score international

If your heart beats for high-octane adrenaline, roaring engines, and the ultimate test of human and mechanical endurance, then SCORE International is your ultimate destination. The name derived from Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts, SCORE International racing is globally recognized as the premier sanctioning body for desert racing. Hosting the legendary SCORE World Desert Championship, this organization brings together elite racers, groundbreaking automotive technology, and tens of thousands of adrenaline-driven race fans to witness competitors endure the most unforgiving terrain on the planet, racing ATVs, UTVs (side-by-sides), buggies, dirt bikes, trucks, 4x4s, SUVs, off-road motorcycles, and the famed unlimited SCORE Trophy Trucks.

2026 SCORE RACING SCHEDULE:

• SCORE San Felipe 250 Desert Race – March 25-20 – San Felipe, Baja California, MX – SCORE International – Trucks, Buggies, UTVs, Dirt Bikes, ATVs
• SCORE Baja 500 Desert Race – June 3-7 – Ensenada, Baja California, MX – SCORE International – Trucks, Buggies, UTVs, Dirt Bikes, ATVs
• SCORE Baja 400 Desert Race – September 9-13 – Ensenada, Baja California, MX – SCORE International – Trucks, Buggies, UTVs, Dirt Bikes, ATVs
• SCORE Baja 1000 Desert Off Road Race – November 9-15 – San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur, MX – SCORE International – Trucks, Buggies, UTVs, Dirt Bikes, ATVs

History: Mickey Thompson to world Phenomenon

The legacy of SCORE International began in 1973 when it was founded by motorsports innovator and legendary promoter Mickey Thompson. Thompson envisioned an organization that would standardize rules and elevate the profile of off-road racing. Under his early leadership, the sport transitioned from grassroots hobbyist gatherings into an organized, professional spectacle.

In 1974, Sal Fish stepped in to run and produce the events, eventually taking ownership. Over a legendary 39-year tenure, Sal Fish grew SCORE into a household name, creating the iconic, flagship SCORE Trophy Truck division in 1994—the ultimate unlimited open-production vehicle class. In late 2012, the reins were handed to Nevada entrepreneur and desert racer Roger Norman, who developed its current leadership, which maintains a fierce tradition of safety, challenge, and unrivaled competition.

The Crown Jewels: the World Desert Championship

The annual off-road racing calendar consists of four grueling events held across the breathtaking, punishing landscapes of Baja California, Mexico:

• The San Felipe 250: A brutal sprint across one loop of roughly 250 miles, notorious for its bone-jarring “whoops” (deep sand bumps).
• The SCORE Baja 500: A legendary 500-mile loop starting and finishing in Ensenada, pushing drivers through high-mountain ridges and hot desert floors.
• The SCORE Baja 400: A highly strategic, fast-paced 400-mile race acting as the crucial qualifier for the big finale.
• The SCORE Baja 1000: The undisputed granddaddy of off-road racing. Spanning upwards of 1,000 miles, it is widely considered the toughest single-stage endurance race in the world.

Legends of the Dirt and Powerhouse Affiliations

SCORE International acts as a proving ground for the world’s most elite drivers and global automotive giants.

Iconic Racing Legends

The history books of Baja are written by legendary icons. Ivan “Ironman” Stewart earned his nickname by pioneering the grueling “Ironman” class, conquering entire races solo without a single driver change. Other historic multi-time champions include Larry Roeseler, Robby Gordon, Walker Evans, Rod Hall, and Bryce Menzies. The multi-generational McMillin family (Corky, Mark, Scott, Andy, Dan, and Luke) has also built an unmatched legacy, accumulating dozens of overall victories.

Leading Brands and Automotive Giants

The brutal terrain acts as a real-world R&D lab for automotive tech. Leading truck, ATV, UTV, and dirt bike manufacturers like Honda (Honda XR650R and Honda CRF450X), Husqvarna (Husky FE 450.) Ford (with their dominant Ford Raptor platforms), Chevrolet (Silverado), and Toyota (Tundra) battle for supreme bragging rights alongside top-tier custom chassis builders like Mason Industries and Geiser Brothers. Tire tech is led by titans like BFGoodrich (BFG), which provides vital trackside pit support, alongside powerhouses like Polaris RZR ruling the competitive Pro UTV classes. 

baja 1000 racers who’ve won the baja 1000 on 2 wheels and 4 wheels

Those off-road racers who stand apart with victories on motorcycles and in trucks and/or buggies are:

• Malcolm Smith: Won the Baja 1000 on Husqvarna 360 Cross and on a Husqvarna 400 Cross dirt bike; later won the race overall race in Funco VW and then a Hi-Jumper VW.
• Larry Roeseler: Won the Baja 1000 race a whopping 10 times on a motorcycle, beginning with various Husqvarna dirt bikes, then a Yamaha YZ490, and then upon a the mighty Kawasaki KX500 two-stroke, which spearheaded Kawasaki’s reign in desert racing. A decade after his last Baja 1000 dirt bike victory, he landed his first of four Trophy Truck wins in 2004.
• Dan Smith: Began his Baja 1000 winning on a Husqvarna 500XC and tallied an epic win at the once-in-a-lifetime Baja 2000 in the year 2000, piloting a Ford Trophy Truck. Among many other victories, landed his last podium finish at the Baja 1000 in 2002.

most baja 1000 motorcycle wins:

• 11 BAJA 1000 MOTORCYCLE WINS: Johnny Campbell
• 10 BAJA 1000 MOTORCYCLE WINS: Larry Roeseler
• 8 BAJA 1000 MOTORCYCLE WINS: Steve Hengeveld and Kendall Norman
• 7 BAJA 1000 MOTORCYCLE WINS: Mark Samuels and Justin Morgan
• 5 BAJA 1000 MOTORCYCLE WINS: Ty Davis, David Kamo
• 4 BAJA 1000 MOTORCYCLE WINS: Quinn Cody, Ted Hunnicutt Jr., Jack Johnson, Justin Jones, Tim Staab and Colton Udall

Other legendary names who have scored Baja 1000 victories: Al Baker, Mitch Mayes, Gene Cannady, Scot Harden, Jack Johnson, Dan Smith, Dan Ashcraft, Bruce Ogilvie, Chuck Miller, Danny Hamel, Garth Sweetland, Ty Davis, Paul Krause, Ted Hunnicutt, Danny LaPorte, Johnny Campbell, Tim Staab, Greg Bringle, Steve Hengeveld, Andy Grider, Kendall Norman, Mikey Childress, Quinn Cody, Timmy Weigand, Colton Udall, David Kamo, Justin Jones, Shane Esposito, Justin Morgan, and Max Eddy Jr.

most baja 1000 four-wheel wins:

• 7 BAJA 1000 TROPHY TRUCK WINS: Rob MacCachren: MacCachren has also tallied multiple class wins in the same race; he remains one of the most winningest all-around racers.
• 6 BAJA 1000 TROPHY TRUCK WINS: Andy McMillin
• 5 BAJA 1000 TROPHY TRUCK WINS: Mark McMillin and Larry Ragland
• 4 BAJA 1000 TROPHY TRUCK WINS: Larry Roeseler, Luke McMillin
• 3 BAJA 1000 FOUR-WHEEL WINS: David Ashley, Doug Fortin, Robby Gordon, Ralph Paxton, Dan Smith, Malcolm Smith and Ivan Stewart

Some of the noted names who have graced the Baja 1000 podium for their four-wheel vehicle buggy, truck, 4X4, and SUV include: Vic Wilson, Ted Mangels, Larry Minor, J.N. Roberts, Malcolm Smith, Parnelli Jones, Bill Stroppe, Drino Miller, Bobby Ferro, Johnny Johnson, Rod Hall, Ivan Stewart, Dr. Bud Feldkamp, Walker Evans, Mark Stahl, Mark McMillin, Mark McMillin, Steve Sourapas, Bob Gordon, Robby Gordon, Larry Ragland, Paul Simon, Dave Simon, Doug Fortin, Dan Smith and Dave Ashley, Troy Herbst and Larry Roeseler, Andy McMillin, Mark Post, Rob MacCachren, Carl Renezeder, Roger Norman, Tavo Vildósola, Gus Vildósola, BJ Baldwin, and Bryce Menzies.

The first woman to solo the Baja 1000 was journalist Judy Smith.