Rob MacCachren showed everyone this past week that when your drivers education teacher told you to keep two hands on the wheel, it actually slows you down.  Coming off a broken collar bone after a rollover in his Pro 2 truck a month back at Glen Helen, MacCachren not only reached the podium last week out in Crandon, but also took the overall win in his Trophy Truck today at the SCORE San Felipe Challenge of Champions race.   Also impressive is that he won this same race back in March, but nearly 5 minutes slower then his winning time of today.  Tavo Vildosola led most of the race only to be slowed down by a hub issue at race mile 196, allowing Rob Mac gain the lead again.

In Class 1 Dan McMillin who teamed up with Chuck Hovey once again took the top spot in their respective class.  Both drivers are coming off impressive showings at the BITD Vegas 2 Reno race where Hovey grabbed a top 5, and Dan finished in the Top 10 at his first stab at racing a Trophy Truck with his dad Mark.  Coming in second place was the always fast Letner Racing who had the lead but was forced to drive the last 30 miles with no power steering slowing them down.

The real winner in San Felipe were Gatorade and water bottle companies as the heat took its toll on everyone.  Contingency on Friday was a ghost town most of the day with very little vendors, and everyone rushing through to get their cars past tech to stay out of the heat.  With temps reaching over 100 in town and humidity at 40% people stayed inside, in the pool, or at the bar to keep cool.  On race day the usual overpopulated Zoo Road was probably only at 40% capacity.   Other popular spectating spots on the course also had less spectators, leading people to wonder is the lack of spectators due to the high heat or because of the lack of entries?

- Jesse Ashcraft was in third place in Trophy Truck when rolled the truck at race mile 248.  Medical help was requested for the codriver but was later canceled.
- Caspino was stuck on the dry lake bed for a while as they could be heard on Weatherman asking for help repeatedly.
- Andy McMillin sat this one out in his Trophy Truck but shared driving duties with his older sister Jessica in the protruct.  Word on the street is that he is selling the Trophy Truck to get another Protruck.  Not really.
- Justin Davis threw a fan belt and had power steering issues slowing him down off the start.
- CTR Trophy Truck cracked oil pan.
- Bad Apple Racing blew a motor.
- Their seemed to be more Ford Raptors in town then race entires.

Photos by Jason Zindroski of HighRev Photography

[Show as slideshow]

MasterCraft Racing came to Mexico for the 43rd annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 with high expectations.  After winning the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 Rob MacCachren was second in season points and looking to continue his march towards the season championship.  Meanwhile teammate, Robbie Pierce, was looking to end his string of bad luck in the desert.  Both were successful as MacCachren and co-driver, Cisco Bio, finished second overall in the No. 20 ROCKSTAR Energy Drink / MasterCraft Safety Trophy Truck and Pierce finished 11^th of 28 competitors in SCORE’s marquee Trophy Truck class.

Matt Loiodice is podium threat at every single short course race. Part of the Mastercraft Safety / Impact Off Road Team with off-road legend Rob MacCachren, and Robbie Pierce, Matt Finished an impressive 4th place overall in Pro-Lite class in the 2010 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Supported by Mastercraft Safety / Impact, Maxxis Tire, and Jimco,  Matt  is posed to continue to make his climb up the podium in the ultra  competitive pro-lite class. The competition this year has stepped up significatly, but so has Matt Loiodice.

Directed by The Martelli Brothers, Produced by Mad Media

Climb in the driver’s seat and race door-to-door, during the Lucas Oil Off-Road Race (Rounds 3 & 4) at Speedworld in Surprise, AZ.  Mastercraft / Impact team members Rob MacCachren, Matt Loiodice, and Robbie Pierce slammed and mashed their way though the field as more than half of the competition fell by the wayside.  After battling through two sixteen lap races over two days, the team took home two first place finishes with Rob MacCachren in his Rockstar Energy Racing Mastercraft Safety Pro-2.

Directed by The Martelli Brothers, Produced by Mad Media

If you have been a off-road fan in the last 25 years, then you know who Rob MacCachren is.  If not let me tell you he is a legend, one that is still building on his already massive list of accomplishments.  Let’s start with the fact that he started racing off-road at age 16, and climbed his way up from racing a 1600 buggy (which he still races to this day!), to being the most prolific trophy truck driver on the planet.  Oh, and short course as well.  Wins stacked upon wins, championships on top of championships starting with The Mickey Thompson Series, then SODA, then CORR, now TORC and the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series where he carries the number one plate in Pro-2.  Rob MacCachren is the living embodiment of off-road racing.  Did I mention wins and championships in the desert as well?  SNORE, SCORE, BITD, NORA, HDRA, etc.  I personally witnessed Rob finish the 2009 Mint 400 6th overall in  a 1600 car!  Crazy right?  This guy should be one of the most celebrated drivers on the planet!  In 2007 he won three of the six SCORE races with the Rivera Team!  Talk about domination.  The unbelievable thing is the guy is humble and soft spoken. The Europeans can have Michael Schumacher, we have Rob MacCachren!

Here are a few questions I asked the champ last weekend while he was putting on a driving clinic winning both days at the Lucas Oil Off-Road Race in Surprise, AZ.

You had a rough start to your short course season.  Rounds 1-2 of LOORS didn’t really go your way.

We tried some pretty radical adjustments to the truck and it didn’t pan out.  Once things go wrong it’s hard to not get frustrated and make mistakes and that’s exactly what happened.  The competition in the Pro-2 field is serious, if you make mistakes you are done. We went back to our original set up and the truck was much better, it’s a constant battle trying to figure out how to make the truck better without compromising something.  I have a great crew and crew chief Jim Blackmore who have been with me a long time and have a ton of knowledge.

Your desert season is off to a great start. You overalled the Mastercraft SCORE San Felipe 250!

We really needed the win in San Felipe; it felt good.  We have a great JIMCO built trophy truck and a great team and great sponsors supporting us.  I just tired to drive smart.  San Felipe is brutal!  There is no rest; you just have to pace yourself.  I have broken there plenty of times.  We want to win everything this year including the championship.

You were leading the BITD Parker 425 for a while, are you going to race the rest of the Best in The Desert Series?

If it was up to me I would race everything!  SCORE, BITD, SNORE, LOORS, TORC, maybe even some Rally!  We will see what the sponsors want us to do.  I know Robbie Pierce wants us to race everything as well.

I heard you are going to race TORC as well.

Yeah, I was able to put a deal together with TRAXXAS and Dodge to race back there.  I am really stoked.  I love Crandon.  I just want to race against the best no matter where it is.  Crandon is a special place for me, I have so many friends, fans and memories there.

How did you get your start in off-road racing?

My dad raced, so I started with riding in the 1600 buggy with him.  Then we did a few races together and he retired and I got to take over as the primary driver.  He made me work on the buggy, which helped me learn the vehicle and become a better driver.  Then we bought a better single buggy and I started racing everything I could.  I got a shot to take over for Jack Johnson driving the single seat Barbary Coast Class 1 car that was fielded out of Valley Performance by Butch Dean.  I met Walker Evans there, which led to a ride with him in desert and eventually short course.  I have been lucky, a lot of people helped me along the way.

Rob MacCachren in the Barbary Coast Buggy

You have had a long and remarkable carrier.  What does that feel like?

It feels great.  I have been able to race with my heroes and friends.  Jack Johnson, Walker Evans, Larry Ragland, Roger Mears, Ivan Stewart, Rod Millen, Glen Harris, just to name a few.  I remember being told that I was going to get paid to race and I was like really?  You are going to pay me for this?  The weird thing is I still feel like a kind of a kid when I climb in to the truck. I do this to win.  I want to win every race and every championship.

You remember any remarkable moments?

Tons of them!  In short course I remember when I passed Rod Millen (who I looked up to) at Crandon and Nye Frank looks at me and goes, “Now you’re the guy!”  I thought that was a pretty cool moment.  In desert I have had tons.  This last Baja 500 Larry Ragland and I were banging doors just after Diablo Dry lakebed at over 100mph!  I was like “This is crazy”.  I can’t believe we were battling like that.  Larry didn’t want to give up an inch, it was nuts!

Rob MacCachren and the legendary FORD "Rough Riders".

What are your plans for the rest of your career in off-road racing?

I plan on racing for many years to come.  Larry Ragland is 60+ and he is still schooling most of the field, so I am going to race as long as I am competitive and even after that I will probably race, I just love this.  It’s what I do.  I am lucky I found something I am good at.  As long as it feels right I will keep doing it.

What would you tell young people getting into off-road racing?

Take your time moving up.  Start small and basic.  Volunteer for a team.  Learn from your mistakes and you will get better.  Have fun and do this because you love it!  You will have some of the best experiences and hardest challenges you can ever imagine.  You will meet some of the best people on the planet and go to some of the most beautiful places and see things that no one else get’s to experience.  Keep your eyes open and be ready for adventure!

Here is a little context for who Rob MacCachren is:

182+ career victories and 20 series championships between closed short course and open desert racing.

5 SCORE Baja 1000 victories

5 SCORE Baja 500 wins

3 consecutive short course Pro 2 Championships (2008, 2009 and 2010)

3 consecutive Borg-Warner trophies (1999, 2000, and 2001)

3 Governor’s Cup Championships

Heralded as the premier off-road driver after winning the longest distance (1296 miles point-to-point) SCORE Baja 1000 ever held in 2007

[Show as slideshow]

Words: Matt Martelli of Mad Media

Rob MacCachren is one of the winningest off-road racers in the world. He has competed against, and beaten the best of the best in short course and the desert, for nearly three decades. After having some trouble with vehicle set up at rounds 1-2 of the 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road racing series, he showed up to Arizona for rounds 3 & 4 ready to defend his number one plate, and remind everybody why he carries it. Rob qualified and finished first both days, taking home two important wins for team Mastercraft / Impact!  This video highlights the non-stop door rubbing short course off-road action that went down April 16th and 17th at the Speedworld Off Road Park, in Surprise, Arizona!

Produced by Mad Media – Directed by The Martelli Brothers

Rob MacCachren has long held a reputation for being a talented driver, the kind of “hired gun” you add to the team to guarantee victory. Yet despite over 175 event wins and 20 championships, his “hired gun” status also meant that he had never won a SCORE Trophy Truck race as the Driver of Record. All that changed when MacCachren and co-driver, Cisco Bio, bested a field of 220 worthy competitors at the 2011 MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 in the No. 20 SCORE Trophy Truck sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink and MasterCraft Safety. “We have knocked on the door and come so close so many times; it is great to finally take home the victory for everyone who has worked so hard to make this program possible. I didn’t just want this win for myself and the sponsors, I wanted it for the team.”

Rob MacCachren started 11th in a crowded field of 24 SCORE Trophy Trucks and quickly worked his way towards the front, battling with the 2010 SCORE Trophy Truck champion, Jesse Jones, for the physical lead. MacCachren was able to traverse the entire 252.09 mile treacherous course in an impressive four hours, 17 minutes and 45 seconds with no flats from his BFGoodrich tires. Battling a slipping steering belt for most of the race, the Las Vegas native took a gamble during the fuel stop at race mile 108 by opting to spray the belt with carburetor cleaner and get back on course as quickly as possible. The gamble paid off as ‘Rockstar Rob’ not only claimed the class win, he also claimed the overall victory and took the checkered flag just 44 seconds ahead of the second overall finisher, Jesse Jones.

Unfortunately MacCachren’s teammate and Impact and MasterCraft Safety CEO, Robbie Pierce, did not fare as well in the No. 30 Impact by MasterCraft Safety / Rockstar Energy Drink SCORE Trophy Truck. After starting the race in the 7th position, Pierce battled brake issues throughout the day requiring the crew to bleed the brakes during the fuel pit. Eventually, the No. 30 succombed to an intermediate shaft failure at Race Mile 172 and Pierce reluctantly had to call the race. It was a disappointing DNF after Pierce claimed a respectable fourth place finish at last year’s MasterCraft Safety San Felipe 250 and also concluded the 2010 SCORE International race season fourth in points.

When asked about the race, Robbie remarked, “I wish my day would have gone better; nothing would have made me happier than to put both our Jimco-built SCORE Trophy Trucks up on that podium in the first and second spot, but unfortunately the unforgiving San Felipe desert had other plans for me. Regardless, I am thrilled for Rob and his victory. It really is the next best thing to my own win and I couldn’t be more pleased and more proud of Rob and the incredible MasterCraft Racing support crew.”

Pictured above: Robbie Pierce (left) and Rob MacCachren (right)

Held along the Sea of Cortez in picturesque Baja California, Mexico, the 2011 MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 marked round two of SCORE International’s five race desert series. The course traversed 252 miles of sandy washes, deep silt beds, and incredibly rough rocky and whooped out terrain. Look for the MasterCraft Racing Team to continue their winning ways as they work towards the SCORE season championship at the 43nd annual SCORE Baja 500 in beautiful Ensenada, Baja California on June 3-5, 2011.

MasterCraft Racing is Sponsored by:

Rockstar Energy Drink • BFGoodrich • Jimco • Fox Shox • Walker Evans
Rancho Drivetrain • MSD Ignition • Palomar Communications • KC HiLites

ROCKSTAR is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles – from athletes to rock stars.

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  LOS ANGELES—Desert racers Nick Vanderwey of Arizona and Chad Thornton of New Mexico received the pole positions for four-wheel and two-wheel vehicles in the computerized drawing for starting positions held Saturday for the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the MasterCraft SafetyTecate SCORE San Felipe 250. Vanderwey races in the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division while Thornton competes in Class 22 for open motorcycles.
     Round 2 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series will be held March 10-13 in Mexico’s picturesque fishing village of San Felipe, located 120 miles south of the U.S. border on the East side of the Baja California peninsula along the azure waters of the tranquil Sea of Cortez.
     As part of the festivities of the 25th anniversary of the popular SCORE ‘spring-break’ race, SCORE has made it a memorial race to honor long-time SCORE Mexican liaison Jose ‘Pepe’ Limon, who passed away last November at age 73.
     With entries accepted up to race morning, over 275 entries from over 20 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. The green flag will drop at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 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.
     Following January’s season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series will be visiting Mexico for the first of its three annual SCORE Baja races.
     The start draw for Round 2 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series determined the starting order within each of the various classes in the elapsed-time race.
     Drawing the first starting slot for the unlimited Class 1 open-wheel desert race cars was David Greenhill of Crowley, Texas. Riding the first ATV off the line will be Class 25 team led by Rafael Torres, who is actually from San Felipe.
     With 28 entries so far in the marquee SCORE racing division for high-tech, 850 horsepower, unlimited production trucks, Vanderwey, 44, part of a successful family business in Phoenix, will lead a strong field in SCORE Trophy-Truck that features many of the world’s top desert racers in the No. 84 Flying Dutchmen Racing Chevy Silverado.  Vanderwey, who finished third in the 2010 season point standings in SCORE Trophy-Truck, races with his brothers Larry, 42, and Michael, 36.
     A unique part of Saturday’s drawing was 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. Eleven of the top 12 SCORE Trophy-Trucks from last November’s 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 entered the race in time for the drawing along with six racers from Class 1.
     Thornton, 39, of Farmington, N.M., will ride a KTM 530KCW motorcycle in Class 22 and his co-riders will be Kyle Abney, 39, Albuquerque, N.M., and Mike Whitman, 53, also of Farmington.
     Last year’s overall 4-wheel, 2-wheel and ATV champions are all expected to again be part of the field. Last year’s overall 4-wheel champion was the unlimited Class 1 All German Motorsports team of Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif. (Denmark), 2-wheel champion was the JCR Honda team of Colton Udall/Jeff Kargola, San Clemente, Calif. on a Honda CRF450X and the Overall ATV winner was the team of Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Josh Caster, El Cajon, Calif./Wes Miller, Los Angeles, on a Honda TRX700X. Also entered is Jesse Jones, Litchfield Park, Ariz., the reigning SCORE Desert Series overall season point champion who also won the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck in this race last year in his No. 1 Jones Motorsports Ford F-150.
     In Saturday’s computerized drawing, SCORE Trophy-Truck had the most entries with 28, followed by the unlimited Class 1 with 18 and SCORE Lite with 10. While 135 entries were received in time for the start draw, late registration will be accepted up until race morning and as many as 150 additional entries are expected.
     Among the Pro motorcycle classes, the open Class 22 had the most vehicles entered in the drawing with six.
     Leading the Sportsman classes was SPT M/C 450> with 10 entries in time for the drawing.
     Besides the Jones, Udall and Matlock teams, the other defending class winners entered so far this year are: David Caspino, Woodland Hills, Calif. (Class 6), Dan Chamlee, Cupertino, Calif. (Class 7), Dave Crinklaw, Fawn Finchum, Mesa, Ariz. (Class 7-2), Adam Neuwirth, Los Angeles (Class 21), Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 30), Donald Lewis, Marlborough, Conn. (Class 60), Jason Trubey, Henderson, Nev. (Class 20, but has moved to Class 22 this year) and returning with teammate Jeff Kaplan, Thousand Oaks, Calif., as rider of record is Lou Franco, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Class 40).
     Three teams, McMillins, Wilsons and RPM Offroad, each have five entries in the race. 
     Andy McMillin, National City, Calif., and his father Scott, race in SCORE Trophy-Truck, while Scott’s daughter Jessica McMillin is racing in Protruck. Scott’s brother Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif., is also racing in SCORE Trophy-Truck while Mark’s sons Daniel (Class 1) and Luke (Class 1-2/1600) are also entered in this year’s event.
     Brothers Randy and Ronny Wilson, of Long Beach and Lakewood, Calif. each have cars in Class 1 while third generation brothers Brad and Brian are both racing in Class 1-2/1600 and Las Vegas’ Sammy Ehrenberg is driving the team’s SCORE Lite entry with Ronny Wilson listed as a co-driver.
     Traveling all the way from Bristol, Tenn. and Bristol, Va., RPM’s Justin Matney is driver of record in both Class 8 and Class 11 (two classes he won in January’s SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge), Clyde Stacy is racing in both SCORE Trophy-Truck and Class 4 (which he won in Laughlin) and Justin’s father John Matney will be driving the RPM entry in the Stock Full class.
     This year’s race will use a race course of just under 250 miles that is very similar to the past two years with a few modifications beyond those caused by normal weather conditions. Running in a counter clockwise direction out of San Felipe up to and then parallel to Highway 3 (south side) and then south back down through three of the most picturesque and challenging washes in all of Baja.
     After the start at the landmark San Felipe Arches, the race will proceed north and then Northwest and then south to the entrance of majestic Matomi Wash. After Matomi, the challenging course will run through two more of the infamous Baja canyons—Huatomote and Chanate before heading back Northwest for the final sprint to the finish line.
     The pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and tech inspection of the vehicles in the race will be held on Friday, March 11 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.
     As if winning his first overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck race in just his second try wasn’t enough, rookie Bryce Menzies of Las Vegas also finds himself atop the SCORE Overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck point leader board after the recent season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge.
     After coming from behind midway through the two-day race to earn the victory over another typical star-studded SCORE race field, Menzies, 23, leads defending SCORE Overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion Jesse Jones, 67-61. Menzies, who finished seventh in his first SCORE Trophy-Truck race last June at the Tecate SCORE Baja 500, drives the No. 70 Red Bull Ford F-150 for Menzies Motorsports while Jones, 45, pilots the No. 1 Jones Motorsports Ford F-150.
     With just 27 points separating the top 25 in 2011 SCORE Overall points after Laughlin’s season-opener, SCORE racers are now preparing to begin official pre-running of the MasterCraft Safety Teacate SCORE San Felipe 250 which opens on Saturday, Feb. 26.
          After his surprising victory in Laughlin in the unlimited Class 1 for open-wheel desert race cars, tied for second in overall points with Jones is 17-year old Justin Davis, Chino Hills, Calif., last year’s SCORE Lite season point champion, in a Chevy-powered ESM open wheeler.
     After a strong third-place finish overall and in SCORE Trophy-Truck in Laughlin, Mexico’s Gus Vildosola Jr., who won last year’s legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 peninsula run with his father Gus Vildosola Sr., is fourth in overall points with 57 in the No. 21 Red Bull Ford F-150 of Vildosola Racing while fifth overall and second in Class 1 points with 55 is third-generation desert racer Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., who drives an Alpha-Chevy.
      Round 2 of the 2011 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 24 years, the race was 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 in this event. Drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also attempting to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season.  Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 26th consecutive year, a total of 72 drivers remain eligible after Round 1 of the 2011 SCORE Desert 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, which includes a $2,000 MasterCraft bonus.
     Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull–official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Blue C Advertising, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.
     While MasterCraft Safety and Tecate are co-title sponsors of the 25th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, additional race sponsors are: the Tourism and Convention Bureau of Mexicali/San Felipe and Cotuco. Additional sponsors in Baja are the Office of the Secretary of Tourism of Baja California and ProTurismo de Ensenada.
     For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.
 
25th Annual MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250
March 10-13, 2011—San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
Total Entries: 135 (as of 2/12/11)
(from 18 States, Canada, Finland, Germany, Mexico)
 
Pro Cars & Trucks
SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK (28)
84 Nick Vanderwey
98 Gary Weyhrich
8 Roger Norman
21 Gus Vildosola Jr.
97 B.J. Baldwin
23 Mark McMillin
30 Robbie Pierce
49 Troy Herbst
77 Robby Gordon
1 Jesse Jones
20 Rob MacCachren
19 Tim Herbst
24 Adam Householder
39 Ron Whitton
65 Lloyd Sproule
27 Dave Crinklaw
54 Jesse James
47 James Bult
96 Bobby Baldwin
10 Ken Losch
16 Cameron Steele
31 Andy McMillin
70 Bryce Menzies
18 Clyde Stacy
78 Jesse Ashcraft
59 Craig Potts
51 Kory Scheeler
2 Pete Sohren
CLASS 1 (18)
101 David Greenhill
102 Rudy Cortez
103 Daniel McMillin
104 Cam Thieriot
105 Todd Romano
106 Steve Appleton
107 Dan Martin
108 Justin Davis
109 Randy Wilson
110 Harley Letner
111 Brian Parkhouse
112 Corey Keysar
113 Derrick Sproule
114 Enrique Bujanda
115 Ronny Wilson
116 Victor Gruber
117 Josh Rigsby
118 Conan Barker
CLASS 1-2/1600 (5)
1600 Luke McMillin
1601 Brian Wilson
1602 J.J. Schnarr
1603 Brad Wilson
1604 Arturo Velazco
CLASS 3 (0)
CLASS 5 (2)
501 Cody Kellogg
502 Victor Cesena
CLASS 5/1600 (0)
CLASS 6 (4)
601 Scott Ulrich
600 Dave Caspino
603 Jeff Holmes
619 Heidi Steele
CLASS 7 (1)
700 Dan Chamlee
CLASS 7SX (0)
CLASS 8 (1)
839 Justin Matney
CLASS 9 (0)
CLASS 10 (3)
1001 Lars Ferry
1002 Matt Cullen
1003 John Langley
SCORE LITE (10)
1201 Steven Lisa
1202 Zak Langley
1203 Sammy Ehrenberg
1204 Jaime Huerta
1205 Samuel Araiza
1206 Rafael Navarro IV
1207 Arturo Honold
1208 Lee Banning
1209 Franciso Villagomez
1249 Jack Moreno
CLASS 11 (2)
1101 Matt Cullen
1149 Justin Matney
STOCK FULL (1)
879 John Matney
STOCK MINI (0)
PROTRUCK (1)
1301 Jessica McMillin
CLASS 4 (2)
401 Brian Hewitt
439 Clyde Stacy
CLASS 7-2 (2)
721 Fawn Finchum
722 Bruce Finchum
 
PRO MOTORCYCLES
CLASS 22 (6)
2x Chad Thornton
1x Kendall Norman
3x Jack Lundin
4x Kurt Caselli
5x Shane Esposito
6x Colton Udall
CLASS 21 (5)
101x David Kleiman
102x Trevor Insley
103x Brody Kunz
104x David Gonzalez Jr
105x Adam Neuwirth
CLASS 30 (5)
301x Bill Witt
302x Tim Abshire
303x Aldo Ramirez
300x Francisco Septien
305x Alberto Ruiz
CLASS 40 (3)
401x Mike Prunty
400x Jeff Kaplan
403x Oscar Fazz
CLASS 60 (2)
601x William Rogers
600x Donald Lewis
 
PRO ATVs
CLASS 25 (6)
2a Rafael Torres
3a Travis Dillon
4a James Woodford
5a Paul Velaquez
6a Mark Germino
1a Wayne Matlock
CLASS 24 (5)
101a Juan Sanchez
102a Joselito Muro
103a Heriberto Marquez
104a Romulo Gomez
105a Jesus Munguia

SPORTSMAN
SPT CAR (2)
1400 Peter Lang
1401 George Jackson
SPT UTV (4)
1800 Thomas Graves
1801 Dave Roberts
1802 Bill Morris
1803 Kevin Fuller
SPT M/C< (1)
201x Marcus Palacios
SPT M/C> (10)
251x Carlos Valdez
252x Jeff Palmer
253x Anthony Fiore
254x Risto Niemi
255x Steve Malley
256x Cody Larsen
257x Connor Olson
258x Jimmy Boutwell
298x Mario Iannucci
299x Brandon Thompson
SPT ATV (5)
51a Paul Engen
52a Jose Torres
53a Eduardo Cardenas
54a Antonio Herrera III
55a Moises Saiza

CEDAR CITY, UT    FEBRUARY 1, 2011:  On Track Racing Team, composed of Dean Bulloch, Barry Beadle, Buzz Bronsema and Todd Stephensen will put four Ultra4 cars on the starting grid of the 2011 Griffin King of the Hammers running BFGoodrich KRT Tires.  “We have pretty much been a team all along without saying anything,” said Barry Beadle.  “We are making it formal so we can show team support at all the Ultra4 Races this year.  Each member of the team brings a talent and success from 2010, which when put all together we have a greater chance to make a serious impact.”

On Track Racing Team is supported by BFGoodrich, the tire of choice for all four drivers.  “BFGoodrich is all we have ran and we really like them.  It is all I would ever want to run,” said Buzz Bronsema.  PSC Steering has also been a main partner in the team, “Tom and the whole group at PSC has been extremely helpful in getting us anything that we need,” said Todd Stephensen.  Other partners include Trail-Gear, WARN Winch, Mastercraft Safety, Winchline, and CTM Racing Products.

King of the Hammers will be the first official appearance for this team.  “Three of the four cars are tested and proven.  Our team is better prepared than any race that we have been to,” said Dean Bulloch.  “I am really jazzed to have great people and great supporters on the team.  Even if we don’t win, they will certainly know we are there!”    Barry Beadle #4452 will start in the second row, Todd Stephensen #4427 will start mid pack in the 47^th PSC spot.  At the rear of the pack will be Dean Bulloch #4411 in 96^th and Buzz Bronsema #4417 will start on the last row drawing the 99^th starting position.  “I’m not too worried about it, we will just get really good at passing people,” said Buzz Bronsema.  Then added, “however, we did install a fresh air kit this year!”

In addition to having four cars in Fridays race, they will also have an Artic Cat Prowler in the Pit Bull Tires UTV King of the Hammers race on Thursday.   In 2010 the same group, although not officially associated as a team, had 3 Ultra4 cars and the UTV racing in the King of the Hammers, and all 4 vehicles finished.

The On Track Racing Team will start the 2011 season with the Griffin King of the Hammers and then will complete the additional Ultra4 races including BITD Silver State 300, Rausch Creek, American Rocksports Challenge, Stampede and Glen Helen Grand Prix.  Team members may participate in additional series including, but not limited to, Extreme Desert Racing Series, MOROC Extreme Off Road Racing Series and W.E. Rock.

More Information: http://www.facebook.com/pages/On-Track-Racing/185871448111944

Sponsors – BFGoodrich Tires, PSC Motorsports, Trail-Gear, WARN Winches, Mastercraft Safety, Winchline, CTM Racing Products

On Track Racing Team
#4411 Dean Bulloch / Tom Allen
#4417 Buzz Bronsema / Shon Wilson
#4427 Todd Stepensen / Devin Jones
#4452 Barry Beadle / Kevin Barnes

LOS ANGELES—Many of the world’s top desert racers are expected to be entered in time for  the computerized start draw on Feb. 12 for next month’s 25th Anniversary of the 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 10-13 along the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
As part of the festivities of the 25th anniversary of the popular SCORE race, SCORE has made it a memorial race to honor long-time SCORE Mexican liaison Jose ‘Pepe’ Limon, who passed away last November at 73.
With entries accepted up to race morning, over 275 entries from over 20 US States and 10 countries expected to enter as competition will be held in 28 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes in the popular race. The green flag will drop at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 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.

Following January’s 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 2011.
The start draw for Round 2 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series will determine the starting order within each of the various classes in the elapsed-time race.
“San Felipe has always been a very popular race on the SCORE Baja racing schedule and it adds something even more special to our 25th anniversary of the event to be holding it in memory of our dear friend Pepe Limon,” said Sal Fish, SCORE CEO/President since soon after SCORE was founded in 1973.  “Pepe was our go-to guy in Mexico for many years and while he hasn’t been active for the last several years, he certainly helped lay the foundation for the great relationships we continue to enjoy to this day with the government, ejidos and the people of Mexico, especially in Baja California.”

Fish also announced that the final course will be a combination of parts of both the 2009 and the 2010 routes, offering racers “the best of baja” once again.  The course is expected to be finalized within the next week.
A unique part of next 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 10 finishers in each class from last November’s 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
The top 12 finishers in SCORE Trophy-Truck from the 2010 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 were: Gus Vildosola Jr./Gus Vildosola Sr., Mexicali, Mexico, Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Roger Norman, Reno, Nev., B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Gary Weyhrich/Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Troy Herbst/Brian
Collins, Las Vegas, Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix/Larry Vanderwey, Litchfield Park, Ariz., Jason Voss/Rich Voss, Cupertino, Calif., Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif./Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif., Robbie Pierce, Santee, Calif., Jesse Jones, Litchfield Park, Ariz..

In the unlimited Class 1, the top 12 finishers from the 2010 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 were: Steve Appleton, Boise, Idaho, Daniel McMillin, El Cajon, Calif./Steve Sourapas, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Nick Johnson, Anaheim Hills, Calif., Juan C. Flores, Cabo San Lucas, Calif., Paul Keller, El Cajon, Calif., Rudy Cortez/Carlos Cortez, Henderson, Nev., Armin Kremer, Germany/Andreas Aigner, Austria, Cameron Thieriot/Max Thieriot, Petaluma, Calif., Todd Romano, Mesa, Ariz., Dale Lenk, Costa Mesa, Calif./Brent Lenk/Grant Lenk, Newport Beach, Calif., Kory Halopoff/Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., David Greenhill/Mike Greenhill, Crowley, Texas.

Last year’s overall 4-wheel, 2-wheel and ATV champions are all expected to enter this year as well. Last year’s overall 4-wheel champion was the unlimited Class 1 All German Motorsports team of Armin Schwarz, Germany/Martin Christensen, Escondido, Calif. (Denmark), 2-wheel champion was the JCR Honda team of Colton Udall/Jeff Kargola, San Clemente, Calif. on a Honda CRF450X and the Overall ATV winner was the team of Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif./Josh Caster, El Cajon, Calif./Wes Miller, Fallbrook, Calif., on a Honda TRX700X.
The pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and tech inspection of the vehicles in the race will be held on Friday, March 11 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.

As if winning his first overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck race in just his second try wasn’t enough, rookie Bryce Menzies of Las Vegas also finds himself atop the SCORE Overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck point leader board after the recent season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge.

After impressively coming from behind midway through the two-day race to earn the victory over another typical star-studded SCORE race field, Menzies, 23, leads defending SCORE Overall and SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion Jesse Jones, Litchfield Park, Ariz., 67-61 after Round 1 of the five-race 2011 SCORE Desert Series, the world’s foremost desert racing series. Menzies, who finished seventh in his first SCORE Trophy-Truck race last June at the Tecate SCORE Baja 500, drives the No. 70 Red Bull Ford F-150 for Menzies Motorsports while Jones, 45, pilots the No. 1 Jones Motorsports Ford F-150.

With just 27 points separating the top 25 in 2011 SCORE Overall points after Laughlin’s season-opener, SCORE racers are now preparing to begin official pre-running of the MasterCraft Safety Teacate SCORE San Felipe 250 which opens on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Menzies and Jones race in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck division for high-tech, 850-horsepower unlimited production trucks. With extremely tight competition, just 24 points separate the top 25 overall point leaders following the season-opener of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series.  Ironically, the SCORE Trophy-Truck that Menzies drives was originally owned by Jones, who won his only race in it when he captured his class at last year’s MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.

After his surprising victory in Laughlin in the unlimited Class 1 for open-wheel desert race cars, tied for second in overall points with Jones is 17-year old Justin Davis, Chino Hills, Calif., last year’s SCORE Lite season point champion, in a Chevy-powered ESM open wheeler. While Menzies defeated a field of 32 SCORE Trophy-Trucks in Laughlin, Davis mastered a group of 26 stalwarts in Class 1 to earn his class win.

After a strong third-place finish overall and in SCORE Trophy-Truck in Laughlin, Mexico’s Gus Vildosola Jr., who won last year’s legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 peninsula run with his father Gus Vildosola Sr., is fourth in overall points with 57 in the No. 21 Red Bull Ford F-150 of Vildosola Racing while fifth overall and second in Class 1 points with 55 is third-generation desert racer Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., who drives an Alpha-Chevy.
Round 2 of the 2011 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 24 years, the race was 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 in this event. Drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also attempting to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season.  Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 26th consecutive year, a total of 72 drivers remain eligible after Round 1 of the 2011 SCORE Desert 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.

Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull–official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Blue C Advertising, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

While MasterCraft Safety and Tecate are co-title sponsors of the 25th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, additional race sponsors are: the Tourism and Convention Bureau of Mexicali/San Felipe and Cotuco. Additional sponsors in Baja are the Office of the Secretary of Tourism of Baja California and ProTurismo de Ensenada.
For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

LOS ANGELES—Continuing its position as the innovator and the leader in cutting-edge development for the sport of desert racing, SCORE International CEO/President Sal Fish has announced that SCORE has added four classes and modified 10 others among its 34 Pro and six Sportsman racing classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs in the five-race SCORE Desert Series.
Celebrating its 38th year as the organizer and promoter of the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series, SCORE, based in Los Angeles, has introduced Class 2, Class 2-D, SCORE Extreme Lite and the SCORE Ultra Green and made modifications in existing the following existing classes: Class 8, Class 10, Class 7-2, Class 4, Class 22, Class 21, Class 25, Class 24, SPT M/C< and SPT M/C>.
“SCORE has proudly been the pioneer in our sport of desert racing, from introducing classes, safety guidelines and continues to be at the forefront of expanding technology and increasing innovation,” commented Fish, who has led SCORE since soon after it was founded in 1973. “These new classes will allow SCORE to remain current with the demands of the racing enthusiasts as well as cultural advancements within the industry. From developing the first classes allowing turbo and super-charged engines, both regular gasoline and diesel, to introducing the first class for hybrid or electric vehicles, SCORE solidifies its position as the preeminent desert racing organization in the world.
“To assist the needs of our racers, we have also made modifications to our rules in eight classes, all designed to help the ever-changing landscape of desert racing worldwide.”
Under the guidance of long-time SCORE Tech Director Bill Savage, the descriptions of SCORE’s new competition classes are:
-CLASS 2 (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 3.5-Liter Turbo or supercharged)
-CLASS 2-D (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 3.5-Liter Diesel Turbo or supercharged)
-SCORE EXTREME LITE (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 2.0-Liter, Turbo or supercharged)
-SCORE ULTRA GREEN (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, Hybrid or Electric)
In describing some of the reasoning behind the new classes, Savage, whose SCORE Tech facility is in Vista, Calif., commented, “SCORE wants to keep up with the trends in society which seek more gas mileage, smaller engines and maintain similar horsepower. Additionally, we think now is the time to introduce turbo and super-charged engines, both gasoline and diesel, into SCORE desert racing. We have also identified and modified some rules in four existing SCORE classes to help increase the popularity and keep the classes more affordable for the racers to compete in.”
The most notable rule changes to existing classes are in Class 10, an unlimited open-wheel class with limited engines. Beginning this season SCORE is requiring that all newly-teched vehicles have stock, sealed motors from the manufacturers in an effort to help keep the popular class going and make it more affordable for those competitors who don’t want to move up to the unlimited Class 1.
Under the new rules in Class 10, single-seat open-wheel vehicles with the stock, sealed factory motors can have up to 2.2 liters (2200cc) and two-seaters can have engines up to 2.5 liters (2500cc).
In the motorcycle and ATV classes with changes, the engine displacement cc requirements have been changed to 400cc or less and 401cc or more.
The five-race SCORE Desert Series features two races annual in Southern Nevada and three in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.
SCORE races in the United States feature 25 Pro and two Sportsman classes for cars and trucks and in Mexico the SCORE races have 34 Pro and six Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.
Round 2 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series will be the 25th Annual MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, March 11-13 in Baja California, Mexico.
Following January’s season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series will be visiting Mexico for the first of three races in 2011.
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. Drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are 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 26th consecutive year, a total of 72 drivers remain eligible after Round 1 of the 2011 SCORE Desert 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.
Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull–official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Blue C Advertising, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.
While MasterCraft Safety and Tecate are co-title sponsors of the 25th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, additional race sponsors are: the Tourism and Convention Bureau of Mexicali/San Felipe and Cotuco. Additional sponsors in Baja are the Office of the Secretary of Tourism of Baja California and ProTurismo de Ensenada.
The race annually provides a greater economic impact to San Felipe than the popular six-week-long ‘Spring Break’.
For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

Mastercraft Safety is located in Santee, CA and is perhaps best known for its off road seats and restraint systems but there is a whole lot more going on at Mastercraft. They invited Race-Dezert.com to come in and take a look behind the scenes at some of their new products.

Mastercraft Safety is now making a RaceSuit and many racers are already using it and love it. Each race suit is custom designed and made by hand in-house at Mastercraft. They start out with a computer rendering to make sure they get exact placement for sponsor logos and driver name along with custom colors.

There are several parts of the race suit that make it the best on the market. The outside of the suit is made with Stretch knit Nomex® and includes a lower back expansion panel for added comfort. The arm section of the suit is made with 360 degree stretch knit arm attachments for added mobility soft Nomex® knit.

The neck area of the suit is a Velcro closure, embroidered with the MasterCraft “button” logo.

The legs are boot cut with hidden ankle cuffs made of soft Nomex® knit.

Each piece of the suit is hand sewn together in-house

Once the suit is fully assembled it is sent over to quality control to make sure it is up to the highest of Mastercraft Safety standards.

Next we visited the seat and restraint area. Mastercraft has a state of the art cutting machine that is able to save countless hours over cutting by hand. This machine cuts out the patterns for each seat in just seconds! It can run all day as long as fabric is supplied to it.

Each seat design starts out as a CAD drawing and then is made into real life.

Over in the fabrication shop they make the actual frame of the seat one step at a time. It starts as just straight tube and then it gets cut, bent, and welded in jigs for different style seats.

One of the next steps is gluing the foam onto the frame of the seat.

Once the foam is inside the seat it gets the fabric sewn and stitched onto it, add a Mastercraft Safety harness and the package is complete!

Mastercraft also has a race shop where they are able to do prep on some of their prerunners and race trucks.

Race-Dezert.com would like to thank Mastercraft Safety for letting us come down and tour your facilities and see exactly how your products are made. If you would like more information about any of the products above or any of their various other products please visit: http://www.mastercraftsafety.com



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With the introduction of the suspension seat to the niche off-road community in 1970, MasterCraft Safety immediately became an innovative leader and safety advocate for the off-road racing and recreational four-wheeling markets. Over the last 40 years, MasterCraft Safety has continuously evolved and has strived to expand its presence and improve driver safety through pioneering suspension seat designs and the addition of occupant restraints and driving suits.

Today, MasterCraft Safety once again elevated the company’s presence as a revolutionary manufacturer of safety products and stunned the motorsports industry with the announcement of their acquisition of Bill Simpson’s Impact! Racing Products. The official announcement of the asset-based purchase was delivered during a press conference held at the “Impact! Racing by MasterCraft Safety” booth shortly after the opening of today’s International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Founded in 2002, and led by the iconic and charismatic Bill Simpson, the purchase of Impact! Racing adds a host of new products such as helmets, gloves and shoes that will compliment MasterCraft Safety’s existing product line. Even more importantly, Bill Simpson will remain with the company as a technical and design consultant and will work side-by-side with MasterCraft Safety CEO, Robbie Pierce. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be working with Bill,” explained Robbie Pierce. “This is the man who invented the Nomex driving suit and has continuously improved many of the safety solutions used in today’s motorsports. Bill Simpson is synonymous with safety, which makes him a perfect fit for both companies and I cannot be more honored to work with him.”

In his book, Racing Safely, Living Dangerously, Bill Simpson recalls the first time he met, Rick Mears, prior to the two becoming close friends. Simpson’s initial impression was that Mears was “just another one of those blankety-blank off road racers.” Many years later, Simpson is ironically handing over the reins of his company to another blankety-blank off-road racer: Robbie Pierce. Much as Simpson tested his own products early on (most famously lighting himself on fire while wearing a Nomex race suit), Robbie Pierce competes in a SCORE Trophy-Truck class in the SCORE International desert racing series, a sanction best known for the grueling Baja 1000. “In all honesty, the off-road racers of today do not get the credit they deserve,” explained Simpson. “A racer is a racer and that common thread is all is takes to understand the needs of all the different circuits out there. Robbie and I have both created products that matter for our particular markets. This acquisition is combining a powerful wealth of safety expertise in a broad range of motorsports.”

With a history deeply rooted in racing and a unique sense of understanding driver needs, Robbie Pierce was the ideal choice to carry forward Bill Simpson’s vision and legacy. “As a racer, Robbie understands the inherent dangers of competing and the importance of safety equipment. Drivers rely on my products every time they strap into their race vehicle and that is a reality both Robbie and I share and something neither of us take lightly,” remarked Bill Simpson.

Also sharing Bill Simpson’s loyalty and concern for employees, MasterCraft Safety acquired not just the inventory and product designs of Impact! Racing, but also the real estate. Impact! Racing’s manufacturing facility is situated on 3.5 acres located in the heart of “Gasoline Alley” in Brownsburg, Indiana and their retail location is in the center of NASCAR country in Mooresville, North Carolina. The full-line of Impact! Racing products will continue to be proudly made in the USA, in the birthplace of the famed Indy 500, and will compliment MasterCraft Safety’s manufacturing in Santee, California. “Some of the employees have been with me since 1973 and I am extremely pleased that Robbie has chosen to maintain the existing sales and operations here in Indiana and will continue manufacturing with the same talented workforce that has gotten the company to where it is today,” remarked Bill Simpson.

As dirt meets asphalt, look for MasterCraft Safety’s style and influence to find its way into a host of new Impact! Racing products while Bill Simpson’s legacy will continue through the development of entirely new safety solutions catered towards the existing MasterCraft Safety audience. Throughout the evolution of this acquisition, gradual changes will be made as operations are slowly integrated. For the time being, both brands will operate separately, maintaining a focus on the loyal racers and enthusiasts who have created the identity of each individual company.

More information on MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of products can be found by visiting www.mastercraftsafety.com. Impact! Racing’s colorful history and extensive product line of helmets, gloves, shoes and driving suits are available online at www.impactraceproducts.com

Stop by the Impact! Racing by MasterCraft Safety booth #1201 at the International Motorsports Industry Show in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 1st – 3rd, 2010 or visit booth #501 at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Orlando, Florida on December 9th – 11th, 2010. For those not familiar with off-road racing, Robbie Pierce’s SCORE Trophy Truck that just completed the Baja 1000 race is on display in the C&R Racing booth #1723 at IMIS! Visit their booth to learn more about the vehicle technology used in the harsh and unforgiving desert-racing environment.

About MasterCraft Safety:

Based in Santee, California, MasterCraft Safety is the leading manufacturer of driving suits, window nets, and innovative safety seating and restraint systems custom tailored to endure the most extreme environmental conditions and off-road terrain. In addition to four decades of real world testing in the most extreme racing conditions, independent tests by nationally recognized laboratories indicate the MasterCraft Safety suspension seat directly resulted in an 84% reduction of energy in a 55 “G” load event. Whether the Impact! Racing or MasterCraft Safety products are on a top fuel dragster, a SCORE Trophy Truck or a blast-attenuating seat for a military MRAP, the common theme is both companies are the first choice in environments where safety can mean the difference between life and death.

Race-dezert.com event coverage of the 2010 SCORE Terrible’s Primm 300.

Doing Well is the Best Revenge For
MasterCraft Racing At 2010 SCORE Primm 300

The situation was looking grim for MasterCraft Racing coming into SCORE International’s Terrible’s Primm. MasterCraft Safety CEO and race team owner, Robbie Pierce, was still busted up from a horrific short course accident a month prior and racing legend, Rob MacCachren, was arbitrarily disqualified by the Nevada Bureau of Land Management for allegedly pre-running a closed (yet unmarked) race course. Given the dire circumstances, most race teams would have conceded defeat before the green flag had even dropped. The Rockstar Energy Drink / MasterCraft Racing Team has a reputation for never shying away from a challenge and that reputation was further solidified this weekend in Primm.

Just one month after a spectacular crash behind the wheel of his Pro 2 Unlimited truck in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORS) at Glen Helen Raceway, Robbie Pierce climbed back behind the wheel of the No. 30 SCORE Trophy Truck for the Terrible’s Primm 300 race. Starting the competition in the fifth position, Pierce was just three weeks out of the hospital and recovering from two broken collarbones and a nasty gash on his knee requiring more than 40 stitches.

In the first race after his crash, Pierce was able to gain valuable time and track position during his 137 miles behind the wheel. After two laps, Pierce handed the truck over to his co-driver, Mike Julson, just 50 seconds behind race leader, Jesse Jones. Upon exiting the truck, Pierce remarked, “That Jimco was running absolutely flawless! That is probably the best that truck has ever run! I wish I could have stayed in it for the entire race but I do not think I could have remained competitve for all four laps.”

Mike Julson, owner of Jimco Racing and chassis builder for the No. 30 SCORE Trophy Truck, ran at a pace consistent with Pierce’s and ultimately crossed the finish line in an elapsed time of 4 hours, 50 minutes, and 8 seconds. With less than five minutes separating the No. 30 MasterCraft Racing SCORE Trophy Truck from race winner, Jesse Jones, the duo of Pierce and Julson claimed the second place podium in the SCORE Trophy Truck class and also successfully claimed the second overall position out of 115 competitors.

The unforgiving Primm course, located just 30 miles south of Las Vegas, is a combination of rough, squared out ruts or smooth, burned-in terrain with some cleverly placed rocks. This is a sprint race that can be won or lost over a tire change. With absolutely no flats on the BFGoodrich tires, the No. 30 SCORE Trophy Truck was able to stay up front all day.

Starting towards the back of the pack in the 27th position, the No. 42 SCORE Trophy Truck, owned and driven by Will J Staats, was looking for a little redemption after experiencing a disappointing DNF just 45 miles from the finish at the SCORE Baja 500.

Completing a nearly flawless first lap during the Terrible’s Primm 300, the No. 42 suffered a crank position sensor issue shortly after passing the main pit on the second lap. Unable to reach a speed greater than 40mph, Will J Staats limped the truck to the second pit where the crew was able to switch out the sensor and get the truck back on course and running at a competitive speed again. Crossing the finish line with an elapsed time of 5 hours, 8 minutes and 44 seconds, Will J Staats and navigator, Greg Shapiro, claimed a respectable 7th place class finish and an 11th overall finish among 115 competitors.

This past weekend, the Rockstar Energy Drink sponsored team of MasterCraft Racing would have been campaigning three SCORE Trophy Trucks had it not been for the unjustified and unfounded disqualification of Rob MacCachren. On Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) handed down the unprecedented and arbitrary action of disqualifying Rob MacCachren from this weekend’s Terrible’s Primm 300 race.

Team owner, Robbie Pierce, fully supports MacCachren and remarked, “I believe this governmental agency was overzealous in their actions against Rob. The BLM’s claim and their subsequent decision is completely unfounded. There are no clearly defined rules and BLM representatives, Bob Dieli and Chris Linehan, certainly could not provide a record of these stipulations to MasterCraft Racing when requested. The Primm area BLM officers took this issue too far by denying my teammate a chance to compete in this event and thereby limiting his ability to carry out and honor his sponsor contracts and commitments. The BLM’s ruling has destoyed Rob’s chance of earning the season points championship he was in contention for and certainly has the proven talent to claim.”

As the consummate professional, Rob MacCachren and his family attended the race as spectators and watched the events unfold from the MasterCraft Racing main pit. When asked if it was difficult to stand-by and watch Rob remarked, “As any competitor knows, it is hard to be on the sidelines as your peers compete. It is both disappointing and frustrating but I am very proud of the team and their efforts. MasterCraft Racing has assembled an incredible crew and they were just as disappointed as I was. Fortunately, they didn’t let it get them down and were able to go out there and do a great job for the other two trucks.”

The next stop for the MasterCraft Racing Team is the SCORE season finale; the 43rd annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. This year’s legendary race returns as a “peninsula run” and commences in Ensenada on November 18th, 2010 and finishes in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico.

MasterCraft Racing is Sponsored by:

Rockstar Energy Drink • BFGoodrich • Gargoyles Eyewear • Jimco • Fox Shox • Walker Evans • Rancho Drivetrain • MSD Ignition • Palomar Communications • Canidae • KC HiLites

Rob MacCachren is “Robbed” Again at the SCORE Primm 300

The Greek philosopher Plato once said, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” It would seem as though more profound words have never been spoken as this quote still holds true almost 2,500 years later.

On Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) handed down the unprecedented and arbitrary action of disqualifying Rob MacCachren from this weekend’s Terrible’s Primm 300 race for engaging in limited testing of the SCORE Trophy Truck No. 20 in the dry lake bed area of Jean, Nevada. There is no question that Rob MacCachren was not engaged in pre-running or reconnaissance of the course. Rob was merely doing what racers have always done for years, without this type of sanction or consequence.

When asked exactly what transpired team owner, Robbie Pierce, commented “After leaving the engine builder and dyno-tuning facility on Wednesday afternoon, Rob MacCachren and my Crew Chief wanted to verify the engine tuning changes and test No. 20 SCORE Trophy Truck in a very limited capacity. To accuse Rob MacCachren, a Las Vegas native, of pre-running the race course in a race vehicle is absolutely absurd. We certainly would not have parked the MasterCraft Safety semi-truck in plain sight and would not have been running a fully branded race vehicle if we were trying to sneak on course for reconnaissance. Rob lives in the Las Vegas area, knows the race course well, and could come out to pre-run at anytime throughout the year if he wanted to.”

It has often been said, rules were made to be broken, right? Well in this instance, BLM representatives could not fairly explain when exactly testing of trucks in this area became subject to sanctions. When questioned at length by MasterCraft Racing representatives and Robbie Pierce, BLM officials could not easily answer the question, “If the testing had been done earlier in the week or 48 hours ago, would it have been a violation?”

When pressured further for a clear delineation of the rules, BLM representatives could also not answer, “When does the area in question cease to be public land and when does it become an absolute and clearly defined closed area?” MasterCraft Racing has now received two diametrically opposed answers from two different representatives. One answer from BLM representative, Bob Dieli, indicated, “When the race course is marked,” while the other BLM representative present at the meeting indicated, “When the event permit was signed and accepted by the race promoter.”

It is MasterCraft Racing’s official opinion that all governmental agencies owe the public fair notice of any change in policy, especially a change that carries such a drastic impact. In this case, BLM has failed to set forth a specific, appropriate and unambiguous policy and to provide fair notice of the policy. This is wrongful, and if the disqualification is not rescinded, the MasterCraft Racing team will suffer significant economic damages and the ripple effect of the BLM’s decision is unquantifiable to the off-road racing community. The verdict establishes an entirely new precedent and further limits our sport and our public lands.

“While I fully respect Sal Fish and the tremendous amount of pressure he is under to appease the governmental agencies in order to continue off-road racing in the United States, I also feel it is SCORE International’s responsibility to clearly state the rules and regulations for which we are accountable. A simple statement of ‘No pre-running’ does not adequately cover this specific circumstance. I stand by Rob MacCachren and fully support him. He was absolutely NOT pre-running and the vague rules detailed on SCORE’s website by no means apply to this incident and this set of circumstances,” stated Robbie Pierce, owner of MasterCraft Racing.

Pierce further commented, “Unfortunately, for SCORE International to be provided an event/race permit, the promoter has agreed that BLM has the absolute and final say and veto power to penalize and disqualify racers in the 2010 SCORE Primm 300 competition as they see fit. They say that the third time is the charm, however at this point, I do not want to leave it to chance.”

MasterCraft Racing is Sponsored by:

Rockstar Energy Drink • BFGoodrich • Gargoyles Eyewear • Jimco • Fox Shox • Walker Evans • Rancho Drivetrain • MSD Ignition • Palomar Communications • Canidae • KC HiLites

As the 2010 SCORE International desert racing series unfolds, MasterCraft Racing continues to solidify their position at the front of the premier SCORE Trophy Truck class. First, MasterCraft Racing put desert and short-course off-road racing legend, Rob MacCachren, in a Rockstar Energy-sponsored Jimco truck for the entire 2010 season. Then, for the second and notoriously roughest desert competition of the SCORE series, MasterCraft Racing managed to put all three of their Jimco trucks in the top ten of the crowded SCORE Trophy Truck class during the San Felipe 250. Now, MasterCraft Racing has once again “uped the ante” by securing “Turbo Tom” Geviss as the co-driver of the No. 30 SCORE Trophy Truck campaigned by driver of record and MasterCraft Safety CEO, Robbie Pierce.

“I don’t think I could find a more experienced co-driver on Earth,” Pierce commented. “Tom has done it all. Whether it is desert racing, rock-crawling or navigating through Dakar, Tom epitomizes the ideal co-driver I want sitting in my right seat. His level of experience undoubtedly elevates our sport and my team,” added Pierce. During his 30 years of racing in both the driver’s and passenger’s seats, Geviss has accumulated five Baja 1000 victories and numerous class and series championships as well. Tom was also named the driver of record for the Man race support vehicle for Robby Gordon’s 2009 Dakar program in the H3 Hummer. Navigating the treacherous and diverse South American terrain in the Man race support vehicle has added an incredible level of experience to Geviss’ already impressive resume. “I am confident that Robbie and I can add a few more trophies to the mantle,” said a smiling Geviss. Pierce joins a who’s-who list of talent that has teamed with “Turbo Tom”, including off-road royalty such as Larry Ragland, Jon Nelson, Robbie Gordon, NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson, John Marking, and most recently, Jesse James.

Geviss’s new home will be in the No. 30 Jimco-built SCORE Trophy Truck outfitted with MasterCraft Safety 3G suspension seats and complimented by MasterCraft Safety five-point restraints and SFI-approved 3.2A/5 MasterCraft Safety race suit. MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of performance seating offers both comfort and protection in high “G” load situations and provides an 84% reduction of energy in a 50 G load impact. More information on the company’s high-quality products can be found by visiting www.mastercraftsafety.com.

MasterCraft Racing is Sponsored by:

Rockstar Energy Drink • BFGoodrich • Gargoyles Eyewear • Jimco • Fox Shox • Walker Evans • Rancho Drivetrain • MSD Ignition • Palomar Communications • Canidae • KC HiLites

Jackson Marketing Group Selected to Launch MasterCraft Safety beyond Off-Road Racing

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Jackson Marketing Group, South Carolina’s second largest integrated marketing communications agency, has been chosen by MasterCraft Safety as its Agency of Record. JMG is tasked with launching MasterCraft Safety’s sponsorship marketing efforts and expanding their strategic presence in NASCAR.

Jackson Marketing Group has a motorsports division, Jackson Motorsports Group, with offices in Greenville and Charlotte. Its experience includes premier brands such as BMW, Volvo, Porsche, Ford, Monster Energy Drink, and Sony. It also has experience in some of the world’s leading racing series including NASCAR, NHRA, American Le Mans, SCORE, Best in the Desert, Rock Crawling, AMA, USARacing Series and the Mustang Challenge Series. JMG has also competed in and provided logistics for two transcontinental road rallies – Bullrun 2006 and the 2008 Fireball Run.

“Jackson Marketing Group is thrilled to be working with MasterCraft Safety to expand its product reach through new marketing and sponsorship opportunities,” said Darrell Jackson, president and CEO of Jackson Marketing Group. “We have been an admirer of their brand and products, as well as a customer, through our work in off-road racing; and we are excited to help them introduce their world-class products to other racing series.”

“MasterCraft Safety is extremely honored to be associated and aligned with a well-respected company such as Jackson Marketing Group,” said CEO of Mastercraft Safety, Robbie Pierce. “It is an incredible validation of my company’s products and efforts to be partnered with an entity of JMG’s caliber, and I look forward to diversifying and building upon our existing safety products through their direct efforts and expertise. I am confident Jackson Motorsports Group will be an integral and important partner as we expand MasterCraft Safety outside of the off-road racing arena.”

As the leading manufacturer of performance off-road suspension seating and other vehicle safety equipment, MasterCraft Safety is currently sponsoring teams in off-road racing, rock crawling, off-shore racing and monster trucks. However, their American-made products can be found not only in desert racing vehicles, but also in short course, NASCAR, and military vehicles. Soon, their sponsorships will reflect the extent of their products already performing in these racing sectors.

For more information on Jackson Marketing Group and Jackson Motorsports Group, please visit the company’s website at www.jacksonmg.com.

MasterCraft Safety to Host Drawing Party on April 24th
Full Day of Vendor Displays, Activities, and Fund-Raising

This year’s drawing for the world-famous SCORE Tecate Baja 500 will be held on April 24th at the new corporate headquarters of MasterCraft Safety at 9335 Stevens Road in Santee, Calif. The festivities will begin at 10am with vendor displays from area off-road businesses and the “live” SCORE Baja 500 starting position drawing will begin at 1pm.

There will be a huge raffle and all proceeds will benefit the Castro-Limon
Foundation which provides cancer treatment for poor and orphaned children in Baja who would not normally receive treatment. Check out this worthy cause at: www.fundacioncastrolimon.org

Raffle tickets are $5.00.
Raffle prizes already include:

• BFGoodrich Tires – Four BFG Tires
• MasterCraft Safety – Racesuit & Seats
• Fox Racing Shox – $400 Gift Certificate
• Total Chaos Fabrication – Upper Control Arm Suspension Kit
• Fiberwerx “Fiberbucks” $300 Gift Certificate towards Fiberglass
• Off-Road Warehouse – $200 Gift Certificate
• U.S. Wheel – Wheel Repair – $150 Gift Certificate
• Streamline Forms & Graphics – $200 worth of Custom Printed Stickers
• PAC Heating & Air Conditioning Two Annual A/C Services (SD County only)
• JD Films – Dezert People DVD Collection
• Airgas – Radnor Welding Jacket
• Gargoyles Eyewear – Sunglasses
• MSD Ignition – Ignition Box & Plug Wires
• Lift Safety – A Grab Bag Full $250 of Safety Swag from
• Race-Dezert.com – DVD Collection from RDC
• Bilstein – Apparel Grab Bag
• Jimco Racing – Exclusive All Weather Embroidered Jacket

If you are unable to attend the drawing party, raffle tickets can be purchased on-line at www.race-dezert.com.

RDC will be your proxy raffle ticket buyer so you need not be present to win. Also, you can make credit card donations the same way or by phone to the RDC Booth on the day of the event. Watch RDC for details!

In addition to the raffle, The Locos Mocos Crew will take to the grill once again to help raise money for the Fundacion Castro-Limon. The Locos Mocos Crew will be running a Taco Stand and accepting cash donations for the best tacos this side of San Felipe. MasterCraft Safety has arranged sponsorship through Lofton Cattle and Ramey Meats and they will be paying for all the food costs – so all the proceeds will go directly to the kids. Crews from Baja Pits will also be helping to man the Taco Stand!

Since the planning for this event began, another great need has emerged due to the Easter Sunday 7.2 earthquake near Mexicali. Thousands of people lost their homes and are in desperate need of essential household items. The Mexican Government has waived import tariffs on donated goods for quake relief. What’s more, MasterCraft Safety has generously offered to match all taco stand cash donations and will be contributing proceeds to the Earthquake Fund – so every dime you contribute will not only help the cancer kids, it will be a double gift of helping
earthquake victims in Mexicali.

A partial list of urgently needed relief items can be found by visiting SCORE International’s website at www.score-international.com. Relief items can be brought to MasterCraft Safety the day of the drawing and there will be individuals on-hand to accept the donations and arrange for their delivery to Mexicali.

If you have items to donate to the raffle or cash you would like to contribute, act now! All donations are tax deductible. Checks can be sent directly to “The Baja Cancer Foundation” at the address below. The Baja Cancer Foundation is a 501C3 and will funnel all the money directly to Fundacion Castro-Limon. Contributions to this cause and the Mexicali Earthquake cause will also be accepted at the event.

Baja 500 Fund Raiser
C/O – MasterCraft Safety
9335 Stevens Road
Santee, CA 92071

Tell your race enthusiast friends to stop by MasterCraft Safety on April 24th for lunch and bring a donation large or small, buy a few raffle tickets and stay for the drawing.

Forward this to your close and distant friends, enemies, and casual acquaintances that may be interested!

To Make Raffle Product Donations Please Contact:

Stuart from Locos Mocos “Baja Jones” baja_jones@cox.net
Carlos Orozco from Baja Pits carlos@bajapits.com
Kelli Willmore kelli@mastercraftsafety.com
Nik from Total Chaos Fabrication chaosfab@sbcglobal.net

For additional event information contact Kelli Willmore at MasterCraft Safety:
kelli@mastercraftsafety.com
619.449.9455

Santee, Calif., April 07, 2010 – MasterCraft Safety, the original manufacturer of innovative safety suspension seating and restraint systems, has announced its corporate office relocation to what has become known as the “Off-Road Motorsports Mile.” The move by MasterCraft Safety is the second in the last five years and was necessary in order to accommodate the company’s continued growth and production capacity needs.

“Since 1970, MasterCraft Safety has been proudly manufacturing all of our safety suspension seating, restraints, window nets, and now our exclusive line of SFI approved racesuits and SFI crew fire safety apparel right here in Southern California,” says company CEO, Robbie Pierce.

MasterCraft Safety’s corporate offices and final assembly operations for the safety seating and restraints will now be housed in a state-of-the-art 20,000 square foot facility in close proximity to other off-road related businesses such as Fox Shox, AlumiCraft, and Jimco Racing. MasterCraft Safety’s fabricating and welding facility will continue to be located nearby in its own 12,000 square foot building while the racesuit and safety apparel division will be in a separate 6,000 square foot building next door to the corporate offices.

In addition to expanding the operating space, MasterCraft Safety has also increased production capacity and efficiency with the addition of a six head embroidery machine and a CNC material cutting system. “The new automated fabric cutter will not only provide uniformity to our seating and racesuit patterns, it will streamline the entire process and will increase overall production. The new embrodiery machine will provide exceptional detail and customization to our already unparelleled line of custom and Signature racesuits,” remarked company owner, Robbie Pierce.

The relocation moves the company’s operations from the previous facility west side of the 67 Freeway to a newly purchased and renovated facility located just east of the 67 Freeway and north of Woodside Avenue in Santee, California.

MasterCraft Safety New Corporate Headquarters:

9335 Stevens Road
Santee, Calif., 92071
619.449.9455 ph.
619.449.9454 fax

About MasterCraft Safety:

MasterCraft Safety is an industry-leading international manufacturer and innovator of performance and recreational safety devices, best known for the suspension seats that have nearly become standard issue in the harsh environment of desert racing. In addition, Mastercraft Safety’s diverse product line includes SFI-approved restraints used in NASCAR, suspension seats used in military response vehicles, and window safety nets and suspension limit straps used for short course racing. More information on MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of products can be found by visiting www.mastercraftsafety.com.

Race-Dezert.com event coverage of the 2010 MasterCraft Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.

For decades, the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving has provided expert instruction to drivers of every background, from aspiring professionals to first time teenage drivers. And now, each and every one of those drivers will be safely and comfortable protected by a MasterCraft Safety performance driving suit when they step out onto the track. “Since we first began in 1970, our full line of products, from seats to restraints to driving suits, has always enjoyed a loyal following,” explained Robbie Pierce, CEO of MasterCraft Safety. “Teaming with Bondurant School of High Performance Driving provides us with an opportunity to extend that relationship to a new generation of racers.”

Available in SFI 3.2A/1 and SFI 3.2A/5, MasterCraft Safety performance driving suits meet and exceed all fire major protection requirements while providing a comfortable fit and design with innovative features such as 360 degree soft Nomex® stretch knit arm attachments for unrestricted arm movement. Featuring a heavy-duty zipper and a Velcro® collar enclosure, the suit is constructed from the highest quality hardware and materials available, allowing them to stand up to the day-in, day-out use they will endure at the Bondurant School. of High Performance Driving. Related MasterCraft Safety products include fuel and pit crew fire suits, neck braces, helmet skirts, and elbow and knee pads for pit crew safety.

MasterCraft Safety is an industry-leading international manufacturer and innovator of performance and recreational safety devices, best known for the suspension seats that have nearly become standard issue in the harsh environment of desert racing. In addition, Mastercraft Safety’s diverse product line includes SFI-approved restraints used in NASCAR, suspension seats used in military response vehicles, and window safety nets and suspension limit straps used for short course racing. More information on MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of products can be found by visiting www.mastercraftsafety.com.

Justin Lofton may be a new face in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, but the 2004 Best In The Desert Rookie of the Year and former Class 1000 champion has a long history in the desert. It was in this rugged environment where Lofton originally relied on MasterCraft Safety products, and that relationship did not come to an end when the 24-year-old driver entered the high stakes NASCAR arena.  Holding Lofton firmly in place at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour are MasterCraft Safety’s new six-point SFI 16.5 Camlock Restraints, which were designed from the ground up specifically for the demanding conditions of NASCAR racing. The talented rookie placed in the top twenty in the first two races of the season, proving that he is a quick learner. Look for Lofton to continue his strong season at the Kroger 250 in Martinsville on March 27th.

Adding to Lofton’s safety and comfort is his MasterCraft Safety Signature Series two-layer race suit. Available in SFI 3.2A/1 and SFI 3.2A/5, MasterCraft Safety performance driving suits meet and exceed all relevant fire protection requirements while providing a comfortable fit and design with innovative features such as 360 degree soft Nomex® stretch knit arm attachments for unrestricted arm movement. Related products include fuel and pit crew fire suits, neck braces, helmet skirts, and elbow and knee pads for pit crew safety.

Based in Santee, California, MasterCraft Safety is the leading manufacturer of suspension seating, five-point restraints, window nets, and limit straps used in applications as varied as NASCAR and military vehicles. The common theme is that MasterCraft Safety is the first choice in environments where safety can mean the difference between life and death. MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of performance seating offers both comfort and protection in high “G” load situations and provides an 84% reduction of energy in a 50 G load impact. More information on MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of products can be found by visiting www.mastercraftsafety.com.

MasterCraft Safety Rolls $10,000 Cash Contingency
Over To Tecate SCORE Baja 500

Racers and fans alike recognized that MasterCraft Safety was the title sponsor for the 2010 MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. Most also knew that MasterCraft Racing campaigned three SCORE Trophy-Trucks in San Felipe. Unfortunately, not as many racers realized that MasterCraft Safety was offering up $10,000 in contingency money, or what was required to qualify for the contingency funds. “There are racers in every class running our products, that is not the problem” commented MasterCraft Safety CEO, Robbie Pierce. “Unfortunately not everyone ran the signage required to qualify.” Fortunately for SCORE racers, Pierce has decided to roll the contingency money over to the 42nd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 on June 4 – 6.

To reiterate, the following is required in order to qualify for the contingency money. Any competitor utilizing at least one of the following MasterCraft Safety components is eligible to win, providing they run a 16 inch minimum size decal above the mudline on both sides of their race vehicle.
MasterCraft Safety suspension seats
MasterCraft Safety restraints
MasterCraft Safety driving suits

Payouts for class wins will be the same as proposed for San Felipe, and are as follows:
$5000 to first place in the SCORE Trophy-Truck Class
$2000 to first place for Class 1
$1000 to first place for 1/2 – 1600
$1000 to first place for SCORE Lite (Class 12)
$1000 to first place for Class 10
As in San Felipe, SCORE Trophy-Truck racers at the Baja 500 will not need to worry about competing against the three MasterCraft Safety Jimco SCORE Trophy-Trucks for contingency money, as they will not be eligible for the winnings.

All remaining class winners will receive a set of new MasterCraft Safety restraints and the only requirement will be to run a MasterCraft Safety decal at least 16 inches in size above mudline on both sides of their vehicle. MasterCraft Safety decals will be available from the MasterCraft Safety Contingency Booth for those competitors who do not already have the required signage to qualify for contingency on their race vehicles.

MasterCraft Safety recently expanded their product offering, making it easier than ever for racers and race teams to chose MasterCraft for their complete line of personal and pit crew safety needs. New products include a full-line of performance driving suits, fuel and pit crew fire suits, neck braces, helmet skirts, and elbow and knee pads for pit crew safety. Available in SFI 3.2A/1 and SFI 3.2A/5, the performance driving suits meet and exceed all stated fire protection requirements while providing a comfortable fit and design. Optional hidden-pockets and sewn-in elbow and knee pads make this the first race suit specifically tailored to the unique environmental conditions of desert racing.

As the leading manufacturer of performance off-road suspension seating, five-point restraints, window nets, and limit straps, MasterCraft Safety products can be found not only in the majority of desert racing vehicles, but in short course, NASCAR, military, and rock-crawling as well. MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of performance seating offers both comfort and protection in high “G” load situations and provides an 84% reduction of energy in a 50 G load impact. More information on MasterCraft Safety’s high-quality products can be found by visiting www.mastercraftsafety.com.

It is hard to deny the existence of the Buddhist philosophy of karma after the recent MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. In addition to being the title sponsor of the race, Robbie Pierce and MasterCraft Safety offered up $10,000 in contingency money for the race. For all of Pierce’s generosity, combined with a healthy dose of hard work, the MasterCraft Racing team was rewarded with three trucks in the top ten of SCORE’s premiere Trophy-Truck class. Will Staats finished in 9th place, Rob MacCachren finished in 8th, and MasterCraft Safety CEO Robbie Pierce placed fourth in San Felipe, his highest finish ever in SCORE’s preeminent class.

Finishing just off the podium in a crowded field of 31 SCORE Trophy-Trucks did not come easily for Pierce, who improved upon his 8th place finish from San Felipe a year ago. Fourth off of the line, any hopes of running in clean air were dashed for Pierce just two miles into the race when his No. 30 Jimco truck threw a power steering belt off of the 800+ horsepower V8 engine while trying to avoid a spectator on Zoo Road. Instead of being out front as he hoped, Pierce was passed by all the other SCORE Trophy-Truck competitors in the infamous San Felipe whoops. “Fortunately we had a spare belt in the truck, but it cost us twenty minutes to change,” Pierce commented after the race. Pierce was able to regain the time to overtake most of the field throughout the remainder of the race, putting him in 6th place for the season. Despite sharp rocks and brutal terrain, the three MasterCraft Racing SCORE Trophy-Trucks only suffered from two flat tires. “I really believe that the preparations and logistics that the entire MasterCraft Racing team did for the SCORE San Felipe 250 made all of the difference.”

Pierce’s words rang true for the rest of the team as well. The No. 20 Rockstar Energy / MasterCraft Safety SCORE Trophy-Truck of Rob MacCachren had to overcome numerous obstacles before the green flag even dropped! The truck suffered catastrophic engine failure just a week prior to the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, testing the dedication of not only MasterCraft Racing’s world-class pit crew but chassis builder Jimco, Kroyer Racing Engines, and Rancho Drivetrain as well. All parties involved worked tirelessly through the week prior to the race and MacCachren’s drivetrain worked flawless in San Felipe, but suspension damage limited his speed over the notoriously rough course. Still, his 8th place finish in San Felipe, coupled with his 7th place finish at the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in January, have MacCachren well poised for a run at the SCORE season championship with three races remaining.

Will Staats rounded out the MasterCraft Racing team with a 9th place finish in his No. 42 SCORE Trophy-Truck. Staats was incredibly fast over the course and was running in front for much of the day, but a damaged torque converter reared its ugly head at Race Mile 180, requiring Staats to nurse his Jimco truck around the last 80 miles of the course. After reaching the checkered flag, Staat’s truck had to be physically towed from the finish line due to the destroyed torque converter! “You can’t plan much better than that,” Staats joked after the race. “San Felipe has a reputation as one of the toughest courses in all of desert racing, so for all three MasterCraft Racing SCORE Trophy-Trucks to finish is impressive, and to all be in the top ten is amazing.”

Held along the Sea of Cortez in picturesque Baja California, Mexico, the 2010 MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 marked round two of SCORE International’s five race desert series. The course traversed 248 miles of sandy washes, deep silt beds, and incredibly rough rocky and whooped out terrain. Look for the MasterCraft Racing team to turn their good karma and exceptional work ethic into a victory at the 42nd annual SCORE Baja 500 in beautiful Ensenada, Baja California on June 4-6, 2010.

MasterCraft Racing is Sponsored by:

Rockstar Energy Drink • BFGoodrich • Gargoyles Eyewear • Jimco • Fox Shox • Walker Evans • Rancho Drivetrain • MSD Ignition • Palomar Communications • Hyperco • KC HiLites

With a career filled with 167 event victories and 19 series championships piloting everything from limited class buggies and stock Ford pickups to Trophy Trucks and the Pro 2 Unlimited trucks, Rob MacCachren is able to pick and choose exactly who he works with. In a tough economy where every racer is fighting for sponsorship dollars, it is an enviable position to say the least. So who exactly does the off-road racing legend choose to endorse? “The choice to align myself with MasterCraft Safety and Rockstar Energy was an easy one,” explains the multiple Baja 1000 and Borg Warner Cup champion. “These companies share my commitment to winning, regardless of whether the venue is desert or short course racing.”

To that end, MacCachren will be piloting the No. 20 Rockstar Energy/MasterCraft Safety Trophy Truck for the entire 2010 SCORE International season, adding to a busy schedule that also includes the Lucas Oil Off Road Series races. MacCachren’s all black Jimco-built Rockstar Energy/MasterCraft Safety Trophy Truck will be 21st off the starting line in the upcoming San Felipe 250, while teammate, Robbie Pierce will be the fourth Trophy Truck to leave the line in his own No. 30 Jimco-built MasterCraft Safety/Rockstar Energy Trophy Truck. MacCachren finished seventh at the first SCORE event of the season in Laughlin, Nevada, where only 28% of the premiere Trophy Trucks completed the course. “Jimco builds such a fast and reliable machine, and now that Rockstar Energy and MasterCraft Safety are providing me a chance to campaign my own truck for the entire SCORE desert racing season, I think that we are a real threat for the season points championship,” MacCachren stated following the race.

“As our product line expands, it is only natural that our race team grows as well” explained MasterCraft Safety CEO, Robbie Pierce. MasterCraft’s latest products include a full-line of performance driving suits, fuel and pit crew fire suits, neck braces, helmet skirts, and elbow and kneepads for pit crew safety and comfort. Available in either SFI 3.2A/1 or SFI 3.2A/5, Mastercraft Safety’s performance driving suits meet and exceed all stated SFI fire protection requirements while providing a comfortable fit and design. Optional hidden-pockets and sewn-in elbow and kneepads make this the first race suit specifically tailored to the unique environmental conditions of desert racing. Their most popular race suit, not coincidently, is the Signature edition, which is the suit of choice for SCORE Champions like Rob MacCachren and BJ Baldwin. More information on MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of products can be found by visiting www.mastercraftsafety.com.

About ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK:

“ROCKSTAR Energy is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR Energy is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles – from athletes to rock stars.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in thirteen amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, Roasted Light Vanilla, Cola, and Recovery. ROCKSTAR ENERGY SHOTS are available in Wild Berry and Tropical Punch flavors.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout the United Kingdom.”

MasterCraft Racing is Sponsored by:
Rockstar Energy Drink, BFGoodrich, Gargoyles Eyewear, Jimco, Fox Shox, Walker Evans, MSD Ignition, Palomar Communications, Hyperco, KC HiLites, Pro Am