SCORE Journal

The SCORE San Felipe 250 Race Preview By Dan Sanchez Photos by Get Some Photo The 31st Annual SCORE San Felipe 250 in Baja California, Mexico is the season-opener of the 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship, that takes place March 30 to April 2nd. Since the San Felipe 250 has a rich history, many racers want to win this first race of the season and try to beat the top triple winners of this race to set their names in SCORE history. The most recent triple winner of the SCORE San Felipe 250 was Mexico’s Gus Vildosola Jr, who won three straight in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Vildosola Jr. ties Las Vegas racing brothers Ed and Tim Herbst, who have also won the SCORE San Felipe 250 three straight, in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Rob MacCachren is another racer who has also won the SCORE San Felipe 250 race three times, but not in a row. MacCachren's first win here was in 2007 with co-driver Mark Post. He won it again in 2011 and 2012 driving solo. Mark Post is another racer who has three overall wins in San Felipe; 1998, 2004, and 2007. Post drove a Class 1 car to victory in 1998 with Jerry Whelchel and a SCORE Trophy Truck to the overall win in 2004 with Whelchel again. This year Post has entered this race with Ed Herbst, as the dynamic duo will drive the number 3 Riviera Racing Ford F-150. The final three-timer winning the SCORE San Felipe is Brian Collins, who won his first in 1990 in a Class 1 vehicle with SCORE Baja motorcycle racing legend Jack Johnson. Collins also captured two straight San Felipe wins in a SCORE Trophy Truck in 2008 and 2009. A Traditional Race, But With Some “Firsts” Similar to other SCORE Baja race courses, the SCORE San Felipe 250 race course includes some of the area’s most dramatic and awe-inspiring terrain and scenery in the world. Infamous for its punishment to racer and vehicle, part of the courses have included a “whoop” section that spans more than 25 miles that can destroy shock absorbers and suspension systems. It’s virtually like driving over a washboard. Over the years, this race has seen parts of its courses go through several of the legendary Baja washes like Matomi, Huatomote, Chanate, Azufre, Cuevitas and Amarillas. And most of the time, the race starts and finishes at the San Felipe arches just outside of town. This year, however, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the SCORE Baja 1000, the race will start and finish in San Felipe’s Malecon. Another first-time event for this year’s San Felipe 250, will be a qualifying day (March 30) that will include SCORE Trophy Trucks, Trophy Truck Spec, and Class 1 vehicles who will try to get the top qualifying position to gain an advantage in the race. This first SCORE San Felipe 250 qualifying will be open to the public and showcase more racing action for visitors to San Felipe before the actual race. Best Places To Experience The Race While there are many safe zones around the race course, some of the best areas to watch the race is actually from the start and finish line. Most of the SCORE San Felipe 250 races have started and finished at the San Felipe Arches that are located on the outskirts of town, but this year the race will start and finish in the Malecon where Contingency will also take place. Before the actual race, however, pre-race festivities are what really make up the entire experience at the SCORE San Felipe 250. Contingency day, for example, is one of the must-attend events. Racers, teams and their vehicles line the streets of San Felipe to meet with fans and hand out decals, swag and a photo or two with an autograph. It’s the best place to meet and shake hands with your favorite off-road racers. Other pre-race festivities include the Monster Energy Kick-Off party that typically starts early and ends late. Keep in mind that the race starts very early the following day, so if you don’t want to miss the motorcycles, which head out first around 6 am, keep your partying to a safe level in order to wake up early to catch the first racers off the starting line. SCORE TIP: Feel free to ask any SCORE official where they would recommend you watch the race and make sure to thank the many volunteers you meet for helping make the race a safe and well-run event. What To Look For You never know what to expect in Baja, so while many are looking for the top contenders to come in first, the race can surprise you. Last year, the early leaders had a variety of problems which left the door open for newcomer Billy Wilson to take the win in the SCORE Trophy Truck division. Everyone will also be watching to see if the Pro Moto Unlimited Champion Colton Udall will return to race with the 1X team, after suffering a shoulder injury pre-running at last year’s SCORE Baja 1000, then breaking his back after an accident while riding at Glen Helen Raceway Park in San Bernardino. In the growing UTV division, last year’s San Felipe 250 winner, Marc Burnett, will once again try to take home a victory, but will have to deal with more competition in the Pro UTV FI class, as 2016 champions like Alonzo Lopez moves into the class from the Normally Aspirated Pro UTV class in which he won a class championship last year. For more information on the week-long events at this year’s San Felipe 250, visit www.score-international.com. SJ

• Cover