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September
28, 2007
In Long Beach, Calif.
BFGoodrich Tires, Volkswagen of America announce major plans
During Thursday’s ‘40 Years to Glory’ SCORE Baja 1000 Tribute
A near-capacity crowd including legends of the SCORE Baja 1000 desert
race celebrate 4-decade legacy
Of Granddaddy of all desert races at Long Beach Performance Arts
Center;
LONG BEACH, Calif.—During an epic evening of emotion and passion,
BFGoodrich Tires and Volkswagen of America punctuated the tribute
awards with major announcements during Thursday’s ’40 Years to Glory’
gala at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. The event celebrated
the upcoming 40th anniversary of November’s legendary Tecate SCORE
Baja 1000, the granddaddy of all desert races.
With a near-capacity crowd of almost 3,000 in the Terrace Theater
saluting the legends of SCORE Baja racing, BFGoodrich Tires’ Todd
Steen announced a 10-year contract extension as the official tire of
SCORE International while VW’s Clark Campbell announced a first-ever
six-figure contingency program for VW as well as presented SCORE
CEO/President Sal Fish with two very special vehicles.
The event also honored nearly 100 individuals who have participated in
the SCORE Baja 1000, from SCORE Baja Pioneers, SCORE Baja Innovators
to SCORE Icons to SCORE Media and SCORE Photographers.
The new agreement positions BFGoodrich Tires as the official tire of
SCORE International into the year 2018, guaranteeing BFG participation
and racer support for the 50th Anniversary of the Tecate SCORE Baja
1000.
BFG Tires have been the most prolific tire used in SCORE desert racing
and BFG was the tire for 20 consecutive overall 4-wheel champions in
the race.
BFGoodrich Tires' commitment to the growth of SCORE International and
desert racing is also demonstrated in its support of numerous
competitors in 18 classes and several volunteer-based pit areas
located along the racecourse of the SCORE Baja 1000. BFGoodrich Tires
dedicates 10 full service tractor-trailer pit vehicles and nearly 250
volunteer and active personnel to support more than 73 percent of the
field at the SCORE Baja 1000 who will be competiting on BFGoodrich
Tires, a tradition that started in 1981.
As a special tribute to the history and mystique that surrounds
Volkswagen’s winning tradition in Baja, a unique program totaling
$40,000 will be available for this year’s 40th anniversary of the
legendary SCORE Baja 1000. The program includes recognition of some of
the most adventurous drivers and their beloved Volkswagen Beetle
sedans, a total of up to $9,000 will be awarded to the top three
finishers in Stock VW Sedans (Class 11). Also included in the program
is a special $10,000 bonus for the highest finishing
Volkswagen-powered vehicle in any Class.
Beginning in 2008, Volkswagen will offer a season-long contingency
program for SCORE International Off-Road racers competing in
Volkswagen-powered vehicles. Funds totaling up to $100,000 will be
available, including a special bonus for the highest points position
finishing VW.
As a long-time supporter of desert racing and as the official vehicle
of SCORE International, Volkswagen presented SCORE International
President and CEO Sal Fish with a specially outfitted “SCORE Course
Marker” Volkswagen Touareg 2.
Adorned in official SCORE graphics, the vehicle was specially modified
for use by Sal Fish in his on-going efforts to design some of the most
grueling desert racing courses in the world. The Touareg 2 is well
suited for this type of use with its superior off-road capabilities
and luxurious interior.
In an additional surprise presentation, Fish was presented with a
fully-restored 1973 Volkswagen Thing, a replica of the first official
vehicle of SCORE International. In a blending of both past and
present, the restored VW Thing was painted and adorned with a graphics
package resembling the new Touareg 2 presented to Fish.
"The entire tribute evening for the SCORE Baja 1000 was an extremely
emotional experience for me, but the presentation of this special
Volkswagen Touareg 2 took the breath out of me and almost knocked me
off of my feet," said Sal Fish, who has been the CEO/President of Los
Angeles-based SCORE International since shortly after it was founded
in 1973. "Our relationship with Volkswagen of America and their
commitment to our SCORE desert racers is one of the top highlights of
my career."
The evening’s presentation honored race celebrities in separate
groups, with Baja icons like Sal Fish, Parnelli Jones, Ivan Stewart,
Walker Evans, Frank Vessels, Bob Gordon, Frank Arciero Jr. the
McMillin family, and Rod Hall all shared a portion of the dramatic
90-minute program. Those valiant riders on two wheels (motorcycles)
who also shared the spotlight included Malcolm Smith, Larry Roeseler,
Eddie Mulder, Bruce Ogilvie, Ron Bishop, Johnny Campbell, Steve
Hengeveld and Mitch Mayes. Additional star power came in the form of
many cross-over drivers that fill SCORE Baja racing legend books like
sport car legends Bob Bondurant and Peter Brock, rising NASCAR star
Boris Said, along with Indianapolis 500 veterans Danny Sullivan,
Roberto Guerrero and brothers Mike and Robbie Groff.
Making ‘40 Years to Glory’ even more memorable was the unprecedented
gathering of Baja pioneers, including Dave Ekins, Spence Murray, Bruce
Meyers, Andy DeVercelly, Dave Deal, Johnny Johnson, Pete Condos and
Bobby Ferro.
During an evening of a thousand memories being rekindled, the Off-Road
Motorsports Hall of Fame conducted a successful silent auction of
SCORE Baja racing memorabilia and noted motorsport artist Eric
Herrmann presented his finished original painting honoring the
legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race.
‘40 Years to Glory’ also included the world’s largest display of
vintage and historic desert race vehicles and motorcycles. The dynamic
event was co-hosted by motorsports television personalities Dave
Despain and Paul Page and the evening’s ‘40 Years to Glory’ tribute
included a special tribute by famed motorcycle builder turned SCORE
Trophy-Truck racer Jesse James to the late Hollywood actor and Baja
1000 veteran Steve McQueen.
The special gala was made possible by the generous support of
presenting partners Volkswagen of America, BFGoodrich Tires, Micron
Technology, Blue C Enthusiast Advertising and Red Bull-North America,
in association with Dirt Sports Magazine, Hot Rod Magazine, Kartek
Off-Road and Bandito Brothers Productions.
This year’s 40th annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the season finale of
the six-race 2007 SCORE Desert Series for cars, trucks, motorcycles
and ATVs, will be held Nov. 10-16 as a journey down Mexico’s majestic
Baja California peninsula. With pre-race activities in Tijuana, there
will be more pre-race activities and the race will start in Ensenada
and finish some 1,300 miles later in Cabo San Lucas. With over 400
entries expected from 40 U.S. States and 15 countries, the historic
race will be taped by NBC Sports.
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