SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
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CLOSING THE LOOP Competitors Find It Difficult Finishing The SCORE BaJa 500 By Dan Sanchez, Paul Hanson, Isaac Flores, Jose Vazquez, and Guilherme Torres Photos by Get Some Photo This year’s SCORE Baja 500 had a high attrition rate, taking out many competitors across all classes. The Baja terrain was just too much for some, taking out all of the competitors in some classes such as Class 8, 5-1600, 7SX, and Stock Full. Only the most determined took a cautious approach and were able to finish the 473,67-mile loop across the desert. At the top, was the Proctor Racing Honda team with Ethan Ebert behind the wheel of the No. 709 Ridgeline. It was Ebert’s first Baja race in Class 7 and co-drover with Richard Glasczak. “We tagged a few bushes on our way,” said Ebert. “Overall it was really good, and we got over all the rocks we needed to get over and everything held up.” The Honda team finished in a great time of 11:14:15 and was followed by the No. 718 Ford team of Gaspar Espindola who had a difficult time on the course but managed to cross a few seconds before the allotted 20-hour time limit. This puts Espindola with two second-place wins this season which may propel him to the top of the points standings towards a class championship. Missing from this class was 2022 Champion Dan Chamlee in the No. 700 Ford. He had mechanical trouble that took him out of the race, and down in season points totals. SCORE LITES A true race took place for those SCORE Fans who were watching it unfold along the course. Oscar Alvarez in the No. 1211 car, with co-driver Doug Satterfield, was battling all day with the No. 1203 car of Oliver Flemate for the lead. Flemate had several vehicles entered in this race, including a SCORE TT Spec, and a Class 11 car. At the finish line, it was the Alvarez team that would cross first and come home with the win. The Flemate team had to deal with some mechanical issues but rallied back to the finish line for second place. “The SCORE Baja 500 was a fast course in some sections, but it was difficult in others,” said Alvarez. “There were some hill climbs in Doug’s section and the car did great. We didn’t have any issues or flats, it was just a clean race. When that happens, we usually bring it home in first and the team preparation paid off.” Class ½-1600 The race went really well for the No. 1685 car of Pablo Jauregui and co-drivers Edson Cruz, and Maro Garcia. They had a relatively clean race with only a brake and oil filter issue and managed to keep a good pace to finish first in the SCORE ½-1600 class. In second was the No. 1625 car of Eric Pavolka who finished just under 10 minutes behind Jauregui despite their vehicle rolling over on the course. “The first portion of the race was very challenging,” said Pavolka. “We’ve driven lots of SCORE Baja 500s and the courses are always great. This one was rough and fun, which is how we like it. I got the car flipped over once, but we figured out a way to get back in place and go.” Class 5 This season, Eli Yee moved from Class ½-1600 and into a Class 5 bug with great success, adding another first-place finish in the class this season. He battled hard on the course with the No. 508 team of Mike Sullivan, who finished second only 10 minutes behind Yee. “It was a very exciting race for us,” said Yee. “We started in last place and had taken the lead even before we got to Ojos Negros (race mile 30). But around race mile 210 we had a problem and lost 15 minutes fixing it. After that, we had a lot of back and forth with Sullivan and we were within a minute from each other for 180 miles. This race was difficult from the start. The Borrego loop (race mile 210) was really tough. But the coast was really fast and fun. We never left the car, that was very good.” Baja Challenge Once again, Ed Muncey took the win in the SCORE Baja Challenge class in the BC4 car. This time he had Jo Durier and Dominic Muncey taking turns driving sections of the course. “We had a great race today. It was super technical and rough out there, but we had a good pace and caught a lot of cars. All we got all day was one flat,” said Muncey. For Dominic Muncey, it was his first time racing in Baja and he thoroughly enjoyed it. “It was a long day and my first time going through the entire day,” said Muncey. “I was in the passenger seat for the first 325 miles and got to drive the final stretch. It was a rough course, but we had no problems. My section was really fun with runs and ups and downs.” Class 7F Gerardo Novelo in his Class 7F No. 700F Nissan entered the SCORE Baja 500, his first race this season, and ended up with the win. He, along with co-driver Jose Castro, took over first place early and kept it going while Justin Park in the No. 714 F Ford charged forward and was closing the gap. “We got the car in first place at race mile 20 and handed it off with a 20-mile lead at race mile 270,” said Novelo. “Things changed a bit in the second half, but Jose stuck to our strategy. Our lead was shrinking and we had to push to finish in first place. The entire team is very happy with this experience, even more here in Ensenada. I wanted to thank SCORE for doing an excellent job with this race. I’ve been racing for 35 years and this race was particularly challenging. It was difficult, but very fun to be a part of.” Trophy Lite Chase Swanson came all the way from Honolulu, Hawaii to compete at the SCORE Baja 500. He entered the Trophy Lite class and finished the race with a time of 15:02:44 to win the class. Class 11 With as much attrition as this SCORE Baja 500 race had, it was amazing to see two diehard Class 11 racers demonstrate what deamination is all about. While half of the class was not able to finish, the 1105 Bug of Oliver Flemate finished first with a time of 15:49:45. “We’re glad and so happy with all the team,” said Flemate. “Antonio Espinoza drove perfectly and we only had a minor crash. The course was awesome and very difficult, as it’s always here in Baja. Class 11 is one of the toughest classes. That’s our third-straight victory in SCORE races in this class and we’re very happy about it.” Coming into the finish line with a time of 19:12:00 was Eric Solorzano in the No. 1111 bug, showcasing that it can be done, with the right attitude and skill to drive these vehicles through some of the toughest terrain. Official Finishers CLASS 7 (unlimited, six-cylinder, production appearing trucks or SUVs) (3 Starters, 2 Finishers) 1. 709 Ethan Ebert, 17, Marana, Ariz./Richard Glasczak, 48, Oceanside, CA, Honda Ridgeline, 11:14:55 (42.11 mph) 2. 716 Gaspar Espindola, 46, Ensenada, Mexico/Carlos Cotry, 29, Ensenada, Mexico/Alex Vazquez, 38, Ensenada, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 19:59:27 SCORE LITES (VW-powered, Limited single-1776cc-or two-seaters-1835cc) (2 Starters, 2 Finishers) 1. 1211 Oscar R. Alvarez, 46, McAllen, Texas/Doug Satterfield, 45, San Diego/Adrian Guerrero, 36, Ensenada, Mexico, OSO, 13:07:06 (36.11 mph) 2. 1203 Patricio Flores, 42, Ensenada, Mexico (DOR - Oliver Flemate, 46, Ensenada, Mexico) Oscar Guevara, 36, Ensenada, Mexico/Jouth Ochoa, 25, Ensenada, Mexico, Record, 14:15:04 CLASS 1/2-1600 (VW-powered, single or two-seaters to 1600cc) (6 Starters, 4 Finishers) 1. 1685 Pablo Jauregui, 34, Ensenada, Mexico/Edson Cruz, 27, Ensenada, Mexico/Marco G., 34, Ensenada, Mexico, Memoman, 12:58:48 (36.49 mph) 2. 1625 Eric Pavolka, 54, Sonoita, Ariz./Andy DeVercelly IV, 36, Jamul, CA/Andrew Pavolka, 26, Mesa, Ariz., Foddrill, 13:07:49 3. 1644 Roman Pereyra, 47, Tijuana, Mexico/Alvaro Naranjo, 45, Guadalajara, Mexico/Julio Morales, 39, Mexicali, Mexico, Garibay, 13:54:32 4. 1606 Matt Willert, 17, El Cajon, CA/Daniel Goodrich, 28, Chula Vista, CA/Michael Goodrich, 31, Chula Vista, CA, Bunderson, 14:33:27 CLASS 5 (Unlimited Baja Bugs, VW concept engines allowed) (3 Starters, 2 Finishers) 1. 511 Eli Yee, 49, Tijuana, Mexico, Jake’s-Chevy, 12:10:12 (36.21 mph) 2. 508 Mike Sullivan, 31, Helena, Mont./Greg Sullivan, 59, Helena, Mont., Penhall-Chevy, 12:20:19 BAJA CHALLENGE (Spec, Subaru-powered Baja Touring Cars equipped with BFGoodrich Tires) (2 Starters, 2 Finishers) 1. BC4 Edward Muncey, 52, San Diego/Dominic Muncey, 20, Las Vegas, 14:49:32 (31.95 mph) 2. BC7 Randy Slezak, 52, Benicia, CA/Jeffrey Foerste, 50, Martinez, CA/Jonathan Dilworth, 39, Culver City, CA, 17:50:05 CLASS 7F (Stock frame, 2 or 4-wheel drive mini or mid-size trucks) (4 Starters, 3 Finishers) 1. 700F Gerardo Novelo, 57, Ensenada, Mexico/James Murphy, 66, Lomita, CA/Jose Castro, 62, San Ysidro, CA/Jesus Castro, 31, San Ysidro, CA/Enrique Guerrero, 49, Ensenada, Mexico, Nissan King Cab 16:46:04 (28.26 mph) 2. 714F Justin Park, 47, Encinitas, CA, Ford Ranger, 16:58:15 3. 704F Aaron Celiceo, 50, San Diego/Seven Celiceo, 17, San Diego/Isaac Camberos, 45, Chula Vista, CA/Mario Melgar Jr, 32, Chula Vista, CA, Toyota Tacoma, 18:16:48 TROPHY LITE (1 Starter, 1 Finisher) 1. 6049 Chase Swanson, 24, Honolulu/Kyder Swanson, 17 Honolulu, Trophy Lite-Chevy, 15:02:45 (31.48 mph) CLASS 11 (stock VW sedans, safety modifications) (440.72 miles - 4 Starters, 2 Finishers) 1. 1105 Oliver Flemate, 45, Ensenada, Mexico/Antonio Espinoza, 29, Ensenada, Mexico/Valentin Marcado, 45, Ensenada, Mexico/Israel Arce, 45, Ensenada, Mexico, 15:49:45 (27.84 mph) 2. 1111 Eric Solorzano, 63, Tijuana, Mexico/Mike Acuna, 49, San Diego/Orlando Lopez, 60, Chula Vista, CA/Fernando Flores, 50, Ensenada, Mexico/Raul Valdez, 45, San Diego, 19:12:01