Matlock Racing
SCORE Tecate BAJA 500 ATV Race Report
2010
Tecate SCORE BAJA 500 - June 5th - Ensenada,
Baja, Mexico
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SCORE
BAJA 500
ATV & SxS Race Links |
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1A
Wes Miller, Josh Caster, & Wayne Matlock
continued their SCORE winning streak at
the 42nd Annual Baja 500 |
Ensenada, Mexico (6/16/2010) –
On June 5th over 280 entries started at the 42nd
annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 with the expectations
to finish the race and hopefully cross the finish
line first. The Matlock Racing team once again covered
the rough and boulder strewn course in the fastest
time for the 3rd year in a row with a time of 10:24:35
with an average speed of 42.15 mph.
Matlock Racing prides themselves on working hard
to train and prepare so the #1A Matlock Racing
Honda TRX700XX remains in the winner’s circle.
This race was not only the 3rd time in a row they
have recorded the fastest time at the Baja 500
but they also recorded the fastest Overall time
for the 8th consecutive ace in SCORE! Even with
the impressive amount of wins the team understands
anything can happen in Baja and this race was
no exception.
The Matlock Racing team headed south of the
border to Ensenada a week before the start of
the race to begin prerunning each section of the
course. After a week of prerunning, each team
member was prepared to take on the course at race
speeds.
The #1A Honda TRX700XX with Wayne Matlock aboard
would start in the number 2 position just 30 seconds
behind the #2A quad. On race day the early morning
fog laid low over the town of Ensenada, this fog
would hold in the silty dust turned up by the
motorcycles that would start before the Pro quad
class. Matlock took the start and made the pass
on the #2A quad early in the race taking the lead.
Through the dust in Ojos Negros Matlock held
the lead with the #5A of Javier Robles and #6A
of Josh Edwards in hot pursuit. A fueling issue
at the first pit held up Matlock which allowed
the #5A and #6A quads to make the pass. During
the pit, fuel was inadvertently dumped on Matlock
and the quad ooding out the motor and killing
the battery on the quad. Matlock would have to
push start the quad and make multiple stops to
pour water on his fuel covered skin loosing valuable
time in the process. The #5A quad had gained 3
minutes before Matlock was able to hand the quad
off to Josh Caster at race mile 74.
Caster was off in hot pursuit of the 2 quads,
who now had a comfortable lead this early in the
race. Before reaching check point #1 located at
race mile 84, Caster was able to overtake the
#6A quad and quickly move into the second place
position. He would continue to chase the #5A quad
over the rocky and dangerous summit without any
communications with the chase crews due to the
remote area of the course. Once reaching the dry
lake bed of Laguna Salada he was back in contact
with the chase crews who notified him that he
was 4 minutes behind the lead quad. Caster turned
up the pace for his last 25 miles into the rocky
whoops of Borrego and was able to gain 2 ½
minutes on the lead quad before handing it off
once again to Matlock.
Matlock would take the quad in Borrego at race
mile 196 just 1 ½ minutes behind the lead
quad. Once back on the quad he was able to chase
down the #5A quad thru the deep sandy whoops on
his way up San Matias Pass and before making the
turn towards the Famous Mike’s Sky Ranch
he could see the dust of the lead quad. Once spotting
the dust, Matlock pushed even harder and was ready
to make the pass for the lead just as the next
fuel stop would come into view. This would allow
the lead quad to pull away as it headed towards
the coast. Just down the road from the fuel stop
Matlock would hand the quad off to Wes Miller
who would take the quad to race mile 402 in Ojos
Negros.
Miller knew the lead quad was just seconds ahead
of him and knew if he pushed hard enough he could
make the pass before reaching the silty and rocky
hills along the coast. Before reaching the coast
Miller was nipping at the #5A quad’s heels
and made the pass for the lead. Once in the lead
Miller stayed on the gas to gain as much of a
lead as possible knowing anything can happen in
Baja. During Caster’s last few miles in
Borrego the communication radio bolted to the
race quad broke off due to the rough course. Because
of this Miller had no communication with his chase
crews along his ride up the coast and was unsure
of how far behind the next quad was. Miller would
continue to push hard not knowing where any of
the competition was and would hand the quad off
to Matlock in Ojos Negros at race mile 402 with
a 45 minute lead on the next quad.
Matlock would make the final ride to the finish
located back in Ensenada. He would take his time
on the last few miles into town crossing the deep
and muddy water crossings and also being very
careful not to hit any of the booby traps built
by the local spectators. Once crossing the finishline
it was a full 50 minutes before the #5A team of
Javier Robles would enter Ensenada after having
some mechanical issues.
Not only did the #1A Matlock Racing Team finish
a full 50 minutes ahead of the next quad but they
also passed a total of 65 motorcycles that started
ahead of them. Only 5 motorcycles were able to
outrun the #1A Honda TRX700XX of Matlock Racing!
This finish was good enough for the Class 25 Pro
ATV win as well as the Overall ATV win.
The Matlock Racing Team would like to thank all
of the chase crews and sponsors for their help.
Without them these wins would not be possible
and the team is very appreciative of all the support!
2010
SCORE BAJA 500 - Matlock Racing Team Video
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Matlock Racing Sponsors:
Vey’s Powersports,
PRM-ATV.com, Rich Morel Racing Motors, Precision
Concepts, Houser Racing, Maxxis, Elka, JCR Honda,
Big Gun Exhaust, KZ Trailers, Fly Racing, Renthal,
IMS-Roll, Pro Honda Oil and Chemicals, IMS, DWT,
OMF, Tire Balls, Quadtech, Streamline, Precision
Racing Products, Baja Designs, Scott Goggles,
Motion Pro, UNI Filters, DID Chains, Division
Four
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