Yokohama Tire-sponsored off-road drivers set their sights on SCORE Baja 1000
There’s plenty at stake for Yokohama Tire Corporation-sponsored off-road racing husband and wife team Cameron and Heidi Steele as they head to Ensenada, Mexico for the 44th annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, November 17-20.
Heidi, a three-time titlist, is looking to capture championship number four in the Class 6 SCORE (Southern California Off Road Enthusiasts) division. She’s in first place heading into the season-ending Baja race, having won twice this year in San Felipe. Also at stake is chance for her to earn a prestigious Toyota Milestone award, which goes to the pro car and truck drivers who finish every required mile in the five-race 2011 SCORE Desert Series. As always, San Clemente, California-based Heidi and her co-driver Rene Brugger will battle the rugged 692.82-mile course in a Ford Ranger riding on off-the-shelf Yokohama Geolandar M/T+ tires.
“We’re ready for the Baja 1000,” said Heidi. “Our Yokohama tires can definitely take on the tough terrain and help bring us home another championship.”
Cameron, a Trophy Truck class veteran, TV commentator and two-time SCORE Person of the Year, is looking for his first SCORE win of the year. At San Felipe, he powered his trademark No. 16 Geiser Brothers Chevrolet truck to a season-best fifth-place finish in the ultra-competitive Trophy Truck division, and seventh overall among all 77 racers. The 800-horsepower machine is mounted with newly developed 40-inch Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S R tires specially engineered for extreme off-road conditions.
“The 40-inch tires are already race-tested,” said Cameron, “and they performed great. We’re definitely ready to take on Baja.”
In addition to Cameron’s No. 16, the Desert Assassins team will campaign a second Yokohama-shod Geiser Brothers Trophy Truck and have enlisted the help of Rick Geiser, Josh Daniels and Pat Dean to share in the driving duties between the two trucks.
“The Baja 1000 is the most prestigious and challenging off-road race in the world,” said Andrew Briggs, Yokohama’s senior manager of motorsports. “We really like our odds this year with two Geiser Brothers Trophy Trucks, an excellent driver lineup and the 40-inch Geolandar tire. We’re also looking for Heidi and Renee to bring home another Class 6 championship. Conquering the Baja 1000 would be a great way to close out the season.”