Mitsubishi Raider Truck Triumphs in the Prestigious 39th Annual Tecate Score Baja 1000

Dan Fresh of DXR Racing Pilots the Baja Raider Truck To a Hotly Contested Baja 1000 Class Victory

CYPRESS, Calif., Nov. 22 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today proudly announced that the production Mitsubishi Raider truck prepared and campaigned by DXR Racing, roared to victory in the Stock Mini class at the 2006 Baja 1000, which wrapped up in La Paz, Mexico this past weekend. In a race that was determined the closest finish in Stock Mini class history, the Mitsubishi Raider won by a margin of 33 seconds.

Team Mitsubishi/DXR Racing spent 34 hours, 36 minutes and 44 seconds on the desert course to prevail over the factory Toyota FJ Cruiser (driven by Rod Millen) and other factory efforts from Hummer (driven by Baja legend Rod Hall, who has the most Baja 1000 class wins over 20 years) and import-class rival, Honda. The race was ultimately settled over the last 20 miles and included a dramatic, late-stage collision between the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Mitsubishi Raider in an aggressive attempt by Millen to take the lead.

Ultimately, the Raider's consistent performance, steady pace race strategy and the proven mettle of Fresh -- who drove all but 25 minutes of the race himself while other entries used two or three drivers -- made this a "driven to thrill" triumph for the Raider as well as the Mitsubishi brand.

"This race was a truly amazing moment and well-deserved win for Mitsubishi Motors and the race-prepped Raider," said Jun Asami, Vice President, Marketing, Mitsubishi Motors North America. "We are proud of both the tenacity of Dan Fresh and the performance of this outstanding Mitsubishi vehicle."

  OFFICIAL Results from 2006 SCORE Baja 1000
  STOCK MINI (Stock, Mini Trucks)
  1. Dan Fresh, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Sean Douglass/Dale Godges,
     Irvine, Calif., Mitsubishi Raider, 34:36:44. (30.27mph race avg.)
  2. Rod Millen (New Zealand)/Ryan Millen, Newport Beach, Calif.,
     Toyota FJ Cruiser, 34:37:18
  3. Rod Hall, Reno, Nev./Emily Miller, Crested Butte, Colo./Mike Winkel,
     Reno, Nev., Hummer H3, 36:37:17
  4. Gavin Skilton, Orange, Calif./Kevin Jensen, Apple Valley, Calif./Clive
     Skilton, Orange, Calif., Honda Ridgeline, 42:51:25
  (6 Starters, 4 Finishers)

  About Mitsubishi Motors North America

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing and research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, a mid-size pickup truck and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 520 dealers.