Herbst Brothers take lead in SCORE Trophy-Truck
Ebberts/Castro Jr. keep their Jimco-Toyota atop Class 1;
Assume Overall Point lead in 2003 SCORE Desert Series
SCORE's 30th anniversary year concludes with the legendary
36th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, Nov. 20-23, in Mexico

LOS ANGELES (September 24, 2003) -- Consistency has been the standard this season for veteran Southern California desert racers Dale Ebberts and Ernie Castro Jr., who have moved to the overall point lead while keeping the top spot in the unlimited Class 1 after five of six races in the 2003 SCORE Desert Series. Even more remarkably, Ebberts/Castro are on the verge of stopping the incredible six-year run of Class 1 point titles won by Las Vegas' Troy Herbst.

While Ebberts, Canyon Lake, is the driver of record for the Inland Truss Racing Jimco open-wheel desert race car powered by a V6 Toyota engine, the team has finished on the Class 1 podium in all five SCORE races so far this season.

With Ebberts driving solo, they won in Laughlin, NV, and with Castro, Newport Beach, splitting the driving time the rest of the season, they won again in San Felipe, Mexico, finished third in Ensenada, Mexico and second in both of the last two races in Henderson, NV, and Primm, NV.

In the process, the Ebberts/Castro tandem, both second-generation SCORE desert racers, have given themselves a 28-point cushion in Class 1 as well as assuming a one-point lead in the overall point championship chase. In the hunt for the overall crown, they lead San Diego County youngsters Eric Allen and Adam Pfankuch, who have and comfortable 49-point lead in Class 1-2/1600 in their Jimco-VW.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year as the World's Foremost Desert Racing Series, the SCORE Desert Series returns to Mexico for the last of three races in Baja California.

The legendary 36th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will be held Nov. 20-23, in Ensenada. The live drawing for starting positions, by class, will be held at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Radisson Hotel in Fullerton, CA. It will be held in conjunction with the monthly meeting of the First Association of Independent Racers (F.A.I.R.) pit organization.

Nearly 225 vehicles, competing in 24 Pro and 5 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, are expected to take the green flag in Ensenada, located 60 miles south of U.S. border at San Diego.

Attempting to cover a race course of approximately 780 miles, motorcycle/ATV classes will be first of the starting line at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, followed two hours later by the car/truck classes. In the elapsed-time race, vehicles will leave the start line adjacent to the Riviera del Pacifico convention center in downtown Ensenada, one every 30 seconds. The grueling race will finish on the Northeast outskirts of town at the end of Avenida Ruiz.

Pre-race festivities for the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 will center around the Riviera del Pacifico convention center in downtown Ensenada on Thursday, Nov. 20. Traditionally drawing upwards of 50,000 spectators, the pre-race Manufacturer's Midway and display of all the race vehicles will be held adjacent to the San Nicolas Hotel, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday of race week. The post-race awards ceremony will be held at the Riviera del Pacifico on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m.

SCORE points are determined both on final finishing position and number of vehicles which started the race within the individual class.

"We are having an incredible season, and in 16 years of SCORE racing, this is the first time I have been fortunate enough to have the same crew and vehicle for two years," said Ebberts, 33, who is also the team manager and works for team owner Inland Truss. "Ernie has learned a lot of patience in two seasons together and we are really compatible with each other and our race car.

Another big key is that we have had absolutely no mechanical problems. We respect what Troy Herbst has done and to hold him off would be a major accomplishment. All we have to do in Mexico is finish, but finishing is never a certainty in SCORE racing."

Ironically, Ebberts, whose brother Darren, 31, will race with him and Castro, 35, in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, is the last person to win Class 1 since Troy Herbst began his six-year run. In 1996, Ebberts teamed with Brent Grizzle, Holtville, CA, to win the SCORE Class 1 season point championship. Ebberts, who has eight SCORE class race wins in his career, also won the SCORE Class 1-2/1600 point title in 1992.

With two straight overall race wins, Las Vegas' Tim and Ed Herbst have assumed the point lead in the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division for 750-horsepower, high-tech, unlimited production trucks. With a record 11 SCORE Trophy-Truck victories in the 61 races since the marquee class was introduced in 1994, the Tim, 40, and Ed, 42, are the only multiple winners in their class this season and also have a record SCORE Trophy-Truck season championships with three (1999, 2000, 2002). They drive the Terrible Herbst Motorsports Ford F-150.

After five of six races in the 2003 SCORE Desert Series, Ebberts/Castro have 360 points to lead Class 1 and the SCORE Overall point standings.

Allen/Pfankuch are second overall and lead Class 1-2/1600 with 359 points with three opening-season wins, a third and a fourth place heading into the season-finale.

Behind the Herbst brothers (who are tied for 8th in overall points with 303) in SCORE Trophy-Truck points is the team of Gus Vildosola, Mexicali, Mexico and Las Vegas' Rob MacCachren, who won in San Felipe in their Ford F-150.

Third in SCORE Trophy-Truck points are Laughlin winners Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Jerry Whelchel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Ford F-150) with 244 points.

Third in SCORE overall points, 23 points behind Ebberts and 22 behind Allen/Pfankuch, is SCORE Lite leader Brian Ickler, Poway, Calif. (Jimco VW) at 337 points. Just 17 years old, Ickler, who moved up to a faster class this year after finishing seventh last year in Class 1-2/1600, has had one of the most impressive seasons in SCORE history. He drove solo while winning his class in the first two races, split the driving with veteran Brian Ewalt in Ensenada to earn his third straight class win. He returned to drove solo again, finishing second in Henderson and winning his fourth race out of five in Primm. He plans on driving solo as well in the season finale.

Second in Class 1 and fourth in overall points are brothers Mark and Gary Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore. (Jimco-Chevy) with 332 points. The Weyhrichs have two seconds, a third, a fourth, and a fifth in Class 1 this season.

Rounding out the top five overall, and third in Class 1, six points behind the Weyhrichs, is Las Vegas' Troy Herbst, 37, who has won a record six straight SCORE Class 1 season point crowns in his Smithbuilt-Ford.

After their first victory of the year in Primm moved them ahead in Class 10, sixth overall with 319 points is the team of Steve Myers, Newport Beach, CA/George Erl, Huntington Beach, CA, in a Jimco-Toyota.

James Golden, Costa Mesa, CA, who is a distant second in Class 1-2/1600 in a Chenowth-VW with 310 points, is seventh overall after five races.

Tied for eighth overall with Tim and Ed Herbst is Ron Brant, Torrance, CA, who is fourth in Class 1 with 303 points in his Jimco-Chevy.

Completing the top 10 in SCORE overall points is the team of Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, CA/Kash Vessels, Tucson, AZ, who are second in SCORE Lite with one win this year in their Jimco-VW.

Also with three wins in five races to lead their respective classes are: Alan Pflueger, Honolulu (Protruck, Chevy Silverado), Dave Sykes, Del Mar, Calif. (Class 8, Chevy Silverado), John Griffin, Mission Viejo, Calif. (Stock Full, AM General Hummer), Eric Fisher, Ensenada, Calif. (Class 9, Garibay Challenger-VW) and Donald Moss, Sacramento, CA, (Class 3, Ford Bronco).

Other class leaders with two wins this season include Craig Turner, Yorba Linda, CA, (Class 7, Ford Ranger), Daniel Fresh, Mission Viejo, Calif. (Class 7SX, Jeep Comanche), George Seeley, Glendale, Calif. (Class 5, VW Baja Bug) and Bob Graham, Yorba Linda, CA/Mike Horner, Mission Viejo, Calif. (Class 7S, Toyota Tacoma).

Leading the motorcycle classes overall and the open Class 22 is American Honda factory teammates Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, CA, and Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif. After winning the motorcycle season-opening races in San Felipe and Ensenada, the pair has now won six consecutive SCORE races together on their Honda XR650R. The overall ATV and Class 25 leaders are John Gregory, Chula Vista, CA/Doug Eichner, El Cajon, Calif. (Honda 4Trax).

Current 2003 SCORE class point leaders who have not won a race but are consistent in their results is Jason Lakin/Todd Cunningham, El Cajon, Calif. (Class 5/1600, VW Baja Bug).

SCORE official sponsors for 2003 are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Southern California Ford Dealers-official vehicle, 76 Racing Fuel-official fuel and Rental Service Corporation-official equipment supplier. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, Bilstein, Signpros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie's, Off Road Innovations and Advanced Color Graphics.

For information contact:
SCORE International at its Los Angeles headquarters
(818) 225-8402 or visit
the official Optima SCORE Desert Series website at:
www.score-international.com

SCORE MOTORSPORTS SCOREBOARD:
2003 SCORE Desert Series Point Leaders
Following SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 (Sept. 13) Thru Round 5 of six

TOP 10 OVERALL
1. Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA/Ernie Castro Jr., Newport Beach, CA, Jimco-Toyota (CLASS 1), 360
2. Eric Allen, San Marcos, CA/Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, CA, Jimco-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 359
3. Brian Ickler, Poway, CA, Jimco-VW (SCORE Lite), 337
4. Mark Weyhrich/Gary Weyhrich, Troutdale, Ore., Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 332
5. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, CA, Smithbuilt-Ford (CLASS 1), 326
6. Steve Myers, Newport Beach, CA/George Erl, Huntington Beach, CA, Jimco-Toyota (CLASS 10), 319
7. James Golden, Costa Mesa, CA/Charlie Williams, Laguna Beach, CA, Chenowth-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 310
8. Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 303
8. Ron Brant, Torrance, CA/Richard Boyle, Ridgrecrest, CA, Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 303
10. Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, CA/Kash Vessels, Tucson, AZ, Jimco-VW (SCORE Lite), 298

CLASS LEADERS
SCORE Desert Series point leaders, by class, after Round 5, the 8th SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300. Remaining 2003 SCORE Desert Series schedule-- 36th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, Baja California, Mexico (Nov. 20-23).

Pro Cars and Trucks
SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK--
1. Tim Herbst/Ed Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 303;
2 Gus Vildosola, Mexicali, Mexico/Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 269;
3. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Jerry Welchel, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Ford F-150, 244;
4. Scott Steinberger, Cypress, CA/Jesse Jones, Phoenix, Ford F-150, 242;
5. Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 173;
6. Steve Sourapas, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, Ford F 150, 163;
7. Jim Beaver, Parker, AZ, Ford F-150, 154.

CLASS 1--
1. Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA/Ernie Castro Jr., Newport Beach, CA, Jimco-Toyota, 360;
2. Mark Weyhrich/Gary Weyhrich, Troutdale, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 332;
3. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas, Smithbuilt-Ford, 326;
4. Ron Brant, Torrance, CA/Ridgecrest, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 303;
5. Chuck Hovey, Escondido, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 284.

CLASS 1-2/1600--
1. Eric Allen, San Marcos, CA/Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, CA, Jimco-VW, 359;
2. James Golden, Costa Mesa, CA, Chenowth-VW, 310;
3. Brian Jeffrey, Acton, CA, Dunrite-VW, 293.

PROTRUCK--
1. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu, Chevy Silverado, 288.

CLASS 3--
1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, CA, Ford Bronco, 175.

CLASS 5--
1. George Seeley, Glendale, CA, VW Baja Bug, 278;
2. Joe Heger, Imperial, CA, VW Baja Bug, 250.

CLASS 5/1600--
1. Jason Lakin/Todd Cunningham, El Cajon, CA, VW Baja Bug, 290;
2. Mario Reynoso, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Baja Bug, 273;
3. Marcos Nunez, Ensenada, Mexico, 263.

CLASS 7--
1. Craig Turner, Yorba Linda, CA, Ford Ranger, 259.

CLASS 7S--
1. Bob Graham, Yorba Linda, CA/Mike Horner, Mission Viejo, CA, Toyota Tacoma, 180;
2. Bob Land, Lake Forest, CA, Chevy S-10, 177

CLASS 7SX--
1. Dan Fresh, Mission Viejo, CA, Jeep Comanche, 145.

CLASS 8--
1. Dave Sykes, Del Mar, CA/Tony McCormack, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado, 272;
2. Nick Vanderwey, Buckeye, AZ/Larry Vanderwey, Litchfield Park, AZ, GMC Sierra, 222.

CLASS 9--
1. Eric Fisher, Ensenada, Mexico, Garibay-VW, 230.

CLASS 10--
1. Steve Myers, Newport Beach, CA/George Erl, Huntington Beach, CA, Jimco Toyota, 319;
2. Martin Christensen, Escondido, CA, Jimco-BMW, 272;
3. Eli Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Honda, 268;
4. Ron Brookshire, Alpine, CA, Jimco-Honda, 257.

SCORE LITE--
1. Brian Ickler, Poway, CA, Jimco-VW, 337;
2. Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, CA/Kash Vessels, Tucson, AZ, Jimco-VW, 298;
3. Tom Ridings, Long Beach, CA, Mirage-VW, 233;
4. Mark Kyle, Austin, Texas/Larry Nash, San Luis Obispo, CA, Mirage-VW, 209.

CLASS 11--
1. Fernando Flores, Mexicali, Mexico, VW Sedan, 282.

STOCK FULL--
1. John Griffin, Mission Viejo, CA, AM General Hummer, 288.

Pro Motorcycles
CLASS 22--
1. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, CA/Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, CA, Honda XR650R, 132;
2. Christopher Blais, Stanton, CA, Honda XR650R, 116;
3. Jose Meza, Fresno, Calif, Honda XR650R, 101.

CLASS 21--
(TIE) 1. Eddie Zeller, Coronado, CA/Greg Fountain, Lake Forest, CA, Yamaha YZ250 and
Joe Desrosiers, San Marcos, CA/Ray Suit, Encinitas, CA, Yamaha YZ250, 119

CLASS 30--
1. Ricardo Malo, Mexicali, Mexico/Greg Bringle, Holtville, CA, Honda XR650R, 128.

CLASS 40--
1. Jim O'Neal, Chatsworth, CA/Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii, Honda XR650R, 126.

CLASS 50--
1. Richard Jackson, Acton, CA/Bob Wadlow, Arcadia, CA, Honda XR650R, 70.

Pro ATVs
CLASS 25--
1. John Gregory, El Cajon, CA/Doug Eichner, El Cajon, CA, Honda 4Trax, 138;
2. Gilberto Santana, Tijuana, Mexico, Honda TRX400EX, 134.

CLASS 24--
1. Earl Thigpen, Murrieta, CA/Brian Pinard, Murrieta, CA, Honda TRX250R, 125.