SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1541562
A BLAST OF BAJA The 2025 Off-Road Expo Unveils The Latest Dirt By SCORE Journal Staff Along with the many off-road vehicles, parts, and accessories at the 2025 Off-Road Expo, there was also a bit of Baja present from SCORE International’s large display area. This annual show, held at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California, on October 4-5, was where SCORE International revealed the course map for the 2025 58th BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 1000 race. Many in attendance knew that the unveiling of the SCORE Baja 1000 map would be held at 3 pm on the first day of the show. This attracted hundreds of people to the SCORE area inside the Building 15 Promenade, where SCORE International had a multitude of vehicles on display, including the Frank Vessel’s restored Class 8 Chevy Pickup (pictured above), a Terrible Herbst racing UTV made to look like their famous Land Shark Truggy, and an insanely cool luxury pre-runner from Terra-Crew. The area was also filled with Baja race vehicles, including Wilson Motorsport’s 1/2-1600 race buggy, Kristen Matlock’s Pro UTV Open Class Polaris, Concrete Motorsport’s SCORE Trophy Truck, Brenthel Racing’s SCORE TT Spec truck, and two Pro Moto Unlimited race bikes, including the 7x SlamLife Racing, and 1x Spinali Racing Hondas. • Kristen Matlocks Pro UTV Open Polaris RZR racer • Concrete Motorsport’s SCORE Trophy Truck • The SlamLife 7x Pro Moto Unlimited Honda • The 2024 SCORE Pro Moto Unlimited 1x Spinali Honda • Terra Crew pre-runners were also among the race vehicle displays As 3 pm approached, the crowd was addressed by SCORE’s VP of Marketing Jim Ryan, who revealed the BFGoodrich Tires 58th SCORE Baja 1000 course map, an 854-mile loop course that starts and ends in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. It was also announced that the 2026 59th SCORE Baja 1000 will, for the first time, start and finish in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. By the time this is published, the SCORE Baja 1000 will have just finished, and SCORE Journal will bring you behind-the-scenes action, exclusive interviews, and all the action in our December 2025 Year-End issue. • A large crowd gathered for the announcement of the 2025 SCORE Baja 1000 race map • SCORE’s VP of Marketing Jim Ryan made the announcement and revealed the map everyone had been waiting to see MORE TO THE SHOW The Off-Road Expo Presented by General Tire has traditionally been the end-of-summer show for off-road enthusiasts, attracting tens of thousands to a sprawling showcase of everything that makes playing in the dirt a way of life. It was also the first time it was being held at the Orange County Fairgrounds, where hundreds of the industry’s top manufacturers and custom builders transformed it into an off-road paradise. Aisles were packed with vehicles, from purpose-built rock crawlers and desert-devouring trucks to overland-ready adventurers and jaw-dropping custom vehicle builds. This year was all about pushing boundaries. Attendees got a firsthand look at the latest in suspension technology, rugged tires, advanced lighting systems, and every conceivable piece of gear designed to conquer wild terrain. An expanded Overland Village catered to the booming adventure-travel crowd with rooftop tents, sophisticated camp kitchens, and all the essentials for life off the grid. • Many off-road aftermarket manufacturers had lots of deals and were busy with customers all weekend • Everything from safety gear to communications could be found in the showgrounds • Ethan Eberts 2WD TT that finished second at the SCORE Baja 500 this season • Vildosola Racing’s Crew Chief Steve Lewis’ pre-runner on display in the Method Race Wheel area • Hostyle window safety nets were on many of the racing UTVs on display But the Expo wasn’t just a static display. The air crackled with excitement thanks to the “Built to Destroy Live” shows put on by the legendary Terra Crew. Spectators were treated to a symphony of roaring engines and flying dirt as skilled drivers pushed their machines to the absolute limit in the proving grounds, turning the expo into an adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Whether you were a seasoned veteran hunting for show-exclusive deals, a newcomer soaking in the culture, or a family looking for an action-packed weekend, the 2025 Off-Road Expo delivered. It was more than just a trade show; it was a vibrant celebration of a passionate community, a testament to incredible engineering, and a powerful reminder that the greatest adventures begin where the pavement ends.