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Starting draw results for SCORE Baja 500

BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500

By Gabriel Garcia, SCORE Media Operations Director, Gabriel@SCORE-international.com
Dominic Clark, SCORE Historian, Dominic@SCORE-International.com

Mexican National Arutro Salas Jr will be the first motorcycle to leave the start line next Saturday at the legendary BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500. Most of the start positions were determined by the finishing order from the previous race and the balance of the starting positions for the first 241 entries were announced this week as racers from around the world are heading to Baja California, Mexico for the popular early summer race.

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Starting draw results for SCORE Baja 500

Starting draw results for SCORE Baja 500

BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500

By Gabriel Garcia, SCORE Media Operations Director, Gabriel@SCORE-international.com
Dominic Clark, SCORE Historian, Dominic@SCORE-International.com

Mexican National Arutro Salas Jr will be the first motorcycle to leave the start line next Saturday at the legendary BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500. Most of the start positions were determined by the finishing order from the previous race and the balance of the starting positions for the first 241 entries were announced this week as racers from around the world are heading to Baja California, Mexico for the popular early summer race.

Read More

Salas Jr was the overall motorcycle winner last year in the SCORE Baja 500, with Clayton Roberts of Hesperia, Calif. as he second rider, aboard a KTM 450XCF motorcycle.

Starting draw results for SCORE Baja 500

BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500

By Gabriel Garcia, SCORE Media Operations Director, Gabriel@SCORE-international.com
Dominic Clark, SCORE Historian, Dominic@SCORE-International.com

ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico —Mexican National Arutro Salas Jr will be the first motorcycle to leave the start line next Saturday at the legendary BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500. Most of the start positions were determined by the finishing order from the previous race and The balance of the starting positions for the first 241 entries were announced this week as racers from around the world are heading to Baja California, Mexico for the popular early summer race.

AN EVENT OF INTERNATIONAL STATUS

     Race festivities in Ensenada will be held May 29 to June 2 for the second round of the 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship.

     With over 260 entries expected at the start line, 243 entries to date include racers entered to make the trip to Mexican soil from 25 US States, host country Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, France, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and Peru.

     Among the US States represented are California, New York, Washington, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois and Nevada.

     In the most recent entry list, the classes with the most entries so far are SCORE Trophy Truck with 34, followed by Trophy Truck Spec with 33, Pro UTV Open (23), Pro UTV FI (19), Class 10 (16), and Pro UTV Stock (14).

     Among the motorcycle classes with the most entries so far are Pro Moto Ironman (riders only) with 13 and Pro Moto Unlimited with 10.

YOUNG ROOMS

     Salas Junior Jr, 21, from Tecate, Mexico, will once again count on 19-year-old Carter Klein, of Agua Dulce, California, as his additional rider aboard the Hero Racing team's No. 11x Honda CRF450X motorcycle, looking to emulate what they accomplished at the 37th edition of the King Shocks SCORE San Felipe 250 last March, an Overall Motorcycle victory.

     Salas Jr was the overall motorcycle winner last year in the SCORE Baja 500, with Clayton Roberts of Hesperia, Calif. as he second rider, aboard a KTM 450XCF motorcycle.

     A total of 10 riders are entered to date in Pro Moto Unlimited class, with Salas and Klein leading SCORE in points in that class. The Slam Life Racing team will start seventh with SCORE champion Justin Morgan, 34, of El Cajon, Calif., as the rider of record.

     Morgan will be sharing the seat of the No. 7x Honda CRF450X motorcycle with multi-time SCORE champion Mark Samuels, 34, of Yucca Valley, California, as well as 23-year-old Tyler Linn of Mona, Utah, as the other two riders on the three-rider team.

SCORE TROPHY TRUCK QUALIFYING

     In SCORE Trophy Trucks, Bryce Menzies, of Las Vegas, will be the first truck to be part of the Method Race Wheels Qualifying, as he was the first driver to enter his No. 1 Ford Raptor Mason.

     Menzies won last year's SCORE Baja 500 overall, so he will be looking to make it back-to-back wins, but to do so, he must first maintain his stellar driving in Method Race Wheels Qualifying and then on the race.

     Veteran Cameron Steele, 55, of San Clemente, California, who finished fifth in this year's SCORE San Felipe 250, will be the second racer to seek his starting spot in Method Race Wheels Qualifying, having never won the overall SCORE Baja 500 in his brilliant Hall of Fame desert-racing career.

Mexico's Alan Ampudia, 33, from Ensenada, Baja California, will qualify 17th, driving his No. 10 Team Papas Ford Raptor, looking to return to the top of the winner's circle, something that happened this March at the SCORE San Felipe 250.

TROPHY TRUCK SPEC QUALIFYING

     In the Trophy Truck Spec class, there are 33 trucks entered to date, with 29-year-old Maverick Gaunt, from Torrance, Calif., entering first to be able to qualify first in the No. 258 Geiser-Chevy.

     During the 2023 SCORE Baja 500, 46-year-old Jason McNeil of El Cajon, Calif., was celebrating in Ensenada as the best in class in his TSCO-Chevy. He finished seventh in class in this year's SCORE San Felipe 250 and will qualify 11th next Thursday in Ensenada.

RACE WEEK FESTIVITES

     The colorful contingency row and tech inspection of all the participating vehicles will be held on Friday, May 31 on Ensenada's Boulevard Costero from 8 am to 5 pm PT, adjacent to the iconic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. With the Manufacturer's Midway and multiple local vendors, the pre-race pageantry draws upwards 50,000 people for the event that is free to the public.

     On Saturday, June 1, the green flag will drop on the Boulevard Costero, with the first motorcycle departing at 2:30 am PT, while the first 4-wheeler will depart at 6:15 am PT, having to overcome a 486-mile race course.   While the fastest vehicles are expected to finish in approximately 10 hours, all vehicles will have a 20-hour time limit to become official finishers in the elapsed-time race.

     The awards celebration will be held on Sunday, June 2 at the Cathedral Hall of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center at 12:30 pm

    Qualifying, contingency and the race days will be part of SCORE Live with Rat Sult on SCORE's official YouTube channel and also its official Facebook account. Tracking of the race vehicles will be available during the race through the SCORE website.

METHOD RACE WHEELS QUALIFYING

     SCORE Trophy Trucks, SCORE Trophy Truck, SCORE TT Legend and Trophy Truck Spec classes will hold the Method Race Wheels Qualifying session on Thursday, May 30. Starting with at 7 am PT at a private venue, this event is closed to the public.

     The Race Wheels Qualifying Method will determine the starting order in those three classes for the race, as this is the first time in history that all SCORE four races will hold a qualifying session.

SCORE Live will air the Method Race Wheels Qualifying through the SCORE website.

     Start order for all of the other classes in this race will be determined by a random draw for positions within each class.

BIG STORY

     This year's SCORE World Desert Championship includes another special tribute to the iconic SCORE Baja 500.

     The SCORE Baja 500 is one of the top motorsports events in the world. It was originally started in 1969 by the NORRA organization. After NORRA was removed from Baja after the 1972 race, the local Baja Sports Committee produced the 1973 event. Mickey Thompson and his SCORE International organization were invited by the Mexican government to take over the event starting in 1974.

     Sal Fish ran and later owned and produced the SCORE Baja 500 for 39 years until he sold SCORE in December of 2012.

     The first Baja 500 organized and produced by SCORE was held on July 26, 1974 in Ensenada as the first of nearly 170 SCORE Baja races.

     This year's SCORE Baja 500 will start for the 50th time in Ensenada and finish for the 46th time in Ensenada.

VERY SPECIAL GRAND MARSHAL

     One of the most recognizable and admired figures in all of Baja California, entrepreneur, racer, and race team owner, Rodrigo Ampudia Sr has agreed to be the Grand Mashal for this year's BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500.

     Ampudia, 66, of Ensenada, Mexico, co-founder of the popular Papas & Beer night clubs in Ensenada and Rosarito Beach, a multi-time SCORE Baja racer winner, and he is the owner and leader of Team Papas, one of the premier desert racing teams in the SCORE World Desert Championship.

     “This is a unique privilege for SCORE to have an individual of Rodrigo's stature in Baja California agree to be the Grand Marshal for this year's BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500,” commented Jim Ryan, SCORE Vice-President of Marketing and Sales. “For 40 years, Papas & Beer has been a tradition in Ensenada and Rosarito Beach and Team Papas is one of the most respected teams in all of desert racing. “We sincerely thank Rodrigo Ampudia Sr for honoring SCORE for being our Grand Marshal for this race that started the legacy of SCORE on July 26, 1974.”

     Ampudia Sr has earned seven class wins in his SCORE racing career, but he will quickly tell you that he is proudest of his three sons and what they continue to accomplish in desert racing.

     “My brother (Rogerio) and I ran our first SCORE race in Class 1/2-1600 in 1986, and we have been a part of SCORE Baja racing ever since,” said Rodrigo Ampudia Sr. “God has blessed our family tremendously and now my three sons are the warriors of Team Papas. “I am pleased to be the Grand Marshal for the SCORE Baja 500, an event that means so much to Baja California, Ensenada, and the Ampudia family.”

     In his racing career, Rodrigo Ampudia Sr had three wins in the SCORE Baja 500 (1992, 1994, and 2009), one in the SCORE San Felipe 250 (2009), and three in the iconic SCORE Baja 1000 (1990, 1994, and 2017).

     In his 2017 class victory, Ampudia Sr was the second driver for fellow Mexican patriarch racer Gustavo Vildosola Sr, in the SCORE TT Legend class (SCORE Trophy Truck Drivers over 50 years old), the peninsula race from Ensenada to La Paz that was part of the 50th SCORE Baja 1000 celebration.

     Team Papas second generation racers will all be part of this year's SCORE Baja 500.   Oldest brother Rodrigo Ampudia Jr, 39, will race in the Pro UTV Open class, and brothers Alan Ampudia, 33, and Aaron Ampudia, 31, will split the driving in the Team Papas SCORE Trophy Truck.

     Together the three brothers won the 2019 SCORE Baja 1000 and this year Alan Ampudia drove solo to win the overall and SCORE Trophy Truck title in the King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250.

COURSE PREVIEW

     SCORE President/Race Director Jose A. Grijalva and SCORE Co-Race Director Rodo Fernandez, have put together another memorable race course to challenge the world's best desert racers. The final distance is 483.06 miles.

     The course runs in a clockwise direction out of and back to the start/finish line compound in Ensenada, traveling through such noted areas as Ojos Negros, Tres Hermanos, El Alamo, Santa Catarina, the Summit (4,140 feet above sea level), Cohabuzo Junction, Saldana, La Ventana access, El Arrajal wash, San Matias Pass, Mike's Sky Rancho, Simpson's Road to Valle de Trinidad, West to Llano Colorado, San Vicente Wash, Erendira, Santo Tomas, Uruapan, Rancho El Mezcal, Ojos Negros, and back to the finish line in Ensenada.

     The course has two complete stop physical checkpoints, 240 total virtual checkpoints and 13 speed zones for a total of 40.78 miles.

     Physical Checkpoint 1 is located at race mile 245.64 (near Eolic Field) and Checkpoint 2 is at rm354.71 (Llano Colorado).

     Among the other infamous Baja washes that the course will go through are: El Mezcal Wash, La Rajadura Wash, El Tule Wash, Alamito Wash (before the Summit), En Medio Wash (between the Summit and Cohabuzo), San Matias Wash, Los Encinos Wash, and El Salado Wash.

     All Sportsman classes, Class 11, 5/1600, Baja Challenge and Class 7SX will run a reduced course of a total of 456.91 miles.

     Pre-running starts at race mile 36.95 and finishes at rm446.11. The section from rm9.30 to rm33.12 may be run outbound only on Friday, May 31.

THE KING OF BAJA, BFGOODRICH TIRES

     BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for 48 years, was honored after the 2023 season as the SCORE Pit Support Company of the year for the 33rd time.

     BFGoodrich Tires has been the choice of 35 of the 56 overall winners of the popular SCORE Baja 500 and 33 of the 56 overall winners of the legendary SCORE Baja 1000. BFGoodrich Tires is also the title sponsor of both iconic races again in 2024.

     BFGoodrich Tires has also been the choice of 30 of the 37 overall winners of the SCORE San Felipe 250, all three SCORE Desert Challenge races, the lone SCORE Challenge of Champions in San Felipe, the one SCORE Baja Sur 500 and one of the three overall winners in the SCORE Baja 400.

BFGoodrich Tires has posted a contingency bonus for the overall winner of this year's race of US$10,000.

SCOREscope

2024 SCORE SCHEDULE

Here are the dates for the three remaining 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship which are being held in Baja California, Mexico for the ninth consecutive year:

BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500—

May 29-June 2, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

5th SCORE Baja 400, presented by VP Racing Fuels—

September 11-15, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 1000—

November 11-17, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

SCORE SPONSORS…

  Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire and Race Title Sponsor, Ford-Official Truck and SUV, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber and Race Title Sponsor, Polaris RZR-Official UTV, VP Racing Fuels-Official Fuel and race presenting sponsor, Optima Batteries-Official Battery, Rugged Radios-Official Radio Communication, SYLVANIA Off Road-Official Light, Method Race Wheels-Official Wheel and Race Qualifying sponsor, Lasernut-Official Custom Metal Fabricator, Wide Open Excursions-Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino -Official Casino.

  SCORE Official Partners: The Satellite Phone Store, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance.

Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Baja California Secretary of Tourism, MEXICO Secretary of Tourism, San Felipe Foundational Municipal Council, Ensenada Municipal Government, San Felipe Marketing Tourism Committee, Ensenada Marketing Tourism Committee, Ensenada Hotel and Motel Association, Proturismo Ensenada, and Cruz Roja Mexicana .

     For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCORE-International.com .

 

NEXT WEEK IN BAJA CALIFORNIA

Arturo Salas Jr will start at the helm

in the 56th edition of the BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500…

 

The runner from Tecate, Baja California, will be the first motorcyclist

on the 483.06 mile route after the draw for positions was held

 

     ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico— after the drawing of positions for the classes that will not be qualifying in the 56th edition of the BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, Arturo Salas Junior, 21 years old and from Tecate, Baja California, was the great lucky, since he will be the first competitor on the 483.06 mile route, not only on motorcycles, but in general within the second date of the 2024 Score International World Desert Championship.

Salas Junior will once again have Carter Klein, 19 years old and living in Agua Dulce, California, as his replacement aboard the Honda CRF450X motorcycle number 11x of the Hero Racing team, thinking of emulating what was achieved in the 37th edition of the King Shocks SCORE San Felipe 250 last March, an overall victory among motorcycles.

The Mexican motorcyclist was the overall winner a year ago of the SCORE Baja 500 overall, alongside Clayton Roberts from Hesperia, California, but aboard a KTM 450XCF motorcycle.

A total of 10 competitors are part of the Pro Moto Unlimited class, with Salas and Klein as SCORE leaders in points within that class, highlighting that the Slam Life Racing team will start in seventh position, led by Justin Morgan, from 34 years old and resides in El Cajón, California.

Morgan will be sharing the seat of the number 7x Honda CRF450X motorcycle with Mark Samuels, 34, of Yucca Valley, California, as well as Tyler Linn, 23, of Mona, Utah, who will be looking to win their first race. the SCORE season.

A total of 243 teams from the continents of America, Asia, Europe and Oceania were part of the position draw, highlighting that there is at least one runner from countries such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, United States, Chile, Ecuador, France , Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Peru and the host Mexico.

On the part of the United States, there are athletes from 25 states, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New York and Texas, which speaks of the importance of the SCORE Baja 500 in the world of Off-Road, not only in Mexico, but in the country of the stars and stripes.

MENZIES WILL QUALIFY FIRST

In the SCORE Trophy Trucks, Bryce Menzies, 36, of Las Vegas, Nevada, will be first in the Method Race Wheels qualifier, as he was the first driver to register aboard his No. 1 Ford Raptor Mason.

Menzies won the SCORE Baja 500 overall last year, so he will look to achieve consecutive victories, but to do so, he will first have to maintain his stellar handling within the Method Race Wheels qualification, and then on Saturday 1st in the race .

Cameron Steele, 55, of San Clemente, California, who finished fifth in this year's SCORE San Felipe 250, will be the second athlete to seek his starting spot in the Method Race Wheels qualifier, who has never been able to win the SCORE Baja 500 overall in his brilliant Off-Road career.

Alan Ampudia, 33 years old and from Ensenada, Baja California, will qualify in 17th place, aboard his number 10 Team Papas Ford Raptor, thinking about returning to the top of the winners' circle, something that happened in Last March on the San Felipe boardwalk.

GAUNT WILL QUALIFY FIRST IN TROPHY TRUCK SPEC

In the Trophy Truck Spec class, there were 33 participants in the drawing for positions, with Maverick Gaunt, 29 years old and from Torrance, California, who will start first aboard his Truck Geiser number 258 on the route that will begin and will begin on Ensenada Coastal Boulevard.

During the last SCORE Baja 500, Jason McNeil, 46 years old and from El Cajon, California, was celebrating in Ensenada as the best in this class, aboard his TSCO Chevrolet Truck, who finished in seventh position in this class in the last SCORE San Felipe 250.

“MONSTERS RULE” on SCORE

The class with the most registrations for the SCORE Baja 500 is the SCORE Trophy Trucks with 34, including 8 from the SCORE Trophy Trucks Legend class, followed by the Trophy Truck Spec class with 33, and in third is the Pro UTV Open with 23 teams.

In motorcycles, the class with the most entries is the Pro Moto Ironman with 13, while the Pro Moto Unlimited is second with 10 riders for the second date of the 2024 Score International Desert World Championship.

AMPUDIA, THE GREAT MARSHAL

Rodrigo Ampudia Señor, 67 years old and from Ensenada, Baja California, will be the Grand Marshal of the 56th edition of the BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, who is the owner of Team Papas and Beer, so he will attend official events of the race to the media, as well as being responsible for giving the starting signal to the participants.

Ampudia Señor, is a 3-time winner of the SCORE Baja 500, winning the 1992, 1994 and 2009 editions, in addition to other victories in the Baja 1000 and San Felipe 250, but currently focused on following in the footsteps of his sons Rodrigo Junior , Alan and Aarón at SCORE events.

A DREAM ROUTE

The president of SCORE and race director, José Abelardo Grijalva and the co-race director, Rodolfo Fernández, gave life this year to a route with the best of Baja California in terms of terrain, which includes desert, beaches and mountains . The final distance is 483.06 miles.

It will begin and end again on Coastal Boulevard, adjacent to the iconic Riviera Social, Civic and Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada. The pre-race technical and mechanical inspection will also take place on Coastal Boulevard on Friday, May 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

The route will take place in a clockwise direction, leaving and returning to the Bulevar Costero in Ensenada, passing through well-known areas such as Ojos Negros, Tres Hermanos, El Álamo, Santa Catarina, La Cumbre, Cohabuzo Junction, ejido Saldaña, access to La Ventana, El Arrajal stream, San Matías, Mike's Sky ranch, they will go down the Simpson, Trinidad Valley, Llano Colorado, San Vicente stream, Eréndira ejido, the Santo Tomás delegation, Uruapan ejido, Rancho El Mezcal, Ojos Negros, and back to the finish line in Ensenada.

The route has two physical checkpoints, 240 virtual checkpoints in total and 13 speed zones for a total of 40.78 miles.

On this occasion, the first checkpoint will be located at mile 245.64 (near the San Matías wind fans) and checkpoint 2 will be at mile 354.71 (Llano Colorado).

Among the other challenging Baja California streams that will cross the route are: El Mezcal, La Rajadura, El Tule, Alamito (before Summit), En Medio (between Summit and Cohabuzo), San Matías, Los Encinos, and El Salty.

All Sportsman, Class 11, 5/1600, Baja Challenge and Class 7SX classes will cover only 456.91 miles, as they will have two “cuts” in the route so that they can reach the finish line in time and form.

LET'S ALL GO TO THE COASTAL BOULEVARD

The mechanical inspection of the SCORE Baja 500 will be on Friday, May 31 on the Bulevar Costero in Ensenada, from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, an activity that hopes to bring together 50 thousand people throughout that day.

On Saturday, June 1, the green flag will fall on Coastal Boulevard, with the first motorcycle leaving at 2:30 in the morning, while the first 4-wheeled vehicle will leave at 6:15 in the morning, having to beat a route of 483.06 miles, and with a time limit to cross the finish line in Ensenada, of 20 hours.

The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 2 in the Cathedral Hall of the Riviera Social, Civic and Cultural Center in Ensenada, at 12:30 in the afternoon, remembering that the SCORE Baja 500 will be broadcast live on the official channel of SCORE on YouTube and also its official Facebook account, with the comments of the popular Rat Sult from the start and finish ramp.

TO EARN A STARTING PLACE

On Thursday, May 30, the Method Race Wheels qualification will be held for the SCORE Trophy Trucks, SCORE Trophy Trucks Legend and Trophy Truck Spec, starting with practices from 7 in the morning in a private venue, remembering that in this event the access to spectators.

In this way, the starting order will be defined in those 3 classes for the race, this being the first time in history that all SCORE dates will have this activity, which seeks to generate greater economic benefits at the venues of the races. events, such as San Felipe and Ensenada.

The Method Race Wheels qualification will be broadcast live on the official SCORE accounts on Facebook and YouTube, with the opinion of Off-Road experts from the SCORE studios in El Cajon, California.

NO ONE BEATS THE BFGOODRICH TIRE

BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for 48 years, has been awarded after the 2023 season as the SCORE pit assistance company of the year, an achievement it has already achieved 33 times.

BFGoodrich Tires has been the choice of 35 of the 56 winners of the popular SCORE Baja 500 and 33 of the 56 winners of the legendary SCORE Baja 1000. BFGoodrich Tires is also the title sponsor of both iconic races again in 2024.

BFGoodrich Tires has also been the choice of 30 of the 37 overall winners of the SCORE San Felipe 250, of the three races of the Desafío del Desierto SCORE, of the only edition of the SCORE Desafío de Campeones in San Felipe, of the only SCORE Baja Sur 500 and one of the three absolute winners of the SCORE Baja 400.

BFGoodrich Tires has set a contingency bonus for the overall winner of this year's race of $10,000.

BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500

Round 2 of four-race 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship

May 29-June 2–483.06 miles–Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Total Entries: 243  (as of 5/20/24)

(from 25 US States, host Mexico, Argentina, Australia,

Canada, Chile, Ecuador, France, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Peru)

Pro Cars/Trucks/UTVs

(Starting order, by class)

SCORE TROPHY TRUCK ( 34* )

(Qualifying Order)

1Bryce Menzies

16  Cameron Steele

87 Dallas Lutrell

70 Kevin Thompson

58 Tracy Graff

89 Mike Walser

94 Christopher Polvoorde

33 Roberto Romo Jr.

21 Gustavo 'Tavo' Vildosola Jr

78 Tracy Poole

85 Mikey Lawrence

46 Toby Price

45 Gary Magness

82 Sam Baldi

83 Luke McMillin

23  Dan McMillin

10 Alan Ampudia

19 Tim Herbst

41 Justin Lofton

11 Rob MacCachren

63 Ruben Torres

9 Ethan Ebert

28 Ryan Daniel

56 Ruben Ledezma

72 Aaron Celiceo

27 Jonathan Brenthel

*SCORE TT LEGEND (*8)

(Qualifying Order)

*37L Rolf Helland

*1L Gustavo Vildosola Sr

*61L David Payne

*85L Clay Lawrence

*65L Greg Adler

*99L Shawn Runyon

*67L Paul Kraus

*25L Mark Winkelman

CLASS 1 ( 7 )

153 Brad Wilson

168 Cody Reid

138 Kyle Quinn

127 Cody Parkhouse

133 Alberto Varela

162 Brendan Gaughan

165 Dave Mason Jr.

TROPHY TRUCK SPEC (33)

(Qualifying Order)

258 Mavrick Gaunt

245 Ethan Hagle

294 Vincent Munoz

236 Michael Marsal

261 Mick Magher

242 Connor McNeil (DOR-Bryce Swaim)

299 Charles Dorrance

207 Mason Cullen

228 Ryan Hancock

260 Santiago Creel

200 Jason McNeil

297 Jorge Sampietro

289 Tanner Rust

205 Joe Delucie

238 Elijah Kiger

285 Justin Davis

266 David Ziegler

263 E.J. Herbst

219 Thor Herbst

224 Miles Wyatt

241 Stephen Beal

259 Matt Winslow

213 Josh Beyer

282 Brent Fox

290 Isidro Ochoa

203 Mitch McNeil

273 Jordan Brenthel

209 J. David Ruvalcaba

277 Travis Williams

274 Shane Lewis

232 Chelsea Magness

262 Linc Day

237 Adam Castaneda

CLASS 10 ( 16 )

1006 Freddie Willert

1000 Francisco Vera

1044 Jason Shipman

1077 Dale Ebberts

1002 Matias Arjona IV

1013 Harley Meservey

1020 Carlos Guillen

1067 Tim Pangborn

1019 Alberto Mendez

1047 Zack McLaren

1079 Manlio F. Diaz

1075 Eliseo Garcia

1001 Shane Lowry-4th RS

1014 Bruce Yee-3rd RS

1023 Tamara Myers-2nd RS

1060 Ted Baker-1st RS

PRO UTV  OPEN  ( 23 )

1821 Cayden MacCachren

1896 Brock Heger

1886 Branden Sims

1854 Kristen Matlock

1841 Max Eddy Jr.

1825 Vito Ranuio

1831 Craig Scanlon

1824 Oscar R. Alvarez

1871 Wayne Matlock

1869 Justin Lambert

1850 Paul Barnhart Jr.

1870 Brandon Walsh

1847 Jesus Mendez Jr.

1880 Gabe Matthews

1867 Mike Pratt

1876 ​​Mike Cafro

1866 Harrison Weiss

1829 Sierra Romo

1872 Justin Smith

1888 Roger Norman

1889 Paul Munoz Jr.

1837 Ronnie Anderson

1861 Mitchell Alsup

PRO UTV FI (19)

2905 Marc Burnett

2944 Phil Blurton

2987 Edgar Garcia

2948 Matt Burroughs

2915 Rickey Arslanian

2956 Bogart Escandon

2906 Zach Selby

2925 Bernardo Perez

2955 Miguel Cortez

2960 Miguel Barraza

2928 Carlos Quezada

2920 Roberto Ruiz

2936 Michael Shell

2992 Sophie Austin

2966 Shane Allen

2951 Herman Johnson

2943 Steve Allen

2962 Jarod Minghini

2980 Bradley Salazar-1st RS

CLASS 7 ( 4 )

703 Scott Brady

711 Richard Fant

718 Luis Vazquez Jr

700 Daniel Chamlee

PRO UTV NA ( 8)

1974 Ethan Groom

1919 Eva Malabanan

1984 David Pedder

1957 Joe Bolton

1925 Michael McFayden

1926 Robert Aguirre

1951 Mike Podratz

1911 Carlos Waumann-1st RS

CLASS 5 ( 3 )

503 Jon Manikateri

510 Gerardo Ibarra-2nd RS

500 Eli Yee-1st RS

PRO UTV STOCK (14)

3907 Jeremy Davis

3928 Endy Chavez

3955 Scott Sappington

3926 Yoshua Morquecho

3916 Jeff Embree

3900 Jorge Cano

3919 Anibal Lopez

3930 Douglas Cornwell

3943 Dennis Romero

3905 Mike Hutton

3906 Mark Levrett

3925 Kaden Wells-3rd RS

3914 Carlos Alonso-2nd RS

3957 Bruce Jett-1st RS

CLASS 1/2-1600 ( 5 )

1606 Daniel Goodrich

1644 Roman Pereyra

1662 Julie Boyer

1671 David Valenzuela B.

1656 Raul Ojeda-1st RS

CLASS 8 (1)

809 Josh Klenske

CLASS 3 ( 1 )

390 Ikuo Hanawa

CLASS 5/1600 (1)

561 Zackery Woodruff

CLASS 7F ( 2 )

719F Cesar Gutierrez

7 00 F Justin Park

CLASS 7SX (2)

740 Armando Duron

747 Jim Horne-1st RS

FULL STOCK (1)

8103 John Marshall

C LASS 11 ( 2 )

1100 Oliver Flemate

1111 Eric Solorzano

Pro Motorcycles

PRO MOTO UNLIMITED ( 10 )

11x Arturo Salas Jr

9x Austin Eddy

8x Fernando Beltran

25x Bryce Stavron

15x Eric Holt

20x Eric Kirby

7x Justin Morgan

13x Adrian Ortiz

64x Grant Kawell

44x Austin Farley

PRO MOTO 30 ( 5 )

311x Juan Valenzuela

354x Felipe Barron

377x Sam Hardy

388x Donald McKenzie-2nd RS

317x Ethan Wheeler-1st RS

PRO MOTO LIMITED (7)

110x Armando Ortiz

150x Neithan Davis

151x Brayan Verduzco

133x Julio de Pena Rodriguez

193x Adam Joslin

128x Gustavo Gonzalez-2nd RS

107x Bryan Arias-1st RS

PRO MOTO 50 ( 2 )

547x Mike Prunty

513x Joseph Amey

PRO MOTO 40 ( 4 )

411x Francisco Septien

452x Travis Flateau

400x Beloved Alirium

402x Gary Sparks

PRO MOTO IRONMAN ( 13 )

719x Kadin Guard

745x Patricio Cabrera

788x Brian Roberts

780x Jeff Miller

781x Miguel Luna

724x William Gross

786x Michael Lange

782x Blake Dominguez

748x Will Geyer

756x Francisco Heredia

778x Aaron McDowell

792x Daniel Mastrude

713x Francisco Teran-1st RS

PRO MOTO 60 (5)

628x Mike Kay

616x Harrold Harris

643x Steven McQuery

648x Oscar Hale-2nd RS

649x Donald Lewis-1st RS

PRO MOTO ADVENTURE (3)

834x Scott Purcell

827x Gerardo Rubio-2nd RS

805x Dustin Davis-1st RS

Pro Quads

Pro Quad (2)

31a Estevan Ramirez Jr

11a Daniel Magdaleno

Sportsman

SPT M/C (9)

205x Francisco Rosas

236x Andy Valencia

283x Chad Waite

266x Tyler Harvey

233x Berrelleza Aluminum

250x Ernesto Sosa

209x Stephen McLean

259x Jhoan Sanchez

275x Daniel Felix

SPT QUAD (7)

138a Gabriel Vazquez

124a Erick Talmentes

137a Jose Miramontes

127a Martin de la Torre

130a Hugo Barreda

157a Nakul Hernandez

114a Sergio Lopez

BFGoodrich 2024 SCORE Baja 500 Map | Click Map to download High Resolution Image

BFGoodrich 2024 SCORE Baja 500 Schedule

Date: May 29 - June 2, 2024 | Location: Ensenada, B.C., Mexico

5pm May 10: Submit notarized waivers for band mailing or pickup at onsite registration.

9pm May 17: Last opportunity to register online or in person at the Ensenada office.

Qualifying for Trophy Truck, TT Legends, and TT Spec classes: Requires prior completion of race registration and all fees paid by May 17, 9pm.

Event Schedule

1pm-7pm: Racer Registration - Mandatory for Qualifying Teams
1pm-5pm: Media Registration and Chassis Inspections
7pm: Moto and Quad Rider Meeting

7am: Qualifying for Trophy Truck, TT Legends, TT Spec Classes
9am-5pm: Chassis Inspections, Stella Bracket Purchases, Checks & Installations

8am-4pm: Racer Registration
8am-6pm: Contingency Row, Technical Inspection, Transponder Checks

2:00am: Staging Begins for Motos and Quads
6:15am: 4-Wheel Ceremonial Start
3:00pm – 11:00pm: Posting of Unofficial Finishers

Sunday, June 2: Official results and awards celebration will be posted and held in the Cathedral Room, Riviera del Pacifico Center.

From SCORE Journal


THE FASTEST BAJA RACE | April 2024 Issue

THE KING SHOCKS 37TH SCORE SAN FELIPE 250 BREAKS RECORDS For those not familiar with the city of San Felipe, it is a beautiful and lively coastal town nestled along the eastern shoreline of Mexico’s northern Baja peninsula. It is a picturesque place where the waters of the Sea of Cortez lap against the shores of a desert and mountain landscape. It’s also where a SCORE off-road race has been taking place for almost four decades. Read More


METHOD RACE WHEELS QUALIFIER | April 2024 Issue

A decision early this season made by SCORE President/Race Director Jose A. Grijalva, was that racers in the SCORE Trophy Truck, Trophy Truck Legend, T rophy Truck Spec and Class 1 divisions, would start each of the four races by Qualifying in the Method Race Wheels Qualifier. For the King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe, the Method Race Wheels Qualifier took place on Thursday March 21st on a 5.10-mile course North of downtown San Felipe, but was not open to the public. SCORE Fans watched the event via SCORE’s Live Streaming on the SCORE International Website, App and Facebook pages. Read More


MARK POST GRAND MARSHAL | April 2024 Issue

One of SCORE’s iconic legendary racers, Mark Post, is the Grand Marshal for this year’s King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250. Post is a prominent businessman in Southern California and Las Vegas, who has been active in desert racing for nearly 30 years and is most widely known for driving his “Black Diamond” Riviera Racing SCORE Trophy Truck that was built in 1993. Read More



SCORE Journal  | Issue 4 2024

Cover Page 1
Table of Contents
Page 7

Subscribe to SCORE Journal & the Racer Newsletter

Please email me the SCORE Journal, Racer Newsletter, offers & discounts from specially selected partners for FREE every month with exclusive behind-the-scenes information and access to SCORE racers, new and legendary vehicle features, off-road history, and the latest news on SCORE Off-Road Racing. SCORE Journal Magazine subscribers are automatically entered to receive free promotional products, swag, and more, from SCORE Sponsors and SCORE Journal advertisers, when available, and other exclusive prizes only available to subscribers. You can opt-out at any time. By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy.

Subscription Covers

SCORE JOURNAL SUBSCRIBER WINNER

SCORE JOURNAL SUBSCRIBER WINNER Justin Bodkin of Vacaville, CA is the winner of the BOXO USA UTV Tool Roll Give-A-Way. The BOXO UTV Tool Roll is a 66-piece set with specific tools for Polaris or Can-Am UTVs to make repairs in the field. Justin was chosen at random among the list of SCORE Journal Subscribers. If you want to win too, subscribe to SCORE Journal Magazine and become eligible for future product prizes, here: https://scoreinternational.com/subscribe.php

2024 SCORE Pro Moto Unlimited Points Leaders

Arturo Salas

1. Arturo Salas

103 Points
Austin Eddy

2. Austin Eddy

97 Points
Fernando Beltran

3. Fernando Beltran

93 Points
Tucker Hopkins

4. Tucker Hopkins

90 Points
Bryce Stavron

5. Bryce Stavron

88 Points
Eric Holt

6. Eric Holt

87 Points

2024 SCORE Trophy Truck Legends Points Leaders

Gustavo Vildosola Sr.

1. Gustavo Vildosola Sr.

96 Points
Clay Lawrence

2. Clay Lawrence

90 Points
Greg Adler

3. Greg Adler

86 Points
Rolf Helland

4. Rolf Helland

83 Points
David Payne

5. David Payne

81 Points
Wade Porter

6. Wade Porter

35 Points

The Latest News from Score International

Starting draw results for SCORE Baja 500

Mexican National Arutro Salas Jr will be the first motorcycle to leave the start line next Saturday at the legendary BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500. Most of the start positions were determined by the finishing order from the previous ... Read More

Grand Marshal: Rodrigo Ampudia Sr.

One of the most recognizable and admired figures in all of Baja California, entrepreneur, racer, and race team owner, Rodrigo Ampudia Sr has agreed to be the Grand Mashal for this year’s BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, SCORE announced ... Read More

Pre-running opens for the BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500 at 8 a.m. PT Saturday

... Read More

Sylvania - Leader in Off-road Lighting

SYLVANIA Off Road Partners with SCORE International

Partnership sheds light on SYLVANIA’s robust off-road automotive lighting expertise

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, Dominic@SCORE-International.com

SCORE International Off-Road Racing is pleased to welcome SYLVANIA Off Road as the official lights partner of the SCORE World Desert Championship, the Premier off-road racing series. The SCORE World Desert Championship series, in operation for over 50 years, produces the globally known race brands, SCORE Baja 1000, SCORE Baja 500, SCORE Baja 400 and SCORE San Felipe 250, which take place in Baja California, Mexico.

Read More
Sylvania the Leader in Off-road Lighting

SYLVANIA Off Road Partners with SCORE International

Partnership sheds light on SYLVANIA’s robust off-road automotive lighting expertise

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, Dominic@SCORE-International.com

SCORE International Off-Road Racing is pleased to welcome SYLVANIA Off Road as the official lights partner of the SCORE World Desert Championship, the Premier off-road racing series. The SCORE World Desert Championship series, in operation for over 50 years, produces the globally known race brands, SCORE Baja 1000, SCORE Baja 500, SCORE Baja 400 and SCORE San Felipe 250, which take place in Baja California, Mexico.

Read More About Sylvania

SYLVANIA Off Road Partners with SCORE International

Partnership sheds light on SYLVANIA’s robust off-road automotive lighting expertise

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, Dominic@SCORE-International.com

ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico, -- SCORE International Off-Road Racing is pleased to welcome SYLVANIA Off Road as the official lights partner of the SCORE World Desert Championship, the Premier off-road racing series. The SCORE World Desert Championship series, in operation for over 50 years, produces the globally known race brands, SCORE Baja 1000, SCORE Baja 500, SCORE Baja 400 and SCORE San Felipe 250, which take place in Baja California, Mexico.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome SYLVANIA Off Road as the newest sponsor of the SCORE World Desert Championship!” said Jim Ryan, SCORE Vice-President of Marketing & Sales. “Having a Heritage brand like SYLVANIA partner with us to bring their lighting expertise to the off-road racing market is really leveling-up the experience for our brand and our racers.”

SYLVANIA Off Road offers a selection of LED light bars and pods for the off-road space that delivers superior optical engineering, water resistance, durable design and are backed by a lifetime limited warranty. The SYLVANIA off-road portfolio includes three product lines: the Slim series with a compact design allowing installation almost anywhere on the vehicle; the Rugged series with a durable, waterproof design made to withstand tough environments; and the Ultra series, designed for ultimate off-road visibility with the highest lumen output of the product lines. In addition to these lines, SYLVANIA offers a variety of off-road installation accessories.

SYLVANIA’s Director of Marketing Erin O’Malley said, “We are excited to partner with the iconic SCORE racing series and look forward to showcasing the quality, durability and overall performance of all our off-road automotive lighting products with this enthusiastic and discerning community.”

For details and to learn more about SYLVANIA Off Road, visit https://www.sylvania-automotive.com/off-road-lighting.

Details regarding the SCORE World Desert Championship are available on https://score-raceinfo.com/.

About OSRAM SYLVANIA

SYLVANIA is a trademark of OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc. and part of the ams OSRAM group. As a global company with a history dating back 110 years and businesses around the world, the ams OSRAM Group's innovation, ingenuity, technical prowess and industry know-how represent a winning combination for our partners and our consumers. SYLVANIA is a well-recognized brand that is professional, reliable and committed to aftermarket solutions, representing a winning combination for our partners and our consumers. SYLVANIA's integrated, in-house skills allow for the development of products from research and design to engineering and manufacturing. SYLVANIA’s long history of delivering innovative aftermarket solutions continues to drive its mission to create a more connected road for everyone. To learn more, visit our website.

The Rugged Radio Showroom is an open area with products and cool vehicles on display

After starting out in a small garage, Rugged Radios founder and president Greg Cottrell grew his radio and communication equipment business into a giant in the industry. We recently visited the company’s latest complex in Arroyo Grande, California, a small town neighboring Pismo Beach, which showcases the company’s passion for communication technology as well as vintage cars, motorcycles, race vehicles, and more.

RUGGED RADIOS

The Rugged Radio Showroom is an open area with products and cool vehicles on display

Communication support and race support vehicles are ready to help racers and enthusiasts at every SCORE race

Communication support and race support vehicles are ready to help racers and enthusiasts at every SCORE race

Rugged Radios is the Official Communications of SCORE International
The Garage is an area where vehicles are worked on and new products are prototyped

Rugged Radios is the Official Communications of SCORE International

In his personal shop and collection, Cottrell has an area replicating his dad’s original motorcycle repair shop

In his personal shop and collection, Cottrell has an area replicating his dad’s original motorcycle repair shop

RUGGED RADIOS

A NEW COMPLEX SHOWCASES A PASSION FOR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

By Dan Sanchez

After starting out in a small garage, Rugged Radios founder and president Greg Cottrell grew his radio and communication equipment business into a giant in the industry. We recently visited the company’s latest complex in Arroyo Grande, California, a small town neighboring Pismo Beach, which showcases the company’s passion for communication technology as well as vintage cars, motorcycles, race vehicles, and more.

“Our home is here in Arroyo Grande,” said Cottrell. “My dad had a motorcycle repair shop in Covina, California, and I began getting involved in it with him when he began racing in SCORE in the 70s.” Cottrell learned early on that communication is critical for safety during racing or other off-road adventures. Cottrell later moved to Arroyo Grande and began working on improving the communication systems that were available at the time, and he soon became a leader in the marketplace.

“I’ve been in the business of communication technology for 32 years and started Rugged Radios over 18 years ago,” said Cottrell. “I started out in my garage, and now we have a state-of-the-art complex designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.” 

The Rugged Radios facility isn’t just a large, bland building in the middle of town. The beautiful exterior and interior are inviting to everyone interested in cars, motorcycles, off-road, Overlanding, and anything else on two or four wheels. “For us, it’s all about energy,” said Cottrell. “When you walk in, you feel the company– who we are– become immersed in the activity here, and you begin to realize you’re in the communications superstore.”

With more than 50 employees, the showroom is open and allows customers to see everything from order-taking, R&D, production, shipping, and more. You will also be surrounded by multiple vintage motorcycles, buggies, race vehicles, and hot-rods, all on display with the company’s products in them. From headsets for helmets to the latest GMRS communication units, samples are available for customers to pick up, feel, and ask questions.

The employees also show pride in working there, and although the main building and showroom are impressive, there’s much more to the Rugged Radios complex. Alongside the main building is the company’s new taco stand, a small building with a full kitchen that is still being prepared to make, sell, and distribute Baja-style tacos. 

“The taco stand is being set up for when we have events such as car shows here at Rugged,” said Steve Gonzalez, Rugged warehouse manager. “We have events here that bring in hundreds of vehicles, and people want to eat, so we took our love of tacos from Baja and brought it to our facility.”

The Rugged complex also houses the company’s “garage,” where new products are prototyped and tested and where team members can work on their vehicles. Everything from welding tools to a CNC laser cutter is in this area to maximize creativity and design. Behind the Garage is another building where all of Cottrell’s personal toys are housed and showcased. Vintage motorcycles, Baja Bugs, Jeeps, a vintage trailer, collectible bicycles, and a replica of his dad’s motorcycle repair shop are all displayed in a tribute to the passions Cottrell shares.

Between the main building and the Garage are numerous Rugged Radio vehicles, including show support and product trailers, along with four-wheel show and pre-runner trucks. 

“This year, we partnered with SCORE International as the Official Radio Communications company,” said Cottrell. “It’s been a dream of mine to become involved with SCORE in an official capacity, as we support SCORE and SCORE supports us. Most importantly, we support the racers at every event and teach them how to install, check, and recheck their equipment before a race. This partnership with SCORE is only the beginning, and I can’t wait for the many more years to come.”

For more information on the Rugged Radios location or any of the Rugged Radio products, visit them at www.ruggedradios.com.

2024-SanFelipe250-37th-Annual_King_v2_300px.png
March 20-March 24, 2024
2024-Baja500-56th-Annual-Logo_v1_300px.png
May 29–June 2, 2024
2024-Baja400-5thAnnual_VP_v1_300px.png Logo
Sept. 11-15, 2024
2024-Baja-1000-57th-Annual_v1_300px.png Logo
Nov. 12-17, 2024

Official Letters from Mexico | Score International

Introducing SCORE Baja 1000 Tequila

As a homage to Mexican culture and the vibrant tradition of BAJA 1000 racing celebrations, SCORE International takes pride in crafting a tequila that embodies its rich history and cultural heritage. Here's to raising a glass to one of the world's premier motorsports events.

SCORE BAJA 1000 Tequila is more than just a beverage; it's a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the celebration of adventure. Our premium Tequila celebrates 50 years off-road racing in Baja and delivers a unique and memorable drinking experience. Proudly distilled in Tequila, Mexico, we invite you to enjoy on the rocks, or in cocktails with friends and share the adventure!

Grand Marshal: Rodrigo Ampudia Sr.

One of the most recognizable and admired figures in all of Baja California, entrepreneur, racer, and race team owner, Rodrigo Ampudia Sr has agreed to be the Grand Mashal for this year’s BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, SCORE announced recently.

Grand Marshal: Rodrigo Ampudia Sr.

by Dominic Clark, SCORE Historian

One of the most recognizable and admired figures in all of Baja California, entrepreneur, racer, and race team owner, Rodrigo Ampudia Sr has agreed to be the Grand Mashal for this year’s BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, SCORE announced recently.

     Ampudia, 66, of Ensenada, Mexico, co-founder of the popular Papas & Beer night clubs in Ensenada and Rosarito Beach, a multi-time SCORE Baja racer winner, and he is the owner and leader of Team Papas, one of the premier desert racing teams in the SCORE World Desert Championship.

     “This is a unique privilege for SCORE to have an individual of Rodrigo’s stature in Baja California agree to be the Grand Marshal for this year’s BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500,’ commented Jim Ryan, SCORE Vice-President of Marketing and Sales. “For 40 years, Papas & Beer has been a tradition in Ensenada and Rosarito Beach and Team Papas is one of the most respected teams in all of desert racing. We sincerely thank Rodrigo Ampudia Sr for honoring SCORE by being our Grand Marshal for this race that started the legacy of SCORE on July 26, 1974.”

     Ampudia Sr has earned seven class wins in his SCORE racing career, but will quickly tell you that he is proudest of his three sons and what they continue to accomplish in desert racing.

     “My brother (Rogerio) and I ran our first SCORE race in Class 1/2-1600 in 1986, and we have been a part of SCORE Baja racing ever since,” said Rodrigo Ampudia Sr. “God has blessed our family tremendously and now my three sons are the warriors of Team Papas. I am pleased to be the Grand Marshal for the SCORE Baja 500, an event that means so much to Baja California, Ensenada, and the Ampudia family.”

     In his racing career, Rodrigo Ampudia Sr had three wins in the SCORE Baja 500 (1992, 1994, and 2009), one in the SCORE San Felipe 250 (2009), and three in the iconic SCORE Baja 1000 (1990, 1994, and 2017).

     In his 2017 class victory, Ampudia Sr was the second driver for fellow Mexican patriarch racer Gustavo Vildosola Sr, in the SCORE TT Legend class (SCORE Trophy Truck Drivers over 50 years old), the peninsula race from Ensenada to La Paz that was part of the 50th SCORE Baja 1000 celebration.

     Team Papas second generation racers will all be part of this year’s SCORE Baja 500.  Oldest brother Rodrigo Ampudia Jr, 39, will race in the Pro UTV Open class, and brothers Alan Ampudia, 33, and Aaron Ampudia, 31, will split the driving in the Team Papas SCORE Trophy Truck.

     Together the three brothers won the 2019 SCORE Baja 1000 and this year Alan Ampudia drove solo to win the overall and SCORE Trophy Truck title in the King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250.

 

Cool Stuff from Score International

VANCE & HINES

Made for Trophy Truck and off Road racing applications this 304 Stainless Steel muffler weighs only 14 lbs ... Read More

The Legends of Score International

A Family Dynasty From Buggies to Trophy Trucks

When Corky McMillin first came to Baja in 1976 and began an off-road racing career, he spawned two additional generations of family racers after his two sons, Scott and Mark got involved. Scott began his racing career co-driving Class 2 ... Read More

Started in a Truck, Became Famous in a Buggy

You don’t get a nickname like “Baja Bob” without earning it. Bob Gordon has an impressive record racing on the Mexican Peninsula befitting of the nickname “Baja Bob”. Gordon was a three-time winner of the Baja 500; two of which ... Read More

Soft-Spoken 7-Time Winner

Larry Ragland was never known for braggadocio. He exemplified the saying “Speak softly, but carry a big stick.” He let his results on the race course speak for themselves. His 5 wins at the Baja 1000 are impressive, but he ... Read More

More Legends of SCORE Off-road Racing

Pre-running opens for the BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500 at 8 a.m. PT Saturday

Pre-running opens for the BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500 at 8 a.m. PT Saturday

Gabriel Garcia, SCORE MEDIA OPERATIONS DIRECTOR: Gabriel@SCORE-international.com AND SCORE HISTORIAN: Dominic Clark, Dominic@SCORE-International.com

ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico—To talk about the SCORE Baja 500 is to talk about a legendary desert racing event that has attracted hundreds of thousands of adventurers from all over the world, something that will happen again this year.

     The BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500 in Ensenada is the second date of the 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship, starting and finishing in Ensenada on June 1 and June 2.

     Interest is peaking, especially with pre-running opening on Saturday over the 483.06-mile route that includes such classic areas of the sport as The Summit, Mike's Sky Rancho, Simpson’s Ranch, the Erendira ejido and Ojos Negros.

     A historic competition, which began in 1969 with a route starting and finishing in Ensenada, featured 163 competing teams, of which only 73 saw the checkered flag.

     Over the years, the SCORE Baja 500 has been held in different venues, but it has always been Ensenada that has captured its charm, with 49 starting sites in that city, three in Ojos Negros, 2 in San Felipe, and only 1 in the United States, specifically, in Barstow, Calif.

COURSE PREVIEW

     SCORE President/Race Director Jose A. Grijalva and SCORE Co-Race Director Rodo Fernandez, have put together another memorable race course to challenge the world’s best desert racers. The final distance is 483.06 miles.

     It will be starting and finishing again on fan-friendly Blvd. Costero adjacent to the iconic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada. Pre-race Contingency and Tech Inspection will also be held on Blvd. Costero on Friday, May 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.

     The course runs in a clockwise direction out of and back to the start/finish line compound in Ensenada, traveling through such noted areas as Ojos Negros, Tres Hermanos, El Alamo, Santa Catarina, the Summit, Cohabuzo Junction, Saldana, La Ventana access, El Arrajal wash, San Matias Pass, Mike’s Sky Rancho, Simpson’s Road to Valle de Trinidad, West to Llano Colorado, San Vicente Wash, Erendira, Santo Tomas, Uruapan, Rancho El Mezcal, Ojos Negros, and back to the finish line in Ensenada.

     The course has two complete stop physical checkpoints, 240 total virtual checkpoints and 13 speed zones for a total of 40.78 miles.

     Physical Checkpoint 1 is located at race mile 245.64 (near Eolic Field) and Checkpoint 2 is at rm354.71 (Llano Colorado).

     Among the other infamous Baja washes that the course will go through are: El Mezcal Wash, La Rajadura Wash, El Tule Wash, Alamito Wash (before the Summit), En Medio Wash (between the Summit and Cohabuzo), San Matias Wash, Los Encinos Wash, and El Salado Wash.

     All Sportsman classes, Class 11, 5/1600, Baja Challenge and Class 7SX will run a reduced course of a total of 456.91 miles.

     Pre-running starts at race mile 36.95 and finishes at rm446.11. The section from rm9.30 to rm33.12 may be run outbound only on Friday, May 31.

AN EVENT OF INTERNATIONAL STATURE

     Race festivities in Ensenada will be held May 29 to June 2 for the second round of the 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship.

     With the nearly 260 entries expected at the start line, 194 entries to date, including racers entered to make the trip to Mexican soil from 22 U.S. States, host country Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and Peru.

     In the most recent entry list of teams, the figure is 192, highlighting that the class with the most entries is SCORE Trophy Truck with 33, followed by Trophy Truck Spec with 32, Pro UTV Open (15), Pro UTV FI (14), Pro UTV Stock (12), and Class 10 (10). Among the motorcycles, the class with the most participants so far is the Pro Moto Ironman (solo riders) with 11.

MENZIES, THE KING TO BEAT

     Bryce Menzies, 36, of Las Vegas, began his fabulous streak to No. 1 in SCORE Trophy Truck nearly a year ago at the 55th SCORE Baja 500 by winning the overall race in his Ford Raptor, built by Mason Motorsports.

     Menzies will now try to achieve consecutive victories in the SCORE Baja 500 with navigator Oren Anderson, who has been a member of the Menzies Motorsports team for several years, knowing that everyone wants to knock them off the throne of the "Monsters of the Desert".

     After his fourth place in the King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250 in March, Menzies, with a time of 4 hours, 15 minutes, 32 seconds on the 285.69 miles track, it's time to think about the podium, but also to take the checkered flag as it happened in the SCORE Baja 500 in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2023.

SOLORZANO, LEGEND OF CLASS 11

     Tijuana, Mexico native Eric Solorzano, 64, is a living legend of Off-Road and Class 11, with 7 wins in the history of the SCORE Baja 500 (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009), all as a member of the the special class of stock VW Sedans.

     Solorzano, one of two Mexicans in the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, along with businessman Nico Saad, owner of the legendary Hotel San Nicolas in Ensenada, remains active and in this SCORE Baja 500 will join forces behind the wheel with Edwin Cherider, Manzano Adame and Leon Michel Burgoin, to try to return to the winner's circle.

EVA IS FULFILLING HER DREAM

     For several years, Eva Malabanan, 16 from El Cajon, Calif., dreamed of someday racing in SCORE, so she was participating in different Off-Road organizations in the United States and Mexico, to make the leap to the "Big Leagues" of this sport.

     Now Eva will be making her debut in a SCORE Baja 500, with the help of her father, Sean Malabanan, to try to bring her Polaris RZR XP1000 to the finish line in first place in the Pro UTV NA class, a mission that does not look easy, but she is ready for the big challenges.

     This past March, Eva Malabanan and Daniel Gutierrez, 58, Chula Vista, Calif., finished second in the King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250, overcoming their "first test", but now the challenge is twice as extreme for her.

LET'S ALL GO TO THE BLVD. COSTERO

     The colorful contingency row and tech inspection of all the participating vehicles will be held on Friday, May 31 on Ensenada's Boulevard Costero from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, adjacent to the iconic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. With the Manufacturer’s Midway and multiple local vendors, the pre-race pageantry draws upwards 50,000 people for the event that is free to the public.

     On Saturday, June 1, the green flag will drop on the Boulevard Costero, with the first motorcycle departing at 2:30 a.m. PT, while the first 4-wheeler will depart at 6:15 a.m. PT, having to overcome a 486-mile race course.  While the fastest vehicles are expected to finish in approximately 10 hours, all vehicles Will have a 20-hour time limit to become official finishers in the elapsed-time race.

     The awards celebration will be held on Sunday, June 2 at the Cathedral Hall of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center at 12:30 p.m. Qualifying, contingency and the race days will be part of SCORE Live with Rat Sult on SCORE's official YouTube channel and also its official Facebook account. Tracking of the race vehicles will be available during the race through the SCORE website.

METHOD RACE WHEELS QUALIFYING

     SCORE Trophy Trucks, SCORE Trophy Truck, SCORE TT Legend and Trophy Truck Spec classes will hold the Method Race Wheels Qualifying session on Thursday, May 30. Starting with at 7 a.m. PT at a private venue, this event is closed to the public.

     The Method Race Wheels Qualifying will determine the starting order in those three classes for the race, as this is the first time in history that all SCORE four races will hold a qualifying session.

SCORE Live will air the Method Race Wheels Qualifying through the SCORE website.

     Start order for all of the other classes in this race will be determined by a random draw for positions within each class.

LAST DAYS OF ONLINE MEDIA REGISTRATION

     Applications for SCORE press credentials (Regular media, team media and commercial media) for the BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500 are still open, exclusively online through the following direct link...http://score-international.com/score-media/.

     Once submitted through the SCORE website (deadline for submission is Friday, May 17), credential requests will be reviewed and a response email will be sent by us by Monday, May 20.

THE KING OF BAJA, BFGOODRICH TIRES

     BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for 48 years, was honored after the 2023 season as the SCORE Pit Support Company of the year for the 33rd time.

     BFGoodrich Tires has been the choice of 35 of the 56 overall winners of the popular SCORE Baja 500 and 33 of the 56 overall winners of the legendary SCORE Baja 1000. BFGoodrich Tires is also the title sponsor of both iconic races again in 2024.

     BFGoodrich Tires also has been the choice of 30 of the 37 overall winners of the SCORE San Felipe 250, all three SCORE Desert Challenge races, the lone SCORE Challenge of Champions in San Felipe, the one SCORE Baja Sur 500 and one of the three overall winners in the SCORE Baja 400.

BFGoodrich Tires has posted a contingency bonus for the overall winner of this year’s race of US$10,000.

SCOREscope

2024 SCORE SCHEDULE

Here are the dates for the three remaining 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship which are         being held in Baja California, Mexico for the ninth consecutive year:

BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500—

May 29-June 2, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

5th SCORE Baja 400, presented by VP Racing Fuels—

September 11-15, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 1000—

November 11-17, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

SCORE SPONSORS…

  Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire and Race Title Sponsor, Ford-Official Truck and SUV, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber and Race Title Sponsor, Polaris RZR-Official UTV, VP Racing Fuels-Official Fuel and race presenting sponsor, Optima Batteries-Official Battery, Rugged Radios-Official Radio Communication, Sylvania-Official Light, Method Race Wheels-Official Wheel and Race Qualifying sponsor, Lasernut-Official Custom Metal Fabricator, Wide Open Excursions-Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino.

  SCORE Official Partners: The Satellite Phone Store, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance.

Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Baja California Secretary of Tourism, MEXICO Secretary of Tourism, San Felipe Foundational Municipal Council, Ensenada Municipal Government, San Felipe Marketing Tourism Committee, Ensenada Marketing Tourism Committee, Ensenada Hotel and Motel Association, Proturismo Ensenada, and Cruz Roja Mexicana.

     For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCORE-International.com.