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Poucher draws first motorcycle start as four car and truck strong classes to have qualifying session at 49th SCORE Baja 500

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, dominiccnv@aol.com   May 19, 2017   Race to air on El Rey Network Poucher draws first motorcycle start as four car and truck classes to have qualifying session at 49th SCORE Baja 500   Entries to date represent racers from 28 U.S. States, 13 countries; internationally-televised race May 31-June 4 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico; pre-running opens Saturday; technical, challenging race course to cover 515.77 miles;   Qualifying on June 1 for Round 2 of four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship; racer registration, more info at http://score-international.com/raceinfo/2017-baja-500/   ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico— Following Thursday’s draw for starting positions, SoCal’s Garrett Poucher will be the first motorcycle off the starting line in the upcoming 49th annual SCORE Baja 500 desert race. Entries from around the world continue to arrive for Round 2 of the 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship, to be held May 31-June 4 in Mexico’s Baja California Norte, starting and finishing in Ensenada, the seaside port on the Pacific Ocean, 80 miles south of San Diego. With classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads, there were 191 official entries in the start draw. With as many as 100 late entries still expected to enter the popular race, entries in the draw came from 28 U.S. States and 13 countries for the upcoming internationally-televised 49th annual SCORE Baja 500. With SCORE Trophy Trucks, the marquee SCORE racing division for high-tech, 850-horsepower unlimited production trucks, the new SCORE TT Legend, unlimited Class 1 open-wheel desert race cars and Trophy Truck Spec qualifying for starting positions on Thursday of race week (June 1), Poucher is certain of the starting position for his multi-rider team on race day. Most the world’s best desert racers will be in action at this year’s 49th anniversary of the SCORE Baja 500, the original desert race produced by SCORE on July 26, 1974. THE FIELD & START In addition to 28 U.S. States, racers from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands and Spain are already part of the field that is expected to grow to nearly 300 vehicles at the start line. It is an elapsed-time race with staggered starts as the green flag will drop first on Saturday (June 3) for the motorcycles and quads at 5:30 a.m. (PDT) and approximately 10 a.m. (PDT) for the cars, trucks and UTVs. The race has a 20-hour time limit from the time each vehicle starts to become an official finisher. GOLDEN SCORE 2017 The 2017 season also marks the golden 50th anniversary celebration of the legendary season-ending SCORE Baja 1000, the iconic Granddaddy of all Desert Races to be held November 14-18. The SCORE Baja 1000 is the oldest, longest and most prestigious continuously held desert race in the world. ONLINE RACER REGISTRATION Online registration, by class, for Pro and Sportsman cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads, is ongoing through the SCORE website.  For more info, visit http://score-international.com/raceinfo/2017-baja-500/. Online entries will be accepted until 10 p.m. (PDT) on Thursday, May 25. Late entries after that date and all on-site late entries will be assessed a $100 late fee to enter the race. PRE-RUNNING Official practice, or pre-running, on the official 515.77-mile race course for this year’s SCORE Baja 500 will begin on Saturday, May 20. Pre-running will start at race-mile 38 outbound only and will end at rm476. ENTRY LEADERS Of the 191 total vehicles that officially entered in Thursday’s start draw for the 49th SCORE Baja 500, 151 in car/truck/utv classes and 40 in motorcycle/quad classes. While SCORE Trophy Truck with 34 (including four in the new SCORE TT Legend division for drivers over 50 years old) has the most entries of any class in the race, other car/truck/UTV classes with double figure entries so far are Pro UTV FI with 26, Trophy Truck Spec and Class 10 with 16 each, Class 1 with 12 and Pro UTV with 11 entries in the start draw. Leading the Pro motorcycle classes are the Pro Moto Unlimited, Pro Moto 30 and Pro Moto 50 classes seven entries each in the start drawing. Leading the Sportsman classes is SPT M/C with five entries so far. POUCHER TEAMMATES Splitting up the riding time with the veteran Poucher, 34 of Valencia, Calif. on the No. 33x Honda CRF450x in Ensenada will be expert riders Michel Valenzuela, Tijuana, Jeremy Newton, Parker, Ariz., Troy Vanscourt, Norco, Calif. and Braxton Gallian, Cave Creek, Ariz. The Garrett Off-Road Racing team finished a solid fifth place in the Pro Moto Unlimited class in the 2017 season-opening SCORE San Felipe 250. QUALIFYING On Thursday, June 1 qualifying for starting positions will be held for the marquee SCORE Trophy Truck division, SCORE TT Legend, the unlimited Class 1 and Trophy Truck Spec. Qualifying will be held over a special course near Ensenada and is not open to the public. The start drawing for these classes will determine their respective qualifying order. While the majority of the entries in these top classes are expected to qualify, those who elect not to will be given the remaining start positions in the elapsed-time race based on the original drawing or entry into the race within their respective classes. Qualifying is closed to the public because of safety concerns, but taped highlights of qualifying will be shown starting Thursday evening (June 1) on the SCORE website. Drawing the first for the qualifying runs in their respective classes were Casey Currie in SCORE Trophy Truck, Matt Cullen in Class 1 and Lee Banning in Trophy Truck Spec. SCORE TT Legend for drivers over 50 years old will qualifying race with SCORE Trophy Truck but will be timed in their own class. Drawing the sixth spot for qualifying in the new class was Mexico’s veteran racer Gustavo Vildosola, 63, who won his class in the SCORE San Felipe 250. MORE FIRST STARTS      Among the other racers drawing first starting positions in their respective classes for the race were Cody Reid in Class 10, Bill Whittington in Pro UTV FI and Paul Champion in Pro UTV. MAIN COURSE The race will feature a course, being finalized by SCORE CEO/President Roger Norman along with Race Director Jose A. Grijalva, of approximately 515.77 miles. It will run in a counter clockwise direction. The first and last 19.5 miles will be shared course outbound and inbound. Starting and finishing once again in the heart of Ensenada in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, it will quickly leave the pavement and head up the spectator-friendly Ensenada Arroyo for two miles as it heads out of town. The historic race course is another memorable example of all that Mexico’s Baja California has to offer, including high-speed dirt trails, sandy, rocky and silty natural terrain, majestic Baja washes and canyons, stretches along the seashore with elevations from sea level to over 3,000 feet. The course will be another jewel reflecting the stark beauty of Baja California. This year’s course will have five physical checkpoints—North of Johnson’s Ranch, Morellia Junction, North of San Felipe on Highway 5, Nuevo Junction and El Mezcal before Ojos Negros. This course is different than last year’s course. Last year it had much more desert, it went up the Summit and this year it goes to the coast. There are also sections that haven’t been raced on for a number of years and a few sections that SCORE has never race on before. Other towns and landmarks the course goes through or near are Ensenada Arroyo, Piedras Gordas, Ojos Negros, Uruapan, Santo Tomás, Erendira, Johnson's Ranch, Colonet, Jaramillo, Hacienda Sinaloa on San Telmo Rd., Rancho El Coyote, Mike's Sky Rancho, San Matias, the Diablo Dry Lake bed, San Felipe, Valle de Trinidad, The Goat Trail, Nuevo Junction and Santa Catarina. A HAPPENING… Colorful race week festivities will start Thursday (June 1) with qualifying for SCORE Trophy Truck, SCORE TT Legend, Class 1 and Trophy Truck Spec. SCORE sponsor partner Monster Energy will present the Monster Energy SCORE Kick-off Party from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the VIP area at the start/finish line in front of the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center. Friday, June 2 will see the day-long, pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and contingency festival in the start finish line area in Ensenada. During the race on Saturday, June 3 the start/finish line compound will include the massive double-sided SCOREvision LED screen broadcasting race festivities and start and finish line interviews. All of the week’s festivities will be aired both live and same-day including the race, airing via the internet on the SCORE website. AT THE RIVIERA… The Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center, in the heart of Ensenada, will again be the site of many of the activities surrounding the SCORE Baja 500. Racer registration will be held in the Red Room on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (May 31, June 1-2). Media registration will be also held in the Red Room at the Riviera on Thursday and Friday (June 1-2) and the SCORE Media Center will be in the Red Room during the race (June 3-4) with internet access and live race updates, vehicle tracking displays including unofficial elapsed times. In the Cathedral Room at the Riviera will be pre-race media conference as well as the mandatory pre-race racer’s meeting on Friday (June 2). The post-race awards celebration will also be in the Cathedral Room at noon on Sunday (June 4). The start/finish line for the race will once again be adjacent to the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center on Blvd. Costero. GRAN HISTORIA The SCORE Baja 500 is one of the top motorsports events in the world. It was started originally in 1969 by the NORRA organization. Mickey Thompson and his SCORE International organization were asked by Mexican government to take over the event in 1974. Sal Fish ran and later owned and produced the SCORE Baja 500 for 39 years until he sold SCORE to Roger and Elise Norman in December of 2012. Ensenada is the heart and soul of the SCORE Baja 500 as the popular summertime race will start for the 44th time and finish for the 40th time in Ensenada. In addition to starting 43 times in Ensenada, this popular early summer race has also started three times in Ojos Negros (1991, 1992, 1993), once in San Felipe (1989) and in 1984 it was moved for one year to Barstow, Calif. in the United States. In addition to finishing 39 times previously in Ensenada, the SCORE Baja 500 has also finished five times in Santo Tomas, twice in Ojos Negros (1991, 1992), once in Barstow, Calif. and once in San Felipe. SCOREscope The four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship and for the second time all four are being held in Baja California, Mexico. Here is the 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule:

  • 31st SCORE San Felipe 250, March 29-April 2, San Felipe, Mexico
  • 49th SCORE Baja 500, June 1-4, Ensenada Mexico
  • Rosarito Beach 21st SCORE Desert Challenge, Sept. 14-17, Rosarito Beach, Mexico
  • 50th SCORE Baja 1000, Nov.14-18, Ensenada, Mexico to La Paz, Mexico
EL REY NETWORK The four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship in Baja California, Mexico along with the SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience/SCORE Baja 1000 Qualifying in Las Vegas will all air on El Rey Network in the United States. International distribution is by way of syndication. The season-ending 50th SCORE Baja 1000 will have a two-hour show produced while the other race shows will each be one-hour telecasts. El Rey Network is a 24-hour, English-language lifestyle network targeting "Strivers," viewers who hold strong core beliefs about the importance of family, independence, hard work, craftsmanship, and legacy. Founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, and curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network features action-packed programming, relatable heroes and aspirational stories that embrace today's America. El Rey's slate is anchored by signature series including the original drama "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series," the one-on-one interview program "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair," and "Lucha Underground," a lucha libre wrestling series produced by Mark Burnett. El Rey Network's lineup also showcases a wide range of iconic feature films and television series including genre, action, and sci-fi/ horror. El Rey Network LLC is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures, with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc. El Rey Network is available in 45 million homes across the country through cable and OTT providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 341 and Dish Network Channel 253. For more information on how to watch El Rey visit http://elreynetwork.com. SCORE SPONSORS… Official SCORE Sponsors: BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire, Monster Energy-Official Energy Drink, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber, Raceline Wheels-Official Wheel, Axial R/C-Official R/C Vehicle, El Rey Network-Official Television Partner, Wide Open Excursions-Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino. SCORE Official Partners: PCI Race Radios, 4 Wheel Parts, Coca Cola, The Satellite Phone Store, Satellite Del Norte, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, CETTO Vineyards. Additional SCORE Associate Partners: Proturismo Ensenada, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, Baja California Sur State Government, Baja California Sur Secretary of Tourism, Mexicali Ayuntamiento, COTUCO Mexicali/San Felipe, Cruz Roja Mexicana, Corporate Helicopters, McKenzie’s Performance Products, Advanced Color Graphics. Rosarito Beach SCORE Desert Challenge Special Partners: Ayuntamiento de Playas de Rosarito, Cotuco de Playas de Rosarito, Comite de Mercadatecnia Playas de Rosarito. For more information regarding SCORE, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship atwww.SCOREInternational.com. 49th SCORE Baja 500 Round 2 of four-race 2017 SCORE World Desert Championship May 31-June 4, 2017—515.77 miles; Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico Total Entries 191 (as of 5/18/17) (Entered in time for start draw): (from 28 U.S. States, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain) (starting order—from start draw, by class) Pro Cars & Trucks SCORE TROPHY TRUCK (34) (Qualifying order) 22 Casey Currie 23 Dan McMillin 9 Armin Schwarz 77 Robby Gordon 1 Carlos Lopez *21L Gustavo Vildosola 85 Mike Lawrence 41 Justin Lofton 31 Andy McMillin 97 B.J. Baldwin 91 Troy Herbst 11 Rob MacCachren 19 Tim Herbst 33 Todd Tuls 30 Robbie Pierce 16 Cameron Steele *84L Nick Vanderwey 3 Mark Post 53 Todd Romano 58 Tracy Graf 15 Billy Wilson *96L Larry Roeseler 21 Gustavo Vildosola Jr 94 Steve Strobel 7 Bryce Menzies 50 Zak Langley 10 Aaron Ampudia *5L Clyde Stacy 76 Jesse Jones 60 Cole Potts 6 Larry Connor 4 Justin Matney 83 Luke McMillin 45 Gary Magness   *SCORE TT LEGEND (4) CLASS 1 (12) (Qualifying order) 105 Matt Cullen 104 Rob Archibald 138 Brian Wilson 199 Cody Robinson 150 Morgan Langley 111 Mike Malloy 153 Brad Wilson 188 Sergio Salgado 168 Shelby Reid 187 Ryan Sharman 106 Derek Fletcher-2nd RS 121 Pat Bell-1st RS TROPHY TRUCK SPEC (16) (Qualifying order) 255 Lee Banning 299 Charles Dorrance 211 Pat Sims 213 Matthew Lopez 227 Jonathan Brenthel 222 Pete Sohren 274 Elias Hanna 280 Andrew Myers 250 John Langley 229 Brian Goldstein 224 Paul Nauleau 271 Carey Chrisman 232 Chelsea Magness 201 Russell Buehler 220 Craig Christy 251 Joe Lombardo-RS HAMMER TRUCK UNLTD (1) 4401 Joshua Bertschy CLASS 10 (16) 1068 Cody Reid 1085 Justin Davis 1096 Steve Baron 1081 Todd Winslow 1048 Kevin Price 1032 Chip Prescott 1092 Reinaldo Varela 1033 Dimas Diaz 1043 Scott Youngren 1002 Clay Lawrence 1060 Armando Boehme 1064 Justin Buckley 1023 Broc Dickerson 1062 J.J. Schnarr 1000 Rafael Navarro IV 1045 Travis Clarke CLASS 8 (3) 812 Miguel Padilla 844 Noah Ostanik 852 Spencer Morgan CLASS 1/2-1600 (7) 1611 Elizandro Yee 1625 Eric Pavolka 1623 Mario Estrella 1601 Roberto Romo 1603 Oscar Alvarez 1619 Victor Celis 1662 Rick Boyer-1st RS SCORE LITES (9) 1215 Juan Gallo C. 1216 Matt Ferrato 1257 Michael Cooper 1208 Rich Roberts 1240 Miguel Bonilla 1247 Wes McKenzie 1222 Rafael Aguirre 1202 Matias Arjona IV 1212 Martin Lizarraga-RS HEAVY METAL (1) 8066 Don Hatch CLASS 7 (6) 737 Dallas Luttrell 709 Jeff Proctor 719 Mark Johnson 704 Aaron Celiceo 701 Brandon Walsh 700 Dan Chamlee Pro UTV FI (26) 2998 Bill Whittington 2913 Branden Sims 2989 Wes Miller 2905 Marc Burnett 2936 Jacob Carver 2971 Wayne Matlock 2944 Shane Redline 2946 Jose Juarez 2990 Steve Smith 2917 Derek Murray 2975 Mike Cafro 2914 Tyler Walker 2977 Justin Elenburg 2918 Justin Lambert 2919 Brandon Schueler 2931 Craig Scanlon 2912 Tony Riggs 2916 Cody Rahders 2948 Matt Burroughs 2968 Christine Giampaoli Zonca 2910 Scott Trafton 2967 Anthony Perez 2904 Cory Sappington 2929 Paul Wadlington 2949 Alonso Lopez 2930 Sean Cook Pro UTV (11) 1955 Paul Champion 1998 Don Whittington 1962 Dodge Poelman 1985 Adrian Orellana 1907 Daniel Parker 1906 Mark Levrett 1912 Dave Sparks 1954 Kristen Matlock 1950 J.T. Holmes 1922 Aldo Salazar-2nd RS 1925 Matt Scarpuzzi-1st RS CLASS 5-1600 (3) 557 Mario Ledezma 582 Rodolfo Martinez 577 Luis Herrera CLASS 3 (1) 349 Ken Leavitt BAJA CHALLENGE (1) BC1 Marco Gonzales STOCK FULL (1) 8125 Cooper Reynolds Gross-RS CLASS 7SX (1) 741 Gerardo Novelo O. CLASS 11 (2) 1156 Art Penner 1111 Eric Solorzano-1st RS Pro Motorcycles PRO MOTO UNLIMITED (7) 33x Garrett Poucher 3x Ray Dal Soglio 66x Santiago Creel 23x Mark Winkelman 70x Dylan Montanaro 10x Skyler Howes 45x Francisco Arredondo PRO MOTO 30 (7) 300x Ryan Liebelt 360x Santiago Creel 303x Luis Gomez 328x Glen Scherer 307x Tony Wenck 333x Chad Thornton 311x Rodrigo Alvarez-1st RS PRO MOTO 40 (2) 400x Jano Montoya 411x Colie Potter PRO MOTO LIMITED (5) 100x Jim O’Neal 114x Rodolfo Patron 160x Santiago Creel 103x Connor Pankratz 107x Ulises Fierro PRO MOTO 50 (7) 509x Seiji Kubota 512x Akhiro Saito 5 06x Mark Adams 549x Robert Gates 550x Bill Sekeres 510x Giovanni Spinali 500x Marty Gomez PRO MOTO IRONMAN (2) 721x Jose Carrasco 724x CA White Jr PRO MOTO 60 (3) 601x Robert Dunlap 609x Donald Lewis-2nd RS 600x Mark Hawley-1st RS Pro Quads Pro Quad (1) 2a Donald Higbee Sportsman SPT M/C (5) 237x Bobby Wilbanks 283x Miguel Pena 207x Sidney Marchand 225x Alberto Morales 222x Hideyuko Fukuoaku SPT QUAD (1) 108a Eduardo Palacios

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