klaus
October 10th, 2002, 03:42
October 9, 2002
Course-marking expedition starts Oct. 15
Entries from across U.S., around the world part of October 18 Computerized start draw for 2002 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
35th Anniversary of granddaddy of all desert races, Nov. 20-23--Ensenada to
La Paz, Mexico
LOS ANGELES-While more than 200 entries prepare for the results of next
week's computerized drawing for start positions, race officials will begin
the tedious course-marking expedition next Tuesday (Oct. 15) for November's
35th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The legendary grandaddy of all desert
races, the final event of the six-race 2002 Optima SCORE Desert Series, will
be held Nov. 20-23 in Baja California, Mexico.
The excruciatingly arduous 1,017.56-mile point-to-point race will start
in Ensenada on the Pacific Ocean side of the mysterious peninsula and finish
in La Paz on the Sea of Cortez.
Sal Fish, SCORE International's CEO and President, will lead a group of
nearly a dozen SCORE race officials and a television producer on a two-week
odyssey to properly mark the rugged race course. Before they're finished,
they will have used thousands of identification surveyor reflective ribbons,
wooden stakes, day-glow directional arrows, informational signs along with
mile markers, tens of thousands of staples, staple guns and sledge hammers.
Fish who will personally be marking the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 course for the
30th time.
"Safety is paramount to all of us at SCORE International, so we always
put more markers and signs to help the racers not only stay on the course,
but more importantly miss any danger spots," said Fish, 63. "It's hard to
believe that I've marked this course for 30 years, I guess you could say I
really love it. It's actually the most enjoyable part of the event for me-to
be away from the e-mails, FAXes, phone calls, mail-and be able to enjoy the
breath-taking and diverse beauty along the incredibly wonderful people of
Baja California."
In a motorsport where there is no qualifying to determine the starting
grid, the significantly important drawing, by class, will be held Friday
(Oct. 18) at the SCORE Los Angeles headquarters.
In addition to all of the SCORE regular racers, entries for this annual
classic will include international rally racers, SCORE veteran racers who
make this an annual pilgrimage, and cross-over stars like NASCAR's Robby
Gordon and CART's Jimmy Vasser. Gordon, whose roots are in the desert, will
race for his own Team Gordon in the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division and
Vasser will drive with former open-wheel pavement racers Mike and Robbie
Groff in a Toyota-powered Jimco open-wheel desert race car in the unlimited
Class 1.
Pre-race festivities will be held in Ensenada and will include the
colorful manufacturer's midway and technical inspection of all the race
vehicles on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The race will start early on the morning of
Thursday, Nov. 21 and the fastest vehicles in the elapsed-time race are
expected to cover the rugged course in approximately 20 hours.
Despite a season-low 10th place finish in the SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300
on Sept. 14, Las Vegas' Troy Herbst has retained the Overall and unlimited
Class 1 point leads heading into the season finale.
Herbst will now lead over 200 entries competing in 23 Pro and 5
sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs across the border to
Mexico for the season-ending 35th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja
1000,
The youngest of the three brothers on the Terrible Herbst Motorsports
team, Troy Herbst, 36, has forged an unparalleled SCORE desert racing record
the last five-plus seasons. Since 1997, Herbst has won the unlimited Class 1
title five consecutive years including the coveted SCORE Overall point
championship in 1997, 1998 and 2000 while finishing second the other two
years in his Ford-powered Smithbuilt open-wheel desert race car. During that
run, Troy Herbst has won his class in 12 races and his class has the most
entries at the majority of the SCORE races. SCORE points are determined
both on final finishing position and number of vehicles which started the
race within the individual class. After four events, Herbst has earned 232
points. In what has developed into one of tightest overall point battles in
SCORE history, just 17 points separate the top five heading intothe season
finale in Mexico.
In second and third in overall points in America's Foremost Desert
Racing Series are class point leaders Kash Vessels, Tucson, Ariz. (Class
1-2/1600, Chenowth-VW--263), and Steve Barlow, Temecula, Calif. (Protruck,
Ford F-150--258 points). Tied for fourth in overall points with 249 points
are Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif. (Jimco-Chevy, second in Class 1) and Stock
Full Class leader John Griffin, Mission Viejo, Calif. (AM General Hummer).
Another testament to the competitiveness in SCORE desert racing, a total
of just five points separate sixth through 11th place after five races in the
2002 Optima SCORE Desert Series overall point standings.
The next six in the overall point standings are also class point
leaders. Sixth overall and leading Class 8 with 242 points is Nick Vanderway,
Buckeye, Ariz., who drives a GMC Sierra.
Seventh in overall points with 239 is Dan Fresh, San Juan Capistrano,
Calif. (Class 7S, Jeep Comanche), while eighth with 238 points is Craig
Turner, Yorba Linda, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger).
In a three-way for ninth in the overall point standings with 237 points
each are: Mark Post, Laguna Hills, Calif./Jerry Whelchel, Rancho Santa
Margarita, Calif. (SCORE Trophy-Truck, Ford F-150), Rob Taylor, San Diego
(Class 5/1600, limited VW Baja Bug and George Seeley Jr., Glendale, Calif.
(Class 5, unlimited VW Baja Bug).
Leading the featured motorcycle class and the overall motorcycle point
leader is the undefeated (three wins) team of Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills,
Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif. (Class 22, Honda XR650R).
Las Vegas' Jimmy Stephensen and his co-rider Mike Cafro, Carlsbad,
Calif., lead Class 25 and are the overall ATV point leaders on their Honda
250R.
One of the closest class races this season is in the featured SCORE
Trophy-Truck division where just six points separate the top three racers.
With 237 points, the Post/Welchel duo leads with Scott Steinberger, Cypress,
Calif., in second just two points back in another Ford F-150 and Las Vegas'
Ed and Tim Herbst are in third in a Ford F-150, just four more points back
(231).
There have been four different winners in five races in SCORE
Trophy-Truck. Despite winning the first two races of the season in Laughlin,
Nev., and San Felipe, Mexico, defending series point champions Dan Smith and
David Ashley, Riverside, Calif., are in fifth place right now in another Ford
F-150. Winning the three other SCORE races this season have been the teams of
Mark Miller, Carefree, Ariz./Larry Ragland, Phoenix in a Chevy Silverado
(Tecate SCORE Baja 500), Post/Welchel (SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250) and
the Herbst brothers (SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300).
Tecate Beer is the title sponsor of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Major
associate sponsors of this legendary race are: Coca Cola of Mexico, the Baja
California and Baja California Sur Departments of Tourism, Cotuco and Fondo
Mixto Turistica de Ensenada.
SCORE official sponsors for 2002 are: Optima Batteries-title sponsor of
the series and official battery, BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Southern
California Ford Dealers-official vehicle, 76 Racing Fuel-official fuel and
Rental Service Corporation-official equipment supplier. Associate sponsors
this year are: Bilstein Shocks, Insant Mexico Auto Insurance, Downey
Off-Road, Signpros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie's, Rancho Suspensions and
Advanced Color Graphics.
For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters
(818) 225-8402 or visit the official website of the Optima SCORE Desert
Series at www.score-international.com.
Course-marking expedition starts Oct. 15
Entries from across U.S., around the world part of October 18 Computerized start draw for 2002 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
35th Anniversary of granddaddy of all desert races, Nov. 20-23--Ensenada to
La Paz, Mexico
LOS ANGELES-While more than 200 entries prepare for the results of next
week's computerized drawing for start positions, race officials will begin
the tedious course-marking expedition next Tuesday (Oct. 15) for November's
35th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The legendary grandaddy of all desert
races, the final event of the six-race 2002 Optima SCORE Desert Series, will
be held Nov. 20-23 in Baja California, Mexico.
The excruciatingly arduous 1,017.56-mile point-to-point race will start
in Ensenada on the Pacific Ocean side of the mysterious peninsula and finish
in La Paz on the Sea of Cortez.
Sal Fish, SCORE International's CEO and President, will lead a group of
nearly a dozen SCORE race officials and a television producer on a two-week
odyssey to properly mark the rugged race course. Before they're finished,
they will have used thousands of identification surveyor reflective ribbons,
wooden stakes, day-glow directional arrows, informational signs along with
mile markers, tens of thousands of staples, staple guns and sledge hammers.
Fish who will personally be marking the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 course for the
30th time.
"Safety is paramount to all of us at SCORE International, so we always
put more markers and signs to help the racers not only stay on the course,
but more importantly miss any danger spots," said Fish, 63. "It's hard to
believe that I've marked this course for 30 years, I guess you could say I
really love it. It's actually the most enjoyable part of the event for me-to
be away from the e-mails, FAXes, phone calls, mail-and be able to enjoy the
breath-taking and diverse beauty along the incredibly wonderful people of
Baja California."
In a motorsport where there is no qualifying to determine the starting
grid, the significantly important drawing, by class, will be held Friday
(Oct. 18) at the SCORE Los Angeles headquarters.
In addition to all of the SCORE regular racers, entries for this annual
classic will include international rally racers, SCORE veteran racers who
make this an annual pilgrimage, and cross-over stars like NASCAR's Robby
Gordon and CART's Jimmy Vasser. Gordon, whose roots are in the desert, will
race for his own Team Gordon in the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division and
Vasser will drive with former open-wheel pavement racers Mike and Robbie
Groff in a Toyota-powered Jimco open-wheel desert race car in the unlimited
Class 1.
Pre-race festivities will be held in Ensenada and will include the
colorful manufacturer's midway and technical inspection of all the race
vehicles on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The race will start early on the morning of
Thursday, Nov. 21 and the fastest vehicles in the elapsed-time race are
expected to cover the rugged course in approximately 20 hours.
Despite a season-low 10th place finish in the SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300
on Sept. 14, Las Vegas' Troy Herbst has retained the Overall and unlimited
Class 1 point leads heading into the season finale.
Herbst will now lead over 200 entries competing in 23 Pro and 5
sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs across the border to
Mexico for the season-ending 35th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja
1000,
The youngest of the three brothers on the Terrible Herbst Motorsports
team, Troy Herbst, 36, has forged an unparalleled SCORE desert racing record
the last five-plus seasons. Since 1997, Herbst has won the unlimited Class 1
title five consecutive years including the coveted SCORE Overall point
championship in 1997, 1998 and 2000 while finishing second the other two
years in his Ford-powered Smithbuilt open-wheel desert race car. During that
run, Troy Herbst has won his class in 12 races and his class has the most
entries at the majority of the SCORE races. SCORE points are determined
both on final finishing position and number of vehicles which started the
race within the individual class. After four events, Herbst has earned 232
points. In what has developed into one of tightest overall point battles in
SCORE history, just 17 points separate the top five heading intothe season
finale in Mexico.
In second and third in overall points in America's Foremost Desert
Racing Series are class point leaders Kash Vessels, Tucson, Ariz. (Class
1-2/1600, Chenowth-VW--263), and Steve Barlow, Temecula, Calif. (Protruck,
Ford F-150--258 points). Tied for fourth in overall points with 249 points
are Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif. (Jimco-Chevy, second in Class 1) and Stock
Full Class leader John Griffin, Mission Viejo, Calif. (AM General Hummer).
Another testament to the competitiveness in SCORE desert racing, a total
of just five points separate sixth through 11th place after five races in the
2002 Optima SCORE Desert Series overall point standings.
The next six in the overall point standings are also class point
leaders. Sixth overall and leading Class 8 with 242 points is Nick Vanderway,
Buckeye, Ariz., who drives a GMC Sierra.
Seventh in overall points with 239 is Dan Fresh, San Juan Capistrano,
Calif. (Class 7S, Jeep Comanche), while eighth with 238 points is Craig
Turner, Yorba Linda, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger).
In a three-way for ninth in the overall point standings with 237 points
each are: Mark Post, Laguna Hills, Calif./Jerry Whelchel, Rancho Santa
Margarita, Calif. (SCORE Trophy-Truck, Ford F-150), Rob Taylor, San Diego
(Class 5/1600, limited VW Baja Bug and George Seeley Jr., Glendale, Calif.
(Class 5, unlimited VW Baja Bug).
Leading the featured motorcycle class and the overall motorcycle point
leader is the undefeated (three wins) team of Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills,
Calif./Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif. (Class 22, Honda XR650R).
Las Vegas' Jimmy Stephensen and his co-rider Mike Cafro, Carlsbad,
Calif., lead Class 25 and are the overall ATV point leaders on their Honda
250R.
One of the closest class races this season is in the featured SCORE
Trophy-Truck division where just six points separate the top three racers.
With 237 points, the Post/Welchel duo leads with Scott Steinberger, Cypress,
Calif., in second just two points back in another Ford F-150 and Las Vegas'
Ed and Tim Herbst are in third in a Ford F-150, just four more points back
(231).
There have been four different winners in five races in SCORE
Trophy-Truck. Despite winning the first two races of the season in Laughlin,
Nev., and San Felipe, Mexico, defending series point champions Dan Smith and
David Ashley, Riverside, Calif., are in fifth place right now in another Ford
F-150. Winning the three other SCORE races this season have been the teams of
Mark Miller, Carefree, Ariz./Larry Ragland, Phoenix in a Chevy Silverado
(Tecate SCORE Baja 500), Post/Welchel (SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250) and
the Herbst brothers (SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300).
Tecate Beer is the title sponsor of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Major
associate sponsors of this legendary race are: Coca Cola of Mexico, the Baja
California and Baja California Sur Departments of Tourism, Cotuco and Fondo
Mixto Turistica de Ensenada.
SCORE official sponsors for 2002 are: Optima Batteries-title sponsor of
the series and official battery, BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Southern
California Ford Dealers-official vehicle, 76 Racing Fuel-official fuel and
Rental Service Corporation-official equipment supplier. Associate sponsors
this year are: Bilstein Shocks, Insant Mexico Auto Insurance, Downey
Off-Road, Signpros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie's, Rancho Suspensions and
Advanced Color Graphics.
For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters
(818) 225-8402 or visit the official website of the Optima SCORE Desert
Series at www.score-international.com.