Racer Registration Open for 55th SCORE Baja 500

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, Dominic@SCORE-International.com
 
April 19, 2023
 
‘Celebrating 50 Years of Desert Racing Excellence’
Race week—May 31-June 4
BFGoodrich Tires 55th SCORE Baja 500,
Racer registration now open, event schedule online
300+ entries expected from 30 States, 20 countries
 
Round 2 of four-race 2023 SCORE World Desert Championship
in Off-Road Capital of the World—Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico;
Racer registration, event info available at www.SCORE-International.com
 
 
NOTE: Event week schedule, All-Time Overall winners at bottom of text
 
ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico – ‘Celebrating 50 Years of Desert Racing Excellence’ this year, entries from all across the United States and around the world are expected as online registration has officially opened for the upcoming BFGoodrich Tires 55th SCORE Baja 500.
Round 2 of the four-race 2023 SCORE World Desert Championship will be held May 31-June 4 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Ensenada, ‘The Off-Road Capital of the World’, is located 80 miles South of the U.S. Border near San Diego.
DETAILS
With over 300 entries expected from 30 U.S. States and 20 countries, 45 competition classes are offered for Pro and Sportsman cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads.
Most the world’s best desert racers will be in action at this year’s celebration of one of the top 10 motorsports events in the entire world.
SCORE Live will be streaming throughout race week on the SCORE website. Colorful Rat Sult is in his eighth season as the host and lead announcer of SCORE Live. Assisting him again at this race will be veteran voice Dave Arnold.
All four 2023 SCORE races are being held on Mexico’s magnificent Baja California peninsula for the eighth consecutive year.
SCORE, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Organization, is celebrating its 50th season in 2023.
ONLINE RACER ENTRY APPLICATIONS
Racer entry applications are now available at www.SCORE-International.com under Race Info on the SCORE Baja 500 page. Questions should be directed to SCORE Registration and Membership Director Shannon Lund at 775.852.8907 or registration@SCORE-International.com. Online racer entry applications will be accepted through Friday, May 19.
START ORDER/DRAW DEADLINE
The starting order within each class for this race is being determined by the individual finishes at this year’s SCORE San Felipe 250, if the individual entry is received and all fees paid in full by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 19.
All entries received and paid in full by May 19 who didn’t race in San Felipe, will be part of a drawing to determine the remainder of the start order within each class. The draw results will be posted on the SCORE website at 6 p.m. PT on Friday, May 26.
Up until and 5 p.m. PT on May 24, entries will be continue accepted in person only at the SCORE Ensenada office but those entries received after May 19 will not be in the start draw. Late, on-site racer registration will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (May 31-June 2).
All entries received after 5 p.m. PT on Friday, May 19, including on-site, late entries, will be given the next available starting position within their respective classes.
ON-SITE RACER REGISTRATION
Being held in the Salon Rojo at the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in Ensenada, regular on-site and late racer registration will be held on Wednesday (May 31) from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT, on Thursday (June 1) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT and on Friday (June 2) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No new entries will be accepted after 7 p.m. on Wednesday (May 31), 4 p.m. PT on Thursday (June 1) and 4 p.m. PT on Friday (June 2).
PRE-RUNNING
Official practice, or pre-running, on the official 487.52-mile race course for this year’s BFGoodrich Tires 55th SCORE Baja 500, will begin at 8 a.m. PT on Saturday, May 20 starting at race mile 33.78. The section to rm33.38 section will be open only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only on Friday (June 2). Outbound pre-running on Friday (June 2) will start at rm4.90 to rm33.38. No inbound pre-running of this section.
The official SCORE Racer Brief, Penalty brief, course map and GPS files will be available by 6 p.m. PT on Thursday, May 18 on the SCORE website under race info/SCORE Baja 500.
COURSE PREVIEW
     With pre-running opening on Saturday, May 20 for the BFGoodrich Tires 55th SCORE Baja 500, SCORE President/Race Director Jose A. Grijalva is putting together another memorable race course to challenge the world’s best desert racers. The distance will be 487.52.
It will start and finish once again on Blvd. Costero adjacent to the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada. Colorful Contingency and Tech Inspection will also be held on Blvd. Costero on Friday, June 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.
GRAN HISTORIA
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 started originally 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 165 SCORE Baja races.
This year’s SCORE Baja 500 will start for the 49th time in Ensenada and finish for the 45th time in Ensenada.
BFGOODRICH TIRES UNMATCHED
BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for 47 years, was honored after the 2022 season as the SCORE Contingency Company of the year for the 32nd time.
BFGoodrich Tires has been the choice of 35 of the 54 overall winners of the popular SCORE Baja 500 and 33 of the 55 overall winners of the legendary SCORE Baja 1000. BFGoodrich Tires is also the title sponsor of both iconic races again in 2023.
BFGoodrich Tires also has been the choice of 30 of the 36 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.
This year’s SCORE San Felipe 250 overall victory by San Diego’s Luke McMillin marked the 104th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja overall race win.
BFGoodrich Tires has posted a contingency bonus for the overall winner of this race of US$10,000.
SCOREscope
2023 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY SCHEDULE
Here are the dates for the remaining three races in the four-race 2023 SCORE World Desert Championship Golden Anniversary season, ‘Celebrating 50 Years of Desert Racing Excellence’, which are being held totally in Baja California, Mexico for the eighth consecutive year:
BFGoodrich Tires 55th SCORE Baja 500—
May 31-June 4, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
4th SCORE Baja 400, presented by VP Racing Fuels—
September 12-17, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 1000—
November 13-18, La Paz, Baja California Sur to 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, Baja Vida-Official Snacks and race presenting sponsor, Optima Batteries-Official Batteries, Rugged Radios-Official Radio Communications, 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.
‘Celebrating 50 years of Desert Racing Excellence’
BFGoodrich Tires 55th SCORE Baja 500
Round 2 of four-race 2023 SCORE World Desert Championship
May 31-June 4—487.52 miles—Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Schedule of Events• (As of 4.19.2023)
(All times are Pacific Time)
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
1pm-5pm      Media Registration                       Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
2pm-8pm      Racer Registration--                     Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
No New Entries after 7pm
Thursday, June 1, 2023
8am-5pm      Racer Registration--                     Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
No New Entries after 4pm
9am-5pm      Chassis Inspections                              S/F compound, adjacent to Riviera del Pacifico CC
9am-5pm      Pre-Tech Insp/Stella Install           S/F compound, adjacent to Riviera del Pacifico CC
9am-5pm      Media Registration                       Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
Friday, June 2, 2023
8am-5pm      Racer Registration--                     Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
No New entries after 4pm
8am-5pm      Contingency Row                        Blvd. Costero adjacent to Riviera Del Pacifico CC
8am-7pm      Tech/Stella III Installs                   End of Contingency Row
9am-5pm      Media Registration                       Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
11:30am       SCORE Media Conference           Cathedral Room, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
6pm              Mandatory Aircraft Pilot Meeting   Cathedral Room, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
7pm              Racer Meeting                              Cathedral Room, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
Saturday, June 3, 2023
3:30a-12am   SCORE Media Center                  Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
START/FINISH: 487.52-mile course                Adjacent Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
(Class starting order subject to change)
3:30am CEREMONIAL START: MOTORCYCLES/QUADS (Adjacent to the Riviera CC)
4am    RACE START: MOTORCYCLES/QUADS-rm4.90 (subject to change)—
Pro Moto Unltd, Pro Moto 30, Pro Moto Ltd, Pro Moto 50, Pro Moto 40, Pro Moto Ironman, Pro Moto 60, Pro Quad, Pro Quad Ironman, Pro Baja-e Moto/Quad, SPT Moto, SPT Quad
(Start Intervals: Pro Moto Unlimited-60 second split, all other classes start one every 30 seconds)
GAP –a minimum of 4 1/2 hour gap between M/C, Quad start and car/truck/utv start
7:30am         Opening Ceremonies                   Near start/finish line area
8:15am CEREMONIAL START: CARS/TRUCKS/UTVS (Adjacent to the Riviera CC)
9am    RACE START: CARS/TRUCKS/UTVS-rm4.90 (subject to change)—
TT/TT Legend, 1, TT Spec, 10, Pro UTV Open, Pro UTV FI, 7, SL, Pro UTV NA, 1/2-1600, Pro UTV Stock, 8, Heavy Metal, Hammer Truck, 5, 3, 5-1600, BC, Stock Mid-Size, 7F, 7SX, SF, TL, Baja-e Truck, Baja-e Car, Baja-e UTV, 2, 11, SPT Truck, SPT Open-Wheel, SPT UTV
(TT, TT Legend, one every 60 seconds. All other car/truck classes start 30-second splits)
TIME LIMIT: All vehicles will have a 20-hour time limit from the time each vehicle starts
4pm-12am    Posting of Unofficial Finishers      Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
Sunday, June 4, 2023
8am              Posting of Unofficial Results         Online and SCORE Ensenada Office
9-10:30am    Official racer results inquiry time   SCORE Ensenada Office
10am-2pm    SCORE Media Center                  Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
11:30am       Posting of official results              Online & at Salon Rojo, Riviera del Pacifico CC
12pm            Awards Celebration                      Cathedral Room, Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center
SCORE Baja 500
Ensenada, Baja California Mexico
All-Time Overall champions (1969 thru 2022)
 
Year—DRIVERS/RIDERS, VEHICLE
1969—Bud Ekins/Guy Jones, Baja Boot-Olds
Doug Douglas/Jim McClurg, Ducati
1970—Parnelli Jones, Ford
Bill Silverthorn/Gene Fetty, Husqvarna
1971—Bobby Ferro, Funco-VW
Malcolm Smith/J.N. Roberts, Husqvarna
1972—Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW
Gene Fetty/Bill Silverthorn, Honda
1973—Parnelli Jones, Ford
Howard Utsey/Mickey Quade, Husqvarna
1974—Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW
Mitch Mayes/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna
1975—Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Harley-Davidson
1976—Bobby Ferro/Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna
1977—Ivan Stewart, Chenowth-VW
Larry Roeseler/Jack Johnson, Husqvarna
1978—Bud Feldkamp/Malcolm Smith, Funco-VW
Brent Wallingsford/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1979—Malcolm Smith/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW
Jack Johnson, Husqvarna
1980—Bob Gordon, Chenowth-Chevy
Bruce Ogilvie/Chuck Miller, Yamaha
1981—Malcolm Smith/Bill Newbury, Chenowth-Chevy
Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Yamaha
1982—Larry Ragland, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/Chuck Miller, Yamaha
1983—Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-VW
Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna
1984—Larry Ragland, Chaparral-VW
Dan Smith/Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna
1985—Ron Gardner/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW
Kurt Pfeiffer/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1986—Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche
Garth Sweetland/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1987—Bob Gordon/Tim Crabtree, Chenowth-Porsche
Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki
1988—Mark McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche
Dan Ashcraft/Kurt Pfeiffer, Yamaha
1989—Robby Gordon, Ford
(no motorcycles)
1990—Robby Gordon, Ford
Larry Roeseler/Danny LaPorte, Kawasaki
1991—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Garth Sweetland/Paul Krause, Kawasaki
1992—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr/Paul Krause, Kawasaki
1993—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Danny Hamel/Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki
1994—Ivan Stewart, Toyota (SCORE Trophy Truck)
Dave Ashley/Dan Smith, Ford
Paul Krause/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki
1995—Curt LeDuc, Jeep (SCORE Trophy Truck)
Mike Julson/Bob Lofton, Jimco-VW
Paul Krause/Craig Smith, Kawasaki
1996—Rob MacCachren, Ford (SCORE Trophy Truck)
Troy Herbst, Smithbuilt, Smithbuilt-Porsche
Paul Krause/Ty Davis, Kawasaki
1997—Ivan Stewart, Toyota (SCORE Trophy Truck)
Mark McMillin, Jimco-Porsche
Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda
1998—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda
1999—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Jonah Street/Torsten Borstrom, Honda
2000—Larry Ragland, Chevy
Jonah Street/Steve Hengeveld, Honda
2001—Mark McMillin, Jimco-Chevy
Steve Hengeveld/Jonah Street, Honda
2002—Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-Ford
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2003—Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-Ford
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2004—Alan Pflueger, Chevy
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2005—Robby Gordon, Chevy
Mike Childress/Mouse McCoy, Honda
2006—Brian Collins/Larry Ragland, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda
2007—Larry Ragland/Brian Collins, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman/Steve Hengeveld, Honda
2008—B.J. Baldwin, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda
2009—Harley Letner/Kory Halopoff, Tatum-Chevy
Bill Boyer/Donnie De Arman/Nicholas Blais/Rudy Iribe, Honda
2010—Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Ford
Kendall Norman/Quinn Cody, Honda
2011—Bryce Menzies, Ford
Kendall Norman/Quinn Cody, Honda
2012—Bryce Menzies, Ford
Robby Bell/David Pearson/Steve Hengeveld, Kawasaki
2013—Robby Gordon, Chevy
Timmy Weigand/Colton Udall/David Kamo, Honda
2014—Bryce Menzies, Ford
Ricky Brabec/David Pearson/Max Eddy Jr, Kawasaki
2015—Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez, Chevy
Ricky Brabec/Max Eddy Jr/Justin Morgan/Ian Young, Kawasaki
2016—Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Vildosola Jr, Ford
Colton Udall, Mark Samuels, Honda
2017—Andy McMillin, Ford
Francisco Arredondo/Shane Esposito/Justin Morgan/Roberto Villalobos, Honda
2018—Rob MacCachren, Ford
Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Justin Jones, Honda
2019—Andy McMillin, Chevy
Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Max Eddy Jr, Honda
2020—Daniel McMillin/Justin B. Smith, Chevy
Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Justin Jones, Honda
2021—Larry Roeseler, Toyota
Jason Alosi/Wyatt Brittner/Ross Neely, Husqvarna
2022—Rob MacCachren, Ford
Juan Carlos Salvatierra/Arturo Salas Jr/Shane Logan/Diego Llanos, KTM
  -NOTE: From 1994 through 1997 SCORE Trophy Truck ran as its own series
SCORE Baja 500 Overall Champions
Racers
Cars & Trucks
12
*Larry Roeseler
10
Ivan Stewart
5
Larry Ragland
4
Bobby Ferro
Robby Gordon
**Malcolm Smith
3
Bud Feldkamp
Troy Herbst
Rob MacCachren
Andy McMillin
Mark McMillin
Scott McMillin
Bryce Menzies
2
Brian Collins
Bob Gordon
Parnelli Jones
Corky McMillin
**Dan Smith
1
Dave Ashley
B.J. Baldwin
Bud Ekins
Ron Gardner
Kory Halopoff
Guy Jones
Mike Julson
Curt LeDuc
Harley Letner
Bob Lofton
Carlos Lopez
Daniel McMillin
Alan Pflueger
Justin B. Smith
Gus Vildosola Jr
 
*9 on motorcycle
**1 on motorcycle
 
Motorcycles
7
Steve Hengeveld
5
Johnny Campbell
Paul Krause
Justin Morgan
Bruce Ogilvie
Kendall Norman
 
4
Robby Bell
Ted Hunnicutt Jr
Mark Samuels
3
Scot Harden
Jonah Street
2
Dan Ashcraft
A.C. Bakken
Ricky Brabec
Quinn Cody
Max Eddy Jr
Gene Fetty
Jack Johnson
Justin Jones
Chuck Miller
David Pearson
Kurt Pfeiffer
Bill Silverthorn
Craig Smith
Colton Udall
1
Jason Alosi
Francisco Arredondo
Torsten Borstrom
Mike Childress
Cameron Corfman
Ty Davis
Doug Douglas
Shane Esposito
Danny Hamel
David Kamo
Jim McClurg
Danny LaPorte
Diego Llanos
Shane Logan
Mitch Mayes
Mouse McCoy
Mickey Quade
J.N. Roberts
Arturo Salas Jr
Juan Carlos Salvatierra
Garth Sweetland
Howard Utsey
Roberto Villalobos
Brent Wallingsford
Tim Weigand
Ian Young
Manufacturers
Overall 4wheel Vehicle Trucks/SUVs*
14
Ford
10
Chevy
8
Toyota
1
Jeep
Cars
7
Funco
Chenowth
3
Jimco
Smithbuilt
2
Sandmaster
1
Baja Boot
Chaparral
Tatum
*Includes 1994-97 (58 Total)
 
Overall Engine Winners
Cars & Trucks*
16
Ford
14
Chevy
Volkswagen
8
Toyota
5
Porsche
1
Jeep
Oldsmobile
*Includes 1994-97 (58 total)
Motorcycles
22
Honda
13
Husqvarna
11
Kawasaki
4
Yamaha
1
Beta
Ducati
Harley-Davidson
KTM
Tires
4wheel vehicles
(missing 4 early years)
35
BFGoodrich Tires
5
Western Auto Tires
4
Toyo Tires
2
Firestone Tires
Goodyear Tires
Yokohama Tires