LOS ANGELES—Continuing its position as the innovator and the leader in cutting-edge development for the sport of desert racing, SCORE International CEO/President Sal Fish has announced that SCORE has added four classes and modified 10 others among its 34 Pro and six Sportsman racing classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs in the five-race SCORE Desert Series.

Celebrating its 38th year as the organizer and promoter of the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series, SCORE, based in Los Angeles, has introduced Class 2, Class 2-D, SCORE Extreme Lite and the SCORE Ultra Green and made modifications in existing the following existing classes: Class 8, Class 10, Class 7-2, Class 4, Class 22, Class 21, Class 25, Class 24, SPT M/C< and SPT M/C>.

“SCORE has proudly been the pioneer in our sport of desert racing, from introducing classes, safety guidelines and continues to be at the forefront of expanding technology and increasing innovation,” commented Fish, who has led SCORE since soon after it was founded in 1973. “These new classes will allow SCORE to remain current with the demands of the racing enthusiasts as well as cultural advancements within the industry. From developing the first classes allowing turbo and super-charged engines, both regular gasoline and diesel, to introducing the first class for hybrid or electric vehicles, SCORE solidifies its position as the preeminent desert racing organization in the world.

“To assist the needs of our racers, we have also made modifications to our rules in eight classes, all designed to help the ever-changing landscape of desert racing worldwide.”

Under the guidance of long-time SCORE Tech Director Bill Savage, the descriptions of SCORE’s new competition classes are:
-CLASS 2 (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 3.5-Liter Turbo or supercharged)
-CLASS 2-D (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 3.5-Liter Diesel Turbo or supercharged)
-SCORE EXTREME LITE (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 2.0-Liter, Turbo or supercharged)
-SCORE ULTRA GREEN (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, Hybrid or Electric)

In describing some of the reasoning behind the new classes, Savage, whose SCORE Tech facility is in Vista, Calif., commented, “SCORE wants to keep up with the trends in society which seek more gas mileage, smaller engines and maintain similar horsepower. Additionally, we think now is the time to introduce turbo and super-charged engines, both gasoline and diesel, into SCORE desert racing. We have also identified and modified some rules in four existing SCORE classes to help increase the popularity and keep the classes more affordable for the racers to compete in.”

The most notable rule changes to existing classes are in Class 10, an unlimited open-wheel class with limited engines. Beginning this season SCORE is requiring that all newly-teched vehicles have stock, sealed motors from the manufacturers in an effort to help keep the popular class going and make it more affordable for those competitors who don’t want to move up to the unlimited Class 1.

Under the new rules in Class 10, single-seat open-wheel vehicles with the stock, sealed factory motors can have up to 2.2 liters (2200cc) and two-seaters can have engines up to 2.5 liters (2500cc).

In the motorcycle and ATV classes with changes, the engine displacement cc requirements have been changed to 400cc or less and 401cc or more.

The five-race SCORE Desert Series features two races annual in Southern Nevada and three in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

SCORE races in the United States feature 25 Pro and two Sportsman classes for cars and trucks and in Mexico the SCORE races have 34 Pro and six Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.

Round 2 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series will be the 25th Annual MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, March 11-13 in Baja California, Mexico.

Following January’s season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series will be visiting Mexico for the first of three races in 2011.

In addition to season class point championships, the racers are also competing for part of the nearly $400,000 in cash purse and contingency postings. Drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are attempting to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to all car and truck class drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season.  Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 26th consecutive year, a total of 72 drivers remain eligible after Round 1 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series. Racers are also competing for the annual SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year awards, including the MasterCraft Safety SCORE Rookie of the Year award.

Current SCORE official annual sponsors are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Volkswagen of America-official vehicle, Sunoco Race Fuels -official fuel supplier, Bilstein-official shock, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-official Mexican auto insurance, Slime-official tire sealant and Red Bull–official energy drink. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Las Vegas Events, Blue C Advertising, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

While MasterCraft Safety and Tecate are co-title sponsors of the 25th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, additional race sponsors are: the Tourism and Convention Bureau of Mexicali/San Felipe and Cotuco. Additional sponsors in Baja are the Office of the Secretary of Tourism of Baja California and ProTurismo de Ensenada.

The race annually provides a greater economic impact to San Felipe than the popular six-week-long ‘Spring Break’.

For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

SCORE Desert Series
2011 Class Descriptions
The SCORE Desert Series features 35 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs. Only Cars & Trucks race in the United States. Class winners are determined along with the overall race winner in Pro Cars/Trucks, Pro Motorcycles and Pro ATVs. Motorcycles and ATVs race only in Mexico. Classes with general class descriptions:

Pro Cars & Trucks

SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks)
CLASS 1 (Unlimited single or two-seaters)
CLASS 1-2/1600 (single or two-seaters to 1600cc)
CLASS 3 (Short wheelbase 4X4)
CLASS 5 (Unlimited Baja Bugs)
CLASS 5/1600 (1600cc Baja Bugs)
CLASS 6 (Unlimited Production mini trucks)
CLASS 7 (Open Production mini trucks)
CLASS 7SX (Modified, stock mini-trucks)
CLASS 8 (Full-sized two-wheel drive trucks)
CLASS 9 (Short wheelbase, single or two-seaters)
CLASS 10 (Single or two-seaters to 1650cc)
SCORE LITE (Limited single-1776cc-or two-seaters-1835cc)
CLASS 11 (Stock VW Sedans)
STOCK FULL (Stock full-sized trucks)
STOCK MINI (Stock mini trucks)
PROTRUCK (Limited Production Trucks)
CLASS 17 (Class 3, Modified Jeeps)
CLASS 7-2 (Unlimited Mini-Truck, 2.2/2.4-Liter Ecotec engine)
CLASS 4 (Unlimited open-wheel car, 2.2/2.4-Liter Ecotec engine)
CLASS 2 (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 3.5-Liter Turbo or supercharged)
CLASS 2-D (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 3.5-Liter Diesel Turbo or supercharged)
SCORE EXTREME LITE (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, 2.0-Liter, Turbo or supercharged)
SCORE ULTRA GREEN (Unlimited open-wheel, car/truck, Hybrid or Electric)
BAJA CHALLENGE (Limited identical open wheel cars)

Pro Motorcycles

CLASS 22 (401cc or more)
CLASS 21 (400cc or less)
CLASS 30 (Riders over 30 years old)
CLASS 40 (Riders over 40 years old)
CLASS 50 (Riders over 50 years old)
CLASS 60 (Riders over 60 years old)

Pro ATVs

CLASS 25 (401cc or more)
CLASS 24 (400cc or less)
CLASS 26 (Limited Utility)

Sportsman

SPORTSMAN CAR
SPORTSMAN TRUCK
SPORTSMAN UTV
SPORTSMAN M/C < 401cc
SPORTSMAN M/C > 400cc
SPORTSMAN ATV