Rock Crawling and Baja Off-Road endurance racing seem to be the farthest apart in terms of off-road racing, but only on the surface. Suspension, tires, the right power and drivetrain combos, a driver with his/her head in the game, and a little bit of luck all come into play. And for those of you who think there aren’t many rocks out there in Baja, ask some of the veterans. They’ll tell you that there is stuff out there ready to tear you apart at a moments notice.

In this week’s Off-Road Race Report we have results, stories, and even driver quotes from the BudLight SCORE Baja 500, along with W.E. Rock Colorado results and recap thanks to our friends at Falken Tire.

RPM’s Lopez blazes trail to overall, SCORE Trophy Truck victory,Parkhouse captures Class 1 at 47th Bud Light SCORE Baja 500, THR Kawasaki’s Eddy Jr, Morgan, Young top motorcycles, Robles Jr first quad, other class winners include Connor, Hajas, Ampudia, Burman, Cesena, Navarro III, Broughton, Moss, Daniels, Diaz; 210 starters in Rd 3 of five-race 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship in Ensenada, Mexico

  ENSENADA, Mexico—Racing with the discipline and patience of a much older and more experienced desert racer, 20-year old Carlos Lopez of Tecate, Mexico, blazed past a field that included the world’s best desert racers to capture the overall and SCORE Trophy Truck victory Saturday at the 47th Bud Light SCORE Baja 500 desert race. Round three of the five-race 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship started and finished in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, the seaside port on the Pacific Ocean, 85 miles south of San Diego.

The start/finish line for the race was once again adjacent to the Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center on Blvd. Costero in the heart of Ensenada.

After qualifying in the fifth starting position in the elapsed-time race, Lopez stayed the course against the heavyweights of the sports like Robby Gordon, Rob MacCachren, Gus Vildosola Jr, Bryce Menzies and fellow SCORE young gun Luke McMillin to take the lead three-fourths of the way through the grueling 510.58-mile race. Lopez powered his way to the finish line with a time of 8 hours, 48 minutes and 38 seconds, averaging 57.95 miles per hour in the No. 5 RPM Racing Chevy Rally Truck over the colorful course around the northern part of Mexico’s majestic Baja California peninsula.

For the youthful Lopez, it was his first career SCORE race win as well as first in the featured SCORE Trophy Truck division for high-tech, 850-horsepower unlimited production trucks. He defeated a talented field of 210 starters, including 30 SCORE Trophy Trucks, from 26 U.S. States, and 10 countries competing in Pro and Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads.

Lopez, a second-generation desert racer, drives for the powerful RPM Racing team, based in Bristol, Tenn., which has now won two SCORE races in a row following Eduardo Laguna’s overall and SCORE Trophy Truck victory in April’s inaugural Baja Sur 500 from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto. The duo entered the race second and third in the 2015 SCORE season point standings.

The victory also marked another milestone as BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for over three decades. BFGoodrich Tires celebrated its amazing 31st overall 4-wheel victory in 36 years of competing in the Bud Light SCORE Baja 500. The victory also represented the 84th overall win in SCORE Baja racing for prominent BFGoodrich Tires.

Following complete data tracking review of the vehicles, BFGoodrich Tires not only officially swept the podium but also were the tires of choice for all of the top 11 overall finishers in the race.Second overall and in SCORE Trophy Truck was Las Vegas’ MacCachren, 50, who finished second, just 51 seconds behind Lopez in 8:49:29 in the No. 11 Rockstar Energy MacCachren Motorsports Ford F-150 and third overall and in SCORE Trophy Truck for the second straight year was Jesse Jones, 49, of Phoenix in 8:54:08 in the No. 76 Ford F-150.

With no time to enjoy his victory celebration, Lopez went immediately after the race to catch a plane in San Diego to fly to Austin, Texas to compete in the XGames Sunday where he is the defending champion in Robby Gordon’s Stadium Super Trucks series.

When the race course officially closed on Sunday morning at 10:42 a.m., 136 of 210 starters (64.76 percent) completed the course within the 22-hour time limit to become official finishers. Both the start and finish line were located in the heart of Ensenada on Boulevard Costero adjacent to the historic Riviera del Pacifico Cultural Center.

The closing time on the course was delayed by nearly one hour as SCORE and local officials worked on the aftermath of an accident involving a race car within one-quarter mile of the start. Racer Arnoldo Gutierrez Jr of Mexicali, Mexico apparently lost full control of his vehicle negotiating a turn, sliding into two utility poles, causing minor injuries to several spectators.

BRABEC’S TEAM FIRST TO FINISH

With a lot of help from his friends Max Eddy Jr, Ian Young and Justin Morgan, Ricky Brabec, Oak Hills, Calif., riding on the factory-supported No. 1x THR Motorsports Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F was the rider of record for the overall motorcycle and Unlimited motorcycle class winning team after being the eighth motorcycle off the starting line earlySaturday morning.

With a one-race excused absence rule in SCORE, Brabec still earned the season points as the defending SCORE Unlimited class champion saw his team when this race for the second straight year. With teammates Max Eddy Jr, Barstow, Calif., Ian Young, San Clemente, Calif. and Justin Morgan handling the riding, Brabec’s team finished the race in 10:09:55, averaging 50.23. mph to win for the first time in three SCORE races this year.

Morgan was riding early in the race when he passed leader Justin Jones, Murrieta, Calif., co-rider for Colton Udall the rider of record for the No. 5x Ox Motorsports Honda CRF450X. Jones had been injured in an accident at race-mile 92. With the 5x motorcycle unable to continue the race, Jones was transported back to the United States with a possible broken pelvis.

SCORE TROPHY TRUCKS SMOOTH

The top nine overall finishers in the race were all SCORE Trophy Trucks for the second straight year as well as BFGoodrich Tires drivers. Following Lopez, MacCachren and Jones to the checkered flag were Gus Vildosola Jr, Mexicali, Mexico (No. 21 Ford Raptor), Jason Voss, Cupertino, Calif. (No. 35 Ford F-150), Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore. (No. 9 Ford F-150), Tim Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Boulevard, Calif. (No. 19 Ford F-150), Steven Eugenio, Carlsbad, Calif./Armin Schwarz, Austria (No. 1 Chevy C-1500) and Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif. (No. 91 Ford F-150). Just 28 total minutes separated first from ninth in the illustrious field.

CLASS 1 SUPERLATIVE

For the second straight year, son/father team of Cody Parkhouse/Brian Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif., defeated a talented group of 19 starters to win the unlimited Class 1 for open-wheel desert race cars in their Chevy-powered Jimco driven on BFGoodrich Tires, finishing 10th overall in the grueling race in 9:32:32.

OVERALL QUAD

The fastest overall quad was the team led by Javier Robles Jr, Mexicali, Mexico on the No. 1a Honda TRX450R in a time of 10:53:27. His co-riders were Josh Row, El Cajon, Calif./Felipe Velez, San Felipe, Mexico.

LOPEZ COMMENTS

Following his stunning victory, the young lion roared, “We had a good day but at race mile 100 we lost our brakes and we lost 5 to 10 minutes. After that everything went pretty well and we regained the time we lost. This is the first 500-mile race that I’ve driven solo. The toughest part was the endurance. I’m very proud that the Mexicans appear to be dominating SCORE racing. When I was 10 years old it was my goal to someday win a SCORE Baja race. I really never thought it would happen this quickly, but RPM Racing has made this possible for me.”

MULTI-CLASS WINS

Several racers with multiple class wins added to their winning career totals in the Bud Light SCORE Baja 500. Leading the way was Donald Moss, Sacramento, Calif. (Class 3, Ford Bronco) who won his class for the ninth time and fifth straight year. Other class winners who added to their legacy in this race include Wayne Matlock, El Cajon, Calif. (Class 19, Polaris RZR XP1000) who defeated a larger UTV field in his class of 23 starters to earn his fifth class win in this race as his other four were in quad classes. Picking up his fifth career win in this race in a motorcycle class, Japan’s Eizaburo Karasawa was the second rider in Class 60 for rider of record Susumu Ishii.

THE UNBEATEN

With their class wins in the Bud Light SCORE Baja 500, remaining undefeated after their third win in the 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship were Larry Connor, Miamisburg, Ohio (Trophy Truck Spec, Chevy Silverado), Victor Cesena, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Class 5, VW Baja Bug) and Chad Broughton, Scotts Valley, Calif. (Class 3000, BajaLite-Chevy).

TWO-TIME WINNERS

Earning their second class wins of the year at the Bud Light SCORE Baja 500 were Marc Prince, Malibu, Calif. (Class 50, Honda CRF450X). Aaron Ampudia, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 1/2-1600, Alumi Craft-VW), Rafael Navarro III, Temecula, Calif., (SCORE Lites, Jimco-VW), Carlos Diaz, Mexicali, Mexico, (Class 7, Ford Ranger), John Gonzales, Edgewater, Md. (Stock Full, Ford Raptor), James Burman, Heber City, Utah (Class 8, Chevy Silverado), Kevin Daniels, Bishop, Calif., (SCORE Ironman, KTM 500XCW) and Juan Dominguez, Yuma, Ariz. (SPT Quad, Honda TRX450R).

FIRST TIMERS

Several racers won for the first time in 2015. Besides Lopez, Robles Jr and Parkhouse, other first timers included Peter Hajas, Wayzata, Minn. (Class 10, Jake’sFab-Chevy, , Jano Montoya, Winter Garden, Fla./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico, (Class 40, KTM 450XCW), and Salvador Carrillo, Woodland, Calif. (Class 5-1600, VW Baja Bug).

MAIN COURSE

The historic race featured a 510.58-mile course that ran in a clockwise direction going north out of the Ojos Negros area up through the Pine Forrest to and along the U.S. border west of Mexicali over the infamous La Rumorosa grade. The race route was 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 4,000 feet. The course is another jewel reflecting the stark and magnificent beauty of Baja California.

DAKAR CHALLENGE 2015

This year’s Bud Light SCORE Baja 500 has been identified as a qualifying race for special entry packages into the 2016 Dakar Rally in South America. The winner in car and truck classes will come from SCORE Trophy Truck, Class 1 and Class 10 (all calculated with time adjustments). Complete regulations and other information on Dakar Challenge 2015 are available at http://score-international.com/dakar-challenge/. Following complete data tracking review of those competitors who entered the Dakar Challenge 2015, the winner was declared to be Steven Eugenio, Carlsbad, Calif., the reigning SCORE Trophy Truck season point champion who drives the No. 1 Galindo Motorsports Chevy C1500.

2015 CBS Sports Network Original Broadcast Schedule (subject to change, check local listings)

• Bud Light SCORE Baja 500 (first telecast-Sunday, July 26, 9 p.m. ET; key repeat broadcast-Sunday, August 2, 9 p.m. ET)
• SCORE Imperial Valley 250 (first telecast-Sunday, November 15, 9 p.m. ET; key repeat broadcast-Sunday, November 29, 9 p.m. ET)
• Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000 Qualifying @SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience (first telecast-Sunday, January 10, 9 p.m. ET)
• Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000 (two-hour special) (first telecast-Sunday, January 17, 9 p.m. ET)

OFFICIAL FINISHERS

(Following final data tracking review)

Pro Cars, Trucks & UTVs

SCORE TROPHY TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks)—1. Carlos Lopez, Tecate, Mexico, Chevy Rally Truck, 8:48:38 (57.95 miles per hour); 2. Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 8:49:29; 3. Jesse Jones, Phoenix, Ford F-150, 8:54:08; 4. Gus Vildosola Jr, Mexicali, Mexico/Gus Vildosola Sr, Mexicali, Ford Raptor, 8:55:04; 5. Jason Voss, Cupertino, Calif./Rich Voss, Cupertino, Ford F-150, 8:55:26; 6. Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150, 9:04:04; 7. Tim Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Boulevard, Calif., Ford F-150, 9:12:21; 8. Steven Eugenio, Carlsbad, Calif./Armin Schwarz, Austria (Germany), Chevy C1500, 9:13:36; 9. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif., Ford F-150, 9:16:24; 10. Tracy Graf, Canada/Justin Smith, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 9:42:44; 11. Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix/Kyle LeDuc, Beaumont, Calif./Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 9:44:13; 12. Eric Hustead, St. George, Utah/T.J. Flores, Las Vegas/Todd Romano, Park City, Utah, Ford F-150, 10:01:55; 13. Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy Silverado, 10:31:41; 14. Kyle Jergensen, Oak Hills, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 10:48:18; 15. Gary Magness, Desert Hot Springs, Calif./Devin Housh, Desert Hot Springs, Ford F-150, 10:56:59; 16. B.J. Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 11:16:19; 17. Eduardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexico, Chevy Silverado, 11:17:56; 18. Casey Currie, Norco, Calif./John Currie, Norco, Jeep-Custom, 12:56:39; 19. Chris Miller, Santee, Calif., Ford F-150, 13:48:20; 20. Justin Davis, Chino Hills, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 14:19:15; 21. Luke McMillin, El Cajon, Calif., Ford F-150, 14:45:25; 22. Sergio Salgado, Mexicali, Mexico/Joel Serna/Mexicali, Chevy Silverado, 16:30:08; 23. Mike Cook, Orem, Utah/Todd Pedersen, Orem, Chevy Silverado, 20:24:18. (30 Starters, 23 Finishers)

CLASS 1 (Unlimited single or two-seaters)—1. Cody Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif./Brian Parkhouse, Long Beach, Jimco-Chevy, 9:32:33 (53.54 mph); 2. Rob Archibald, Lakeside, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 10:34:57; 3. Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif./Chuck Sacks, Canyon Country, Calif./Matt Cullen, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 10:43:00; 4. Victor Barreda, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico/Juan Cota, Cabo San Lucas, Jimco-Chevy, 11:59:26; 5. Jaime Huerta Jr, Ensenada, Mexico/Jesus Saldana, Ensenada, Racer-Chevy, 12:31:22; 6. Lee Mundt, Canada/Mike Ferguson, Canada, ESM-Ford, 12:39:10; 7. Martin Hoffman, Capistrano Beach, Calif./Brian Coats, Huntington Beach, Calif., Custom-Chevy, 15:48:22; 8. Monica Greenhill/David Greenhill/Mike Greenhill, Burleson, Texas, Jimco-Chevy, 16:49:13. 9. Thomas Kirkmeyer, Apple Valley, Calif./Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, Calif., Custom-Chevy, 17:45:25; 10. Mike Boone, Garden Grove, Calif./Mark Workentine, Fresno, Calif., WickedCreations-Chevy, 18:33:10 (19 Starters, 10 Finishers)

CLASS 1/2-1600 (VW-powered, single or two-seaters to 1600cc)—1. Aaron Ampudia, Ensenada, Mexico/Alan Ampudia, Ensenada, Mexico, Alumi Craft, 11:36:08 (44.01 mph); 2. Jorge Sampietro, Ensenada, Mexico/Misael Arambula; Ensenada /Jorge Sanchez, Ensenada, Romo, 12:18:55; 3. Wes McKenzie, Dallas/George Jimenez, Anaheim, Calif., Custom, 13:40:17; 4. J. David Ruvalcaba/Leonel Ruvalcaba/Esteban Cruz, Ensenada, Mexico, VBR, 14:44:28; 5. Miguel Cortez, San Diego/Raul Rodriguez, Chula Vista, Calif., Custom, 14:53:34; 6. Rodrigo Eldorduy/Jose Aguirre/Ivan Pacheco/Luis Martinez, Mexicali, Mexico, BajaRacing, 15:18:26; 7. Cesar Fescal, Tijuana, Mexico/Carlos Suarez, Tijuana, Mexico/Bryan Espinoza, Romo, 17:27:08; 8. Armando Pena, Ensenada, Mexico/Juan Rascon, Ensenada, Mexico/Marco Bernaldez, Ensenada, Mexico, Jimco, 18:22:08; 9. Martin Rangel/Jorge Guitteres, Surprise, Ariz., McM, 18:43:55; 10. Brennan Lambert, Newbury Park, Calif./Mike Lichtenfeld, Agoura Hills, Calif., Raceco, 19:18:36; 11. Alejandro Biengio/Sergio Galindo/Juan Gomez, Ensenada, Mexico, 21:36:13. (14 Starters, 11 Finishers)

CLASS 3 (Short wheelbase 4X4)—1. Donald Moss/Ken Moss, Sacramento, Calif., Ford Bronco, 17:30:39 (29.16 mph). (1 Starter, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 5 (Unlimited VW Baja Bugs)—1. Victor Cesena, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico/Gerardo Iribe, Santa Ana, Calif., 13:17:19 (38.42 mph); 2. Ben Swift/Pete Swift, San Diego/David Ojena, Canyon Country, Calif., 14:54:50; 3. Jose Lopez/Miguel Villegas/Ricardo Malo, Mexicali, Mexico, 17:04:21. (3 Starters, 3 Finishers)

CLASS 5-1600 (1600cc VW Baja Bugs)—1. Salvador Carrillo, Woodland, Calif./Justin Leishman, Woodland, Calif./Francisco Galindo, Casa Grande, Ariz., 14:46:20 (34.56 mph); 2. Armando Garcia/David Heredia/Marco Garcia Jr, Ensenada, Mexico, 15:42:16; 3. Gustavo Avina/Faisal Diaz/Enrique Avina/Gustavo Avina Jr, Ensenada, Mexico, 15:56:10; 4. Francisco Escareno/Luivan Voelker/Oscar Balderama, Mexicali, Mexico, 18:35:42; 5. Tomas Fernandez, Nuevo Leon, Mexico/Felipe Martinez, Monterrey, Mexico, 20:21:20. (8 Starters, 5 Finishers)

CLASS 7 (Open, production mini trucks)—1. Carlos Diaz, Mexicali, Mexico/Manuel Lopez, Mexicali/Miguel Sandoval, Ensenada, Ford Ranger, 13:55:35 (39.57 mph); 2. Aaron Celiceo, San Diego/Pedro Mercado III, Lemon Grove, Calif./Robert Rodriguez, Chula Vista, Calif., Toyota Tacoma, 19:40:33. (4 Starters, 2 Finishers)

CLASS 7SX (Modified stock mini trucks)—1. Alonso Gonzalez, Ensenada, Mexico/Raul Figueroa, Ensenada, Mexico, Ensenada, Mexico, Ford Ranger, 19:26:49 (26.26 mph). (2 Starters, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 8 (Full-sized two-wheel drive trucks)—1. James Burman, Heber City, Utah/Chris Sayre, Huntington Beach, Calif., Chevrolet Silverado, 15:32:26 (36.41 mph (3 Starters, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 10 (Single or two-seaters to 1650cc)—1. Peter Hajas/Kevin Selchow, Wayzata, Minn., Jake’sFab-Chevy, 10:58:33 (46.54 mph); 2. Brad Wilson, Long Beach, Calif./Kyle Quinn, Lakewood, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 11:07:41; 3. Todd Winslow/Matt Winslow, Clovis, Calif., Alumi Craft-Chevy, 11:16:50; 4. Rick St. John, Encinitas, Calif./Rick Kern, Vista, Calif./Ramsey El Wardani, Carlsbad, Calif., ID Designs-Chevy, 11:23:12; 5. John Langley, Santa Monica, Calif./Harley Letner, Orange, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 11:39:25; 6. Clay Lawrence, Sunset Beach, Calif./Joel Liska, Barstow, Calif./Jared Sallenbach/Ray Griffith, Downey, Calif., Lawrence-Chevy, 11:43:34; 7. J.J. Schnarr, Incline, Nev./Mark Levrett, Carson City, Nev., Alumi Craft-Chevy, 12:38:56; 8. Steve Lawler, Upland, Calif./Joel Liska, Barstow, Calif., Lawrence-Chevy, 12:59:36; 9. Cody Reid, Apple Valley, Calif./Corey Goin, Clovis, Calif., Custom-Chevy, 13:03:36; 10. Cody Robinson, El Centro, Calif./Kyle Conlon, Campo, Calif., Alumi Craft-Chevy, 13:37:40;

11. Morgan Langley, Santa Monica, Calif./Kory Halopoff, Garden Grove, Calif., Racer-Honda, 14:12:48; 12. Eliseo Garcia/Hector Sarabia, Ensenada, Mexico, Romo-Chevy, 16:39:51. (20 Starters, 12 Finishers)

SCORE LITES (VW-powered, Limited single-1776cc-or two-seaters-1835cc)—1. Rafael Navarro III, Temecula, Calif./Fernando Mayoral, Ensenada, Mexico, Jimco, 12:2:2:43 (42.01 mph); 2. Matt Ferrato, Simi Valley, Calif./Robert Illian, Granada Hills, Calif./Mike Kuligowski, Simi Valley, Calif., Custom, 12:57:27; 3. Jose Robles/Mario Alcala/Juan Mayoral, Mexicali, Mexico, Seagrove, 15:17:54; 4. Michael Crichton/Eduardo Gurza, Zapopan, Mexico, Custom, 15:18:40; 5. Brian Cancimilla/Brandon Dawson, San Francisco/Jesse Karlsen, Castro Valley, Calif., Letner, 21:04:31. (7 Starters, 5 Finishers)

  CLASS 11 (stock VW sedan)–(2 Starters, 0 Finishers)

TROPHY TRUCK SPEC (unlimted Truck/SUV, stock, sealed V8s)—1. Larry Connor, Miamisburg, Ohio/Jason Ruane, Great Britain/Neal Mason, Temecula, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 10:27:38 (48.81 mph); 2. Billy Wilson/Byron Seed/Chad Bunch/Dewey Clark, Corpus Christi, Texas, Chevy Silverado, 11:08:51; 3. Lee Banning, Laveen, Ariz./Lee Banning Jr, Litchfield Park, Ariz., Chevy Silverado, 11:21:09; 4. Pat Sims, Eunice, N.M./Joe DeLucie, Las Vegas/Andrew McCredie, Vista, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 13:12:19; 5. Chelsea Magness/Matt Robinson/Steve Knudson/Todd Burt, Desert Hot Springs, Calif., Ford F-150, 13:55:42; 6. Jerry Zaiden/Jason Campbell, Huntington Beach, Calif./Alex Figge, Davenport, Iowa, Chevy Silverado, 14:56:12; 7. Elias Hanna, Tijuana, Mexico, Chevy Silverado, 16:46:12; 8. Miles Wyatt, Brawley, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 19:19:50; 9. Russell Buehler, Independence, Mo./Neil Buehler/Alan Greer, Liberty, Mo., Ford F-150, 19:42:55. 16 Starters, 9 Finishers)

STOCK FULL (stock, full-sized trucks)—1. John Gonzales/Augustin Rojas, Edgewater, Md., Ford Raptor, 20:03:46 (25.45 mph). (1 Starter, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 3000 (unlimited Mini-Truck, 2.2/2.4-Liter Ecotec engine)—1. Chad Broughton/Paul Broughton, Scotts Valley, Calif., BajaLite-Chevy, 13:30:28 (37.80 mph); 2. David Crother, Yuba City, Calif., Ben Phillips, Colusa, Calif., TrophyLite-Chevy, 21:47:44 (2 Starters, 2 Finishers)

CLASS 19 (Limited, Stock 4-wheel Utility Vehicle)—1. Wayne Matlock/Sam Hayes, El Cajon, Calif., Polaris RZR XP4 1000, 13:04:50 (39.03 mph); 2. Derek Murray/Jason Murray, Eastvale, Calif., Can-Am Maverick Max, 14:38:50; 3. Michael Cafro, Fallbrook, Calif./Jamie Kirkpatrick, Olympia, Wash., Polaris RZR XP1000, 15:13:21; 4. Brandon Schueler/Chad Hummer, Phoenix/Keith Redstrom, Glendale, Ariz., Polaris RZR XP1000, Polaris RZR, 15:47:33; 5. Cory Sappington/Scott Sappington/Darren Sappington, Peoria, Ariz., Glendale, Calif., Can-Am Maverick Max, 16:26:00; 6. Scott McFarland/Nick Oldham, Moab, Utah/Mickey Thomas, Cumming, Ga., Polaris RZRXP1000, 16:41:52; 7. Jonathan McVay, Sun Tan Valley, Ariz./Greg Williams, Mesa, Ariz., Polaris RZR1000, 17:59:45; 8. Marc Behnke, El Cajon, Calif./Derek McGaughy, Alpine, Calif., Polaris RZR 1000, 18:01:32; 9. Raul Gonzalez/Jorge Hernandez, Mazatlan, Mexico/Daniel Gonzalez, San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, Polaris RZR XP1000, 19:40:07; 10. Cody Nygren/Ashton Hemphill, Farmington, N.M./Dan Fisher, Gilbert, Ariz., Polaris RZR XP1000, 19:48:40; 11. Rodolfo Navarro, Mexicali, Mexico/Jorge Navarro, Calexico, Calif., Polaris RZR XP1000, 21:00:08. (23 Starters, 11 Finishers)

PRO MOTORCYCLES

UNLIMITED M/C (450cc or more)—1. Max Eddy Jr, Barstow, Calif. (rider of record–Ricky Brabec, PRO

Hesperia, Calif.)/Justin Morgan, El Cajon, Calif./Ian Young, San Clemente, Calif., Kawasaki KX450F, 10:09:55 (50.23 mph); 2. Raul Hernandez/Rodolfo Patron/Miguel Munoz/Larry Serna/Tijuana, Mexico/Ricardo Munoz, Tijuana, Mexico, KTM 450XCW, 10:42:02; 3. Dustin McCarthy, El Cajon, Calif./Gavin McCarthy/Lance Lewis, Honda CRF450X, 10:55:30; 4. Scott Myers/Damon Myers, Menifee, Calif./Chris Ridgway, Apple Valley, Calif./Kreg McCoy, Murrieta, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 11:05:26; 5. Nicholas Gust, Pescadero, Calif./Don Campbell, Daly City, Calif./Freddy Poli, San Mateo, Calif., KTM 450XCF, 11:45:00; 6. Jon Winkelman, Cedar Hill, Texas/Ricky De La Pena, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Austin Miller, Paul Lopez, Chula Vista, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 12:12:77; 7. Jose Carrasco, Playas de Rosarito, Mexico, Jordan Velasco/William Elam, Sahuarita, Ariz./Luke Johnson, Wildomar, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 13:39:13; 8. CR Gittere, Stanley, N.C., Honda CRF450X, 15:55:04. (10 Starters, 8 Finishers)

  LIMITED M/C (449cc or less)—1. Fernando Beltran/Emmanuel Verdugo/Fernando Tavarez/Carlos Miranda, Ensenada, Mexico, Yamaha YZ250F, 12:06:12 (42.19 mph). (1 Starter, 1 Finisher)

  CLASS 30 (Riders over 30 years old)—1. Christopher Schultz, Kamuela, Hawaii/Geoff Hill, San Diego/John Bach, Brea/Travis Rock, Hydesville, Honda CRF450X, 15:00:53 (34.01 mph). (2 Starters, 1 Finisher)

  CLASS 40 (Riders over 40 years old)—1. Jano Montoya, Winter Garden, Fla./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico/Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Kirk Russell, Los Barriles, Mexico, KTM 450XCW, 10:47:55 (47.28 mph); 2. Colie Potter, Las Vegas/Sterlyn Rigsby, Temecula, Calif./Dave Glass, Menifee, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 11:08:52; 3. Paul Thomas, Bonita, Calif./Earl Roberts, Mexicali, Mexico/Giovanni Spinali, Lake Forest, Calif./Mike Carter, Aliso Viejo, Calif./Lance Schoonmaker, Mexicali, Mexico, Honda CRF450X, 11:31:58; 4. Jeff Powell, Reardan, Wash./Todd Powell, Spokane, Wash./Rick Mianecki/Craig Janett, Royal City, Wash., Honda CRF450X, 12:03:17; 5. Kyle Abney, Albuquerque, N.M./Chad Thornton, Farmington, N.M./Tim Fitzpatrick, Yerington, Nev./Paul Luce, Albuquerque, N.M./Alan Cameron, Reno, Nev., KTM 500XCW, 12:17:32; 6. Oscar Fazz, Yuma, Ariz./Steve Gallegos, San Fernando, Calif./Yvan Perroud, France/David Troniak, Canada/David Fifer, Alpine, Calif., Kawasaki KX450F, 12:51:23. (6 Starters, 6 Finishers)

  CLASS 50 (Riders over 50 years old)—1. Marc Prince, Malibu, Calif./Steve Williams, Tehachapi, Calif./David Potts, Burbank, Calif./Doug Smith, Upland, Calif./Kris Goolsby, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Bob Johnson, Oceanside, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 11:55:48 (42.81 mph); 2. Seiji Kubota/Masayuki Kudo, Japan, Honda CRF450X, 15:13:38; 3. Robert Meottel, Valencia, Calif./Tom Mason, Encino, Calif./Ed Jaeger, El Segundo, Calif./Joey Escobar, Malibu, Calif./Robbie Sjoberg, Castiac, Calif., Honda XR650R, 15:25:12. (3 Starters, 3 Finishers)

  CLASS 60 (Riders over 60 years old)—1. Susumu Ishi/Eizaburo Karasawa, Japan, Honda CRF450X, 13:00:42 (39.24 mph). (2 Starters, 1 Finisher)

  SCORE IRONMAN (Solo Riders)—1. Kevin Daniels, Bishop, Calif., KTM 500XCW, 13:03:53 (39.08 mph; 2. Boe Huckins, Pueblo West, Colo., KTM 350SXF, 14:56:49; 3. Carlos Gracida, Guadalajara, Mexico, Husqvarna 510, 15:50:21. (7 Starters, 3 Finishers)

PRO QUADS

  PRO QUAD (450cc or more)—1. Javier Robles Jr, Mexicali, Mexico/Josh Row, El Cajon, Calif./Felipe Velez, San Felipe, Mexico, Honda TRX450R, 10:53:27 (46.88 mph); 2. Gustavo Ameca, Tijuana, Mexico/Ivan Vega/Luis Gutierrez/Alan Cardenas, Tijuana, Mexico, Yamaha YZF450, 14:48:28; 3. Francisco Vera, Ensenada, Mexico/Adolfo Arellano, Tijuana, Mexico/Travis Dillon, El Cajon, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 16:48:42. (5 Starters, 3 Finishers)

SPORTSMAN

SPT BUGGY—(1 Starter, 0 Finishers)

SPT UNLIMITED TRUCK—(2 Starters, 0 Finishers)

  SPT M/C—1. Jorge Ramirez, Ensenada, Mexico, Jorge Hurtado, Anyel Vazquez, Yamaha YZ450F, 12:27:29 (40.98 mph); 2. Robert Carreon, Jose Perez, Raul Grijalba, JC Marquez, Carlos Carreon, National City, Calif., Yamaha YZ450F, 12:56:54; 3. Hideyuki Fukuoka/Tadao Ezure, Japan, Yamaha YZ450F, 13:15:47; 4. Ramon Murillo/Joel Castillo, Yobanny Solorio, Javier Mejia, Ensenada, Mexico, Yamaha YZ450F, 14:04:49; 5. Tyler Acosta/Nicholas Acosta/Todd Acosta, San Marcos, Calif., KTM, 14:06:23; 6. Jack Lundin/Adam Lundin/Alex Panek, Canada, Honda CRF450X, 14:35:40; 7. Shinichi Yamada/Norihisa Matsumoto, Japan, Honda CRF450X, 15:14:49; 8. Louie Abeyta, Redondo Beach, Calif., KTM 525EXC, 15:41:35. (10 Starters, 8 Finishers)

SPT QUAD—1. Juan Dominguez/Guillermo Berenguer/Javier Curiel/Jose Contreras, Yuma, Ariz., Honda TRX450R, 11:43:01 (43.58 mph); 2. Greg Delgado, Chino, Calif./Hector Orozco, Moreno Valley, Calif./Caleb Delgado, Hesperia, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 11:57:23; 3. Christian Anaya, El Cajon, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 14:35:21. (6 Starters, 3 Finishers)

47th Bud Light SCORE Baja 500

Round 3 of five-race 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship

June 6-7, 2015—Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico 510.58 miles

TOP OVERALL FINISHERS

Pro Cars and Trucks

1. Carlos Lopez, Tecate, Mexico, Chevy Rally Truck, 8:48:38 (57.95 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
2. Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 8:49:29 (57.86 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
3. Jesse Jones, Phoenix, Ford F-150, 8:54:08 (57.35 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
4. Gus Vildosola Jr, Mexicali, Mexico/Gus Vildosola Sr, Mexicali, Ford Raptor, 8:55:05 (57.68 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
5. Jason Voss, Cupertino, Calif./Rich Voss, Cupertino, Ford F-150, 8:55:26 (57.22 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
6. Mark Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Ford F-150, 9:04:04 (56.31 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
7. Tim Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Boulevard, Calif., Ford F-150, 9:12:21 (55.54 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
8. Steven Eugenio, Carlsbad, Calif./Armin Schwarz, Austria (Germany), Chevy C1500, 9:13:36 (55.36 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
9. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif., Ford F-150, 9:16:24 (55.08 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
10. Cody Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif./Brian Parkhouse, Long Beach, Jimco-Chevy, 9:32:33 (53.54 mph) (Class 1)
11. Tracy Graf, Canada/Justin Smith, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 9:42:44 (52.84 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
12. Nick Vanderwey, Phoenix/Kyle LeDuc, Beaumont, Calif./Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 9:44:13 (52.44 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
13. Eric Hustead, St. George, Utah/T.J. Flores, Las Vegas/Todd Romano, Park City, Utah, Ford F-150, 10:01:55 (51.91 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
14. Larry Connor, Miamisburg, Ohio/Jason Ruane, Great Britain/Neal Mason, Temecula, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 10:27:38 (48.81 mph) (Trophy Truck Spec)
15. Robby Gordon, Charlotte, N.C., Chevy Silverado, 10:31:42 (48.50 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
16. Rob Archibald, Lakeside, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 10:34:57 (48.30 mph) (Class 1)
17. Brent Parkhouse, Long Beach, Calif./Chuck Sacks, Canyon Country, Calif./Matt Cullen, Long Beach, Calif., Jimco-Chevy, 10:43:00 (47.88 mph) (Class 1)
18. Kyle Jergensen, Oak Hills, Calif., Chevy Silverado, 10:48:19 (47.25 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
19. Gary Magness, Desert Hot Springs, Calif./Devin Housh, Desert Hot Springs, Ford F-150, 10:56:59 (46.84 mph) (SCORE Trophy Truck)
20. Peter Hajas/Kevin Selchow, Wayzata, Minn., Jake’sFab-Chevy, 10:58:33 (46.54 mph)

Pro Motorcycles

1. Max Eddy Jr, Barstow, Calif. (rider of record–Ricky Brabec, Hesperia, Calif.)/Justin Morgan, El Cajon, Calif./Ian Young, San Clemente, Calif., Kawasaki KX450F, 10:09:55 (50.23 mph) (Unlimited M/C)
2. Raul Hernandez/Rodolfo Patron/Miguel Munoz/Larry Serna/Tijuana, Mexico/Ricardo Munoz, Tijuana, Mexico, KTM 450XCW, 10:42:02 (47.72 mph) (Unlimited M/C)
3. Jano Montoya, Winter Garden, Fla./Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico/Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Kirk Russell, Los Barriles, Mexico, KTM 450XCW, 10:47:55 (47.29 mph) (Class 40)
4. Dustin McCarthy, El Cajon, Calif./Gavin McCarthy/Lance Lewis, Honda CRF450X, 10:55:31 (46.74 mph) (Unlimited M/C)
5. Scott Myers/Damon Myers, Menifee, Calif./Chris Ridgway, Apple Valley, Calif./Kreg McCoy, Murrieta, Calif., Honda CRF450X, 11:05:26 (46.04 mph) (Unlimited M/C)

Pro Quads

1. Javier Robles Jr, Mexicali, Mexico/Josh Row, El Cajon, Calif./Felipe Velez, San Felipe, Mexico, Honda TRX450R, 10:53:27 (46.88 mph) (Pro Quads)
2. Gustavo Ameca, Tijuana, Mexico/Ivan Vega/Luis Gutierrez/Alan Cardenas, Tijuana, Mexico, Yamaha YZF450, 14:48:28 (34.48 mph) (Pro Quads)
3. Francisco Vera, Ensenada, Mexico/Adolfo Arellano, Tijuana, Mexico/Travis Dillon, El Cajon, Calif., Honda TRX450R, 16:48:42 (30.37 mph) (Pro Quads)

W.E. Rock Competition Heats Up In Colorado, Falken Tire Takes 3 Podiums!

Team Falken continues its strong position in the W.E. Rock competition earning the top two positions in the unlimited class at last weekend’s W.E. ROCK West Series Round 2 in Rangely, CO, with Justin Hall driving the Falken-livery Rock Crawler in first, and Olivia Messer in the Team Trail Gear/Falken Tire Rock Crawler finishing second.

Meanwhile, driver Massa Tsuda, competing in the Falken-livery Pro Modified Rock Crawler took second in his class.  Matt Messer, Olivia’s father, suffered a significant rollover during the weekend, but battled throughout the Unlimited events to make up the difference and managed a 7^th position finish.

All  three Unlimited cars ran on Falken’s WILDPEAK M/T 38X13.50R17 tire while the Pro Modified car of Tsuda ran the Falken WILDPEAK M/T 37X12.50R17 tire.

The two-day event offered accommodating weather, but the track proved to be fairly treacherous.  Hall battled from a seventh place finish on Saturday to take the lead against a young and very talented Olivia Messer competing in just her second year of professional off-roading.

“What an exciting weekend,” declared Hall. “At the end of Day 1, we were not very happy, sitting in 7th.  However, by the time we were going into the shootout on Sunday, we were 15 points ahead of 2^nd place and were able to hold off Olivia and keep the lead. The Falken Tires performed phenomenally, providing me with great traction when I needed it, which allowed me to make up the deficit from Saturday on Sunday. Thanks to the best spotter, my dad, Mark Hall.”

Added Olivia Messer:  “My thanks to everyone for a great weekend.  My second place couldn’t have been possible without my spotter, Chris Pablono and my Falken tires. The tires went up and through everything.  It’s a great experience.”

Team Tsuda again made the trip from Japan to compete, and for their collective efforts took second place in the Pro Mod Class, expressed their gratitude to Falken for its support.  “I am highly honored to be a part of Team Falken,” said Massa Tsuda.  “I also appreciate having my spotter, Ryotaro Okamoto, as he was instrumental in helping me navigate through the technical course.”

“We are extremely pleased to have Massa, Ryotaro and the rest of Team Tsuda join us from Japan to compete in the W.E. Rock West Series, as well as Justin and the Messer family,” noted Jonathon Bradford, Falken’s Manager of Motorsports Marketing and Events.  “Off-road racing has this special attraction to it and you rarely ever shake it loose.  As Olivia noted, it’s a great experience.  And with our Falken WILDPEAKs, these drivers and their teams know how to get the most out of their experiences, and their vehicles, which translate into podiums.  We’re glad they’re part of our team.”

“And glad they’re carrying the Falken flag so proudly and at the front of the pack,” added Nestor Cabrera, Falken’s Off-Road Supervisor.

The next round of the W.E. Rock West Series is August 1-2 at the Broken Boulder Farms in Goldendale, WA.