Baja 500 Official Results…

Well, not exactly. The finishing order is yet to be determined, pending
review of the IRC Tracker’s data files.  Allegations of course cutting and
rules violations have cast a shadow over, perhaps, one of the most vicious
battles ever for the four wheel overall win of the 2009 SCORE International
Baja 500.

At the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, June 7th, after announcing that the posted
results were NOT final, Sal Fish, President of SCORE was said to have made a
speech about the need to put “teeth” back into our sport.  Official results
are due on Thursday, June 11th.

Who are the alleged perps?  None other than Robby Gordon and BJ Baldwin; one
of the “best bet” quinelas in our beloved sport.  They were neck-in-neck at
Race Mile 322 with BJ four minutes ahead of Robby.  TT #8 (Roessler/Norman)
and TT #19 (Herbst) were battling for third.  First place finisher Robby
Gordon and runner-up BJ Baldwin were less than 5 minutes apart at the
checkers, (Robby 8:35:49 vs. BJ 8:40:34), with the team of Roger Norman and
Larry Roessler exactly one minute behind Baldwin according to the
“Unofficial Results” released by SCORE on June 7th.  The Press Release
included the following language:

“SCORE has stated that results will become final and official after the
extensive IRC tracking data has been completely reviewed.  Any infractions
will modify the results and final results will be posted on the SCORE
website by Thursday, June 11″

As leaders Baldwin and Gordon entered the beach section at Erendira, TT
#8′s, (Norman / Roessler) helicopter boomed over the airwaves; “SCORE Ops,
are you going to be DQ’ing for cutting the fence line at Erendira?”  Ops
replied that it would be a Competition Review Board (CRB) issue and
recommended that they file a protest. Being in such close contention, (TT #8
finished exactly 1 minute behind Baldwin), was this an attempt to gather
intelligence for the team so that they too, could take the “cheater” line?
Would there have been time for the helo to communicate this information to
Norman’s pit so that they could relay same to the race truck?  (SCORE
regulations specify that NO direct communications are allowed between air
support units and race vehicles).

Another issue which has the forums buzzing is Robby’s crew refueling him at
the highway section entry in Llano Colorado.   What rule did they violate?
I’m no attorney but SCORE Regulation GPT 8 states, “All pits must be fifty
feet (50′) off the edge of the race course. No pit may be in the first fifty
feet (50′) leading into and the first one hundred feet (100′) leading out of
any turn.  Find the link to the video on RDC and decide on this one or
yourself.

Want more?  One report alleges that Robby “cut the course and took a much
faster way to the Finish out of Ojos”.  Others say that he was speeding in
numerous locations and it was witnessed by law enforcement officials.  One
racer mentioned that Robby “intentionally” roosted a Baja Fools Pit,
coincidentally the same group who reported Robby’s course-cutting incident
at the San Felipe 250 last March.

Fourth place finisher, Robbie Pierce, shared driving duties with Mike Julson
in the #35 Master Craft Trophy Truck and was ten minutes behind Norman.  You
can bet that they’re anxiously awaiting the final results on Thursday!

Amidst all of the protests, allegations, accusations and perhaps a little
bending of the rules, let us not forget what started this all.  A simple
Race…two checkpoints…start in Tijuana, finish at the telegraph office in
La
Paz.  First telegram wins.

We’re victims of progress and we’re stuck with it.

I still love it!

Quick rundown on other classes:

Class One had a great race between first place Harley Letner / Cory Halepoff
and second place winners Armin Schwartz / Martin Christiansen, with a time
difference of just over two minutes.  Third place was awarded to the team of
Armin Kremer and Andreas Aigner, both accomplished rally drivers.  (Anyone
see the Start where Armin Schwartz “railed” the first turn?  Amazing!)

Class 1-2/1600 went to Eric Duran, Arnoldo Ramirez and Dave Caspino.

Class 3: Darren Skilton, Gerardo Barragan.

Class 5: Kevin Carr, Shaun Dunbar.

Class 5/1600: Alanso Angulo, Miguel Rosales and Marcos Nunez.

Class 6: Robert Pickering, Heidi Steele.

Class 7: Dan Chamlee, Aaron Celicio, Bill Kunz.

Class 7SX: John Holmes, Oscar Solaiza.

Class 8: Rodrigo Ampudia, Clyde Stacey.

Class 9: Daniel Reyes Jr.

Class 10: Mikey Lawrence (16th overall in a ten car!), Will Higman, Tito
Robles.

Class 12: Lee Banning, Brent Parkhouse, John Langley.

Class 11: Eric Solorzano, Rene Rodriguez.

Stock Full: Joe Bacal (The Lexus!)

Stock Mini: Gavin Skilton.

Pro Truck:  Rob Kittleson .