Posts Tagged ‘Trophy Truck’

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SCORE announces MasterCraft Safety as co-title sponsor For this year’s 23rd Annual Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Nearly 250 entries expected; computerized start draw to be held Saturday, Feb. 13

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LOS ANGELES—On the eve of this weekend’s 2010 SCORE Desert Series season opener in Laughlin, Nev., SCORE International has announced that prominent Southern California manufacturing company MasterCraft Safety has signed a three-year contract to be the co-title sponsor of the popular MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 desert race.

The event will be held this year on March 12-14 in San Felipe, the picturesque fishing village located along the Sea of Cortez on the Northeastern side of Mexico’s majestic Baja California peninsula.

With the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series launching its 37th season at this weekend’s 16th Annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in Laughlin, Nev., SCORE CEO/President Sal Fish in association with MasterCraft Safety owner and SCORE racer Robbie Pierce used the Southern Nevada race as the backdrop to make Thursday’s announcement regarding the new SCORE sponsorship.

“It is a wonderful match to be able to have MasterCraft Safety join with SCORE to help enhance the dynamic experience that already surrounds this legendary SCORE Baja race,” said Sal Fish, who has been at the helm of SCORE International since soon after it was founded in 1973. “Having Robbie Pierce as the owner of MasterCraft Safety and also a top racer in the marquee SCORE Trophy-Truck racing division, will bring a much greater insight and understanding to our relationship as together we strive to forge new marketing strategies for this SCORE desert racing spectacular. Another exciting dimension to this agreement is that it will bring us right to the threshold of the 40th anniversary season of the SCORE Desert Series in 2013.”

The MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 is SCORE’s annual ‘spring break’ desert race, the first of three SCORE Baja races held annually, and is once again expected to feature nearly 250 entries competing in 28 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.

Based near San Diego in Santee, Calif., MasterCraft Safety is the leading manufacturer of performance off-road suspension seating, five-point restraints, window nets, and limit straps. In addition to its three-year agreement as co-title sponsor for this race with SCORE International, MasterCraft Safety will also be providing an added $10,000 cash contingency purse to the event.

“As with SCORE International, MasterCraft Safety has nearly four decades of history and heritage in the desert racing community,” said Robbie Pierce, CEO of MasterCraft Safety and driver of the No. 30 Chevy Silverado SCORE Trophy-Truck. “SCORE Baja racing is the heart and soul of my company and it is a great honor to be able to support one of my favorite races in one of my favorite places. I have the unique perspective of participating in SCORE events as a manufacturer of off-road products and also test our products through my own racing efforts. Nothing can compare to SCORE Baja racing and it is important to me as a racer, and also for MasterCraft Safety, to continue to support SCORE and its efforts to ensure the continuation of our sport.”

At this weekend’s SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, MasterCraft Racing has entered not only Pierce’s No. 30 SCORE Trophy-Truck, but also the No. 21 Ford F-150 SCORE Trophy-Truck to be driven by eight-time SCORE season class point champion Rob MacCachren of Las Vegas. MacCachren, who is also racing in Class 1-2/1600 in Laughlin, has six career class wins in this season-opening race.

In San Felipe, the green flag will drop at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 13, for the motorcycle and ATV classes, followed three hours later by the car and truck classes at approximately 10 a.m. The start line for the race will once again be the landmark San Felipe Arches on Highway 5 on the outskirts of San Felipe. The race will finish just south of the Arches, directly behind the Tecate building.

The computerized drawing for starting positions, by class, for Round 2 of the five-race 2010 SCORE Desert Series will be held at the SCORE headquarters in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and tech inspection of the vehicles in the race will be held on Friday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the picturesque Malecon, flanked by the Sea of Cortez on one side and the popular restaurants and night clubs of San Felipe on the other.

MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of performance seating offers both comfort and protection in high “G” load situations and provides an 84% reduction of energy in a 50 G load impact. Featuring nine different seat designs and a variety of material options, MasterCraft Safety offers a suspension seat to fit any off-roader’s lifestyle. Whether it is the deep-sided, race-proven design of the 3G or the Jeep enthusiasts favorite, the fully-reclining Baja RS model, MasterCraft Safety has the ideal seat perfectly suited for any off-road conditions or terrain.

MasterCraft Safety has also recently expanded the product offering to include a full-line of performance driving suits, fuel and pit crew fire suits, neck braces, helmet skirts, and elbow and knee pads for pit crew safety. Available in SFI 3.2A/1 and SFI 3.2A/5, the performance driving suits meet and exceed all stated fire protection requirements while providing a comfortable fit and design. Optional hidden-pockets and sewn-in elbow and knee pads make this the first racesuit specifically tailored to the unique environmental conditions of desert racing.

More information on MasterCraft Safety’s full-line of products can be found by visiting www.mastercraftsafety.com.

In addition to season point class point championships, drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also racing to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to all drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season, being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 25th consecutive year.

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, Off-Road, SignPros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.

For more information regarding the series, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2010 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, 702.735.7123

MASTERCRAFT SAFETY MEDIA CONTACT: Kelli Willmore, 619.449.9455

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Matching Set – Mastercraft Racing Adds a Second Trophy Truck to the Team

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

No. 20 Trophy Truck

Photography by Durka Durka Digital Media

When asked why he purchased a second Trophy Truck, Robbie Pierce, owner of MasterCraft said, “I don’t really know why, but it seemed like a good idea at the time! I once offered to buy a lady a house and she said she wanted a Trophy Truck instead. I guess I took her serious!” While no one, including Robbie, can agree how it all started – it would seem as though it began after a great day of pre-running this year’s Baja 500 course and while sharing a few margaritas with some old friends while staying at Mike’s Sky Ranch. Ordering the final few rounds of drinks before the generator shut off for the night, Mike Julson of Jimco and Robbie began discussing the purchase of a custom-built pre-runner. After some less than conventional negotiations, a crisp hundred dollar bill was handed to Julson for the commencement of the new desert toy, and so the story begins…..

Returning from the Baja 500, numerous subsequent discussions took place regarding the build of the pre-runner and from there things just kind of snowballed. “If I am going to have an expensive pre-runner, why don’t I have an expensive Trophy Truck as a back-up instead?! Afterall, Trophy Trucks are like beautiful women, they are fun…..but expensive!” was the best excuse Pierce could come up with. Plans were coming together for the new Jimco when a change of circumstances for the Lofton No. 20 Trophy Truck team would provide Pierce with the opportunity to purchase their truck.

Bob Lofton, owner of the No. 20 Trophy Truck, realized he had a bitter-sweet decision to make when his son, Justin Lofton, was selected as the driver for the second car added to the CJM Racing Team in the ARCA Re/Max Series earlier in July. The incredible opportunity Justin was presented with provided a platform for a truly successful racing career and was just too good to pass up. While both Bob and Justin Lofton are avid desert racing enthusiasts, it was clear they would need to sell the No. 20 Jimco Trophy Truck so they could focus their time and efforts on Justin’s potentially high-profile NASCAR career.

With just four races under its belt and the fact it was a matching Jimco chassis to the No. 35, the Lofton truck was an obvious choice to add to the MasterCraft line-up. Purchasing the original Jimco Trophy Truck chassis and currently campaigning it under the No. 35 in the SCORE International Series, Robbie Pierce said, “I have almost driven all the Jimco trucks and now I guess I own the first two! I have also been honored with sharing the driving duties for the Vegas to Reno race with Wil Staats in the No. 42 Trophy Truck, which also happens to be the third Jimco truck produced.”

Future plans for the two truck MasterCraft team have not been finalized for the 2010 race season, however, the immediate plan is for Mike Julson to debut the No. 20 at the SCORE International Primm 300 and finish out the year with the legendary Baja 1000. “I am very excited to be a part of the MasterCraft two truck team and finish what we started at this year’s Baja 500. Unfortunately, I lost out on a truck sale but I think Robbie will still want that pre-runner so I am not returning his hundred dollar bill!” commented Mike Julson.

As the countdown for the Primm 300 race begins, the “Outlaws” of this year’s Baja 500 have something to prove – but now X2!

MasterCraft Team 35 is Sponsored by:

BF Goodrich, Jimco, Mirage, Fox Shox, Walker Evans, Mogi, MSD Ignition, Palomar Communications, Hyperco, IonEarth

For Additional MasterCraft Team 30 Information Visit:

www.mastercraftracing.com

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Cheat! All the Cool Kids Are Doing It!

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

As the most penalized Trophy Truck team for “course deviation,” Robbie Pierce, in the No. 35 MasterCraft Trophy Truck, shares his thoughts on SCORE International’s official results ruling for the 2009 Baja 500 race.

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Interview of Robbie Pierce

Photography by Trackside Photo

What went through your mind as you were awaiting the official Baja 500 results?

“I have to admit, as I went about my day waiting for SCORE to release the final results from the previous Saturday’s race, I secretly hoped for a move up from third to fourth position. While I was not excited about getting a podium finish in this way, the thought crossed my mind. After ‘Black Thursday’ I have had some time reflect on those thoughts. I understand now what a hollow victory that would have been.

I was extremely proud of our ‘unofficial’ fourth place finish. The truck was prepped well, the team practiced fuel stops and tire changes, logistical plans were made and yes, I was in Mexico pre-running for at least two weeks. I was not pre-running to find ‘cheater lines,’ but rather to know the course well enough to pass safely or when not to lift when everyone else would be. Someone asked me, ‘why so much pre-running?’ My answer – These guys are good and the ones winning are down here doing their homework too.”

What did you think upon hearing SCORE International’s results ruling for the Baja 500?

“I was extremely disappointed for my team as they worked so hard to get us in the top five, but unapologetic for racing the lines my co-driver, Mike Julson, and I chose. I am proud as Hell to have handed off my truck to Mike at race mile 225 and watched as he closed the gap on the No. 19 Trophy Truck of Herbst. Someone asked me how I felt about Mike taking the lines that resulted in our penalty and I said, ‘it looked like he did his homework!’ Jokingly, I called Mike after learning of the results and politely asked ‘Did you even go to the (expletive) beach or did you just drive up the highway to the finish line?! In all fairness, I would have taken the same lines as well.”

IRC mentioned to several of the racers that data would be pulled from the trackers after the race. Sal Fish also referred to the “yellow sheet” in the Baja 500 driver’s info packet in regards to course deviation and speeding. Why do you think the penalties and results shake-up was still a surprise to the off-road race community?

“The problem we face as drivers is that we know the team ahead of us is using the same line or ‘cut,’ so in our mind we have no choice. More so, our experience tells us and trains us that no one gets penalized in anyway, its just a part of racing in Baja. The teams that are now sitting in the top spots, claiming they do not deviate from marked course are lying. The reality is the entire race was not analyzed; only select locations and teams that were clean through those areas were because they either didn’t do their homework or were running so far behind it didn’t matter.”

What are your thoughts on IRC’s technology and its impact on off-road racing?

“I have serious doubts about the tracker’s ability to detect minor course deviations. I know I ran 200 yards off course for a half mile or so to avoid the silt at race mile 162 – just south of Laguna Salada. I would really like to see that overlay IRC data from that section of the race. I question whether the evidence used in determining the penalties is truly based off data gathered from the IRC tracker. My guess is SCORE International is partially using photographs and video – which would explain the limited scope of course review.”

How do you think the penalties will affect the teams for the Primm 300?

“I applaud SCORE for tidying up their house, I hope they continue, but I fear down the road it’ll still be just as messy.

On a personal level, what means most to me is earning the respect of my peers. We know who won, who took second and yes who took 4th. The No. 35 Trophy Truck was schooled by Robby, beat by BJ and Norman/Roeseler, but no one else. The Primm 300 is next and all will be righted in the world of SCORE desert racing. Everyone’s rightful position will once again be assumed and I say this because I know how hard those guys work to be where they’re at.”

Anything else you would like to add or comment on?

“Well, we all know who really won….Congratulations Robby on a great race!”

“Once again I am completely humbled by the tireless efforts and dedication shown by the team and the pit crew before, during and after the race. I would like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to everyone involved with the No. 35 MasterCraft Racing Trophy Truck. Each individual plays an important and integral role on the team and their hard work does not go unnoticed.” Robbie Pierce

MasterCraft Team 35 is Sponsored by:

BF Goodrich, Jimco, Mirage, Fox Shox, Walker Evans, Mogi, MSD Ignition, Palomar Communications, Hyperco, IonEarth

For Additional MasterCraft Team 35 Information Visit:

www.mastercraftracing.com

For Press Information on MasterCraft Racing No. 35 Contact:

Kelli Willmore

602.295.2767

kelli@willmore.com

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MasterCraft Team 35 Finishes 8th in Trophy Truck Class at the 2009 SCORE San Felipe 250

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

A Rewarding Disappointment

MasterCraft Team 35 Finishes 8th in Trophy Truck Class at the 2009 SCORE San Felipe 250

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Famous fiction author, Louis L’Amour, must have had Team 35 in mind when he said “Victory is won not in miles but in inches.”After suffering from a devastating crash at the SCORE LaughlinDesert Challenge, the #35 Jimco MasterCraft Trophy Truck driven by team owner, Robbie Pierce, had to undergo a massive tear-down and transformation in preparation for the first Baja race of the 2009 season.

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Drawing for the fourth starting position, Robbie was certain the SCORE San Felipe 250 would be a great race by commenting, “I am completely humbled by the unselfish effort that has been put out over the last five weeks to make the San Felipe race a reality. The entire team, including Mike Julson, Bill Varnes and his crew, and John and Mike over at Jimco, have worked non-stop and I cannot thank them enough. I am truly grateful to everyone and I will do my best to make them proud.”

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Unfortunately all the sweat and skinned knuckles could not prepare the team for the unlucky change of events that occurred just one day before the race. While doing a last minute systems and equipment test near Borrego, the engine on the Trophy Truck began losing power and idling rough. Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, the pre-run crew pulled the valve-cover and after a thorough inspection concluded the head was cracked.

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Not willing to let five weeks of hard work go down the drain, Pierce made the decision to race the pre-runner remarking, “We all showed up to race and I wasn’t about ready to let the guys down. Just 18 hours before staging we made the decision to save the race by working all night and prepping my Prophy truck. Our goal this year is to win a SCORE race in the Trophy Truck class and I don’t think that is possible without a good starting position. I felt like I was bringing a knife to a gun fight but I knew I needed to finish in the top 10 if I wanted a good draw and a shot at winning the Baja 500.”

With nearly 3,500 pre-run miles under its belt, Team 35 was a little nervous about the outcome of the race and how the pre-runner would fare after the starting flag dropped. On the way to staging Pierce commented, “It’s just too bad we couldn’t get the Jimco to the line. The truck was truly running awesome. The shocks and suspension were dialed in perfectly and I couldn’t be happier with some of the changes that were made after Laughlin.”

2009 SCORE San Felipe 250 2009 SCORE San Felipe 250

Racing for a top 10 finish instead of a win changed the team’s strategy for race day. Running the truck conservatively, Robbie passed an upside-down Roger Norman in the #8 Trophy Truck around race mile 68. Shortly after, Pierce and his co-driver, John Vance, were plague by a broken upper ball-joint causing the team to lose a couple of hours while the crew fixed the truck in the field. Other than a tire change at mile 165, the remainder of the race was uneventful and the Prophy crossed the finish line 7 hours, 34 minutes and 36 seconds after it began its journey.

Finishing the SCORE San Felipe 250 with an admirable 8th place in the Trophy Truck class, Pierce commented, “This is the most disappointing and rewarding race in my short career. I cannot praise the team enough. Led by Dan Fogle and Bob Howle, the team worked tirelessly into the night to get ‘The Little Truck that Could’ as prepared as possible. This was their race.”

Held in Baja California, Mexico, the 2009 San Felipe 250 marked round two of SCORE International’s five race desert series. The course traversed 232.4 miles of sandy washes, silt, rocky and whooped out terrain. The MasterCraft Team #35 will be back and looking for a win at the SCORE Baja 500 inEnsenada, Baja California, June 5 – 7, 2009.

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MasterCraft Racing Team Gears Up for Championship Performance at Tecate SCORE Baja 1000

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Trophy Truck Team Sits in Fourth Place in Series Before Last Race, Preparing for a Podium Finish

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MasterCraft Racing and Driver Robbie Pierce are eager to compete in the Tecate Baja 1000 SCORE Championship later this month…and are excited to welcome previous Baja 1000 Champion Mike Julson to the MasterCraft Team as a co-driver for the season’s finale race.

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“There’s a long list of teams Mike could choose to support so I’m extremely honored to have him sharing the driving duties with me for the Baja 1000,” said company chief executive officer Robbie Pierce. “The pressure is on me to bring him the truck in good shape…and in a good track position. That way he can focus on what he does best – driving fast, very fast.”

Pierce, No. 35, is the team captain and driver of record of the JIMCO-designed MasterCraft Trophy Truck. MasterCraft is a world leader in advanced racing safety products, including seats and other accessories.

“This has been an unbelievable season in the No. 35 truck – and don’t forget – our inaugural season,” said Pierce. “We’ve consistently moved farther up in points every race, so it is exciting to be so close to a podium finish in our first-ever season. It wouldn’t have been possible without such a hard-working team and Bill Varnes.”

Varnes, owner of Mirage Racing Products, asked several members of his former racing team to come out of retirement and return to racing to help prepare the MasterCraft truck for SCORE competition and the upcoming championship. “Bill and his team have made sure our truck was dialed in and ready for competition before each and every race,” Pierce said.

Pierce also is still eligible to win the 23rd Annual Toyota Milestone Award, an award that recognizes drivers who finish every required mile of every race in the five-race 2008 SCORE Desert Series.

The SCORE Trophy Truck division is SCORE’s marquee racing division and features high-tech, 800-horsepower, unlimited production trucks. For more information about SCORE and its 2008 SCORE Desert Series, please visit

www.score-international.com.

MasterCraft Racing appreciates the support of several sponsors, including BFGoodrich Tires, JIMCO Racing, Inc., Fox Racing Shox, Mirage Racing Products, Walker Evans, Hyperco, MSD Ignition, Howe PS and HP Engines.

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For more information about MasterCraft products or racing programs, please visit www.MasterCraftSeats.com, call 1-800-565-4042 or email info@mastercraftseats.com.

Founded in 1970, MasterCraft is an industry-leading international manufacturer and innovator of performance and recreational seats, mounting hardware, advanced race safety technology, SFI-approved restraint systems, window safety nets, suspension limit straps and more for the off-road, racing, rally and enthusiast markets. MasterCraft is based in Santee, Calif.

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