SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/519117
INAUGURAL BUD LIGHT SCORE BAJA SUR 500 RECAP Hailing from Mexicali, the 24-year-old Laguna started his SCORE racing career in the right seat of a Class 11 at age 15. He won a few class championships as he worked his way up the racing ladder before earning his first Unlimited Trophy Truck win in only his second race in the class. Laguna is also the first overall winner for his team RPM Off-Road and just the third Mexican National to win a SCORE race overall. He finished the race in 7 hours, 35 minutes and 41 seconds with an average speed of 55.90 mph. "This is my second race in a SCORE Trophy Truck and I'm proud of the win and representing Mexico," said Laguna after the race. Despite the win, his day was not trouble free. Laguna's radio failed at race mile 20 after getting wet in a water crossing, which left him racing "blind" with regard to the positions and times of the other Trophy Trucks. The single lane course also made WITH ONLY A FEW COMPETITORS IN CLASS 7, DAN CHAMLEE PROVED HIS VICTORY WAS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT, FINISHING NEARLY FOUR HOURS AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION TO WIN THE CLASS. AARON AMPUDIA FROM ENSENADA, MEXICO MANAGED TO TAKE A DEMANDING LEAD OVER THE FIELD OF CLASS 1/2 1600 VEHICLES AND WIN. it tough to pass. After Laguna caught Rob MacCachren near race mile 110 it seemed he was unable to pass. After recognizing the area, Laguna said he knew a tight corner was coming up. "I had it marked well on the GPS because I missed the corner a few times in pre-running. As we came up to the corner MacCachren was not braking so I knew he was going to blow the corner. I checked up, and as I got there MacCachren was turning around, but I took the inside line and made the pass." As Laguna came into his pit at race mile 160 he knew only Apdaly Lopez was in front of him on the course and was only five minutes behind. He took rear tires and fuel at that pit and continued to chase down Lopez. Laguna's navigator, Kellon Walch, used visual markers and a stopwatch as they closed in on Lopez to get split times. A lightning fast tire change for Lopez denied Laguna the chance to pass leaving Laguna in his dust until 012 SCORE JOURNAL