Baja Designs’ Industry’s First Laser Light Wins 2018 SCORE Baja 1000
Ensenada, Baja California Mexico
The SCORE Baja 1000 is considered the toughest and most grueling in all of off road racing. To finish the “Granddaddy of all Desert Races” is a tribute to ones will and fortitude. Justin Morgan on the 7x Honda was the quickest and overall winner with a total elapsed time of 16 Hours 23 Minutes and 26.2 Seconds. Cameron Steele in the #16 SCORE Trophy Truck was right behind on time by just under 36 seconds and was able to win his second straight SCORE Trophy Truck race.
The 2018 SCORE Baja 1000 Winners and many other top finishers all chose Baja Designs Premium Off Road Lighting to help them get safely through the 806 mile course, much of it under darkness.
When all was said and done, Baja Designs Lighting was equipped on the winner’s vehicles on ten of the 4 Wheel Vehicle Classes and six of the Moto & Quad classes. Adding all of that up figures 16 Class Winners, the overall UTV / Pro UTV Forced Induction Winner, the overall 4 Wheel Vehicle / SCORE Trophy Truck Winner, and the Race Overall Victory / Pro Moto Unlimited Winner all supported by Baja Designs.
SCORE Trophy Truck Winner; Cameron Steele has much to be proud of after chasing an elusive Trophy Truck Win for over 13 years. Steele has wrestled the proverbial monkey off his back and can now also treasure the big Baja 1000 victory. “Baja Designs Laser Lights gave us confidence on the course,” stated Cameron. “Draw and power was never an issue. The lighting was a perfect even blend with no spots. In all my years of racing at night, never have I ever thought I wouldn’t change a thing about my lighting until this Baja 1000. It’s amazing! Baja Designs keeps proving there is no better lighting for what we do and this technology is available for practically any application.”
Following behind Steele in second place right in SCORE Trophy Truck class was Andy McMillin’s laser equipped truck with Tavo Vildosola driving the night section. Tavo stated, “We ran with just the bottom light bar 85%-90% of the time, where the laser lights were located. You could definitely make a clear distinction between the LED lights and the laser lights. They were brighter and sharper than the LED’s. They provided great coverage without any dark spots. I am very happy with the performance of the new Baja Designs Laser lights and look forward to running them again at the Mint 400.”
Bryce Menzies was also carrying the Baja Designs new laser technology as was first place SCORE Hammer Truck Unlimited Class winner, Casey Currie.
The resounding overall 2018 SCORE Baja 1000 Race Win by the 7X Honda was the first time since 2013 the bikes were quicker than the Trophy Trucks. Without a doubt, Justin Morgan and the 7X pilots were aided by the powerful lighting supplied Baja Designs. When asked about how Baja Designs lighting performed during the race, Justin Morgan replied; “The results speak for themselves. The lights are awesome. I was using the old Solteks when I first started racing. These new lights perform amazingly, weigh less, are easy to mount on bikes, and they are easier on your eyes. No spots. I don’t think it gets any better than that.” Morgan could not have asked for a better ending to a perfect season [winning every 2018 SCORE Race] for this newly formed team and will now adorn the prestigious 1x Plate as Pro Moto Unlimited Class Champions.
The other notable headline for the 2018 Baja 1000 is the Overall UTV Champion. Wayne Matlock in the #2971 Polaris RZR made impressive work over the 800 mile course. Finishing 30th overall in time span of 20 Hours 25 Minutes and 17.8 Seconds to beat out 29 other Pro UTV Forced Induction Class competitors and a total of 49 UTVs is pretty much a record breaking accolade on its own. The real achievement is the race win makes Matlock the first ever UTV to win the SCORE-International overall points championship.
No matter if you are racing for the win in the most legendary off road race, or achieving a life long dream of capturing a championship victory, or while just playing out on the trails, Baja Designs Lighting system will cut through the dark and light up the path. Proven to outperform, Baja Designs is the choice of winners and champions.
UNLIMITED TRUCK
Cameron Steele - 1st
Andy McMillin / Tavo Vildosola - 2nd
TROPHY TRUCK SPEC
Bryce Swaim - 1st
Jason McNeil - 3rd
CLASS 1
Morgan Langley - 1st
HAMMER TRUCK UNLIMITED
Casey Currie - 1st
CLASS 10
Ruben Torres - 1st
CLASS 7
Al Hogan - 1st
SCORE LITES
Freddie Willert - 1st
PRO UTV FORCED INDUCTION
Wayne Matlock - 1st
PRO UTV UNLIMITED
Kris Werth - 1st
CLASS 5
Ben Swift - 1st
HEAVY METAL
Vincent Munoz - 1st
PRO MOTO UNLIMITED
Justin Morgan - 1st
PRO QUADS
Said Sanchez - 1st
PRO MOTO 50
Giovanni Spinali (Class Champion) - 1st
PRO MOTO 40
Jano Montoya - 1st
PRO MOTO IRONMAN
Francisco Septien - 1st
PRO MOTO 60
Guy Laycraft - 1st
PHOTOGRAPHY BY / Bink Designs
Originally Posted
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