LIVE from the 39th SCORE Baja 1000 Friday November 17, 2006 Follow along for the latest news and happenings on race day. Make sure to refresh your browser to see updates. Click here to refresh Also, you can get LIVE Timing and Scoring of Baja 1000 here We would like to thank Marc Choquette and Guilty.com for helping with this race day coverage. Baja 1000 Photo Gallery is now up for you viewing pleasure See more photos

Photo by Rick Siemen

12:31 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
1X just cleard checpoint 10 at RM 1031

12:53 AM - - BILSTEIN Race Update
1X is at the finish line. Congrats to Honda and Hengeveld for another Baja win. Their elapsed time was 18:18:28

Mike Childress, as teammate Steve Hengeveld brought in the 1X for the win on the CRF450X. "Thanks to the people of Baja for coming out. Thanks for letting us tear it up!" "I've always wanted to win a point to point, and boy, this feels good."

1:15 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Report in from Vizcaino. 811 through at 11:46, 703 at 11:51, 4, at 11:35, 1203 at 12:03, 719 at 12:12, 809 at 12:16, BC4 at 12:17, 1611 at 12:17, 803 at 12:18, 1212 at 12:21, 1609 at 12:23, 1622 at 12:23

2:14 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Darren Hardesty #1049 is still running strong in his VW powered Alumi Craft. Hardesty is at Loreto, RM 776.

Also still in the race is Legendary Baja racer Rod Hall. He is racing in his #762 Hummer H3. Hall has cleared checkpoint 4 and is heading down the peninsula RM 328.

2:21 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Andy is the first car on the road with a 10 min lead, 1 hour ago he was at mile marker 801
source: robbygordon.com

2:27AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
5 bikes have been through checkpoint 9.

2:41 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
6X is through checkpoint 10.

3:40 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
6x ridden by Johnny Campbell is the second dirtbike through the finish line, giving Team Honda top two spots at the 39 th SCORE Baja 1000

4:52 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Top 5 bikes are across the finish line. Watch the timing and scoring page for elapsed time and class and overall places. 1x, 6x, 400x, 300x, 307x

5:15 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
#83 Andy McMillin in the Red Bull TT was through check 9 at 4:20AM. 23 minutes behind was #97 Ballistic B.J. Baldwin.

5:48 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update

Daylight is near, or as the locals would say, Ya va Amaneciendo. So far only a handful of bikes have made it through the finish. The first quads are on the horizon of coming into La Paz. 7A Danny Prather and Mike Cafro from Temecula Motorsports have just passed checkpoint 10. The first Trophy Trucks are also near, with #83 Andy McMillin in the lead and passing through checkpoint 10 at RM 1031.

Photo by highREV

6:14 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
#83 across the finish line and 7a of Danny Prather was right in front of him giving the Temecula Motorsports Quad the win in Pro ATV.

Danny Prather came in for the talent-packed Temecula Motorsports 7a team that also included Mike Cafro, Dana Creech, Marc Spaeth, and Levi Marana. The first quad across the line by quite a while and just feet before the first Trophy Truck of Andy McMillin, Danny said he was glad to get in when he did. "You never want them to pass you - it's not fun."

First Trophy Truck across the line was # 83, and young Andy McMillin was thrilled to be behind the wheel. He did the obligatory whoop and jump on the roof, and then was buried in a throng of media, well-wishers and autographer seekers. He choked up a moment, reflecting on how he wished his grandfather could have been here to see it. Robby Gordon did well tapping this young talent.

6:20 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
#97 Ballistic B.J. Baldwin has just passed through checkpoint 10 and is heading into La Paz.

6:58 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Via Weatherman, 19x crew is looking for their bike and trying to get a hold of someone at check 7. Last contact with their rider was approx. mm690. Marc Choquette
Marc Choquette
Vtr Racing.com 
Guilty.com  

7:03 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
#121 class 1 of Troy Herbst is across the finish line here in La Paz.

8:30 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Weatherman Loreto feed has been working good. Lots of inquiries. The La Pax feed is quite still. A few emergencies in the Loreto area. Weatherman is now on the ground to refuel.

8:53 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
The 19x was found and is ok. Bike appears to have had a mechanical problem.

8:50 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
The Off-Road Warehouse #1049 Class 10 driven by Darren Hardesty from Ramona, CA just crossed the finish line with a very impressive finish. At this point we show them 8th overall 4 wheel vehicle.

9:22 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
The 4a and 1a quads appear to be finishing now or have finished with in the last 1/2 hour or so. This vie the IRC tracking unit. The 152x bike of Chad Erl looks to be about 40 miles or so from the finish. Running along the beach at 35mph.
Marc Choquette 

10:04 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
This from Patty Blais who just got off the phone with Quinn Cody. The 18x of Ana Cody was through ck 5, San Ignacio at 02:30 am. Thats the last we have, I know alot of people have been inquiring.
Marc Choquette

10:25 AM- BILSTEIN Race Update
The wife of 248x needs a tow truck via the weatherman feed. Needs a tow truck in Loreto. The truck is in a ditch. Was told to pass the word.
Marc Choquette

11:54 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
From Patty Blais via cell phone,update on the 2a, Team Honda entry. The motor an "oil bolt" between San Felipe and Puertocitos.It was said the motor was low on oil and the crank was going out. The Honda bike was probably pretty ill at that point. At some point, we believe, the 2a bike left the pit. That was the last we heard from the Team Honda/Alba race team. Check points are closing. Check 5 (is closed) and the bike has not cleared check 5.
Marc Choquette

12:13 PM  - BILSTEIN Race Update
This report in from the finish line ORC staff; Mike Penland team and 54a

12:36 PM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Update on the Ride for the Cure solo female rider. 18x Ana Cody, she has cleared Honda Pit 16 at 10:30 somewhere around mile marker 856. Looks to be near Insurgentes.The Honda Pits are getting ready to close but the will stay open for her. Steve Hengeveld is on his way to the last Honda pit to wait and cheer her through to the finish. This report from Patty Blais via cell phone. Information she recieved from Quinn Cody.
Marc Choquette   

12:42 PM- BILSTEIN Race Update
Via the Weeatherman relay, Loreto feed; Code red on the relay to help the Mayor of San Ignacio. There is a report of a heart attack victim and the Mayor has requested the help of The Weatherman and Score. Score 3 has been instructed to fly and pick up the victim
Marc Choquette

1:09 PM - BILSTEIN Race Update
More on Penland team. It appears rental vehicle and one quad were stolen but not race quad. They did start race but rider William Campbell was involved in accident with Trophy Truck.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK LIVE TIMING AND SCORING PAGE FOR FINISHERS AND CLASS POSITIONS.

1:39 PM - BILSTEIN Race Update
The first Wide Open Baja Challenge car #BC16 just arrived at the finish line. Steve and Chris Appleton from Boise, Idaho.

1:43PM - #550 of Marcos Nunez was the first Class 5/1600 VW Baja Bug to reach the finish line. He had a very excited chase crew to greet him at the finish line.

1:56PM Update- Reported via the weatherman: "All crews for Donahoe Racing, return to the Villa Marina.
Marc Choquette

2:19PM Update- Vehicle 738 reports out of the race. Via Weatherman. Also, reports of an overturned semi,  near KM 15 Santa Rosalia. Westbound lane. 
Marc Choquette

2:35PM - - The first sportsman quad 52a of David McCarroll just came across the finish line on his Honda TRX450R.
Also across the line is the 601x of Donald Lewis, Jim O'neal, Michael Harper, Paul Lussier, and Arthur More. All riders in this class must be over 60. CONGRATS!

52a David McCarroll came in with tentatively a class win. If that holds, he takes the 2006 Championship for Sportsman ATV. Asked about the new addtions to the course, McCarol admitted, "It was rough. My quad nearly fell apart - check out the front bumper!" "There were several washes and water crossings - the best part of the course was the finish." But don't let him fool you - he looked pretty fresh for a guy that had been battling Baja for nearly 31 hours. The team ranged in ages from 18 years old to 47, including Eric Limley, Brett Callen, and Travis Dillon - but McCarroll was all alone at the finish to take the glory and sign autographs for the kids. Sponsored by Elka Shocks, HillBilly Racing, Drever Honda, Clarke Mfg.

2:29 Update- From Eric Pealstrom and Randy Blevins. The 152x, Uptite Racing entry, father and son team of Chad and George Erl did finish the race this morning.However, not with out some mishaps along the way. This is what Eric just sent me via email.
"Just got a call from Randy. Chad crashed last night in the dark. He hadnt gotten to his lights yet. Guess he is broke up pretty good. They are looking to get him a flight out and back to here (USA), so he can hit the hospital."
Hope Chad is all right and wish him the best. Congratulations on a tough finish.
Marc Choquette

2:47 Update- Live timing and scoring shows the 9a, Team Honda/Alba Racing pro quad entry finishing the race with an average speed of 39.20  in 5th position. That is a great finish overcoming some problems early in the race. With the 7a Temecula Motorsports team Prather/Cafro team winning. This should make the points chase interesting. I think the win would make Prather/Cafro the points champion. This is very very unofficial.
Marc Choquette

3:05 PM - #861 of Josh Hall just crossed the line in his Hummer H2. Josh had an elapsed time of 26:31:05 averaging 39.63 MPH.

3:04PM Update- Team Hummer 861, Josh Hall is almost to the finish. Looks to be about 15 to 20 miles out. Running at 39mph. Almost home.
Marc Choquette

3:09PM Update- Team Hummer 864 has made it through check 8. Is half way between check 8 and check 9. is Running along at 39mph. This via the IRC Iritrack units.
Marc Choquette

3:23 PM - - Craig Christy just reported in. They passed checkpoint 9 at 1:20 and should be at finish line shortly.

3:32 PM - - The #96a quad of Mike Penland just crossed the finish line on his Can-Am. We will get the full details to you shortly from Mike himself.

3:30PM - Chris Corbett reported in that Project ELF is officially out. Chris said the car was working great when they got punted by a Class 1 car and smashed the fender into the tire. This took several hrs to fix and put them behind after starting last off the line.
They made it through check 1 and had to call it at mile marker 113. Despite not finishing they were very happy with the car.

3:46PM - BILSTEIN Race Update

Photo by highREV

#703 Ford Ranger driven by Dan and Tom Chamlee is the first Class 7 truck through the Finish with an elapsed time of 27:44:34 and average speed of 37.88mph

4:00 PM - The finish line is a little crazy right now with many entries pulling in. Check the timing and scoring page for all the finishers. #703 came across for a 1st in class as was #300 for a first in class.
#54a was reported at check 10 and on their way to the finish.

4:32PM - 54a is at the finish line for 3rd in Sportsman ATV on their Duncan Racing TRX450R. Elapsed time was 32:57:20.

5:20 PM Bilstein Race Update - This update from the ORC staff, Patty Waters, Ana at the finish line exhausted and in tears and exhausted. Said she had one 20 minute stop.On the go since 6:30am yesterday. Awesome!
Marc Choquette

5:42 PM Bilstein Race Update - Ana Cody, 18x crossed the finish line at 4:12pm. Way to go Ana. I think this is the first Ironwoman to accomplish this.
Marc Choquette

5:54 PM Bilstein Race Update - Weatherman feed is very quiet right now. Check points should be closed or real close to it. The IRC Iritrack page is getting to be slim. We will keep monitoring for you till the end. If you have updates, email them in. We will get it up.
Marc Choquette

6:01 PM Bilstein Race Update - Live Timing and Scoring showing Quad pro 2a Josh Fink finishing just before the sportsman quad team of McCarroll in just about 34.45.  I just got off the phone with his riding partner, Brett Callen. Brett rode the first 200 miles. Ensenada to Percebu. When he finished, he drove immediatly back home to San Diego. The 52a quad rider had no idea that they had just won their class in the Baja 1000! He was so happy when I told him. Good job for the Hillbilly racing team. Congratulations on the class win. These dont come around to often and this is a sweet one.
Marc Choquette

6:42 PM Bilstein Race Update - The sportsman team of Mike Penland wasnt without drama today! This from the finish line in La Paz and our ORC crew.

"Mike Penland finished at about 3:30 pm. Rider on their team that had been hit, William Campbell, has been taken to hospital for MRI. He was hit by Trophy Truck while stopped at a check point. Mike Penland rode the bike in. 10 miles from finish, hit a bump and jarred leftshoulder hard. In pain coming across finish -but they finished. Shows him unofficially as second."
This is the latest news we have on William and his accident, that we know.
Thank you Patty Waters.
Marc Choquette

7:06 PM Bilstein Race Update - Weatherman in conversation with checkpoint 10 now. Not many racers left out there. Glad to have The Weatherman up there for anybody left on the course. Says he getting in the mode for work. Talking to 809 chase, about a car that flipped and hasnt been seen or heard from for 24 hours. Its getting late. He said he needs to get some altitude and start kicking butt!  This should get interesting now.
Marc Choquette

7:27 PM Bilstein Race Update - This just reported via weatherman La Paz feed. The 8a quad team needs help at race mile 964. He is broken down and needs his crew to get him. Mile 964 is right after the road crossing past Santa Rita and before Punta Conejo.
Marc Choquette

7:34 PM Bilstein Race Update - Reports of more than a few vehicles stuck near the 8a.quad. Lots of silt beds in that area.
Marc Choquette

7:38 PM Bilstein Race Update - Its getting down to the wire. Teams are working hard to get the vehicles to the finish. As of 7:22PM, there have been 166 finishers out of 447 entries. 12 Hours to go still. Can you all of you stay up with us?
Marc Choquette

7:43 PM Bilstein Race Update - 8a chase calling in. Theres a party in the silt bed. Weatherman telling drivers and co-riders to be ready. Two 4x4`s from the Aciero/Miller team heading there to help pull people out.
Marc Choquette  

New this year, teams were invited to join the "Off Road Nation Chase Team". Top on this list was #54a Sportsman ATV team of Craig Christy, Steve Malley and Jessica McCreary, who called several times throughout the race and let us all share their adventure mile by mile. They also get the prize for biggest celebration at the finish with cheers, tears and champaign. Congrats, and thanks for bringing us along.

8:00 PM - BILSTEIN Race Update

Where are the Stars?

Photo: Grey's Anatomy News

BC2 team SOBE Life Water, which Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey is on, has completed the Baja 1000 in a Wide Open Baja car. Team BC2 drove across the finish line in La Paz at around 5:52pm. They had and elapsed time of 30:46:04 and averaged 34.15mph. Dempsey plays surgeon Derek Shepherd in the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.

Photo by highREV

Jesses James from West Coast Choppers and TV series Monster Garage came out to this year’s Baja 1000 in a newly built Porter Trophy Truck. The team had endured long hours and met the challenge dead on prior to the start of the race. It was reported that the day before the start, James had blown the engine. The crew worked on the truck all night to get the #54 West Coast Choppers TT race-ready. The engine was flown back to Long Beach to the shop to be worked on, and was back in the truck by daybreak.

At 5:44:04 PM today, the James gang had to throw in the towel: F**K "Were done......busted V-drive.........small fire........sucks because we were kickin ass........getting ready to pass the truck in front of us.....and Nobody behind us..........." (source: chopperdogs.com)

9:46 PM Bilstein Race Update - Weatherman is still out there helping wayward teams trying to make it to La Pax. Going through the IRC Iritrackers, I see that car 1611, Fluegge Racing, is still out there moving. He is a little past El Conejo and before San Isidro traveling at 30mph.
Marc Choquette

9:57 PM Bilstein Race Update - Via the Weatherman, La Paz feed, Quad 97a at race mile 848 with electrical problems. This relayed from check point 8.
Marc Choquette

10:00PM - We are only partially delerious at the finish line. We will be here with you for another 10 hrs or so. We now have 183 finishers and are hoping to see another 40 to 50 tonight.

10:30 PM - BILSTEIN Race Update

SCORE Baja 1000 EARLY RESULTS
Records falling as over 300,000 celebrate ‘Super Bowl ‘of desert racing down Baja California, Mexico, Peninsula—Ensenada to La Paz [more]

10:40 PM Bilstein Race Update - Car 149 is now showing running 13mph on the Iritrack system. Past check point 9. Car 149 crew is inquiring to Weatherman about the car. 149 Alpha chase.

11:00 PM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Just reported via Weatherman channel, there is a Wide Open Baja BC car that has flown off a 150ft cliff near Loreto. They seem to be alright, but are in dear need of some help to get BC car out. We will continue to monitor and bring you more news as it develops.

12:00 AM A big crowd gathered at the finish line just before midnight here in La Paz. Why? To see who was going to win the Stock Mini Truck class. After 30 + hours the #764 Mitsubishi Raider was rumored to have 15 to 20 minutes on the #761 Toyota FJ Cruiser. But to everybody's surprise the Toyota FJ rolled across the line first. But not by much. In fact after correcting the times we show the Mitsubishi Raider will take the win by just 30 seconds. Official results will be out tomorrow.

A very exuberant Dan Fresh after a 34 hr battle with Toyota. It wasn't until 5 miles before the finish line that Ryan Millen was able to make the pass after sticking his FJ bumper up under the back of the Raider. Dan kept the pedal to the floor and the FJ in his sights the rest of the way to the finish line.

1:12 AM - The first Class 9 car has crossed the finish line. #900 of Eric Fisher with an elapsed time of 36:07:04.

5:07 AM - The mysterious Monster BC20 just came across the finish line. We have been looking for him, family has been looking, and they have not showed on the tracking system but they are a FINISHER.

5:25 AM

Just as daylight was breaking in La Paz the 1100 car of Eric Solorzano crossed the finish line. We show an average speed of 25.99 MPH for the stock VW.

6:00 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update

Photo by highREV

he first 7X truck across the finish line in La Paz, MX is none other than Rich Severson and George Jirka in the Flamingo Racing #740 Ford Ranger. They came in at about 5:30am. According to ORC Timing and Scoring they have an elapsed time of 28:59:04 and averaged a speed of 36.2mph through the toughest Baja 1000 course in history.

7:00 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update
Baja 1000 Photo Gallery is now up for you viewing pleasure

See more photos

8:00 AM - BILSTEIN Race Update

Photo by highREV

Over 230 finishers this morning. The 43-hour time limit is right around the corner. Any racers close to La Paz know this and are putting the pedal to the metal to finish.

According to ORC Timing and Scoring, the first 7S truck across the line is points leader Aaron Dodson in his Ford Ranger. Dodson came in at about 5:45am with an elapsed time of 41:16:04 and averape speed of 25.46mph. Tyler Fox and brother Zack Stephen who were Dodson’s biggest threat have not come across the line yet.

5:23 PM Bilstein Race Update - Congratulations to 7a Temecula Motorsports Danny Prather and Mike Cafro for winning the pro quad division in the Score Baja 1000 and the Score points championship. This race sealed the deal for them. The 9a, team Honda/Alba`s Wayne Matlock would have to finish in 4th place or better to keep the points lead. Since Wayne's team finished in 5th, this gave Danny and Mike the points lead by 2 points. What an exciting finish to the race and the year.
Marc Choquette