2010 SCORE Desert Series Schedule Announced

October 15, 2009

Two in So. Nevada, three in Mexico
SCORE International announces five-race
Schedule for 2010 SCORE Desert Series

Las Vegas Events approves new sponsorship for SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge;
43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 to be a peninsula race in Baja California

LOS ANGELES—Preparing to celebrate its 37th year as the world’s foremost desert racing sanctioning body, SCORE international officially announced today its five-race schedule for the 2010 SCORE Desert Series. SCORE CEO/President Sal Fish also confirmed that Las Vegas Events has approved the sponsorship for January’s SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge and that November’s season-ending 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will be a peninsula race in Baja California, Mexico, starting in Baja California and finishing in Baja California Sur.
“With everything going on right now with the world economy, SCORE has decided to contain the costs of our entry fees at as close to the level of 2008 and 2009 as possible and we are excited about the prospects of a peninsula race for the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000,” said Fish. “The three SCORE races annually produce over $30 million in overall economic impact for Mexico and it will be good for Baja California Sur to receive its share of this tourism influx our events bring to Baja in 2010. Being able to move the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge back a week is also a popular decision by the Laughlin Tourism Commission.”
Keeping the same venues and nearly the same race weekends for its five open desert races as the past five years, the 2010 SCORE Desert Series will again feature two races in Southern Nevada and three in Mexico. After being held a week later for several years, the season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge will be moved back to its traditional dates on the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Las Vegas Events approved the sponsorship of the 2010 event on Wednesday.
“We have incredible marketing partners on both sides of the border, the world’s greatest desert racers and the world’s toughest race courses, so we will make only minor changes for the 2010 SCORE season,” added Fish. “Our five-race schedule in both the U.S. and Mexico offers tremendous variety for the racers, sponsors, media and fans.”
“With necessary restrictions in place for spectators in the U.S. still our attendance continues to rise, but in Mexico, it’s absolutely unbelievable. Our crowds for the last nine races in Baja California have averaged over 250,000, and SCORE racers are as popular in Baja California as any racing figures in the world.”
The SCORE Desert Series, which features 29 Pro and six Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycle and ATVs, will kick off Jan. 15-17 with the popular 16th Annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in the Southern Nevada resort city of Laughlin on the banks of the Colorado River. The season will conclude Nov. 17-21 with the 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the granddaddy of all desert races, in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
“The SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge is the most unique and one of the most popular desert races in the U.S. and the legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 is the best known desert race in the world,” added Fish, who has been at the head of SCORE since 1974. “These two races provide wonderful ways to start and finish our SCORE racing season.”
The 2010 SCORE Desert Series will again start with the most unique and the shortest race of the season and finish with the oldest and most recognized desert race in the world. After starting the season in Laughlin, 90 miles south of Las Vegas, it will conclude with the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, which is always a unique and memorable special race.
Since its debut in 1995, the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge has helped establish Laughlin as a viable host for special events. Thousands of spectators join nearly 150 racers and their crews in converging on the city each year to watch the best of the best desert racers compete in a unique-format, two-day race that includes a temporary stadium surrounding the start/finish line area and the main pits.
A total of 18 different Pro and two Sportsman classes for cars and trucks are split into five groups in Laughlin, running half of the race each day. The SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge also includes a pre-race activity that is not part of any other race on the schedule—the $16,000 Laughlin Leap. The Laughlin Leap will be held under the lights for the first time on Friday evening of race week at the Laughlin Events Park. The Laughlin Tourism Commission in association with SCORE has decided that shortening the overall window of the event from four days to three is in the best interest of both the participants and the multitude of spectators that enjoy this special event each year.
Round 2 and 3 of the 2010 SCORE Desert Series will both be held in Mexico. The 24th Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 is set for March 12-14 in San Felipe, Baja California, followed by the 42nd anniversary of the vastly popular Tecate SCORE Baja 500, June 4-6, in Ensenada, Baja California.
Round 4 will be the 15th Annual SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300 which will be held Sept. 10-12 in Primm, Nev., 45 miles south of Las Vegas.
SCORE officials will announce before the end of the year exactly where the 2010 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will start and finish.
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 18 Pro and three Sportsman classes for cars and trucks in the U.S. with 11 additional Pro and three more Sportsman classes for motorcycles and ATVs competing in the races in Mexico. SCORE races in the U.S. average 150 entries while the average in Mexico, with motorcycle and ATV classes running as well as the cars and trucks is 300.
Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull–official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Terrible Herbst Inc., Blue C Enthusiast Advertising, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.
The SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge is sponsored by the Laughlin Tourism Commission, the Laughlin Visitors Bureau, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Las Vegas Events.
The SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300 is sponsored by Las Vegas Events, Primm Valley Resorts and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Additional associate sponsors for the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 are Fideicomiso Publico para la Promocion Turistica de Ensenada and the State Tourism Department of Baja California.
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.

2010 SCORE Desert Series
Schedule of Events

Date, Event/Location
Jan. 15-17–16th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge
Laughlin, Nevada
March 12-14–24rd Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250
San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
June 4-6–42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 500
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Sept. 10-12–15th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300
Primm, Nevada
Nov. 17-21–43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
Peninsula Run, Baja California, Mexico

SCORE Desert Series Point Leaders 9.29.09

NASCAR’s R. Gordon increases Overall & SCORE Trophy-Truck
Point leads after four of five races in 2009 SCORE Desert Series

Computerized draw for start positions for 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 to be held Saturday, Oct. 10

LOS ANGELES—Enjoying his full-time return to desert racing in between his ‘day job’ as a NASCAR Cup team owner/driver, Robby Gordon has increased his point lead in the 2009 SCORE Desert Series point standings following his second win of the year at the recent 14th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300.
With 292 points, Gordon, 40, who returns to his desert racing roots as often as his NASCAR schedule allows (which is every race this year), is the SCORE Overall point leader and he additionally leads the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck class for high-tech, 800-horsepower, unlimited production trucks in his No. 77 Team Gordon Chevy CK1500.
While assuming a big lead in the 2009 SCORE Desert Series point standings, Gordon, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., actually missed the NASCAR Cup race in Richmond on Sept. 12 to run in the SCORE race in Primm and has earned his eighth and ninth career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins this year along with one second and one seventh in the four races held so far this season.
After Gordon’s big lead of 24 points over second place in the SCORE Overall point standings (he also has an even larger 48-point lead in SCORE Trophy-Truck), only 16 points separate the rest of the top 10 in the 2009 SCORE Overall point standings.
SCORE racers are now preparing for the 42nd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, to be held in Ensenada, Mexico, Nov. 18-22. The computerized drawing for starting positions, by class, for the final round of five-race World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series will be held at the SCORE headquarters in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 10. It will be a loop race, starting and finishing in Ensenada.
After winning Class 10 in San Felipe, Ensenada and Primm in his Lothringer-VW, Mike Lawrence, Banning Calif., is leading the class he won the season championship in last year and stands second in SCORE overall points with 268.
“Prior to the start of this year’s SCORE Desert Series, we made a decision to run for the SCORE Trophy-Truck point championship and we are fulfilling our goal at this point and being the SCORE Overall Point leader is a big bonus,” said Gordon, who was the SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion in 1996, the last season he was able to run the entire series prior to this year. “We really have our Chevy CK1500 SCORE Trophy-Truck dialed in this year. The crew has done a great job in the shop and in the desert and my co-driver Andy Grider has helped immensely in many ways in every race.”
Wilson Motorsports of Long Beach, Calif., currently leads two classes as well as being tied for third and 11th in SCORE overall points after four races.
With two Class 1 open-wheel desert race cars and two Class 1-2/1600 open-wheel cars with 1600cc VW engines, Randy Wilson, 50, the middle of three racing Wilson brothers, leads Class 1 and is 11th in overall points with 241. Ronny Wilson, 47, the youngest of the brothers, is fifth in Class 1 with 175 points while tied for the lead Class 1-2/1600 and tied for third in overall points with 265 is Brian Wilson, 24, Randy and Ronny’s nephew and son of Rick Wilson, 53, the oldest of the three Wilson brothers. In Class 1, both Wilson brothers drive Chevy-powered Jimco open-wheel desert race cars.
With a fourth place class finish in Laughlin, followed by a second place in San Felipe, a fourth in Ensenada and another fourth in Primm in a Kreger-VW, Brian Wilson is a field superintendent for the family business-Norm Wilson & Sons, a prominent Southern California general contracting company. Wilson is receiving considerable help this season from veteran co-driver Sammy Ehbrenberg, Las Vegas, who splits the driving with Brian Wilson when not mentoring him in the sport.
Brad Wilson, 20, who is Ronny’s son, also races in Class 1-2/1600 in a Penhall-VW where he is ninth after a third place class finish in Primm. Ronny Wilson has also entered a Jimco-VW and won in SCORE Lite in Primm, giving Wilson Motorsports five entries in the Southern Nevada race.
Tied with Brian Wilson for the lead in Class 1-2/1600 and tied for third with him in SCORE Overall points is Justin Smith, Capistrano Beach, Calif., who has two class wins this year in his Fraley-VW.
Eric Duran, Tecate, Calif., is driver of record for his family team and is fifth overall and third in Class 1-2/1600 in with 260 points in a Neth-VW.
SCORE points are based on starting and finishing as well as the number of starters in each class and placement position in every race. All class titles will go down to the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
Tied for sixth in overall points with 255 points are Gavin Skilton, Anaheim, Calif., undefeated in his class in all four races this year (Stock Mini, Honda Ridgeline) and Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., who is fourth in Class 1-2/1600 in a TL-VW.
While second through seventh in the 2009 SCORE Overall point standings are just 13 points apart, eighth through 10th place are separated by only 12 points.
Class 7 point leader Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., who has three race wins this season in a Ford Ranger, is eighth overall with 254 points.
Two SCORE Trophy-Trucks are ninth and 10th in SCORE Overall points and second and third in class. Las Vegas’ Brian Collins, who won in San Felipe this year, is ninth and second in the No. 12 Dodge Ram1500 with 244 points and Ed Stout, Santa Ana, Calif., is third and 10th in the No. 13 Chevy Silverado with 242 points.
One of female regular racers this season, Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif., leads the Class 6 points in the Desert Assassins Ford Ranger. Heidi Steele won a SCORE season point title last year was in Class 7SX and has one Class 6 race win this year. Steele’s husband Cameron Steele is fifth in SCORE Trophy-Truck points.
Another SCORE regular female racer this season, Anna Cody, Simi Valley, Calif., and her all-female team, is tied for second in the motorcycle Class 20 points.
Among the car and truck classes, other point leaders include: John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif. (Class 7SX, Ford Ranger), Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va.. (Class 8, Chevy Silverado), Kevin Carr, San Deigo (Class 5, unlimited VW Baja Bug), Alonso Angulo, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 5/1600, 1600cc VW Baja Bug), Justin Matney, Briston, Tenn. (Stock Full, Dodge Ram1500) and Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico (Class 11, stock VW Sedan).
With motorcycles and ATVs racing in the three SCORE Baja races, the team of Cameron Corfman, El Centro, Calif./Craig Smith, Brawley, Calif./Kyle Corfman, El Centro, Calif., leads the open motorcycle Class 22 standings with 150 points after the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 on a Beta RR450.
Leading the overall motorcycle and Class 30 (motorcycle riders 30 years old and older), Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Rex Cameron, Albuquerque, N.M., with 159 points on a Honda CRF450X.
The defending Class 25 open ATV championship team led by rider of record Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif., on a Honda TRX700XX has 149 points.
Leading the overall ATV and the Class 24 point standings with 163 points is the team led by defending Class 24 season point champion Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif., on a Honda TRX450R.
Among the other motorcycle class point leaders are Bill Boyer, Lomita, Calif. (Class 21, Honda CRF450X), Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif. (Class 50, Honda CRF450X), Brian Campbell, Bakersfield, Calif. (Class 40, KTM 450XCF) and Hector Castillo, Calexico, Calif. (Class 20, Yamaha WR250).
In addition to season point class point championships, drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also racing to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to all drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season. Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 24th consecutive year, a total of 16 drivers remain eligible after Round 4 of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series.
Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull–official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Terrible Herbst Inc., Blue C Enthusiast Advertising, American Suzuki, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.
For more information regarding the series, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2009 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

2009 SCORE Desert Series Point Leaders
(as of 9/29/09)
(Through 14th SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300-Primm, Nev., Sept. 12; Remaining race: 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000-Ensenada, Mexico, Nov. 18-22)

Top 25 Overall Cars and Trucks

(Position, Drivers, Vehicle-Engine, Class, Points)

1. Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy CK1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 292
2. Mike Lawrence, Banning, Calif., Lothringer-VW (Class 10), 268
3. Brian Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Kreger-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 265
3. Justin Smith, Capistrano Beach, Calif., Fraley-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 265
5. Eric Duran, Tecate, Calif., Neth-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 260
6. Gavin Skilton, Anaheim, Calif., Honda Ridgeline (Stock Mini), 255
6. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., TL-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 255
8. Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 7), 254
9. Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram1500 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 244
10. Ed Stout, Santa Ana, Calif., Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 242
11. Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1), 241
12. Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Moulton-VW (SCORE Lite), 239
13. Alsonso Angulo, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (Class 5/1600), 239
13. Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., Chevy Silverado (Class 8), 238
14. Mario Gastelum, El Centro, Calif., Jimco-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 237
15. Armin Schwarz, Germany, Jimco-BMW (Class 1), 234
16. Scott Gailey, Norco, Calif., GET-VW (Class 10), 229
17. Roger Norman, Reno, Nev., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 228
18. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (Class 5), 219
19. Arturo Velazco, Banning, Calif., Porter-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 217
20. Samuel Araiza, La Paz, Mexico, Fraley-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 216
21. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., GMC Sierra (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 213
22. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 7SX), 205
23. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif., Duvel-VW (SCORE Lite), 204
24. David Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif., Lothringer-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 202
24. Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1), 202

2009 SCORE Desert Series Class Point Leaders
(With Class wins in parenthesis)
Pro Cars and Trucks
SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK—1. Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy CK1500 (2), 292; 2. Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram 1500 (1), 244; 3. Ed Stout, Santa Ana, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 242; 4. Roger Norman, Reno, Nev./Larry Roeseler, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 224; 5. Cameron Steele, San Clemente, Calif., GMC Sierra, 213; 6. Adam Householder, Orange, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 196; 6. Greg Nunley, Tulare, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 196; 8. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 189; 9. Robbie Pierce, Santee, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 172; 10. Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 142.
CLASS 1—1. Randy Wilson, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 241; 2. Harley Letner/Kory Holopoff, Orange, Calif., Alpha-Chevy (1), 235; 3. Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif., Jimco-BMW (1), 234; 4. Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 202; 5. Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (1), 175; 6. Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 148; 7. Dale Lenk, Newport Beach, Calif., Penhall-Chevy, 147; 8. Armin Kremer, Germany/Andreas Aigner, Austria, Jimco-Chevy, 142.
CLASS 1-2/1600—1. (TIE) Brian Wilson, Long Beach, Calif./Sammy Ehrenberg, Las Vegas, Kreger-VW and Justin Smith, Capistrano Beach, Calif., Fraley-VW (2), 265; 3. Eric Duran, Tecate, Calif., Neth-VW, 260; 4. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., Curry-VW, 2555; 5. Mario Gastelum, El Centro, Calif., Curry-VW, 237; 6. Arturo Velazco, Banning, Calif., Porter-VW, 217.
CLASS 3—1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco (2), 160; 2. Darren Skilton, Orange, Calif., Jeep Wrangler (2), 150.
CLASS 5—1. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (3), 219; 2. Carlos Albanez, El Centro, Calif., VW Baja Bug (1), 193.
CLASS 5/1600—1. Alonso Angulo, Ensenada, Mexico (2), 239; 2. Marcos Nunez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (2), 156.
CLASS 6—1. Heidi Steele, San Clemente, Calif./Ross Savage, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 199; 2. Marc Burnett, Chula Vista, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 122.
CLASS 7—1. Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger (3), 254; 2. Igor Galvan, Bahia de Los Angeles, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 198; 3. Jose Canchola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Ford Ranger (1), 152.
CLASS 7SX—1. John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif., Ford Ranger (2), 205; 2. Norman Turley, Long Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger (1), 165.
CLASS 8—1. Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., Chevy Silverado (1), 238; 2. Juan Lopez, Tecate, Mexico, Ford F-150, 91.
CLASS 9—1. Daniel Reyes Jr., Calexico, Calif., Venegas-VW (1), 110.
CLASS 10—1. Mike Lawrence, Sunset Beach, Calif., Lothringer-VW (3), 268; 2. Scott Gailey/Scott Whipple, Norco, Calif., GET-VW, 229; 3. Javier Robles, Gpe Victoria, Mexico, Jimco-Honda, 162.
SCORE LITE—1. Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif./Chuck Sacks, Canyon Lake, Calif., Moulton (1), 239; 2. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif./Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, Calif., Duvel-VW (2), 204; 3. John Langley, Santa Monica, Calif., Penhall-VW, 149; 4. Lee Banning, Laveen, Ariz., Foddrill-VW, 137; 5. Bill Hernquist, San Diego, Jimco-VW, 110.
STOCK MINI—1. Gavin Skilton, Anaheim, Calif., Honda Ridgeline (4), 255.
PROTRUCK—1. Rob Reinertson, Woodside, Calif., Ford F-150 (1), 65.
CLASS 11—1. Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Sedan (2), 150.
STOCK FULL—1. Justin Matney, Bristol, Tenn., Dodge Ram1500 (1), 164; 2. Joe Bacal, Anthem, Ariz., Lexus LX570 (1), 144.
Pro Motorcycles
CLASS 22—1. Cameron Corfman, El Centro, Calif./Jimmy Lopez, El Cajon, Calif./A.J. Stewart, Jamul, Calif., Beta RR525 (1), 150; 2. (TIE) Colton Udall, San Clemente, Calif./Quinn Cody, Los Olivos, Calif./Jeff Kargola, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X and Ivan Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico/Brent Harden, Menifee, Calif./Jose Villalobos, Tecate, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 147; 4. Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, Calif./Timmy Weigand, Santa Clarita, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 145; 5. Adrian Butler, Canada, Honda CRF450X, 82.
CLASS 21—1. Bill Boyer, Lomita, Calif./Stuart Goggins, Upland, Calif./Nicholas Blais, Chino, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 146; 2. Carlos Casas/Noe Ibarra, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 143; 3. Ronnie Wilson, Glendale, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 141; 4. Jeremy Purvines/Ron Purvines, Henderson, Nev./Scott Glimp, Las Vegas, Honda CRF450X, 135.
CLASS 20—1. Hector Castillo, Calexico, Calif./Rene Pojodes, Mexicali, Mexico/David Gonzalez Jr., Chula Vista, Calif., Yamaha WR250 (1), 140; 2. (TIE) Anna Cody, Simi Valley, Calif./Talya Dodson, Truckee, Calif./Cathy Duncan, Los Alamos, Honda CRF250X and Manuel Reyes, Dulzura, Calif./Javier Ochoa, Tecate, Calif., Yamaha YZF250, 131.
CLASS 30—1. Mike Johnson, El Paso, Texas/Rex Cameron, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda CRF450X (2), 159; 2. Sean Bradley, Ridgecrest, Calif./Kyle Abney, Albuquerque, N.M., Kawasaki KX500, 143; 3. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Tom Willis, Las Vegas/Derrick Paiement, Corona, Calif./Brian Sweany II, Lancaster, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 136.
CLASS 40—1. Brian Campbell/Bill Cotton, Bakersfield, Calif./Pete Cochran, Laguna Beach, Calif., KTM 450XCF (1), 148; 2. Julio Abril/Oscar Hale/Mario Acosta, Ensenada, Mexico, Yamaha WR450, 144; 3. Scott Myers, Menifee, Calif./Brett Helm, Poway, Calif./Lou Franco, Sherman Oaks, Calif.,/Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii, Honda CRF450X, 132.
CLASS 50—1. Jim O’Neal, Simi Valley, Calif./Andy Kirker, Santa Ana, Calif./Dan Dawson, Agua Dulce, Calif./Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii, Honda CRF450X (1), 144; 2. Charlie Marshall, Carmichael, Calif./Doug Smith, Upland, Calif./Dave Potts, Burbank, Calif./Chuck Sun, Las Vegas, KTM530XCW, 134.
CLASS 60—1. Richard Jackson, Acton, Calif./Bill Nichols, Phoenix, Honda CRF450X (1), 85.
Pro ATVs
CLASS 25—1. Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Harold Goodman Jr., Brownstown, Mich./Josh Caster, El Cajon, Calif., Honda 700XX (1), 149; 2. Nick Nelson, Tehachapi, Calif./Brandon Brown, Eumantilla, Ore., Suzuki LTR450 (1), 140; 3. Adolfo Arellano, Tijuana, Mexico/Alfonso Cota, Tecate, Calif./Javier Robles Jr., Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico/Marc Spaeth, Ramona, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 95.
CLASS 24—1. Craig Christy, Burbank, Calif./Steve Abrego, Covina, Calif./Dave Scott, Belen, N.M./Andy Lagzdins, Baltimore, Honda TRX450R (2), 163; 2. Roberto Ruiz/Francisco Espinoza, El Centro, Calif., Honda TRX450R; 138; 3. Luis Berumen/Sergio Lopez, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 132.
CLASS 26—1. Reid Rutherford, Montrose, Colo./ Benn Vornadakis, Rico, Colo./Tony Valerio, Telluride, Colo., Arctic Cat (2), 150; 2. Rob Ransford, Downers Grove, Ill./Tim Winiarski, Carson, Calif./Joe Rice, Lomita, Calif., Can Am Renegade, 98.
Sportsman
SPT TRUCK—1. Joe Aguayo, San Jacinto, Calif., Ford F-150 (1), 158.
SPT CAR—1. Peter Lang/Terry Cottar, Santa Rosa, Calif., Homebuilt-Chevy, (3), 230.
SPT UTV—1. Thomas Graves, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha Rhino, 104.
SPT M/C>250cc—1. Jeff Leonard, Bakersfield, Calif./Eugene Lane, Redondo Beach, Calif./Jack Cox, Oceanside, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 173.
SPT M/C<250cc—1. Humberto Valle, Tecate, Mexico/Javier Ochoa/Ivanhoe Ochoa, Tecate, Calif., Honda CRF450X (1), 160.
SPT ATV—1. Manuel Jimenez/Carlos Lopez/Carlos Castaneda, San Felipe, Mexico, Honda TRX450R (1), 161.
Manufacturers
Engine Builder—1. (TIE) Major Performance and FAT Performance, 198; 3. Wiks, 131; 4. Menards, 83; 5. Redline, 78.
Original Buggy Chassis—1. Jimco,191; 2. Lothringer, 85; 3. Fraley, 56; 4.Curry, 49; 5. Duvel, 48.

After Baja 500 comes Primm – 5 Q&A’s with Sal Fish

As the race trailers and teams head to Nevada for the SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300, it is certain that things will be just a little different this time around. After the major Baja 500 results “shake-up” that stunned the off-road community, it is anyone’s guess what the future of desert racing has in store – especially with the available and evolving technology.

Catching up with an obviously busy Sal Fish, I asked him a few things about the Terrible’s Primm race and what he expects.

RDC: This is the first SCORE International race since the “black box shake-up” at the Baja 500. How do you think this technology will change or affect the how the racers prepare and compete for SCORE events?

Sal: “Honestly, I must be a little naïve! First of all, I was hoping it wouldn’t change anything or the way the racers compete. I was hoping all of our racers were staying on the course we designed and not speeding on the highway so we can keep our permits and the agreements we have in place with the various agencies and land owners.”

RDC: One of the race teams was extremely vocal in regards to an IRC equipment malfunction that resulted in penalties being assessed. This penalized team offered up another competitive system’s data to prove their team did not stray from the marked course or speed. Will redundant tracking systems be an option for teams concerned about equipment malfunction and penalties resulting from such failures?

Sal: “To the best of my knowledge, we are working with the best technology out there. As with anything, of course there is always room for improvement but we have to crawl before we walk. As far as running a back-up system, no one would go to Baja without spares. The racers take spare shocks and parts so it would only seem reasonable to expect to have a back-up.”

RDC: Will SCORE International accept competitive tracking system data to back-up IRC‘s data?

Sal: “We are currently considering accepting other system’s data but nothing has been decided yet. It is a decision we will probably make before the Baja 1000. If we decide to accept another system’s data, it will have to be pre-approved by SCORE International.”

RDC: There was no “pre-run” for the Primm race due to restrictions placed on off-road vehicles and the protection of the Desert Tortoise. How hard is it getting to coordinate races in the US with all the land issues?

Sal: “We are jumping through some real small hoops and it is getting more and more difficult to put on races. Everything is a cause for concern. I have been out with the Bureau of Land Management everyday, twice a day for nearly a week surveying the Desert Tortoises. We go out and drive the course between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. and then again from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. We are very limited on what we can do here, especially on a piece of land that has so many race events. It is definitely a cause for concern but I am going to do everything I can to make sure we can continue to put on events here in Nevada.”

RDC: So what are you looking forward to for this weekend’s event?

Sal: “I have to admit, I am extremely excited to have Robby Gordon skipping a NASCAR race to come out and compete in this SCORE event and in a full season of our series. I think Robby brings a lot of attention to our sport and this is definitely a time when we need it.”

The Terrible’s Primm 300 event is an extremely crucial race for competitors in the points contention. As the fourth race out of SCORE’s five race desert series, the Primm 300 can make or break a season as evidenced by Robby Gordon’s decision to skip the NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia. Gordon, who currently claims the top points position in the SCORE Trophy Truck class is looking to hang onto his points lead and for the first time since 1996 is running a full season in the SCORE series. “This is the first time I have run a full SCORE schedule since 1996. I won the Trophy Truck Championship back then and I am confident that I can do it again this year,” commented Robby Gordon.

With heavy-hitters such as Rob MacCachren and Brian Collins starting in the back of the pack, the first lap of this 69 mile loop (and rather fast course) will undoubtedly play out in a very interesting manner. Greg Nunley, a relative newcomer to both the Trophy Truck class and desert racing, has Robby Gordon staged directly behind him. It is doubtful he can hang onto his starting position for very long considering Gordon’s trademark “on the edge” driving style. Without the experience behind the wheel and the knowledge of the course that Vegas natives, MacCachren and Collins, have it is hard to believe Marc Ewing in the No. 68 Trophy Truck will fare that well either. For anyone who is not able to make it to Primm, live race tracking is available through the required and now infamous “black box” that has forever changed the face of desert racing as we know it.

Follow the outcome of the race on race-dezert.com this weekend.

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