Mike Ray

Biography

Charleston's Mike Ray brings decades of SCORE desert racing experience to the punishing Baja peninsula, specializing in the challenging Class 5-1600 VW Baja Bug category. Ray has tackled the legendary Baja 1000 multiple times, demonstrating the persistence and mechanical expertise required to navigate Mexico's most demanding terrain.

Competing in the classic air-cooled Volkswagen class, Ray embodies the grassroots spirit of desert racing, where driver skill and mechanical preparation often matter more than horsepower. His Baja 1000 campaigns have showcased his ability to assemble competitive co-driver teams from across the country, including partnerships with adventure athletes like Timmy O'Neill from Boulder, Colorado, and fellow racers from Georgia's growing desert racing community.

Ray's commitment to SCORE's most iconic event reflects his understanding that the Baja 1000 represents the ultimate test of man and machine. The 1000-mile odyssey through Baja California's deserts, mountains, and coastal regions demands not just speed, but strategic planning, mechanical reliability, and the mental fortitude to push through when conditions deteriorate. His continued participation in this grueling event demonstrates his passion for authentic desert racing competition at its highest level.