Post/Whelchel lead SCORE Trophy-Truck
Thru Round 3, Jeffrey/Pfankuch lead four 1-2/1600 racers
At the top of 2004 SCORE Desert Series point leaderboard
Andy McMillin leading unlimited Class 1, fifth overall
Heading to 9th Annual SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300, Sept. 10-11

LOS ANGELES (June 16, 2004) -- Opening the season with a second, followed by a class win, and another second, Southern California’s Brian Jeffrey and Adam Pfankuch have stayed on top of the overall and Class 1-2/1600 point-leader board in the 2004 SCORE Desert Series.

After Round 3 of the five-race 2004 SCORE Desert Series, Jeffrey, 41, of Acton, and Pfankuch, 22, of Carlsbad, finished second in their class in January’s 10th SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge before winning their class (which had a season-high 39 starters) in February’s 18th Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 and finishing second in the recent 36th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 (with 39 starters again) in a VW-powered Dunrite 1600cc open-wheel desert race car. The pair has put some serious pressure on the rest of the SCORE racers for not only the 2004 class title in 1-2/1600, but also the coveted SCORE Overall point championship as well.

The World’s foremost desert racing series has some time off before heading back to Southern Nevada, Sept. 10-11, for the 9th Annual SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300, in Primm, Nev., 35 miles south of Las Vegas.

With the $10,000 Kartek bonus also awaiting the 2004 SCORE Overall point champion, a total of just 61 points separate the top 15 overall point leaders after the first three rounds of 2004. SCORE points are determined both on final finishing position and number of vehicles that started the race within each class.

In Ensenada, Jeffrey and Pfankuch were happy to finish second behind Las Vegas’ Rob MacCachren and Danny Anderson in a race-high field of 39 starters in Class 1-2/1600. With his second win in three races in a Fraley-VW, MacCachren vaulted back into title contention, currently sitting second overall and second in Class 1-2/1600, 20 points behind Jeffrey/Pfankuch, who lead the overall and class standings, 226-206.

Third in the overall hunt and in Class 1-2/1600 are brothers Travis and Brad Fletcher, Westminster, CA, in their Baja Shop-VW with 200 points.

The Fletchers, who finished third in Class 1-2/1600 in Laughlin, and second in San Felipe, slipped a bit to 12th in Ensenada.

This is the first season of the Jeffrey/Pfankuch tandem. Jeffrey, who won Class 1-2/1600 in the 2002 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 to win his first SCORE season point title, was third in his class points last season. Pfankuch won three races in his class last year as a rookie enroute to winning the 2003 SCORE Class 1-2/1600 season title with Eric Allen, San Marcos, CA, who was driver of record last season with him.

With a third in Laughlin prior to claiming the overall win in San Felipe and a second in Ensenada, teammates Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Jerry Whelchel, Rancho Santa Maragarita, CA, are sixth in overall points and lead the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division with 189 points in the Riviera Racing Ford F-150.

“It is amazing how competitive Class 1-2/1600 this year, not just in quality, but also quality,” said Jeffrey. “So far, Adam and I are living by our goal to be consistent, but with each race, the intensity level goes up significantly and we have two huge races left in the SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 and then in the season-finale at the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. We have a slight edge over Rob (MacCachren) and Danny (Anderson) right now, but they are an incredible team. Still, I would rather have them behind us after three races then ahead of us. They’ve won two races but considerable margins, but we are still No. 1.”

Fourth in overall and Class 1-2/1600 points is the team of Rick Boyer, Bakersfield, CA/Steve Roberts, Bullhead City, AZ, with 193 points in a Lothringer-VW. They have a seventh, sixth and a 13th so far in 2004.

Consistency has paid high dividends so far for Andy McMillin and his father Scott McMillin, of Poway, CA, who despite not having a victory yet, are leading the super-charged unlimited Class 1 point standings and are fifth in overall points in a Jimco-Chevy. After a season-opening 12th-place finish in Class 1, the McMillins have driven to an impressive pair of second-place finishes in the class for unlimited open-wheel desert race cars.

Tied for sixth overall with Post/Whelchel and fifth in Class 1-2/1600 are Mexican brothers Leonardo and Alejandro Navarrete, of Mexicali, with 189 points in a Jimco-VW.

Eighth in overall points and second in Class 1 with 183 points is the team of John Marking, El Cajon, CA/ Chris Harrold, Chula Vista, CA, in a Jimco-Chevy.

Second in SCORE Trophy-Truck and tied for ninth overall with 176 points is Jason Baldwin, Laguna Beach, CA, in a Ford F-150. Jason Baldwin, whose younger brother Josh Baldwin, of San Diego, is third in SCORE Trophy-Truck points in another Baldwin Racing Ford F-150 with 159, has a fourth, second and a third this year.

SCORE Lite class leaders Tom Watson and Time Noe of El Centro, CA, are tied for ninth in overall points with 176 in their Jimco-VW.

A clear example of how tight the racing is this season, a total of just eight points separate 10th through 15th place in the SCORE Overall point standings.

The father and son team of Mark and C.J. Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., have moved up to the top spot in Class 10 and are 11th overall with 173 points in a Jimco-Honda.

Third in Class 1, Chuck Hovey, Escondido, CA, is 12th overall with 170 points in a Jimco-Chevy, one point ahead of Las Vegas’ Troy Herbst and Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, CA, who have two wins this year and have moved up to fourth in Class 1, 13th overall in the Terrible Herbst Motorsports Smithbuilt-Ford.

Currently 14th in overall points and sixth among 68 different racers who have competed at least once in Class 1-2/1600 this year is the team of Bobby Altamirano, Palm Desert, CA/Jeff Knopp, Litchfield Park, AZ, with 167 points in a Jimco-VW.

Four racers are deadlocked with 165 points for 15th in the overall standings--Mark McMillin, El Cajon, CA, is fifth in Class 1 in a Jimco-Chevy while Jim Anderson, Caremont, CA/Jeff Hunt, Monrovia, CA, are second in Class 10 in a Dunrite-VW; Stan Potter, San Marcos, CA/Dan Worley, Encinitas, CA, are second in SCORE Lite in a Jimco-VW and Mexico’s Gerardo Iribe, Rosarito/Javier Hernandez, Ensenada, are the Class 5/1600 point leaders.

The four undefeated class leaders after three races in 2004 are: Donald Moss, Sacramento (Class 3, Ford Bronco), Rich Severson, Mesa, Ariz. (Class 7SX, Ford Ranger), Eric Fisher, Ensenada, Mexico (Class 9, Garibay-VW), and Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico, (Class 11, VW Sedan).

After Round 3, the 2004 SCORE Desert Series point leaders in car and truck classes with two wins are: Dave Raimonde, Phoenix (Class 8, Chevy C1500), Craig Turner, Yorba Linda, Calif. (Class 7, Ford Ranger), George Seeley, Glendale, Calif. (Class 5, VW Baja Bug) and Bob Graham, Yorba Linda, CA/Mike Horner, Mission Viejo, Calif. (Class 7S, Toyota Tacoma).

Among the motorcycle class leaders is the American Honda Class 22 team of Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, CA/Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, CA, who have now won nine straight SCORE races together on a Honda XR650R.

The overall and Class 25 ATV point leaders are Ruben Martin/Gilberto Santana, Tijuana, Mexico, on a Bombardier Baja X.

The computerized drawing for starting positions, by class, for the upcoming 9th Annual SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 will be held Saturday, August 7, at the SCORE headquarters in Los Angeles. SCORE races in the U.S. include 17 Pro and 2 Sportsman classes for cars and trucks.

The 9th Annual SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300 expects over 150 vehicles competing in 17 Pro and 2 Sportsman classes for cars and trucks in Primm.

The 315-mile race will be run as a five-lap race over a desert course of 63 miles. As it has been for the previous two years, the race will be split into two groups with the open wheel and VW baja bug classes starting at 6 a.m. The truck classes, including the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division along with the unlimited Class 1 open-wheel class, will start at 1 p.m.

One vehicle will start every 30 seconds in the elapsed-time race, with an eight-hour time limit. The start/finish line area, the only designated spectator area and main pits will be located in the special events compound behind Buffalo Bill’s Resort in Primm. The slower classes will run three or four laps. Admission will be free to the spectator area, which will have grandstands as well as the SCORE Vendor’s Village.

Pre-race festivities on Friday, Sept. 10, for the SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300, including tech and contingency and the SCORE Manufacturer’s Midway, will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. behind Buffalo Bill’s Resort. The post-race awards celebration will be held at the Star of the Desert Arena on Sunday (Sept. 12) at 9 a.m.

SCORE official sponsors for 2004 are: BFGoodrich Tires-official tire, Southern California Ford Dealers-official vehicle and C.L. Bryant-VP Racing Fuels-official fuel supplier. Associate sponsors are: Tecate Beer, Coca-Cola of Mexico, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance, Fram, Autolite, Prestone, Bilstein, Signpros, P.C.I. Race Radios, McKenzie’s, 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

2004 SCORE Desert Series Point Leaders

(After Round 3--Remaining 2004 schedule: Sept. 10-11--9th SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300-Primm, Nev.; Nov. 18-21--37th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000-Ensenada to La Paz, Mexico)

TOP 15 OVERALL (Position, Drivers, Vehicle-Engine, Class Points)
1. Brian Jeffrey, Acton, CA/Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, CA, Dunrite-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 226
2. Rob MacCachren/Danny Anderson, Las Vegas, Fraley-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 206
3. Travis Fletcher, Westminster, CA/Brad Fletcher, Garden Grove, CA, Baja Shop-VW (Class 1-2/1600), 200
4. Rick Boyer, Bakersfield, CA/Steve Roberts, Bullhead City, AZ, Lothringer-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 193
5. Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Poway, CA, Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 190
6. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Jerry Whelchel, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 189
6. Leonardo Navarrete/Alejandro Navarrete, Mexicali, Mexico, Jimco-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 189
8. John Marking, El Cajon, CA/Chris Harrold, Chula Vista, CA, Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 183
9. Jason Baldwin, Laguna Beach, CA, Ford F-150 (SCORE Trophy-Truck), 176
9. Tom Watson/Tim Noe, El Centro, CA, Jimco-VW (SCORE Lite), 176
11. Mark Hutchins/C.J. Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., Jimco-Honda (CLASS 10), 173
12. Chuck Hovey, Escondido, CA, Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 170
13. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, CA, Smithbuilt-Ford (CLASS 1), 169
14. Bobby Altamirano, Palm Desert, CA/Jeff Knopp, Litchfield Park, AZ, Jimco-VW (CLASS 1-2/1600), 167
15. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, CA, Jimco-Chevy (CLASS 1), 165
15. Jim Anderson, Claremont, CA/Jeff Hunt, Monrovia, CA, Dunrite-VW (CLASS 10), 165
15. Stan Potter, San Marcos, CA/Dan Worley, Encinitas, CA, Jimco-VW (SCORE Lite), 165
15. Gerardo Iribe, Rosarito, Mexico/Javier Hernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (CLASS 5/1600), 165

CLASS LEADERS
(With Class wins in parenthesis)

Pro Cars and Trucks
SCORE TROPHY-TRUCK--
1. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, CA/Jerry Welchel, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Ford F-150 (1), 189;
2. Jason Baldwin, Laguna Beach, CA, Ford F-150, 176;
3. Josh Baldwin, San Diego, Ford F-150, 159;
4. Gus Vildosola, Mexicali, Mexico/Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 158;
5. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu, Chevy Silverado (1), 152;
6. Michael Jakobson, Somis, CA/Todd Sanderson, Leucadia, CA, Chevy Silverado, 147;
7. (Tie) Larry Ragland, Cave Creek, AZ/Brian Collins, Las Vegas, Chevy Silverado and Dan Smith/David Ashley, Riverside, CA, Ford F-150, 137;
9. Marty Coyne/Travis Coyne, El Centro, CA, Ford F-150, 134;
10. Scott Steinberger, Cypress, CA/Jesse Jones, Phoenix, Ford F-150, 132;
ALSO: 12. Ed Herbst/Tim Herbst, Las Vegas, Ford F-150 (1), 117.
CLASS 1--
1. Andy McMillin/Scott McMillin, Poway, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 190;
2. John Marking, El Cajon, CA/Chris Harrold, Chula Vista, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 183;
3. Chuck Hovey, Escondido, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 170;
4. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, CA, Smithbuilt-Ford (2), 169;
5. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, CA, Jimco-Chevy (1), 165;
6. Bobby Baldwin, Las Vegas, Porter-Ford, 142;
7. Dale Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA/Ernie Castro Jr., Newport Beach, CA, Jimco-Toyota, 137;
8. Rick Romans, Big Bear Lake, CA, Jimco-Chevy, 119;
9. Richard Boyle, Ridgecrest, CA/Ron Brant, Oak Hills, CA, RPS-Chevy, 116;
10. (tie) Rick Wilson, Long Beach, CA/Bekki Wik, Las Vegas, Jimco-Chevy and Rich Ronco, Glendale, AZ, Tatum-Chevy, 105.
CLASS 1-2/1600--
1. Brian Jeffrey, Acton, CA/Adam Pfankuch, Carlsbad, CA, Dunrite-VW (1), 226;
2. Rob MacCachren/Danny Anderson, Las Vegas, Fraley-VW (2), 206;
3. Travis Fletcher, Wesminster, CA/Brad Fletcher, Garden Grove, CA, Baja Shop-VW, 200;
4. Rick Boyer, Bakersfield, CA/Steve Roberts, Bullhead City, CA, Lothringer-VW, 193;
5. Leonardo Navarrete/Alejandro Navarrete, Mexicali, Mexico, Jimco-VW, 189.
CLASS 3--
1. Donald Moss, Sacramento, CA/Kenneth Moss, Marysville, CA, Ford Bronco (3), 155.
CLASS 5--
1. George Seeley, Glendale, CA, VW Baja Bug (2), 145.
CLASS 5/1600--
1. Gerardo Iribe, Rosarito, Mexico/Javier Hernandez, Ensenada, Mexico, VW Baja Bug (1), 165;
2. Dave Collier/Mike Baldwin, San Marcos, CA, VW Baja Bug, 146.
CLASS 7--
1. Craig Turner, Yorba Linda, CA, Ford Ranger (2), 141;
2. Barry Karakas, Oak Hills, CA, Toyota Tacoma, 107.
CLASS 7S--
1. Bob Graham, Yorba Linda, CA/Mike Horner, Mission Viejo, CA, Toyota Tacoma (2), 120.
CLASS 7SX--
1. Rich Severson, Mesa, AZ, Ford Ranger (3), 155.
CLASS 8--
1. Dave Raimonde, Phoenix, Chevy C1500 (2), 157.
CLASS 9--
1. Eric Fisher, Ensenada, Mexico, Garibay-VW (3), 155.
CLASS 10--
1. Mark Hutchins/C.J. Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., Jimco-Honda (1), 173;
2. Jim Anderson, Claremont, CA, Dunrite-VW, 165;
3. Steve Myers, Newport Beach, CA/George Erl, Huntington Beach, CA, Jimco-Toyota, 164;
4. John Cooley, Santee, CA/Chris Westwood, San Diego, Alumi Craft-VW, 162;
ALSO: 11. Harley Letner Orange, CA/Kory Halopoff, Orange, CA, Chenowth-Honda (1), 94;
13. Lobsam Yee/Eli Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco-Honda (1), 87.
SCORE LITE--
1. Tom Watson/Tim Noe, El Centro, CA, Jimco-VW (1), 176;
2. Stan Potter, San Marcos, CA/Dan Worley, Encinitas, CA, Jimco-VW (1), 165;
3. James Golden, Costa Mesa, CA/Jason Hatz, Lemon Grove, CA, Jimco-VW, 157;
4. Flavio Navarro, Tepic, Mexico/Ernesto Cervantes, La Paz, Mexico, Jimco-VW, 153;
5. Blaise Jackson, Valley Center, CA/Morley Williams, Bonsall, CA, Meco-VW, 150;
ALSO: 20. Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Fraley-VW (1), 45.
CLASS 11--
1. Eric Solorzano, Tijuana, Mexico, VW Sedan (3), 155.
STOCK FULL--
1. (Tie) John Griffin, Mission Viejo, CA, Hummer (1) and Mark Handley, San Marcos, CA, Ford F-150 (1), 101.
PROTRUCK--
1. Rick D. Johnson, Barstow, CA, Ford F-150 (1), 74.
STOCK MINI--
1. John Baker, Costa Mesa, CA, Ford Ranger (1), 55.
CLASS 17--
1. Barrie Thompson, Hesperia, CA, Jeep Cherokee (1), 70.

Pro Motorcycles
CLASS 22--
1. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, CA/Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, CA, Honda XR650R (2), 129;
2. Chuck Dempsey, Van Nuys, CA/Andy Grider, Los Olivos, CA, Honda XR650R, 113.
CLASS 21--
1. Joe Desrosiers, San Marcos, CA/Jesse Sharpe, San Diego, Yamaha YZ250 (1), 121.
CLASS 30--
1. Gerardo Rojas, Vicente Guerrero, Mexico/Sergio Vega, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda XR650 (2), 135.
CLASS 40--
1. Jim O’Neal, Chatsworth, CA/Tim Withers, Pepeekeo, Hawaii, Honda XR650R (2), 126.
CLASS 50--
1. David Flores, Reseda, CA, Honda XR650R (1), 84.

Pro ATVs
CLASS 25--
1. Ruben Martin/Gilberto Santana, Tijuana, Mexico, Bombardier Baja X (2), 144;
2. John Gregory, Chula Vista, CA/Doug Eichner, El Cajon, CA, Honda TRX450R, 132;
3. Earl Thigpen, Murrieta, CA/Brian Pinard, Wildomar, CA, Honda TRX450, 116.
CLASS 24--
1. Francisco Ruano, Chula Vista, CA, Honda TRX250R (1), 116.

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