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Online Racer Registration now open for King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250
SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, Dominic@SCORE-International.com
ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico – Launching its sixth decade this year as the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Organization, online racer registration is now open for the upcoming King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250. Round 1 of the four-race 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship will be held March 20-March 24 in the quaint, peaceful village of San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Pre-race Contingency and Tech Inspection and the start/finish line compound will be located on the picturesque El Malecon in San Felipe along the inspiring azure waters of the Sea of Cortez.
Seeing if one racer can win the overall title for the seventh time, one racer wins a class for the 20th time and another racer win the overall for the third straight year are just three of the story lines awaiting racers from around the world as online racer registration is now open for the popular ‘Spring Break’ race.
San Felipe is 125 miles south of the U.S. Border at Calexico, Calif. on the eastern side of the Baja peninsula along the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez. All four 2024 SCORE races will be held on Mexico’s magnificent Baja California peninsula for the ninth consecutive year.
THREE DECADES-PLUS
Celebrating the 37th anniversary of the youngest of the three legendary SCORE Baja races, sometimes referred to as the SCORE ‘Baby Baja’, entries are being accepted on the SCORE website under Race Info at www.SCOREInternational.com for Pro and Sportsman entries for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads.
QUALIFYING
For just the fifth time in the history of this popular ‘Spring Break’ race, SCORE will hold a qualifying session starting at 7 a.m. PT on Thursday, March 21 to determine the starting positions within each class for the SCORE Trophy Truck, SCORE TT Legend and Trophy Truck Spec classes. The starting order for qualifying in each class will be the order in which they entered the race.
Entries received in the qualifying classes received after Friday, March 8 will be given then next available starting slot within their respective classes.
Start order for qualifying will be determined by the date and time that they are received.
The first-time qualifying was held for this race was in 2017 when Rob MacCachren, Cameron Steele and Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez were the top three qualifiers in the marquee SCORE Trophy Truck division for high-tech, 1000-horsepower, unlimited custom trucks.
In 2021, Bryce Menzies was the fastest qualifier followed by Andy McMillin and his cousin Luke McMillin. At the finish of the race Menzies was the winner, L. McMillin was second and A. McMillin finished in third place.
In 2022, Menzies was the fastest qualifier followed by Justin Lofton and L. McMillin. At the finish, L. McMillin was the winner, Menzies was second at the team of Mike Walser/Jax Redline finished in third place.
In 2023, Australia’s Toby Price was fastest qualifier followed by Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Vildosola Jr, and Menzies. At the finish, Luke McMillin was the winner, Mexico’s Alan Ampudia was second, and Las Vegas’ Menzies finished in third place.
Qualifying is not open to the public and will be held on a five-mile course that is not part of the official race course.
DEFENDING CHAMPS
Expected back to defend their overall race wins from 2023 are San Diego’s Luke McMillin in SCORE Trophy Truck and the motorcycle team led by Cirian Naran of Huntington Beach, Calif.
Third-generation desert racer Luke McMillin topped a near-record field of 285 starters, roaring through the Baja desert to defeat a voluminous field in the King Shocks 36th SCORE San Felipe 250. It was second straight win in this race following a second place in 2021 for ‘The Luke’ behind Menzies.
Luke McMillin, drove solo to power his stunning No. 1 Mason-built all-wheel drive Chevy 1500 to lead the third-largest number of starters in race history to an inspiring error-free, penalty-free winning time of four hours, 29 minutes, and 27 seconds over the sun-drenched, rock-filled, silt-strewn 263.50 miles for a remarkable average speed of 62.91 miles per hour.
USA’s Naran, in his first SCORE start as Rider of Record, who teamed up with Tucker Hopkins, Venice Beach, Calif., was the Overall Motorcycle and Pro Moto Unlimited Class winner in last year's King Shocks SCORE San Felipe 250.
Naran started and rode to race mile 125, and Hopkins rode from race mile 125 to the finish. The pair finished in 6:10:02, averaging 42.73mph on the No. 3x Husqvarna FE450.
SCORE TRIPLE CROWN OF BAJA
Together, the SCORE San Felipe 250, SCORE Baja 500 and SCORE Baja 1000 are the three traditional SCORE Baja races that form the coveted SCORE Triple Crown of Baja award given to racers who have won the overall in each of these massive events.
The 10 racers who have won the overall victory in all three of these races are David Ashley, Robby Gordon, Rob MacCachren, Andy McMillin, Scott McMillin, Bryce Menzies, Larry Ragland, Dan Smith, Ivan Stewart and Gustavo Vildosola Jr.
SIX-TIMER
While three racers have three overall victories in the SCORE San Felipe 250, Las Vegas’ Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Rob MacCachren might have set a standard that will last for awhile, unless he breaks his own record of six overall and SCORE Trophy Truck wins.
MacCachren, admired as the G.O.A.T. of off-road racing, he won the overall in San Felipe in 2018 to give him 10 class wins in this race, earned his first SCORE Trophy Truck overall in this race in 2003 when he split the driving with Mexico’s Gustavo Vildosola Sr and his second in 2007 when he split the driving with Mark Post.
MacCachren earned back-to-back wins in 2011 and 2012 driving solo and won his fifth in 2017 and his sixth in 2018 driving solo again in his No. 11 MacCachren Motorsports Ford F-150.
THREE TIMERS
Three active racers have won three overall victories each in the SCORE San Felipe 250.
The most recent racer to win overall three times in San Felipe was Mexico’s Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Vildosola Jr, who won three straight (2013, 2014, 2015). Vildosola Jr is tied with two other Las Vegas racers with three overall wins each in this race.
A second-generation Mexican desert racer, Vildosola Jr of Mexicali has five class wins in this race in the No. 21 Vildosola Racing Ford Raptor SCORE Trophy Truck.
Vildosola Jr, with help from his father Gustavo Sr, in 2013 won his first overall. He drove solo the next two years to tie the record in 2015 of three straight overall wins set by Las Vegas racing brothers Ed Herbst and Tim Herbst who won three straight times in 1999, 2000 and 2001 in the No. 19 Monster Energy Terrible Herbst Motorsports Ford F-150.
There is one more Southern Nevada driver with three overall wins in San Felipe but not three straight.
Las Vegas’ Brian Collins, who is no longer racing, won his first San Felipe Overall in 1990 in Class 1 while splitting driving time with SCORE Baja motorcycle racing legend and Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famer Jack Johnson, also of Las Vegas. Collins later captured two straight driving solo in SCORE Trophy Truck in 2008 and 2009.
MOTORCYCLE MAGIC
Among the SCORE Overall motorcycles winners at the SCORE San Felipe 250 no one has done it any better than SCORE Baja legend Johnny Campbell who recorded seven overall motorcycle victories for Honda (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2008).
One motorcycle star with five SCORE Overall Motorcycle wins in the SCORE San Felipe 250 is Colton Udall (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016).
Two other motorcycle aces with four SCORE Overall Motorcycle wins each are Steve Hengeveld (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) and Mark Samuels (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) while with three SCORE San Felipe 250 Overall wins were Danny Hamel (1994, 1995, 1996) and Robby Bell (2006, 2007, 2008).
GLORY ROADS
History clearly shows that the SCORE San Felipe 250 has been a major building block for many of the world’s all-time greatest desert racers in addition to being the lovable baby brother of the three traditional SCORE Baja races.
Host to the biggest and brightest stars in the history of desert racing, legends like Ivan Stewart, Walker Evans, Roger Mears, Rod Hall, Larry Ragland, Brian Collins, Dan Smith, Mark McMillin, Scott McMillin, Curt LeDuc, Jack Johnson, Danny Hamel, Johnny Campbell, Juan Carlos Ibarra, Steve Hengeveld, Robby Bell, Donald Moss, and Greg Row all are part of the foundation of this rustic race.
Also adding to the fantastic fabric of this iconic SCORE Baja racing tapestry have been active racers like Rob MacCachren, Larry Roeseler, Andy McMillin, Daniel McMillin, Luke McMillin, Gustavo Vildosola Sr, Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Vildosola Jr, the Herbst Brothers Ed, Tim and Troy along with third-gen Herbst family racers Thor, Pierce, and EJ Herbst, the Wilson family (Randy, Rick, Ronny, Brad and Brian), Robby Gordon, B.J. Baldwin, Marc Burnett, Robby Bell, Colton Udall, Justin Morgan, Mark Samuels, Wayne Matlock, Juan Carlos Salvatierra, Adam Pfankuch, Santiago Creel, Jano Montoya, Giovanni Spinali, Jason Trubey, and Jim O’Neal.
HOUR GLASS
This is a tale of a race told in two parts. It was first run in 1982 for three years through 1984.
It was not held during the first five years in the seven-year run of the combined HDRA/SCORE Desert Racing Series as it resumed in 1990. It almost disappeared after the 1993 race when the combined series split and the SCORE San Felipe 250 had just 82 total starters.
It bounced back though, as all good things in Baja do, climbing to 250 or more starters eight times, including twice with over 300 starters.
The largest starting field was 394 in 2007 when then SCORE President Sal Fish had to move the race to Ensenada less than two weeks before the race because of disputes between land owners and government officials. That race started in Ensenada and finished in Santo Tomas, south of Ensenada.
The largest starting field for the race when it was run in San Felipe was 2006 when 341 vehicles left the start line.
The most finishers in this shortest of the three traditional SCORE Baja races were in 2007 when 288 completed it and 2006 when 220 crossed the finish line within the time limit.
Like all the SCORE Baja race courses, the SCORE San Felipe 250 has always featured some of the most start, dramatic and awe-inspiring terrain and scenery in the world. Infamous for its punishment to racer and vehicle, part of the courses has included a whoop section of over 25 miles virtually like driving over a washboard.
Over the years, this race has seen parts of its courses go through several of the legendary infamous Baja washes like Matomi, Huatomote, Chanate, Azufre, Cuevitas and Amarillas.
For many years, the start and finish line areas were beneath the fabled San Felipe Arches landmark on the outskirts of town. From 2016 through 2019, the start/finish line was on El Malecon along the Sea of Cortez in the heart of town and in 2021 the start/finish line area was on the grounds of the El Dorado Rancho just north of town. The race was not held in 2020 because of the global health pandemic.
The start/finish line compound returned to El Malecon in 2022, 2023 and is scheduled to return in 2024.
MULTI WINNERS
The all-time leader in class wins in the SCORE San Felipe 250 is motorcycle age-group racer Jim O’Neal who has competed in all 36 previous SCORE San Felipe races, winning his class a record 19 times.
Second in class wins is Eric Solorzano who has won 11 times in Class 11 (stock VW Sedan) while third is MacCachren with 10 class wins and fourth is Donald Moss who won nine times in 10 years in Class 3 in his sturdy Ford Bronco (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013).
Tied for third in class wins with eight each are SCORE Baja motorcycle racing legend Johnny Campbell, Wayne Matlock, and Dan Smith who first won in 1984 on a motorcycle and won his final one in 2002 in SCORE Trophy Truck, teaming with David Ashley.
VIVA GANADOR MEXICANO
Juan Carlos Ibarra became the first Mexican national to win a SCORE Trophy Truck race when he won his class in 1998 while finishing second overall to the Class 1 team of Mark Post/Jerry Whelchel in the SCORE San Felipe 250.
EL BANCO
For over three decades, the annual motorsports festival that has brought the largest economic impact of any single event held annually in this lightly-populated portion of the rugged, rough and bountifully beautiful Baja peninsula has been the SCORE San Felipe 250.
MANUFACTURER CHAMPS
In the battle of manufacturers, several categories are represented.
Leaders in overall truck wins are Ford Truck (18), Chevy Truck (6), Dodge Truck (2) and Jeep and Toyota with one win each.
Leaders in overall cars wins are Chenowth (4) Jimco (2) Raceco (1) and Riviera (1).
Leaders in overall Tire manufacturers’ wins for cars/trucks are BFGoodrich Tires (31), Callahan Tires (2), Goodyear Tires (1) and Toyo Tires (1).
The leaders in overall motorcycle wins are Honda (23), Kawasaki (7), KTM (4) and Husqvarna (2).
The leaders in overall engine wins for cars and trucks are Ford (18), Chevy (8), Porsche (3), Dodge (2), Volkswagen (2), BMW (1), Jeep (1) and Toyota (1).
BFGOODRICH TIRES UNMATCHED
BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for 48 years, voted the 2023 SCORE Pit Support Team of the Year for the 33rd time.
BFGoodrich Tires has been the choice of 34 of the 55 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 31 of the 36 overall winners of the SCORE San Felipe 250, all three SCORE Desert Challenge races in Baja, the one SCORE Challenge of Champions in San Felipe, the one SCORE Baja Sur 500 and one out of the three SCORE Baja 400 races.
SCORE RECEIVES GALARDON EMPRESARIAL 2023
In January of 2024, the City Council of Ensenada awarded SCORE International the 2023 Business Award as the only business in the sports category to receive this award out of 119 total companies honored by Ensenada Mayor Armando Ayala Robles at the event held at the Coral Marina Hotel. SCORE General Manager Juan Tintos Funcke accepted the award on behalf of SCORE.
In presenting the award, Mayor Ayala Robles said, “SCORE International is the leading company in off-road racing, and is a great ally to promote Ensenada around the world as it attracts tremendous tourism and economic impact to us throughout the year.”
SCOREstory
The original SCORE International was founded in 1973 by the late Mickey Thompson and headed by Sal Fish from 1974 until Fish sold SCORE International on Dec. 20, 2012. SCORE continues as the premier sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing. SCORE races feature classes for Pro and Sportsman cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads competing in the internationally-televised four-race SCORE World Desert Championship.
SCOREscope
2024 SCORE SCHEDULE
Here are the dates for the four-race 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship which will be held in Baja California, Mexico for the ninth consecutive year:
- King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250—
March 20-24, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
- 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 12-17, 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 Batteries, Rugged Radios-Official Radio Communications, Sylvania-Official Lights, 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.
King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250
Round 1 of 4-race 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship
March 20-24 - San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
Schedule of Events (All Times are Pacific Time)
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (Times are PT)
By Appt. Chassis Inspection-Qualifying teams call 619.572.8245
9am-8pm Racer Registration (no new entries after 7pm) Centro Comercial Plaza Armex
1pm-5pm Media Registration Centro Comercial Plaza Armex
Thursday, March 21, 2024 (Times are PT)
By Appt. Chassis Inspection call 619.572.8245
7am Qualifying-SCORE Trophy Truck, SCORE TT Legend, Trophy Truck Spec
1pm-5pm Media Registration Centro Comercial Plaza Armex
9am-8pm Racer Registration (no new entries after 7pm) Centro Comercial Plaza Armex
Friday, March 22, 2024 (Times are PT)
8am-5pm Racer Registration (no new entries after 4pm) Centro Comercial Plaza Armex
8am-5pm Contingency Row El Malecon
8am-6pm Tech Insp/Transponder Ck/Stella Install End of El Malecon
9am-5pm Media Registration Centro Comercial Plaza Armex
6pm Mandatory Aircraft Pilot Safety Meeting Pavilion at El Dorado Ranch
7pm Mandatory Racers Meeting Pavilion at El Dorado Ranch
Saturday, March 23, 2024 (Times are PT)
5:30a-11p SCORE Media Center Open SECTURE Office, 614 Mar de Cortez
START/FINISH LINE- El Malecon – Approx. 260-mile race course
6am RACE START: MOTORCYCLES/QUADS (subject to change)—
Pro Moto Unltd, Pro Moto 30, Pro Moto Ltd, Pro Moto 50, Pro Moto 40, Pro Moto 60, Pro Moto Ironman, 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 2 1/2 hour gap between M/C, Quad start and car/truck/utv start
8:30am Opening Ceremonies
9am RACE START CARS/TRUCKS/UTVS (subject to change)—
TT/TT Legend, 1, TT Spec, 10, Pro UTV Open, Pro UTV FI, 7, SL, Pro UTV NA, 5, Pro UTV Unltd, Pro UTV Stock, 1/2-1600, 8, Heavy Metal, Hammer Truck, 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, 1, TT Spec one every 60 seconds. All other car/truck/UTV classes start 30-second splits)
TIME LIMIT: All classes have 14 hours from time each vehicle starts to complete the course
Sunday, March, 2024 (PT)
5 am Posting of unofficial results online www.score-international.com
7am-8:30am Results inquiry/protest period Pavilion at El Dorado Ranch
8am-11am SCORE Media Center Pavilion at El Dorado Ranch
9:30am Posting of official results Pavilion at El Dorado Ranch
10am-Noon Awards Celebration Pavilion at El Dorado Ranch