Toyota 4Runner Returns to the SCORE Baja 1000.
Ivan “Ironman” Stewart and Toyota Team determined to win the 2010 “Stock Mini” Class
TORRANCE, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2010) – The Toyota 4Runner returns to the fiercest of desert racing worldwide, the 43rd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The SCORE five-race desert series finale will be held November 16-20 in Baja California. The race will begin in Ensenada, cover over 1,061 miles of intimidating terrain, and will run along the Baja peninsula to its end on November 20 in La Paz.
On official race day (November 18), one vehicle will start every 30 seconds, and competitors will only have 45 hours to finish the grueling course. Over 300 entries are expected, and although the majority will be from North America, entries now include desert racers from 18 countries such as Japan, Germany, Guatemala, Italy and South Africa (to name a few), making the SCORE Baja 1000 a true international desert racing sport.
The Toyota 4Runner was put to the test at last year’s SCORE Baja 1000 race and the SUV’s horsepower, ruggedness and durability proved it can tame the Mexican desert’s tough terrain. “Our Toyota Team had an incredible experience last year and successfully brought home a second place finish (Stock Mini class). We know the 4Runner can again rise to the occasion and showcase its durability and ruggedness against the desert’s extreme conditions – the team is on a mission to win the Stock Mini class this year”, said Les Unger, Toyota’s national motorsports manager.
This year’s #778 Toyota 4Runner iron riders consist of three driver/co-driver combinations…Joe Nolan/ Zach Zwillinger (Start to Bay of LA), Ken Ziesemer/Mark Sasaki (Bay of LA to Pursima), and along for the ride of his life Dwayne Mills will co-drive the final leg of the race with arguably the world’s best and most accomplished desert racer -- the legendary Ivan “Ironman” Stewart. “I’m really excited to be part of the team to tackle this year’s SCORE Baja 1000. It will be tougher because last year the course was a loop race, but this year’s is much more demanding – it begins in Ensenada and ends in La Paz so it’s a point-to-point race. We had a great race last year and to finish second was good, but this year I’m determined to help the team to VICTORY”, said Stewart. The “Ironman’s” racing career began in 1973 and he’s been on a winning streak ever since. He’s had 84 off road career victories, and is a 10-time SCORE Champion. Stewart claimed Toyota's first SCORE Baja 1000 victory in 1993.
The 4Runner will run on BF Goodrich Tires and utilize the BFG Pits throughout the course. Past SCORE Baja 1000 champions Long Beach Racers are a group of road enthusiasts specializing in the design, construction, and prep of world-class off road racing vehicles and will provide support throughout the race event.
This year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race will be televised on a delayed basis as a one-hour NBC Sports special for the seventh consecutive year, airing on Dec. 19 on the NBC Television Network.
TOYOTA MEDIA CONTACT: Yolanda A. Zavala, Toyota Motorsports Public Relations
310.468.6853 / yolanda_a_zavala@toyota.com
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