ENSENADA B.C. 220 starters took the green flag for the 29 running of North America’s biggest off- road race. The motorcycles and quads were met with bright sun and a slight breeze for their 6:00 AM start. The rest of the field started at 9:00 AM, led off by the rapidly dwindling ranks of Trophy Trucks.

Teammates Paul Krause, Ty Davis and Greg Zitterkoph had a flawless run to the overall fastest time. As darkness fell Team Green was the first vehicle into the pits at Ojos Negros. 14 hours 11 minutes and 2 seconds after they left, Paul Krause was the first racer back to Ensenada capturing Team Green’s 9th consecutive Baja 1000 win. They covered 714 miles, 13 minutes and 47 seconds quicker then the Honda team of Johnny Campbell and Jeff Capt.

The Nelson & Nelson Chevy of Larry Ragland was the first Trophy Truck back to Ensenada. Overcoming the natural and man made obstacles that are inherent to racing in Baja, Ragland added another win to his long list of victories. Nudging out the Toyota of Ivan Stewart by a mere 12 minutes, Ragland captured his first win of the year and his second consecutive SCORE Baja 1000 win. Ragland was engaged in a three way fight with Robby Gordon and Ivan Stewart throughout most of the day, "The course beat the truck up pretty good," said Ragland. The Chevy had a number of minor problems including a fire in the rear of the vehicle caused by a mangled exhaust system. Ragland 43 of Phoenix, AZ finished with an elapsed time of 14:38:59 at an average speed of 48.77 MPH.

Chevy has announced it will discontinue its SCORE Trophy Truck program. Its unknown what Nelson & Nelson Racing or Ragland’s plans are for next year.

The MCI Toyota piloted by Ivan Stewart had a clean run but fell short of the quick pace set by Ragland. Stewart, 51 of Alpine, CA finished with an elapsed time of 14:51:49. Toyota will begin development of a V8 engine for Ivan and as a result will race a limited schedule for 1997, competiting in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 only.

Robby Gordon in his Valvoline FORD F-150 was third just 14 minutes behind Ivan. The Ford had shock absorber problems that resulted in a broken wheel. Gordon, 27 of Buena Park, CA captured his first and probably his last Trophy Truck Championship. Gordon will be leaving the Trophy Trucks to race the NASCAR Winston Cup Series for SABCO Racing.

Baja Veteran Ed Herbst, of Las Vegas, NV, drove the big red Ford to a solid fourth, his best finish in a Trophy Truck. The Simon & Simon Ford had some difficulties early near Ojos Negros, they blew a corner and went through a barbed wire fence. It took 5 minutes to get the wire unwrapped from the right front wheel. The Rough Rider Ford finished in fifth. Curt Le Duc made in back just in time for 6th, and breakfast. The Don-a-Vee Jeep lost its ring & pinion 20 miles into the race then had to sit for 2 hours waiting for the crew to find him. Later on down south his tranny started to go so they had to replace it. Whew! Next in, just in time to check out of the hotel was Jeff Lewis. No report from Team Mac.

The first open wheeler back to town was the Porsche powered Chenowth piloted by Ryan Thomas. Thomas, 24 of El Cajon, CA picked up his second Baja 1000 win in a row. He was ninth fastest overall with a time of 15:53:56 at an average speed of 44.94 MPH.

Dale White was the first class 8 truck to make the right turn onto Lazero Cardenas Boulevard. White, 34 of Las Vegas, NV finished with a time of 17:05:32 and an average speed of 41.80.

Andrew Wehe Claimed the 1996 SCORE Overall Series Championship with his win in class 10.

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