Sopwith to Compete in 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000

Sopwith Motorsports will tackle North America’s most famous off-road race
when it vies for the Trophylite class championship at the 43rd Tecate
SCORE Baja 1000 this fall. The point-to-point race begins November 17th on
Mexico’s Pacific coastline at Ensenda and concludes four days later in La
Paz on the Sea of Cortez.

Sopwith has joined forces with BBQ Island Motorsports, which won the
Trophylite class at Baja in 2009, for its first foray into the legendary
race. Team drivers will include Baja winner Mike West, short track UTV
star Corry Weller, and two-time road racing champion and Trophy Truck
pilot Stephen Cox.

“We are excited to have someone with Stephen’s experience along with us,”
said team owner and race winner Mike West of BBQ Island. “Experienced guys
always have an advantage down there. With a little patience and great
people around us, we should do well.”

The Sopwith/BBQ Island Trophylite entry is a 110-inch wheelbase, 2500 lb,
purpose built off-road racing truck equipped with General Tires. Painted
in Molten Orange, it is the first General Tire Trophylite truck to be
based on Ford’s Z-tech engine platform with race preparation by Turnkey
Engines of Oceanside, CA. Photographs will be available as soon as the
brand new truck is completed at the Trophylite racing shop in Phoenix.

“Joining a championship team with two winning drivers as teammates is the
ideal situation,” Cox said. “BBQ Island Motorsports has the experience and
the logistical planning to get it done again. They’re proven champions,
and I’m fortunate to be able to contribute. Running the Baja 1000 is like
participating at LeMans or Daytona… it’s a life experience that any
racecar driver would love to have. I really appreciate Mike and the BBQ
Island team bringing me on board.”

About the Baja 1000
The SCORE Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico’s Baja
California Peninsula in the fall. The first official race started in
Tijuana, Baja California, on October 31, 1967, and was named the NORRA
Mexican 1000 Rally. The course length varies for a point-to-point event
but is often over 1,000 miles. Former race winners include Parnelli Jones,
Ivan Stewart and Robby Gordon. Notable past participants include Roberto
Guerrero, Steve McQueen, Rod Millen, Paul Newman, Travis Pastrana and
Mickey Thompson.

About Stephen Cox
After more than 20 years of racing, Stephen has proven to be among the
most versatile drivers in the sport. His driving résumé includes winged
formula Atlantics, Rolex sports cars, Busch series stock cars, Trophy
Trucks, GT-2 and production superstock road racers, ARCA trucks, open
wheel modifieds, dirt cars and rally cars. In addition to two road racing
championships, he’s posted wins on dirt and asphalt ovals in both full
fender and open wheel cars. In 2008, Stephen notched a Top Ten class
finish in his first-ever desert race at the Henderson Fabtech Desert
Classic. Stephen was the official factory test driver for Mitsubishi’s
Lancer Evolution supercar. When he’s not in the cockpit, Cox is frequently
found producing and hosting motorsports broadcasts. He currently co-hosts
the Mecum Auto Auction on HD Theater. Stephen also anchors and produces
Best in the Desert TV on Fox Sports and Outdoor Channel, as well as the
Trophylite racing series.

General Tire is the presenting sponsor of the “Best in the Desert TV”
television program.

Mastercraft Safety supplies Stephen Cox’s racing gear.