Lazer Star Lights sponsored Murray Racing takes second at Baja 500
The racing team with their 2nd place recognition. Courtesy photo.
Paso Robles-based Lazer Star Lights sponsored Murray Racing took second place at the Baja 500. 23 UTVs started the race in hopes of claiming some Baja gold, but only 11 finished the course.
Lazer Star Lights sponsored racers Jason and Derek Murray headed down to Ensenada, Mexico with their eyes set on the ultimate prize: a Baja 500 victory. Jason started the day behind the wheel of Murray Racing’s turbocharged Can-Am Maverick, and was the second UTV off the line. The Baja course took its toll early on, however, damaging a wheel and causing Jason to lose some of his early lead. Team Murray got going again and Jason once again worked his way up to the front, running neck and neck with the leader in the first stages of the race.
Before long the terrain intervened once again, this time tipping the Murray Racing Can-Am onto its side in a silt bed. Jason was running in 5th or 6th place as he hit the 100-mile mark, but he continued charging hard through a rough and rocky section of the course as he headed for the pit where Derek would take over.
Another mechanical issue would further slow the Murray boys down, but as dusk gave way to night Derek took the driver’s seat and put his Lazer Star Lights LX LED light bars on.
Derek moved back up to the front and battled with the leader all night. Derek would be slowed by one final mechanical issue, but by the time the finish line was in sight he was right on the tail of the lead UTV. Derek crossed the line around 2:30 a.m., and knowing that adjusted time and penalties were in play was uncertain of his team’s status until it was later announced that Murray Racing was the official 2nd place finisher.
“The course was very diverse this year, with a lot of different sections,” Murray continued. “We had some sand whoops, some rocky, technical sections, and some fast rally racing type sections. We always aim for that 1st place trophy, but I’m proud of our performance and the hard work our crew put in.”
Next up for Murray Racing is the Best in the Desert “Vegas to Reno” in August. The Murray brothers will then attempt to add precious points to their SCORE International season tally at the Imperial Valley 250 in September.
Oh my Gosh, Congrats to you guys!!! Many will not believe but my husband Bill and I … way back when, ranced not only the Baja 500 several times, but also the 1000 as well as many other off road races. When we raced the 1000 it went all the way down to La Paz and there were NO CELL PHONES in those days! Staying in touch with your pit crew and the race car was truly a challenge. But those days are some of our best memories and we had sooo much fun!!!
Oh my Gosh, Congrats to you guys!!! Many will not believe but my husband Bill and I … way back when, ranced not only the Baja 500 several times, but also the 1000 as well as many other off road races. When we raced the 1000 it went all the way down to La Paz and there were NO CELL PHONES in those days! Staying in touch with your pit crew and the race car was truly a challenge. But those days are some of our best memories and we had sooo much fun!!!