The Baja 500 is a Mexican off-road motorsport race on the Baja California Peninsula that is sanctioned by SCORE International. [1] The course has remained relatively the same over the years with the majority of events being loop races starting and finishing in Ensenada. Race course mileage varies and is usually slightly under 500 miles.
The event includes various types of vehicle classes such as Trophy trucks, Dirtbikes, UTVs, Baja Bugs, Buggies and custom fabricated race vehicles.
Year | Cars & Trucks | Motorcycle | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Drivers | Vehicle | Riders | Vehicle | |
1969 | Bud Ekins, Guy Jones | Baja Boot Olds | Doug Douglas, Jim McClurg | Ducati |
1970 | Parnelli Jones | Ford bronco | Bill Silverthorn, Gene Fetty | Husqvarna |
1971 | Bobby Ferro | Funco VW | Malcolm Smith, J.N. Roberts | Husqvarna |
1972 | Bobby Ferro | Sandmaster VW | Gene Fetty, Bill Silverthorn | Honda |
1973 | Parnelli Jones, Ethan Hair | Ford | Howard Utsey, Mickey Quade | Husqvarna |
1974 | Bobby Ferro, Spencer Cookson | Sandmaster VW | Mitch Mayes, A.C. Bakken | Husqvarna |
1975 | Ivan Stewart | Funco VW | Larry Roeseler, Bruce Ogilvie | Harley-Davidson |
1976 | Bobby Ferro, Ivan Stewart | Funco VW | Larry Roeseler, A.C. Bakken | Husqvarna |
1977 | Ivan Stewart | Chenowth VW | Larry Roeseler, Jack Johnson | Husqvarna |
1978 | Bud Feldkamp, Malcolm Smith | Funco VW | Brent Wallingsford, Scot Harden | Husqvarna |
1979 | Malcolm Smith, Bud Feldkamp | Funco VW | Jack Johnson | Husqvarna |
1980 | Bob Gordon | Chenowth Chevy | Bruce Ogilvie, Chuck Miller | Yamaha |
1981 | Malcolm Smith, Bill Newbury | Chenowth Chevy | Larry Roeseler, Bruce Ogilvie | Yamaha |
1982 | Larry Ragland | Funco VW | Larry Roeseler, Chuck Miller | Yamaha |
1983 | Corky McMillin, Scott McMillin | Chenowth VW | Dan Ashcraft | Husqvarna |
1984 | Larry Ragland | Chaparral VW | Dan Smith, Dan Ashcraft | Husqvarna |
1985 | Ron Gardner, Bud Feldkamp | Funco VW | Kurt Pfeiffer, Scot Harden | Husqvarna |
1986 | Corky McMillin, Scott McMillin | Chenowth Porsche | Garth Sweetland, Scot Harden | Husqvarna |
1987 | Bob Gordon, Tim Crabtree | Chenowth Porsche | Larry Roeseler, Ted Hunnicutt Jr. | Kawasaki |
1988 | Mark McMillin | Chenowth Porsche | Dan Ashcraft, Kurt Pfeiffer | Yamaha |
1989 | Robby Gordon | Ford | - | - |
1990 | Robby Gordon | Ford | Larry Roeseler, Danny LaPorte | Kawasaki |
1991 | Ivan Stewart | Toyota | Garth Sweetland, Paul Krause | Kawasaki |
1992 | Ivan Stewart | Toyota | Larry Roeseler, Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Paul Krause | Kawasaki |
1993 | Ivan Stewart | Toyota | Danny Hamel, Larry Roeseler, Ted Hunnicutt Jr. | Kawasaki |
1994 | Dave Ashley, Dan Smith | Ford | Paul Krause, Ted Hunnicutt Jr. | Kawasaki |
Ivan Stewart | Toyota Trophy Truck | |||
1995 | Mike Julson, Bob Lofton | Jimco VW | Paul Krause, Craig Smith | Kawasaki |
Curt LeDuc | Jeep Trophy Truck | |||
1996 | Troy Herbst | Smithbuilt Porsche | Paul Krause, Ty Davis | Kawasaki |
Rob MacCachren | Ford Trophy Truck | |||
1997 | Mark McMillin | Jimco Porsche | Johnny Campbell, Bruce Ogilvie | Honda |
Ivan Stewart | Toyota Trophy Truck | |||
1998 | Ivan Stewart | Toyota | Johnny Campbell, Bruce Ogilvie | Honda |
1999 | Ivan Stewart | Toyota | Jonah Street, Torsten Borstrom | Honda |
2000 | Larry Ragland | Chevy | Jonah Street, Steve Hengeveld | Honda |
2001 | Mark McMillin | Jimco Chevy | Steve Hengeveld, Jonah Street | Honda |
2002 | Troy Herbst, Larry Roeseler | Smithbuilt Ford | Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell | Honda |
2003 | Troy Herbst, Larry Roeseler | Smithbuilt Ford | Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell | Honda |
2004 | Alan Pflueger | Chevy | Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell | Honda |
2005 | Robby Gordon | Chevy | Mike Childress, Mouse McCoy | Honda |
2006 | Larry Ragland, Brian Collins | Chevy | Robby Bell, Kendall Norman | Honda |
2007 | Larry Ragland, Brian Collins | Chevy | Robby Bell, Kendall Norman, Steve Hengeveld | Honda |
2008 | B.J. Baldwin | Chevy | Robby Bell, Kendall Norman | Honda |
2009 | Kory Halopoff, Harley Letner | Alpha Class 1 | Bill Boyer, Donnie De Arman, Nicholas Blais, Rudy Iribe | Honda |
2010 | Andy McMillin, Scott McMillin | Ford | Kendall Norman, Quinn Cody | Honda |
2011 | Bryce Menzies | Ford | Kendall Norman, Quinn Cody | Honda |
2012 | Bryce Menzies | Ford | Robby Bell, David Pearson, Steve Hengeveld | Kawasaki |
2013 | Robby Gordon | Chevy | Timmy Weigand, Colton Udall, David Kamo | Honda |
2014 | Bryce Menzies | Ford | Ricky Brabec, David Pearson, Max Eddy Jr. | Kawasaki |
2015 | Apdaly Lopez, Aaron Ampudia | Ford | Justin Morgan, Max Eddy, Ian Young | Kawasaki |
2016 | Tavo Vildósola, Aaron Ampudia | Ford | Colton Udall, Mark Samuels | Honda CRF450X |
2017 | Andy McMillin | Geier | Francisco Arredondo, Justin Morgan, Shane Esposito, Roberto Viallobos | Honda CRF450X |
2018 | Rob MacCachren | Ford | Justin Morgan | Honda CRF450X |
2019 | Andy McMillin | Chevrolet | Justin Morgan | Honda CRF450X |
2020 | Dan McMillin | Chevrolet | Mark Samuels | Honda |
2021 | Larry Roeseler | Toyota | Jason Alosi | Husqvarna |
2022 | Rob MacCachren | Ford | Juan Carlos Salvatierra | KTM |
2023 | Bryce Menzies | Ford | Arturo Salas | KTM |
2024 | Toby Price, Paul Weel | Mason | Arturo Salas | Honda |
A Baja Bug is an original Volkswagen Beetle modified to operate off-road, although other versions of air-cooled Volkswagens are sometimes modified as well. Baja bugs often race in off-road desert races such as the Baja 1000. There are different classes for bugs, namely class 11, class 5 1600, and class 5 unlimited. According to desert racing association Score International, class 11 is a stock VW beetle with modifications limited to ground clearance and strength. Class 5 1600 rules state that a 1600 cc VW engine must be used and the car must have the exterior appearance of a "baja bug" with body modification limited to whatever cutting is needed to install a consumer baja kit. Class 5 unlimited is any 4 cylinder VW-style engine, and it must have Baja-style fenders and side panels, and VW-style suspension.
A truggy is a type of high performance off-road racing vehicle that combines features from two older existing categories of off-road racing vehicles, trucks and buggies. The first truggies were built for racing in the SCORE and BITD off-road desert racing series, held in Mexico, California, Nevada and Arizona.
The Baja 1000 is an annual Mexican off-road motorsport race held on the Baja California Peninsula. It is one of the most prestigious off-road races in the world, having attracted competitors from six continents. The race was founded by Ed Pearlman in 1967 and is sanctioned by SCORE International. The race is the final round of a four-race annual series, which also includes the San Felipe 250, the Baja 400 and the Baja 500. The 2017 Baja 1000 marked the 50th anniversary of the race.
The Mint 400 is an annual American desert off-road race which takes place near Las Vegas, Nevada. It was resumed in 2008 after a 20-year hiatus.
The Short-course Off-road Drivers Association was a short course off-road racing sanctioning body in the United States.
SCORE International is an off-road racing sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing. Founded by Mickey Thompson in 1973, SCORE International was purchased from Sal Fish in late 2012. and is run by its current president and race director Jose A. Grijalva and General Manager Juan Tintos.
The Mid America Off Road Association (MAORA) is an American off road racing sanctioning. It has sanctioned off road racing events since 1972. Web site www.maoraracing.us
The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, also known as LOORRS, was a short course off-road racing series in the United States and also in Mexico beginning in 2015. The series featured events in Arizona, California, Nevada, Missouri and hosted a weekend of racing in Ensenada, Mexico at Baja International Short Course near Estero Beach. The title sponsor for the series was Lucas Oil Products, whom also owned, sanctioned, and operated the series. It effectively replaced the CORR series starting in 2009.
Chad Ragland was an American winning race car driver and the son of legendary off-road racer Larry Ragland.
SCOREClass 1 is an open-wheel unlimited-class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250 and the SCORE Desert Challenge. Class 1 is defined as an unlimited four-wheel single and two-seat vehicles. No production bodied vehicles allowed in this class. Engines must be normally aspirated. Since it is an open-class, all components are considered open unless restricted by SCORE International.
SCOREClass 10 is an open-wheel limited motor class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, Baja Sur 500, San Felipe 250 and the SCORE Desert Challenge. Four-wheel single and two-seat vehicles less than 2200cc in size. No production bodied vehicles are allowed in this class.
SCOREClass 11 is a stock production Volkswagen Beetle class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series, including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, Baja Sur 500, San Felipe 250 and the SCORE Desert Challenge. Class 11 is the most grueling of all off-road race vehicles as they are pure stock with modifications limited to only safety reinforcement and ground clearance. Class 11 repeat champion Eric Solórzano was featured in Dust to Glory, a documentary on the 2003 Baja 1000.
SCOREClass 2 is an unlimited four wheel single & two-seat vehicle class. The maximum engine size is a 3.5 liter, six cylinder forced air induction engine. Engines must have no more than six cylinders but forced induction is open to both turbo and superchargers. The minimum weight is 2,000 pounds.
SCOREClass 4 is a limited four-wheel, single or two-seat vehicle class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Baja Sur 500 and the SCORE Desert Challenge. Class 4 was added in 2009.
SCORE Class 5 is described as "open wheel unlimited Baja Bug class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series races including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Baja Sur 500 and the SCORE Desert Challenge.
SCOREClass 1/2-1600 is an Open Wheel restricted suspension, limited Volkswagen motor class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, Baja Sur 500, San Felipe 250 and the SCORE Desert Challenge. No production bodied vehicles are allowed in this class.
The SCORE San Felipe 250 is a 250-mile Mexican off-road motorsport race that takes place near San Felipe on the Baja California Peninsula. It was first held in 1982 and is sanctioned by SCORE International.
Terrible's SCORE Primm 300 is an off-road race that takes place yearly in Primm, Nevada in September. The Primm 300 is part of a series of races that include the Baja 1000, Baja 500 and San Felipe 250. The event includes various types of vehicle classes such as stock VW, production vehicles, buggies, trucks, and custom fabricated race vehicles. The race consists of 4 loops on a 69 mile course on the east side of Interstate 15 near the Nevada-California state line. The main pits and start/finish area are just north of Buffalo Bills Resort. Due to environmental concerns chasing is not allowed, pits are permitted only in designated locations, spectator access is limited but available.
SCOREClass 5-1600 is open wheel limited Baja Bug class that competes in the SCORE off-road race series races including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, Baja Sur 500, San Felipe 250, and the SCORE Desert Challenge.
Gustavo Vildósola Perez Tejada, better known as Tavo Vildósola, is a Mexican off-road racer and entrepreneur.
This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations .(August 2014) |