I was just questioning this week if this would even be much of a possibility... I guess this answers THAT!
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December 20 2012
LOS ANGELES—After nearly four decades of leadership in the sport he loves so much and nurtured as a parent would a child, iconic race producer Sal
Fish announces today that he has sold his SCORE International desert racing organization and the SCORE Desert Racing Series to Roger Norman effective
immediately. Fish, the CEO/President of Los Angeles-based SCORE International has set the pace for the sport of desert racing since shortly after it’s
forming by the late Mickey Thompson in 1973.
The legendary Fish felt the time was right to pass the torch to the next generation of race producers and says he is very comfortable in turning over
the reins of the 39-year old SCORE International to Norman. The sale of SCORE to Norman is final with Fish having no direct involvement with future
race promotions of the SCORE organization moving forward. He will however produce the 2012 SCORE Awards Night, honoring the racers of the world’s
foremost desert racing series. The SCORE Awards Night will be held Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa in Newport Beach, Calif.,
honoring the Champions of 2012 and ushering in a new and exciting era for SCORE International.
SAL COMMENTS
Easily the most recognizable figure in the sport of desert racing, Fish, 73, was philosophical as he announced his decision, saying, “Next to my wife
Barbara, SCORE has been the love of my life, my passion and I have left my blood, sweat and tears in the desert of Baja California, Mexico, and in the
USA in Arizona, California and Nevada. Over these many years, I’ve been knocked down, but always managed to get up to fight again and have enjoyed
more than anyone could ever imagine these many years in the desert.
“I could go on and on, but I believe fervently that this is the time to pass the torch to the next generation and Roger Norman is a great racer with a
big vision, superb business acumen and I know I leave my ‘baby’ in good hands. I know I’ll wake up tomorrow wondering what did I do, but I have had a
phenomenal run and I wouldn’t change a thing. I have been able to grow this sport to the level it has reached and now Roger and his team will take it
to the next level. I have no regrets and I leave knowing I have left a good legacy for the sport to continue to move forward in for the next 40
years.”
NORMAN ENTHUSIASTIC
As a hotel/casino owner in northern Nevada, business developer and a champion racer himself, Norman was well aware of the daunting task at hand when
he resurrected the High Desert Racing Association, (HDRA) in 2011. HDRA was highly regarded when it was active in the 1980s and early 1990s.
“For me it’s a dream come true,” said Norman regarding his acquisition of SCORE. “Sal Fish is the godfather of this sport and it is an honor to move
forward with the incredible legacy he has left our sport with SCORE International. We have been talking about this for over a year, but I knew I had
to learn all sides of the sport before I could be in a position to make a solid offer to Sal.”
“I have tremendous respect for the future of the sport and the leadership role of SCORE International.
Regarding his future plans, Norman commented, racers will be competing for three separate championships, HDRA, SCORE, and the World Championship. The
World Championship will be comprised of three HDRA races in America and three SCORE races in Baja. The World Championship is the culmination of six of
the seven races of the HDRA and SCORE race series with the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 (Nov. 17-20, 2013) as the deciding factor with 2x points. The first
race is the South Point Vegas 250, January 12, 2013, in Jean, NV.
“Races will be nationally televised in the U.S. and we will provide greater detail of our plans over the next two weeks. The vision of a world
championship will be monumental for our sport. We will look forward to honoring the legacy of SCORE and the colossal contribution to our sport by Sal
Fish at the SCORE Awards Night on Jan. 12.”
[Edited on 12-20-2012 by BajaNomad]DENNIS - 12-20-2012 at 05:15 PM
I wonder what the sale price is?David K - 12-20-2012 at 05:24 PM
How long ago where we talking about this Doug...? Just two days ago... funny.willardguy - 12-20-2012 at 05:58 PM
sal fish signature edition Azunia tequila, now a collectors item!
LaTijereta - 12-20-2012 at 06:49 PM
My sources tell me that Roger wanted this done this year..
CA "prop 30" and new "Obamacare" capital gains taxes for next year were in Sal's favor to get the deal done...DENNIS - 12-20-2012 at 06:58 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
sal fish signature edition Azunia tequila, now a collectors item!
Strange spelling....Azuñia....ñ with the tilde before ia. Standing alone they produce a similar sound. The name/word is almost unpronounceable.capt. mike - 12-21-2012 at 09:43 AM
i am surprized Desert Bull didn't buy it with his connections.David K - 12-21-2012 at 03:14 PM
Connections aren't the same as owning casinos and millions to dispose of. I hope Tim is where he wants to be in life in this sport, and his recent new
job news seems to indicate he is successful.David K - 12-21-2012 at 06:38 PM
I hadn't realized that HDRA was revitalized in 2011... I thought it was just SCORE and BITD (Best In The Desert)being the two major desert race
promoters?
Sure it couldn't hurt and they will be combining points between both the Nevada and Baja races (or where ever they race)... like NASCAR...
I hope the economy improves so there is more money for the sport and more participants. Wouldn't be fun to have a Baja Nomad sponsored Class 11 or
sportsman class racer?TMW - 12-22-2012 at 12:03 PM
One source says Roger has been talking to some of the bikers about running the bikes on a different day for the 500 and 1000. Would be very difficult
but probably a lot safer.TMW - 12-22-2012 at 12:05 PM
