SCORE International enters into special  Strategic Tourism Alliance with Mexico

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, dominic@score-international.com
December 9, 2019
Pact forges expanded relationship

SCORE International enters into special 
Strategic Tourism Alliance with Mexico

 

    ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico—Completing its 46th year as the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Organization, SCORE International announced a special strategic tourism alliance with the Mexican government during the recent BFGoodrich Tires 52nd SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts.
On the eve of the iconic race on Friday, Nov. 22, SCORE officials were joined by representatives of the Mexican government from Mexico City along with elected officials and tourism officials from the state of Baja California and the city of Ensenada, Mexico for the formal announcement media conference.
The media conference was held at the historic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center which is located in the heart of Ensenada adjacent to the start/finish line area for the three SCORE Baja races held annually in the city which is located along the Bahia de Todos Santos on the Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula, 80 miles south of the U.S. Border at San Diego.
The actual signing of the unprecedented alliance agreement took place on Nov. 6 in Mexico City. The agreement is between SCORE and the Mexican Government through the Federal Secretary of Tourism (SECTUR).
SCORE has held nearly 160 races on the Baja California peninsula since it was founded by the late great innovator and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee Mickey Thompson in 1973 and then owned and run for 38 years through 2012 by the legendary Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famer Sal Fish.
SCORE AWARDS NIGHT – JAN. 11, 2020
A night of champions will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 at the San Diego Air and Space Museum at Balboa Park.
The evening will salute the champions of the 2019 SCORE World Desert Championship as well as honoring the 2019 SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year award winners and recognizing the 47 winners of the 2019 Rod Hall SCORE Milestone Awards, presented by VP Racing Fuels.
Also honored will be the award winners from November’s weather-delayed BFGoodrich Tires 52nd SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. PT with a cocktail reception followed by dinner at 7 p.m. PT and the awards at 7:30 p.m. PT. The awards will be streamed live around the world on the Internet through the SCORE Live platform at www.score-international.com.
HISTORIC PACT
Marking the first time a special initiative like this has been finalized by the Mexican government with an international racing organization, Baja California State Senator and SCORE Baja racer Gerardo Novelo, of Ensenada, was a key catalyst in developing this expanded relationship with the Federal Secretary of Tourism (SECTUR) and SCORE.
Among those joining Senator Novelo in Ensenada for the announcement conference at the Riviera on Nov. 22 were Baja California Governor Jaime Bonilla, Federal Secretary of Tourism (SECTUR) Representative Nicolas Cano, Ensenada Mayor Armando Ayala, Baja California Under Secretary of Tourism Ivete Casillas, ProTurismo de Ensenada President Nico Saad as well several local business representatives.
INITIATIVES
As a result of the increasing world-wide popularity and recognition of the important economic and promotional benefits that the SCORE International races generate for Baja California and Mexico and through the efforts led by Baja California State Senator Gerardo Novelo, on Nov. 6 in an event that took place in Mexico City, SCORE International signed a Strategic Tourism Alliance Agreement with the Mexican Federal Government through the Secretary of Tourism (SECTUR).
With this important step to consolidate SCORE International’s presence in Baja California and the rest of Mexico as the World's Foremost Desert Racing Organization, the annual four-race SCORE World Desert Championship will be highlighted by the promotional platform of the Federal Secretary of Tourism throughout all 32 Mexican States as well as abroad with videos, photos, articles, events, social media, etc.
SCORE International has partnered with SECTUR in order to promote the MEXICO logo/brand in various ways including official information, apparel, media, etc. as well with different activities at the races.
This Alliance will help solidify and expand the relationship and support of different branches of the Mexican Federal Government as well as the new Baja California State Government with SCORE International racing events.
COMMENTS
“We appreciate the diligent work of Senator Novelo and our own SCORE General Manager Juan Tintos Funcke in developing this tremendous new aspect of our long-standing relationship with Mexico,” commented Jim Ryan, SCORE Sales and Marketing Director. “SCORE had enjoyed a tremendous friendship with Baja California for nearly five decades and this new alliance will help solidify SCORE’s position in the entire country on an even higher level.”
“The number of Mexican nationals that compete in our races continues to grow, especially from mainland Mexico and this alliance will take our reach even further into all of Mexico,” Ryan added. “We sincerely thank the Mexican government and the Federal Secretary of Tourism for recognizing the importance, significance and impact of our events for all of Mexico.”
Nicolás Cano, representative of the Federal Secretary of Tourism of Mexico, mentioned that the Strategic Tourism Alliance signed with SCORE International is of great importance because it will provide world wide exposure not only for Baja California but all of Mexico.
For his part, Baja California State Governor Jaime Bonilla Valdes expressed that the SCORE races produce high hotel occupancy, they attract an average of over 150,000 spectators and generate more than $US10 million per race for the host city as well as all of the international promotion.
Governor Bonilla also praised the work that SCORE has done over the years in promoting Baja California and promised to continue supporting the organization of the SCORE World Desert Championship.
Ensenada Mayor Armando Ayala highlighted the fact that the SCORE races promote Ensenada's tourism attractions and services on TV, social media and national and foreign press and also confirmed that his administration will fully support the three races scheduled to take place in Ensenada in 2020.
SCOREscope
2020 SCHEDULE
Here is the four-race 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship and for the fifth consecutive year all races will be held in Baja California, Mexico:
34th SCORE San Felipe 250, March 25-29, San Felipe, Mexico
BFGoodrich Tires 52nd SCORE Baja 500, presented by 4 Wheel Parts, June 3-7, Ensenada, Mexico
2nd SCORE Baja 400, Sept. 16-20, Ensenada, Mexico
BFGoodrich Tires 53rd SCORE Baja 1000, Nov.16-21, presented by 4 Wheel Parts, Ensenada, Baja California to La Paz, Baja California Sur
ABC TV IN 2019
The 2019 SCORE World Desert Championship is being televised on the ABC TV family of networks, marking the first time back on the ABC network since the 1967 and 1968 coverage of the Baja 1000 on ABC’s old Wide World of Sports show.
The one-hour special on the BFGoodrich Tires 52nd SCORE Baja 1000, presented by 4 Wheel Parts, is scheduled to air on Saturday, Jan. 4 on ABC TV’s World of X Games.
All of the SCORE race coverage shows will continue to air internationally in nearly 25 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and South America via syndication and ESPN International.
SCORE SPONSORS…
Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire and Race Title Sponsor, Monster Energy-Official Energy Drink, 4 Wheel Parts-Official Off-Road Retailer and Race Presenting Partner, Ford-Official Truck and SUV, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber, Polaris RZR-Official UTV, RACELINE Wheels-Official Wheel, VP Racing Fuels-Official Fuel, Lucerna Hotels & Resorts-Official Hotel, Wide Open Excursions-Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino.
SCORE Official Partners: PCI Race Radios, The Satellite Phone Store, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance.
Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Baja California Secretary of Tourism, XXIII Ensenada Municipal Government, XXIII Mexicali Municipal Government, Mexicali and San Felipe COTUCO, Cruz Roja Mexicana.
For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCOREInternational.com.