SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/812217
ALL-OUT IN SAN FELIPE ROB MACCACHREN GOES ALL-OUT TO WIN THE FIRST RACE OF THE SCORE WORLD DESERT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON By Dan Sanchez Photos by Get Some Photo If the success and grandeur of the 31st SCORE San Felipe 250 are any indications of the type of competition we’ll see in 2017, SCORE fans are in for the best year of racing in a long time. A total of 206 competitors started the race, one of the highest in recent history, which began with a new qualifying round for top classes and added a new level of competition to the SCORE San Felipe 250. Race week began March 29 with racer registration and chassis inspection, but fans and racers couldn’t wait for to see the Trophy Truck, Class 1, and Trophy Truck Spec Qualifying runs, that were the first ever held for this race. Fans gathered to get a glimpse of the speed and power these vehicles produce and watch them battle for a critical starting position advantage. First Time Race Qualifying The four-mile qualifying course was located near the San Felipe airport, and after it was over, Rob MacCachren had the fastest time to put him in the number one starting position for the Trophy Truck division. “It was a great start to the weekend qualifying first,” said MacCachren. “Qualifying is great because you always want to be in the top five. There were 25 Trophy Trucks competing in San Felipe this year and if we would have had a drawing for position and end up in the back, with some of the faster competition in front, it would be very difficult to win the race.” Within the Class 1 division, Mike Malloy from La Jolla, California, posted the fastest time, while in the Trophy Truck Spec Class, John Langley with Luke Johnson of the COPS racing team, came out on top. With the top qualifiers earning their starting positions, the stage was set for an exciting race, but fans know there are some racers who have a history of winning this event. One of them is Gustavo “Tavo” Vildosola Jr. who won the SCORE San Felipe 250 three-times in a row in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The two-time SCORE Trophy Truck Champion Carlos “Apdaly” Lopez was also a fan favorite to win the race, as well as last year’s winner Billy Wilson. In addition, fans also don’t discount powerful racing teams like Herbst Motorsports, who also have a history of winning the San Felipe 250 and have done so numerous times, including a three-peat in 1999, 2000, and 2001. This year’s course for the 31st SCORE San Felipe 250 was laid out with its start and finish on the Malecon in the center of town. The 271.9-mile course runs through some difficult but beautiful terrain and includes dry lake beds, narrow canyons and rock-strewn washes including the area’s Chante, Huatamote and Amarillo washes that have been historically challenging areas of the course for this race. FANS COME OUT TO MEET RACERS With starting line positions set and watching the battles on the qualifying course, the action was taken to the streets of San Felipe’s Malecon the following morning. Huge crowds flooded downtown San Felipe and surrounded race vehicles and manufacturer’s display areas to grab swag and take photos with their favorite racers and their vehicles. Contingency day gives spectators a real taste of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula’s vibrant surroundings. The Malecon has the ocean on one side, while locals, street vendors, and music filled the area with a fun and festive atmosphere before the race. SCORE Thanks 7-11 SCORE International sends its sincerest gratitude to the staff and management at the local 7-11 in San Felipe for providing SCORE International staff and volunteers with water and sandwiches throughout the race. “The generous contribution from 7-11 to our staff and volunteers demonstrates the great partnership opportunities local business get when SCORE International comes to town,” said SCORE Marketing Director Jim Ryan. “We appreciate 7-11’s donation and look forward to working and seeing them again soon.” SJ