May 15, 2007 - Temecula, CA - Off-road legend and head of KTM Adventure Tours North America Scot Harden will lead a four-rider Class 21 motorcycle team to the 2007 Tecate SCORE Baja 500. Joining the multi-time Baja title holder will be 7-time AMA National Enduro champion Mike Lafferty, Harden's son Brent, who is the 2006 AMA District 37 Enduro Series champion, and motocross racer Jacob Cornett.
The June 2nd event is a first-ever Baja racing attempt for Lafferty, Brent Harden and Cornett while it represents the elder Harden's first Class 21 entry since he and fellow Baja racing legend Jack Johnson took the Class 21 win in 1976. Harden went on to grab three Baja 500 overall wins in 1978, 1985 and 1986.
"Mike and Brent had approached me awhile back expressing their interest in racing Baja someday, and the timing for this year's race just seemed right. Teaming with Mike, Jacob, and my oldest son Brent is indeed an honor," said Harden. "Our goal is to have a trouble-free ride and bring the #111 KTM 450 EXC home with a top finish. We've got tremendous support from many sponsors and friends, and we look forward to putting our talents to the test June 2nd in Ensenada."Team sponsors include KTM Adventure Tours, Red Bull, Motorex, Dunlop, FMF, Motion Pro, Justyn Amstutz, National Powersport Auctions, Scott's Stabilizers, KTM Hard Equipment, Sunstar, Braking, Ogio, Smith, Alpinestars, Resource Marketing and DC Racing Communications.Says Lafferty, a New Jersey native, "The Baja 500 is one of the events I have always wanted to ride. Over the years I've heard all the stories and I feel that it will be a great experience. With Scot's background and his successful track record in Baja I know I'll be in great hands. We have a break now in this year's AMA National Enduro series schedule so I'm raring to get down to Baja to see firsthand what it's all about."
This year's Tecate SCORE Baja 500 is 420 miles in length and will be run on Saturday June 2, 2007.