Sopwith Motorsports plans Baja 1000 entry

--- SOPWITH TO COMPETE IN 43rd TECATE SCORE BAJA 1000 ---

Sopwith to Compete in 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000

Sopwith Motorsports will tackle North America's most famous off-road race when it vies for the Trophylite class championship at the 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 this fall. The point-to-point race begins November 17th on Mexico's Pacific coastline at Ensenda and concludes four days later in La Paz on the Sea of Cortez.

Sopwith has joined forces with BBQ Island Motorsports, which won the Trophylite class at Baja in 2009, for its first foray into the legendary race. Team drivers will include Baja winner Mike West, short track UTV star Corry Weller, and two-time road racing champion and Trophy Truck pilot Stephen Cox.

"We are excited to have someone with Stephen's experience along with us," said team owner and race winner Mike West of BBQ Island. "Experienced guys always have an advantage down there. With a little patience and great people around us, we should do well."

The Sopwith/BBQ Island Trophylite entry is a 110-inch wheelbase, 2500 lb, purpose built off-road racing truck equipped with General Tires. Painted in Molten Orange, it is the first General Tire Trophylite truck to be based on Ford's Z-tech engine platform with race preparation by Turnkey Engines of Oceanside, CA. Photographs will be available as soon as the brand new truck is completed at the Trophylite racing shop in Phoenix.

"Joining a championship team with two winning drivers as teammates is the ideal situation," Cox said. "BBQ Island Motorsports has the experience and the logistical planning to get it done again. They're proven champions, and I'm fortunate to be able to contribute. Running the Baja 1000 is like participating at LeMans or Daytona^a it's a life experience that any racecar driver would love to have. I really appreciate Mike and the BBQ Island team bringing me on board."

-source: sopworth motorsports