 500. Hall’s son Josh and Chad will driver separate Hummers in the Stock Full class. Josh will drive a Hummer H2SUT and Chad will drive a Hummer H3Alpha.

Several crossover/celebrity racers are already entered in this year’s race, led by NASCAR’s Robby Gordon. A second generation desert racer, Gordon, who has won this race three times, is a NASCAR Team Owner/Driver and is entered in SCORE Trophy-Truck in the No. 77 Chevy CK1500.

Germany’s Armin Schwarz, whose World Rally Championship career saw 119 starts, won Class 1 in this year’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 with Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif. and are currently fourth in Class 1 points in a Jimco-BMW. Making his SCORE race debut in Jimco-Chevy in this race will be German Rally ace Armin Kremer.

Two celebrity drivers who are all SCORE regulars are SCORE Trophy-Truck drivers Cameron Steele and Jesse James.

Steele, San Clemente, Calif., is a TV sports announcer for Supercross and X Games and until the IndyCar merger this year was a Champ Car pit reporter. The Steele family and Desert Assassins race team drew three of a kind for this race as three family members each received the second starting position in their respective classes. Cameron will drive the No. 16 GMC Sierra in SCORE Trophy-Truck, while his wife Heidi will drive a Ford Ranger in Class 7SX and his younger brother Grant will ride a Honda CRF450X in Class 22.

James, whose wife is legendary motion picture star Sandra Bullock, lives in Sunset Beach, Calif., owns the world-famous West Cost Choppers company and was the star of the old Monster Garage television series. He will drive the No. 54 Chevy Silverado.

Debuting her new race team in SCORE Lite will be prominent Automotive electronic and print journalist Barbara Terry, Clover, South Carolina, who will be the driver of record in a Bunderson-VW for this race and the season-ending Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in November.

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.

Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Sunoco Race Fuels/Bryant Petroleum-official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant, Red Bull–official energy drink and Bosch Power Tools-official power tool.

Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Terrible Herbst Inc., Blue C Enthusiast Advertising, Kartek Off-Road, American Suzuki, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

Additional race sponsor for the 40th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 is Proturismo of Ensenada.

For more information regarding the series, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

40th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500
May 29-June 1, 2008–Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
All-time Overall winners
Year-DRIVERS/RIDERS, VEHICLE
1969–Bud Ekins/Guy Jones, Baja Boot-Olds
Doug Douglas/Jim McClurg, Ducati
1970–Parnelli Jones, Ford
Bill Silverthorn/Gene Fetty, Husqvarna
1971–Bobby Ferro, Funco-VW
Malcolm Smith/J.N. Roberts, Husqvarna
1972–Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW
Gene Fetty/Bill Silverthorn, Honda
1973–Parnelli Jones, Ford
Howard Utsey/Mickey Quade, Husqvarna
1974–Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW
Mitch Mayes/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna
1975–Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Harley-Davidson
1976–Bobby Ferro/Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna
1977–Ivan Stewart, Chenowth-VW
Larry Roeseler/Jack Johnson, Husqvarna
1978–Bud Feldkamp/Malcolm Smith, Funco-VW
Brent Wallingsford/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1979–Malcolm Smith/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW
Jack Johnson, Husqvarna
1980–Bob Gordon, Chenowth-Chevy
Bruce Ogilvie/Chuck Miller, Yamaha
1981–Malcolm Smith/Bill Newbury, Chenowth-Chevy
Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Yamaha
1982–Larry Ragland, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/Chuck Miller, Yamaha
1983–Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-VW
Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna
1984–Larry Ragland, Chaparral-VW
Dan Smith/Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna
1985–Ron Gardner/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW
Kurt Pfeiffer/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1986–Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche
Garth Sweetland/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1987–Bob Gordon/Tim Crabtree, Chenowth-Porsche
Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki
1988–Mark McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche
Dan Ashcraft/Kurt Pfeiffer, Yamaha
1989–Robby Gordon, Ford
(no motorcycles)
1990–Robby Gordon, Ford
Larry Roeseler/Danny LaPorte, Kawasaki
1991–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Garth Sweetland/Paul Krause, Kawasaki
1992–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Larry Roeseler/T. Hunnicutt Jr./P. Krause, Kawasaki
1993–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Danny Hamel/L. Roeseler/T. Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki
1994–Ivan Stewart, Toyota (Trophy-Truck)
Dave Ashley/Dan Smith, Ford
Paul Krause/Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Kawasaki
1995–Curt LeDuc, Jeep (Trophy-Truck)
Mike Julson/Bob Lofton, Jimco-VW
Paul Krause/Craig Smith, Kawasaki
1996–Rob MacCachren, Ford (Trophy-Truck)
Troy Herbst, Smithbuilt-Porsche
Paul Krause/Ty Davis, Kawasaki
1997–Ivan Stewart, Toyota (Trophy-Truck)
Mark McMillin, Jimco-Porsche
Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda
1998–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda
1999–Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Jonah Street/Torsten Borstrom, Honda
2000–Larry Ragland, Chevy
Jonah Street/Steve Hengeveld, Honda
2001–Mark McMillin, Jimco-Chevy
Steve Hengeveld/Jonah Street, Honda
2002–Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-Ford
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2003–Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-Ford
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2004–Alan Pflueger, Chevy
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2005–Robby Gordon, Chevy
Mike Childress/Mouse McCoy, Honda
2006–Brian Collins/Larry Ragland, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda
2007–Larry Ragland/Brian Collins, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman/Steve Hengeveld, Honda

Tecate SCORE Baja 500 Overall Champions
Cars & Trucks
11 *Larry Roeseler
10 Ivan Stewart
5 Larry Ragland
4 Bobby Ferro **Malcolm Smith
3 Bud Feldkamp Robby Gordon Troy Herbst
2 Brian Collins Bob Gordon Parnelli Jones Corky McMillin Mark McMillin Scott McMillin **Dan Smith
1 Dave Ashley Bud Ekins Ron Gardner Guy Jones Mike Julson Bob Lofton Curt LeDuc Rob MacCachren Alan Pflueger

*9 on motorcycle
**1 on motorcycle

Motorcycles
6 Steve Hengeveld
5 Paul Krause Bruce Ogilvie Johnny Campbell
4 Ted Hunnicutt Jr.
3 Jonah Street Scot Harden
2 Dan Ashcraft A.C. Bakken Robby Bell Gene Fetty Jack Johnson Kendall Norman Kurt Pfeiffer Bill Silverthorn
1 Torsten Borstrom Mike Childress Ty Davis Doug Douglas Danny Hamel Jim McClurg Danny LaPorte Mitch Mayes Mouse McCoy Chuck Miller Mickey Quade J.N. Roberts Craig Smith Garth Sweetland Howard Utsey Brent Wallingsford

Overall Vehicle Winners Trucks/SUVs
7 Toyota
6 Ford
5 Chevy
1 Jeep

Cars
8 Chenowth
7 Funco
3 Jimco Smithbuilt
1 Baja Boot Chaparral Sandmaster

Overall Engine Winners Cars/Trucks
13 Volkswagen
8 Ford Chevy
7 Toyota
5 Porsche
1 Jeep Oldsmobile
Motorcycles
12 Honda Husqvarna
8 Kawasaki
4 Yamaha
1 Ducati Harley-Davidson

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