It is hard to deny the existence of the Buddhist philosophy of karma after the recent MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. In addition to being the title sponsor of the race, Robbie Pierce and MasterCraft Safety offered up $10,000 in contingency money for the race. For all of Pierce’s generosity, combined with a healthy dose of hard work, the MasterCraft Racing team was rewarded with three trucks in the top ten of SCORE’s premiere Trophy-Truck class. Will Staats finished in 9th place, Rob MacCachren finished in 8th, and MasterCraft Safety CEO Robbie Pierce placed fourth in San Felipe, his highest finish ever in SCORE’s preeminent class.
Finishing just off the podium in a crowded field of 31 SCORE Trophy-Trucks did not come easily for Pierce, who improved upon his 8th place finish from San Felipe a year ago. Fourth off of the line, any hopes of running in clean air were dashed for Pierce just two miles into the race when his No. 30 Jimco truck threw a power steering belt off of the 800+ horsepower V8 engine while trying to avoid a spectator on Zoo Road. Instead of being out front as he hoped, Pierce was passed by all the other SCORE Trophy-Truck competitors in the infamous San Felipe whoops. “Fortunately we had a spare belt in the truck, but it cost us twenty minutes to change,” Pierce commented after the race. Pierce was able to regain the time to overtake most of the field throughout the remainder of the race, putting him in 6th place for the season. Despite sharp rocks and brutal terrain, the three MasterCraft Racing SCORE Trophy-Trucks only suffered from two flat tires. “I really believe that the preparations and logistics that the entire MasterCraft Racing team did for the SCORE San Felipe 250 made all of the difference.”
Rob MacCachren overcame adversity to finish 8th in San Felipe
Pierce’s words rang true for the rest of the team as well. The No. 20 Rockstar Energy / MasterCraft Safety SCORE Trophy-Truck of Rob MacCachren had to overcome numerous obstacles before the green flag even dropped! The truck suffered catastrophic engine failure just a week prior to the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, testing the dedication of not only MasterCraft Racing’s world-class pit crew but chassis builder Jimco, Kroyer Racing Engines, and Rancho Drivetrain as well. All parties involved worked tirelessly through the week prior to the race and MacCachren’s drivetrain worked flawless in San Felipe, but suspension damage limited his speed over the notoriously rough course. Still, his 8th place finish in San Felipe, coupled with his 7th place finish at the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in January, have MacCachren well poised for a run at the SCORE season championship with three races remaining.
Will Staats rounded out the MasterCraft Racing team with a 9th place finish in his No. 42 SCORE Trophy-Truck. Staats was incredibly fast over the course and was running in front for much of the day, but a damaged torque converter reared its ugly head at Race Mile 180, requiring Staats to nurse his Jimco truck around the last 80 miles of the course. After reaching the checkered flag, Staat’s truck had to be physically towed from the finish line due to the destroyed torque converter! “You can’t plan much better than that,” Staats joked after the race. “San Felipe has a reputation as one of the toughest courses in all of desert racing, so for all three MasterCraft Racing SCORE Trophy-Trucks to finish is impressive, and to all be in the top ten is amazing.”
San Felipe was bursting with people at the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250
Held along the Sea of Cortez in picturesque Baja California, Mexico, the 2010 MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 marked round two of SCORE International’s five race desert series. The course traversed 248 miles of sandy washes, deep silt beds, and incredibly rough rocky and whooped out terrain. Look for the MasterCraft Racing team to turn their good karma and exceptional work ethic into a victory at the 42nd annual SCORE Baja 500 in beautiful Ensenada, Baja California on June 4-6, 2010.