Raffo Racing at the SCORE Laughlin Challenge

January 23, 2007
Arlington Hts., IL
For immediate release

Split Decision for Raffo Racing

The 2007 edition of the SCORE Laughlin Challenge saw unseasonable cold  
weather pass through southern Nevada.  This combined with persistent  
strong winds, kept the six-mile desert course almost dust free the  
entire weekend. To ensure great viewing for the fans, SCORE officials  
continually watered down the infield portion of the course throughout  
the week.

The actual race consists of two, sixty minute races, one on Saturday  
and one on Sunday. The various divisions of buggies and trucks are  
divided into six groups with the first group starting at 7 AM. The  
winner of each class is then determined by combining the finishing  
positions of both days.

Chris Raffo and his #302 California Tomato, Fig Partners, Hot Creek  
Capital, D & L Performance, Phil?s Inc., Powermaster, BFGoodrich  
Tires, Chevy K5 Blazer, have high hopes for the 2007 SCORE Class 3  
Championship. ?The California Tomato Chevy is ready to make a serious  
challenge for the championship,? stated Chris Raffo during his wait in  
the tech line.

Friday afternoon saw Chris, and his co-driver Dennis Chencherick, made  
one practice lap, and found the race truck?s powerplant running  
slightly off song. The guys brought the truck into the pit area and  
the team went to work. The problem was diagnosed back to the newly  
installed carburetor. Quickly the team went to work, the original  
carburetor was installed and a new set of sparkplugs were dropped in  
for good measure. As the sun set behind the mountains, the team was  
confident that the ?Raffonator? Blazer was ready to race.

Saturday morning, Chris made the decision to lighten up the race  
truck, by removing all the spare parts, as well as the tools the team  
carries during a typical desert race. Since this was a short course  
type of an event, the pit area would never be too far away.  This  
decision would come back to bite the team later in the day.


Saturday, 12 Noon ? Race 1
The ?Raffonator? left the start line next to #303 Ken Leavitt. When  
the green flag flew, Chris stomped on the pedal and the D & L  
Performance powerplant launched the California Tomato Blazer down the  
front straightaway. Halfway though the first lap, Chris had pulled  
away from the #303 and passed two other competitors. Then suddenly,  
the driveshaft broke and the #302 quickly stopped in its tracks. Since  
the spare driveshaft and tool bag was removed before the start, the  
day was over for Chris and Dennis.

?The truck was running strong and the Bilstein shocks really handled  
this rough track, but removing all the tools and spares from the  
truck, cost us the race today,? commented Chris Raffo. ?My guys will  
have the truck ready before the sun sets, and will get?em tomorrow.?

Sunday morning, saw the crew double check the truck, and top off the  
fuel cell. Of course the tool bags and spare parts were mounted back  
on the truck, just to be on the side of caution.

Sunday, HIGH NOON ? Race 2
Right off the start, Chris and Dennis took the lead in the class by  
the first mile of the race. This time the four lap race went perfect.  
Gradually the #302 California Tomato, Fig Partners, Hot Creek Capital,  
D & L Performance, Phil?s Inc., Powermaster, BFGoodrich Tires, Chevy  
K5 Blazer built up a commanding lead. At the finish line, the  
?Raffonator? Blazer won the Class 3 race by over nine minutes.

After conferring with officials, Chris Raffo was awarded with fewer  
championship points than expected. This was to due the ?Did Not  
Finish? result on Saturday. Even so, the team was extremely pleased  
with Sunday?s winning performance.

?Once again the truck roared off the starting line. The run went  
perfect. We were able to pass both of the Hummer H1?s that started in  
front of us. That was just icing on the cake. Even though this is  
considered a short course race by many, we went into today with a  
desert racer?s mindset. We ran fast were we could, didn?t take any  
chances in the real rough stuff. And this course is really rough. Now  
it?s time to get ready for San Felipe.? ? comments from Chris Raffo.

?Friday night we were talking about how the WSORR Short Course racers  
just would fly over that first hill without slowing down, and I just  
hoped Chris would remember to slow down,? commented co-driver Dennis  
Chencherick. ?Well, Saturday we charged it pretty hard, today Chris  
took it much easier knowing we had to finish. I just went along for  
the ride, as everything went as planned.?

Next Race ? SCORE Tecate San Felipe 250 ? March 9-11, 2007

Chris Raffo would like to thank his supporters including:
California Tomato Commission,
FIG Partners,
Hot Creek Capital,
D & L Performance,
Bilstein Shocks,
BFGoodrich Tires,
Powermaster,
Phil?s Inc., &
Sunoco Race Fuels.

Raffo Racing has marketing opportunities available for the 2007 SCORE  season.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact: Mike  
Reusche (847) 869-2434 ? days or email: mike@mt-graphics.com

Checkout the latest off-road news @ www.bumpracer.com

  -Mike Reusche, marketing - MTG