Contingency Goes Wide Open on the San Felipe Beach
San Felipe, Baja, Mexico (March 10, 2006)- 3:30 PM
Beneath the gorgeous weather here in San Felipe, Baja California, thousands of spectators have taken the opportunity to mix and meet their favorite off road racing teams. Located on the sands of the Sea of Cortez, the SCORE San Felipe 250 is set to rage forth tomorrow morning.
Here on the Malecon of San Felipe the world’s top teams have all gathered for the contingency fiesta and the technical inspection mandated by SCORE International. The festivities began early this morning as the DirtNewz.com crew arrived to the Malecon as the sun began to rise and the locals served up hot coffee.
Only a short time later the Malecon came to life as Mexicana Logistics race team in the #4 Trophy Truck were first in line firing up the 800 horsepower trophy truck for a run through contingency and tech.
DirtNewz staffers have spoken with many race teams in the past few days who all agree this race is going to be one of the most brutal races in a long time as the course conditions are very difficult after no rain in nearly six months in the San Felipe area. And the twist is that weather forecasters are predicting up to .25” inch of rain between 3:00 a.m. and late afternoon here in San Felipe.
DirtNewz has learned some interesting things here in San Felipe and here are some highlights.
Pistol Pete Sohren is touting new color scheme and also told us that he’s no longer part of the Desert Assassins crew. He told DirtNewz that they had differences that could not be overcome. Sohren was all smiles as he came through contingency ready to put the #2 through the paces here in San Felipe.
Dale Ebberts crew reported he had a problem during prerunning that was an oil pump related issue but we had breakfast with Ebberts this morning and he told us the problem was merely an “ignitor” that went bad. Originally, Ebberts thought he was going to have to locate a Cosworth oil pump, however the problem with the ignitor was easily remedied.
"Johnny Airtime" Jensen reports that he has accepted a sponsorship that will put him in the Baja 500 under full contract. "Johnny Airtime" is a Baja character that has ridden through Northern Baja extensively.
DP Racing, previous Class 21 Baja 1000, Baja 500 and San Felipe 250 champs are no longer racing in Class 21 and moved into the Open Pro Class 22 vying against the best-of-the-best in off-road racing’s motorcycle teams.
American Honda’s Steve Hengeveld & Mike Childress are set to tackle the San Felipe 250 and for the first time in a decade, multiple Baja 1000 Champion – Johnny Campbell is taking a backseat until the Baja 1000. Campbell is listed as a rider, however information DirtNewz has is that he’ll maintain a backup roll until the Baja 1000 where he’ll ride again.
Cameron Steele is on track to run in three classes hoping to bring big victory to his Dad – a past Baja 1000 winner. Steele will race on a motorcycle, in his Trophy Truck and in his Class 12 car vying against Tim Noe/Travis Clarke and many others.
Andy Grider is in San Felipe as a back up driver for Pat Dean's Class 1 team. Grider will drive in the Baja 500.
BJ Baldwin has prerun over 10 times in the past couple weeks in his effort towards a big win.
DirtNewz will bring you coverage from the racing action all day Saturday as the 20th SCORE San Felipe 250 goes off big here in the Baja, California.
Contingency in Full Force on the Malecon of San Felipe
San Felipe, Baja, Mexico (March 10, 2006)- 11:00 AM
Contingency is underway here in San Felipe under sunny sky's. The current temperature is 68 degrees with a slight breeze drifting in from the Sea of Cortez. Hopefully the weather will hold for race day, but the forecast is calling for a chance of rain. Racers and spectators are prepared for a chilly, windy and wet race day.
DirtNewz caught up with Andy McMillin at contingency who is driving Robby Gordon's Red Bull Trophy Truck this weekend. Andy comments on the pre-run, course conditions and what it's like to be driving for a racing superstar such as Robby Gordon.
