The S.C.O.R.E (http://www.score-international.com/baja500/entryList.ihtml) Baja 500 is June 1-3. To date there are 5 Class 3 entries.

CLASS 3: 5
300 DONALD MOSS (Moss Bros. 79 Bronco)
301 ALEJANDRO CANCINO E. (Chupakabras 94 Explorer)
302 Cain Smead (Dirt Wheels Mag FJ40?)

348 DYLAN EVANS-2nd RS (Donahoe Racing 2006 FJ40)
349 CHRIS RAFFO-1st RS (Raffo Racing 78 Blazer)


Many of you don't know this, but the Moss Bros have dominated Class 3 for quite some time in their 79 Bronco (thus the #300). Everyone wants to knock their crown off and it's going to make for some good racing this year. Chupakabras is really getting their rig dialed in and Raffo just got his first win ever at the last MDR race (Camped with them at the race....was cool to be there for the win). Of course, Donahoe has plenty of $$ and sponsorships to help their effort. I'm aware of a couple of others that are building sweet Class 3 Broncos with the same objective. There are also 3 or 4 early Broncos running, but they haven't entered the 500 to date.

For your viewing pleasure. Photos thanks to Blancobronco and TWW.

May be a dumb question, but it that the same Moss Bros. that own the dealership group here in the IE??

May be a dumb question, but it that the same Moss Bros. that own the dealership group here in the IE??

I used to think it was too, but no.

I have followed the Moss Bros for a few years now and started our 86 down the road of a class 3 build,

the reality is, I am a working man, and simply can not afford the costs of a class 3, (even with the backing of the TT and class 8 I pit with).

The Moss Bros have a bad A$$ ride, and have dominated since their beginning with their current Bronco.

After purchasing the SCORE rule book, consulting multiple knowledgeable people, asking questions on specifics, the best way to succeed in class 3 is to (WORK/PUSH) the rules as far as possible.. the days of true class 3's are gone,

unfortunately due to limited participation some organizations are dropping or threatening to drop the "class 3
" or equivelants...

it would be great to see more FSB's out there, no doubt and I am glad to see more involvement, hopefully the interest will stick..

instead, I have fixed my sights , on a slow thorough, reliable build that can possibly compete in BITD, etc, something a little more affordable.

we still go to all of the races in Mexico, and will be there for the 500, and hopefully, eventually run with the big dogs...

but for now, chaseing, pre-running and helping out/learning is where I will stay...

Chem

the days of true class 3's are gone,

Ok, With that Comment I have to Jump in here!

http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/WTF.gif Is that suppose to mean?

I personally know many of the Class 3 Racers & dont see how you can say that.:smilie_slap

unfortunately due to limited participation some organizations are dropping or threatening to drop the "class 3
" or equivelants...

Exactly why I started my 2nd Site! :thumbup www.Class3Racing.com
In attempts to help revitalize the Class.
Yes BITD has dropped the class, But also say they would be happy to bring it back! :beer

& as FSB has done for Broncos in genral, I hope to achive with Class 3 & Gather enough like minded people that like to go fast & love Broncos & other qualifing rigs to see what others with similar interest are doing & how to do it & etc etc.......
we still go to all of the races in Mexico, and will be there for the 500,

Chem
http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/awesome_dude.gif Glad to hear it!
Theres nothing Like Baja!:rockon
Contingency alone it worth the drive. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/m2c.gif

Keep an eye out for Blanco while your Down there. ;)

Blanco,

my initial comment about the good old days of class 3 are based on this,,

class 3 was originally conceived to allow participants to compete with a vehicle that was as close to manufacturers specs as possible

+/- 2 inches varience in Mfg wheel base, +/- 2 in change in ride height, S/B or B/B engine, only minor mods to running gear to reinforce weak points, mandatory safety equipment, stock bumpers, etc, etc,etc,,,

something say your average guy could get into and have race ready for under $10,000.00.... does this sound alot like JEEPSPEED?

wheni said "PUSH" the limits of the rules,

look at who is competing and with what, yes, the vehicle may have a TTB and due to the vehicle being originally mfg'd with a combo coil and shock set up, someone decided to try long travel coilovers,,, at first it was an issue, and if challenged, can still be,,,

as far as limited participation, yes, BITD has dropped class 3, and will bring it back if enough interest,, and I hope that interest not only holds but grows.. I feel the best way to do this is to level the playing field,, you nor I can compete with Donahoe or any of the big money, multi vehicle teams,,,

sportsman, should be just that, a place for up and comers to get their feet wet, compete fairly and have a good time,,,

I love off road racing, and have competed in enduro's most of my adult life,, unfortunately due to injury I can no longer race on a bike, but am more than ready and willing to give it a go on all 4 wheels,,,

I enjoy your site, and as you mentioned in an earlier pm to me, I too want to find like minded pople interested in growing FSB interest into more than crawling ,, etc....these are incredibly capable vehicles,

I will always support FSB's in any form, and every time my kids or wife see's one we all look and comment,,,

I wish the moss brothers the best of luck and can not wait to see who can step up and give them a run for their money,,,

If I can find a new team to pit for or even co-drive,, I am in,,

Baja is incredible, beautiful, peaceful, exciting,, and yes,,, contingency alone is worth it,,



Chem

you nor I can compete with Donahoe or any of the big money, multi vehicle teams,,,

I must tell you http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/12.gif
The Moss Bro's have a very antiquaited truck & I truly believe what makes them so Dominate is their Driving skill!

Not to knock my Friend Chris Raffo that came in 2nd to Dylan Evens @ the Baja 250 by about 20 minutes & thats what he had in down time replacing a drive shaft & such!

If Raffo did not lose his CHEVY drive shaft I feel he would taken The FJ! http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/m2c.gif

The FJ team just got lucky! & any body who's raced Baja knows all too well how that is a major factor!

& I also believe the Moss Bros will completely spank the the HIGHLY SPONSORED FJ TEAM! at the 500! :rockon

& once this happens you'll have to eat those words about how we cant compete with high dollar sponsored teams!

I've been to every race with the Moss Bros since the '05 Baja 1000 & have seen what is really involved in a sucessful race team & NO! it has nothing to do with the Big dollars backing up the FJ team!

Its in proper prep & knowing when you can & cant Push your rig!

You've gotta know what you can & cant expect out of your racer!

I've gotta ask you more about your racing experience to grasp where your getting your opinions from...

I my self met & spoke to the FJ team & took lots of Pics of their rig & also have them as members on my site.....
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/493927/fullsize/img_2012.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/493908/fullsize/img_2005.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/493909/fullsize/img_2006.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/493923/fullsize/img_2007.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/493924/fullsize/img_2009.jpg
Many more Pics on www.Class3Racing.com
I realize its not an FSB. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif


Mark my words unless something weird happens & the moss bros have a major issue you will see how its not about being backed by all the big money that wins race's!

Look at Jesse James for a great example! :histerica

I agree, the Moss Bros are driving a proven rig, but one that is bullet proof,,, and bottom line,,it does come down to...

1. driving skill/experience ...being smart enough to go slow enough to finish,, this combo wins damn near every time....

2. bullet proof/proven parts.... it may be old, but it is old because it works...

I want nothing more than for the Moss Bros to continue their reign,, I love the old Iron,,, and love to see any EB/FSB competeing.....

I am not by any means saying money trumps heart, brains and prep..what I am saying is deep pockets definately help level the playing field,,,unfairly at that....


you have to admit though,

a group of guys, getting together to prep, pre-run and race for the love of the sport in their spare time is what this sport is all about and was built on... and in my opinion, this is what makes a successful team, not money,

does money help, hell yes,,,does it make a winner,,, hell no.. never said it did, nor will I ever,,

The FJ's are cool, hell, they are all incredible works of engineering...

I have always and will continue to support the family teams, the guys with the heart mind and soul to give it a go....and I enjoy nothing more than watching them kick ass...especially over the silver spoon fed competitors.

As long as a contribution is being made to improve the sport, I am all for it, I just don't want to see potential participants turning away because they feel there is no way they can compete...

I look forward to this years race, to look, to learn and to share the experience once again with family and friends...and hopefull to see the Moss Bros win class 3 once again.

Chem

After watching Dust to Glory I decided to do it. Then my bank said no. One day I hope to do run the baja 500. I am not going to build my truck to be a crawler, I have always wanted it to be more of a pre runner.

Moss is tough to beat whenever he races. Old school tech, lots of prep and good driving.

So, who's going? My plan right now is to leave early, very early Saturday morning, possibly Friday night. We'll be meeting up with Blancobronco and chasing for Chris Raffo.

Well, it was quite the day Saturday. We never found Raffo racing or Blanco, so we just did our own thing. We being the wife and I. It was nice spending time alone for a change. I started to take some pics, but was too busy cleaning up my drool and searching for Raffo.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526433/fullsize/jesse.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526434/fullsize/jesse2.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526432/fullsize/gordon.jpg

After walking around contingency, we headed down to the wash to watch the TT's come through. Then walked back up to the start and met Chupakabras and Moss Bros racing. The Moss Bros Bronco got the Class 3 win over Donahoe by 3hrs!!! .....averaging 28mph. Great job yet again by those guys.

We left Ensenada and drove down the one hwy hoping to encounter Raffo's crew somewhere along the way, but it never happened. By 3pm we made our way to Erendira. The pic below is on the road down to the little town.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526431/fullsize/erendira.jpg

Then we hung out with a couple of the course workers and waited for the TT's to come through. After watching motorcycles for what seemed like forever, we could hear a sound that made chills run up my spine. A TT was in the pass on the opposite side of the mountain range about 10 miles away. You could hear the motor revving at 7-8 grand, on-off-on-off-ooonnnnnnnn .....and then the helicopter blades shortly after. Five to ten minutes later we could see the helicopter come around the end of the mountains followed by billowing clouds of dust from the TT. It was incredible! Not another sound was heard except the wind on our faces.

I was poised for some great shots when the TT's finally came through, but my camera wasn't working well......or maybe it was the camera-man. :doh0715: Erendira was at mile 310 of the course and as I told my wife, the first truck through that point would most likely take the win. Larry Ragland was first through and he was on it!....oops on the pic

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526435/fullsize/ragland.jpg

Then Collins came through. This pic would have been great with a decent camera.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526430/fullsize/collins.jpg

Then I believe it was Gordon, Baldwin and Cadiente.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526429/fullsize/cadiente.jpg

After that, we shot down near the water to watch some more. What this pic doesn't show is the 50ft cliff directly on the side of the road. Andy McMillin came through at around 100mph just tearing it up. I don't know which TT this is.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/526436/fullsize/tt.jpg

After that we headed back to Ensenada. On the way out, we saw Herder racing shoot up a hill in their Class 1 that I'm sure I would have been spinning the tires on in 4wd. Those guys are all bada$$es.

We came across the border at about 1am after waiting in line for an hour. I can't imagine coming home later in the day Sunday. People reported waiting 4hrs just to get back on US soil. But I can't wait to go again and I definitely can't wait to slide the helmet on the first time and give it my best. After telling my wife what it will cost just to get the rig prepped to race, she says "Let's do it!" :rockon :thumbup I'm in love all over again.

After telling my wife what it will cost just to get the rig prepped to race, she says "Let's do it!" :rockon :thumbup I'm in love all over again.

Honey since you said I could do this.... I should really get this while we're at it... oh an sorry but I'll need this too....;)
:histerica