SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
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A GOLDEN GALA 2023 SCORE Champions Are Crowned By Dan Sanchez Photos by Jack Wright NMEDIA3 The SCORE awards gala was held on January 20th at the San Diego Air and Space Museum and hosted by Rat Sult. It was a celebration ending the 2023 SCORE World Desert Championship 50th Anniversary Season by crowning Overall and Class Champions, as well as recognizing individuals who have contributed to a successful season. The gala began with a prayer by Steve Hanson Champlain of Racers for Christ honoring the racers, friends, and legends of the sport that were lost this year including, Ken Block, Robbie Pierce, Jim Ober, Johnny Johnson, Kyle LeDuc, Butch Dean, and Mike Stapelton. SCORE President/Race Director Jose A. Grijalva and SCORE General Manager Juan Tintos Funke were the first to take the stage to recognize several Mexican government and tourism officials for their help during the 50th Anniversary season. These included the Mayor of San Felipe Jose Luis Dagnino Lopez, and Jose Quiñónez Ramírez, who is the Undersecretary of Tourism of Baja California representing Governor Marina del Pilar Aliva Olmeda and Secretary of Tourism Miguel Aguñiga Rodriguez at this event. Also recognized that evening for their assistance was Lucia Aguirre Insunza, Ensenada Director of Economy and Tourism representing Mayor Armando Ayala Robles. Erika González Pickett, Ensenada City Councilwoman and President of the Tourism Commission was also recognized for her support and promoting the initiative of the first Saturday of June becoming SCORE International Day in Baja Mexico. PERSONS OF THE YEAR For the first time, SCORE International selected three individuals as Person Of The Year. The first was Secretary of Energy Miguel Maciel Torres, who helped SCORE and VP Racing Fuels expedite the importation of racing fuel especially once regulations changed just before the SCORE Baja 1000. Secretary Torres was unable to be present at the event to receive the honor. The second Person Of The Year award was presented to SCORE Legend and Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee Mark McMillin, who has supported SCORE from the family’s long-time racing efforts that began with the McMillin patriarch Corky and carried on by Mark and his brother Scott. McMillin has also supported SCORE from his involvement with the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame serving as Chairman and advocate for the organization. Darrell Jackson CEO and President of Jackson Marketing was the third Person Of The Year, honored for his important contributions to SCORE International. Through his leadership, he was instrumental in developing the strategic partnership between BFGoodrich Tires and SCORE International. BFGoodrich Tires continues to be the Official Racing Tire of SCORE International and has been a SCORE sponsor and partner for more than 42 years. SCORE Legacy Award Former SCORE owner Sal Fish was honored with a SCORE Legacy Award for his 38 years as the visionary and owner of SCORE International. His continued and unwavering support after his sale of SCORE in 2012 continued through the 2023 SCORE 50th Anniversary. “I’m honored to be here tonight celebrating with all of you,” said Fish. “This last year was the most exciting for me, especially as I was asked to be the Grand Marshal for each of the four events during the 2023 SCORE 50th Anniversary Season. During that time, I witnessed the finest off-road racing and organization of SCORE since the beginning.” SCORE Lifetime Achievement Award Dominic Clark, SCORE Media Operations Director received the SCORE Lifetime Achievement Award for his 40 years of service. “Thank you for the opportunity and this very special award,” said Clark. “I started in desert racing with Walt Lott and Danny Cau at HDRA and it transitioned into working with Sal at SCORE International. A big thanks to Roger and Elise who have also kept me in this great organization for 11 years and within the SCORE family.” OFF ROADSMAN AWARDS Several individuals received SCORE Off-Roadsman Awards, decided by SCORE members and fans who voted for the nominees in each category. Nominees and winners contributed to the success of the SCORE 2023 season in various ways that continue to help the sport, racers, and fan base. MECHANIC OF THE YEAR: Andres “Lechero” Rodriguez from Vildosola Racing. This is the third SCORE Mechanic OTY award for Rodriguez, and he dedicated this year’s award to Kyle LeDuc. Rodriguez said that the LeDuc family helped get him started as an off-road racing mechanic and that he had promised Kyle that he would someday be the best. Sharing the podium with SCORE Legend Curt LeDuc, Rodriguez accepted the award in honor of Kyle. TEAM MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Willie Valdez Jr. Menzies Motorsports. Valdez, a veteran of the sport, said he had been doing this for 35 years and acknowledged to be very grateful for the opportunity to work for many great teams. He also said he appreciates the Menzies team for giving him the tools to enjoy what he loves to do. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Roberto Romo Jr. SCORE Trophy Truck. Romo, the son of SCORE veteran racer Roberto Sr., had his first year racing in the SCORE Trophy Truck class with some top-five finishes this season. He thanked his parents for the opportunities they have given him and mentioned that the SCORE Trophy Truck class is not easy, but he is looking forward to the 2024 season. SJ OTHER CATEGORIES SCORE Off-Roadsman awards also include people, manufacturers, and teams selected for their efforts in specialty categories. MEDIA CATEGORIES Media Impact Journalist Of The Year- Austin Fish Farner Photographer Of The Year-Ernesto Araiza Videographer Of The Year-Justin Chaisson, Menzies Motorsports CONTINGENCY & PIT SUPPORT CATEGORIES Contingency Company Of The Year – Baja Designs Pit Support Team Of The Year: BFGoodrich Tires MANUFACTURER & BUILDER CATEGORIES Engine Builder: Ray Field, Dougans Racing Original Open Wheel Chassis Manufacturer: Alumi Craft Original Truck Chassis Manufacturer: Neil and Robert Mason, Mason Motorsports UTV Manufacturer: Polaris Industries Off-Road Motorcycle Manufacturer: Honda