BFGoodrich’s sponsored father and son duo of Andy and Scott McMillin claimed the overall four-wheel title at the recent SCORE Baja 500.
Designated as the official tire for the SCORE (Southern California Off-Road Enthusiasts) Desert Racing Series, Goodrich-equipped racers netted 11 class wins at the Mexican event, including a Class 1 victory with Steve Appleton and Mike Julson.
After starting the in the 8th position the McMillins, running on the company’s Baja T/A KR tires, drove their No. 31 McMillin Realty Ford F-150 Trophy Truck through the 438.81-mile course of tough desert terrain in 9 hours, 15 minutes and 13 seconds without a single tire-related issue.
“It was a smooth day, no problems,” says Andy McMillin after the race. “We’re starting to click as a team and I think we’re the team to beat if we’re having a good day – and we’ve been having a lot of good days lately.”
The victory marked Andy’s fourth career Trophy Truck win and his second Baja 500 class victory. Scott earned his sixth class win in the Baja 500 and his third overall checkered flag, having won the overall twice in Class 1 with his late father Corky.
It was also Scott’s second career Trophy Truck race win, adding to the victory he had in last year’s Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 with Andy.
Finishing seven minutes behind the McMillins was the Goodrich-equipped father and son combo of Gustavo Vildosola Jr. and Gustavo Vildosola Sr. The Vildosola team, which placed third in the 2009 SCORE Baja 1000, drove their No. 21 Redbull Chevy Silverado to the finish line in 9 hours, 22 minutes and 14 seconds. They ran so well that at the expected driver change, the elder Vildosola determined that his son should go on ahead and conclude the race.
“This was a textbook way for BFGoodrich to kick off its 35th anniversary of BFGoodrich Tires racing with SCORE in Baja,” says motorsports manager Roberts Kukainis.
“We came down here at the invitation of SCORE’s Sal Fish 35 years ago to prove the toughness of our tires in the most unforgiving terrain on earth,” Kukainis recounts. “With 50 combined wins to date at SCORE’s Baja 500 and Baja 1000, more than all other tire manufacturers combined, I think we’ve done that.”
As part of the Baja festivities, the company was inducted into the Horsepower Ranch “Wall of Fame” as the first business entity to ever receive the driving performance-oriented award.
For more information, visit www.bfgoodrichtires.com.
