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SCORE International Brings Baja 1000 Qualifying To SEMA

IMG_6983 After determining the starting order for races via random draw for over 40 years, SCORE International only started using qualifying for Trophy Trucks and Class 1 cars in 2012. The move put the fastest drivers up front, instead of having to overcome the dust generated by slower competitors. The decision was not without some controversy though, as all Class 1 buggies start behind all of the Trophy Trucks. Many Class 1 teams have opted out of qualifying since they do not see the value if they have to start behind the trucks anyway. This year SCORE head honcho Roger Norman took qualifying a step further by holding it in conjunction with the SEMA Show. The goal was to expose industry players to the excitement and capabilities of desert racing to promote further growth. BAJA02 24 Trophy Trucks and 6 Class 1 cars signed up for qualifying on the 3.6-mile course at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Drivers’ reactions were mixed to qualifying in Las Vegas, since this is an added expense for privateers and many teams are already in Baja prerunning the race course ahead of the race on November 13. High profile teams saw this as an opportunity not just to start the race at the front of the pack, but also to showcase their skills and promote their sponsors in front of a large, influential crowd. Also, Method Race Wheels put up $2500 for the fastest qualifier on the course, which consisted of dirt jumps and berms from the short course track and a large loop on both asphalt and dirt. BAJA03 SCORE promoted the qualifying event through their huge SCOREville display outside at the SEMA Show, complete with autograph signing and over a dozen Trophy Trucks on display. The trucks fired up in unison on Tuesday afternoon and paraded out of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Qualifying started at 7 PM and was open to the public. Being the first year, the even lagged behind schedule but was well attended. SCORE saved the best for last, with top drivers like BJ Baldwin and Bryce Menzies qualifying last. BAJA04 In the end, Robby Gordon put down the fastest qualifying lap to take home the $2500 and start first at the Baja 1000. The bottom of Gordon’s truck was completely covered in SCOREville, hiding a set of Toyo short course tires that gave him an edge in qualifying. Bryce Menzies commented before the race that he also considered short course tires, but his truck was built around 39-inch desert tires and the short course tires did not provide enough clearance when the suspension was at full compression. This didn’t seem to be an issue for Gordon, who put on a driving clinic, to the delight of fans. Just two seconds behind Gordon was Rob MacCachren, and BJ Baldwin was seven seconds behind Gordon. In less than two weeks we will find out just how important starting position is in 1298-mile non-stop race from Ensenada to La Paz.

BAJA05

Unofficial Top 8

  • Robby Gordon 3:52
  • Rob MacCachren 3:54
  • BJ Baldwin 3:59
  • Bryce Menzies 4:00
  • Tavo Viladosola 4:01
  • Dale Dondel 4:03
  • Armin Schwartz 4:04
  • Cameron Steele 4:07
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