SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1533430
SCORE TROPHY TRUCKS Unlimited Racing Vehicles By Micah Anderson From the very first sanctioned Baja race in 1967 and through the early 1970s, desert racing was a relatively simple affair. There were only four vehicle divisions: stock cars, dune buggies, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and motorcycles. Competitors and builders would modify and upgrade adding basic reinforcements to frames, suspensions, and drivetrains to go the distance and survive the punishing terrain. Many motorsport innovators took notes from hot-rodding, drag racing, aviation, and land speed machines, combined that with off-the-shelf vehicle components, and built unique off-road racing vehicles. After decades of development from production-based trucks, and improvements in tire technology, the SCORE Trophy Truck came to the forefront. They were officially introduced by SCORE-International in 1994 as an Unlimited class. These new types of racing vehicles competed in their own SCORE race series from 1994 to 1997, when they were finally integrated to compete against the rest of the SCORE classes. The birth of the Trophy Truck class allowed builders to craft exotic purpose-built super-custom race trucks from the ground up. The goal was to create the fastest and most advanced off-road racing trucks without design restrictions. Over the years, advancements in engineering, materials, technology, and construction processes have transformed SCORE Trophy Trucks into some of the most sophisticated off-road machines on the planet. Today, it is not uncommon for laser-cut, tig-welded, space-frame steel-tube chassis to be produced in volume, essentially creating a production line of Trophy Truck builds. “At 1 Nine Industries, we feel we do set ourselves apart from the rest with workmanship, attention to detail, and the quality of parts we use on all of our builds,” said SCORE Champion Ryan Arciero. 1 Nine Industries is the re-branded name of Herbst-Smith Fabrication who build the vehicles for Terrible Herbst Motorsports. “No expense is spared in our finished Trophy Trucks and Trophy Truck Spec vehicles. When they leave our shop for the first time, they are complete and ready to race and win out of the box.” Modern SCORE Trophy Trucks are built with advanced CAD modeling, cutting-edge suspension components, tunable on-the-fly shocks, 1,000 horsepower engines, all-wheel-drive capabilities, aerodynamic bodywork, specialized composite materials, and high-performance brake, wheel, and tire packages. With this arrangement, SCORE Trophy Trucks can reach speeds over 140 mph across the harshest environments. “The modern SCORE Trophy Truck has a longer wheel-base of 125 inches on average, and a 91-inch average track width,” said Neil Mason of Mason Motorsports. “Greater steering angles and larger fuel cells give these trucks more range in capability and distance. Two-wheel drive trucks weigh under 6,000 lbs. and All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) trucks are a bit heavier, but have more traction in soft silt and dirt. The AWD trucks came on the scene around 2017 and had issues with durability, but as those issues were resolved, the AWD trucks are now the dominant and fastest vehicles in SCORE off-road racing.” Trophy Truck Diversification In an effort to promote competition across varying budgets, thicken the field, retain aging contestants, and ensure inclusivity, SCORE has expanded the Trophy Truck division with several additional classes. SCORE TT Spec Beginning in the 2014 season, SCORE opened entries for the San Felipe 250 with a new division titled SCORE Trophy Truck Spec. The new class rules specify two-wheel-drive vehicles that appear very similar to the unlimited Trophy Truck division but are limited to certain sealed motor types with a maximum of 525 HP. These trucks must use the TH400 transmission, a solid rear axle drivetrain, and are allowed to use underdrive units. The SCORE-mandated Trophy Truck Spec engine rules currently make inclusions for the GM LS3 V8 and Ford 3.5 Liter twin-turbo EcoBoost. SCORE Trophy Truck Spec racers must purchase and obtain new crate motors only from designated SCORE Engine Sealing Centers. “The unique thing about the TSCO Spec Truck is that we do not just take our full-size Trophy Truck platform and throw a spec engine in it,” says John Vance at TSCO Racing. “We set out to precisely design and build something ideally perfect for a spec truck setup. We shorten the wheelbase, narrow the track, and include a few other TSCO trade secrets. It is lighter and more nimble than the larger platforms. I believe the proof is in the results we’ve had over the last several years, with multiple SCORE Baja 1000 wins, multiple SCORE Baja 500 wins, and multiple SCORE San Felipe 250 wins.” The primary focus of the Trophy Truck Spec Class, was to create a highly competitive cost-effective engine program for racers who want to compete at the highest level and enjoy all of the other benefits of unlimited type of off-road vehicle performance. The division is arguably one of the most popular in all of off-road racing, regularly seeing entry fields with over thirty elite competitors. SCORE TT Legends SCORE Trophy Truck Legends was later introduced in 2017 as a subdivision of the SCORE Trophy Truck class, designated for drivers over the age of 50. This class allows veteran racers to compete within their own division while still running full Trophy Truck machinery and are distinguished with an “L” after their number on the vehicle. The SCORE TT Legends Class has proved to be just as exciting and has gained in popularity with multiple teams ,and especially by the performance of class record wins by Gustavo Vildosola Sr. and Ricky Johnson. The team has 12 race victories in a row and is currently undefeated. SCORE 2WD Trophy Truck For the 2025 SCORE Season, a 2WD Trophy Truck class was introduced. This new class allows many 2WD Truck teams and vehicles to compete in SCORE with other 2WD competitors, as the cost and availability of AWD vehicles can be prohibited. In some races, the 2WD vehicles can be very competitive overall. “Last year, we thought there was still an opportunity to build some competitive two-wheel drive trucks,” said Matt Major of Alumicraft Race Cars. “I think when you talk about power to weight, our 2WD truck has a lot to offer and with a six-speed, it’s definitely a fast truck.” The 2WD Trophy Truck Class allows for an unlimited engine displacement (850+ with or without forced induction), and an unlimited suspension built on a custom-built tube chassis. The class entries will have a “T” after their number and have Class Championship eligibility by running all four SCORE races this season The evolution of SCORE’s unlimited Truck divisions continues to reflect the spirit of innovation and adaptation that defines the sport, along with providing classes and access for participation from anyone who wants to compete. SJ