2010 SCORE Baja 1000 - Coverage - Desert Race - Team Torchmate

Team Torchmate
Torchmate is a company that builds and supplies CNC plasma cutting systems. This year, Torchmate threw its hat into the Class 6 (unlimited mini truck) ring. Rock racer Brad Lovell was on Team Torchmate, sitting in as a co-driver while Mark Levrett held the controls.

Prerunning is a huge component in any successful Baja bid. No one tries to get stuck, but getting stuck while prerunning will at least let you know where to expect trouble on race day.
Prerunning is a huge component in any successful Baja bid. No one tries to get stuck, but
Torchmate wanted this picture taken at the finish line, but it wasn't to be. Transmission trouble slowed them early on, with a broken harmonic balancer taking the final toll. Brad Lovell (racing suit, second from left) said, "Even with a disappointing race, the adventure of Baja is as grand as any I have ever experienced. I could fill pages with our stories of adventure in Mexico. There is no doubt that each failure, setback, and lesson learned will make our first Baja 1000 win even greater."
Torchmate wanted this picture taken at the finish line, but it wasn't to be. Transmission

Rory Ward/Collins Motorsports
Rory Ward is many things. Racer, chaser, T-shirt artist, volunteer firefighter, and he can also be found behind a lens and a keyboard every now and then. Rory's Class 1 "Trophy Truck Killer" buggy was featured in our pages a while back. During the 2010 edition of the Bala "Mil," Rory jumped in as part of the Collins Motorsports support crew. Race day was all business, but Rory snapped a few photos during down time.

Pit crews in Baja have a lot of latitude when it comes to choosing a location. Use common sense and courtesy for the locals and you'll usually be rewarded with a primo pit spot. This beachfront property was ideal.
Pit crews in Baja have a lot of latitude when it comes to choosing a location. Use common
Here's the gas station in Catavina. In the more remote locations, you won't find a Pemex station. It's always a smart move to top off your tank when the chance presents itself.
Here's the gas station in Catavina. In the more remote locations, you won't find a Pemex s
The Boojum (called "Cirio" in Baja) tree is a bizarre-looking bit of flora that begs to have its photo snapped. The Boojum can live for up to 300 years and is known for growing into offbeat shapes.
The Boojum (called "Cirio" in Baja) tree is a bizarre-looking bit of flora that begs to ha

Mastercraft Racing
Mastercraft Safety builds class-leading seats, restraints, window nets, tool bags, racing suits, and other off-road safety products. What better venue for research and development than the Baja 1000?

"I wish I could share with you all what it is like to start a Baja 1000 race," Mastercraft CEO Robbie Pierce said. "I will never take for granted how fortunate I am to be able to compete in this great race. Mastercraft Racing made the most of the difficult starting order," with Pierce finishing 11th in Trophy Truck and MacCachren taking seventh.

Mastercraft's Robbie Pierce is a "hands-on" guy, and in this case that means hands-on-the-wheel. Mastercraft fielded two Jimco-built Trophy Trucks for the B1K, the other being the number 20 TT piloted by Rob MacCachren. Both Pierce and MacCachren made great time, but were at a disadvantage from the beginning because they each had to start the race after many other trucks. The unlucky starting draw meant a lot of hanging dust on the course, and fewer safe opportunities for passing. The teams revised their pit strategies, and both No. 20 and No. 30 were able to take on fuel without being passed.