SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/850606
CASELLI FOUNDATION RAISES $40K+ AT DOFFO WINERY FUNDRAISER The 4th Annual Kurt Caselli Foundation Benefit, presented by SCORE International, raised more than $40,000 towards improving off-road safety. The Foundation Benefit was held at the Doffo Winery in Temecula, California. The Doffo Winery holds the benefit annually and offers limited edition Kurt Caselli tribute wine and collectors packs. Proceeds from the sales help raise money for the foundation and according to the Doffo family, the social media coverage of the event reached more than five million people. The goal of the Kurt Caselli Foundation is to prevent and raise awareness of off-road racing safety and injuries, especially for motorcycle racers and enthusiasts. “On behalf of everyone at Doffo Winery and the Kurt Caselli Foundation, we thank you for helping us make this year’s event such a huge success,” said Damian Doffo. “Without your time and generosity, this event would not be possible.” For more information on donations and programs run by the Caselli Foundation, visit www.kurtcaselli.com. SPARCO ACQUIRES MASTERCRAFT SAFETY/IMPACT RACING Impact Racing, Inc. and its associated brands (MasterCraft Safety and MasterCraft Defense) have been wholly acquired by Sparco. Mastercraft Safety/Impact racing was owned by CEO Robbie Pierce who originally purchased the company from Bill Simpson. Sparco is an Italian company that was founded in 1977 by two young drivers with a desire to improve racing safety. In 2009, Aldino Bellazzini became the majority stakeholder and Chairman and immediately began implementing numerous technical advancements resulting in Sparco receiving ISO/TS16949:09 quality certification in 2010. “Our employees are our greatest asset, and Sparco recognizes that,” said former Impact owner Pierce. “Since I purchased MasterCraft Safety in 1999 my goal has always been to build this company into an American equivalent of Sparco. To have that very company validate my efforts through their acquisition of both the Impact and MasterCraft brands and have the brands continue is a tremendous endorsement of our talented and hardworking employees. I am extremely proud of everything we have accomplished over the years.” The addition of Impact Racing and its 45,000-square foot Indiana facility strengthens Sparco’s position in America’s heartland and adds “Made in the USA” capabilities to its portfolio. SCORE MOURNS THE LOSS OF BOB “WEATHERMAN” STEINBERGER The SCORE Family of racers and enthusiasts mourns the loss of Hall of Fame Off-Road Racing legend Bob “Weatherman” Steinberger. Steinberger suffered from cancer and passed away at his home in Parker, Arizona. Funeral services were attended by many of Steinberger’s family and friends in the off-road industry and had many wonderful things to say about the help he provided and the legacy he leaves behind in helping improve communications during off-road races. “Known as the ‘Weatherman’ throughout the desert racing community, Bob was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2013. He was the relay communications announcer for SCORE races for over 30 years,” said SCORE International President Roger Norman. “Steinberger was a friend to the racers as he kept chase crews in touch with their teams as good as possible, his passing reminds us even more how fragile all of our lives are and how we need to embrace each day with the dedication, passion, and enthusiasm that Bob exuded for over 40 years of working communications for races from all desert racing organizations. We share in the grief of Bob’s family and the entire desert racing nation.” Steinberger found his niche within off-road in that pivotal year of 1972 when he became good friends with Bill Stroppe. He received an invitation from Stroppe to chase the SCORE Baja 1000 that year. Steinberger and two guys trekked to race mile 800 with two gas cans and a truck full of adventure. Two days passed with no word from the race truck. Eventually, the truck arrived, the gas was dumped and the truck pushed on to the finish. After that experience, Steinberger expressed his frustration with the team, explaining they should put two-way radios in the vehicles so the two could communicate. The following year, he put communications in the Stroppe vehicles driven by Joe MacPherson and Walker Evans. At the 1974 Mint 400, he sent up three weather balloons with five hundred feet of coax attached and the first successful relay from a pit was made. It is believed that it was MacPherson who couldn’t remember his name, so he dubbed him “Weatherman” on the radio. The rest is history and iconic status has been reached through nearly half a century of work with the company he founded, PCI Race Radios. Steinberger’s dedication to The Weatherman Relay was so important to him, that while he was battling cancer, he asked his son Scott to carry on the Weatherman Legacy in his name. Scott accepted the honor and responsibility and has filled in for his Dad at the last few races. Bob Steinberger was an avid off-road enthusiast. When not providing communication relays from the top of Mount Diablo for SCORE Baja races, he was on the ground in the Nevada and Arizona desert providing retrieval efforts with his famous “Yellow Zebra Jeep” at BITD races. He loved rock crawling and all things off-road. Steinberger also enjoyed hunting and spending time on the river with his friends and family. In 2013, Steinberger was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. A great honor and a fitting recognition for a man who has spent almost half a century dedicated to such an amazing culture and sport. SJ FAMILY AND FRIENDS ATTENDED STEINBERGER’S MEMORIAL EARLIER THIS MONTH. FORMER SCORE PRESIDENT SAL FISH ALSO ATTENDED AND GAVE A FEW WORDS ON STEINBERGER’S CONTRIBUTIONS.