SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/555623
RAFAEL NAVARRO IV AGE: 22 HOME TOWN: Temecula, CA CLASS: 10 BACKGROUND: Rafael Navarro IV, is a fourth generation off- road racer. He started racing go carts at five years old and has seat time in many racing classes both on and off road, including Trophy Karts, short course buggies and trucks, the Volkswagen TDI cup, the Pirelli World Challenge and SCORE Class 12 to name a few. In 2013 at age 22, Rafael won the SCORE Baja 1000 and Class 12 Championship. "What makes me fast is keeping a clean car," says Navarro. "By clean car I mean not putting it in a situation where you can damage the car and get a DNF. In Class 10 if you have any downtime you will get passed. My driving style used to be a bit reckless, always pushing the car to its limits. Now with more experience I've learned to take a relaxed demeanor and be smart. There is always something around the next corner. I take care of the car." FAVORITE SCORE BAJA MEMORY: Navarro has special memories of his first time racing at the Baja 1000 in 2013. "It was a big moment for me. I was able to win my first SCORE Baja 1000 and to win it racing with my dad was a big deal to me. The experience of Baja is special. It's beautiful. It's like nowhere else on the planet," says Navarro. "One second you are on the beach, then the next second you are in the scorching hot desert and the next you are in a pine forest. There is a lot of variety and its constantly changing. You never know what's around the next corner. Compared to racing in the U.S. it's the wild west. Anything goes in Baja, especially with the fans. It's always fun and exciting racing there." KYLE JERGENSEN AGE: 20 HOME TOWN: Oak Hills, CA CLASS: Unlimited Trophy Truck BACKGROUND: Kyle Jergensen spends most of his time working in his family's construction business, prepping the teams chase trucks and pre-runners, and planning all the team's logistics in his spare time. "If I break it, I have to fix it myself," says Jergensen. "I baby it a little more than I should in the big stuff. Because I can make it up in the corners. I do my homework so I know where I can push and not just drive blind." Jergensen considers himself a conservative driver but some fans might disagree, as he is often seen on the course pushing hard on what looks like the edge of control. FAVORITE SCORE BAJA MEMORY: Jergensen didn't comment on any memories, but from his experiences there, he has seen strength in his ability to take corners at high speed. "I really focus on my corners," says Jergensen. "That's where I am faster than a lot of other guys. We designed the truck around tight corners and I've always been better than a lot of people at them. There are still people better than me, but I pride myself on that." Jergensen has several top 10 finishes and is getting faster every race. Look for him to best the field soon. 036 SCORE JOURNAL