268 total entries to date
Mark McMillin, Doug Fortin, Troy Herbst leading 26 Class 1 racers,
Six with 18 Class 1 wins, into next month’s 37th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
Unlimited open-wheel class has captured overall 4-wheel wins
Two of the last three years in the granddaddy of all desert races.

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 25, 2004) -- Considering the thousands of challengers who have attempted to ‘beat the Baja’ over nearly four decades, it makes the accomplishments of Mark McMillin, Doug Fortin and Troy Herbst even more amazing in the legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race. The granddaddy of all desert races will be held for the 37th time next month, running 1,016.3 miles down Mexico’s majestic Baja California peninsula.

Between them, McMillin, Fortin and Herbst have won the unlimited Class 1 for open-wheel desert race cars in the most well known of all desert races 14 times since 1981, including seven overall race wins.

For over 20 years the kings of desert racing, Class 1 has been seriously challenged since 1994 by the SCORE Trophy-Trucks, the high-tech, 750-horsepower unlimited production trucks.

A SCORE Trophy-Truck has been the overall four-wheel vehicle winner in eight of the last 10 years in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, but the good news for Class 1 fans is that Class 1 has won the overall two of the last three years. Since 1975, Class 1 has won the overall 4-wheel vehicle title in this race 17 times. Six of the racers entered this year have combined to win 17 SCORE Class 1 season point championships.

As a matter of fact, a comparison of the top 10 overall finishers in the last three years of this desert classic shows nine Class 1s and just 1 SCORE Trophy-Truck in 2001, five Class 1s and 4 SCORE Trophy-Trucks in 2002 and four Class 1s and five SCORE Trophy-Trucks last year. Grand total for the last three years, 18 Class 1 cars to just 10 of the ‘Monsters of the Desert’ in the top 10 overall four-wheel vehicle finishers list.

To date, an impressive total of 268 vehicles have officially entered this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. When registration is complete, over 275 vehicles competing in 26 Pro and 5 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs are expected to compete in Mexico. Among the total are a SCORE record 29 in SCORE Trophy-Truck and 26 in Class 1.

Pre-race festivities will be held around the Riviera del Pacifico Convention Center in Ensenada and the San Nicolas Hotel, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 16-17. The race will start on Thursday, Nov. 18, in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Convention Center with motorcycles and ATVs getting the green flag at approximately 6:30 a.m., followed by the car and truck classes at approximately 10:30 a.m. Vehicles will start one every 30 seconds in the elapsed-time race. The finish line will be on the outskirts of La Paz adjacent to the tourism office. While the fastest finishers will complete the rugged route in approximately 16 hours, each vehicle will have a 40-hour time limit to become official finishers in the historic event.

With the introduction of the added horsepower of Chevy, Ford, Toyota and Honda engines to supplement the traditional VW powerplant, along with the significant evolution of chassis design and durability and increased-capacity suspension systems, Class 1 continues to be a major force in the desert. Class 1 always has a much higher finishing rate than the ‘thoroughbred’ SCORE Trophy-Trucks, who have a tendency to become rather fragile when crashing around at 130-plus miles per hour over the rugged desert terrain that makes up SCORE courses.

From 1972 through 1989, the class was split into two parts, one for single-seat race cars and one for two-seaters. Class 1 rules since 1990 allow for either single or two-seat vehicles in one unlimited open-wheel class.

Currently second in the Class 1 point standings heading into the 2004 SCORE Desert Series finale, McMillin, 48 of El Cajon, CA, is part of the three-generation McMillin Racing family team. His eight Class 1 victories in this race, including five overall crowns are unprecedented.

This year, Mark McMillin will drive his new No. 110 McMillin Racing Jimco-Chevy, which he drove to victory in this year’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 in February. His string of Class 1 victories in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 during the 1980s is unequalled in the history of SCORE desert racing (1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989) and included his overall wins in 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1988.

“SCORE desert racing in Baja has been a major focal point for the McMillin family for 30 years, and with that experience it has spawned some tremendous success for us as a family,” said Mark McMillin, who will drive one of three McMillin Racing Class 1 cars entered in the race.

“Being raised near the border and traveling so much across it over the years, we are as comfortable in Baja as we are in our own backyards, and I really think this helps give us an edge” added McMillin. “We don’t always win, but we certainly have won our share, but most importantly it’s the process of bringing family, friends and employees together for a common cause and working together with all the logistics needed to race in Mexico. This has certainly translated well into our business ventures in San Diego County.”

Another second generation desert racer, Fortin, 34, who is also from El Cajon, CA, has five class wins in this race and four in Class 1, including the overall victories in 1997, 2001 and 2003. In 2002, the last peninsula run prior to this year, Fortin and his driving partner Charlie Townsley, also of El Cajon, where second in Class 1 and fourth overall in the No. 124 Fortin Racing Jimco-Chevy.

Troy Herbst, 38, the youngest of the three racing Herbst brothers of Las Vegas (his older brothers Ed and Tim race together in SCORE Trophy-Truck), is currently third in Class 1 points for the season and won Class 1 in this race both in 1999 and 2000. He has 15 Class 1 wins since 1997, including two this year, in the SCORE Desert Series. In the series, Herbst has also won a remarkable six consecutive Class 1 season point championships (1997 through 2002). In 1998, 2000 and 2002, he was also the SCORE Overall Point Champion.

In Baja again this year, Herbst will split driving time in the No. 109 Terrible Herbst Motorsports Smithbuilt-Ford with Baja racing legend Larry Roeseler, 47, of Hesperia, CA Roeseler has 12 class wins in this race, including a record 10 overall motorcycle wins and two in Class 7 (Open Mini Trucks). Herbst and Roeseler have teamed up to win the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 for three consecutive years.

This race will also determine the 2004 Class 1 SCORE point champion. Five teams are within 44 points of each other and another four are not mathematically eliminated. Ironically, the top four point leaders will start in consecutive order in the elapsed-time race, despite the results of the live drawing for starting positions within each class. Troy Herbst is No. 109 (third in points) and will be followed off the start line by Mark McMillin (second), point leader John Marking and McMillin’s nephew Andy McMillin (fourth).

With consistent finishes of second, ninth, sixth and fifth so far this year, the team of John Marking, 42, another El Cajon racer, and Chris Harrold, Chula Vista, CA, who will be 43 on Nov. 19, have risen to the top of the Class 1 point standings with 250 points. To help bolster their team for the season finale, the third team driver will be Bob Lofton, 45, of Westmorland, CA, the 2002 race winner in Class 1. The trio will drive the No. 111 Jimco-Chevy.

Mark McMillin is second in Class 1 points with 237 points and one win and Troy Herbst is third with 234 points and two 2004 wins.

Fourth with 228 points is Andy McMillin, 17, of Poway, CA, who splits driving time with his father Scott McMillin, 44, (Mark’s brother), in the No. 112 McMillin Racing Jimco-Chevy. Andy and Scott McMillin finished 12th, second and second in the first three races of the year to take the Class 1 point lead, but slipped all the way back to fourth with a did-not-finish in September’s SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300. Scott McMillin has also finished third, fourth and second in Class 1 in this race the last three years.

Bobby Baldwin, 54, of Las Vegas, will start first in Class 1 in the No. 101 Baldwin Racing Porter-Ford. Baldwin, the CEO of the Bellagio Resort and a former winner of the famous World Series of Poker, is currently fifth in Class 1 points with 206 points.

Also in the field is Buddy Feldkamp, 26, and his father Bud Feldkamp, 59, both of Redlands, CA, in the No. 120 Penhall-Chevy. Bud Feldkamp is a two-time overall 4-wheel vehicle winner in this race (1975 and 1977).

Leading the rest of the hopefuls is last year’s Class 1 SCORE point championship team of Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA and Ernie Castro Jr., Newport Beach, CA Currently eighth in Class 1 points, the pair are still breaking in their new No. 100 Inland Truss Racing Jimco-Toyota.

Also entered in Class 1 is the McMillin Racing family patriarch Corky McMillin, 75, Bonita, CA, the oldest driver of record entered in the event. McMillin, who won Class 2 in this race in 1985 with his son Scott, is driver of record in the No. 121 Chenowth-Chevy.

The crossover team entered again this year in Class 1 is former IndyCar racer Mike Groff, 42, Pasadena, CA, and current Champ Car driver Jimmy Vasser, 38, Las Vegas (No. 107 Jimco-Chevy).

Among the other Class 1 entries are: Chuck Hovey, 35, Escondido, CA (No. 114 Jimco-Chevy), Brian Ickler, 19, Poway, CA/Steve Sourapas, 46, Rancho Santa Fe, CA (No. 105 Jimco-Chevy), Ron Brant, 59, Oak Hills, CA/Richard Boyle, 38, Ridgecrest, CA (No. 119 Jimco-Chevy), Dan Myers, 26, Newport Beach, CA (No. 122 Jimco-Chevy) and Gary Weyhrich,37/Mark Weyhrich, 34, Troutdale, Ore. (No. 117 Jimco-Chevy).

The classes with the most entries to date are SCORE Trophy-Truck (29), Class 1 (26), Class 1-2/1600 (23), SCORE Lite (15) and Protruck (14).

First start in the motorcycle and ATV classes will be the legendary American Honda racing team of Hengeveld, Oak Hills, CA, and Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, CA The pair have won nine consecutive SCORE races. Campbell also has seven consecutive overall motorcycle victories in this race, including three with Hengeveld (2000, 2002 and 2003). Sharing seat time on the No. 1x Honda XR650R, Hengeveld also one other motorcycle class win in this race. In 2002, they set an average speed record in this race for a motorcycle, averaging an incredible 62.45mph.

The post-race SCORE Survivor Award’s Celebration will be held Saturday afternoon in La Paz and is scheduled to be held at the Crowne Plaza Resort, adjacent to the official finish line of the race.

Pre-race festivities on Wednesday, Nov. 17, for the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, including tech and contingency and the SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. across from the San Nicolas Hotel. The pre-race mandatory driver/rider briefing will be held Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Riviera CC. Racer registration will be held at the Riviera CC from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16 and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17.

The popular event will feature the $40,000 Terrible’s Baja Bonus purse, which includes a $20,000 bonus to the first overall 4-wheel vehicle, provided by Herbst Gaming of Las Vegas.

The race will also culminate the chase for both the $10,000 Kartek Off-Road bonus and the $12,000 Toyota True-Grit and Toyota Milestone Awards. The Kartek Off-Road bonus goes to the 2004 SCORE Overall point champion. This is the 18th year of the Toyota awards.

Celebrating its 31st anniversary this year as the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series, the SCORE Desert Series is returning to Mexico for the last of three races held annually in Baja California.

The race will be televised as a one-hour special in December on the new Jeep World of Adventure Sports show on the NBC Television Network. The show is produced by Aura360. The telecast will air on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). A special pre-running preview segment with Terrible Herbst Motorsports and NASCAR’s Robby Gordon will air on the show on Saturday, Dec. 4.

SCORE official sponsors for 2004 are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Southern California Ford Dealers-official vehicle and C.L. Bryant-VP Racing Fuels-official fuel supplier. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, Herbst Gaming, Kartek Off-Road, Fram, Autolite, Prestone, Bilstein, Signpros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products, and Advanced Color Graphics.

Additional sponsors of this year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 are: Cotuco, Fideicomiso Publico para la Promocion Turistica de Ensenada and Centrix Financial of Denver.

For information contact:
SCORE International at its Los Angeles headquarters
(818) 225-8402 or visit
the official Optima SCORE Desert Series website at:
www.score-international.com

Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
SCORE Class 1 All-Time Winners
1967—Vic Wilson/Ted Mangels
1968—Andy DeVercelly/Tom McClelland
1969—Andy DeVercelly/Tom McClelland
1970—Johnny Johnson/Larry Bright
1971—Bobby Ferro
1972—Johnny Johnson
CLASS 2—Parnelli Jones/Bill Stroppe
1973—Johnny Johnson/Bobby Ferro
CLASS 2—AndyDeVercelly/Rolland Weston
1974—No Race (Fuel Crisis)
1975—Malcoln Smith/Bud Feldkamp
CLASS 2—Charles Townsley/Bill Hrynko
1976—Ivan Stewart
CLASS 2—Walker Evans/Jeff Srednick
1977—Malcolm Smith/Bud Feldkamp
CLASS 2—David Martin/Albert Martin
1978—Mark Stahl
CLASS 2—Gene Townsend/Don Paxton
1979—Don Robertson/Doug Robertson
CLASS 2—Tom Hoke/Ralph Paxton
1980—Mark Stahl
CLASS 2—Frank Vessels/Brad Stoffers
1981—Mark Stahl
CLASS 2—Mark McMillin/Tom Hoke
1982—Mickey Thompson/Terry Smith
CLASS 2—Don Adams/Malcolm Smith
1983—Mike Lund
CLASS 2—Mark McMillin/Ralph Paxton
1984—Larry Noel/Tim Kennedy
CLASS 2—Mark McMillin/Ralph Paxton
1985—Mark McMillin/Ralph Paxton
CLASS 2—Corky McMillin/Scott McMillin
1986—Mark McMillin/Ralph Paxton
CLASS 2—Bob Gordon/Tim Crabtree
1987—Mark McMillin
CLASS 2—Bob Gordon/Malcolm Smith
1988—Mark McMillin
CLASS 2—Bob Gordon/Frank Arciero Jr.
1989—William Church/Michael Church
CLASS 2—Mark McMillin
1990—Bob Gordon/Robyn Gordon
1991—Ed Herbst/Tim Herbst
1992—Paul Simon/Dave Simon
1993—Ivan Stewart
1994—Carl Renezeder/Charlie Giofreddi
1995—Ryan Thomas/Doug Fortin
1996—Ryan Thomas
1997—Doug Fortin
1998—Bob Gordon/Ryan Arciero
1999—Troy Herbst
2000—Troy Herbst/Jimmy Smith
2001—Doug Fortin/Charlie Townsley
2002—Mike Julson/Bob Lofton
2003—Doug Fortin/Charlie Townsley

2004 SCORE Point Leaders
CLASS 1 (52 Total Racers, Wins)
1. John Marking, El Cajon, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 250
2. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, CA, Jimco-Chevy (1), 237
3. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas, Smithbuilt-Ford (2), 234
4. Andy McMillin, Poway, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 228
5. Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Porter-Ford, 206
6. Chuck Hovey, Escondido, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 202
7. Rick Romans, Big Bear Lake, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 195
8. Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA, Jimco-Toyota, 172
9. Brian Parkhouse, Bell Gardens, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 153
10. Damen Jefferies, Oak Hills, CA, Porter-Chevy (1), 144
11. Rick Wilson, Long Beach, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 134
12. Steve Melton, Buckeye, Ariz., Jimco-Chevy, 130
13. Michael James, Alpine, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 127
14. Cam Thieriot, Occidental, CA, Gordon-Chevy, 126
15. Ron Brant, Oak Hills, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 121
16. Corky McMillin, Bonita, CA, Chenowth-Chevy, 116
ALSO:
21. Buddy Feldkamp, Redlands, CA, Penhall-Chevy, 93

SCORE CLASS 1
All-Time Season Champions
(Note: From 1974 through 1989, SCORE had Class 1 for single-seaters and Class 2 for two-seaters)
1974--Bobby Ferro, Sherman Oaks, CA
CLASS 2--Bil Hrynko, San Antonio, Texas
1975--Ivan Stewart, Alpine, CA
CLASS 2--Dennis Betscher, El Cajon, CA
1976--Bill Silverthorn, Lemon Grove, CA
CLASS 2--Walker Evans, Riverside, CA
1977--Malcolm Smith, Riverside, CA
CLASS 2--Bob Gordon, Lakewood, CA
1978--Bud Feldkamp, Riverside, CA
CLASS 2--Rudy Townsley, El Cajon, CA
1979--Steve Kelley, Riverside, CA
CLASS 2--Frank Vessels, Bonsall, CA
1980--Malcolm Smith, Riverside, CA
CLASS 2--Mike Patrick, Corona, CA
1981--Jack Motley, Downey, CA
CLASS 2--Corky McMillin, Bonita, CA
1982--Glenn Evans, Phoenix
CLASS 2--Don Adams, Nathrop, Colo.
1983--Larry Ragland, Phoenix
CLASS 2--Mark McMillin, Bonita, CA
1984--Larry Ragland, Phoenix
CLASS 2--Mark McMillin, Bonita, CA
1985--Ron Brant, San Pedro, CA
CLASS 2--Corky McMillin, Bonita, CA
1986--Mark McMillin, Bonita, CA
CLASS 2--Bob Gordon, Orange, CA
1987--Mark McMillin, Bonita, CA
CLASS 2--Corky McMillin, Bonita, CA
1988--Mark McMillin, Bonita, CA
CLASS 2--Bob Gordon, Orange, CA
1989--William Church, Irvine, CA
CLASS 2--Matt McBride, Brea, CA/Steve Sourapas, La Jolla, CA
1990--Ivan Stewart, Alpine, CA
1991--Jim Smith, Gardena, CA
1992--Jason Baldwin, Newport Beach, CA
1993--Ivan Stewart, Alpine, CA
1994--Jim Baldwin, Newport Beach, CA
1995--Mike Julson, El Cajon, CA
1996--Brent Grizzle, Holtville, CA
1997--Troy Herbst, Las Vegas
1998--Troy Herbst, Las Vegas
1999--Troy Herbst, Las Vegas
2000--Troy Herbst, Las Vegas
2001--Troy Herbst, Las Vegas
2002--Troy Herbst, Las Vegas
2003--Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA

For information contact:
SCORE International at its Los Angeles headquarters
(818) 225-8402 or visit
the official Optima SCORE Desert Series website at:
www.score-international.com