SCORE Journal

An Aggressive Bug

The Volkswagen Beetle-based Baja Bug has been a fixture in off-road racing for more than a half-century, and it has gone through quite an evolution over the years. The backyard modifications to bodies, suspensions, tires, and engines have given way to purpose-built, very sophisticated race machines. SCORE's Class 5 rule changes allowing the use of water-cooled engines of up to 2500cc from any manufacturer, revitalized the class several years ago by doing away with the need to use more expensive, harder to find, Volkswagen air-cooled power. Bill and Trey Hernquist’s new Class 5 car made its debut in last year's SCORE Baja 500 using a 2.4 liter GM Ecotec engine is a fine example of the latest in Baja Bug development.