Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 next
Shepard new SCORE Trophy Truck leader; MacCachren/Freeman
Lead Overall Points, Class 1-2/1600 in 2005 SCORE Desert Series
Mark McMillin takes lead in unlimited Class 1;
22 points separate top seven in featured SCORE Trophy Truck

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 15, 2005) -- While the lead at the top of the 2005 SCORE Desert Series Overall point standings has been extended by Las Vegas’ Rob MacCachren and Bryan Freeman, the group behind the Class 1-2/1600 points leaders has tightened up significantly after the 10th SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 (Sept. 10). In the featured SCORE Trophy Truck division, Bob Shepard leads as just 22 points separate the top seven racers.

MacCachren, 40, was the 2001 SCORE Overall point champion Freeman, 25, is currently in his first full season racing with SCORE, now will lead the world’s best desert racers into Mexico for the legendary season-ending 38th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, Nov. 17-20, in Ensenada, Baja California.

The MacCachren/Freeman team has won three of the four races so far in 2005. Driving a Fraley-VW, MacCachren and Freeman finished second out of 46 starters in Class 1-2/1600 in the season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in January and followed that up by defeating a field of 27 starters in the Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 in February. The pair continued their winning ways in June by finishing first at the 37th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 in a race-high field of 38 starters and first out of 25 starters in the SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 on Sept. 10, in the single or two-seater class for open wheel desert race cars with 1600cc VW engines.

MacCachren also splits driving time in the featured SCORE Trophy Truck division with team-owner Gus Vildosola of Mexico in the No. 4 Vildosola Racing Ford F-150, where they are currently 12th in class points.

SCORE points are determined both on final finishing position and number of vehicles that started the race within each class. The competition is close and fierce as a total of 47 points separate the top three leaders and position four through 16 are even closer with only a total of 40 points separating those 13 positions.

The World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series returns to Mexico to decide the 2005 SCORE Overall and class point championships at its annual season finale. The legendary 38th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the granddaddy of all desert races, will be held Nov. 17-20 in Ensenada, Baja California.

“We are having an amazing season in Class 1-2/1600 and Primm was the first race I was able to drive as much as half of the race,” said MacCachren, a seven-time SCORE class point champion and 2001 SCORE Overall and Class 1-2/1600 season point winner. “Bryan is a third-generation desert racer and the talent in his family is clearly evident as he has easily proven himself in just his first full SCORE racing season. Once again, it all comes down to the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, as well it should, and Bryan and I will split the race again and I will also drive in the No. 4 SCORE Trophy-Truck for Gus Vildsola for the other half as well.”

In the current SCORE point standings, MacCachren, who has 12 SCORE class race wins since 2001, has 306 points, 41 points more than journeyman L.J. Kennedy, Orange, CA, who is second overall and Class 1-2/1600 in a Porter-VW. Third in SCORE Overall points and in Class 1-2/1600 is teenage rookie Caleb Gaddis, El Centro, CA, who has 259 points in a Tubular-VW.

Fourth in Overall points and the new leader in the SCORE Lite class after their class win in Primm is the team of James Golden, Newport Beach, CA/Jason Hatz, San Diego, who have 239 points in a Jimco-VW.

With a third place finish in Primm, Mark McMillin, El Cajon, CA, has replaced his nephew Andy McMillin as the unlimited Class 1 point leader and is fifth overall with 235 points in a Jimco-Chevy. Tied for fifth overall with McMillin, and his co-driver Brian Ewalt, Bonita, CA, is the team of Tom Watson, El Centro, CA/David Scaroni, Heber, CA, who are second in SCORE Lite with 235 points in a Jimco-VW.

McMillin Racing, the first three-generation race team in SCORE history, has three teams in the top four in Class 1 and those teams are all also in the top 11 in the 2005 SCORE Overall point standings.

Andy McMillin and his father Scott, of Poway, CA, who have two class wins this year, are third in Class 1 points in a Jimco-Chevy and ninth overall with 228 points while family patriarch Corky McMillin, Bonita, CA, who splits driving time with Gary Arnold of El Cajon, CA, is fourth in Class 1 and 11th overall with 226 points.

Sandwiched between McMillin Racing is Damen Jefferies, Oak Hills, CA, second in Class 1 and seventh in Overall points with 230 in a Porter-Chevy.

Patiently waiting in the wings as more aggressive racers slipped, veteran desert racer Bob Shepard, Phoenix, has assumed a tenuous point lead in SCORE Trophy-Truck in a Chevy Silverado. Without a race win, Shepard has used class finishes of fifth, ninth, eighth and third to move into the top spot in SCORE Trophy-Truck and eighth overall with 229 points.

The pack of thoroughbreds behind Shepard, who has no career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins, is led by Las Vegas brothers Tim and Ed Herbst, 10th in overall points with 227, with two seconds, a fifth and one did-not-finish in a Ford F-150.

Shepard and the Herbst brothers are followed closely in SCORE Trophy-Truck by: Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, CA, Ford F-150 (222) in third while fourth in SCORE’s marquee racing division is Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano/Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, CA, Ford F-150 (219). Fifth is Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, AZ, Chevy Silverado (213), while sixth is Marty and Travis Coyne, El Centro, CA, Ford F-150 (211). After leading most of the season so far, last year’s season champ, Jason Baldwin, Laguna Beach, CA, is seventh in SCORE Trophy-Truck points with 207 in another Ford-F-150.

Tied for 12th in overall points and co-leaders in Class 10 with 223 points are Travis Brookshire, El Cajon, CA, in a Jimco-Honda, and John Cooley, Santee, CA, in a AlumiCraft-VW.

Tied for 14th overall with Josh Baldwin at 222 points, isravis Brookshire, El Cajon, CA, in a Jimco-Honda, and John Cooley, Santee, CA, in a AlumiCraft-VW.

Tied for 14th overall with Josh Baldwin at 222 points, is Class 5/1600 point leader Marcos Nunez of Ensenada, Mexico, in a VW Baja Bug.

With 219 points each, tied for 16th in overall points with the SCORE Trophy-Truck team of Post/LeDuc is the team of Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, CA, who are fifth in Class 1 in a Smithbuilt-Ford.

Among the motorcycle classes, Mexico’s Gerardo Rojas and Arturo Salas lead the overall and Class 30 (riders over 30 years old) points after two races with 134 points on a Honda XR60R.

Second overall motorcycle and leading Class 40 (riders over 40) with 130 points is the team led by Jim O’Neal, Chatsowrth, Calif. and Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii on a Honda XR650R.

Third overall among the motorcycle classes is Tim Morton, Escondido, CA, who leads Class 21 points on a Honda CRFX250 while ahead in the ATV overall and Class 25 point standings is the team led by Josh Frederick, Moapa, Nev., on a Honda TRX450R.

Three car and truck class leaders in the 2005 SCORE Desert Series who are undefeated with four wins in the car and truck classes are: John Holmes, Olvenhain, CA (Class 7S-Ford Ranger), Todd Wyllie, New River, Ariz. (Class 8-Chevy C1500) and Eric Fisher, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 9-Garibay-VW).

Brothers Donald Moss, Sacramento, CA/Kenneth Moss, Marysville, Calif. (Class 3-Ford Bronco) lead their class with three wins this year. Jim Knuckles/Jeff Dickerson, Brawley, CA, have three wins as well in the Protruck class in a Ford F-150.

With two wins this season is point leader Craig Turner, Yorba Linda, Calif. (Class 7-Ford Ranger).

The chase for the $50,000 Kartek Off-Road bonus for the top three 2005 SCORE Overall point leaders heated up even more with the tight class races at the recent SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300.

The 2005 SCORE Desert Series also includes the annual Toyota Milestone Awards and $12,000 Toyota True Grit programs. The prestigious Toyota Milestone Awards are presented to every racer who completes every required mile of every race in the 2004 SCORE Desert Series. The $12,000 Toyota True Grit purse is split among the SCORE season point champions who are also Toyota Milestone award winners in four non-factory-backed classes.

SCORE official sponsors for 2005 are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, C.L. Bryant-VP Racing Fuels-official fuel supplier. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, Las Vegas Events, Terrible Herbst Inc., Kartek Off-Road, Centrix Financial, Fram, Autolite, Prestone, Bilstein, Signpros, Cotuco, Fideicomiso Publico para la Promocion Turistica de Ensenada, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products, and Advanced Color Graphics.

For information contact:
SCORE International at its Los Angeles headquarters
(818) 225-8402 or visit
the official 2005 SCORE Desert Series website at:
www.score-international.com

2005 SCORE Desert Series
Point Leaders
After Round 5, 10th SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300-Primm, NV.
Remaining schedule:
Nov. 17-20—38th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000-Ensenada, Mexico

TOP 15 OVERALL CARS & TRUCKS
(Position, Drivers, Vehicle-Engine, Class, Points)
1. Rob MacCachren/Bryan Freeman, Las Vegas, Fraley-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 306
2. L.J. Kennedy, Orange, CA/Brian Burgess,Riverside, CA, Porter-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 265
3. Caleb Gaddis, El Centro, CA, Tubular-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 259
4. James Golden, Costa Mesa, CA, Jimco-VW (SCORE Lite), 239
5 Mark McMillin, El Cajon, CA/Brian Ewalt, Chula Vista, CA, Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 235
5. Tom Watson/Tim Noe, El Centro, CA, Jimco-VW (SCORE Lite), 235
7. Damen Jefferies, Oak hills, CA, Porter-Chevy (CLASS 1), 230
8. Bob Shepard, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 229
9. Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Poway, CA, Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 228
10. Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 227
11. Corky McMillin, Bonita, CA/Gary Arnold, El Cajon, CA, Chenowth-Chevy (CLASS 1), 226
12. Travis Brookshire, El Cajon, CA, Jimco-Honda (CLASS 10), 223
12. John Cooley, Santee, CA, AlumiCraft-VW (CLASS 10), 223
14. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, CA, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 222
14. Marcos Nunez/Norberto Rivera, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (CLASS 5/1600), 222
16. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, CA, Smithbuilt-Ford (CLASS 1), 219
16. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, CA, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 219

CLASS LEADERS
(With Class wins in parenthesis)

Pro Cars and Trucks
SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK--
1. Bob Shepard, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado, 229;
2. Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 227;
3. Josh Baldwin, Newport Beach, CA, Ford F-150, 222;
4. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Curt LeDuc, Cherry Valley, CA, Ford F-150, 160;
5. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, AZ, Chevy Silverado (1), 213;
6. Marty Coyne/Travis Coyne, El Centro, CA, Ford F-150 (1), 211;
7. Jason Baldwin, Laguna Beach, CA, Ford F-150 (1), 207;
8. Michael Jackonson, Somis, CA/Todd Sanderson, Leucadia, CA, Chevy Silverado, 167;
9. Carl Renezeder, Laguna Beach, CA, Chevy Silverado, 152;
10. Pete Sohren, Glendale, AZ, Ford F-150, 151.
ALSO: 12. Gus Vildosola, Mexicali, Mexico/Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 131;
14. Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 127.

CLASS 1--
1. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, CA/Brian Ewalt, Chula Vista, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 235;
2. Damen Jefferies, Oak Hills, CA, Porter-Chevy, 163;
3. Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Poway, CA, Jimco-Chevy (2), 228;
4. Corky McMillin, Bonita, CA/Gary Arnold, El Cajon, CA, Chenowth-Chevy, 226;
5. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, CA, Smithbuilt-Ford, 219;
6. B.J. Richardson/John Gaughan, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy; 218;
7. Gary Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Jimco-Chevy, 201;
8. Josh Rigsby, Santa Fe, N.M., Penhall-Chevy, 191;
9. Pat Dean, Las Vegas, Bunderson-Chevy, 174:
10. Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA/Ernie Castro Jr., Newport Beach, CA, Jimco-Toyota (1), 166.

CLASS 1-2/1600--
1. Rob MacCachren/Bryan Freeman, Las Vegas, Fraley-VW (3), 306;
2. L.J. Kennedy, Orange, CA, Porter-VW, 265;
3. Caleb Gaddis, El Centro, CA, Curry-VW. 259;

CLASS 3--
1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, CA/Kenneth Moss, Marysville, CA, Ford Bronco (3), 169.

CLASS 5--
1. Chris Bowman, Upland, CA, VW Baja Bug (1), 146;
2. George Seeley, Glendale, CA, VW Baja Bug (1), 186.

CLASS 5/1600--
1. Marcos Nunez/Noberto Rivera, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug, 222;
2. Ernie Negrete/Archie Negrete, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (1), 211;
3. Ernesto Arambula/Hector Ramos, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug, (1), 200.

CLASS 7--
1. Craig Turner, Yorba Linda, CA, Ford Ranger (2), 208;
2. Victor Herrera Jr., Tijuana, Mexico, Ford Ranger (1), 200

CLASS 7S--
1. John Holmes, Olivenhain, CA, Ford Ranger (4), 218;
2. Ted Moncure/Nick Moncure, Long Beach, CA, Toyota Tacoma, 87.

CLASS 7SX--
1. Rich Severson, Mesa, AZ, Ford Ranger (1), 147;
2. Jeff Lloyd/Mike Leary, N. Hollywood, CA, Ford Ranger, 139.

CLASS 8--
1. Todd Wyllie, New River, AZ, Chevy C1500 (4), 215

CLASS 9--
1. Eric Fisher, Ensenada, Mexico, Garibay-VW (4), 212.

CLASS 10--
1. (tie) Travis Brookshire/Joel Whitted, Alpine, CA, Jimco-Honda and
John Cooley, Santee, CA/Dave Richardson, La Mesa, CA, Alumi Craft-VW, 223;
3. Lobsam Yee/Angel Barajas, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Honda (1), 214;
5. Ron Dalke, Tucson, AZ, Tatum-Toyota, 208;
5. Phillip Finch, Alpine, CA, Chenowth-Honda, 207.

SCORE LITE--
1. James Golden, Costa Mesa, CA/Jason Hatz, San Diego, Jimco-VW (1), 239;
2. Tom Watson, El Centro, CA/David Scaroni, Heber, CA, Jimco-VW, 235;
3. Stan Potter, San Marcos, CA/Dan Worley, Encinitas, CA, Jimco-VW (1), 217;
5. Arturo Honold/Ricardo Malo, Mexicali, Mexico, Curry-VW (1), 212;
5. Jake Batulis, San Clemente, CA, Prep By Jake-VW, 206.

CLASS 11--
1. Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Sedan (1), 103.

STOCK FULL--
1. John Griffin, Mission Viejo, CA, Hummer H2 1), 135;
2. Terry Henn, Walnut, CA, Hummer H1 (1), 119;.

STOCK MINI--
1. Steven Covey, Long Beach, CA, Ford Ranger, 35.

PROTRUCK--
1. Jim Nuckles/Jeff Dickerson, Brawley, CA, Ford F-150 (3) 170;
2. Gus Vildosola Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Toyota, Tundra (1), 169.

Pro Motorcycles
CLASS 22--
1. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, CA/Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, CA, Honda XR650R, 122;
2. Chris Blais, Apple Valley, CA/Andy Grider, Los Olivos, CA/Quinn Cody, Buellton, CA, KTM MXC525 (1), 121;
3. Robby Bell, Murrieta, CA/Kendall Norman, Santa Barbara, CA, Honda XR650R, 111.
ALSO: 6. Mike Childress, Wrightwood, CA/Mouse McCoy, Santa Monica, CA, Honda XR650R (1), 78.

CLASS 21--
1. Tim Morton, Escondido, CA/Salvador Hernandez, Ensenada Mexico, Honda CRFX250 (2), 128;
2. Joe Desrosiers, San Marcos, CA/Mark Daniels, Oxnard, CA, Yamaha YZ250 and Kevin Johnson, Vista, CA/Ryan Gustine, San Diego, Yamaha YZ250, 112;

CLASS 30--
1. Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Arturo Salas, Tijuana, Mexico, Honda XR650R (2), 134;
2. Victor Villalobos/Francisco Septien, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda XR650R, 83.

CLASS 40--
1. Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, CA/Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii/Jeff Kaplan, Newbury Park, CA, Honda XR650R (2),130;
2. Greg Fountain, Lake Forest, CA/Mike Martin Jr., Garden Grove, CA, Yamaha WR450, 111.

CLASS 50--
1. Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, CA/Doug Heil Glendora, CA/Rick Gill, Carpinteria, CA, Honda XR650R (1), 119;
8600 Starboard Dr, Japan, Honda XR650R (1), 70.

Pro ATVs
CLASS 25--
1. Josh Frederick, Moapa, Nev./Cycle Chislock, Murrieta, CA/Levi Marana, Hemet, CA, Honda TRX450R (2), 146;
2. Nick Nelson, Tehachepi, CA/Jason Greenhaw, Bakersfield, CA, Honda TRX450R, 120;
3. Javier Robles Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Honda 250R, 116.

CLASS 24--
1. Kirk Schreier, Phoenix/Shiloh Strunk, Tucson, AZ, Honda TRX250R (2), 94.

Sportsman
SPT CAR--
1. Tony Robles/Alfredo Bueno, San Diego, VW (1), 109.

SPT TRUCK--
1. Mark Growe/Keith Growe, Placentia, CA, Ford Ranger, 163.

SPT M/C>250cc--
1. Robert Laughlin, Solvang, CA, Honda XR650R (2), 150.

SPT M/C<250cc--
1. John Burton, Ludington, MI/Brent Carr, Tucson, AZ, Honda XR250R (1), 70

SPT ATV--
1. Gil Castro, Chula Vista, CA/Guillermo Malpica, San Diego, Honda TRX450R (2), 135.

For information contact:
SCORE International at its Los Angeles headquarters
(818) 225-8402 or visit
the official 2005 SCORE Desert Series website at:
www.score-international.com

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