GREENVILLE, S.C. – Nov. 14, 2008 – BFGoodrich Tires is gearing up for its 22nd victory in the granddaddy of off-road races, the SCORE Baja 1000. BFGoodrich Tires enjoyed having a lock on the four-wheel vehicle title as the only tire manufacturer taking top honors at the world’s premier off-road race for 20 consecutive years until 2005, and although the streak was broken in 2006, the brand rebounded again in 2007. This year, the official tire of SCORE International intends to start a new lineage of wins and records heading into the 41st annual event.
“BFGoodrich has set the standard by which other brands hope to reach, which is a testament to the entire BFG team,” said Joe Mazur, light-truck category manager, BFGoodrich Tires. “The SCORE Baja 1000 has always been an excellent platform for showcasing BFGoodrich Tires’ support of off-road racing. While we were delighted to reach the 20-year milestone in 2005, we are committed to victory every time we come to Baja.”
Each year, BFGoodrich teams compete on a variety of tires, including the BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A®KO tire, BFGoodrich® Baja *** tire and BFGoodrich® Baja T/A®KR tire. During recent years, teams driving on BFGoodrich® Baja *** tires have been near perfect in the most well-known and challenging desert off-road race. In 2007, BFGoodrich Tires took victories in 16 of the competing classes, including the overall title by Mark Post, Rob MacCachren and Carl Renezeder in a Trophy-Truck. BFGoodrich Tires also supported the entire Baja Challenge Class with Mud-Terrain T/A®KM2 tires, which brought home the entire 18-car field at its Baja 1000 debut.
“The course down in Baja this year is going to be very demanding on the racers, the equipment and the tires,” said Frank DeAngelo, off-road motorsports manager for BFGoodrich Tires. “The Baja 1000 is the ultimate test for performance and durability, and the BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR and Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires have proven to take on the toughest terrain anyone can throw their way.”
In addition to providing its celebrated Baja T/A KR tire for the race, BFGoodrich Tires will be lending pit and communications support to teams through its fleet of off-road motorsports vehicles. This immense undertaking involves more than 250 off-road enthusiasts and volunteers each year who donate their time to help make the race an overwhelming success.
“Unless you are in the driver or passenger seat to experience the race firsthand, it is almost impossible to compare the abuse most vehicles and their tires go through,” said DeAngelo. “You’re bouncing through the desert at 120 miles-per-hour in hot weather for nearly 17 hours straight, while being hit with rocks, dirt, sand and anything else that might be around the corner. This takes quite a toll on man and machine.”
This year’s legendary desert classic, to be held Nov. 19-23 in Mexico will start for the 34th time and finish for the 19th time in Ensenada, Baja California while extending over a rugged course on both sides of the Baja peninsula. The motorcycle and ATV classes will start their journey at 6:30 a.m. (Friday, Nov. 21) with the car and truck classes starting at approximately 10:30 a.m., or three hours after the last ATV leaves the line. Vehicles will leave in 30-second intervals in the elapsed-time race and while the fastest finishers are expected to complete the course in approximately 14 hours, all vehicles will have a 31-hour time limit to become official finishers in the legendary adventure.
More than 350 entries from more than 35 states and 15 countries, competing in 28 Pro and 7 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs will take part in this year’s SCORE Baja 1000. It is the oldest and most well known of all desert races, and it remains as the single most appealing accomplishment to a driver. Since 1967, the mother of all desert races has been run over the mysterious Baja California peninsula every year except 1974 when the international fuel crisis forced a cancellation.
This year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race will be televised on a delayed basis as a one-hour NBC Sports special for the fifth consecutive year, scheduled to air at 1 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, Dec. 14 on the NBC Television Network. It will also air on a delayed basis outside of the U.S. on ESPN International.
During the past 22 years, winners riding on BFGoodrich tires have included:
1986
Mark McMillin/Ralph Paxton
Chenowth Porsche
1987
Bob Gordon/Malcolm Smith
Chenowth Porsche
1988
Mark McMillin
Chenowth Porsche
1989
Robby Gordon
Ford Pickup
1990
Bob Gordon/Robby Gordon
Chenowth Chevy
1991
Larry Ragland
Chevy Pickup
1992
Paul Simon/Dave Simon
Ford Ranger
1993
Ivan Stewart
Toyota SR5
1994
Jim Smith
Ford Pickup
1995
Larry Ragland
Chevy Pickup
1996
Larry Ragland
Chevy Pickup
1997
Larry Ragland
Chevy Pickup
1998
Ivan Stewart
Toyota Tundra
1999
Larry Ragland
Chevy Pickup
2000
Dan Smith/Dave Ashley
Ford Pickup
2001
Doug Fortin/Charlie Townsley, Jr.
Jimco Chevy
2002
Dan Smith/Dave Ashley
Ford Pickup
2003
Doug Fortin/Charlie Townsley, Jr.
Jimco Chevy
2004
Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler
Smith Built Ford
2005
Troy Herbst/Larry Roeseler
Smith Built Ford
2007
Mark Post/Rob MacCachren/Carl Renezeder
Ford F-150
Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock-crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com
--Sean P. Holman
Tech Editor - Four Wheeler Magazine