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While some things change, much stays the same. So was the story around the 2014 Tecate SCORe San Felipe 250 desert race as Mexico's own Gustavo Vildosola, Jr. captured his second consecutive victory at this race. The win was the 22nd consecutive at this race and series-leading 78th overall win in SCORe International Racing in Baja for BFGoodrich Tires.
While the field was challenged with course changes and delays due to extreme weather and closures of part of the original course, drivers on BFGoodrich Tires excelled on any terrain thrown their way and claimed eight of the top 10 overall finishers and 10 class wins.
Vildosola, Jr, who captured last year's San Felipe 250, started deep in the pack of Trophy Trucks and maneuvered the makeshift 219-mile course in the fastest time on BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR and KR2 tires in a time of three hours and 31 minutes.
Just behind the Vildosola team was Tim Herbst and Larry Roeseler five minutes behind on time. The top five rounded out with Team BFGoodrich member Rob MacCachren and Juan Carlos Lopez.
"We drew 25th and I was extremely worried about that," said Vildosola after the race. "It really changed my game plan during the race. We got around a bunch of guys and it was a good clean race. We were running in the dust, bushes and things sometimes bigger than bushes that got in the way. I had to do some creative things to get around other trucks. We are pretty aggressive with our truck. Going up to Borrego we could really push the truck and we made up some good time. A lot of the track played to our strengths."
Through the grueling washes, changing conditions and rugged terrain of the course, BFGoodrich Tires proved their toughness. The Baja T/AKR2, which was introduced last year at the Baja 500, continued to gain attention with its performance. After strong performances in Baja last year, the tire was run on the front of the winning Vildosola Trophy Truck, with original KR tires on the rear. Overall three of the top ten overall finishers ran on the new KR2 tire to include the second place finishing truck of Tim Herbst/Larry Roeseler and ninth overall entry of Troy Herbst/Ryan Arciero. Additionally, Justin Matney, the Class 1 winner and fifth overall finisher ran on just a single set of the Baja T/AKR2 tires.
"A shortened course and mother nature tried to disrupt it, but there was no stopping the BFGoodrich Tires continued success in San Felipe," said Chris Baker, BFGoodrich Motorsports Director. "We are extremely proud of our 22 consecutive wins at this race and 78 total with SCORe racing in the Baja peninsula. But as many have seen recently we are not resting on past success as we continue to bring new products to the desert like the Baja T/AKR2 that is developed to continue our leadership position against our strong competition."
Final results with BFGoodrich drivers in BOLD
1, Gus Vildosola/Gus Vildosola Jr, Mexicali, Mexico, Ford Raptor, 3:31 (SCORe Trophy Truck)
2. Tim Herbst/Larry Roeseler, Boulevard, Calif., Ford F-150, 3:36 (SCORe Trophy Truck)
3. Steven eugenio, Calsbad, Calif. Chevy Silverado, 3:38 (SCORe Trophy Truck)
4. Rob MacCachren, Las Vegas, Ford F-150, 3:40 (SCORe Trophy Truck)
5. Justin Matney, Bristol, Tenn., Geiser-Chevy, 3:45 (Class 1 Truck)
6. Damien Jeffries, Apple Valley, Calif., Jeffries-Chevy, 3:48 (Class 1)
7. Juan C. Lopez, Tecate, Mexico, Chevy Silverado, 3:50 (SCORe Trophy Truck)
8. Clyde Stacey, Bristol, Va./Carlos Lopez, Tecate, Mexico/edwardo Laguna, Mexicali, Mexcio, Geiser Rally Truck, 3:51 (SCORe Trophy Truck)
9. Zak Langley, Santa Monica, Calif., Ford F-150, 4:04 (SCORe Trophy Truck)
10. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas, Nev./Ryan Arciero, Foothill Ranch, Calif., Ford F-150, 4:04 (SCORe Trophy Truck)
BFGoodrich Tires Class Wins
SCORe Trophy Truck Gus Vildosola, Jr.
Class 1 Justin Matney
Class 3 Chris Wilson
Class 5 Jose Lopez/ Martin Collins/Rames Murillo
Class 7 Pat Sims
SCORe Lites Miguel Tornel/ Mario Reynoso
Class 11 Alejandro Rivas/ Roberto Robles/Rene Valle
Trophy Truck Spec Larry Connor/Jose Grijalva
Class 3000 Reid Rutherford/Nick Marietta
Baja challenge Randolph Hoover/Benjamin Hoover/William Hoover III/William Atchley
About BFGoodrich
BFGoodrich Tires is dedicated to providing high performance tires for those who have a passion for driving in virtually any environment. Combining technical expertise with 50 years of motorsports experience, BFGoodrich delivers tires for a full range of driving experiences from ultra-high performance street to off-road terrain with one common theme – extreme performance. Come upgrade your performance with BFGoodrich and see where our tires can take you at BFGoodrichTires.com, BFGoodrichRacing.com, as well as on Facebook and Instagram at @BFGoodrichTires and TikTok at @BFGoodrich.