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SCORE: Petersen Automotive Museum and Toyota Announce SCORE Baja 1000 Tribute Night

10 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
LOS ANGELES - The Petersen Automotive Museum, Toyota and SCORE International today officially announced plans for a fundraising tribute night to the Baja 1000 on Wednesday, September 6 at the renowned Petersen museum in Los Angeles. The evening entitled "1000 Miles to Glory: A Tribute to the SCORE Baja 1000 Presented by Toyota" is designed to be one of the most significant nights in off-road racing history and a dynamic preliminary to the Tecate SCORE Baja 2000.

Combining a pre-race press conference with stage interviews and a live auction, the event is a tribute to the rich and colorful past of the SCORE Baja 1000. At least 15 historically important race vehicles, many of which have not been seen in years, will be on display beginning September 7 and will remain on display for the public through September 10.

Vehicles scheduled to appear include:

  • * "Old Red" original Meyers Manx
  • * Bill Stroppe-prepared "Big Oly" Bronco
  • * Original Funco Wampuskitty
  • * "Brick Privy" Jeep
  • * Walker Evan's original Class 8 Chevrolet truck
  • * An original BRE-prepared Datsun 510
  • * BFGoodrich Blazer
  • * James Garner-driven Oldsmobile "Banshee"

Two of the sport's most recognized and recently restored machines - the Vic Hickey / Steve McQueen "Baja Boot" and the Drino Miller "Dune Buggies Magazine" single seater that won the race in 1970 and '71 - will also be unveiled. A historic motorcycle display presented by Honda Motorcycles will also be featured, as will a broad selection of current race machinery including the PPI Motorsports Toyota Trophy-Truck driven by Ivan "Ironman" Stewart.

"1000 Miles to Glory" will be hosted by ABC "Wide World of Sports" announcer Jack Arute and will include a video presentation and on-stage interviews. Such notable Baja legends scheduled to appear include Parnelli Jones, Ivan Stewart, Larry Roeseler, Robby Gordon, Drino Miller, Frank "Scoop" Vessels, Bob Gordon, Malcolm Smith, Walker Evans, Bruce Meyers, Rod Hall, Ed Pearlman, Sal Fish and many more.

A major part of the "1000 Miles to Glory" schedule is a live Tecate SCORE Baja 2000 press conference, which will feature several factory announcements and the unveiling of the cover art for the new "1000 Miles to Glory" history book. There will also be a silent auction of off-road memorabilia and a live auction for actual rides in the Tecate SCORE Baja 2000, courtesy of Wide Open's "Ultimate Baja Challenge." The event will be taped for a pre-race television special to be aired on the Speedvision network..

"This upcoming event represents a very dynamic concept as the SCORE Baja 1000 is an icon event with definite southern California roots," explained Ken Gross, director, Petersen Automotive Museum. "The fact that the longest and most prestigious version of this legendary race happens only two months after this fund raiser makes the whole idea very exciting - it's history and the future all wrapped into one package."

The concept is the vision of long-time off-road racer Marty Fiolka, whose Rennsport Group marketing agency is producing the event along with SCORE International and the Petersen Automotive Museum. Fiolka is also the author of the "1000 Miles to Glory" history book, a full-color coffee table work to be published in 2001.

The next in a line of successful history tributes at the museum, "1000 Miles to Glory" is expected to attract more than 700 guests to the impressive three-story structure, located on the "Miracle Mile" of Los Angeles. "With the generous help of Toyota, I think that everyone in the sport will enthusiastically support the '1000 Miles to Glory' fundraiser at the Petersen," said Sal Fish, ceo of SCORE International. "This is a perfect opportunity to remind the automotive and motorsports community about 34 years of history and human achievement this race represents -- along with being a great kick-off to the awesome Tecate SCORE Baja 2000. We are excited to be part of a very special evening that pays tribute to the pioneers who've contributed to the legacy of the SCORE Baja 1000."

Tickets for the museum fund-raiser are $50, which includes a complete gourmet Mexican buffet dinner, wine and beer. For reservations please call (323) 964-6311, or for event information, please contact the Rennsport Group at (562) 856-4492.

Text provided by Marty Fiolka

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.