Ensenada, Baja California (May 30, 2008)–The 40th Anniversary of the SCORE Tecate Baja 500 has kicked off here in the beautiful seaside town of Ensenada, Baja California. This year’s epic desert racing event has drawn several thousand early morning fans to the streets of Ensenada as an international contingent of desert racers have all converged to battle the elements of the barren Baja Peninsula desert. Early this morning the line for technical inspection and contingency began to grow as many teams want to push through contingency and continue to prepare for SCORE’s epic race.

Amid concerns of increased violence and personal safety to off road racers, thousands of Americans have come across the border for what is expected to be an incredible race of champions in the barren desert. DIRTnewz staffers have spoken with numerous teams, fans and spectators over the weeklong prerunning throughout the Northern Baja Peninsula. As of the present time, no reports of violence or American victims has been reported to or in the media in Ensenada.

Today’s contingency fiesta comes on the heels of another Baja 500 fiesta Horsepower Ranch just outside of Ensenada, Baja California. Many racers attended the Off Road Hall of Fame Inductees ceremony that featured some of the most well-known racers in the world.

The 2007 SCORE Trophy Truck Champions, Riviera Racing, were close to the front of the line with the #1 Trophy Truck as hundreds of kids gathered early before school taking as many posters, stickers and hero cards as possible. MOPAR’s Brian Collins, TV Personality & All Around Bad Azz - Jesse James, Crystal Bay Casino’s Roger Norman, MasterCraft’s Robbie Pierce and of course Cameron Steele were only a few that are here for this 40th Anniversary of the SCORE Baja 500.

DIRTnewz will be here at contingency throughout the day providing you updates as the festivities kick off.