SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1493467
SCORE OFF-ROADSMAN Honoring The Individuals Who Work Behind The Scenes By Dominic Clark and SCORE Journal Staff Photos by Jack Wright NMedia3 SCORE Off-Roadsman Of The Year Awards recognize individuals who are typically behind the scenes that assist racers, teams and who bring the SCORE World Championship Season to the forefront of motorsports racing. Off-Roadsman Awards are officially presented in 14 categories along with the 54 winners of the Rod Hall SCORE Milestone Awards, presented by Toyota Escondido. Hosts Rat Sult and Dave Arnold presented each award to those who were chosen by online votes from SCORE members, fans, and racers, from several individuals who were nominated in each category. “We want to sincerely acknowledge the support, assistance and sacrifices made by family members, friends and sponsors--because without their support, the accomplishments of our racers in the series would not have been possible,” commented Jim Ryan, SCORE Vice-President of Marketing and Sales. “Becoming a SCORE overall or class point champion, winning a coveted SCORE Off-Roadsman Award, or a Rod Hall SCORE Milestone Award Presented by Toyota, are all achievements of the highest degree in our beloved sport.” MEDIA CATEGORIES This year’s winner of the SCORE Journalist Of The Year went to Gabriel Garcia. Garcia is the co-owner of Podio Media MX in Ensenada, a freelance writer/reporter/columnist for Ensenada’s El Vigia Newspaper, and SCORE Social Media reporter/videographer during SCORE races. This was the third time Garcia has received this award, (2011, 2014, 2022). Voted as SCORE Photographer Of The Year, was Ernesto Araiza (Off-RoadRacer.com—Oceanside, Calif.) Araiza is an accomplished veteran photographer who now received this award for the second time in his career, (2021, 2022). CONTINGENCY AND PIT SUPPORT Within the categories of Contingency Sponsors and Pit Support Teams, there were several nominees, each offering services, money and/or parts to racers throughout the 2022 SCORE Season. The nominees for Contingency Of The Year included Ace Uniforms, Baja Designs Lights, BFGoodrich Tires, King Shocks and Rugged Radios. Of these great companies, BFGoodrich Tires was voted as Contingency Sponsor Of The Year. During the 2022 season BFGoodrich Tires offered $20K to Rob MacCachren, the overall winner of the SCORE Baja 500, and $25K to Luke McMillin, the overall winner of the SCORE Baja 1000. There are many pit-crew support teams in Baja that are crucial to providing pit support to racers who don’t have the means or people to have pit in key locations during a SCORE race. Pit Crews offer these services at a nominal cost, allowing many racers to re-fuel, make repairs, and simply have the ability to compete in SCORE Baja races every season. The nominees for the 2022 SCORE Pit Crew Of The Year included Baja Pits, BFGoodrich Tires, Checkers Off-Road, and Mag 7. Of these, Baja Pits was voted as SCORE Pit Support Team Of The year. In gratitude, Baja Pits also awarded Faelly Lopez, SCORE Rookie OTY, and SCORE Pro Quad Ironman Champion, free pit service for the entire 2023 SCORE season. MANUFACTURER AND BUILDERS Advancements in speed, technology and capability in off-road racing is achieved through the innovations and ingenuity of vehicle and engine builders. For the 2022 SCORE Season, many manufacturers are a part of the success in Baja racing, but those with the most wins earn the most points to take home one of the SCORE Off-Roadsman awards. In the category of Engine Builder Of The Year, Ray Field of Dougan’s Racing Engines was the winner and has taken this category for the sixth time. The 2022 SCORE Original Truck Chassis Manufacturer Of The Year went to Mason Motorsports for the second year in a row, while the Original Open Wheel Chassis Manufacturer Of The Year went to Alumi Craft, the company’s fourth. SCORE UTV Manufacturer Of The Year went to Polaris Industries Off-Road, and the SCORE Motorcycle Manufacturer Of The Year went to KTM Motorcycles. 2022 SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year Award Winners 2022 SCORE Person of the Year: Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda, Governor of Baja California 2022 SCORE Mechanic of the Year: Andres ‘Lechero’ Rodriguez, Vildosola Racing 2022 SCORE Contingency Company of the Year: BFGoodrich Tires 2022 SCORE Journalist of the Year: Gabriel Garcia, SCORE Social Media, El Vigia Newspaper 2022 SCORE Photographer of the Year: Ernesto Araiza, Off-RoadRacer.com 2022 SCORE Videographer of the Year: John Tuba, Tuba Art Films *2022 SCORE Original Open-Wheel Chassis Manufacturer of the Year: Alumi Craft (John Cooley *2022 SCORE Engine Builder of the Year: Dougans Racing Engines (Ray Field) *2022 SCORE Original Truck Chassis Manufacturer of the Year: Mason Motorsports (Neal and Robert Mason) *2022 SCORE Motorcycle Manufacturer of the Year: KTM *2022 SCORE UTV Manufacturer of the Year: Polaris Industries Off-Road 2022 SCORE Team Manager of the Year: Steve Lewis, Vildosola Racing 2022 SCORE Pit Support Team of the Year: Baja Pits 2022 SCORE Rookie of the Year: Faelly Lopez, Pro Quad Ironman *Determined by points; others-online voting