SAN DIEGO, USA — BFGoodrich Tires, Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez and brothers Jeff and Rick Geiser were among the major winners Saturday night as SCORE International officially concluded the 2015 SCORE World Desert Champioship with the annual SCORE Awards Night gala at the SCORE Tech facility in El Cajon, Calif., approximately 15 miles east of San Diego.
SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year awards were presented in 14 categories along with the nine winners of the Red Kap SCORE Milestone Awards and the class and overall point champions of Roger Norman’s five-race 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 300 and a worldwide audience via the live webcast of the festivities, the evening was also a celebration of 42 years of SCORE championship desert racing. Following the lengthy salute to the stars of the 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship, SCORE owner Roger Norman summarized his second year as SCORE’s CEO and President.
MORE SCORE COVERAGE
2015 SCORE Baja 1000 Coverage
Photo Gallery : 2015 SCORE Baja 1000
“We want to sincerely acknowledge the support, assistance and sacrifices made by family members, friends and sponsors–because without their support, the accomplishments of our racers in the series would not have been possible,” commented Norman. “Becoming a SCORE overall or class champion, or winning a coveted SCORE Off-Roadsman Award or SCORE Milestone Award is an achievement of the highest degree in our beloved sport.”
The late Oscar Ramos J, who passed away in July after working diligently as the SCORE Mexico liaison for 20 years, was selected posthumously as the 2015 SCORE Person of the Year. Accepting the award was his widow, Maritza Ramos.
BFGoodrich Tires, the official tire of SCORE for 40 years, received two awards. The BFGoodrich Tires company was honored as the SCORE Contingency Company of the year for the 24th time as well as being voted the SCORE Pit Support Team of the Year for the 26th time.
The SCORE Off-Roadsman awards were determined by online vote of the 2015 participating teams in the SCORE World Desert Championship. Among the other honorees were the top point leaders from the 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series.
With very tight voting in most categories, Mexico’s Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez, was selected as the 2015 SCORE Rookie of the Year after his sterling season in the marquee SCORE Trophy Truck division. Lopez, just 20 years old of Tecate, won his class in the SCORE Baja 500 and finished second in the SCORE Baja 1000 to win the class point championship and the 2015 SCORE Overall point championship in the No. 5 RPM Racing Chevy Rally truck built by Geiser Brothers.
Jeff Geiser, co-owner of Geiser Brothers of Phoenix with his brother Rick, was voted as the SCORE Mechanic of the Year for his work with RPM Racing, of Bristol, Tenn., which fields five vehicles in the SCORE World Desert Championship.
Rick Geiser was voted the SCORE Team Manager of the Year for his work helping coordinate the racing efforts of RPM Racing. This was the first year for this award.
“The year of 2015 was another memorable year in the history of SCORE International,” Norman added. “We witnessed a total of over 2,000 different drivers/co-drivers and riders/co-riders that participated in our five spectacular races in SCORE World Desert Championship. For my wife Elise and I, this was our just our third year as the caretakers of this amazing international treasure we all know as SCORE International. We are even more committed to work with our racers to expand the reach of SCORE even further than it has achieved so far.”
Mike Julson, of Santee, Calif., who has been a SCORE regular co-driver in both SCORE Trophy Truck and the unlimited Class 1, saw his Jimco Racing Products open-wheel desert race cars win the 2015 SCORE Original Buggy Chassis Manufacturer point championship for the 22nd time and 21st straight.
After a banner year in the SCORE World Desert Championship in 2015, Ray Field’s Dougans Racing Engines of Riverside, Calif. captured the 2015 Engine Builder point championship for the first time.
In the second year decided by points, Honda won the SCORE Motorcyle Manufacturer of the Year SCORE Off-Roadsman award, Polaris won the SCORE UTV Manufacturer of the Year points and Geiser Brothers also won the new SCORE Original Truck Chassis Manufacturer point title.
Another element of the diverse program was the presentation of the Red Kap SCORE Milestone Awards. As it has for 30 years, the coveted SCORE Milestone Awards were presented to those drivers in who finished all required miles of the 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship. A total of nine racers completed all 2,303.81 required miles in the five-race 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship. It was the second time in SCORE history that all car, truck, UTV, motorcycle and Quad classes, pro and sportsman were eligible for the award.
The evening included a colorful video tribute to the 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship produced by SCORE’s award-winning television producer BCII TV.
The entire evening was streamed live on the SCORE Live HD platform on the SCORE website, produced by Tecnovision.
Matt Kartozian of Durka Durka Photo, who is a major contributor to the new SCORE Journal digital magazine, was honored for the second time in as the SCORE Journalist of the Year, while GetSome Photo (Art Eugenio) earned the SCORE Photographer of the Year honors for the second straight year. Winning the SCORE Videographer of the Year award for the first time was Baja Films.
Leading the parade of 2015 SCORE Desert Series point champions were the three overall titlists—Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez, Tecate, Mexico. (Overall and SCORE Trophy Truck in the No. 5 RPM Racing Chevy Rally Truck), Colie Potter, Las Vegas (Overall motorcycle and Class 40 on a Honda CRF450X) and Javier Robles Jr, Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico (Overall ATV and Pro ATV on a Honda TRX450R).
It was the first time for Lopez and Potter to earn SCORE Overall point titles in their respective divisions and second straight year for Robles Jr and his team.
Emcees for the evening were action sports TV announcers Dave Arnold and Dianna Dahlgren.
MOVING FORWARD
The five-race 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship, with all five races in Baja, Mexico for the first time opens with the 30th Bud Light SCORE San Felipe 250 in Baja California, Mexico, Feb. 25-28.
The original SCORE International founded in 1973 by the late Mickey Thompson and headed by Sal Fish from 1974 until Fish transferred ownership of SCORE International to Roger Norman on Dec. 20, 2012. SCORE continues as the premier sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing. SCORE races feature competition in Pro and Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and ATVs competing in the races in Mexico.
CBS SPORTS NETWORK COVERAGE
All races in the 2015 SCORE World Desert Championship series, along with the special SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience and qualifying for the Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway will once again be aired in the USA and Canada on the CBS Sports Network. New for 2015, in addition to SCORE Trophy Truck coverage, the shows will also feature top action and highlights from many other classes of trucks, buggies, motorcycles, quads and UTVs – making sure that the most exciting footage and most compelling stories are now part of each race event broadcast.
Capping off the 2015 broadcast season, the Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000 broadcast on CBS Sports Network will be expanded to a full two-hour program – providing the most expansive television coverage of the “Main Event” of all desert races ever, allowing all the major class action to be showcased around the globe to the SCORE International fan base.
2015 CBS Sports Network Original Broadcast Schedule (subject to change, check local listings)
Remaining Shows:
· Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000 Qualifying @SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience (first telecast-Sunday, December 20, 9 p.m. ET)
· Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000 (two-hour special) (first telecast-Sunday, December 27, 9 p.m. ET)
Completed Broadcasts:
· Bud Light SCORE San Felipe 250 (first telecasts-Tuesday, March 17, 7 p.m. ET & 11 p.m. ET)
· Bud Light SCORE Baja Sur 500 (first telecast-Sunday, May 31, 9 p.m. ET; key repeat broadcast-Sunday, June 7, 9 p.m. ET)
· Bud Light SCORE Baja 500 (first telecast-Sunday, July 26, 9 p.m. ET; key repeat broadcast-Sunday, August 2, 9 p.m. ET)
· Rigid Industries SCORE Imperial Valley 250 presented by the City of El Centro (first telecast-Sunday, November 15, 9 p.m. ET; key repeat broadcast-Sunday, November 29, 9 p.m. ET)
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
SCOREscope
The five-race 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship will include five special events and for the first time all five will be in Baja California, Mexico. Here is the complete 2016 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule:
· 30th Bud Light SCORE San Felipe 250, Feb. 25-28, San Felipe, Mexico
· 2nd Bud Light SCORE Baja Sur 500, April 14-17, La Paz, Mexico
· 48th Bud Light SCORE Baja 500, June 1-5, Ensenada Mexico
· Inaugural Bud Light SCORE Desert Challenge, presented by Rosarito Beach, Sept. 14-18, Rosarito Beach, Mexico
· 49th Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000, Nov.16-20, Ensenada, Mexico
SCORE SPONSORS
Official Sponsors: Bud Light-Official Beer/Official Race Sponsor, Monster Energy-Official Energy Drink, BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire, Rigid Industries LED Lighting-Official Lights/Official Race Sponsor, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber, Polaris-Official UTV, Vision Wheel – Official Wheel, Axial R/C-Official R/C Vehicle, CBS Sports Network-Official Television Partner, Coca-Cola-Official Soft Drink, Coyne Powersports-Official Powersports Supplier,Wide Open Excursions- Official Arrive and Drive Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino.
Associate Sponsors: All Road Satellite, Symons Ambulance Company, Aero Calafia, Tessco.
Additional SCORE Partners: Proturismo Ensenada, Visit Baja California Sur, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, Baja California Sur State Government, Mexicali Ayuntamineto, COTUCO Mexicali/San Felipe, Cruz Roja Mexicana, Corporate Helicopters, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, GoPro, PCI Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products, Advanced Color Graphics.
For more information, visit the official website of the SCORE World Desert Championship at www.SCORE-International.com.
2015 SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year Award Winners
SCORE Mechanic of the Year—Jeff Geiser, Geiser Brothers
SCORE Team Manager of the Year—Rick Geiser, RPM Racing
SCORE Pit Support Team of the Year—BFGoodrich Tires
SCORE Journalist of the Year—Durka Durka Photo, Matt Kartozian
SCORE Photographer of the Year—GetSome Photo (Art Eugenio)
SCORE Videographer of the Year—Baja Films Media
SCORE Rookie of the Year—Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez, RPM Racing
SCORE Person of the Year—Oscar Ramos J. (posthumously)
*SCORE Original Buggy Chassis Manufacturer—Jimco (Mike Julson)
*SCORE Engine Builder—Dougans Race Engines (Ray Fields)
*SCORE Original Truck Chassis Manufacturer—Geiser Brothers
*SCORE Motorcycle Manufacturer of the Year—Honda Motorcycles
*SCORE UTV Manufacturer of the Year—Polaris Industries
**SCORE Contingency Company of the Year—BFGoodrich Tires
*Determined by points; others-online voting; **Determined by most payouts
All-time SCORE Off-Roadsman Award Winners
Current Awards (1974 thru 2010-voted by SCORE membership; 2011-14 public, online voting, 2015 team voting)
SCORE CONTINGENCY COMPANY
1977—NGK Spark Plugs
1978—Pennzoil
1979—BFGoodrich Tires
1980—Rough Country
1981—Bridgestone
1982—BFGoodrich Tires
1983—BFGoodrich Tires
1984—BFGoodrich Tires
1985—TIE-BFGoodrich Tires & Yokohama Tires
1986—Yokohama Tires
1987—BFGoodrich Tires
1988—Yokohama Tires
1989—Yokohama Tires
1990—Yokohama Tires
1991—Yokohama Tires
1992—Yokohama Tires
1993—BFGoodrich Tires
1994—BFGoodrich Tires
1995—BFGoodrich Tires
1996—BFGoodrich Tires
1997—BFGoodrich Tires
1998—Duralast Batteries
1999—BFGoodrich Tires
2000—BFGoodrich Tires
2001—BFGoodrich Tires
2002—BFGoodrich Tires
2003—BFGoodrich Tires
2004—BFGoodrich Tires
2005—BFGoodrich Tires
2006—BFGoodrich Tires
2007—BFGoodrich Tires
2008—Volkswagen of America
2009—BFGoodrich Tires
2010—Sunoco
2011—BFGoodrich Tires
2012—BFGoodrich Tires
2013—Rigid Industries
2014—King Shocks
(By Payouts since 2015)
2015—BFGoodrich Tires
SCORE MECHANIC
1974—Scott McKenzie
1975—Dick Russell
1976—Jim Fueling
1977—Scott McKenzie
1978—Scott McKenzie
1979—Scott McKenzie
1980—Bill Stroppe
1981—Tom Strong
1982—Bill Stroppe
1983—Bill Stroppe
1984—Bill Stroppe
1985—Bill Stroppe
1986—Randy Anderson
1987—NONE SELECTED
1988—Jon Nelson
1989—Russ Wernimont
1990—Call Wells III
1991—Ivan Scoppertone
1992—Russ Wernimont
1993—Russ Wernimont
1994—Russ Wernimont
1995—Curt LeDuc
1996—Steve Silverthorn
1997—NONE SELECTED
1998—Mike Smith
1999—Mike Smith
2000—Mike Smith
2001—Mike Stapleton
2002—Barry Beacham
2003—Mike Smith
2004—John Hoffman
2005—Mark Cowan
2006—Rick Geiser
2007—Jim Blackmore
2008—Andy McGaw
2009—Mike Stapleton
2010—Rick Geiser
2011—Jeff Geiser
2012—Mike Stapleton
2013—Johnny Nelson
2014—Steve Covey
2015—Jeff Geiser
SCORE TEAM MANAGER
2015—Rick Geiser
SCORE PIT SUPPORT TEAM
(PIT CREW CHIEF—1974-76)
1974—Bill Mears
1975—Jack Miller
1976—Steve Kassanyi
1977—Checkers
1978—F.A.I.R.
1979—Checkers
1980—Budweiser
1981—Budweiser
1982—BFGoodrich Tires
1983—Checkers
1984—BFGoodrich Tires
1985—TIE-Checkers & F.A.I.R.
1986—Spirit Racing
1987—BFGoodrich Tires
1988—BFGoodrich Tires
1989—BFGoodrich Tires
1990—Sage Council
1991—BFGoodrich Tires
1992—BFGoodrich Tires
1993—Checkers
1994—BFGoodrich Tires
1995—BFGoodrich Tires
1996—BFGoodrich Tires
1997—BFGoodrich Tires
1998—BFGoodrich Tires
1999—BFGoodrich Tires
2000—BFGoodrich Tires
2001—BFGoodrich Tires
2002—BFGoodrich Tires
2003—BFGoodrich Tires
2004—BFGoodrich Tires
2005—BFGoodrich Tires
2006—BFGoodrich Tires
2007—BFGoodrich Tires
2008—BFGoodrich Tires
2009—Baja Pits
2010—BFGoodrich Tires
2011—Baja Pits
2012—BFGoodrich Tires
2013—BFGoodrich Tires
2014—Baja Pits
2015—BFGoodrich Tires
SCORE ROOKIE
1974—Frank Vessels
1975—Carroll Ditson
1976—Jackie Thomison
1977—Jerry Boone
1978—Jim Jacobus
1979—Dixie Hawkins
1980—Ray Encabo
1981—Malcolm Vinje
1982—Roger Mortenson
1983—Mike Falkosky
1984—John Clark Gable
1985—Rob Tolleson
1986—Brian Stewart
1987—Robby Gordon
1988—Doug Fortin
1989—Scott Reams
1990—Charlie Townsley
1991—Dan Smith
1992—Brian Goodrich
1993—Ricky Johnson
1994—Tom Rusich
1995—Jimmie Johnson
1996—TIE-Chuck Harris & Tom Dittfield
1997—John Herder
1998—Bekki Freeman
1999—Jared Hardin
2000—Jeremy Spirkoff
2001—Jason Hunter
2002—Alan Pflueger
2003—Brian Ickler
2004—Andy McMillin
2005—Caleb Gaddis
2006—Garron Cadiente
2007—Eric Chase
2008—Lee Banning
2009—Brian Wilson
2010—Luke McMillin
2011—Bryce Menzies
2012—Steven Strobel
2013—Rene Rodriguez
2014—Tony Gera
2015—Carlos ‘Apdaly’ Lopez
SCORE PERSON
1974—Walt Lott
1975—Doc Sauers
1976—Ivan Stewart
1977—Jim McCullick
1978—Quico Santana
1979—Hal Harris
1980—Malcolm Smith
1981—Joe MacPherson
1982—Athene Karis
1983—Walker Evans
1984—Ivan Stewart
1985—Frank DeAngelo
1986—Walker Evans
1987—Bob Steinberger
1988—Walt Lott
1989—Evan Evans
1990—Michael Gaughan
1991—Peri Comb
1992—Dan Newsome
1993—Michael Gaughan
1994—Jimmy Smith
1995—Danny Hamel
1996—Dan Newsome
1997—Joe MacPherson
1998—Dan Newsome
1999—Larry Roeseler
2000—Bob Steinberger
2001—Debbie Dickerhoof
2002—Jeff Quinn
2003—TIE-Mike Julson & Corky McMillin
2004—Ed Herbst
2005—Corky McMillin (posthumously)
2006—Cameron Steele
2007—Cameron Steele
2008—Rob MacCachren
2009—Robby Gordon
2010—Robbie Pierce
2011—Johnny Campbell
2012—Jeff Cummings
2013—Kurt Caselli (posthumously)
2014—Gus Vildosola
2015—Oscar Ramos J. (posthumously)
SCORE JOURNALIST
1975—Jean Calvin
1976—Sam Wilshire
1977—Sam Wilshire
1978—Judy Smith
1979—Steve Kassanyi
1980—Judy Smith
1981—Jean Calvin
1982—Judy Smith
1983—Jean Calvin
1984—Jean Calvin
1985—Jean Calvin
1986—Jean Calvin
1987—Jim Short
1988—Jean Calvin
1989—Jean Calvin
1990—Jean Calvin
1991—Judy Smith
1992—Judy Smith
1993—Tony Tellier
1994—Jean Calvin
1995—NONE SELECTED
1996—Judy Smith
1997—Jean Calvin
1998—Judy Smith
1999—Judy Smith
2000—Judy Smith
2001—Judy Smith
2002—Judy Smith
2003—Judy Smith
2004—Judy Smith
2005—Judy Smith
2006—Marty Fiolka
2007—Judy Smith
2008—John Calvin
2009—Tim Sanchez
2010—Tim Sanchez
2011—Gabriel Garcia
2012—Jim Ryan
2013—Gabriel Garcia
2014—Judy Smith
2015—Matt Kartozian
SCORE PHOTOGRAPHER
1975—Dave Cody
1976—Trackside
1977—Ariz. Comp. Photos
1978—Trackside
1979—Trackside
1980—Trackside
1981—Action Photo
1982—Trackside
1983—Trackside
1984—Trackside
1985—Trackside
1986—Trackside
1987—ESPN
1988—Trackside
1989—Trackside
1990—Carrera
1991—Carrera
1992—Carrera
1993—Carrera
1994—Carrera
1995—NONE SELECTED
1996—Carrera
1997—Carrera
1998—Carrera
1999—Carrera
2000—Trackside
2001—Carrera
2002—Trackside
2003—Trackside
2004—Trackside
2005—Trackside
2006—HighRev Photography
2007—Trackside Photo
2008—Durka Durka Photo
2009—HighRev Photography
2010—HighRev Photography
2011—My Baja Photo
2012—My Baja Photo
2013—HighRev Photography
2014—GetSome Photo
2015—GetSome Photo
SCORE Videographer
2011—Cactus Films
2012—Cactus Films
2013—Tempt Media
2014—Cactus Films
2015—Baja Films
SCORE ORIGINAL BUGGY
CHASSIS MANUFACTURER
1974—Funco
1975—Hi-Jumper
1976—Chenowth
1977—Chenowth
1978—Chenowth
1979—Funco
1980—Funco
1981—Funco
1982—Raceco
1983—TIE-Chenowth & Raceco
1984—Raceco
1985—Raceco
1986—Raceco
1987—Raceco
1988—Chenowth
1989—Chenowth
1990—Chenowth
1991—Chenowth
1992—Jimco
1993—Mirage
1994—Chenowth
1995—Jimco
1996—Jimco
1997—Jimco
1998—Jimco
1999—Jimco
2000—Jimco
2001—Jimco
2002—Jimco
(By Points since 2003)
2003—Jimco
2004—Jimco
2005—Jimco
2006—Jimco
2007—Jimco
2008—Jimco
2009—Jimco
2010—Jimco
2011—Jimco
2012—Jimco
2013—Jimco
2014—Jimco
2015—Jimco
SCORE ENGINE BUILDER
1974—Lee Leighton
1975—Brian Skipper
1976—Lee Leighton
1985—FAT Performance
1986—Keith Black
1987—Louis Unser
1988—Mike Evans
1989—Mike Evans
1990—FAT Performance
1991—FAT Performance
1992—Major Performance
1993—FAT Performance
1994—Wik’s Racing
1995—FAT Performance
1996—FAT Performance
1997—FAT Performance
1998—Wik’s Racing
1999—Wik’s Racing
2000—Wik’s Racing
2001—Wik’s Racing
2002—Dave Bonner
(By Points since 2003)
2003—Major Performance
2004—FAT Performance
2005—FAT Performance
2006—Major Performance
2007—Major Performance
2008—Major Performance
2009—FAT Performance
2010—Kroyer Racing Engines
2011—Kroyer Racing Engines
2012—Kroyer Racing Engines
2013—Kroyer Racing Engines
2014—Kroyer Racing Engines
2015—Dougans Racing Engines
SCORE ORIGINAL TRUCK CHASSIS MANUFACTURER
(By Points since 2015)
2015—Geiser Brothers
SCORE UTV MANUFACTURER
(By Points since 2015)
2015—Polaris
SCORE MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER
1974—Husqvarna
1975—American Honda
1976—Husqvarna
1977—Husqvarna
1978—Husqvarna
1979—Husqvarna
1980—Yamaha
1981—American Honda
1982—American Honda
1983—American Honda
1984—American Honda
1985—American Honda
1986—American Honda
1987—American Honda
1988—American Honda
1989—Kawasaki
1990—Kawasaki
1991—Kawasaki
1992—Kawasaki
1993—Kawasaki
1994—Kawasaki
1995—Kawasaki
1996—Kawasaki
1997—American Honda
1998—American Honda
1999—American Honda
2000—American Honda
2001—American Honda
2002—American Honda
2003—American Honda
2004—American Honda
2005—American Honda
2006—American Honda
2007—American Honda
2008—American Honda
2009—American Honda
2010—American Honda
2011—American Honda
2012—KTM
2013—KTM
(By Points since 2014)
2014—Kawasaki
2015—American Honda