SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1321285
RACE, REPAIR, REPEAT Class 1 And 10 Buggies Suffer Through On-Course Repairs To Cross The Finish Line By Dan Sanchez Photos by GetSomePhoto While the SCORE Trophy Trucks pushed quickly through the tough course of the 53rd BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 Presented by 4 Wheel Parts, the Class 1 Buggies seemed to get the brunt of it. The course had these racers beaten, battered, and broken, but ultimately it came down to the fastest times and those racers who could make repairs quickly and get back on the course. With the Parkhouse team starting first, they battled with Gabriel Torres and Broc Dickerson for the lead most of the race. Parkhouse dealt with bending a wheel, hitting a SCORE TT Spec, losing fifth gear, and a loose spare tire strap that took out their engine’s serpentine belt. Despite the issues, they went on to win the class. For Broc Dickerson, who had moved into Class 1 after a few seasons in Class 10 and winning a class championship there, he demonstrated how competitive he could be and led the class several times on the course. It if had not been for a roll-over that set him back from the lead to a fifth-place finish, Dickerson would have had his first Class 1 victory. It was the same for Gabriel Torres who had also been battling with Parkhouse and Dickerson for the lead early in the race. Driving the number 103 car, Torres and co-drivers David Ruvalcaba, and Felipe Martinez drove a close and challenging race but had three flat-tires that set them back far behind Parkhouse to finish second in class. “We were unlucky to have three flat tires during the race,” said Torres. “The mountain section was hard to drive because there were so many rocks there. It was an awesome race, however, and we want to thank all of our supporters who cheered us on from home.” Finishing third in class was Mario Fuentes with SCORE Trophy Truck driver Justin Lofton and Bob Lofton as co-drivers. “We got into a bad accident with a SCORE Trophy Truck Spec that pulled out our spare from the vehicle,” said Fuentes. “Then I hit a ditch and got another flat. It was a difficult race, despite we didn’t have any problems after that. It was fun and we’re very happy to be back here in Baja racing.” Brendan Gaughan, who had won last year’s SCORE Baja 1000 in Class 1 and started second at this year’s race, also had a difficult time on the course and finished sixth with co-drivers Buddy Feldkamp and R.J. Anderson. “All our drivers did a great job, but we lost three alternators and three batteries,” said Gaughan. “We had a long day after that. Everyone did great, except we hit a tree and got our first flat tire in two years. It was a great SCORE Baja 1000, and SCORE did a great job. The course was very tough, yet fun, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.” CLASS 10 RACERS STRUGGLE WITH TRAFFIC The lighter Class 10 vehicles didn’t seem to have trouble with the rough and technical course, but they quickly caught-up to other racers and had to wait through several bottle-necks to open-up their vehicles on the course. With a fresh field of 14 racers in this class, the number 1085 car of 20-year-old Jeremy Davis was a major contender, as well as J.J. Schnarr and Raphael Aguirre. Davis had his brother Justin who has won in SCORE’s Class 1, and also Tyler Person drive their Green Army Motorsports single-seater. Justin Davis started for the team and gave them a large lead, despite waiting through eight bottlenecks on the course. Once Jeremy got in and drove it home, the car had only one brake working and managed to get it to the finish line first for the win. Aguirre with co-drivers Cesar Fiscal, and Adrian Saucedo, ran a good race but had some logistical issues that cost them the lead and the eventual win. “We had a few issues with a flat tire and running out of gas,” said co-driver Fiscal. “ We were also driving without brakes the last sections of the course, but we made it.” Aguirre and the team finished second ahead of the number 1046 car of Ben Hagle. Ben Hagle’s team of co-drivers Kenny Wilson, Ethan Hagle, and Dalton Bailey finished third with a good, first experience for Hagle. “The race was a lot longer than what I had imagined,” he said. “I feel it on my entire body and in every muscle. The Baja hype is real, and after my first time here, I underestimated how gnarly it was going to be. I still haven’t decided if I loved it or hated it, but we’ll be back next year whether I like it or not.” Official Finishers CLASS 1 (Unlimited open-wheel single or two-seaters) 1. 127 Cody Parkhouse, 33, Long Beach, CA/Brian Parkhouse, 60, Long Beach, CA/Roger Starkey 36, Scottsdale, Ariz., Jimco-Chevy, 22:31:08 (40.19 mph); 2. 103 Gabriel Torres, 27, San Luis Potosi, MX/Esteban Cruz, Ensenada, MX/J. David Ruvalcaba, 47, Ensenada, MX, Alumi Craft-Chevy, 24:24:12; 3. 179 Mario Fuentes, 41, Juarez, MX/Justin Lofton, 34, Brawley, CA/Bob Lofton, Brawley, CA Jimco-Chevy, 25:03:48; 4. 163 Ruben Torres, 22, San Luis Potosi, MX/Enrique Avalos, 32, Ensenada, MX/David Mason, 27, Encinitas, CA/Matt Nelson, 42, Valley Center, CA/Francisco VillaGomez, 37, La Paz, MX, Alumi Craft-Chevy, 25:51:19. 5. 123 Broc Dickerson, 19, Brawley, CA/Jeff Dickerson, 45, Brawley, CA, Jimco-Ford, 27:23:56. 6. 162 Brendan Gaughan, 45, Las Vegas/Buddy Feldkamp, 42, Redlands, CA/R.J. Anderson, 26, Menifee, CA, HMS-Chevy, 28:48:03. (6 Starters, 6 Finishers) CLASS 10 (Limited, sealed engine, single or two-seaters) 1. 1085 Jeremy Davis, 20, Chino Hills, CA/Justin Davis, 27, Chino Hills, CA/Tyler Peterson, 30, Apple Valley, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 24:16:11 (37.02 mph); 2. 1022 Rafael Aguirre, 41, Monterrey, MX/Adrian Saucedo, 28, Monterrey, MX /Cesar Fiscal, 35, Monterrey, MX, Jefferies-Chevy, 24:31:39; 3. 1046 Ben Hagle, 31, Somis, CA/Ethan Hagle, 26, Somis, CA/Kenny Wilson, 32, Ojai, CA/Dalton Bailey, Somis, CA, Alumi Craft-Chevy, 27:17:41; 4. 1062 J.J. Schnarr, 47, Reno, Nev./Roberto Romo, 36, Mexicali, MX/Andrew Myers, Escondido, CA, Alumi Craft-Chevy, 27:46:30; 5. 1075 Eliseo Garcia, 45, Ensenada, MX/Javier Montoya, 46, La Paz, MX/Javier Montoya Jr, 19 La Paz, MX, RaceCo-CRACE, REPAIR, REPEAT Class 1 And 10 Buggies Suffer Through On-Course Repairs To Cross The Finish Line By Dan Sanchez Photos by GetSomePhoto While the SCORE Trophy Trucks pushed quickly through the tough course of the 53rd BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 Presented by 4 Wheel Parts, the Class 1 Buggies seemed to get the brunt of it. The course had these racers beaten, battered, and broken, but ultimately it came down to the fastest times and those racers who could make repairs quickly and get back on the course. With the Parkhouse team starting first, they battled with Gabriel Torres and Broc Dickerson for the lead most of the race. Parkhouse dealt with bending a wheel, hitting a SCORE TT Spec, losing fifth gear, and a loose spare tire strap that took out their engine’s serpentine belt. Despite the issues, they went on to win the class. For Broc Dickerson, who had moved into Class 1 after a few seasons in Class 10 and winning a class championship there, he demonstrated how competitive he could be and led the class several times on the course. It if had not been for a roll-over that set him back from the lead to a fifth-place finish, Dickerson would have had his first Class 1 victory. It was the same for Gabriel Torres who had also been battling with Parkhouse and Dickerson for the lead early in the race. Driving the number 103 car, Torres and co-drivers David Ruvalcaba, and Felipe Martinez drove a close and challenging race but had three flat-tires that set them back far behind Parkhouse to finish second in class. “We were unlucky to have three flat tires during the race,” said Torres. “The mountain section was hard to drive because there were so many rocks there. It was an awesome race, however, and we want to thank all of our supporters who cheered us on from home.” Finishing third in class was Mario Fuentes with SCORE Trophy Truck driver Justin Lofton and Bob Lofton as co-drivers. “We got into a bad accident with a SCORE Trophy Truck Spec that pulled out our spare from the vehicle,” said Fuentes. “Then I hit a ditch and got another flat. It was a difficult race, despite we didn’t have any problems after that. It was fun and we’re very happy to be back here in Baja racing.” Brendan Gaughan, who had won last year’s SCORE Baja 1000 in Class 1 and started second at this year’s race, also had a difficult time on the course and finished sixth with co-drivers Buddy Feldkamp and R.J. Anderson. “All our drivers did a great job, but we lost three alternators and three batteries,” said Gaughan. “We had a long day after that. Everyone did great, except we hit a tree and got our first flat tire in two years. It was a great SCORE Baja 1000, and SCORE did a great job. The course was very tough, yet fun, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.” CLASS 10 RACERS STRUGGLE WITH TRAFFIC The lighter Class 10 vehicles didn’t seem to have trouble with the rough and technical course, but they quickly caught-up to other racers and had to wait through several bottle-necks to open-up their vehicles on the course. With a fresh field of 14 racers in this class, the number 1085 car of 20-year-old Jeremy Davis was a major contender, as well as J.J. Schnarr and Raphael Aguirre. Davis had his brother Justin who has won in SCORE’s Class 1, and also Tyler Person drive their Green Army Motorsports single-seater. Justin Davis started for the team and gave them a large lead, despite waiting through eight bottlenecks on the course. Once Jeremy got in and drove it home, the car had only one brake working and managed to get it to the finish line first for the win. Aguirre with co-drivers Cesar Fiscal, and Adrian Saucedo, ran a good race but had some logistical issues that cost them the lead and the eventual win. “We had a few issues with a flat tire and running out of gas,” said co-driver Fiscal. “ We were also driving without brakes the last sections of the course, but we made it.” Aguirre and the team finished second ahead of the number 1046 car of Ben Hagle. Ben Hagle’s team of co-drivers Kenny Wilson, Ethan Hagle, and Dalton Bailey finished third with a good, first experience for Hagle. “The race was a lot longer than what I had imagined,” he said. “I feel it on my entire body and in every muscle. The Baja hype is real, and after my first time here, I underestimated how gnarly it was going to be. I still haven’t decided if I loved it or hated it, but we’ll be back next year whether I like it or not.” Official Finishers CLASS 1 (Unlimited open-wheel single or two-seaters) 1. 127 Cody Parkhouse, 33, Long Beach, CA/Brian Parkhouse, 60, Long Beach, CA/Roger Starkey 36, Scottsdale, Ariz., Jimco-Chevy, 22:31:08 (40.19 mph); 2. 103 Gabriel Torres, 27, San Luis Potosi, MX/Esteban Cruz, Ensenada, MX/J. David Ruvalcaba, 47, Ensenada, MX, Alumi Craft-Chevy, 24:24:12; 3. 179 Mario Fuentes, 41, Juarez, MX/Justin Lofton, 34, Brawley, CA/Bob Lofton, Brawley, CA Jimco-Chevy, 25:03:48; 4. 163 Ruben Torres, 22, San Luis Potosi, MX/Enrique Avalos, 32, Ensenada, MX/David Mason, 27, Encinitas, CA/Matt Nelson, 42, Valley Center, CA/Francisco VillaGomez, 37, La Paz, MX, Alumi Craft-Chevy, 25:51:19. 5. 123 Broc Dickerson, 19, Brawley, CA/Jeff Dickerson, 45, Brawley, CA, Jimco-Ford, 27:23:56. 6. 162 Brendan Gaughan, 45, Las Vegas/Buddy Feldkamp, 42, Redlands, CA/R.J. Anderson, 26, Menifee, CA, HMS-Chevy, 28:48:03. (6 Starters, 6 Finishers) CLASS 10 (Limited, sealed engine, single or two-seaters) 1. 1085 Jeremy Davis, 20, Chino Hills, CA/Justin Davis, 27, Chino Hills, CA/Tyler Peterson, 30, Apple Valley, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 24:16:11 (37.02 mph); 2. 1022 Rafael Aguirre, 41, Monterrey, MX/Adrian Saucedo, 28, Monterrey, MX /Cesar Fiscal, 35, Monterrey, MX, Jefferies-Chevy, 24:31:39; 3. 1046 Ben Hagle, 31, Somis, CA/Ethan Hagle, 26, Somis, CA/Kenny Wilson, 32, Ojai, CA/Dalton Bailey, Somis, CA, Alumi Craft-Chevy, 27:17:41; 4. 1062 J.J. Schnarr, 47, Reno, Nev./Roberto Romo, 36, Mexicali, MX/Andrew Myers, Escondido, CA, Alumi Craft-Chevy, 27:46:30; 5. 1075 Eliseo Garcia, 45, Ensenada, MX/Javier Montoya, 46, La Paz, MX/Javier Montoya Jr, 19 La Paz, MX, RaceCo-Chevy, 28:34:08; 6. 1074 Brady Whitlock, 26, Phoenix/Kirk Kontilis, 60, Blythe, CA/Rob Martensen, 48, Phoenix/, Foddrill-Chevy, 29:56:28; 7. 1026 Hugo Becerra, 26, Vicente Guerrero, MX/Alfredo Rodriquez, 46, Vicente Guerrero, MX/Oscar Soto, 42, Vicente Guerrero, MX, Racer-Honda, 31:10:40; 8. 1061 Joe Sim, 44, Orem, Utah/Steve Scott, 61, Alpine, CA/Brandon Pierce, 43, Orem, Utah/Ammon Carison, 44, Orem, UT, TurboLab-Chevy, 32:57:22. (14 Starters, 8 Finishers) hevy, 28:34:08; 6. 1074 Brady Whitlock, 26, Phoenix/Kirk Kontilis, 60, Blythe, CA/Rob Martensen, 48, Phoenix/, Foddrill-Chevy, 29:56:28; 7. 1026 Hugo Becerra, 26, Vicente Guerrero, MX/Alfredo Rodriquez, 46, Vicente Guerrero, MX/Oscar Soto, 42, Vicente Guerrero, MX, Racer-Honda, 31:10:40; 8. 1061 Joe Sim, 44, Orem, Utah/Steve Scott, 61, Alpine, CA/Brandon Pierce, 43, Orem, Utah/Ammon Carison, 44, Orem, UT, TurboLab-Chevy, 32:57:22. (14 Starters, 8 Finishers)