SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
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FOUR IN A ROW FOR MENZIES Bryce Menzies Wins the 2024 SCORE Baja 400 Story by Stuart Bourdon Photos by Get Some Photo Bryce Menzies pulled off a spectacular feat during the 5th SCORE Baja 400 presented by VP Racing. He and co-driver Oren Anderson crossed the finish line first Overall and in the SCORE Trophy Truck class at this race for the fourth time in a row. When asked what such an accomplishment meant to him and the entire Menzies team, Menzies told us, “Winning four in a row is significant because it shows just how well coordinated the entire team is and how hard all of us work together to make sure we’ve all done all our homework. From Oren and I pre-running the racecourse multiple times, and making sure we know every mile of it, to the attention to detail the mechanics have when prepping the truck ensuring it’s in perfect shape going into a race. Also to the pit and chase crews who work hard to help us get to the checkered flag first.” From the start of the SCORE Baja 400’s 424.52-mile racecourse across the rugged terrain of Baja California Norte, Menzies knew he had to push hard but play it safe. The level of competition among the Trophy Truck class is so elevated now that any little mistake or miscalculation can cost you the win. Qualifying third at the Method Race Wheels Qualifier, there were two strong competitors, Christopher Polvoorde and Toby Price (who qualfied in first place), that Menzies needed to get ahead of to win. Right off the start, Menzies ran strong, and was only seconds behind Polvoorde, who got a flat that gave up some time. After passing Polvoorde, it put Menzies second on the course. Price was a little more difficult to get past. Menzies, however, stayed focused and hung on, keeping the No. 1 Red Bull truck moving as fast as possible, figuring he could get past Price eventually. That chance was almost lost when his Trophy Truck suffered a flat tire. Anderson jumped out got that taken care of faster than you can say “change a tire” 10 times, and they were back up and running a faster pace. Around race mile 240, lady luck smiled on Menzies again when he came across Price pulled over while changing a flat. Although now in the lead, Menzies knew that some of the toughest and tightest sections of the SCORE Baja 400 racecourse were ahead of him. Alan Ampudia in the No. 10 Papas and Beer Trophy Truck was also moving fast and not far behind. Menzies, however, also knew that if he kept up a good pace, and if they had no troubles, they could take the win. With an official time of 7:53:57, Menzies crossed the finish line first for the win. During the celebration, he acknowledged how important having Anderson as co-driver and navigator is to their record of success. “We have been friends for many years and share the same sort of mindset about family life and racing that has created a level of friendship that allows us to operate with complete and absolute trust in each other’s abilities and judgment.” With the incredible number of top-notch teams in the TT class and elapsed split-times at the finish line commonly being seconds rather than minutes, it’s more important now than ever before to have the truck in perfect readiness for the race, a co-driver and driver working together like a single organism, and for the entire team to be fully synchronized. Stir in a little luck, and that’s how you win four Baja 400s in a row. SJ Video: Bryce Menzies On His 4th In A Row SCORE BaJa 400 Win