SCORE Class 5

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a modern SCORE Class 5 "Unlimited Baja bug" race car Zach-class5.png
a modern SCORE Class 5 "Unlimited Baja bug" race car

SCORE Class 5 is described as "open wheel unlimited Baja Bug class that competes in the SCORE [1] off-road race series races including the Baja 1000, Baja 500, San Felipe 250, Baja Sur 500 and the SCORE Desert Challenge.

Contents

The Volkswagen Beetle, or the "Bug" as it is nick-named, was one of the earliest types of vehicles to compete in desert racing, and the heritage of the Bug continues in several different classes. Class 5 was originally the class which allowed the most modification of a stock Volkswagen for racing, and this was given the "unlimited" designation. Other VW Beetle derived classes that are still in existence are the closely related Class 5/1600, which limits engines to the 1600cc VW air-cooled type, and Class 11, which is for stock VW Bugs.

Vehicle Description

While the rules theoretically require that a Class 5 Unlimited vehicle must be built from a vintage VW Beetle [2] (or one of the closely related stock vehicle originally made by Volkswagen or Porsche), in practice most of the current vehicles competing in this class have been constructed around a chrome-moly full tube chassis. The original VW bodywork, or in some cases fiberglass VW facsimile body panels, are then attached to the chassis. [3] [4] The rules require that the finished vehicle resemble a "Baja Bug". The Baja Bug is a much-loved icon of an earlier era of desert racing. [5]

Engine

Originally, and for many years, engines were required to be 4 cylinder VW air or water cooled engines, other main manufacturer of these was Porsche, a company closely tied to Volkswagen through shared design and heritage. By the mid 2010s these large displacement air-cooled VW-type engines had become difficult and expensive to acquire and maintain, and a number of racers active in the class began the process of working to enlarge the list of available engines to keep the class alive and reduce costs for those competing it.

As a result of these discussions and negotiations a decision was made to allow any production based 4 cylinder engine of 2500cc or less to be used in the class. The rules still permit the use of unlimited displacement VW air-cooled type engines. The General Motors Ecotec 2400 and 2500cc engines are now the most common engine in the class, but engines from other makers are also being raced. A Class 5 Unlimited buggy built around a Subaru boxer 4-cylinder motor has been successful in a number of high-profile races, for instance. [6] [7]

Suspension

Front and rear suspension systems may be modified or replaced but are typically based on the original concept of the VW Bug, which is beam-type front suspension.

Body

Vehicles must have an external appearance of a Baja Bug. Wheelbase may be increased but not exceed 105" front to rear centreline. No center steering wheel is allowed. One or two seats may be used, position is optional within confines of the main cage but no center seating is allowed. Sheet metal front and rear firewalls are required and attached to the roll cage.

Similar Classes in Other Race Organizations

NORRA is where it all started back in 1967. https://www.norra.com/index.php

While SCORE is the oldest and best known race promoter, there are several others organizations that promote and sanction desert or off-road racing in different geographical locations.

The "Best In The Desert" organization runs a series of point-to-point races in the Nevada desert. The unlimited Baja Bug class in BITD is called "Class 5000 Unlimited Baja" and has similar, though not identical, rules. [8]

Many competitors compete in races sponsored by several sanctioning organizations in a single season, so builders often try to build cars that are legal in several race series, such as SCORE and BITD.

Notable race teams

The Grinch - Zac Reish

Grabowski Brothers Racing

Swift Slip Motorsports

Precepts Racing

AGS Racing

Rehab Racing

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Beetle</span> Car model

The Volkswagen Beetle—officially the Volkswagen Type 1, is an economy car that was manufactured and marketed by the German company Volkswagen (VW) from 1938 until 2003. It has a rear-engine design with a two-door body style and is intended for five occupants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dune buggy</span> Off-road vehicle

A dune buggy — also known as a beach buggy — is a recreational off-road vehicle with large wheels, and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes, beaches, off-road or desert recreation. The design is usually a topless vehicle with a rear-mounted engine. A dune buggy can be created by modifying an existing vehicle or custom-building a new vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baja Bug</span> Modification style of the Volkswagen Beetle

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truggy</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meyers Manx</span> Motor vehicle

The Meyers Manx dune buggy is a small recreationally-oriented automobile, designed initially for desert racing by Californian engineer, artist, boat builder and surfer Bruce F. Meyers. It was produced by his Fountain Valley, California company, B. F. Meyers & Co. from 1964 to 1971, in the form of car kits applied to shortened chassis of Volkswagen Beetles. The car line dominated dune racing in its time, breaking records immediately, and was eventually also released in street-oriented models, until the company's demise due to tax problems after Meyers's departure. New vehicles inspired by the original Manx buggy have been produced by Meyers's re-founded operation, Meyers Manx, Inc., since 2000. The name and cat logo of the brand derives from the Manx cat, by virtue of the tailless breed's and the shortened vehicle's truncated "stubbiness".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baja 1000</span> Off-road race that takes place on Mexicos Baja California Peninsula

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SCORE International</span> Off-road racing sanctioning body in the United States and Mexico

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.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Ragland</span> American race car driver

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">SCORE Class 10</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SCORE Class 11</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SCORE Lites</span>

SCORELites Class 12 is an open-wheel air-cooled 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. Four-wheel single and two-seat vehicles less than 1835cc in size. No production bodied vehicles are allowed in this class.

The Baja 500 is a Mexican off-road motorsport race on the Baja California Peninsula that is sanctioned by SCORE International. The course has remained relatively the same over the years with the majority of events being a loop race starting and finishing in Ensenada. Race course mileage varies and is usually slightly under 500 miles.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SCORE Class 5-1600</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Off-road racing</span> Format of racing

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References

  1. ↑ "SCORE OFF-ROAD RACING – SCORE-International.com". www.score-international.com. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  2. ↑ "SCORE Rulebook". SCORE international. SCORE. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  3. ↑ "Crawford Performance Subaru Crosstrek Class 5 Open". MadMedia.com. Mad Media .com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  4. ↑ Smith, Kyle. "Subaru takes class win at the 51st Baja 500". hagerty.com. Hagerty. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  5. ↑ "Five Reasons Why You Need To Buy A Baja Bug Right Now". The Garage. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  6. ↑ Iger, Bradley. "Grabowski Brothers Racing's Unlimited Class 5 Crosstrek Isn't Your Grandma's Subaru". JE Pistons. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  7. ↑ "SUBARU CROSSTREK DESERT RACER RETURNS TO BAJA 500 – IN BLUE AND GOLD". Dirt Fish. dirtfish.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  8. ↑ "Best in the Desert Rulebook: Class Definitions" (PDF). Best in the Desert. bitd.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
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