Columnist Brian Hildernbrand: Henderson offers SCORE three-year contract

Brian Hildernbrand

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

The City of Henderson has offered SCORE International a three-year contract to continue holding the SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250 off-road race.

The inaugural event, held July 13, drew an estimated 19,000 spectators, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

"We were very pleased with the race -- especially for a first-time event," said Bud Pico, manager of tourism and sales for the Henderson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"It actually turned out the way we expected, which was great, and we have offered SCORE a three-year commitment to keep the race in Henderson."

Although Pico said an economic impact study has not been completed, he said he expected the final figures would be "pretty close" to the $7 million officials had estimated would be pumped into the local economy as a result of the race.

"That's a nice little boost for the city in the month of July, when it's typically tough to fill rooms," Pico said.

"SCORE is honored to be received in this way by the City of Henderson and we are excited to lock up the details to announce race dates for the next three years," SCORE president Sal Fish said.

Although no action was taken on the motion, the council reportedly is concerned about dust that was kicked up during last month's off-road race.

Pico said Wednesday that the City of Henderson, the BLM and SCORE were working with Boulder City officials on the dust-abatement issue.

"We want to make sure that Boulder City is happy with the dust control we provided for the race," Pico said. "There was a plume of dust (generated) from the race, but it never reached Highway 95.

"Right now, racing is still OK in the Eldorado Valley (area of Boulder City)."

If Boulder City were to prohibit off-road racing, SCORE officials have said there is plenty of BLM land on which to continue running the Henderson race.

Both portions of the Sept. 14 race will have seven-hour time limits, with half the classes starting at 6 a.m. and the other half at 2 p.m.

SCORE's 30th anniversary season will open Jan. 16-19 with the ninth annual Laughlin Desert Challenge and will conclude with the 26th annual Baja 1000. SCORE also will run races in Henderson and Primm.

The entire schedule: Jan. 16-19, Laughlin Desert Challenge; March 14-15, San Felipe 250, San Felipe, Mexico; May 30-June 1, Baja 500, Ensenada, Mexico; July 10-13, SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250; Sept. 12-13, Las Vegas Primm 300; Nov. 13-16, Baja 1000, Baja California Norte, Mexico.