SCORE International

Last updated
SCORE International
SCORE International logo.png
Category Off-road racing
Country United States
Mexico
Inaugural season1973
Official website score-international.com

SCORE International (Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts) 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 [1] in late 2012. [2] and is run by its current president and race director Jose A. Grijalva and General Manager Juan Tintos.

Contents

The sanctioning body's premier series is the SCORE World Desert Championship, which consists of four races in Baja California peninsula: the San Felipe 250, Baja 500, Baja 400, and Baja 1000. [3]

Race format

Vehicles are released from the start line individually, in gaps of 60 seconds between Trophy Trucks and Class 1 racers then 30 seconds for all other classes. [4]

Baja races include motorcycles and quad bikes; which start staging at 5:15am and later released around 6am. Four-wheel vehicles start releasing approximately five hours later at around 11am. Race results are determined by calculating a finish time for each vehicle. The finish time for a vehicle can include time for penalties such as speeding. GPS tracking devices are used to enforce speed regulations and penalties on federal highways and highly congested areas.

Awards are given for the winner of each class (if a vehicle in the class finishes) as well as an overall winner across classes, overall four-wheel and overall motorcycle/ATV.

Points are awarded based on class finishing position. The racer with the most points at the end of the season is the overall class winner. In the following race season, the vehicle number will end in two zeros "00" to indicate that racer as the class champion. For example, the vehicle number for the Class 1 champion would be No. 100 while the Trophy Truck champion can run No. 1. The starting order is generally determined by a random draw, except when preferential starts are given to those who finished in top positions in the previous race/season, or when qualifying is held.

Starting with Roger Norman's purchase of SCORE in 2012, vehicle numbers have become permanently assigned to each driver. Numbers 1–9 are reserved for the prior year's driver standings in those respective positions, while 10–99 are available for assignment. Drivers who have used a number in the prior years season will be given first option for the same number in the current season.

SCORE International operates an "Ironman" class for racers that complete a race without any driver change. Commemorative ribbons are given to any racers who completed a race solely. Baja legend Ivan "Ironman" Stewart was the first racer to complete this feat in 1975, [5] capturing his first Baja 500 win before winning the 1976 Baja 1000 under this format.

Course terrain is primarily off-road in remote areas, though highway segments are used when an alternate off-road route is unavailable. Some classes like Moto, Quad, and Class 11 run different routes from others that bypass certain locations. [6] [7]

Yearly races

RaceLocationDescription
San Felipe 250 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico One loop, approximately 250 miles
Baja 500 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico One loop, approximately 500 miles
Baja 400 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico One loop, approximately 400 miles
Baja 1000 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico One loop, approximately 1,000 miles

Vehicle classes

Cars and Trucks

Motorcycles

ATVs

In media

A documentary about the 2003 Baja 1000 titled Dust to Glory was released in 2005. [8] A sequel Dust 2 Glory, which covers the 2016 race, came out in 2017. [9]

SCORE International lent its name to the 2008 video game SCORE International Baja 1000. It was released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360. [10]

In 2015, SCORE International opted to air their three original television series, Roost, Guerrero, and SCORE International Off-Road Racing on digital video-on-demand platform, CarbonTV. [11]

SCORE International licensed a burger restaurant (SCORE Baja Burgers & Beer [12] ) in Chula Vista, California, United States.

Related Research Articles

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

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.

<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">Ivan Stewart</span> USA racing driver

Ivan "Ironman" Stewart is an American professional off road racing driver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Hall (racer)</span> American racing driver (died 2019)

Rod Hall was an American professional off-road racer. He was inducted in the Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. He has spent his entire adult life around four-wheel-drive vehicles. He competed in fifty straight Baja 1000 races and had class wins in 25 of them. At his death, he had the most desert off-road race wins.

Larry Roeseler is an American professional off-road racer. He is notable for having won the prestigious Baja 1000 desert race a record 13 times, the most of any competitor since the race's inception in 1967. His victories made him one of the most accomplished multi-discipline desert racers in off-road racing history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mid America Off Road Association</span>

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

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.

<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 Stock Mini</span>

SCOREClass Stock Mini is a stock production 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.

<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.

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.

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

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.

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>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SCORE Class 3</span>

SCOREClass 3 is production short wheelbase 4x4 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.

Gustavo Vildósola Perez Tejada, better known as Tavo Vildósola, is a Mexican off-road racer and entrepreneur.

References

  1. ↑ SCORE International (May 1, 2009). "Sal Fish Throws First Pitch at Dodgers Game". motorcycleusa.com. Retrieved 2011-01-19. SCORE International CEO/President Sal Fish
  2. ↑ "Sal Fish sells SCORE International: New owner, desert racer Roger Norman, has big plans". Autoweek. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  3. ↑ "SCORE releases 2022 World Desert Champion Schedule". SCORE International (Press release). Performance Racing. July 9, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  4. ↑ SCORE International Off-Road Racing Rules and Regulations 2011-2015.
  5. ↑ "Racing Heroes – Ivan "Ironman" Stewart | Hemmings Daily". Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  6. ↑ "AMU: Jacques Struwig Richmond preview". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network. May 9, 2005. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  7. ↑ Nguyen, Justin (November 22, 2021). "2021 Baja 1000 sees Rossi's first, Beetlemania". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  8. ↑ Dupuis, Kelley (April 22, 2005). ""Dust to Glory" a Movie About the Baja 1000". La Prensa San Diego. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  9. ↑ Dorr, Bryon (November 8, 2017). "'Dust 2 Glory' Movie Review: The sequel will make you want to eat dust like never before". Autoweek . Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  10. ↑ Geddes, Ryan (November 5, 2008). "Score International Baja 1000 Review". IGN . Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  11. ↑ "CarbonTV Search: score". CarbonTV. Retrieved 2016-02-08.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. ↑ "Score Baja Burgers and Beer". scorebajaburgersandbeer.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2015-12-28.

Further reading

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