Trophy Truck #27 Perseveres With Baja 1000
Finish
Heber, California (November 21, 2005) – Matt
Scaroni raced the SMD Motorsports trophy truck off the line of the
Baja 1000 with a vengeance as he charged into the wilds of the Baja
Peninsula in search of his first Trophy Truck victory.
This year’s race was one of the most challenging Baja
1000’s, and one of the most challenging races SMD Motorsports
has ever raced in. SMD youngest talent, David Scaroni drove the
Watson/Noe SCORE Lite buggy to a 2nd place finish to claim victory
in the 2005 SCORE season points championship for the 2nd
consecutive year.
The #27 SMD Trophy Truck was certainly a challenge beginning weeks
prior to the race through the checkered flag. After enduring 21
hours, 52 minutes and 02 seconds, fighting the toughest challenge
in recent Baja 1000 history, the #27 Trophy Truck crossed the
finish line claiming a 16th place finish in the SCORE Unlimited
Production Truck class.
Steve commented, “The team needed this
finish and the obstacles that presented themselves tested the
team’s character. The two weeks prior to the race were
fraught with a continual litany of problems that we had to
overcome. We are thankful and blessed to have people of such strong
character on our team. Mark Cowan, Mike Mounts, Dave Strader, and
Marco “Chino” Ramos demonstrated the highest qualities
in character - never giving up. We thank them for their
perseverance and overcoming obstacle, after obstacle, after
obstacle.”
Prior to the race, the team changed out three transmissions, two
alternators and fought fuel pump issues, but yet they continued to
persevere. Trophy Truck #27 charged off the Ensenada start line,
which resulted in a great first Baja 1000 race for the SMD
Motorsports Trophy Truck. Matt drove the truck off the line in
second position and diced it up with the Terrible Herbst truck and
the other trophy truck front runners during most of the daylight
hours.
That was until a flat & a broken wheel stud was discovered at
the Borrego pit and the team lost time making repairs. After
leaving the Borrego pit and heading into San Felipe the race team
pitted in order to execute a driver change. At the same time, a
minor fueling mishap with a new fueling tower cost the team
valuable time.
However, once again the team overcame difficult conditions and sent
Baja veteran racers John Swift and Andy Waters in the truck to
battle the difficult San Felipe loop. At approximate race mile 252,
they hit a booby-trap set by the locals watching the race.
Swift described the ensuing tumble nearly going over the
front-to-back by a mere ¼ inch. Although Swift saved the truck
from near disaster, the resulting damage was the loss of all the
front lights. Nevertheless, Swift and Waters shouldered on, but not
before losing the brakes. Crew Chief Mark Cowan and Willie Valdez
met the truck at the BFG Chanate pit where quick repairs were made
and the truck was off racing towards Mike’s Sky Ranch. John
had a fast and clean run through the Mike’s/Coyote loop and
out to Valle Trinidad, where they handed the truck off to Steve for
the charge towards the finish line.
Steve and co-driver Mike “Milkshake” Mounts suffered a
flat tire within 5 miles of Valle Trinidad. A quick tire change
with the help of Marty Coyne’s crew and Steve was back raging
towards the Pacific Coast loop.
He had a great run and overcame some booby-trap obstacles and then
coming off the beach heading to Santo Tomas, he smashed a rock,
which pushed the skid plate up into the pan on the transmission,
resulting in a broken transmission valve body.
Mark Cowan, Too Tall Ted Olmstead and Willie Valdez Sr. met the
wounded truck and changed out the transmission on the beach where
they lost approximately two hours. As the truck was leaving the
beach and headed towards Santo Tomas they received a radio call.
Steve learned that while his son David was trying to make up time
racing the SCORE Lite car for the season championship, he had lost
reverse gear in the buggy’s transmission. Steve made the
decision to wait for David at Santo Tomas and let him get in front
of the Trophy Truck. Heading into Uruapan Steve came across
3-cylinder Darren Hardesty stuck on Pates hill and also helped the
Gaddis 1 / 2 1600 winning car that was buried in a deep ditch.
SMD’s #27 soon became the sweep crew for the entire SMD race
team and many of their mutual racing friends. Driveline vibration
forced a driveline change at Ojos Negros before Steve drove it in
across the finish line.
“Enough cannot be said about this SMD team. Everyone on this
SMD team executed flawlessly, everybody was where they were
supposed to be, and I don’t even think we broke a window, or
glass, or put a dent in a chase truck. We were blessed with safety
and perfect execution. This team is ready for the NASCAR experience
because of their precision and support in pitting,” said Team
Owner – Steve Scaroni.
“We will continue to expand our team training based on our
Baja 1000 experience and will dedicate the MDR New Year’s Day
event as a “training race” for all our existing team
members, as well as those that will join us for the 2006 season. We
will conduct a multitude of simulated pit stops during the race in
actual race conditions. These “race conditions”
training tactics will help in taking the SMD Motorsports Trophy
Truck team to another level, which will be required in our quest
for the Best In The Desert Trick Truck Championship in 2006,”
explained Matt.
SMD Motorsports congratulates the TWG / Caleb Gaddis team for their
1st place Baja 1000 win and winning the 2005 SCORE Tecate overall
season point’s championship. “It’s been an honor
to be able to work side-by-side with the TWG team this year. To
watch them perform such a great job in their first year of
professional off road racing is rewarding,” said Steve.
Steve continued, “The entire SMD Motorsports team expresses
its deepest condolences to the Baldwin family for their loss of off
road racing champion, Jason Baldwin, as well as the other crew
members who died in the airplane crash while returning from the
Baja 1000. These incidents bring to light what a fragile life we
all lead. We are thankful that we have been blessed with safety for
our family and our team.”
SMD Motorsports will next race at the Superstition Series Bud Light
Dash on December 31, 2005 at Plaster City, California.
Our many supporters include: Ford Motor Company, BFGoodrich Tires,
SkyBitz, Mastercraft Seats, FOX Racing Shocks, TrailReady
Beadlocks, VP Racing Fuel, Hella Lights and Pure Power
Lubricants.
