The unique, one-time showing of the film is being coordinated by Fathom Events. You can click on the link here to find out where it is showing near you and purchase tickets to see it. The film begins at 7:30 p.m. in each U.S. time zone.

The latest documentary by filmmaker Dana Brown (Step Into Liquid, Dust To Glory, High Water, On Any Sunday: The Next Chapter), Dust 2 Glory captures the essence of racing in the wild environs of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, where racers have been chasing the dream of winning one of the big SCORE Baja events since competition first began there in 1967. The 50th Anniversary SCORE Baja 1000 took place November 16-18, 2017, a total of 1134.40 grueling miles, running from Ensenada, Baja California to La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The motorcycle portion of the event was won by the team of Francesco Arredondo.

Dust 2 Glory captures the entire 2016 SCORE Desert World Championship, with human interest stories ranging from the triumphant to the tragic. Woven throughout the film are tales of racers who give back to the Baja peninsula through their charitable work. Several motorcycle racers are featured in Dust 2 Glory, including the multi-time SCORE Champion Ox Motorsports Honda team of Colton Udall and Mark Samuels, Ironman competitors Carlin Dunne and Tony Gera and the Warrior Built racing team, which is composed of disabled veterans who tragically pay the ultimate price during the running of the 2016 SCORE Baja 500.

“If Wednesday works out well, then I’m a hero, and if it doesn’t, I’m an idiot,” Brown said in a recent interview. “Actually, this is my worst time, right now. I love working on films, and I’d much rather be doing that than worrying about things that are out of my control. I just hope people get out and see it. If they think it sucks, well, I can deal with that, but if they don’t get to see it, that would be a bummer.”

The post Dust 2 Glory Makes U.S. Premiere Tonight appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

It’s not a remake. It’s not a sequel. But it is an epic glimpse into the passion and brotherhood that unites the brave souls who risk life and limb to compete in one of the oldest and grandest forms of motorsports, off-road racing on the Baja California Peninsula.

In an unprecedented release, Dust 2 Glory will hit theaters nationwide on December 6 for a one-night-only, one-time run coordinated by Fathom Events. You can click on the link here to find out where it is showing near you and purchase tickets to see it. The thing is, if you don’t catch the film on December 6, then you may have to wait a long time before it is available on DVD, making it worthwhile to make the effort to view Brown’s latest Baja epic in its rightful setting, on the big screen.

DirtBikes.com sat down with Brown to discuss Dust 2 Glory, a fascinating work of which he is justifiably proud. In fact, Brown isn’t afraid to claim that it might be the best he has ever done as a director. Produced in conjunction with iconic Baja sanctioning body score, Dust 2 Glory is more than just a film about the competition that takes place in Baja. It’s a true human tale of the triumphs, tribulations and sadly, the tragedies experienced by those who put it all on the line to contest the SCORE Desert World Championship during the 2016 racing season. It’s not just a racing film. It’s a people film. Brown wouldn’t have it any other way.

DirtBikes.com: Congratulations on the completion of Dust 2 Glory. How many feature films that have been released in theaters does that make for you now?

Dana Brown: About a 140… [laughs]. Actually, this is five, I guess. Let’s see, Step Into Liquid, Dust to Glory, High Water, On Any Sunday, the Next Chapter, and now this one.

DirtBikes.com: But what is it about the Baja racing scene that made you decide you wanted to do a second film, Dust 2 Glory?

Dana Brown: Baja is such a big canvas that you can only paint on part of it. You could make a film about that racing every year, and every year it would be different—different characters and different emotions. It’s way bigger than any one movie can really cover, so it seemed like a natural thing to do it again, knowing that I wouldn’t be repeating myself.

DirtBikes.com: It’s hard to believe that it has been 13 years between Dust To Glory and Dust 2 Glory…

Dana Brown: Yeah, kind of. The older you get, the more time flies by, and you move on to other things, but what was really hard for me to believe was that when I did go back down there, to see just how important the first one was to people. It was really surprising. I mean, I knew that people liked it, but I didn’t know that they liked it that much and how much of an impact it had with that community. It made me want to be sure that we did a really good job we did on this one.

DirtBikes.com: That’s true. We know of people who got involved in racing in Baja just because they saw the original Dust To Glory, and it made them want to give it a go.

Dana Brown: Yeah. I’ve had people come up to me and say that I cost them money. [laughs] They say, “Dana Brown, you cost me money, because I saw the movie!” I’ve heard that a lot. You know that racing down there is not the most inexpensive thing to get involved in. Nobody’s really mad at me, though.

DirtBikes.com: You mentioned not repeating yourself. Dust 2 Glory truly doesn’t come off as a remake or a sequel to us. It’s like an entirely different film. The first one was more of a “Heroes of Baja,” documentary, focusing on legends and the top racers in the class. Dust 2 Glory comes off to us as way more blue collar, more about the “Joe Everyman” who spends most of his paycheck and puts in tons of hours just to make the Baja 1000 or maybe race the whole SCORE Desert World Championship.

Dana Brown: I think that’s right. When we did the first one, we only had two months of prep time, and when you go down there that’s who you see and who people push you toward, the big-buck guys with their shiny objects, which is great. They’re great people. But then you experience it and you notice all of the other stories that you didn’t get to film. With Dust 2 Glory, that was the point, to introduce the audience to all of the surrounding stuff as well as the shiny objects. That was how I figured it would be easy to do something different and yet still have it be as interesting as doing one with the fast guys. There’s such a unique thing with that race where the slow guys are just as interesting as the fast guys.

DirtBikes.com: And this time you actually got to experience a little of the dust yourself by racing with one of the teams in a Volkswagen.

Dana Brown: Yes, I did. I just sat in the co-pilot seat for 80 miles with Eric Solorzano. He kind of duped me into that. [laughs] I had a great time. It was just 80 miles, but it was unbelievable. If you’ve never done it, you really should because it’s crazy what you see out there, fans covered in dust and having a great time. I was just watching them and filming a little bit. The racing down there really is one of a kind, and that’s what makes it evergreen.

DirtBikes.com: One of the major challenges with this film that was different than the first one was that in the Dust To Glory you focused only on one race, the Baja 1000. This time around you covered all of the races that make up the SCORE Desert World Championship, including the 2016 Baja 1000.

Dana Brown: And we had a much smaller crew and about the same amount of money to do it. [laughs] But the thought was that this time we would be able to get to really know the people. That’s how we did it, by covering the whole season, and it worked out well. By the time the 1000 came around, we really had access to everybody, and their stories all came together. We weren’t just invested in a few people this time. But I didn’t look at it as a problem of having too much content, and we didn’t end up repeating ourselves. What’s really interesting is that stuff that so many people think is boring in their lives can be really fascinating, and I think that really comes through in Dust 2 Glory. It was really lovely to have the time to experience all of that. I think that’s what makes this film different. It has a lot more depth.

DirtBikes.com: What stands out to you with the regard to the motorcycle segments in Dust 2 Glory? You focused on the Ironman class, which was interesting, but to have to deal with the deaths of motorcycle racers Travis Livingston and Warrior Built team rider Noah Evermann at the 2016 Baja 500 had to be a tough thing. You’d be remiss not to include their stories, but at the same time the challenge is to treat it with the proper perspective.

Dana Brown: Yes, and not so much. When we first announced that we were doing the film at the Off-Road Expo in Pomona, the Warrior Built guys had a booth. I didn’t know anything about them. I was like, “Really? You guys race this thing?” And they said, “Yeah.” They all had their prosthetics on and everything. So we started following them at the start of the season, and then that [accident] happened to them at the Baja 500, and we thought that would be it, that we wouldn’t see them again. But then they came right back for the Baja 1000. They’re just amazing people. Honestly, everything you’d want the military to be is embodied in those guys. I don’t know how they were able to keep smiling all the time. I’d probably be bitter. We couldn’t talk to them for 20 seconds and not realize that we had to tell their story, but then the way it unfolded, it was really a “wow” moment for us.

But I don’t think I make anyone out to be a bigger hero than they are—except for maybe Ricky Johnson. I try to help him out [laughs]. Those Warrior Built guys just really are that big.

DirtBikes.com: You worked with Carlin Dunne again, and fans of On Any Sunday, the Next Chapter might well remember him. He came off as Superman in that film, but he was more Clark Kent in Dust 2 Glory.

Dana Brown: Yeah, which was great. I mean, not for Carlin, but… When he told me that he wanted to do the Baja 1000 in the Ironman class, I knew we were going to follow him. He’s just a good dude with such a great story. Plus, I think the concept of the Ironman class is probably the easiest thing for people not familiar with that racing to understand—one man, one motorcycle. It’s a compelling story, and Carlin just happened to get sick and pull out, but it works. I think it was good to see that he’s not Superman.

DirtBikes.com: It’s like you said, as a storyteller, you can’t go wrong in Baja.

Dana Brown: Right. You don’t have to juice anything up or cover anything up. You just have to say what you saw. There’s just something about that place that will always be wide open and wild.

DirtBikes.com: It seems like there is always that one take-away in these projects where you can say that that one thing made the whole effort worth it. Can you share one from Dust 2 Glory?

Dana Brown: I’m repeating myself, but just getting to know the people in the film. The humanity of that race and that experience, even when you’re down there just filming it, it’s like you’re part of a family. I don’t know how to explain it. There’s something about people with a shared passion that overcomes money, overcomes race, all of it. Everyone down there is involved, and all of the bullshit that everyone thinks is super-important elsewhere just falls away.

DirtBikes.com: You’ve had a few pre-screenings of Dust 2 Glory, and the feedback has been pretty good?

Dana Brown: So far, and I’m really happy with that. I knew I couldn’t go back and just redo what we did with the first one, so to have people tell me they like this one better than the first one is gratifying.

DirtBikes.com: And now the big Dust 2 Glory premiere happens on December 6. It’s going to be quite different than the usual movie premier. Tell us about it.

Dana Brown: On December 6, the movie premiers in 600 theaters across the country, through Fathom Events. It will play at 7:30 p.m., no matter what time zone you’re in, and it plays just for that one time. If everyone shows up, they’ll play it again a week later, and if that goes well then it will be get a regular run. It’s neat because it kind of goes back to the way my dad did it with his surf movies, where he four-walled it [renting the theater space and having viewers come to see it]. In this case, we’re four-walling it 600 times at once. If the tribe comes out to see it, then the word will get out. This fits financially. Phantom Events does a lot of one-off screenings. It’s unconventional, but I think it’s the way to go. People can just go on fathomevents.com and enter their zip code to find out where it is showing near them, and they can buy tickets through the website as well.

DirtBikes.com: Filmmaking is a birthing process, and it seems like whenever someone puts out a film, they are asked what they’re going to work on next. So… What are you going to work on next?

Dana Brown: [Laughs] Right now, I’m just hoping that December 6 works out because that could open up a lot of opportunities. If Wednesday works out well, then I’m a hero, and if it doesn’t, I’m an idiot. Actually, this is my worst time, right now. I love working on films, and I’d much rather be doing that than worrying about things that are out of my control. I just hope people get out and see it. If they think it sucks, well, I can deal with that, but if they don’t get to see it, that would be a bummer.

DirtBikes.com: Could you ever see yourself going back to Baja to do a third film?

Dana Brown: Sure. It would depend on if we had the right people and the right story or stories. I love Baja, and I’d love to do it, but I will say this: I’m really proud of Dust To Glory and Dust 2 Glory, but if we ever do another one, I think we retire the name. [laughs]

The post Dust 2 Glory: The Dana Brown Interview appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

Did they have enough of a lead to stay in front with a couple hundred miles left?

The good thing was, they didn’t have to win the race to win the SCORE World Desert Championship for the first time. After losing round one—the San Felipe 250—they’d won the next two rounds and went into the golden anniversary of the world’s oldest and perhaps most famous desert race with a comfortable points lead.

Reigning SCORE Desert World Champions Justin Jones/Ryan Penhall/Mark Samuels/Colton Udall/Ian Young had a year marred by bad fortunes, starting with Udall getting hurt twice at the end of last year and putting him out for most of this season. The SCORE Baja 1000 would be his first race back since before last year’s 1000 where he suffered his first injury the week before, with David Kamo drafted at the last minute to help the team win.

For much of this year’s SCORE Baja 1000, it appeared as though the Bonanza Plumbing/Monster Energy/Ox Motorsports 1X Honda squad would have to settle for second place in both the race and series as early problems dropped them about 30 minutes behind the Bremen/Arredondo/Haines Racing Honda.

Then the 45X’s transmission began failing.

On the other hand, the 1X machine put any problems behind them and began reeling in their rivals. When Young got on the bike near sundown, he drew inspiration from that fact and 75 miles from La Paz, he passed Morgan for the lead.

Udall started on the 1X and rode to race mile 110. Justin Jones rode from race mile 110 to 303. Udall rode from race mile 303 to 524. Samuels rode from race mile 524 to 785. Penhall rode from race mile 785 to 935. Young rode to the finish. Winning a race as big as the Baja 1000 for the first time is a big deal. Coming from behind to win the 50th SCORE Baja 1000 is a huge deal, and the 23-year-old Young was elated when he roared up to the finish line.

Young comes from a family that’s been promoting speedway races in Southern California since the 1970s, and he’s learned that racers are basically entertainers, so when he rode up to the finish platform (located well after the actual finish line), he responded to his emotions and tried to make a little
jump out of it. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize the metal ramp was slick with dew and he crashed, his bike hitting several people on the ramp and leaving one with a broken leg.

It took a few minutes for Morgan to nurse his bike to the finish, the team disappointed at losing the race but somewhat relieved that second was good enough to wrap up the series championship. However, SCORE officials later penalized the 1X team for Young’s incident, adding 30 minutes to their time, which was enough to drop them to second place with a time of 21 hours, 26 minutes and 47 seconds. Thus, Arredondo’s 21:07:17 was good enough to win both the race and SCORE championship. Samuels and the 1X team settled for second in both.

“We knew it was going to be a fight for us,” Arredondo said. “It is really special, the 50th anniversary, and we really gave it all to try and win. We tried to stick to our plan the whole time and were surprised in some places where we made up time. We had some problems with the transmission at the end which made us worried. We didn’t know if the bike was going to hold up from Loreto to the finish and Justin had to adjust his riding at the end. We knew it was going to be a fight and we had a good lead but that changed.”

Morgan agreed.

“I had a lot of issues with the transmission on this bike.,” he said. “I’m surprised it actually finished. We didn’t really get out of fourth [gear] too much coming in after Santa Rita. It [the transmission] was pretty much toast and making a bunch of noise so that was my main issue. It was a really gnarly course, and I’m tired after being on the bike for six hours. I left it all out there for sure.”

The second Bonanza Plumbing/Monster Energy/Ox Motorsports entry of Derek Ausserbauer/Ray Dal Soglio/Travis Frolich/Bryce Oxley/Arik Swain, the 3X Honda, ended up third overall at the SCORE Baja 1000 in 23:02:10 followed by Arredondo’s 44X “B” team (Arredondo/Tommy Harris/Brad Millikan/Grant Statley/Troy Vanscourt) in 23:43:05. The 33X Garrett Off-road Racing/STI/IMS CRF450X of Skyler Howes/Garrett Poucher/Schuyler Schoonmaker/Michel Valenzuela took fifth overall bike and fifth Pro Moto Unlimited in 24:03:37.

“It feels good to be here, and I rode like a madman,” Dal Soglio said of the 3X team’s effort. “I got the bike in fourth place and 20 minutes down and rode like a madman until I got it into third. The whups were gnarly, and I just kept pushing through, and I kept seeing more and more dust. Sure enough, I saw them [the third place motorcycle] pulled over and never saw them again. I want to dedicate the race to my [late] sister, Dana, because I had quite a few sketchy moments but I made it through them all, and I have her to thank for that. The Honda is just the ultimate bike down here. This is probably the straightest and best running bike I was ever handed at a 1000-mile race. I’ve got to thank my teammates for not crashing it.”

Max Drew/rider of record Carlin Dunne/Chris Eberz/Steven Hatch/Forrest McIntosh on the 55X CRF450X, finished the SCORE Baja 1000 with a time of 25:12:07. Pro Moto 40 winners Jeff Kawell/Rider of Record Jano Montoya/Alberto Ruiz/Kirk Russell/Francisco Septien on the 400X KTM 450 XC-W came home with a time of 26:56:08. Pro Moto 30 winners Greg Bardonnex Kris Kilbride/ Rider of Record Ryan Liebelt/Andrew Pucket/Justin Schultz/Brandon Wright finished in 27:13:30. Pro Moto 50 winners Lou Franco/Chris Goolsby/Record Robert Gates/Bob Johnson/Mike Johnson/Jeff Kaplan/David Potts/Doug Smith/Steve Williams on the 549X CRF450X crossed the line in 27:29:46. Pro Moto 50 runners-up Kevin Archer/Sean Clark/Rider of Record Robert Creemers/Pete Heard/Doug Herbert (all from New Zealand) on the 515X CRF450X (28:40:51) rounded out the top 10 bikes overall.

2017 SCORE World Desert Championship
50th Anniversary BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000
Ensenada, Baja California to La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Official Results: November 16-18, 2017 (1134.40 miles)

PRO MOTO UNLIMITED (450cc or more)
1. 45x Francisco Arredondo, 40, Guatemala/Shane Esposito, 43, Temecula, Calif./Justin Morgan, 27, El Cajon, Calif./Max Eddy Jr, 33, Barstow, Calif./Ty Davis, Oak Hills, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 21:07:17 (53.71 mph).
2. 1x Mark Samuels, 28, Yucca Valley, Calif./Colton Udall, 31, San Clemente, Calif./Justin Jones, 25, Temecula, Calif./Ryan Penhall, 30, Corona, Calif./Ian Young, 23, San Clemente, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 21:26:47.
3. 3x Ray Dal Soglio, 26, Scottsdale, Ariz./Derek Ausserbauer, 24, Santa Ynez, Calif./Arik Swain, Santa Cruz, Calif./Bryce OxleySan Clemente, Calif./Travis Frohlich, Santa Barbara, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 23:02:10.
4. 44x Justin Morgan, 27, El Cajon, Calif./Grant Stately, 22, La Jolla, Calif./Tommy Harris, Torrence, Calif./Troy Vanscourt, Norco, Calif./Brad Millikan, Mill Creek, Ariz./Francisco Arredondo, 40, Guatemala, Honda CRF450X, 23:43:05.
5. 33x Garrett Poucher, 34, Valencia, Calif./Michel Valenzuela, Tijuana, Mexico/Skyler Howes, St. George, Utah/Schuyler Schoonmaker, San Diego, Honda CRF450X, 24:03:37.
6. 55x Carlin Dunne, Santa Barbara, Calif./Steven Hatch, 48, Flagstaff, Ariz./Chris Eberz, Kanab, Utah/Forrest McIntosh/Max Drew, Honda CRF450X, 25:12:07; 7. 35x Nick Gust, 29, Pescadero, Calif./Don Campbell, 29, Daly City, Calif./Charlie Walters, 45, Pacifica, Calif./Alejandro Herrera, 18, Ensenada, Mexico/Raul Ortega Jr, 18, Ensenada, Mexico, KTM 450XCF, 30:41:39.
8. 66x Santiago Creel, 31, Mexico City, Mexico/Eric Yorba, 23, Rosarito, Mexico/Roberto Villalobos/Massimo Mangini/Brandon Prieto/Ivan Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico, KTM 500EXC, 36:45:08.
(8 Starters, 8 Finishers)

PRO MOTO LIMITED (449cc or less)
1. 160x Santiago Creel, 31, Mexico City, Mexico/Massimo Mangini, Italy/Larry Serna, Tijuana/Gerardo Rojas, San Quintin, Mexico/Alberto Heredia, Ensenada/Eric Rene Mangana, San Isidro, Calif., KTM 300EXC, 30:42:13 (36.95 mph).
2. 119x Matt Miller, 50, Los Gatos, Calif./Phil Shuyler, 35, Los Gatos, Calif./John Wear, 34, Los Gatos, Calif., Honda CRF250X, 30:48:48.
3. 166x Santiago Creel, 31, Mexico City, Mexico/Massimo Magini/Rene Magana/Ricardo de la Pena/Alberto Heredia/Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico, KTM 350EXC, 30:56:55.
4. 125x Fernando Beltran, 41, Ensenada, Mexico/Emanuel Verdugo, 34, Ensenada, Mexico/David Zarate, 28, Los Cabos, Mexico/Rigoberto Gomez, 28, Ensenada/Jorge Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico/Sammy Maltavan, 24, San Diego, Yamaha YZ250, 32:57:28.
5. 114x Rodolfo Patron, 37, Tijuana, Mexico/Phillip Jaramillo, 19, Tijuana, Mexico/Marco Maclish, 19, El Rosario, Mexico/Juan Marquez, 39, Chula Vista, Calif./Julio Ramirez, 28, Chula Vista, Calif./Francisco Diaz, 17, La Paz, Mexico, KTM350, 41:42:27.
(SCORE Baja 1000: 7 Starters, 5 Finishers)

PRO MOTO 30 (Riders over 30 years old)
1. 300x Ryan Liebelt, 37, Reedley, Calif./Brandon Wright, 40/Justin Schultz, 36, Lake Forest, Calif./Greg Bardonnex, 43, Visalia, Calif./Andrew Pucket, 35/Kris Kilbride, 45, Yamaha WR450, 27:13:30 (41.67 mph).
2. 333x Chad Thornton, 46, Farmington, N.M./Salvador Hernandez, 33, Ensenada, Mexico/Dennis Belingheri, 47, Reno, Nev./Steve Tichnor, 42, Reno, Nev./Jason Trubey, 43, Henderson, Nev./Kevin Johnson, 42, Boulder City, Nev., KTM 500XCW, 30:16:08.
3. 360x Santiago Creel, 31, Mexico City, Mexico/Enrique Fuhrken, 37, Mexico City/Jesus Zavala, 38, Valle de Bravo, Mexico/Patrick Reyes, 38, Mexico City/Antonio de la Vega, 39, Mexico City/Jose Pelayo, 34, Mexico City, KTM 500EXC, 30:48:00.
4. 306x Scott Miller, 42, Gilbert, Ariz./Eric Zite, 50, Gilbert, Ariz./Jeremy Stevens, 36, Gilbert, Ariz./Eric Breien, 34, Owasso, Okla., Husqvarna FE501, 33:54:46.
5. 305x Curtis Yanzick, 40, Cataldo, Idaho/Paul Husbauer, 35, Hillsboro, Ore./Milo Linville, 59, Damacus, Ore./Garrett Yanzick, 34, Selah, Wash./Eric Berard, 41, Winter Garden, Fla./William St. Laurent, 43, Winter Park, Fla., Husqvarna FE501, 35:40:58.
(SCORE Baja 1000: 6 Starters, 5 Finishers)

PRO MOTO 40 (Riders over 40 years old)
1. 400x Jano Montoya, 46, Winter Garden, Fla./Francisco Septien, 42, Ensenada, Mexico/Jeff Kawell, 45, Riverside, Calif./Alberto Ruiz, 42, Ensenada, Mexico/Kirk Russell, 47, Los Barriles, Mexico, KTM 450XCW, 26:56:08 (42.12 mph).
2. 420x Mike Barnhill, 52, El Cajon, Calif./Freddie Willert, 48, El Cajon, Calif./Chad Houck, 48, San Marcos, Calif./Eric Hingeley 48, Clairmont, Calif./Jeff Quade, 51, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico/Mike Tiffant, 50, Encinitas, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 28:42:15.
3. 477x Francisco Beltran, 46, Aventura, Fla. (La Paz, Mexico)/Sergio Vega, 49/Ulises Fisher, 46/Abelino Montoya, 40/Antonio Salmon, 46, Husqvarna FE501, 28:43:04.
4. 411x Colie Potter, 49, Las Vegas/David Glass, Hemet, Calif./Paul Luce, 43, Albuquerque, N.M./Steve Malley/Mike Bellar/Jason Miller, Honda CRF450X, 29:28:59.
5. 497x Erick Sanchez, 46, San Diego (Mexico)/Oscar Garcia, 43, Tijuana, Mexico/Jorge Langridge, 51, Mexico/Guillermo De la Herran, 42, Tijuana, Mexico/Jorge Medina, 42, Tijuana, Mexico/Alejandro Diaz, 44, La Paz, Mexico, Husaberg 501, 31:33:16.
6. 407x Bruce Anderson, 62, Riverside, Calif./Capt. Scott McCune, 47, Round Rock, Texas/Tony Wilkinson, 45/Shane Scott, 53/Marty Heitmann, 50/Matt Webber, 48, Honda CRF450X, 37:24:07.
(SCORE Baja 1000: 7 Starters, 6 Finishers)

PRO MOTO 50 (Riders over 50 years old)
1. 549x Robert Gates, 75, Victorville, Calif./Lou Franco, 54, Simi Valley, Calif./Jeff Kaplan, Thousands, Calif./Mike Johnson/Bob Johnson/David Potts/Chris Goolsby/Steve Williams, 59/Doug Smith, Upland, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 27:29:46 (41.26 mph).
2. 515x Robert Creemers, 53, New Zealand/Sean Clark, 50, New Zealand/Pete Heard, 53, New Zealand/Doug Herbert, 50, New Zealand/Kevin Archer, 50, New Zealand, Honda CRF450X, 28:40:51.
3. 510x Giovanni Spinali, 51, El Cajon, Calif./John Griffin, 51, Hillcrest, Calif./Earl Roberts, 55, Mexicali, Mexico/Troy Pearce, 50, Ramona, Calif./ Brian Bontekoning, 51, South Africa/Graham Maclachlan, 50, South Africa, Honda CRF450X, 30:50:57.
4. 516x Scott Atchison, 55, Bakersfield, Calif./Greg Hauser, 54, Shell Beach, Calif./Robby Kennedy, 54, Newhall, Calif./Harold Harris, 54, Reedly, Calif./Manny Ornellas, 54, Redding, Calif./Jimmy Somes, 55, Riverside, Calif., Honda XR650R, 30:56:17.
5. 521x Bill Wheeler, 57, Pleasanton, Calif./Jim Libby, 63, Anchorage, Alaska/Tim Sherwin, 59, Loma Linda, Calif./Ken Hilgendorf, 58, Los Angeles, Husqvarna FX450, 30:56:46.
6. 500x Marty Gomez, 57, Randsburg, Calif./Flipper Manchester, 54, Reno, Nev./George Pennington, 50, Denver/Tim Gomez, 60, Long Beach, Calif./Lance Schoonmaker/Mark Winkelman, 58, Cedar Hill, Texas/Rick Emerson, Honda CRF450X, 32:43:51.
7. 550x Bill Sekeres, 56, Santa Clarita, Calif./Mike Prunty, 55, Temecula, Calif./Mike Garvin, 52, Ladera Ranch, Calif./Kevin Ward, 55, Chatsworth, Calif./Daren Heft/Alan Difatta, Agua Dulce, Calif./Craig Wear, 58, Carson City, Nev., Honda CRF450X, 34:26:30.
8. 556x Don Blake, 62, Mission Viejo, Calif./Mike Booth, San Diego/Richie Hudson, Lake Havasu City, Ariz./Steve Underwood, Springfield, Mo./Matt Woody, Grand Lake, Colo./Pat White, Bellingham, Wash., Husqvarna 501, 35:57:37.
9. 505x Daniel Argano, 52, San Luis Obispo, Calif./Robert Eaton, 53, San Luis Obispo, Calif./Scott Hayes, 54, San Luis Obispo, Calif./Tony Zabala, 53, Los Osos, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 42:05:27.
(SCORE Baja 1000: 9 Starters, 9 Finishers)

PRO MOTO IRONMAN (Solo Riders)
1. 715x Jeff Benrud, 47, Raeford, N.C., Honda CRF450X, 30;37:13 (37.05 mph).
2. 729x Michael Skurkis, 40, Henderson, Nev./KTM 500XCW, 31:48:28.
3. 721x Jose Carassco, 27, Rosarito Beach, Mexico, Suzuki RMZ450X, 35:11:14.
4. 740x Boe Huckins, 38, Jackson, Wyo., KTM SXF450, 36:20:50.
5. 778x Mike Crawford, 39, Phoenix, KTM 500EXC, 39:59:30.
6. 712x Eddie Meek, 36, England, KTM 450EXC, 43:01:31.
(SCORE Baja 1000: 19 Starters, 6 Finishers)

PRO MOTO 60 (Riders over 60 years old)
1. 609x Donald Lewis, 74, Manchester, Conn./Richard Jackson, 71, Acton, Calif./ Mike Castro, 64, Apple Valley, Calif./Max Christensen, 64, Sun Valley, Calif./Guy Laycraft, 60, Canada/Larry Engwall, 63, Santana, Calif./Kirk Heintz, Tulare, Calif./Robert Koch, 63, Leona Valley, Calif./George Yates, Irvine, Calif./Jim Meyers, Honda CRF450X, 34:47:41 (32.60 mph).
(SCORE Baja 1000: 2 Starters, 1 Finisher)

For more results, visit http://score-international.com.

The post Arredondo Wins 50th Anniversary SCORE Baja 1000 appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

ENSENADA, Mexico—While SCORE Trophy Truck qualifying determined the starting order for the marquee racing division, the start draw for starting positions for all the other classes was held in Las Vegas this past week for the upcoming 50th annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000, the iconic Granddaddy of all desert races. To date 381 entries have been processed with racers coming from 42 U.S. States, two U.S. Territories and 25 total countries.

Racers continue pre-running on their golden quest over the rugged 1,134.40-mile race course all the way down Mexico’s majestically magnificent Baja California Peninsula.

The start draw was held on Wednesday in conjunction with the SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience that was part of the week-long SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

Advance on-line racer-registration continues until 5 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday (Nov. 8) at www.score-international.com for this year’s legendary competition. The event and race-week festivities will be held Nov. 12-18 in Baja California, Mexico.

GOLDEN BAJA MIL
Nearly 400 entries, from over 40 U.S. States and 30 countries are expected to compete in the 50th annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000. There are multiple Pro and Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads.

The world’s most iconic, oldest, prestigious and longest continuously held desert race, the Baja 1000 will be held over a 1,134.40-mile race course down Mexico’s majestic Baja California peninsula, starting in Ensenada, Baja California Norte and finishing in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

The race is annually the finale of the four-race SCORE World Desert Championship, held exclusively for the past two years in Baja California.

SPLIT-START
Commemorating the first race, motorcycle and quad classes will start the 50th annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 at midnight (PT) on Wednesday, November 15 and the car, truck and UTV classes will begin their journey in the elapsed-time race 10 hours later at 10 a.m. (PT) on Thursday, November 16. While the fastest vehicles are expected to complete the course in approximately 19 hours, all vehicles will have 48 hours from the time each starts to complete the course and become an official finisher of the 50th anniversary race.

THE COUNT
To date, there are 381 total entries from 42 U.S. States, two U.S. Territories and 25 countries officially signed up to compete. In addition to the United States, the U.S. Territories of Guam and Puerto Rico and host country Mexico, the other countries with racers entered to date are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, England, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa and Spain.

MORE NUMBERS
Including SCORE Trophy Truck (41), 12 total classes already have double figures in terms of entries so far. While several other classes have nearly reached at least 10 entries, the other classes with double figure entries to date are: Class 10 (30), Trophy Truck Spec (26), Pro UTV FI (25), unlimited Class 1 (20), Pro Moto Ironman (18), Class 1/2-1600 (17), Pro UTV (16), Baja Challenge (12), Class 7 (10), Class 5-1600 (10) and leading the Sportsman classes is Sportsman Motorcycle with 25 entries so far.

SALIDA Y LA META
This year’s race will start for the 43rd time in Ensenada, Baja California and finish for the 21st time in La Paz, Baja California Sur. The start line will once again be adjacent to the iconic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in the heart of Ensenada with the first several spectator-friendly miles running up the Ensenada Arroyo. The course will finish just off of Highway 1 in the outskirts of the city, adjacent to the Grand Plaza Hotel, official race headquarters in La Paz at the Fidepaz Marina.

PRE-GREEN
The 50th annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 race week festivities will cover November 12-18.

Pre-race festivities include for the first time, the vastly popular tech and contingency of all vehicles and the SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway being held over two days on Boulevard Costero in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center.  Contingency will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and pre-race tech will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for motorcycles, quads and UTVs on Tuesday (November 14) and for cars and trucks on Wednesday (November 15) at the same times.

The pre-race mandatory driver/rider briefing for motorcycles and quads will be held on Tuesday (November 14) at 7 p.m. PT in the Cathedral Room at the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center and on Wednesday (November 15) at 7 p.m. PT for the car, truck and UTV classes.

Racer registration for the 50th annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 will be held in the Red Room at the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center in Ensenada. Racer registration will be held from noon to 5 p.m. (PT) on Sunday (November 12), from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (PT) on Monday (November 13), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PT) on Tuesday (November 14) and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday (November 15).

Media registration will be held as well in the Red Room at the Riviera from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. (PT) on Monday (November 13), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PT) on both Tuesday (November 14) and Wednesday (November 15) and the BFGoodrich Tires/Baja California Secretary of Tourism SCORE Media Center in Ensenada will be open on Wednesday (November 15) from 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. (PT) and on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (PT).

SCORE sponsor Monster Energy will host the Monster Energy Papas y Beer SCORE Street Party on Avenida Ruiz in downtown Ensenada from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. (PT) on Tuesday, November 14. 

In La Paz, media registration will be held in the Emperor’s Ballroom at the Grand Plaza Hotel from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15 and the BFGoodrich Tires/Baja California Secretary of Tourism SCORE Media Center will be open on race days from 10 a.m. (PT) on Thursday, November 16 until 4 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, November 18.

POST GREEN
As the 50th annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 celebration continues Thursday (November 15) night to all day and evening on Friday and on the morning of Saturday (November 18) in La Paz while official finishers cross the line and tales and epic accomplishments are added to the legacy of the event. The post-race awards fiesta will be held in La Paz starting at 7 p.m. (PT) on Saturday (November 18).

VIVA BAJA!
As it has for over four decades, SCORE has put together another memorable race course for the 50th annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000, this one is a point-to-point race, with all of the foreboding, unforgiving terrain that both the northern state and southern state of the majestic Baja California peninsula has to offer. SCORE CEO/president Roger Norman and SCORE Race Director Jose A. Grijalva have designed and finalized this year’s race course of 1,134.40 miles. This year’s golden course will have five physical checkpoints along the way to the finish, 149 virtual checkpoints and 20 speedzones.

 Starting in the heart of Ensenada in front of the historic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, the course travels east to Ojos Negros before launching its weaving way south to the finish line in La Paz.

The five checkpoints will be located at Coco’s Corner (race mile 312.30), Mujica Baja Sur (RM 524.22), near Loreto (RM 784.11), road crossing at the Lopez Mateos Highway (RM 930.58) and at Loma Amarilla (RM 1,033.65).

WHO ELSE BUT SAL?!
Sal Fish, 78, the iconic desert racing promoter who owned SCORE International for 38 years, will be the Grand Marshal for November’s 50th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000.

Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famer Fish, who lives in Malibu, Calif., has earned more awards in his life than most racers have won races and was the face of SCORE from 1974 until he sold the company to Roger and Elise Norman on December 20, 2012.

DUST 2 GLORY
From award-winning documentary filmmaker Dana Brown, Dust 2 Glory, scheduled to premiere nationwide on December 6, chronicled each of the four races in the 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship. Brown’s original Dust to Glory, released in 2005, became an iconic classic showcasing the legendary SCORE Baja 1000. Dust 2 Glory, 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. Executive Producer is BCII’s Bud Brutsman.

Tickets for the special, one-night December 6 nationwide premiere are now on sale. For information regarding tickets and theater locations, visit https://www.fathomevents.com/events/dust-2-glory.

EL REY NETWORK
The four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship in Baja California, Mexico along with the SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience and the SCORE Baja 1000 Qualifying in Las Vegas are all airing on El Rey Network in the United States. International distribution is by way of syndication. The season-ending 50th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 will have a two-hour show produced while the other race shows are each one-hour telecasts.

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.

50th annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000
Final Round of four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship
Nov. 12-18, 2017— 1,134.40 miles;
Ensenada, Baja California to La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Total Entries: 381 (as of 11/3/17)

(from 42 U.S. States, U.S. Territories Guam & Puerto Rico, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, England, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary,  India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa and Spain)

Current Pro Motorcycle Entry List

PRO MOTO UNLIMITED (8)
45x Francisco Arredondo
1x Mark Samuels
44x Justin Morgan
66x Santiago Creel
33x Garrett Poucher
3x Ray Dal Soglio
55x Steven Hatch
35x Nick Gust

PRO MOTO LIMITED (6)
160x Santiago Creel
125x Fernando Beltran
100x Jim O’Neal
166x Santiago Creel
107x Ulises Fierro
119x Matt Miller

PRO MOTO 30 (6)
300x Ryan Liebelt
303x Luis Gomez
360x Santiago Creel
306x Scott Miller
305x Curtis Yanzick
333x Chad Thornton

PRO MOTO 40 (8)
400x Jano Montoya
411x Colie Potter
420x Mike Barnhill
407x Bruce Anderson
478x Frank Carfaro
477x Francisco Beltran
497x Erick Sanchez
410x Paul Thomas

PRO MOTO 50 (9)
500x Marty Gomez
549x Robert Gates
510x Giovanni Spinali
550x Bill Sekeres
521x Bill Wheeler
505x Daniel Argano
556x Don Blake
515x Robert Creemers
516x Scott Atchison

PRO MOTO IRONMAN (18)
721x Jose Carrasco
729x Michael Skurkis
778x Mike Crawford
775x Tanner Janesky
711x Tibi Imbuzan
777x Wayne Schlosser
712x Eddie Meek
706x Kevin Daniels
714x Lawrence Janesky
719x Kelly Oldroyd
757x Rick Thornton
718x Gary Sparks
715x Jeff Benrud
740x Boe Huckins
707x James Hall
781x Christopher Colmenero-3rd-RS
756x John Hodel-2nd RS
750x Dennis Rogers-1st RS

PRO MOTO 60 (2)
600x Mark Hawley
609x Donald Lewis-1st RS

The post 50th Annual BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 Info appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

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.

The post SCORE Desert Challenge Moves to Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

Formed by former JCR riders Colton Udall and Mark Samuels, Ox Motorsports pretty much picked up where JCR left off, which makes sense because both men were on the team when JCR pulled the plug on its Baja program. The Ox team suffered a loss in the 2014 Baja 1000 while getting its own program up to speed, but Udall, Samuels and Company have enjoyed pretty smooth sailing since then. The team has racked up wins in the 2015 and 2016 editions of the event as well as the SCORE Desert World Championship both years. The 2017 season started off as business as usual for the team when it came out and won the 2017 San Felipe 250. A crash in the Baja 500 ended the team’s win streak, but they’re still even money for the Baja 1000 in November.

Why? Because in addition to featuring the talents of such riders as Udall, Samuels, Damon Skokie, Ryan Penhall, Nic Garvin and Ray Dal Soglio on the team, Ox Motorsports has its Honda CRF450X-based race program down to a science.

While Honda has released the much higher-tech CRF450RX in 2017, Ox Motorsports continues on with one of the most tried-and-true models in Big Red’s off-road line-up, the carbureted, EPA-legal CRF450X. So, why not change to the newer model? As Udall, who has nine years of experience with the CRF450X puts it, why would the team want to change from a known winner in the CRF450X to an unknown quantity in the CRF450RX?

“We have a contract with American Honda, and they provide us with CRF450X’s,” Udall said. “The CRF450RX was developed more for GNCC racing. We had a meeting with them, asking them if they wanted us to race the RX this year, and they said they wanted us to continue to push the X until they felt that the RX was the bike to race in Mexico. Honda moves deliberately. Besides that, the X is the ultimate motorcycle for Baja. Its chassis is, by far, the most stable I’ve ever ridden. It is tremendously flexible. It eats up the bumps, and it is more nimble than anything else in its weight class.”

Naturally, prepping Honda’s green-sticker-legal, open-class CRF450X takes some work—the machines that OX Motorsports rides into battle aren’t merely warmed-over stock machines. Each bike headed for Baja is thoroughly disassembled, and a host of trick, although mostly obtainable, parts and pieces are included to transform the CRF450X from a mild-mannered trailbike into a fire-breathing, ground-gobbling off-road endurance beast.

“It pretty much goes into a million pieces, really,” Udall said of each race bike the team readies for racing. “The motor, the transmission, everything just goes all the way down because we want to check things like the set screws on the main bearings [in the engine]. They are always tight, but you have to be sure. We just rebuild everything from there.”

To achieve the reliability the team requires for the brutal Baja races, the stock crankshaft is trued and rebalanced before a stock rod is fitted to it and it is placed back in the thoroughly examined engine cases. Udall said that lately the team has been experimenting with some different parts for its forthcoming rally efforts, but the Baja bike prep has pretty much followed the same blueprint for years.

“The stock cranks last a long time—certainly for 1000 miles,” Udall said.

As for the top end, there are more changes made, although even they aren’t as radical as Ox Motorsports’ win record.

“We run the stock compression ratio,” Udall said. “We can run on pump gas, but we run a 75/25 mix of F&L SP-3 race gas and 91 Chevron pump gasoline. That’s what Honda’s chemists suggest and that’s I learned from Johnny [Campbell]. But the cylinder head is from a 2008 Honda CRF450R because the intake porting is much larger than the X head, and the valves are like 1mm larger. The camshaft is from the 2002 Honda CRF450R because it gives the engine good mid-range and really good overrev. You can hold it wide open without hitting the rev limiter, and it is more of a free-revving motor whereas the stock motor feels a little bound up when you get on the gas.”

The stock airbox is also cut up to more closely resemble the openings of a CRF450R airbox, and the stock carburetor is re-jetted with a 45 pilot jet, a 178 main jet and an NCYS needle in the middle position. There is also a pink wire that gets swapped in the harness to free up even more revs. Even so, Udall added that the engine changes don’t make the 450X into some unruly animal.

“It’s not some radical powerband,” Udall said. “KTMs probably pull harder, but this is a package that was developed by Johnny to be useable and to put the power to the ground.”

Part of that power comes from a well-proven Pro Circuit exhaust system that the team has been using for years.

“They actually call it the JCR Race Edition, and it definitely adds horsepower compared to other exhaust systems we’ve tried. The Pro Circuit exhaust rips from the bottom all the way to the top. There are some things in that exhaust that are unique.”

The stock CRF450X transmission is also taken apart, carefully inspected and put back in the cases. There are no internal mods, such as ratio changes, but the final gearing is altered to suit the terrain.

“We use 15/47 most of the time,” Udall said. “Stock is 13/51. The motor pulls the 15 countershaft pretty good most of the time. It is a very comfortable feel. You can run a 48 [on the back], but we feel that 47 is the ideal gearing. It won’t quite pull a 46 out of the corners the way we like, and the 48 is a little too tight. Sometimes we will put a 48 on there, though.”

Beyond that, the team adds small things such as heat tape on the radiator hoses to better combat any potential coolant boiling issues and chicken wire over the radiators to prevent damage when striking a bush.

Ox Motorsports utilizes AHM Factory Services to dial-in the suspension on its racebikes. The fork and shock are torn down, inspected for any flaws and then re-valved, sprung with the stock Honda CRF450X springs and rebuilt to Ox Motorsports specs, incorporating Showa A-Kit suspension internals.

“We’re pretty much looking for a soft setup where we can use all the stroke,” Udall said. “You want it to be pretty plush, but you also want it to stand up through some of the G-outs and the hard hits. If you go too stiff it becomes deflective in high-speed sections. If you go too soft, it wallows. Johnny used to always tell the suspension guy that he’d like it to bottom once per mile. [laughs] Most of the time you’re going in on the clickers. We’re heavier riders, and I ride the bike really hard. It’s all about finding happiness by using the high-speed adjusters.”

When the night falls, the team relies on Baja Designs for its lighting needs.

“We base our lighting off of their power package off their rewound stator, but we do change a few things.”

When it comes to the chassis, the team uses triple clamps from two different sources, XTrig and BRP. Other departures from stock parts include BRP chain sliders, Pro Taper sprockets and DID chains. Fuel is carried in IMS tank, and the team uses a Moto Seat with a pocket in the front to carry its SpotTracker. IMS footpegs are used to secure the rider’s feet. A P3 carbon skid plate protects the undercarriage. MSR Hard Parts handguards protect the rider’s knuckles.

Oh yes, and A’ME grips.

“Right,” Udall said. “I’m a huge advocate of full-waffle grips. Some people don’t like them, but they sort of create a suspension all their own, which helps reduce fatigue. Also, Jamie Campbell at RACECO helps us out by doing things like fabricating the brackets for our transponders.”

Besides the clamps, the only really noticeable departure from the stock CRF450X frame can be found on the swingarm, which has an extra horseshoe-shaped gusset just ahead of the rear wheel. Udall didn’t want to talk about it, but it’s obvious that the gusset is intended to stiffen up the chassis for the warp speed velocities the team hits when racing in Baja.

Tires are Michelin Desert Racer models. The rear tire measures 140/80-18, and the front measures 90/90-21.

“Stock rear is like 110/100-18, but the Michelins are sized differently, so they are not as wide as they sound,” Udall said. “We use the stock brake components. We really don’t want too much bite, and the stock pads and rotors work really well.”

But even though the Ox Motorsports Honda CRF450X race bikes don’t feature a mountain un-obtanium trick parts, Udall said that most people don’t need to even go as far as the team does in order to wind up with a good-running CRF450X from any year.

“What most people would really want to do is what I would call a ‘pre-runner’ package,” Udall said. “Cut the airbox. Get the carb jetting dialed-in. Get a smog block-off. Get a Scott’s steering stabilizer and a triple clamp with a 22mm offset. Otherwise, leave it alone. As far as durability, it’s a great bike. It’s just very well developed, and you can’t really go wrong with it.”

That’s a sentiment shared by fellow Ox Motorsports team member, Mark Samuels, Ryan Penhall, Nic Garvin and Ray Dal Soglio.

“It’s a really comfortable bike,” Penhall said. “It doesn’t have that snappy torque like a motocross bike, and you really don’t want that because it just saps your energy. It’s really stable, it’s fast, and it’s really reliable.”

Dal Soglio said that with the experience he’s gained on the CRF450X, he has actually had a tough time getting used to the new CRF450R that he uses at local GPs and the like.

“The X just tracks so well,” Dal Soglio said. “It’s really predictable, and it handles really well.”

“Obviously, the motor and chassis are the best quality, and the components that we add just make for a really good package,” Samuels said. “It’s one of the best bikes built for desert racing. It’s over 10 years old, and yet it still competes with and beats bikes with much newer technology. It’s one of the best off-road bikes ever, and it is the best off-road bike for Baja.”

It also doesn’t hurt that the Ox Motorsports Honda CRF450X is campaigned by one of the best teams ever to turn a tire on the Baja peninsula.

The post Ox Motorsports Honda CRF450X Feature: Baja Dominator appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

Savedra, a fixture in desert racing for nearly 40 years, was the owner of A.R.T.S (All Race Tech and Safety) of Las Vegas and worked with SCORE International in the tech department of its desert racing series since 1980 and held the position of SCORE Tech Director since 2012.

“Words don’t come easy at times like this and Art impacted so many of us in desert racing in multiple ways that his loss truly leaves a gaping hole in our hearts and in our sport,” commented Roger Norman, SCORE CEO/President. “One of our sport’s greatest friend passed away last night. Art volunteered himself selflessly to SCORE and many other organizations for 38 years.

“Three years ago Art became Tech Director of SCORE after being a part-time Tech volunteer for 33 years. He was co-tech director with Jake Velasco for two years and the man in charge at SCORE Tech for the last three years. I personally will never forget how many times he told me he was so very proud to be the SCORE Tech Director. We have lost our best friend.”

Born in Wilmington, Calif. on July 20, 1954, Savedra graduated from Banning High School in 1972 and also took advanced classes at Harbor College. With a deep and lasting interest in racing and race vehicles, he also took special automotive classes at Riverside International Raceway and Willow Springs Raceway.

Savedra started A.R.T.S. right out of high school and a near fatal vehicle accident that left him with third and fourth-degree burns over 85 percent of his body didn’t change his life direction. It served to make him even more passionate about not only the technical side of racing but also the all-important safety aspects of the sport and industry.

Since his accident, Savedra worked tirelessly to express the importance of safety, especially in the area that affected his life so much. Savedra had 56 surgeries to help his recovery and he spent countless hours, days, weeks and months since speaking to students and professional groups regarding fire safety. His talks with children emphasized ‘stop, drop and roll’ fire safety and to the parents he spoke strongly regarding burn care and burn prevention.

Savedra gravitated to desert racing in 1980 and through his company (A.R.T.S.) became a highly-valued friend of both racer and racing organizations as he worked with several groups up to the time of his passing.

With SCORE, Savedra had a significant role in developing both technical and safety changes in the current SCORE rule book which is the standard for the sport. Known by many as ‘The Tech Dude’, Savedra’s many special sayings included, “Have fun, be safe and see you in the desert.” As well-loved as he was in the desert racing community, his grandest legacy he has left behind is his loving caring family.

Although he traveled extensively in his work, he was at home with his family when he passed away on Thursday night. In addition to his countless friends and extended family, Savedra leaves behind his loving wife Suzie, his son Guy, his daughter Ivy, his daughter-in-law Lucy and his three grandchildren—Amber, Andre and Quinn.

The post SCORE International Mourns Passing of SCORE Tech Director Art Savedra appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

The son of On Any Sunday director Bruce Brown, Dana Brown has already enjoyed an illustrious career that includes the epic surf film Step Into Liquid (2003), Dust to Glory (2005) and On Any Sunday: The Next Chapter (2014). Brown also recently put together a short film entitled Baja: Lost and Found (2016) in conjunction with Yeti Coolers. Dust2GLory marks his return to Baja California, Mexico, to capture not just the legendary SCORE Baja 1000 but the entire 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship season, chronicling all of its glory and tragedy.

Brown and his team have been editing Dust2Glory for the past several months with the plan to have it ready for release in the Fall of 2017 as SCORE International celebrates its 50th anniversary

“It’s kind of amazing how Baja pulls you in,” Brown said. “I have made so many friends down there, and we have gathered so many amazing stories to tell that it is almost embarassing. I don’t know how we’re going to be able to tell them all.”

That may be true, but one thing is certain: Whatever stories Brown does tell in Dust 2 Glory will range from the heroic to the humorous to the heartbreaking, and it will be another chronicle of the men, women and machines that still give the race such a tremendous aura.

The post Video: Watch the Dust 2 Glory Movie Teaser appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

SAN FELIPE, Baja California, Mexico – Looking to add to his record-setting class win total, SoCal’s veteran age-group motorcycle racer Jim O’Neal will lead 61 racers who have combined for 159 class wins among over 200 racers expected to start Saturday’s 31st SCORE San Felipe 250 desert race.  O’Neal, 72, the noted apparel manufacturer from Simi Valley, Calif., has 16 class wins in San Felipe and will be the rider of record on a team in the Pro Moto Limited class in the season-opener of the internationally-televised four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship.

Entries to date from 25 U.S. States, host Mexico, Australia, Austria, Canada, Egypt, Germany and Guatemala are entered thus far. The event will be held Wednesday to Sunday in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, the quaint fishing village on the Sea of Cortez, 125 miles south of the U.S. Border at Calexico, Calif.

Entries are being accepted in classes for Pro and Sportsman cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads. The start and finish line area will be on the malecon in the heart of San Felipe for the first time in the history of the San Felipe 250.

30-PLUS YEARS

Celebrating the 31st anniversary of the youngest of the three legendary SCORE Baja races, pre-race festivities for this popular ‘Spring Break’ race will be held in San Felipe Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with race day Saturday concluding with the post-race awards fiesta next Sunday morning on the Malecon

The Monster Energy SCORE Kickoff Welcome Party will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. PDT Thursday (March 30) at the Hotel El Cortez.

GOLDEN SCORE 2017

The 2017 season also marks the golden 50th anniversary celebration of the legendary season-ending SCORE Baja 1000, the iconic Granddaddy of all Desert Races to be held in mid-November. The SCORE Baja 1000 is the oldest and longest continuously held desert race in the world.

REGISTRATION/MANUFACTURER’S MIDWAY

Racer registration will be held at the Hotel El Cortez from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (PDT) on Wednesday, from Noon to 8 p.m. (PDT) on Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PDT) on Friday.

Media registration will be held at the Hotel El Cortez from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (PDT) on Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PDT) on Friday.

The pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway, contingency and tech inspection of the vehicles in the race will be held on Friday. Contingency will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PT) and tech/transponder check from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the picturesque Malecon, flanked by the Sea of Cortez on one side and the popular restaurants and night clubs of San Felipe on the other.

BREAKING IT DOWN…

The field includes racers from last year’s overall motorcycle winner as well as the last seven overall 4-wheel vehicle winners in San Felipe. Also entered are 12 Pro class winners from last year’s race and 15 of the Pro class point champions from the 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship.

Billy Wilson, Corpus Christi, Texas is the defending overall and Trophy Truck  race winner and Mark Samuels, Yucca Valley, Calif., returns to defend the overall motorcycle title he and the now injured Colton Udall won last year.

Trophy Trucks have won 20 overalls in San Felipe in the 23-year history of the class. Southern California’s Mark Post/Jerry Whelchel in 1997, San Diego’s son/father team of Andy and Scott McMillin (2005) and Armin Schwarz (Germany)/Martin Christensen (Denmark) (2010) have the only three Class 1 overall wins since SCORE created the featured SCORE Trophy Truck division in 1994.

In the first 30 years of this race, Honda has earned 19 overall motorcycle victories (including 17 of the last 20 years), Kawasaki has seven, KTM has three and Husqvarna has one.

ELITE EIGHT

Among the 24 entries to date in the marquee Trophy Truck division are eight racers who have combined to win the featured class in the SCORE San Felipe 250 a total of 13 out of 23 years the class has been offered included the last seven straight and eight of the last 10 San Felipe class winners.

The eight drivers are Las Vegas’ Ed Herbst, Las Vegas’ Tim Herbst, Las Vegas’ Mark Post, Mexico’s Gus Vildosola Sr, Las Vegas’ Rob MacCachren, Jesse Jones of Phoenix, Mexico’s Gus Vildosola Jr and Texas’ Billy Wilson.

Leading the way for the returning Trophy Truck race winners are Las Vegas brothers Ed Herbst/Tim Herbst who won in 1999, 2000 and 2001 when the raced as a team. This year Ed Herbst is racing with Las Vegas’ Mark Post who won Trophy Truck in 2004 with Jerry Whelchel and in 2007 with Las Vegas’ Rob MacCachren. Post and Ed Herbst have a third driver, four-time Lucas Oil stadium racing champion Kyle LeDuc.

Tim Herbst is driving solo this year.

MacCachren has won his class in this race four times (2003 with Gus Vildosola Sr, 2007 with Mark Post, and 2011, 2012 driving solo). Vildosola Sr has won twice (2003 with MacCachren and 2013 with Vildosola Jr) and Vildosola Jr has won SCORE Trophy Truck three times in San Felipe (2013 with his father and solo in 2014 and 2015). Jones won in 2010 and Billy Wilson won Trophy last year in this race.

THE CHALLENGERS

Out to defeat the elite eight former race winners, the other challengers in Trophy Truck will be led by Mexico’s two-time defending season point champion Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez. Also among the key challengers will be four-time SCORE World Desert Championship winner B.J. Baldwin of Las Vegas.

Joining that short list will be World Rally Championship veteran Armin Schwarz of Germany, San Diego’s Luke McMillin and his brother Dan McMillin racing in separate trucks, RPM Racing’s Justin Matney of Bristol, Va., Mexico’s Juan C. Lopez, veteran desert racer and TV action sports announcer Cameron Steele, former Sports Car Racing champion Larry Connor of Miamisburg, Ohio and veteran  desert racer Robbie Pierce of Santee, Calif.

OTRO MAS, POR FAVOR….

Leading the gregarious group of 36 racers with at least two class wins in this race entered this year are Jim O’Neal (Pro Moto Limited) with a SCORE race-high16 class wins (age group motorcycle) wins–all in the last 16 years, and Eric Solorzano with 10 Class 11 wins in this San Felipe race. Rob MacCachren has eight class wins (SCORE Trophy Truck), Adam Pfankuch has seven class wins (Class 10) and Gus Vildosola Jr has five wins (SCORE Trophy Truck).

With four class wins each in San Felipe are Chad Broughton (Trophy Truck Spec), Tim Herbst (SCORE Trophy Truck), Ed Herbst (SCORE Trophy Truck), Donald Lewis (Pro Moto 60), Ricardo Malo (Class 1), Wayne Matlock (Pro UTV FI), Cody Robinson (Class 1/2-1600), Roberto Romo (Class 1/2-1600) and Francisco Septien (Pro Moto Unlimited).

O’Neal has raced in all 30 previous SCORE San Felipe 250 races and he has a SCORE-record 16 career season class point titles, including last season in Pro Moto 50 as a co-rider on the over-50 years-old motorcycle team led by Mark Winkelman.

ENTRY LEADERS

To date, the featured SCORE Trophy Truck division has the most entries with 24 followed by Trophy Truck Spec with 17 entries, Class 10 with 15 entries, unlimited Class 1 and Pro UTV FI with 14 each and SCORE Lites with 12.

Leading the motorcycle entries so far is Pro Moto Unlimited with seven entries.

QUALIFYING FIRST

For the first time in the history of this race, SCORE will hold a qualifying session on Thursday, March 30 to determine the starting positions within each class for the SCORE Trophy Truck/Trophy Truck Legend, Class 1 and Trophy Truck Spec classes.

Qualifying first in the marquee SCORE Trophy Truck division for high-tech, 850-horsepower, unlimited production trucks will be veteran racer/chassis builder Damen Jefferies, Yucca Valley, Calif.

Drawing the first qualifying position in the unlimited Class 1 was veteran SCORE female champion racer Shelby Reid, Apple Valley, Calif., whose son Cody Reid is a champion racer in Class 10.

First to make a qualifying run in Trophy Truck Spec will be Las Vegas’ Bill McBeath, a prominent casino executive and former SCORE Trophy Truck racer.

While qualifying is optional, 44 of the 58 total entries in the three classes, including 23 of 24 in SCORE Trophy Truck, have committed to qualify for their starting positions. The non-qualifiers in each class will start after all the qualifiers in their respective classes in the order they were drawn in the start drawn held on March 16 for all of the remaining classes.

A MASTERFUL COURSE

SCORE President Roger Norman and SCORE Race Director Jose A. Grijalva have worked with the government officials and ejidos of the Mexicali and San Felipe areas to develop a memorable SCORE San Felipe 250 race course of 271.9 miles.

This year’s grueling race course will be another beauty to behold but a tough challenge to race on. It runs in a counter clockwise direction running over high-speed dry lake beds, through low-speed winding, rock-strewn, twisting canyons and trails, along quick-paced dirt roads and through three of Baja’s most infamous washes in Chanate, Huatamote and Amarillo.

There will be two full stop checkpoints in addition to the start/finish line which will be located for the first time in the history of this race on the Malecon in the heart of San Felipe. Checkpoint 1 will be located at El Chinero and the second will be at Morelia Junction.

The course will also pass through La Ventana, Saldana and Borrego as well as the Diablo dry lake bed.

There will be two road crossings, both on Highway 3. The first will be going north at km 192 after checkpoint 1 and the second one coming south near Borrego, crossing at km 179 on the highway.

The start line and celebratory finish area will be on the SCORE ramps in front of the Rockodile night club on the Malecon.

TROPHY TRUCK LEGEND

SCORE has introduced a new class starting with this race called Trophy Truck Legend. The new class will use the same rules as the marquee SCORE Trophy Truck division with the exception that all drivers in each vehicle in Trophy Truck Legend must be at least 50 years old.

SCORE has long had popular age group motorcycle classes for riders over 30, 40, 50 and 60 years old and over but this is the first class SCORE has developed for four-wheel vehicles.

SPRING BREAK HAPPENING

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 ruggedly rough and bountifully beautiful Baja peninsula has been the SCORE San Felipe 250.

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 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule:

• 31st SCORE San Felipe 250, March 29-April 2, San Felipe, Mexico
• 49th SCORE Baja 500, June 1-4, Ensenada Mexico
• Rosarito Beach 21st SCORE Desert Challenge, Sept. 14-17, Rosarito Beach, Mexico
• 50th SCORE Baja 1000, Nov.14-18, Ensenada, Mexico to La Paz, Mexico

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. The season-ending 50^th SCORE Baja 1000 will have a two-hour show produced while the other race shows will each be one-hour telecasts.

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.

SCORE SPONSORS…

Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire, Monster Energy-Official Energy Drink, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber, Raceline Wheels-Official Wheel, Axial R/C-Official R/C Vehicle, El Rey Network-Official Television Partner, Wide Open Excursions-Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino.

SCORE Official Partners: PCI Race Radios, 4 Wheel Parts, Coca Cola, The Satellite Phone Store, Satellite Del Norte, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, CETTO Vineyards.

Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Proturismo Ensenada, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, Baja California Sur State Government, Baja California Sur Secretary of Tourism, Mexicali Ayuntamiento, COTUCO Mexicali/San Felipe, Cruz Roja Mexicana, Corporate Helicopters, McKenzie’s Performance Products, Advanced Color Graphics.

Rosarito Beach SCORE Desert Challenge Special Partners: Ayuntamiento de Playas de Rosarito, Cotuco de Playas de Rosarito, Comite de Mercadatecnia Playas de Rosarito.

For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCOREInternational.com.

The post SCORE San Felipe 250: Veteran Jim O’Neal Leads Top Race Winners appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

     Early entries from 21 U.S. States, host Mexico, Austria, Canada, Germany and Guatemala are preparing for the popular season-opener of the four-race internationally-televised 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship. The event will be held March 29-April 2 in San Felipe, the quaint fishing village on the Sea of Cortez, 125 miles south of the U.S. Border at Calexico, Calif.

SCORE has also announced that it has finalized a major new U.S. television agreement which will be announced prior to the upcoming race.

The deadline for entering to be included in the start draw within each class is Wednesday, March 15, the drawing is Thursday, March 16 and pre-running will open on the magnificent course of nearly 265 miles on Saturday, March 18. Online registration will continue until Sunday, Sept. 26 and on-site, late registration will be held March 29, March 30 and March 31.

The 2017 season also marks the 50th anniversary celebration of the legendary season-ending SCORE Baja 1000, the iconic Granddaddy of all Desert Races to be held in mid-November. The SCORE Baja 1000 is the longest continuously held desert race in the world.

30-PLUS YEARS

Celebrating the 31st anniversary of the youngest of the three legendary SCORE Baja races, sometimes referred to as the SCORE ‘baby Baja’, entries continue to be accepted on the SCORE website (www.SCOREInternational.com) for Pro and Sportsman entries for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads.

The drawing for starting positions within each class will be held on Thursday, March 16 for all vehicles officially entered by 11 p.m. PT on Wednesday, March 15.

Pre-race festivities for this popular ‘Spring Break’ race will be held in San Felipe on March 29, March 30 and March 31 with race day on Saturday, April 1 concluding with the post-race awards fiesta at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 2.

     The Monster Energy SCORE Kickoff Welcome Party will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. PDT on Thursday (March 30) at XXXXXXXXX.

REGISTRATION/MANUFACTURER’S MIDWAY

Racer registration will be held at the Hotel El Cortez from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (PDT) on Wednesday (March 29), from Noon to 8 p.m. (PDT) on Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PDT) on Friday (March 31).

Media registration will be held at the Hotel El Cortez from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (PDT) on Thursday (March 30) and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  (PDT) on Friday (March 31).

The pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway, contingency and tech inspection of the vehicles in the race will be held on Friday (March 31). Contingency will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PT) and tech/transponder check from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the picturesque Malecon, flanked by the Sea of Cortez on one side and the popular restaurants and night clubs of San Felipe on the other.

A MASTERFUL COURSE

SCORE President Roger Norman and SCORE Race Director Jose A. Grijalva have worked with the government officials and ejidos of the Mexicali and San Felipe areas to develop a memorable SCOE San Felipe 250 race course of approximately 270 miles.

This year’s grueling race course will be another beauty to behold but a nightmare to race on. It runs in a counter clockwise direction running over high-speed dry lake beds, through low-speed winding, rock-strewn, twisting canyons and trails, along quick-paced dirt roads and through three of Baja’s most infamous washes in Chanate, Huatamote and Amarillo.

There will be two full stop checkpoints in addition to the start/finish line which will be located for the first time in the history of this race on the Malecon in the heart of San Felipe. Checkpoint 1 will be located at El Chinero and the second will be at Morelia Junction.

The course will also pass through La Ventana, Saldana and Borrego as well as the Diablo dry lake bed.

There will be no road crossings, both on Highway 3. The first will be going north at km 192 after checkpoint 1 and the second one coming south near Borrego, crossing at km 179 on the highway.

The start line and celebratory finish area will be on the SCORE ramps in front of the Rockodile night club on the Malecon.

SPRING BREAK ‘MUCHO DINERO’

For 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 ruggedly rough and bountifully beautiful Baja peninsula has been the SCORE San Felipe 250.

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 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule:

• 31st SCORE San Felipe 250, March 29-April 2, San Felipe, Mexico
• 49th SCORE Baja 500, June 1-4, Ensenada Mexico
• Rosarito Beach 21st SCORE Desert Challenge, Sept. 14-17, Rosarito Beach, Mexico
• 50th SCORE Baja 1000, Nov.14-18, Ensenada, Mexico to La Paz, Mexico

SCORE SPONSORS…

Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire, Monster Energy-Official Energy Drink, Bud Light-Official Beer, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber, Raceline Wheels-Official Wheel, Axial R/C-Official R/C Vehicle, Wide Open Excursions-Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino.

SCORE Official Partners: PCI Race Radios, 4 Wheel Parts, Coca Cola, The Satellite Phone Store, Satellite Del Norte, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, CETTO Vineyards.

Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Proturismo Ensenada, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, Baja California Sur State Government, Baja California Sur Secretary of Tourism, Mexicali Ayuntamiento, COTUCO Mexicali/San Felipe, Cruz Roja Mexicana, Corporate Helicopters, McKenzie’s Performance Products, Advanced Color Graphics.

Rosarito Beach SCORE Desert Challenge Special Partners: Ayuntamiento de Playas de Rosarito, Cotuco de Playas de Rosarito, Comite de Mercadatecnia Playas de Rosarito.

For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCOREInternational.com.

The post SCORE San Felipe 250 Final Preparations Underway appeared first on Dirt Bikes.