2023 the 50th Anniversary of SCORE International Off-Road Racing

Baja Racing

How many of you have ever heard of the Baja 1000 or Baja 500? Believe it or not these are just two races of the SCORE International Off-Road Racing Series. This year SCORE has four races scheduled from April to November, ranging from 250 miles to over 1000 miles all over the Baja Peninsula. (Yup, miles, that's what the 1000 stands for in Baja 1000) 

SCORE History 

Let's go back in time for a little history lesson. Way back in 1973 promoter Mickey Thompson recruited Sal Fish to make the biggest and best racing organization in the world. Since its conception, SCORE has earned the reputation of being the roughest and most grueling off-road racing organization in the world. In fact every year since 1973 racers from around the world have come to compete. Not only racers come, every year auto & motorcycle manufacturers, aftermarket parts companies, giant technology corporations, and nutrition companies have used SCORE’s events as testing grounds as well as proving grounds for their products. What better way to test your stuff than in the longest point to point race in the world, the Baja 1000.

Times have changed 

Throughout the years the competition vehicles have changed. What was considered a powerful 2-stroke bike several years ago is now overrun by 450 four-stroke torque monsters. The iconic Baja Bug is still out there but hidden amongst the hundreds of Trophy Trucks (unlimited 1000 hp trucks), but I don’t think anyone ever saw the invasion of Side by Sides. Side by Sides have taken SCORE by storm, in fact there are so many that show up to race SCORE has created several classes to make it a level playing field for everyone. But, I have to say the biggest and smartest change SCORE has made is to create deviations and alternate routes for the motorcycle.  Many people may not like this but ask any motorcycle racer, the last thing they want to be battling is a 1000 hp Trophy Truck in the dust.

The Races

Like I said, SCORE has four races scheduled this year beginning in April with the San Felipe 250. This is the shortest of the  four races all year but don't think it’s the easiest. This little race is the toughest of all four and the fastest, it’s basically a sprint race. 

In June we have the Baja 500 in Ensenada Mexico, this steps it up with the mileage and although not as tough as San Felipe, this race presents its own challenges. 

After the Baja 500, at this point in the season you know if you’re chasing a points championship or not. You must compete in all four races to qualify for the points championship. So if you’ve done well for the 250 & 500, don’t put those rigs away just yet.

The Baja 400 in September is the racer’s race. Again starting out of Ensenada Mexico, this race offers some of the same challenges as the Baja 500. What makes this race interesting is the reason I say this is a racer’s race. The finishing results of this race will determine the starting positions for the Baja 1000, so it's all out war baby.

November brings around the granddaddy of all off-road races, the Baja 1000. Everyother year Score will have a loop race that is just a huge 1000 mile loop starting and finishing in Ensenada other years they’ll do what is a peninsula run, this starts in Ensenada and finishes in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas. The peninsula runs are usually more than 1000 miles, sometimes 1200 miles and sometimes 1400 miles. This year SCORE added a twist to the peninsula run. Instead of starting in Ensenada and finishing in La Paz, the race will start in La Paz and go north to finish in Ensenada.

Coming up fast

The San Felipe 250 is just a few weeks away and with over 250 pre-registered entrees, this is going to be one for the books. We can expect 75 Trophy Trucks, 63 Side by Sides, and 56 Bikes. The bikes will hit the course at 6am on April 1st followed by the four wheeled vehicles at 9am. Each competitor will have 14 hours to complete the 250 mile course. Stay tuned for more coverage of the San Felipe 250 and the rest of the SCORE International season.