Price new king of BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500

Salas Jr won the overall motorcycles

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Gabriel Garcia, Gabriel@SCORE-international.com OR SCORE HISTORIAN: Dominic Clark, Dominic@SCORE-International.com

ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico—After a week full of adventures and unique moments in the magical deserts of Baja California, Team Australia of Toby Price, 36, Australia, along with Paul Weel, 45, Australia, was officially named the overall winner of the cars in the BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500.
     In motorcycles, that honor went to the Hero Racing team of Arturo Salas Jr, 21, Tecate, Baja California, Carter Klein, 19, Agua Dulce, Calif., and Ciaran Naran, 23, Huntington Beach, Calif.
     A 482.97-mile race course was the challenge for the 254 race teams taking part in the second round of 2024 SCORE World Desert World Championship, with 169 crossing the finish line set up on Ensenada's Boulevard Costero, for a 66.54 finisher percentage.
    Price and Weel aboard their all-wheel drive No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado (built by Mason Motorsports), completed the challenge in an official time of 9 hours, 20 minutes and 22 seconds, being this the first absolute success for both of them in Score International and in the SCORE Trophy Truck, with which the former, 2-time winner of the Dakar Rally in motorcycles, added to his winning record in the sport.
    “The race went really well for us. It was a nice, smooth day, which was really good. We were just trying to keep a good speed and keep the guys behind us. Basically, we just tried to keep the wheels on the truck and our BFGoodrich Tires were exceptional. We had a good, clean run, with no issues and no drama. We were fighting with Tavo (Vildosola Jr, No. 21) all day. Getting this win is one box ticked for us, its exceptional. It’s a big effort to come from Australia and compete with these guys, so I’m very proud of the team for the effort”.
    Gustavo “Tavo” Vildosola Junior, 42, Mexicali, Baja California, was second in the SCORE Trophy Truck in the SCORE Baja 500, driving his Ford Raptor Vildósola Racing No.21 with a time of 9 hours, 27 minutes and 9 seconds, being this his second podium in a row this season.
    Meanwhile, Salas Junior, Klein and Naran, took the checkered flag in the Pro Moto Unlimited class, stopping the clock in 10 hours, 36 minutes, and 2 seconds, crewing for this feat the motorcycle No. 11x Honda CRF450X, after the review of digital tracking devices by SCORE International officials, as part of the race protocols. It was the third consecutive overall motorcycle victory for the youthful Salas Jr in the SCORE Baja 500.
     Salas Jr indicated that he ran out of gas on his Honda motorcycle in the Valle de la Trinidad, “I had that problem, but fortunately some fans gave me gas, they were on the hill, although I had to walk the bike about 2 or 3 miles, unfortunately that cost me to be overtaken by Justin (Morgan), in general, the bike was very good all day, so we did a great job in this race”.
     Gustavo Vildósola Senior, 70, Mexicali, Baja California, and Ricky Johnson, 59, El Cajon, California, scored their 10th consecutive SCORE Trophy Truck Legends victory in a row with the fifth fastest overall time of 9 hours, 51 minutes and 48 seconds in their No. 1L Ford Raptor Mason.
     “It was just a great, clean day” commented Vildosola Sr at the finish line. “Ricky (Johnson, co-driver) started the race and had absolutely no problems until he handed it to me. And I didn’t have any flats or mechanical issues either. It was just one of those days when everything runs how it’s supposed to. I’m very excited because my team and my family are here”.
     In the Trophy Truck Spec class, Justin Davis, 31, Chino Hills, California, won the SCORE Baja 500 with an official time of 10 hours, 6 minutes and 8 seconds in his Green Army Team No. 285 TSCO-Chevy.
POLARIS TEAM STRIKE AGAIN IN BAJA
     The official Polaris team conquered the SCORE Baja 500 in the Pro UTV Open class, thanks to the surgical driving of Cayden “Mini Mac” MacCachren, 22, Las Vegas, Nevada, who started first and held the lead for most of the race in his Polaris RZR Pro R, after 10 hours, 36 minutes and 42 seconds of thrills through Baja's magical terrain. It was his third straight Overall UTV win and Pro UTV Open title in SCORE Baja racing.
THE VERA BROTHERS ATTACKED, ONCE AGAIN IN SCORE
     Francisco Vera, 33, El Rosario, Baja California, and Alexis Vera, 28, El Rosario, Baja California, were the winners in Class 10 of the SCORE Baja 500, crossing the finish line aboard their Alumicraft buggy after 10 hours, 42 minutes and 49 seconds, while Class 11 went to Oliver Flemate, 46, Ensenada, Baja California, and Antonio Espinoza, 30, Ensenada, Baja California, who added their seventh SCORE victory in a row.
      The Pro UTV Forced Induction Class was won by Phil Blurton, 37, Auburn, California, who drove his Can-Am Maverick R without a relay at the wheel over the 482.97-mile race course, making his feat even greater with a time of 12 hours, 5 minutes and 51 seconds.
BFGOODRICH TIRES RULES THE BAJA
BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for 48 years, won the SCORE Baja 500 overall, a feat it has accomplished in 36 of the last 56 editions of the race, awarding a special $10,000 bonus to Team Australia's Toby Price and Paul Weel for winning the second round of the 2024 SCORE Desert World Championship.
SCOREscope
2024 SCORE SCHEDULE
Here are the dates for the two remaining 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship which are being held in Baja California, Mexico for the ninth consecutive year:
5th SCORE Baja 400, presented by VP Racing Fuels—
September 11-15, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 1000—
November 11-17, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
SCORE SPONSORS…
Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire and Race Title Sponsor,      Ford-Official Truck and SUV, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber and Race Title Sponsor, Polaris RZR-Official UTV, VP Racing Fuels-Official Fuel and race presenting sponsor, Optima Batteries-Official Battery, Rugged Radios-Official Radio Communication, Sylvania Off-Road-Official Light, Method Race Wheels-Official Wheel and Race Qualifying sponsor, Lasernut-Official Custom Metal Fabricator, Wide Open Excursions-Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino.
     SCORE Official Partners: The Satellite Phone Store, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance.
     Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Baja California Secretary of Tourism, MEXICO Secretary of Tourism, San Felipe Foundational Municipal Council, Ensenada Municipal Government, San Felipe Marketing Tourism Committee, Ensenada Marketing Tourism Committee, Ensenada Hotel and Motel Association, Proturismo Ensenada, and Cruz Roja Mexicana.
     For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCORE-International.com.

Spanish version
SEGUNDA FECHA DEL CAMPEONATO MUNDIAL 2024 DE SCORE
Price, el nuevo rey de la BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500

Arturo Salas Junior ganó el overall de las motos; Gustavo Vildósola Señor triunfó en los Score Trophy Trucks Legend

 
ENSENADA, Baja California, México, tras una semana llena de aventuras y momentos únicos en los mágicos desiertos de Baja California, el Team Australia de Toby Price, de 36 años de edad y de Australia, junto a Paul Weel, de 45 años de edad y de Australia, fue nombrado oficialmente ganador overall de los carros en la edición 56 de la BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500, mientras que ese honor recayó en las motos en el equipo Hero Racing, conformado por Arturo Salas Junior, de 21 años de edad y de Tecate, Baja California, Carter Klein, de 19 años de edad y de Agua Dulce, California, y Ciaran Naran, de 23 años de edad, 23, Huntington Beach, California.
Una ruta de 482.97 millas fue el desafío para los 254 equipos que tomaron parte en la segunda fecha del Campeonato Mundial del Desierto 2024 de Score International, con 169 cruzando la meta instalada en el Bulevar Costero de Ensenada, para un porcentaje de 66.54 de finalistas.
Price y Weel a bordo de su Chevrolet Silverado Mason de doble tracción, completaron la travesía en un tiempo oficial de 9 horas, 20 minutos y 22 segundos, siendo este el primer éxito absoluto para ambos en Score International y en los SCORE Trophy Trucks, con lo que el primero, ganador en 2 ocasiones del Rally Dakar en motos, acrecentó su historial ganador en el deporte.
“La carrera fue muy buena para nosotros, fue un día muy intenso y rápido, lo que fue muy bueno, tratamos de mantener la velocidad y a todos los demás, detrás de nosotros. Fue una carrera limpia la que tuvimos, cero ponchadas en nuestras maravillosas llantas BFGoodrich, es algo grandioso venir desde Australia y competir contra todos estos geniales pilotos, es un logro del que me siento orgulloso, pero fue en base a un trabajo de equipo”, mencionó Price.
Gustavo Vildósola Junior, de 42 años de edad y de Mexicali, Baja California, fue segundo en los SCORE Trophy Trucks dentro de la SCORE Baja 500, manejando su Ford Raptor Vildósola Racing con un tiempo de 9 horas, 27 minutos y 9 segundos, siendo este su segundo podio en fila dentro de esta temporada.
Mientras, que Salas Junior, Klein y Naran, se quedaron con la bandera a cuadros en la clase Pro Moto Unlimited, al detener el reloj en 10 horas, 36 minutos y 2 segundos, tripulando para esta hazaña la motocicleta número 11x Honda CRF450X, tras la revisión de dispositivos digitales por parte de oficiales de Score International, como parte de los protocolos de carrera.
Salas indicó que se quedó sin gasolina en su motocicleta Honda en el Valle de la Trinidad, “tuve ese problema, pero afortunadamente unos fans me dieron gasolina, estaban en el cerro, aunque tuve que caminar con la moto como 2 o 3 millas, desafortunadamente eso me costó ser superado por Justin (Morgan), en general, la moto estuvo muy bien en todo el día, con lo que hicimos un gran trabajo en esta carrera”.
Gustavo Vildósola Señor, de 70 años de edad y de Mexicali, Baja California, y Ricky Johnson, de 59 años de edad y de El Cajón, California, sumaron su décima victoria en fila dentro de los SCORE Trophy Trucks Legends, logrando el quinto mejor tiempo en forma overall, con 9 horas, 51 minutos y 48 segundos a bordo de su Ford Raptor Mason número 1L.
“Fue un gran día, día limpio para nosotros, Ricky (Johnson) arrancó la carrera, quien manejó en forma perfecta y me entregó en excelentes condiciones el Truck, tampoco yo tuve problemas mecánicos, ni ponchadas, estoy muy emocionado porque mi familia está conmigo, al igual que todo mi equipo”.
En la clase Trophy Truck Spec, Justin Davis, de 31 años de edad y de Chino Hills, California, fue el vencedor de la SCORE Baja 500, con un tiempo oficial de 10 horas, 6 minutos y 8 segundos, a bordo de su TSCO-Chevy.
 
NUEVA VICTORIA DE POLARIS EN SCORE
El equipo oficial de Polaris conquistó la SCORE Baja 500 en la clase Pro UTV Open, gracias al manejo quirúrgico de Cayden “Mini Mac” MacCachren, de 22 años de edad y de Las Vegas, Nevada, quien arrancó primero y mantuvo el liderato, en gran parte de la carrera, a bordo de su Polaris RZR Pro R, tras 10 horas, 36 minutos y 42 segundos de emociones por los terrenos mágicos de Baja.
 
LOS VERA EN PLAN DE ATAQUE
Francisco Vera, de 33 años de edad y de El Rosario, Baja California, y Alexis Vera, de 28 años de edad y de El Rosario, Baja California, fueron los triunfadores en la Clase 10 de la SCORE Baja 500, cruzando la meta a bordo de su buggy Alumicraft tras 10 horas, 42 minutos y 49 segundos, mientras que la Clase 11 fue para Oliver Flemate, de 46 años de edad y de Ensenada, Baja California y Antonio Espinoza, quienes sumaron su séptima victoria en fila dentro de SCORE.
La Clase Pro UTV Forced Induction fue ganada por Phil Blurton, de 37 años de edad y de Auburn, California, quien manejó su Can-Am Maverick R, sin un relevo al volante en la ruta de 482.97 millas, haciendo más grande su hazaña con un tiempo de 12 horas, 5 minutos y 51 segundos.
 
MANDA BFGOODRICH EN BAJA
BFGoodrich Tires, la llanta oficial de SCORE durante 48 años, ganó la SCORE Baja 500 en forma overall, hazaña que ha logrado en 36 de las últimas 56 ediciones de la carrera, entregando un bono especial de 10 mil dólares a Toby Price y Paul Weel del Team Australia, por triunfar en la segunda fecha del Campeonato Mundial del Desierto 2024 de Score International.

SCORE Baja 500 – Ensenada, Baja California Mexico
All-Time Overall Champions (1969 thru 2024)

Year—DRIVERS/RIDERS, VEHICLE
1969—Bud Ekins/Guy Jones, Baja Boot-Olds
Doug Douglas/Jim McClurg, Ducati
1970—Parnelli Jones, Ford
Bill Silverthorn/Gene Fetty, Husqvarna
1971—Bobby Ferro, Funco-VW
Malcolm Smith/J.N. Roberts, Husqvarna
1972—Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW
Gene Fetty/Bill Silverthorn, Honda
1973—Parnelli Jones, Ford
Howard Utsey/Mickey Quade, Husqvarna
1974—Bobby Ferro, Sandmaster-VW
Mitch Mayes/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna
1975—Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Harley-Davidson
1976—Bobby Ferro/Ivan Stewart, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/A.C. Bakken, Husqvarna
1977—Ivan Stewart, Chenowth-VW
Larry Roeseler/Jack Johnson, Husqvarna
1978—Bud Feldkamp/Malcolm Smith, Funco-VW
Brent Wallingsford/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1979—Malcolm Smith/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW
Jack Johnson, Husqvarna
1980—Bob Gordon, Chenowth-Chevy
Bruce Ogilvie/Chuck Miller, Yamaha
1981—Malcolm Smith/Bill Newbury, Chenowth-Chevy
Larry Roeseler/Bruce Ogilvie, Yamaha
1982—Larry Ragland, Funco-VW
Larry Roeseler/Chuck Miller, Yamaha
1983—Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-VW
Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna
1984—Larry Ragland, Chaparral-VW
Dan Smith/Dan Ashcraft, Husqvarna
1985—Ron Gardner/Bud Feldkamp, Funco-VW
Kurt Pfeiffer/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1986—Corky & Scott McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche
Garth Sweetland/Scot Harden, Husqvarna
1987—Bob Gordon/Tim Crabtree, Chenowth-Porsche
Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki
1988—Mark McMillin, Chenowth-Porsche
Dan Ashcraft/Kurt Pfeiffer, Yamaha
1989—Robby Gordon, Ford
(no motorcycles)
1990—Robby Gordon, Ford
Larry Roeseler/Danny LaPorte, Kawasaki
1991—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Garth Sweetland/Paul Krause, Kawasaki
1992—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr/Paul Krause, Kawasaki
1993—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Danny Hamel/Larry Roeseler/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki
1994—Ivan Stewart, Toyota (SCORE Trophy Truck)
Dave Ashley/Dan Smith, Ford
Paul Krause/Ted Hunnicutt Jr, Kawasaki
1995—Curt LeDuc, Jeep (SCORE Trophy Truck)
Mike Julson/Bob Lofton, Jimco-VW
Paul Krause/Craig Smith, Kawasaki
1996—Rob MacCachren, Ford (SCORE Trophy Truck)
Troy Herbst, Smithbuilt, Smithbuilt-Porsche
Paul Krause/Ty Davis, Kawasaki
1997—Ivan Stewart, Toyota (SCORE Trophy Truck)
Mark McMillin, Jimco-Porsche
Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda
1998—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Johnny Campbell/Bruce Ogilvie, Honda
1999—Ivan Stewart, Toyota
Jonah Street/Torsten Borstrom, Honda
2000—Larry Ragland, Chevy
Jonah Street/Steve Hengeveld, Honda
2001—Mark McMillin, Jimco-Chevy
Steve Hengeveld/Jonah Street, Honda
2002—Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-Ford
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2003—Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Smithbuilt-Ford
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2004—Alan Pflueger, Chevy
Steve Hengeveld/Johnny Campbell, Honda
2005—Robby Gordon, Chevy
Mike Childress/Mouse McCoy, Honda
2006—Brian Collins/Larry Ragland, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda
2007—Larry Ragland/Brian Collins, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman/Steve Hengeveld, Honda
2008—B.J. Baldwin, Chevy
Robby Bell/Kendall Norman, Honda
2009—Harley Letner/Kory Halopoff, Tatum-Chevy
Bill Boyer/Donnie De Arman/Nicholas Blais/Rudy Iribe, Honda
2010—Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Ford
Kendall Norman/Quinn Cody, Honda
2011—Bryce Menzies, Ford
Kendall Norman/Quinn Cody, Honda
2012—Bryce Menzies, Ford
Robby Bell/David Pearson/Steve Hengeveld, Kawasaki
2013—Robby Gordon, Chevy
Timmy Weigand/Colton Udall/David Kamo, Honda
2014—Bryce Menzies, Ford
Ricky Brabec/David Pearson/Max Eddy Jr, Kawasaki
2015—Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez, Chevy
Ricky Brabec/Max Eddy Jr/Justin Morgan/Ian Young, Kawasaki
2016—Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Vildosola Jr, Ford
Colton Udall, Mark Samuels, Honda
2017—Andy McMillin, Ford
Francisco Arredondo/Shane Esposito/Justin Morgan/Roberto Villalobos, Honda
2018—Rob MacCachren, Ford
Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Justin Jones, Honda
2019—Andy McMillin, Chevy
Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Max Eddy Jr, Honda
2020—Daniel McMillin/Justin B. Smith, Chevy
Justin Morgan/Mark Samuels/Justin Jones, Honda
2021—Larry Roeseler, Toyota
Jason Alosi/Wyatt Brittner/Ross Neely, Husqvarna
2022—Rob MacCachren, Ford
Juan Carlos Salvatierra/Arturo Salas Jr/Shane Logan/Diego Llanos, KTM
2023—Bryce Menzies, Ford
Arturo Salas Jr/Clayton Roberts, KTM
2024—Toby Price/Paul Weel, Chevy
Arturo Salas Jr/Carter Klein/Ciaran Naran, Honda
     NOTE: From 1994 through 1997 SCORE Trophy Truck ran as its own series

SCORE Baja 500 Overall Champions

Racers
Cars & Trucks
12
*Larry Roeseler
10
Ivan Stewart
5
Larry Ragland
4
Bobby Ferro
Robby Gordon
Bryce Menzies
**Malcolm Smith
3
Bud Feldkamp
Troy Herbst
Rob MacCachren
Andy McMillin
Mark McMillin
Scott McMillin
2
Brian Collins
Bob Gordon
Parnelli Jones
Corky McMillin
**Dan Smith
1
Dave Ashley
B.J. Baldwin
Bud Ekins
Ron Gardner
Kory Halopoff
Guy Jones
Mike Julson
Curt LeDuc
Harley Letner
Bob Lofton
Carlos Lopez
Daniel McMillin
Alan Pflueger
Toby Price
Justin B. Smith
Gus Vildosola Jr
Paul Weel
 
*9 on motorcycle
**1 on motorcycle
Motorcycles
7
Steve Hengeveld
5
Johnny Campbell
Paul Krause
Justin Morgan
Bruce Ogilvie
Kendall Norman
 
4
Robby Bell
Ted Hunnicutt Jr
Mark Samuels
3
Scot Harden
Arturo Salas Jr
Jonah Street
2
Dan Ashcraft
A.C. Bakken
Ricky Brabec
Quinn Cody
Max Eddy Jr
Gene Fetty
Jack Johnson
Justin Jones
Chuck Miller
David Pearson
Kurt Pfeiffer
Bill Silverthorn
Craig Smith
Colton Udall
1
Jason Alosi
Francisco Arredondo
Torsten Borstrom
Mike Childress
Cameron Corfman
Ty Davis
Doug Douglas
Shane Esposito
Danny Hamel
David Kamo
Carter Klein
Danny LaPorte
Diego Llanos
Shane Logan
Mitch Mayes
Mouse McCoy
Jim McClurg
Ciaran Naran
Mickey Quade
J.N. Roberts
Juan Carlos Salvatierra
Garth Sweetland
Howard Utsey
Roberto Villalobos
Brent Wallingsford
Tim Weigand
Ian Young
Manufacturers
Overall 4wheel Vehicle Trucks/SUVs*
15
Ford
10
Chevy
8
Toyota
1
Jeep
Cars
7
Funco
Chenowth
3
Jimco
Smithbuilt
2
Sandmaster
1
Baja Boot
Chaparral
Tatum
*Includes 1994-97 (57 Total)
Overall Engine Winners
Cars & Trucks*
18
Ford
15
Chevy
14
Volkswagen
8
Toyota
5
Porsche
1
Jeep
Oldsmobile
*Includes 1994-97 (57 total)
Motorcycles
23
Honda
13
Husqvarna
11
Kawasaki
4
Yamaha
2
KTM
1
Beta
Ducati
Harley-Davidson
Tires
4wheel vehicles
(missing 4 early years)
36
BFGoodrich Tires
5
Western Auto Tires
Toyo Tires
2
Firestone Tires
Goodyear Tires
Yokohama Tires