ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico--Moving to the largest city on the Baja California peninsula, SCORE International has announced that Round 3 of the four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship will be the special- split format, multi-lap Tijuana 21st SCORE Desert Challenge, replacing the originally scheduled Rosarito Beach race.
Entering into a multi-year agreement with the City of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, the unique-format race will be held Sept. 22-24 with the spectator-friendly start/finish line and pit area located on the southeast outskirts of Tijuana in the popular Casian Ranch area.
With just four months remaining before the historic 50th anniversary race of the iconic SCORE Baja 1000, the City of Tijuana and the Tijuana tourism groups have stepped up and offered SCORE a strong, multi-year contract that moves the race from nearby Rosarito Beach, where it was held last year. Motorcycles, quads and a group of car classes will race in split heats on Friday with the remaining car and truck classes running the first half of their race on Saturday and final half on Sunday.
“We appreciate all that Rosarito Beach did to launch the Baja version of the popular SCORE Desert Challenge, but as they were unable to host this year’s race, we are extremely pleased that the City of Tijuana, which has significantly more resources, is able to welcome this popular SCORE racing event,” comments Roger Norman, SCORE President/CEO. In addition, “Located close to the U.S. Border at San Diego, it will also provide an easier access and departure from the race, making attending and/or participating in this event even easier than the other race events in our SCORE World Desert Championship.”
Tijuana is one of the five largest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas in all of Mexico. The city has also experienced tremendous growth in recent years, attracting investments by electronics, aerospace and medical tourism firms and is also regarded as one of the top cuisine destinations in the world, including craft beer production.
Tijuana has also recorded its best hotel occupancy rate in the last 15 years and has attracted additional hotel chains like City Express, Holiday Inn and the Hyatt Hotels among others.
SCORE is also working closely with the Tijuana Hotel Association to secure room blocks for race teams, sponsors, media and the SCORE staff at five-star accommodations in the city.
SCORE officials have also indicated that these race dates, one week later than originally scheduled, will allow supporting teams and manufacturers to focus clearly on one-event rather than extending resources because of competing trade and consumer shows on the previous race dates.
SCORE Journal
The SCORE Journal, launched in 2015, is published as 12 monthly online digital magazines, which includes four print editions that are available as the SCORE race programs at the four events that comprise the SCORE World Desert Championship along with another print edition for the annual SCORE Awards Night.
The SCORE Journal Monthly Digital Magazine features exclusive editorial, enhanced race action videos, expanded and interactive race coverage, interactive product reviews, insider interviews with drivers, tech stories, driver and team profiles, race narratives and analysis, exclusive long and short form video programming, race results, updated stats, studio photography, class overviews, unmatched access to SCORE’s historical archives and much, much more.
Para Amigos!
The SCORE Journal features a Spanish language edition of the magazine on the SCORE website. Spanish-speaking individuals represent nearly 20% of the SCORE Journal unique reader base. The link may be viewed on the menu of the SCORE Journal Magazine tab on the SCORE Website. The Spanish language version of the SCORE Journal will be posted within the week of the traditional version.
El Rey Network
The four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship in Baja California, Mexico along with the SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience/SCORE Baja 1000 Qualifying in Las Vegas will all air on El Rey Network in the United States. International distribution is by way of syndication.
El Rey Network is a 24-hour, English-language lifestyle network targeting “Strivers,” viewers who hold strong core beliefs about the importance of family, independence, hard work, craftsmanship, and legacy.
Founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, and curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network features action-packed programming, relatable heroes and aspirational stories that embrace today’s America. El Rey’s slate is anchored by signature series including the original drama “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” the one-on-one interview program “El Rey Network Presents: The Director’s Chair,” and “Lucha Underground,” a lucha libre wrestling series produced by Mark Burnett.
El Rey Network’s lineup also showcases a wide range of iconic feature films and television series including genre, action, and sci-fi/ horror. El Rey Network LLC is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures, with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc.
El Rey Network is available in 45 million homes across the country through cable and OTT providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 341 and Dish Network Channel 253. For more information on how to watch El Rey visit http://elreynetwork.com.
ERN Airtime
Showcasing the overall and SCORE Trophy Truck victory by Andy McMillin, the one-hour in-depth coverage show on the 49th SCORE Baja 500 will premier on Sunday, August 6 at 2 p.m. Pacific Time on the El Rey Network.
Dust2Glory
From award-winning documentary filmmaker Dana Brown, Dust2Glory has chronicled each of the four races in the 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship. Brown’s original Dusty to Glory, released in 2005, became an iconic classic showcasing the legendary SCORE Baja 1000. D2G, which began shooting at the 2015 SCORE Baja 1000, continued up close and personal coverage capturing the robust racers in their amazing adventures in Mexico’s majestic Baja California peninsula through all four spectacular 2016 races. Dust2Glory is scheduled for release later this year.
SCOREscope
The four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship and for the second time all four are being held in Baja California, Mexico. Here is the complete 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule:
• 31st SCORE San Felipe 250, March 30-April 2, San Felipe, Mexico
• 49th SCORE Baja 500, June 1-4, Ensenada Mexico
• Tijuana 21st SCORE Desert Challenge, Sept. 22-24, Tijuana, Mexico
• 50th SCORE Baja 1000, Nov.14-18, Ensenada, Mexico to La Paz, Mexico
For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCOREInternational.com.