Ensenada, B.C., Mexico (November 14, 2013) – Three-time Score Baja 1000 champion Robby Gordon will be joined by co-driver and veteran Score Class 1 Baja competitor Billy Gasper when the 2013 Baja 1000 starts from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico Friday morning.

This year’s 46th running of the SCORE Baja 1000 features 26 of the world’s best desert racers in the top Trophy Truck division who will navigate the grueling 883-mile course over the span of nearly 24 hours. Gordon, a seven-time Score International Off-Road Champion and a four-time and most recent Baja 500 winner, will start and finish the No. 77 SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI Chevrolet trophy truck, while Gasper will drive in the middle section of the course.

The circuit travels on both sides of the Baja California peninsula from Ensenada east to San Felipe, south to Punta Blanco and west along the Pacific coast back to Ensenada. This year’s event is the longest course in race history for a loop race – starting and finishing in the same location – and also considered one of its most challenging.

As the field takes the green in 30-second increments, the SPEED Energy / Toyo Tires / MAPEI trophy truck will pull to the starting line chasing the dust of just two trucks. For the first time in Baja 1000 history qualifying was held to set the starting order with Gordon checking in behind Juan Lopez and the fastest qualifier Bryce Menzies.

With very little practice time, Gordon tackled the qualifying course and recorded an initial time fifth fastest, but SCORE officials ruled a helicopter was flying too close to the race course interfering with the run. After further review Gordon was awarded a second run. The second run proved to be much better as Gordon navigated the course in a time of 5 minutes 22 seconds, placing him in the third starting position overall. Gordon will take the green flag in the world famous desert race at 9:02 a.m. PT.

After the Ensenada start, Gordon and the field will travel through the rugged mountains and ultra fast silt beds towards San Felipe. Once arriving in San Felipe, Gordon will then follow the course along the scenic Gulf of California south to race mile 385 near the city of Calamajue. That is where Gasper will get behind the wheel. Gasper will navigate through the southern most portion of the course until race mile 520, where Gordon will strap back in to finish the remaining 353 miles back to Ensenada.

To follow Robby and Billy on their quest for the 46th Annual Baja 1000 championship, updates will be available at PlanetRobby.com.