February 7, 2012

Over 225 entries expected

SCORE announces exciting course changes for upcoming

26th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250

Drawing for starting positions, by class, Saturday at SCORE Los Angeles headquarters;

Round 3 of five-race 2012 SCORE Desert Series to be held March 9-11 in San Felipe, Mexico

    LOS ANGELES—Including some never-before-used washes for a desert race, SCORE International has announced significant course changes for next month’s 26th annual MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. With the drawing for starting positions, by class to be held at the Saturday at the SCORE headquarters in Los Angeles, the race itself will be held March 9-11 along the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

The 249.3-mile race course will utilize two washes that have never before been used for racing – Cuevitas and Amarillas. The Cuevitas Wash will replace the Three Poles to Borrego section of previous courses.

Also for the first time, the second half of the course, that will run in a counter-clockwise direction and start and finish at the landmark San Felipe arches, will use the infamous washes of Matomi, Azufre, Huatamote and Chanate along with Amarillas before heading to the finish line.

With entries accepted up to race morning, over 225 entries from over 15 US States and 10 countries expected to enter the race and competition will be held in 28 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes in the popular race.

Following January’s two rounds at the season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series will be visiting Mexico for the first of three annual SCORE Baja races in 2012.

The start draw for Round 3 of the 2012 SCORE Desert Series will determine the starting order within each of the various classes in the elapsed-time race.

“We think that the races will really enjoy this opportunity to challenge some different areas of the Baja peninsula,” said Sal Fish, SCORE CEO/President since soon after SCORE was founded in 1973.  “We have been able to put together some new territory to add to the majestic terrain of our SCORE Baja race course for San Felipe.”

Pre-running will be allowed on the actual race course from Saturday, Feb. 25 through Friday, March 9.

A unique part of Saturday’s drawing will be the special drawing for the top 12 finishers from the nearest previous SCORE Baja race entered in the current race in both SCORE Trophy Truck and the unlimited Class 1. For this race it will be the top 12 finishers in each class from last November’s 44th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. After those groups are drawn, the remainder of the entries in each class will be selected for their respective starting positions after the first group in each class.

The pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and tech inspection of the vehicles in the race will be held on Friday, March 9 from 10 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.

The green flag will drop at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, for the motorcycle and ATV classes, followed three hours after the last Sportsman ATV later by the car and truck classes at approximately 10 a.m. The start line and finish line for the race is scheduled to once again be the landmark San Felipe Arches on Highway 5 on the outskirts of San Felipe. One vehicle will start every 30 seconds in the elapsed-time race, with an 11-hour time limit to become an official finisher.

Round 3 of the 2012 SCORE Desert Series, the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 annually provides a greater economic impact to San Felipe than the popular six-week-long ‘Spring Break’.

Pre-race festivities on Friday, March 9 will include Contingency row and Tech inspection on the Malecon in San Felipe.  Contingency will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tech will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The post-race awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 11 at 10 a.m. PDT time. Daylight Savings Time begins in Baja and the United States at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 11.

In addition to season class point championships, the racers are also competing for part of the nearly $400,000 in cash purse and contingency postings each race. Drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also attempting to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to all car and truck class drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season.  Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 27th consecutive year, a total of 61 drivers are still in the hunt for the awards for the 2012 SCORE Desert Series after the first two rounds in the five-race series.

Racers are also competing for the annual SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year awards, including the MasterCraft Safety SCORE Rookie of the Year award. All categories, except Engine Builder and Original Buggy Chassis Manufacturer, will be determined by public on-line voting while Engine and Buggy awards are determined by season points.

Tecate Beer is the title sponsor of the three SCORE Baja races.

MasterCraft Safety is co-title sponsor of the 26th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.

Official Sponsors of the SCORE Desert Series are:

-BFGoodrich Tires, Official Tire

-Volkswagen of America, Official Vehicle

-Sunoco Race Fuels, Official Race Fuel

-Slime, Official Tire Sealant

-Symons Ambulance Company, Official Ambulance

-Bilstein, Official Shock Absorber

-Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, Official Mexican Auto Insurance

Official Sponsors of the SCORE Baja 1000 are:

-Coca-Cola, Official Soft Drink

-Volaris Airlines, Official Airline

-Lightforce Performance Lighting, Official Driving Light

Additional SCORE Sponsors are – Proturismo Ensenada, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, COTUCO Mexicali/San Felipe, Las Vegas Events, Blue C Advertising, SignPros, PCI Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2012 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

2012 SCORE Desert Series Race-by-Race Class Winners

18th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge

Round 1

Laughlin, Nevada     •     Jan. 14, 2012

Total Starters: 99      Total Finishers: 78

Pro Cars & Trucks

SCORE TROPHY TRUCK—B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado

CLASS 1—Steven Eugenio, Alpine, Calif./Adam Pfankuch, Oceanside, Calif., Jimco-Chevy

CLASS 1/2-1600—Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., Romo-VW

CLASS 3—Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco

CLASS 5—Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug

CLASS 5-1600—Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va./Tom Fernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug

CLASS 6—Eduardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexico, Chevy Colorado

CLASS 7—Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger

CLASS 7SX—John Holmes, Olivenhain, Calif./Justin Fisher, San Ysidro, Calif., Ford Ranger

CLASS 8—Rodolfo Iribe, San Ysidro, Calif., Chevy Silverado

CLASS 10—Matt Cullen, Long Beach, Calif., AlumiCraft-Honda

SCORE LITES—Rafael Navarro IV, Temecula, Calif., Jimco-VW

STOCK FULL—Wes Bevly III, Corpus Christi, Texas, Ford F-150

STOCK MINI—Andy Bell/Ted Moncure, Long Beach, Calif., Toyota Tacoma

CLASS 7-2—Billy Wilson, Corpus Christi, Texas, BajaLite-Chevy

CLASS 4—Derek Fletcher, Abingdon, Va., PSD-Chevy

CLASS 2—Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va./Steven Arlia, Phoenix, PSD-Chevy

Sportsman

SPT BUGGY—Jim Bunn/John Matney, Bristol, Va., Geiser-Chevy

SPT TRUCK—Nick Tonelli, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger

18th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge

Round 2

Laughlin, Nevada     •     Jan. 15, 2012

Total Starters: 92      Total Finishers: 71

Pro Cars & Trucks

SCORE TROPHY TRUCK—Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150

CLASS 1—Cody Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy

CLASS 1/2-1600—Robert S. Archibald, El Cajon, Calif., Mirage-VW

CLASS 3—Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco

CLASS 5—Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug

CLASS 5-1600—Erich Reisen, Canada, VW Baja Bug

CLASS 6—Eduardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexico, Chevy Colorado

CLASS 7—Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger

CLASS 7SX—Elias Hanna, Ensenada, Mexico, Ford Ranger

CLASS 8—Rodolfo Iribe, San Ysidro, Calif., Chevy Silverado

CLASS 10—Michael LaPaglia, Murrieta, Calif., Racer-Chevy

SCORE LITES—Otoneil Huerta, San Luis, Ariz., Curry-VW

STOCK FULL—Joe Bacal, Anthem, Ariz., Lexus LX570

STOCK MINI—Andy Bell/Ted Moncure, Long Beach, Calif., Toyota Tacoma

CLASS 7-2—Billy Wilson, Corpus Christi, Texas, BajaLite-Chevy

CLASS 4—Derek Fletcher, Abingdon, Va., PSD-Chevy

CLASS 2—Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va./Steven Arlia, Phoenix, PSD-Chevy

Sportsman

SPT BUGGY—Jim Bunn/John Matney, Bristol, Va., Geiser-Chevy

SPT TRUCK—Nick Tonelli, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger

• Mikey Childress places third in class and sixth overall.
• Macrae Glass captures first 2012 class win for General Tire.

Fort Mill, SC – February 7, 2012. The Best In The Desert (BITD) Series kicked off at the “Parker 425″ over the weekend in Parker, Arizona and Team GT started the 2012 season off on the right foot. Following a 12^th-place qualifying effort, Mikey Childress fought through a course that over time; became rougher and tougher to navigate. The California-native worked his way through traffic to finish third in class 1 and sixth overall with a time of 7:37:51. A solid start to the season for the Team GT veteran.

On the heels of his class 8 BITD championship, Macrae Glass started his 2012 season on top of the podium. Glass posted a first-place finish in class 8 as he begins his bid for back-to-back championships.

“General Tire is excited to start the 2012 BITD season with two podiums,” said Travis Roffler, director of marketing, General Tire. “There’s still a lot of racing this season and we think Team GT has an excellent chance for more podiums and championships.”

Fans can join in the conversation on Twitter (@teamGT), Facebook (facebook.com/generaltire) and YouTube (youtube.com/teamgeneraltire).

Parker, AZ (February 7, 2012) – With the 2012 Off-Road racing season kicking off with a successful Dakar Rally for Robby Gordon and the SPEED Energy/Toyo Tires Team, Gordon didn’t let up as he headed to Parker, Arizona for the Best in the Desert Parker 425.  It would be new challenge for him as he drove a new truggy (a hybrid between a trophy truck and a Class 1 buggy).   Built by the Geiser Brothers and owned by SPEED Energy/RPM Off-Road Racing teammate Clyde Stacey, it would be the first time Gordon would enter in the 1500 class instead of the BITD’s Trick Truck class.

With qualifying on Thursday, Robby Gordon attempted to out run a field of 88 vehicles complied of class 1550s and trick trucks.  “The truggy drives a lot different than my trophy truck, but it handles the bumps pretty well.  I think we’ll be pretty close to win the SPEED Energy Pole Award,” said Gordon after his practice run right before his qualifying attempt.  Gordon would come close, qualifying third for the 2012 Parker 425 and first in the Class 1500 category.  “I honestly don’t know how we could have gone any faster.  I was on the rev limiter the whole time it felt like,” said Gordon after his qualifying run.

The race started early on Saturday morning, and Robby was focused on victory.  Pacing himself off the line, Gordon would remain strong and hold onto third place as he finished the first of 3 laps of the 141-mile loop in the Arizona desert.  By the time he reached the main pit on the second lap, BJ Baldwin who was running second was directly in front of him.  Notably two of the best off-road racers were now fighting side-by-side as they exited the pit area.  Gordon let Baldwin know he was behind him with a few bumps on the back of his truck.  After Baldwin gave way to Gordon, he was ready to chase down leader Rob MacCachren.  Half way through the second lap, MacCachren had a motor issue and Gordon cruised by him to take the lead.

On the third lap, the team received reports that fellow SPEED Energy/RPM Off-Road teammate Juan Carlos Lopez in the No. 18 trophy truck was closing in on time to catch Gordon in his truggy.  Gordon would then picked up the pace and finish an impressive 14 minutes faster than last year’s, Jesse Jones.  Gordon would beat the next competitor by nearly 5 minutes.  A trouble free day and open-road lead boosted Gordon to another victory for the 2012 Off-Road season.

“I can’t thank RPM Off-Road and Clyde Stacey enough for the opportunity to race his truck.  The Geiser Brothers built a good truck that all we really had to do was put some Toyo Tires on it and go racing.  I’m happy to give Toyo Tires another victory after the Dakar Rally, and I look forward to carrying the momentum into the rest of the year,”  Gordon said after winning the overall in the Parker 425, his first in the event since 2006.

Robby Gordon’s next challenge is set for February 10th in Johnson Valley, California where he looks to tackle the world of rock crawling in the 2012 King of the Hammers race.  Be sure to check for updates on the KoH on SPEED Energy’s facebook and twitter pages which can be found on speedenergy.com.

February 6, 2012

Over 225 entries expected

Drawing for starting positions this Saturday at SCORE

For 26th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250

Top 12 in SCORE Trophy Truck & Class 1 from 2011 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 to have special primary draw;

Round 3 of five-race 2012 SCORE Desert Series to be held March 9-11 in San Felipe, Mexico

    LOS ANGELES—Entries from across the globe, including many of the world’s top desert racers are entering in time for Saturday’s start draw for next month’s 26th Annual MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 desert race. With the drawing being held at the SCORE International headquarters in Los Angeles, the race itself will be held March 9-11 along the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

With entries accepted up to race morning, over 225 entries from over 15 US States and 10 countries expected to enter the race and competition will be held in 28 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes in the popular race.

Following January’s two rounds at the season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series will be visiting Mexico for the first of three annual SCORE Baja races in 2012.

The start draw for Round 2 of the 2012 SCORE Desert Series will determine the starting order within each of the various classes in the elapsed-time race.

“San Felipe has long been a very popular spring race on the SCORE Baja racing schedule and this is our third year with MasterCraft Safety as the co-title sponsor of the race along with Tecate,” said Sal Fish, SCORE CEO/President since soon after SCORE was founded in 1973.  “With this year’s race being our third of the season we expect a great race in a superb venue that will launch are three final races of the season in Mexico.”

Pre-running will be allowed on the actual race course from Saturday, Feb. 25 through Friday, March 9 and SCORE CEO/President expects to announce details regarding the 2012 course in the next two weeks.

A unique part of Saturday’s drawing will be the special drawing for the top 12 finishers from the nearest previous SCORE Baja race entered in the current race in both SCORE Trophy Truck and the unlimited Class 1. For this race it will be the top 12 finishers in each class from last November’s 44th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. After those groups are drawn, the remainder of the entries in each class will be selected for their respective starting positions after the first group in each class.

The top 12 finishers in SCORE Trophy Truck from the 2011 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 were: Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin-National City, Calif., Nick Vanderwey/Mike Vanderwey, Phoenix/Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Bryce Menzies-Las Vegas, Mark McMillin-El Cajon, Calif., Clyde Stacy-Bristol, Va., Jesse James-Austin, Texas, Ken Losch-Tempe, Ariz., Robby Gordon-Charlotte, N.C., Troy Herbst-Las Vegas, Rick Geiser-Phoenix, Rob MacCachren-Las Vegas and Dave Crinklaw-Reedley, Calif.

In the unlimited Class 1, the top 12 finishers from the 2011 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 were: Justin Davis-Chino Hills, Calif., Ronny Wilson-Long Beach, Calif., Brian Parkhouse-Long Beach, Calif., Mark Hutchins-Henderson, Nev., Damen Jefferies-Apple Valley, Calif., Eric Harp, Panama City Beach, Fla., Brett Lenk-Newport Beach, Calif., David Greenhill/Mike Greenhill-Crowley, Texas, Marco Valdez-Ensenada, Mexico, Conan Barker-Whittier, Calif., Kory Halopoff-Orange, Calif. and Mike Childress-Wrightwood, Calif.

The pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and tech inspection of the vehicles in the race will be held on Friday, March 9 from 10 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.

Moving out from the shadow of his father and his uncle’s experienced tracks, Southern California desert racer Cody Parkhouse has assumed the SCORE overall and unlimited Class 1 point lead after the first two rounds of the five-race 2012 SCORE Desert Series.  With the season’s last three races all to be run in Baja, Mexico, Cody Parkhouse, 24 of Long Beach, Calif., opened the season at the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in mid-January by finishing second in the first round and winning the second in a Chevy-powered Jimco open-wheeled desert race car the following day.

A second-generation desert racer and the youngest of the three Parkhouse racers, Cody Parkhouse has 103 season points.

With Mexico’s Juan C. Lopez finishing second in both Laughlin races in the No. 18 RPM Off-Road Chevy Silverado to lead the featuring SCORE Trophy Truck division points, RPM leads the point standings in seven classes after the first two races of the five-race 2012 SCORE Desert Series. Lopez, of Tecate, Mexico, is also second overall in points with 101 heading into the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.

With 11 racers winning their respective classes both days in Laughlin, third in overall points and second in SCORE Trophy Truck after ninth and first place finishes to open the season is Las Vegas’ Rob MacCachren, who has 94 points after two races in the No. 20 MasterCraft Racing Ford F-150. An eight-time SCORE season class point champion, MacCachren’s win in Round 2 in Laughlin was his 10th career race win in SCORE Trophy Truck, the marquee SCORE racing division for high-tech, 850-horsepower, unlimited production trucks.

With consistent Laughlin finishes of fourth and third, Steve Strobel, Clarks, Neb., is fourth in SCORE Overall points and third in SCORE Trophy Truck with 90 points in the No. 94 Strobel Motorsports Ford F-150 while rounding out the top five overall and second in Class 1 is Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., who has 90 points after his fourth and second-place finishes in Laughlin.

Cody Parkhouse’s father and uncle are both third in their respective class point standings with Cody’s father Brian racing in Class 1 as well as his son and his uncle Brent racing in SCORE Lites.

The most extensive and impressive team performance in Laughlin was recorded by RPM Off-Road of Bristol, Tenn.  While Justin Matney, one of the team’s primary drivers rehabs a bad back, team regular driver Clyde Stacy along with several other drivers, recorded 11 class wins among the nine vehicles RPM had entered in two Laughlin races.

RPM Off-Road earned 11 total class wins among their nine entries in each of the season-opening Laughlin races on the way to leading the points in an unprecedented seven SCORE classes. Besides Lopez in SCORE Trophy Truck, Stacy, Bristol, Va. leads both Class 5-1600 (1600cc VW Baja Bug) and Class 2 (PSD-Chevy), the other RPM class point leaders are Eduardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexico (Class 6, Chevy Colorado), Rodolfo Iribe, San Ysidro, Calif. (Class 8, Chevy Silverado), Derek Fletcher, Abingdon, Va. (Class 4, PSD-Chevy) and Jim Bunn, Bristol, Va. (Sportsman Buggy, Geiser-Chevy). Stacy, Laguna, Iribe, Fletcher and Bunn each won their respective classes in both of the Laughlin races.

Round 3 of the 2012 SCORE Desert Series, the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 annually provides a greater economic impact to San Felipe than the popular six-week-long ‘Spring Break’.

The race began in 1982 and was not held between 1985 and 1989, the first five years of the seven-year combined High Desert Racing Association-HDRA/SCORE Desert Series of US and Baja races. It has been held consecutively each year since 1990.

In its first 25 years, the race has been held in San Felipe all but 2007 when political issues forced a last minute move by SCORE, starting it in Ensenada and finishing it in Santo Tomas. Ironically, 2007 saw a race-record 394 starters and a race record 288 finishers even though the race was moved and the course changed just 10 days before the event.  The records when the race actually started and finished in San Felipe are 341 for starters in 2006 and 220 for finishers, also in 2006.

In addition to season class point championships, the racers are also competing for part of the nearly $400,000 in cash purse and contingency postings each race. Drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also attempting to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to all car and truck class drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season.  Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 27th consecutive year, a total of 61 drivers are still in the hunt for the awards for the 2012 SCORE Desert Series after the first two rounds in the five-race series.

Racers are also competing for the annual SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year awards, including the MasterCraft Safety SCORE Rookie of the Year award. All categories, except Engine Builder and Original Buggy Chassis Manufacturer, will be determined by public on-line voting while Engine and Buggy awards are determined by season points.

Tecate Beer is the title sponsor of the three SCORE Baja races.

MasterCraft Safety is co-title sponsor of the 26th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.

Official Sponsors of the SCORE Desert Series are:

-BFGoodrich Tires, Official Tire

-Volkswagen of America, Official Vehicle

-Sunoco Race Fuels, Official Race Fuel

-Slime, Official Tire Sealant

-Symons Ambulance Company, Official Ambulance

-Bilstein, Official Shock Absorber

-Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, Official Mexican Auto Insurance

Official Sponsors of the SCORE Baja 1000 are:

-Coca-Cola, Official Soft Drink

-Volaris Airlines, Official Airline

-Lightforce Performance Lighting, Official Driving Light

Additional SCORE Sponsors are – Proturismo Ensenada, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, COTUCO Mexicali/San Felipe, Las Vegas Events, Blue C Advertising, SignPros, PCI Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2012 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250

All-Time Overall Champions

Pro Cars & Trucks

Year–Driver(s), Vehicle (Class)

1982–Dan Cornwell, Chenowth-VW (Class 1)

1983–Corky McMillin/Scott McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche (Class 2)

1984–Scott McMillin/Corky McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche (Class 2)

1990–Brian Collins/Jack Johnson, Chenowth-VW (Class 1)

1991–Larry Ragland, Chevy C1500 (Class 8)

1992–Bob Richey/Boyd Cox, Raceco-Porsche (Class 1)

1993–Scott Douglas, Ford Ranger (Class 7)

1994–Ivan Stewart, Toyota SR5 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

1995–Larry Ragland, Chevy C1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

1996–Robby Gordon, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

1997–Curt LeDuc, Jeep Grand Cherokee (SCORE Trophy Truck)

1998–Mark Post/Jerry Whelchel, Riviera-Chevy (Class 1)

1999–Ed Herbst/Tim Herbst, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2000–Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2001–Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2002–Dan Smith/David Ashley, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2003–Gus Vildosola/Rob MacCachren, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2004–Mark Post/Jerry Whelchel, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2005–Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Jimco-Chevy (Class 1)

2006–Garron Cadiente, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2007–Mark Post/Rob MacCachren, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2008–Brian Collins, Dodge Ram1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2009–Brian Collins, Dodge Ram1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

2010–Armin Schwarz/Martin Christensen, Jimco-BMW (Class 1)

2011—Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck)

Pro Motorcycles

Year–Rider(s), Vehicle

1982–Bob Balentine, Honda XR500 (Class 22)

1983–Jack Johnson, Honda XR500 (Class 22)

1984–Dan Smith/Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna CR500 (Class 22)

1990–Dan Smith/Danny Hamel, KTM (Class 22)

1991–Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicut Jr, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)

1992–Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicut Jr, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)

1993–Danny Hamel, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)

1994–Danny Hamel, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)

1995–Danny Hamel, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)

1996–Paul Krause, Kawasaki KX500 (Class 22)

1997–Tim Staab, Honda XR650 (Class 22)

1998–Johnny Campbell/Tim Staab, Honda XR650 (Class 22)

1999–Johnny Campbell/Cole Marshall, Honda XR650 (Class 22)

2000–Johnny Campbell/Tim Staab, Honda XR650 (Class 22)

2001–Steve Hengeveld/Jonah Street, Honda XR650R (Class 22)

2002–Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda XR650R (Class 22)

2003–Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda XR650R (Class 22)

2004–Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda XR650R (Class 22)

2005–Chris Blais/Andy Grider/Quinn Cody, KTM MXC525 (Class 22)

2006–Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)

2007–Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)

2008–Robby Bell/Johnny Campbell, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)

2009–Kendall Norman/Timmy Weigand, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)

2010–Colton Udall/Jeff Kargola, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)

2011–Colton Udall/Jeff Kargola, Honda CRF450X (Class 22)

Sportsman Cars & Trucks

Year–Driver(s), Vehicle (Class)

2008–Peter Lang, Homebuilt-Chevy (SPT Car)

2009–Peter Lang, Homebuilt-Chevy (SPT Car)

2010–Wendell Mortensen, Raceco-VW (SPT Car)

2011–Nick Tonelli, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger (SPT Truck)

Sportsman Motorcycles

Year–Rider(s), Vehicle

2008–Bill Gilbert, Honda CRF450X (SPT M/C>250cc)

2009–Jeff Leonard, Bakersfield, Calif., Honda CRF450X (SPT M/C>250cc)

2010–Ron Tolman, Honda CRF450X (SPT M/C<250cc)

2011– Issac Cisneros, San Diego, Yamaha YZF450 (SPT M/C<450cc)

MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250

All-Time Starters/Finishers by Year

1982

Total Starters: 232 Total Finishers: 133

1983

Total Starters: 194   Total Finishers: 107

1984

Total Starters: 200  Total Finishers: 113

1990

Total Starters: 264    Total Finishers: 164

1991

Total Starters: 214    Total Finishers: 136

1992

Total Starters: 192    Total Finishers: 117

1993

Total Starters: 82    Total Finishers: 56

1994

Total Starters: 180   Total Finishers: 120

1995

Total Starters: 231    Total Finishers: 130

1996

Total Starters: 200   Total Finishers: 122

1997

Total Starters: 194    Total Finishers: 106

1998

Total Starters: 227   Total Finishers: 143

1999

Total Starters: 234    Total Finishers: 149

2000

Total Starters: 227   Total Finishers: 148

2001

Total Starters: 208    Total Finishers: 135

2002

Total Starters: 235   Total Finishers: 147

2003

Total Starters: 249   Total Finishers: 164

2004

Total Starters: 249   Total Finishers: 149

2005

Total Starters: 269   Total Finishers: 159

2006

Total Starters: 341   Total Finishers: 220

2007

Ensenada to Santo Tomas

Total Starters: 394   Total Finishers: 288

2008

Total Starters: 263   Total Finishers: 181

2009

Total Starters: 226   Total Finishers: 161

2010

Total Starters: 257   Total Finishers: 158

2011

Total Starters: 220   Total Finishers: 145

Top Total Starters

Year, Number (Finishers)

2007—394 Starters (288 Finishers)

2006—341 Starters (220 Finishers)

2005—269 Starters (159 Finishers)

1990—264 Starters (164 Finishers)

2008—263 Starters (181 Finishers)

2010—257 Starters (158 Finishers)

2003—249 Starters (164 Finishers)

2004—249 Starters (149 Finishers)

2002—235 Starters (147 Finishers)

1999—234 Starters (149 Finishers

Top Total Finishers

Year, Number (Starters)

2007—288 Finishers (394 Starters)

2006—220 Finishers (341 Starters)

2008—181 Finishers (263 Starters)

1990—164 Finishers (264 Starters)

2003—164 Finishers (249 Starters)

2009—161 Finishers (226 Starters)

2005—159 Finishers (269 Starters)

2010—158 Finishers (257 Starters)

1999—149 Finishers (234 Starters)

2004—149 Finishers (249 Starters)

February 5, 2012 (Johnson Valley, CA) – The Smittybilt Every Man Challenge (EMC) ended in an impressive and inspiring victory today as John Currie won overall in a stock class Jeep Wrangler.  While the Griffin King of the Hammers (KOH) demands not only incredible driving prowess but cutting-edge technology, Currie demonstrated the EMC is truly a driver’s race.  Recognizing the grass roots appeal of off-road racing, this year promoter Dave Cole created the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge for two classes – Stock and Stock Modified – to allow enthusiasts a chance to test their skills and vehicles against the famed Hammers terrain.

Unlike the unlimited, anything-goes nature of Griffin King of the Hammers, the rules for the Stock and Stock Modified classes in the EMC are quite restrictive.  Stock Modified vehicles are limited to mechanical steering, two 2.5-inch diameter shocks per corner, and no larger than 37-inch DOT approved tires.  Compare this with the fully fabricated race cars for KOH that regularly utilize 3.5-inch bypass shocks, full hydraulic steering, and 40-inch tall race-specific rubber.  The Stock class is even more restrictive, requiring factory engines and transmissions, full frames and bodies, and DOT-approved tires no larger than 35-inches tall in addition to mechanical steering and a single 2.5-inch shock per wheel.

“The spirit of the Stock Class is to allow OEM and aftermarket vendors the opportunity to showcase their products while providing a venue for teams to compete in a true drivers class in vehicles that closely relate to street driven versions,” Cole explained.  The 77-mile course through Johnson Valley OHV Area contained all of the elements of King of the Hammers, and surprisingly even much of the same terrain tackled by the unlimited cars.  The Smittybilt Every Man Challenge required teams to navigate as quickly as possible through not only uneven desert terrain but also the notorious boulder strewn trails known simply as “The Hammers.”  Currie completed the course in under four hours, besting many teams with more expensive vehicles and more horsepower.

By winning the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge, John Currie earned a place in the main event at the Griffin King of the Hammers on Friday.  The situation puts Currie in an awkward position, even though he has already demonstrated he will not be intimidated with his David and Goliath effort at the EMC.  Currie is slated to co-drive for his nephew in King of the Hammers, Monster Energy athlete and noted short course racer Casey Currie.  Now he must decide if he will be sitting in the passenger seat or the driver seat on race day.

John Currie’s Jeep was similar to what you would see on 4WD trails all around the country, with full sheet metal and 35-inch Falken tires.  While the Jeep is ordinary, Currie is anything but “Every Man”.  The owner of a successful axle business, John Currie is an off-road veteran.  He came in second place in the very first rock crawling competition over a decade ago and is the namesake for the ubiquitous “Johnny Joint” suspension component.  As the winner of the inaugural Smittybilt Every Man Challenge, there is now one more thing that John Currie is known for.

RESULTS:

1 4688 John Currie – Stock – 2:44:51

2 4581 Larry McRae – Modified – 3:00:22

3 4515 Mitch Funk – Modified – 3:08:09

4 4558 Brandon Heyes – Modified – 3:16:35

5 4588 Mike Johnson – Modified – 3:16:51

6 4577 George Evans – Modified – 3:35:11

7 4535 Kevin Sacalas – Modified – 3:51:07

8 4538 DJ Harmon – Modified – 3:59:02

9 4646 Ferris McCollum – Stock – 4:31:10

10 4612 Ben Varozza – Stock – 4:34:22

11 4669 Shawn Passmore – Stock – 4:38:31

12 4531 Shawn Rants – Modified – 4:57:29

13 4678 Jason Kaminsky – Stock – 5:15:28

14 4569 Jason McAtee – Modified – 5:19:31

15 488 Josiah Begay – Stock – 5:47:22

16 4621 Bret Scheiding – Stock – 6:23:19

17 4680 Cody Addington – Stock – 6:23:56

18 890 Jonathan Terhune – Modified – 6:28:41

19 4555 Stephen Caproni – Modified – 6:29:12

20 4699 Chris Marquart – Stock – 6:35:19

21 4674 Matthew Rager – Stock – 7:03:45

22 4580 Jordan Townsend – Modified – 7:19:30

23 4623 John Williams – Stock – 8:12:50
4509 Jeremy Eaton – Modified – DNF
4511 Alan Johnson – Modified – DNF
4514 George Kane – Modified – DNF
4502 Barry Cherneske – Modified – DNF
4505 Jeff Rector – Modified – DNF
4692 Scott Hartman – Stock – DNF
4677 Roger King – Stock DNF
4611 Chris Schutt – Stock – DNF
4643 Richard Gauthier – Stock – DNF
4648 Brian Behrend – Stock – DNF
4664 Richard Williams – Stock – DNF
4644 Thomas Yash – Stock – DNF
4602 Ryan Kennelly – Stock – DQ

Sponsors of the event include: Griffin Thermal Products,  4Wheel Parts, Smittybilt, Pitbull Tires, Miller Welders, Lucas Oil, Trail Gear, Falken Tire, Nitto, Bestop, Dynomax Performance Exhaust, GenRight Off Road, King Off-Road Racing Shocks, PSC Motorsports, Warn, ATX Series Wheels, Rugged Race Radios and Spidertrax.

After the successful start in glamorous Monte-Carlo the Volkswagen Motorsport squad is now setting its sights on the second round of the season from February 9th to 12th. This time the FIA World Rally Championship stops in the winter woods of Sweden. At the only snow rally on the calendar Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) will be joined by Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N) who will be competing for the Volkswagen factory team for the first time this season.

“At the season opener in Monte Carlo both drivers, Sébastien Ogier and our junior driver Kevin Abbring, showed strong performances. In Sweden Andreas Mikkelsen will take the wheel of the Junior car as planned,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “Sweden is a special rally: It’s the only WRC event on ice and snow and provides the best opportunity to gather valuable experiences in crisp cold. It’s an important run for us in preparation for our WRC entry with the Polo R WRC.”

Snow instead of gravel: drivers are looking forward to the winter spectacle

24 special stages across about 349 timed kilometres – and unusual challenges – are awaiting the drivers. Whereas the other events on the WRC calendar are held on tarmac or gravel the Rally Sweden due to the winter conditions and the use of studded tyres is a special event. “I really like the Rally Sweden. Because of its unique character it’s important to finish in order to give the team the opportunity to thoroughly get to know this rally,” says Sébastien Ogier (28). “In Sweden the Nordic drivers are always particularly strong because they have more experience with the conditions that exist there. But we’re well prepared.” The accident that meant an early end of the “Monte” has long been chalked up to experience. “Julien and I both are totally fit,” says the Frenchman. In 2011 Ogier/Ingrassia finished the Rally Sweden in fourth place – behind three Scandinavian teams.

The Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen will be the second driver running alongside Ogier. For the 22-year-old and his seasoned co-driver Ola Fløene (42) this will be the second commitment for Volkswagen following the Finland Rally last year. “The Sweden Rally is almost a home round for me as part of the route leads through Norway. I’m hoping that many fans will support me. Thanks to my victory in the snow at the season opener of the Norwegian Championship I’m perfectly prepared. Running in the same team with ‘Seb’ is a special treat for me: He’s currently one of the quickest, if not to say the quickest rally driver of all. I’m looking forward to it and am hoping to be able to learn from him.”

Mikkelsen is the current IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) champion. As a member of the Junior programme, the Škoda UK racer is sharing the second rally car fielded by Volkswagen Motorsport in the World Rally Championship with the Dutchman Kevin Abbring.

Volkswagen is running at WRC rounds this season with two Fabia S2000 cars of the Group’s Škoda brand in the smaller SWRC class. The commitments serve as preparation for the 2013 season in which Volkswagen will compete in the top group of rally racing with the Polo R WRC. Basically speaking, Sweden is not new territory in Volkswagen’s long motorsport tradition. In the nineteen-eighties Kalle Grundel and Kenneth Eriksson in the Golf clinched several top-ten results at this rally.

Corona, CA (January 31, 2012) With racers and staff hard at work preparing for the season opener coming up on February 18th, the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series Southern California announced today they will be partnering up with well known off road retailer Kartek Offroad to present the 2012 series. Known as the offspring of the highly acclaimed Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, the regional series focuses on presenting affordable, competitive grassroots racing in a safe, relaxed, family friendly atmosphere.

“Kartek Offroad is proud to the be the presenting sponsor for the 2012 Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series. The regional series staff has done an outstanding job in putting on races at a local level and with the addition of two new venues for the 2012 season, we are very excited to be a part of it. Much of our loyal customer base comes from short course racing, and we take much pride in supporting them on and off the track,” said Nick Holt, Motorsports Director of Kartek Offroad.

The Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series presented by Kartek will feature six rounds of racing this year. The addition of the new and improved Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park along with a year-end regional shootout at Las Vegas Motor Speedway promises to deliver lots of action packed racing.

“Bringing Kartek on as our presenting sponsor was a natural pairing for this series,” said director Lee Perfect. “They have always supported racing at every level and they have been at the track from the beginning, offering trackside support and contingency while watching the series grow. We are excited about furthering Kartek’s involvement and with their support we are planning to bring big things to the 2012 season.”

About Kartek Offroad: Kartek is the largest off-road specific retail store in California with a combined warehouse/showroom in one 23,000 sq. ft. building. 9,000 sq. ft. is dedicated as a meticulous showroom featuring the latest in off-road racing technology and beautifully maintained customer cars. Kartek stocks products for all types of off-road recreation; race cars, sand rails, pre-runners, trucks, jeeps, side-by-sides and trophy karts. Kartek provides the best customer service with extensive knowledge from its staff, and with an excessive inventory you can be sure you will get your parts fast, and right the first time. For more information, see  www.kartek.com.

For more information on the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series presented by Kartek, see  www.lucasoilregional.com.

Jeff Knoll and partner Dave Cole scratched out an idea on a napkin 7 years ago that has blossomed into one of the biggest off-road motorsports events in the United States attracting over 20,000 spectators for the weeklong King of the Hammers event held in the California Desert near 29 palms Marine base next week. Following the 2011 event Knoll announced plans he would be leaving the company and event he helped build, to pursue other interest shocking the Ultra4 Community. ” The time seemed right for a single person to take the company to the next level, and after much debate Dave proved the best choice” said Knoll speaking for the first time about his decision to leave Hammerking Productions. “We had accomplished far more together then we ever imagined producing 4 feature films, multiple TV shows, a racing series, and of course the mammoth King of the Hammers event. Leaving gave me the opportunity to explore some ideas I had wanted to expand Hammerking into without the burden of producing the existing product line and focus more time on political issues inside the OHV industry.” Knoll continued.

Knoll has done just that with his Carrera Performance Group based out of Whitefish Montana. The management and marketing firm seems to have embedded itself across a wide path of services ranging from Non-Profit OHV groups to some very big names in the off-road industry, and beyond. But this week thanks to a friendship forged with Eric Morales in Baja California, Knoll will experience something he may have dreamed about since the night he and Dave Cole started sketching on a napkin. Racing in his vision of the perfect off-road event.

Eric Morales of Lincoln, California has a love affair with all things fast, and Ultra4 racing is his next target. Building a state of the art Ultra4 car is no easy task but Morales who has raced a stable of Ford Mustang backed Drag, Road, and Auto Cross events, jumped into the Off-Road world when he saw a Youtube Video of the King of the Hammers in 2008. “It’s been a long road to get here, but I am happy we made this journey.” said Morales of the 4 years it took to build his race car. His race effort was scheduled for a trip to the LCQ when Knoll called him and asked if he would like to exercise Knoll’s hall pass to the big show. After a short discussion the two agreed to share driving duties for the 2012 King of the Hammers, and potentially build on that relationship for additional races in the 2012 season.

“With any new team you are going to have growing pains and bugs to work out, so we are just going to run a conservative race for KOH, and try not to buy into the hype.” Knoll said of the collaboration.

Fatherhood is something both men take very seriously, so there was little question about branding the car with the Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser of Rockin 4 the Kids. “Being a Dad is far more rewarding than racing, and since I paid to build the car I thought it would be great to have a group like Children’s Miracle Network represented” said Morales.

There is little doubt the Banditoe racing partnership forged in Baja is far more about the adventure and experience of the journey than the destination.

Banditoe racing is supported by its familia, PSC Steering, Goodyear tires, Fishmouth Fabworks, Shaffer’s Off-Road, and the dedicated crew that makes things happen.

San Diego, CA- 2/1/12 - UTVUnderground.com is proud to announce the release of our latest video project done in conjunction with sponsor Pro Armor. The short film now dubbed “The Movie” was produced during the 2012 Soboba GP weekend which was held the first weekend in January 2012 at the Soboba Indian Reservation. Together Pro Armor and UTVUnderground.com set out to create a video piece that did justice to the awesome event and race that the Soboba GP is and was.  From the now famed “Soboba Leap” jump contest to the exciting land rush start to the big race, UTVUnderground and Pro Armor were there to cover it all.

We hope that you watch it and get excited about the event and all that surrounds it. We had a lot of fun that weekend, covering the event and producing this short film.  UTVUnderground want’s to thank Pro Armor’s Bradley Lindseth (SUD Productions) for his phenomenal production work in editing this piece.  We also want to thank Fred Brayton and Andy Ogg also of Pro Armor for their help and support through the race and production process.

Again, we hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as we had making it! Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting videos from UTVUnderground.com this year!

Related Links

The Movie on UTVUnderground.com (Click to weigh in on the video and see what others think)

The Official UTVUnderground.com 2012 Soboba GP Pictures and Results

The Official Soboba GP Jump Contest Pictures and Results 

About UTVUnderground.comUTVUnderground.com, founded in 2008, is the first all inclusive UTV/SXS forum based website to actively create content for readers and members to enjoy.  With a foundation in modification, racing, and riding UTVUnderground.com has established itself as a formidible leader in relevant and exciting UTV/SXS related news and information. UTVUnderground.com is represented by many on the race tracks and trails of America and beyond, and as the voice of the UTV/SXS racer and hardcore enthusiasts UTVUnderground.com has found itself pioneering the future of UTV/SXS related news related websites. Simply put, to be in the know in regards to UTV’s/SXS’s you must read UTVUnderground.com!

Capitalizing on a 10-year relationship with Lincoln Electric, Robby Gordon Motorsports has embraced the new addition to the Lincoln family and welcomed Torchmate CNC Cutting Systems onto Planet Robby. Gordon, who has acquired the Torchmate Racing built TTB car for the upcoming Griffin King of the Hammers event, will begin testing the rebadged Speed Energy #77 car this week and he has tasked rock crawling champion and former Pirate4x4.com owner, Lance Clifford, to navigate.  “Although I have not yet met Lance, he has come highly recommended and is a welcome addition to our team. We put a lot of value in having the right people to help us succeed,” said Gordon.  Clifford, who has worked during KOH the last 4 years providing live web based coverage, is looking forward to racing. “I was just planning on enjoying the event with my family, but when the best off-road driver in the world calls you up and asks you to navigate you don’t think twice about accepting.”

The new relationship will put Torchmate CNC cutting systems to work in both Robby Gordon Motorsports North Carolina and Southern California facilities, and will see Torchmate as an associate sponsor of Gordon’s new venture into Ultra4 racing as well as his current SCORE Trophy Truck and Dakar off-road programs. “We’re excited to work with Robby Gordon and it’s a perfect fit with Torchmate philosophy on racing and business,” said Bill Kunz, general manager of Torchmate. “The same Torchmate machines the general public can purchase will be put to good use at the hands of Robby Gordon Motorsports,” Kunz added.

The demands of the King of the Hammers race test the merit of both driver and machine due to the brutal terrain. In its 6th running, this year’s course (which remains a closely guarded secret until race week) will be the longest and most difficult to date.  The delicate balance of rock crawling’s technical skill set, coupled with wide open assaults in the open desert, require a vehicle that is comfortable at two completely different ends of the off-road spectrum.  Gordon had this to say about his first impression of the vehicle, “The craftsmanship in the construction of this TTB car is a testament to the quality of products Torchmate builds. We build racecars of the highest standard in our fabrication shops, and this vehicle looks like something we built. I am excited to have a chance to race it in KOH and know we can do well. This relationship is not just a one-race deal; we are looking forward to building the Torchmate brand alongside our existing partners and introducing Torchmate to a new market.” A number of crossover drivers have attempted the King of the Hammers in the last 5 years, but few return, and even less make the leap to car owner.

The buzz created by Ultra4 racing fans suggests that Robby Gordon’s presence this year will no doubt be one of the highlights of the event. “It’s always great to see new drivers make an investment in our sport, but when it’s a driver as popular as Robby Gordon, that creates the potential to introduce a wide selection of fans and have a positive result for all of our teams,” responded Dave Cole of Hammerking Productions when asked about his newest racer. “It’s a lot like the Baja 1000,” Gordon closed with, “It’s a huge event people plan the whole year around.  I can’t wait to give it a shot!”

Las Vegas, Nevada, January 31, 2012

The 2012 Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker “425”, February 3^rd thru 5^th, gets off to a fast start this Thursday when the Trick Trucks and Class 1500 unlimited buggies line up for a shot to see who is the fastest qualifier for the number one starting position and win the coveted $1,000 “Team Ford Pole Award”. Best In The Desert is the only desert racing organization that utilizes this type of qualifying format between the two fastest classes for an equal chance at who will be first off the line. The Time Trials are held prior to each race on an approximately 5-mile secret course. Each competitor is given one practice lap and then one lap to go for the money.

To date, 34 of the marquee Trick Trucks and 54 Class 1500 buggies have entered the race. The list of entries for the Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker “425” features the sport’s top off-road racers. Trick Truck drivers include B.J. Baldwin, Robby Gordon, Cameron Steele, Tim & Troy Herbst, Larry Roeseler, Steve Olliges, John Swift, Ryan Arciero, Chad Ragland, Steve Sourapas, Rob MacCachren, Jesse Jones, Bryce Menzies, Mark & Gary Weyhrich, Scott Whipple, and the list goes on and on. Unlimited Class 1500 competitors include Steve Appleton, Chuck Hovey, Dale Dondel, Randy Wilson, Sam Berri, Todd Jergensen, Ray Griffith, Mike Childress, Garrick Freitas, Pat Dean, T.J. Flores, Justin Lofton, Todd Tuls, and a host of others.

Since 2006, Steve Olliges, owner of Team Ford Lincoln in Las Vegas, NV, has sponsored and presented the “Team Ford Pole Award”. Steve has been a great supporter of Best In The Desert and off-road desert racing. He is constantly thinking of ways to make the sport better and more exciting for everyone involved. The Time Trials qualifying format is just one more reason why racers love racing Best In The Desert; just one more thing that sets Best In The Desert apart.

No one racer had won the Team Ford Pole Award twice, until the 2008 Bilek Racing Silver State “300”, where Sam Berri won for the second time. Now it looks like Sam is the man to beat with eight “Team Ford Pole Awards”.

Past “Team Ford Pole Award” Winners:

2006 – Henderson’s Terrible “400” – Rob MacCachren

2007 – Parker “425” – Garron Cadiente

2007 – Terrible’s “250” – Mark Post

2007 – TSCO “Vegas to Reno” – Todd Wyllie

2007 – Las Vegas “300” – Mark Weyhrich

2007 – Henderson’s Terrible “400” – Sam Berri

2008 – Parker “425” – Chet Huffman

2008 – Terrible’s “250” at Primm – Billy Gasper

2008 – TSCO “Vegas to Reno” – BJ Baldwin

2008 – Bilek Racing Silver State “300” – Sam Berri

2008 – Henderson Fabtech Desert Classic – Andy McMillin

2009 – Parker “425” – Steve Sourapas

2009 – Terrible’s “250” at Primm – Chet Huffman

2009 – TSCO “Vegas to Reno” – Andy McMillin

2009 – Bilek Racing Silver State “300” – Chuck Hovey

2009 – Henderson Fabtech Desert Classic – Sam Berri

2010 – BlueWater Parker “425” – Sam Berri

2010 – Bilek Racing Silver State “300” – Kyle Jergensen

2010 – TSCO “Vegas to Reno” – Sam Berri

2010 – BlueWater Desert Challenge – Sam Berri

2010 – TransWest Ford Henderson “250” – Sam Berri

2011 – BlueWater Parker “425” – Sam Berri

2011 – Bilek Racing Silver State “300” – Chuck Hovey

2011 – TSCO “Vegas to Reno” – Kyle Conlon

2011 – BlueWater Desert Challenge – BJ Baldwin (Class 1400)

2011 – BlueWater Desert Challenge – Ray Griffith (Class 1500)

2011 – TransWest Ford Henderson “250” – Justin Lofton

Best In the Desert Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker “425” schedule of events:

Thursday, February 2, 2012

11:30 AM  ––

Practice Run for the Time Trials, Time Trials Immediately follows practice run

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM  ––

Show & Shine – Downtown Experience / Downtown Parker – Display of Time Trial Vehicles, Street Fair

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM  ––

Results & Time Trials Party

Reception hosted by McKenzies Performance Products, Dig Lounge – Blue Water Resort & Casino

Friday, February 3, 2012

9:30 PM to 6:00 PM  ––

Car & Truck Contingency & Technical Inspection, North Parking Lot – Blue Water Resort & Casino

Saturday, February 4, 2012

7:15 AM  ––

1st Car/Truck Starts – California Avenue – Downtown Parker

Sunday, February 5, 2012

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM  ––

Awards Presentation – Bingo Room – Blue Water Resort & Casino

Best In The Desert official sponsors: Ford Motor Company – official truck, General Tire – official tire, Lucas – Official Oil, VP Racing Fuels – official fuel, KC HiLiTES – official light, John Deere – official UTV, American Beta – official motorcycle, Fabtech – Official Suspension, Fall Advertising, Prerunner Maniac, McKenzies, PCI Race Radios, Bullet Liner and Sportsman Cycle Sales.

The American Off-Road Racing Series…Best In The Desert!

Further information available from: www.bitd.com

Simi Valley, CA – January 31, 2012 – This years running of the King of the Hammers adds a new element of competition with the Smittybilt Everyman’s Challenge.  The Everyman’s Challenge will feature two classes of racing and allow racers with production based vehicles a place to race and be competitive.  Being a Jeep based manufacturer and the official suspension of the Ultra4 series we felt it was only appropriate to field a competitor in each class.

Competing in the stock class for Team GenRight will be the VP Racing team of Ben Varozza and Jacob Pacheco from Diamond Springs, CA. Limited to a 35″ tire they built their TJ from the ground up to show that anyone can tackle the Hammers on a budget and be competitive.  To keep the Jeep on course and protect it from the hammers a set of GenRight Rocker Guards along with Boulder Series fenders were installed for the ultimate protection.  To aid in ground clearance with the 35″ tires GenRight’s Belly Up Skid plate and double triangulated Legend suspension system were also installed.

In the Modified class which allows competitors to run a 37″ tire it will be Big Ugly Racing’s Kevin Sacalas from Riverside, CA competing for the win.  Kevin will be competing in his Jeep TJ that is no stranger to Ultra4 competition.  In 2010 he used it in the LCQ to qualify for a spot in the King of the Hammers.  It too will be outfitted with Genright’s leading line of body armor including tube fenders and corner guards.  Kevin will be featuring the new light weight aluminum body armor on his rig.

Tony Pellegrino from GenRight Off-Road had this to say about the Smittybilt Everyman’s Challenge; “We’re very excited to partner with VP Racing and Big Ugly Racing for the Everyman’s Challenge at the 2012 King of the Hammers.  We feel that they will represent GenRight well and be able to run at the front of the pack and show the competition what GenRIght products on your Jeep can do and the abuse they will hold up to!”

The Everyman’s Challenge will take place Sunday February 5th, 2012 in Johnson Valley, CA as part of the 2012 running of the King of the Hammers.  For more information about the race you can visit Ultra4racing.com.  For updates on how Team GenRight is doing during the King of the Hammers be sure to follow them on facebook at facebook.com/genrightoffroad.

VP Racing Stock Jeep

Kevin Sacalas Mod Jeep

About GenRight Off-Road:

GenRight Off-Road is an aftermarket automotive parts manufacturer located in Simi Valley, CA.  Specializing in Jeeps, they produce suspension kits, gas tanks, body armor and sport cages.  All of GenRight’s products are “Made in the USA”.  Tony Pellegrino, founder of GenRight Off-Road can be found showcasing his products on one of the GenRight Jeeps at events nationwide.  GenRight Off-Road is located at 4535 Runway St, Simi Valley, CA  93063.  For more information about GenRight or to purchase their products, please visit their website at www.genright.com or call (805) 584-8635. You can also follow Tony Pellegrino in the Factory GenRight Off Road Ultra4 race buggy #4485 on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/genrightoffroad

In anticipation of the 2012 King of the Hammers taking place Friday, Feb. 10 in Johnson Valley, Calif., BFGoodrich Tires has created a contingency program to benefit those who choose to run on BFGoodrich Tires.  A $7,500 contingency payout will be awarded to the winner of the race if running BFGoodrich tires.

Following are the requirements in order to be eligible for the $7,500 payout:

• Must register at contingency listing BFGoodrich tires
• Must have 24″ BFGoodrich decals visible on both sides of vehicle and on front of vehicle
• Must start/finish with BFGoodrich tires on all 4 points of vehicle

Las Vegas, Nevada, January 30, 2012

20 of the 33 Trick Trucks entered in the 2012 Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker “425”, February 3^rd thru 5^th, have signed up to take part in this year’s Trick Truck Challenge. This will be the second year for the Trick Truck Challenge that saw over $134,000 in bonus money paid out in 2011. To be eligible for the year-long Challenge, Trick Truck teams must be signed up by the Parker “425” race.

Casey Folks, Director of Best In The Desert, announced, “As of January 25^th, 20 of the top Trick Truck teams in the world have signed up for the second year of the exciting Best in the Desert $120,000 Trick Truck Challenge. That’s right – one hundred and twenty thousand dollars paid back 100% to the racers. A special bonus purse will be paid out to the top three participating Trick Truck finishers at each of the six Best In The Desert races as well as the year-end bonus. The special Trick Truck Challenge Cup Trophy will also be awarded at the end of the year to the overall winning team.” Folks continued, “No other off-road racing organization has a program like the Best in the Desert Trick Truck Challenge. I’ve always said, either lead, follow or get out of our way and Best in the Desert is in the lead!”

$10,000 will be paid to 1^st, $6,000 to 2^nd and $3,000 to 3^rd for each of six races for a total of $19,000 per race. An additional $10,000 will go to 1^st place, $4,000 for 2^nd and $2,000 for 3^rd in the final year-end standings. Plus another $44,000 in year-end bonus has been posted from sponsors TSCO, Camburg Engineering, Jimco Racing, Geiser Bros., MasterCraft and Racer Engineering.

The 20 trucks entered to date in the 2012 Best In The Desert Trick Truck Challenge are:

Adam Ashcraft, # 78

Adam Householder, # 4

BJ Baldwin, # 1

Cameron Steele, # 16

Clyde Stacy, # 58

Greg Nunley, # 10

Jason Voss, # 35

Jerry Zaiden, # 75

Jesse Jones, # 76

Jimmy Nuckles, # 48

Kevin McGillivray, # 56

Gary Weyhrich, # 98

Mark Weyhrich, # 9

Rich Voss, # 36

Rick D. Johnson, # 71

Ron Whitton, # 39

Scott Whipple, # 95

Steve Olliges / John Swift, # 28

Steve Sourapas, # 6

Will Staats, # 42

2011 was the first year for the Trick Truck Challenge that saw many different winners throughout the course of the season. The enthusiasm over the success of last year’s Challenge by the Trick Truck teams was the driving force behind bringing it back for 2012.

2011 Trick Truck Challenge results:

Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker “425”

1st Place             Jesse Jones

2nd Place            Tim Herbst

3rd Place             Steve Sourapas

Bilek Racing Silver State “300”

1st Place             Adam Householder

2nd Place             BJ Baldwin

3rd Place             Rick D. Johnson

TSCO “Vegas to Reno”

1st Place             Steve Strobel

2nd Place             BJ Baldwin

3rd Place             John Swift / Steve Olliges

Blue Water Desert Challenge

1st Place             Steve Sourapas

2nd Place             John Swift / Steve Olliges

3rd Place             Steve Strobel

TransWest Ford Henderson “250”

1st Place             Adam Householder

2nd Place             Marc Ewing

3rd Place             Jerry Zaiden

Year-End Trick Truck Challenge Trophy

1st Place             B.J. Baldwin

2nd Place             Steve Strobel

3rd Place             John Swift / Steve Olliges

The Trick Truck Challenge only adds to the ever growing excitement for the upcoming Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker “425” that has already seen 33 Trick Trucks, 48 Class 1500 cars, 32 Class 1000 cars, and 22 Class 7200 trucks entered into the race. It all gets underway Thursday, February 2^nd as the Trick Trucks and Class 1500 cars shoot it out head-to-head at the time trials for the $1,000 “Team Ford Pole Award” and the first overall starting position.

Best In the Desert Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker “425” schedule of events:

Thursday, February 2, 2012

11:30 AM  ––

Practice Run for the Time Trials, Time Trials Immediately follows practice run

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM  ––

Show & Shine – Downtown Experience / Downtown Parker – Display of Time Trial Vehicles, Street Fair

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM  ––

Results & Time Trials Party

Reception hosted by McKenzies Performance Products, Dig Lounge – Blue Water Resort & Casino

Friday, February 3, 2012

9:30 PM to 6:00 PM  ––

Car & Truck Contingency & Technical Inspection, North Parking Lot – Blue Water Resort & Casino

Saturday, February 4, 2012

7:15 AM  ––

1st Car/Truck Starts – California Avenue – Downtown Parker

Sunday, February 5, 2012

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM  ––

Awards Presentation – Bingo Room – Blue Water Resort & Casino

Best In The Desert official sponsors: Ford Motor Company – official truck, General Tire – official tire, Lucas – Official Oil, VP Racing Fuels – official fuel, KC HiLiTES – official light, John Deere – official UTV, American Beta – official motorcycle, Fabtech – Official Suspension, Fall Advertising, Prerunner Maniac, McKenzies, PCI Race Radios, Bullet Liner and Sportsman Cycle Sales.

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America, Inc. Defending 2011 Rally America National Champion David Higgins launched his 2012 title defense with Subaru Rally Team USA by achieving a decisive victory this past weekend at the Sno*Drift Rally.  Higgins, driving a 5-door 2012 Subaru WRX STI rally car, dominated the rally leading from the start and winning 15 of the event’s 24 competitive stages. Higgins finished nearly two minutes clear of his closest rival. The Sno*Drift Rally was not easy by any respect; David’s biggest challenge was keeping his STI on the event’s treacherously icy roads. Higgins proclaimed the variable and slick road conditions as the toughest rallying he has ever encountered.

The Sno*Drift Rally, round one of the six-event 2012 Rally America National Championship, challenged nearly 70 top rally teams with over 130 miles of snow and ice-covered roads in northern Michigan. Constant changes in weather and road conditions coupled with several stages run in total darkness make this rally notoriously challenging. Drivers will attest that the biggest challenge of the rally is that spiked or studded tires are not allowed, making traction extremely elusive when conditions are icy. Drivers this year were greeted with exactly that; a recent thaw and subsequent freeze turned many of the stage roads into sheets of smooth ice.

Higgins and his co-driver Craig Drew were up for the challenge from the onset and all but sealed their victory with a commanding performance on the first loop of stages where Higgins posted several blisteringly fast stage times while his rivals struggled with the icy conditions. After winning the opening four stages, Higgins had amassed a nearly two-minute lead on his rivals before the first service halt. However, maintaining that lead on the treacherously ice-covered roads was one of the biggest challenges the veteran rally pro Higgins has ever tackled.

“The icy roads combined with lack of spiked tires makes this one of the toughest rallies and a challenge I think that is unique in rallying anywhere in the world,” explained Higgins. “Mentally it’s very draining, as you are constantly on the edge all weekend with the knowledge that any small mistake could just end the rally. The grip levels would go from variable to non-existent in a flash.”

The lead Higgins had amassed on the opening day of competition was only briefly under threat for the first loop of stages on the morning of day-two. Higgins, running on ice tires, encountered fresh snow on the stages allowing his chief rival Antoine L’Estage, who had chosen a snow tire, to claw back some time. After switching to snow tires at the first service, Higgins responded to the threat and won five straight stages to regain nearly all of the time lost in the morning while sealing his victory.

“This was a great victory and a strong result to start our title defense,” explained Higgins. “Our Subaru was perfect all weekend and allowed Craig [Drew] and I to just concentrate on the job under these wild conditions.”

Added James Han, motorsports marketing manager for Subaru of America, Inc., “David and Craig drove prudently to a tremendous result, and Subaru Rally Team USA prepared a car in our 2012 Subaru WRX STI that has proven to be the class of the field this weekend.  Having to constantly assess traction levels under such difficult road conditions within the context of competition driving rapidly takes a mental toll, and our #75 driver pairing truly rose to the occasion and ultimately prevailed.”

Higgins and Subaru Rally Team USA head next to the high-speed gravel roads of The Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, Feb 24-25, in central Missouri.

About Subaru Rally Team USA

Subaru Rally Team USA is managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT), BFGoodrich Tires, RECARO, PIAA, Motul, and VP Racing Fuels.

For more information on Subaru Rally Team USA, as well as exclusive photo and video galleries, visit subaru.com/rally and for the latest news follow the team on Twitter: twitter.com/srtusa.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

The 2012 Baja race season is here and JCR/Honda pits are ready to support you in the adventure of a lifetime! With the SCORE San Felipe 250 coming up its time to get your team together and make it happen and we are here to help. This year’s pit service fee is $250.00 and is open to all Honda mounted racers.

This is going to be a great season of racing in Baja and the JCR/Honda pit service has your back, so sign up now or give us a call or email and we’ll get you situated.

“The pit service we offer is second to none and is vital to Honda customers. It’s one of the many advantages you get when you ride and race red.” — Johnny Campbell

Download the flyer and sign up sheet here. http://www.mediafire.com/?ojlowpcvauw6me1

You can also find many answers to your FAQ’s www.JCRHonda.com/pits

THR Motorsports ace David Pearson kicked off the AMA Racing/Kenda National Hare & Hound Championship Series with a strong runner-up finish to defending series champ Kurt Caselli after a fast, dusty 45th Winter Classic hosted by the Desert Motorcycle Club in Lucerne Valley, California.

In every genre of competition there is a prestigious cornerstone event that sets the standards. The appeal for thrill seekers is to conquer the momentous chore, bask in the glory, and enjoy the legacy. In its short history, King of the Hammers (KOH) has forged an international sensation that is declared the toughest off road race on the planet, combining brutal rock crawling with high-speed desert racing.
Lucas Oil Products recognizes the significance that this event holds in off road motorsports and is proud to support King of the Hammers as the “Official Oil of Ultra 4 Racing.” In addition, Lucas Oil will be sponsoring an Off Road Short Course Demo featuring a handful of stars from the Lucas Oil Off Road Series, aerial helicopter support, and a dedicated street in Hammertown labeled “Lucas Oil Lane” located near Vendor Row. Also noted, Lucas Oil’s support starts with the racers themselves. 2011′s 9th place finisher #4478Les Figueroa, driver of the Lucas Oil/Figspeed.com machine, will be taking on the competition to better last year’s top 10 finish.

New for 2012, a standalone hybrid cross country enduro event has been added the KOH Event Schedule, taking place on Thursday, January 9th 2012. Titled “King of the Motos,” this treacherous & technical invitational race is designed to rival the world renowned Erzberg. Lucas Oil’s Pro EnduroCross rider Colton Haaker, will be riding a 2012 Kawasaki KX™ 450F, going for the winner-takes-all $10,000 purse in an event where few would even dare to enter.
“Lucas Oil’s support of motorsports is second to none and what they have been doing in the off road industry certainly deserves our acknowledgment. It’s simple, great sponsors make great races possible” said Ultra4 Racing founder, Dave Cole. He continued by saying, “Our product sponsors are true partners offering significant support that reaches far beyond a name and logo. These companies actively support the off-road and 4-wheel drive community as well as our Ultra4 Racing series. I’m confident with these companies as partners, the 2012 season will be our best yet.”

“What Ultra 4 Racing has done with King of the Hammers is downright impressive,” Tom Fredrickson, General Manager of Lucas Oil Products, Inc. shared his thoughts on the upcoming event. “KOH has grown rapidly and the ‘Hammertown’ concept adds a great atmosphere to connect the fans to the racers and racers to the vendors. Crossover Drivers from varying backgrounds come from all over to test their ability at the King of the Hammers racing one of these high profile exotic Ultra4 machines. Now add in King of the Motos and short course action to the mix, this will no doubt be an awesome week of racing!”

The King of the Hammers will take place in Johnson Valley, CA, and is considered the backyard desert playground to Lucas Oil’s headquarters in Corona. The event officially starts on February 3rd with racing and much activity lasting through Saturday the 11th. Expecting over 25,000 to attend, enthusiasts and racers of all sorts will converge on Mean’s Dry Lake creating temporary city type impression. Hammertown will feature a new main venue built around a short-course and hot-pit area. Live coverage will be broadcast via web at www.ultra4racing.com/live and will feed the Jumbotron with exciting action from all over the course. Grandstands overlooking the pits and short course section will provide plenty of spectating opportunities. For those looking for the hard core action, the designated course is 165 miles long featuring thirteen famous rock venues bearing names including Sledgehammer, After Shock, Wrecking Ball, and Resolution.

Click Here for: King Of The Hammers Fast Fact Data Sheet

ABOUT ULTRA4 RACING
Ultra4 is a vehicle type, class, and series. Ultra4 Racing was born from the popularity of the annual Griffin King of the Hammers, considered to be the toughest one-day off-road race. The vehicles are unlimited four-wheel drive, capable of competing in multiple racing disciplines – extreme rock crawling, high-speed desert racing and short course. In five years, the sport has grown significantly from the inaugural King of the Hammers to an eight race national series including a regional east and west championship and a three-race pro series. Ultra4 Racing is managed by Hammerking Productions located in Lake Arrowhead, CA. To learn more, log on to  www.ultra4racing.com.

About Lucas Oil Products  Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket, featuring a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil has established itself as a worldwide leader in the lubrication industry. Motorsports has always been part of the Lucas Oil culture and the cornerstone of the company’s marketing strategy. Such passion for motorsports has inspired Lucas Oil to sponsor many race teams, events and series at all levels, including, NHRA, IRL, ASCS, NASCAR, IHRA and many more. Lucas Oil has also taken ownership and operational control of a number of high profile racing properties, such as: Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, CA.

In 2007 Lucas Oil founded its own production house, Lucas Oil Production Studios, dedicated to producing high action motorsports television. Currently Lucas Oil Production Studios produces over 300 hours of original programming for networks such as CBS, NBC Sports, SPEED, and MAVTV. More information on Lucas Oil Products, Inc. can be found by visiting  www.LucasOil.com.

RELATED LINKS:
Lucas Oil

Colorado Springs, CO 1/28/12 -  After season ending crashes for both of the team’s rock racers last year, the brothers are back and ready to take on the toughest rock race on the planet. 2012 will the longest King of the Hammers yet with 165 miles of rock crawling and desert terrain. The week long event now features several races and a chance for competitors to qualify for start positions.

San Luis Obispo, CA, January 28, 2011 - Canidae Natural Pet Food Co. is pleased to announce the continuation of its off road racing contingency program that provides teams in three different series the opportunity to earn payouts at race events throughout the 2012 season.

Johnny Campbell is proud to announce Scott Dunlavey as Race Support Coordinator and the new face of JCR/Honda pits service!

With the experience that Scott Dunlavey brings to the table and the support of the incredible JCR/Honda pit personnel, the future for JCR/Honda pits is brighter than ever.

“Scott is a long time Honda family member and one of the pillars of the JCR/Honda organization. I have complete trust in him and I am excited to have him on-board leading the pit service program.” — Johnny Campbell

BIO Scott Dunlavey:
Scott has been the co-owner of Berkeley Honda since 1987. He was an AMA Pro Dirt Track racer now retired from racing professionally. Scott owns SDR Racing, an aftermarket company focused on building custom parts for Honda’s.

“I’m excited to be the point person for the JCR Pit program and to have the opportunity to improve and carry on the program that Bruce and Johnny have established.” — Scott Dunlavey

You can read more about Scott here. http://www.berkeleyhondayamaha.com/miscpage_002.asp

January 26, 2012: With its dates and rally format firmly solidified, the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) opened online registration to all participants for the 2012 Mexican 1000 on New Year’s Day. Since then rally registrations have surged to new pre-event levels. While there are still over three months left before teams converge at the historic bullring in Mexicali, Baja, Mexico for pre-rally technical inspections and an opening night “Welcome Fiesta and Driver’s Meeting,” nearly three dozen teams have already added their names to what should be a record year for the unique four-day competition.

The first three entries came from enthusiastic rally veterans Walker Evans, Michael Gaughan and Butch Jensen. Additional entries arrived courtesy of veterans Brian Collins, Mark Post and Mark Stahl. It is expected that two-time rally winner Bob Gordon will join Malcolm Smith, Bud Feldkamp, Frank “Butch” Arciero Jr., Larry Roeseler, Don Adams, Dave Westhem, Randy Salmont and many others making plans for the journey down the Baja peninsula this April 28 – May 2, 2012.

Evans, an iconic figure in the world of off-road motorsports, will return with his famous Dodge Class 8 pick-up truck that took him to so many victories in the 1980s. At last year’s Mexican 1000 a mechanical issue forced him to retire on Day 2 just outside of beautiful Bahia De Los Angeles, but the beloved racer is looking forward to his return to this vintage-flavored event.

“Well, here is the real story,” explained Evans, who entered his first NORRA Mexican 1000 back in 1969. “I love Mexico. I love everything about the place. I am at the age and at the time of my life when I want to give something back to the place that has given me so much. The new NORRA Mexican 1000 is the perfect way to do that; four fun-filled days of seeing that beautiful peninsula while having time to visit with old friends and locals. It’s the most fun you can have, and I intend to have a good time, I can tell you that!”

Dave Westhem, Randy Selmont and their ex-factory GMC Class 8 are expected to return for the 2012 Mexican 1000

While still a competitively timed event, all entries will enjoy the same course, beautiful Baja scenery and group festivities. In addition, the NORRA organization is said to be working to greatly enhance participant safety, media coverage and one of the Mexican 1000’s most distinguishing elements – the rally’s camaraderie, hospitality and most important of all, fun.

Already gaining a reputation for bringing fun and a shared sense of adventure back to Baja off-road racing, the one-of-a-kind, once-a-year rally spotlights vintage off-road vehicles, motorcycles and ATVs, as well as rally cars, a limited number of modern desert racecars and classes for prerunner-type trucks and buggies. The four-day rally will offer teams high-speed off-road driving with unparalleled views of Mexico’s scenic Baja peninsula, as well as offering new levels of the hospitality and social camaraderie that is the heart of the Mexican 1000 experience.

FIRST 30 ENTRIES FOR THE 2012 MEXICAN 1000

ABOUT NORRA

Dubbed the “Happiest Race on Earth,” by Dirt Sports magazine, the unique off-road rally was co-created by promoter Mike Pearlman in 2010. The one-of-a-kind, once-a-year, four-day rally includes vintage off-road vehicles and motorcycles, rally cars, a limited number of modern desert racecars and classes for prerunner trucks and buggies. Pearlman’s late father Ed and others established the first running of the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road rally in November of 1967, which eventually became internationally recognized and evolved into the Baja 1000 in the mid-1970s.

Registration is now open to automobiles and motorcycles that meet basic safety standards as outlined the new NORRA rulebook (currently available at the www.mexican1000.website. Although the spotlight will remain squarely on vintage machinery, NORRA has added several new categories for modern and vintage rally cars as well as some for modern desert racing machinery, 4x4s, dune buggies, and ATVs and motorcycles of all types and ages. Each day of the rally consists of special stages (unlimited speed timed stages in the dirt) linked together by controlled speed liaison / transit sections (highway).

For more information, please visit www.mexican100.com

January 26, 2012

Lopez leads SCORE Trophy Truck

C. Parkhouse leading SCORE Overall & Class 1 points, Lopez tops

SCORE Trophy Truck after 2 rounds of 2012 SCORE Desert Series

Tennessee’s RPM Off-Road leading seven classes, other leaders include Robinson, O. Huerta, Cullen, Chamlee;

Start draw Feb. 11 for 26th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 to be held in Baja, Mexico March 9-11

    LOS ANGELES—Moving out from the shadow of his father and his uncle’s experienced tracks, Southern California desert racer Cody Parkhouse has assumed the SCORE overall and unlimited Class 1 point lead after the first two rounds of the five-race 2012 SCORE Desert Series.  With the season’s last three races all to be run in Baja, Mexico, Cody Parkhouse, 24 of Long Beach, Calif., opened the season at the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in mid-January by finishing second in the first round and winning the second in a Chevy-powered Jimco open-wheeled desert race car the following day.

A second-generation desert racer and the youngest of the three Parkhouse racers, Cody Parkhouse has 103 season points to help launch the 39th season of Sal Fish’s SCORE Desert Series, the world’s foremost desert racing series.

With Mexico’s Juan C. Lopez finishing second in both Laughlin races in the No. 18 RPM Off-Road Chevy Silverado to lead the featuring SCORE Trophy Truck division points, RPM leads the point standings in seven classes after the first two races of the five-race 2012 SCORE Desert Series. Lopez, of Tecate, Mexico, is also second overall in points with 101 heading into the upcoming 26th Annual MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, to be held in San Felipe, Mexico, March 9-11.

The draw of starting positions, by class, will be held Saturday, Feb. 11 at the SCORE headquarters in Los Angeles.

SCORE points are based on starting, finishing, placement and number of official starters within each class.

With 11 racers winning their respective classes both days in Laughlin, third in overall points and second in SCORE Trophy Truck after ninth and first place finishes to open the season is Las Vegas’ Rob MacCachren, who has 94 points after two races in the No. 20 MasterCraft Racing Ford F-150. An eight-time SCORE season class point champion, MacCachren’s win in Round 2 in Laughlin was his 10th career race win in SCORE Trophy Truck, the marquee SCORE racing division for high-tech, 850-horsepower, unlimited production trucks.

With consistent Laughlin finishes of fourth and third, Steve Strobel, Clarks, Neb., is fourth in SCORE Overall points and third in SCORE Trophy Truck with 90 points in the No. 94 Strobel Motorsports Ford F-150 while rounding out the top five overall and second in Class 1 is Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., who has 90 points after his fourth and second-place finishes in Laughlin.

Cody Parkhouse’s father, Brian Parkhouse is third in Class 1 points while his uncle Brent Parkhouse is third in SCORE Lites points after the first two SCORE races of 2012.

The most extensive impressive team performance in Laughlin was recorded by RPM Off-Road of Bristol, Tenn.  While Justin Matney, one of the team’s primary drivers rehabs a bad back, team regular driver Clyde Stacy along with several other drivers, recorded 11 class wins among the nine vehicles RPM had entered in two Laughlin races.

RPM Off-Road earned 11 total class wins among their nine entries in each of the season-opening Laughlin races on the way to leading the points in an unprecedented seven SCORE classes. Besides Lopez in SCORE Trophy Truck, Stacy, Bristol, Va. leads both Class 5-1600 (1600cc VW Baja Bug) and Class 2 (PSD-Chevy), the other RPM class point leaders are Eduardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexico (Class 6, Chevy Colorado), Rodolfo Iribe, San Ysidro, Calif. (Class 8, Chevy Silverado), Derek Fletcher, Abingdon, Va. (Class 4, PSD-Chevy) and Jim Bunn, Bristol, Va. (Sportsman Buggy, RGBuggy-Chevy). Stacy, Laguna, Iribe, Fletcher and Bunn each won their respective classes in both of the Laughlin races.

Besides RPM’s Stacy, Laguna, Iribe, Fletcher, Bunn, the other racers who won both races in Laughlin to open the season as point leaders in their respective class point standings are Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger), Donald Moss, Sacramento Calif. (Class 3, Ford Bronco), Kevin Carr, San Diego (Class 5, unlimited VW Baja Bug), Andy Bell, Long Beach California (Stock Mini, Toyota Tacoma) and Billy Wilson, Corpus Christi, Texas (Class 7-2, BajaLite-Chevy).

Besides Cody Parkhouse (Class 1) and Stacy (Class 5-1600), the other racers who lead the points in their respective class after winning one of the first two races are Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif. (Class 1/2-1600, Romo-VW), Matt Cullen, Long Beach, Calif. (Class 10, AlumiCraft-Honda) and Otoneil Huerta, San Luis, Ariz. (SCORE Lites, Curry-VW). Tied for the point lead in Stock Full with one race win each are Wes Bevly III, Corpus Christi, Texas (Ford F-150) and Joe Bacal, Anthem, Ariz., (Lexus LX570).

Besides Bunn, the other Sportsman class point leader, who also won both Laughlin races, is Nick Tonelli, Huntington Beach, Calif. (SPT Truck, Ford Ranger).

In addition to season class point championships, the racers are also competing for part of the nearly $400,000 in cash purse and contingency postings each race. Drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also attempting to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to all car and truck class drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season.  Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 27th consecutive year, a total of 61 drivers are still in the hunt for the awards for the 2012 SCORE Desert Series after the first two rounds in the five-race series.

Racers are also competing for the annual SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year awards, including the MasterCraft Safety SCORE Rookie of the Year award. All categories, except Engine Builder and Original Buggy Chassis Manufacturer, will be determined by public on-line voting while Engine and Buggy awards are determined by season points.

Tecate Beer is the title sponsor of the three SCORE Baja races.

MasterCraft Safety is co-title sponsor of the 26th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.

Official Sponsors of the SCORE Desert Series are:

-BFGoodrich Tires, Official Tire

-Volkswagen of America, Official Vehicle

-Sunoco Race Fuels, Official Race Fuel

-Slime, Official Tire Sealant

-Symons Ambulance Company, Official Ambulance

-Bilstein, Official Shock Absorber

-Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, Official Mexican Auto Insurance

Official Sponsors of the SCORE Baja 1000 are:

-Coca-Cola, Official Soft Drink

-Volaris Airlines, Official Airline

-Lightforce Performance Lighting, Official Driving Light

Additional SCORE Sponsors are – Proturismo Ensenada, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, COTUCO Mexicali/San Felipe, Las Vegas Events, Blue C Advertising, SignPros, PCI Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2012 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

2012 SCORE Desert Series Point Leaders

(After SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge Rounds 1 and 2, Jan. 14-15; Remaining races: 26th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250-March 9-11—San Felipe, Mexico; 44th Tecate SCORE Baja 500-June 1-3, Ensenada, Mexico; 45th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000-Nov. 17-20, Ensenada to La Paz, Mexico)

Top 20 Overall Cars and Trucks

(Position, Drivers, Vehicle-Engine, Class, Points)

1. Cody Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1), 103

2. Juan C. Lopez, Tecate, Mexico, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy Truck), 101

3. Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck), 94

4. Steve Strobel, Clarks, Neb, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck), 90

5. Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., Alpha-Chevy (Class 1), 88

6. Gary Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck), 87

7. Brian Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (Class 1), 86

8. Brendan Gaughan, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram1500 (SCORE Trophy Truck), 84

8. Eduardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexico, Chevy Colorado (Class 6), 84

10. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., Romo-VW (Class 1/2-1600), 82

10. Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif., Jefferies-Chevy (Class 1), 82

12. Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy Truck), 80

12. Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., PSD-Chevy (Class 2), 80

12. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco (Class 3), 80

12. Derek Fletcher, Abingdon, Va., PSD-Chevy (Class 4), 80

12. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (Class 5), 80

12. Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger (Class 7), 80

12. Billy Wilson, Corpus Christi, Texas, BajaLite-Chevy (Class 7-2), 80

12. Rodolfo Iribe, San Ysidro, Calif., Chevy Silverado (Class 8), 80

12. Andy Bell, Long Beach, Calif., Toyota Tacoma (Stock Mini), 80

2011 SCORE Desert Series Class Point Leaders

(NOTE: Motorcycles, ATVs and SPT UTVs race in the three SCORE Baja races)

 (With Class wins in parenthesis)

Pro Cars and Trucks

SCORE TROPHY TRUCK—1. Juan C. Lopez, Tecate, Mexico, Chevy Silverado, 101; 2. Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (1), 94; 3. Steven Strobel, Clarks, Neb., Ford F-150, 90; 4. Gary Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150, 87; 5. Brendan Gaughan, Las Vegas, Dodge Ram1500, 84; 6. Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150, 80; 7. Scott Whipple, Norco, Calif., Ford F-150, 76; 8. (Tie) James Bult, Monee, Ill., Dodge Ram2500 and Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado, 70; 10. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado (1), 68; 11; (Tie) Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 and Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif., Chevy C1500, 66.

CLASS 1—Cody Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (1), 103; 2. Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., Alpha-Chevy, 88; 3. Brian Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 88; 4. Damen Jefferies, Apple Valley, Calif., Jefferies-Chevy, 82; 5. Steve Appleton, Boise, Idaho, Jimco-Chevy, 75; 6. (Tie) Steven Eugenio, Alpine, Calif./Adam Pfankuch, Oceanside, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (1) and Pete Sohren, Glendale, Calif., Geiser-Ford, 71; 8. Monica Greenhill, Crowley, Texas, Jimco-Chevy, 65; 9. Ronny Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 59; 10. Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., Geiser-Chevy, 51; 11. (Tie) Conan Barker, Whitter, Calif., Porter-Ford, Eric Hardin, Garden Grove, Calif., RPS-Chevy and Jaime Huerta, San Luis, Ariz., Porter-Chevy, 50.

CLASS 1/2-1600—1. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif., Romo-VW (1), 82; Robert Archibald, El Cajon, Calif., Mirage-VW (1), 78; 3. Brad Wilson, Long Beach, Calif., Kreger-VW, 65; 4. Jason Markham, Ventura, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 58; 5. (Tie) George Peters, Newbury Park, Calif., Lothringer-VW and Brian Wilson, Long Beach, Kreger-VW, 57.

CLASS 3—1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco (2), 80.

CLASS 5—1. Kevin Carr, San Diego, VW Baja Bug (2),80.

CLASS 5-1600—1. Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., VW Baja Bug (1), 74; 2. Erich Reisen, VW Baja Bug (1), 59.

CLASS 6—1. Eduardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexico, Chevy Colorado (2), 84; 2. Rene Brugger, San Diego, Ford Ranger 64; 3. Dan Holtz, Los Angeles, Ford Ranger, 63.

CLASS 7—1. Dan Chamlee, Carpenteria, Calif., Ford Ranger (2), 80; 2. Brandon Walsh, Encinitas, Calif., Toyota Tacoma, 49.

CLASS 7SX—1. (Tie) Jon Anderson, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Toyota Tacoma, and Rich Severson, Tucson, Ariz., Ford Ranger, 64; 3. Elias Hanna, Ensenada, Mexico, Ford Ranger (1), 40.

CLASS 8—1. Rodolfo Iribe, San Ysidro, Calif., Chevy Silverado (1), 80.

CLASS 10—1. Matt Cullen, Long Beach, Calif., AlumiCraft-Honda (1), 71; 2. Peter Hajas, Wayzata, Minn., Kreger-Chevy, and Perry McNeil, Lemon Grove, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 62; 4. Mark Lawrence, El Monte, Calif., Lothringer-VW, 55; 5. Mike Lawrence, El Monte, Calif., Chenowth-Honda, 51; 6. Michael LaPaglia, Murrieta, Calif., Jimco-Chevy (1), 41.

SCORE LITES—1. Otoneil Huerta, San Luis, Ariz., Curry-VW (1), 76; 2. Rafael Navarro IV, Temecula, Calif./Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, Calif., Jimco-VW (1), 72; 3. Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif./Brian Burgess, Riverside, Calif., Moulton-VW, 61; 4. Matt Laughlin, Laughlin, Nev., Penhall-VW, 59; 5. Jeff Sanca, Canada, Porter-VW, 54; 6. Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Curry-VW, 50.

STOCK FULL—1. (Tie) Wes Bevly III, Corpus Christi, Texas, Ford F-150 (1) and Joe Bacal, Anthem, Ariz., Lexus LX570 (1), 74; 3. Marc Stein, San Diego, Ford F-150, 60.

STOCK MINI—1. Andy Bell/Ted Moncure, Long Beach, Calif., Toyota Tacoma (2), .

CLASS 7-2—1. Billy Wilson/Wes Bevly IV, Corpus Christi, Texas, BajaLite-Chevy (2), 80; 2. (Tie) Dana Dague, Huntington Beach, Calif., Mason-Chevy, and Reid Rutherford, Montrose, Colo. Mason-Chevy, 64.

CLASS 4—1. Derek Fletcher, Abingdon, Va., PSD-Chevy (2), 370; 2. Mike Shaffer, Oakland, Calif., Custom-Chevy, 68.

CLASS 2—1. Clyde Stacy, Bristol, Va., PSD-Chevy (2), 80; 2. Jon Anderson, San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Toyota Tacoma, 68.

Sportsman

SPT TRUCK—1. Nick Tonelli, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Ranger (2), 80.

SPT BUGGY—1. Jim Bunn, Bristol, Va., RGBBuggy-Chevy (2), 80.

January 26, 2012 (Lake Arrowhead, CA) – Hammerking Productions has announced the competitor list for the greatly anticipated King of the Motos slated to take place February 9th.  The event is an extreme enduro combining an updated course of approximately sixty-five miles of high-speed desert racing and ten plus miles of brutal rocks.  Co-promoters Dave Cole and Jimmy Lewis designed the race to be a fair playing field for all racers as no outside assistance is allowed.

The rider list is who’s who in the enduro and trials world.  Rounding out the roster is Kurt Caselli, National Hare & Hound Champion and ISDE class winner, Kendall Norman, also a National Hare & Hound Champ and Baja 1000 winner, Mike Brown, AMA National Motocross Champion and WORCS Champ, Cody Webb, National Trials Champion, X Games Gold Medalist Chris Ridgway, Cory Graffunder, Canadian National Enduro Champion and Graham Jarvis, World Trials competitor and extreme enduro specialist.

The start time for the event has been moved to 10 a.m. and is expected to take over six hours to complete.  The final course map will be released the morning of the event.  Jimmy Lewis noted “this race will be difficult mechanically on the bikes and physically on the competitors.  We expect the winner will be most well rounded rider and the most physically fit.  It is literally a motorcycle survival race.”

2012 King of the Motos Rider List:

Bradley Pace

Chris Midkiff

Chris Ridgway

Cody Webb

Colton Haaker

Cory Graffunder

Destry Abbott

Graham Jarvis

Irving Powers

Jason Smith

Joe Kessler

Jordan Brandt

Kendall Norman

Kurt Caselli

Kyle Redmond

Matt Eddy

Max Gerston

Mike Brown

Mike Slawson

Nic Burson

Rory Sullivan

Tim Roeble

• After battling an array of issues, Skilton’s team literally pushed him onto the podium to claim his second-place finish.
• Skilton’s second-place finish in OP1 in limbo while the world waits for a ruling on a technical infraction by the first-place finisher.

Fort Mill, SC – January 24, 2012. The historic Dakar Rally is not for the faint of heart and veteran driver Darren Skilton, along with navigator Skyler Gambrell, pushed the limits in what some are calling the most difficult course since the race moved to South America in 2009.  The General Tire-sponsored team endured more than 5,590 miles of silt beds, mile high dunes, treacherous mountains, inclement weather and mental exhaustion on their way to a second-place finish.  Just one of 72 teams to finish the race that 171 teams started.  This marks the second year running that Skilton finished the grueling pan-American adventure.

“Congratulations to Darren and the entire Baja Automotive team on their second-place finish,” said Travis Roffler, director of marketing, General Tire.  “Darren and the team had every reason to quit given the demands and stresses placed upon them throughout the race but they never gave up.  Their toughness and resolve to finish the race is exactly what the General Tire brand is about and we’re pleased that our tires helped get them across the finish line for the second year running.”

During the first half of the Dakar Rally Skilton’s buggy was plagued by fuel issues, limiting the potential of the Revolution VI buggy.  Master mechanic Barrie Thompson finally resolved the issue during the rest day in Copiapo, Chile and Skilton was able to post a 24^th-place finish in Stage 7 from Copiapo to Antofagasta and was trudging his way forward in the overall rankings.  The duo of Skilton and Gambrell faced their share of adversity across the harsh Atacama Desert but the only thing stronger than the team’s General Grabber tires was their will to finish the race.

Skilton made up time in Stage 13 but a gearbox issue took it’s tole on the Revolution VI buggy in the final stage.  While the buggy quit, the man-power behind the wheel did not.  Fellow competitor Geoffrey Olhom assisted Skilton to the finish line and the Baja Automotive team physically pushed the car up the podium for an emotional celebration that drew deafening applause from the crowd gathered in Lima, Peru at the finish.

Skilton drove to a well-deserved second-place finish in the Open Production 1 (OP1) class.  However, his final position is in limbo at this time while the first-place finisher is currently under review for a technical infraction.  Overall, an extraordinary effort by Skilton and the Baja Automotive team to finish the world’s most punishing race.

About General Tire

For more than 90 years General Tire has offered a complete quality line of ultra-high performance, passenger, light truck, off-road and commercial tires to meet all your needs. General Tire is a proud supporter of Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing, Chili Bowl, Pro-Pulling, Late- Model Dirt Series, Drag Boat Series, Boost Mobile FreestyleMx.com Tour, Spec Tire of Trophylite and Pro Truck. Team GT supports off-road and short course teams including BJ Baldwin, Carl Renezeder, Rick D. Johnson, Jerry Zaiden/Jason Campbell, Jason/Rich Voss, Scott Steinberger, Ed “Clyde” Stout, Marc Burnett, Kent Kroeker, Mikey Childress, Jim Riley, Carey Hart, Josh Merrell, Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, Jason Ellis, Robby Woods, Casey Currie, Ryan Hagy and

Jeff “Ox” Kargola.

General Tire is part of Continental Tire the Americas, LLC. (www.generaltire.com). CTA, based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is a company of Germany-based Continental AG. With sales of approximately €20 billion in 2009 Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has close to 160,000 employees in 45 countries.

2012 Officers Justin Grossmann, Travis Howard,  Mikey Childress, Justin Johnson

Checkers Off-Road held their 37th Annual Awards Banquet and introduction of the 2012  officers.  President: Mikey Childress, Vice President: Travis “Captain Clampit” Howard, Secretary: Justin Johnson, Treasurer: Justin Grossmann.

The 2011 Vic VanElla Award presented to Wayne Nosala by 2010 recipient Bob Bower

The prestigious Vic VanElla Award was presented to Wayne Nosala for his unselfish commitment and dedication to the preservation of public land rights for off-road enthusiasts. This traveling trophy, named after a Checker racer who died at the wheel of his race car, is awarded to those who have contributed the most to our sport. Past awardees include the likes of Ed Pearlman, “Uncle” Max Norris, Art Savedra, Team Locos Mocos, Sal Fish, Fud, Casey Folks, Jim Clements, Corky McMillin, Bob Ham and most recently, Bob Bower.

Checker Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Reverend Roy Moore and Steve “Dr Checker” Kassanayi, in recognition of their many years of service and dedication to the Club.

The Max Norris Checker of the Year Award went to John Hastings, a twenty year member who has been elected President of the Club five times and has served as a Club Officer eleven times.

Other awards including the creative and humorous Dr Checker Awards were presented as well.

Checkers Off-Road is a team of racers and pitters committed to excellence, professionalism and victory in desert racing. Meetings are every Wednesday night at various locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area. For further information, see our Facebook page, Twitter @checkersracing or contact Secretary Justin Johnson at 909-615-3251

The 2012 AMA National Hare and Hound series kicked off this weekend with a bang and JCR/Honda racer David Kamo took home a podium spot. The race series is spread over 10 rounds and the goal is to chase down the championship for 2012.

The first round was held in Lucerne Valley, California and featured two loops.The 1st loop was a 37 mile rocky, treacherous and technical loop. The 2nd loop was a 42 mile sandy, high speed loop that made for some dramatic racing action.

“David Kamo did great. This is the start of a long series and we want to be racing for the championship come October.” — Johnny Campbell

“What a great way to start out the year on the podium! I had a lot of help from Scott Dunlavey, & Hide Hanawa on bike prep before the race. Four days after Johnny got back from Dakar, he was in the desert with me, getting the bike set up for the National. I felt very focused and ready to win on race morning! The banner dropped and I found myself in the dust in 4th behind Caselli, Abbott, and Pearson on the 1st loop. I came into the pits for gas-n-go and felt way more relaxed going into the 2nd loop and was making up time. I made my pass on Abbott on the 2nd to last valley for 3rd! My Honda CRF450X felt amazing from start to finish. When I got to the finish I wanted more, but was satisfied to be on the podium! It’s a long series and I want to be there in the end focused on the Championship.” –  David Kamo

AMA National Hare and Hound 2012 Schedule

Round 1 – Jan. 22 Lucerne Valley, Calif
Round 2 – Feb. 12 Ridgecrest, Calif.
Round 3 – Feb 26 Reno, Nev.
Round 4 – March 25 Murphy, Idaho
Round 5 – April 22 Lucerne Valley, Calif.
Round 6 – May 5 Jericho, Utah
Round 7 – May 19 Jericho, Utah
Round 8 – Sept 8 Panaca, Nev.
Round 9 – Oct. 14 Lucerne Valley, Calif.
Round 10 – Oct. 28 Lucerne Valley, Calif.

Photo credit: Ryan sanders

Anaheim Hills, CA (January 24, 2012) – Well known Pro Lite and desert racing competitor, Casey Currie will join forces with Hawk Performance Products Group at a new level beginning this year. In his continued partnership with Hawk Performance, Casey will also work closely with Black Rock wheels to develop his very own Casey Currie designed and tested signature line of wheels.

“We are very happy about forming a long term partnership with Casey Currie for 2012 and beyond,” noted Managing Director of Hawk Performance Products Group, Bob Williams. “Our relationship began last year with Casey and we are thrilled that we have the opportunity to outfit his race trucks with more of our products. Hawk Performance Products Group will not only provide braking products, but we are excited about the opportunity to work with Casey in developing his signature line of Black Rock wheels. Casey is a proven champion and we are proud of the trust that he has shown in our brands.”

Hawk Performance Product Group has entered into a multi-year partnership with Casey Currie Racing and will support all of Casey’s racing efforts. He will not only run Hawk Brake pads throughout the season, but will utilize the competition Black Rock wheels in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series in the Pro Lite class.

“I’m super excited to be working with Hawk Performance again this year and to now be adding Black Rock Wheels to the mix,” stated Casey. “There is an awesome team of guys behind this product and they have the experience and technology to make a top-of-the-line wheel. I am even more excited about introducing my very own line of wheels, to be released later this year.”

Casey will design the Casey Currie Signature Line of wheels, including the following: 16″ high positive offset beadlock wheel for Pro Lite competition, 17″ low offset beadlock wheel for Pro 2, Pro 4, and desert racing competition, 17″ positive offset beadlock wheel for Pro 2, Pro 4, and King of the Hammers competition, and also a 14″ beadlock ATV/UTV wheel geared for King of the Hammers Competition as well.

“It’s a huge undertaking,” beams Casey, “one which I’m honored and excited about. Building this relationship with Hawk Performance and being involved in the development of products is important to improving and expanding this sport.”

ABOUT CASEY CURRIE

Racing dirt bikes at age five and off-road trucks by age 16, it becomes more than a coincidence that Casey Currie is one of the youngest-ever team owners and drivers on the off-road circuit. Now involved with the Lucas Oil Off Road Series, Currie runs the Pro Light 2WD Truck class, scoring his first Championship in 2010, and driving toward many more. Currie’s off-road resume is lined with wins on motorcycles, trucks and buggies in the desert—this one is no stranger to dirt sports.

In 2012 Casey will race for the championship in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series in his No. 2 Monster Energy/General Tire/Nissan Pro Lite truck, while mixing it up with UTV races and public appearances in between. When he’s not on the road, building off-road vehicles and drumming up side projects, he’ll take to the dirt with friends—dirt bikes, UTVs, or mountain bikes, he does it all. For more information on Casey Currie, visit CaseyCurrie.com. Keep up with him on Facebook and Twitter at Facebook.com/OfficialCaseyCurrie and Twitter.com/caseycurrie.

ABOUT HAWK PERFORMANCE PRODUCT GROUP

We are excited to announce the creation of the Hawk Performance Products Group. In an effort to broaden our mission of serving the Performance Products Markets, we look forward to leveraging the power of our brands in order to meet serious performance-minded customers’ expectations of new products, unrivaled performance, unique styles, and overall value. The Hawk Performance Products Group includes Hawk Performance, Cragar Wheels, and the Black Rock Wheel Collection. For more information visit HawkPerformance.com, CragarWheels.com, and BlackRockWheels.com

Casey Currie Motorsports would like to thank all their Partners:
Monster Energy, General Tire, Currie Enterprises, Magnaflow Exhaust, NISSAN, Motive Gear, American Wire Harness, Team Associated, Black Rock Wheels, Hawk Performance, QTM Brakes, GoPro Cameras, Goodridge, K&N Filters, Kawasaki, Kicker Audio, King Shocks, HJC Helmets, MasterCraft Safety, Oakley, Dirt Bagz, CBR Radiators, Rockwell Watches, Swift Springs, Sign Pros, Simple Green, Torco Oil, Jones Products.

January 24, 2012: In today’s new age of off-road competition that has promoters fighting over an economy-strained group of racers, the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) is taking a different course in preparations for it’s upcoming Mexican 1000 Rally – it’s working hard to make the entire event for its customers (race teams), crews and sponsors a world-class experience.

Already gaining a reputation for bringing fun and a shared sense of adventure back to Baja off-road racing, the one-of-a-kind, once-a-year rally spotlights vintage off-road vehicles, motorcycles and ATVs, as well as rally cars, a limited number of modern desert racecars and classes for prerunner-type trucks and buggies. This year’s NORRA Mexican 1000 is scheduled for April 28- May 2, 2012, with event registration open since New Year’s Day.

While the promotional group led by event co-founder Mike Pearlman is finalizing an impressive variety of new event enhancements and corporate partnerships, NORRA has added a fourth day of timed competition that will route competitors from the historic coastal town of La Paz down to a yet-to-be disclosed finishing location beachside in San Jose Los Cabos. Once they arrive, competitors will immediately enjoy a massive poolside finisher’s party and awards ceremony. The extra day will allow rally participants more high-speed off-road driving with unparalleled views of Mexico’s scenic Baja Sur region.

“We understand that organizing or participating in a 1,000-mile adventure like this is a commitment of time and resources for everyone involved,” explained Pearlman. “Our objective for 2012 is to make an already great event ‘over the top’ in terms of taking care of our driver’s and their teams — especially in the areas of safety and hospitality. From the time Mexican 1000 participants arrive in Mexicali to their departure in San Jose del Cabo, we want them to enjoy a truly unique and first-class experience. It’s about adding tons of value and building an off-road gathering unlike any other in the world.”

According to Pearlman, other event upgrades are also in the works including faster, more sophisticated timing and scoring systems, a better radio communications relay network and more emphasis on media coverage and PR efforts. While details are still being finalized, NORRA also has plans to create a hospitality atmosphere at many of the Rally’s locations and overnight stops that “create the social camaraderie that is the heart of the Mexican 1000.”

ABOUT NORRA

Dubbed the “Happiest Race on Earth,” the unique off-road rally was co-created by promoter Mike Pearlman in 2010. The one-of-a-kind, once-a-year, three-day rally includes vintage off-road vehicles and motorcycles, rally cars, a limited number of modern desert racecars and classes for prerunner trucks and buggies. Pearlman’s late father Ed and others established the first running of the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road rally in November of 1967, which eventually became internationally recognized and evolved into the Baja 1000 in the mid-1970s.

Registration is now open to automobiles and motorcycles that meet basic safety standards as outlined the new NORRA rulebook (currently available at the www.mexican1000.website. Although the spotlight will remain squarely on vintage machinery, NORRA has added several new categories for modern and vintage rally cars as well as some for modern desert racing machinery, 4x4s, dune buggies, and ATVs and motorcycles of all types and ages. Each day of the rally consists of special stages (unlimited speed timed stages in the dirt) linked together by controlled speed liaison / transit sections (highway).