NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT

Valley Fever and Surgery Sidelines RPM Racing R PM Racing has announced through SCORE International, the team will not race in 2020. Team co-owner and principal driver Justin Matney is not only recovering from a recent heart surgery, but it was also discovered he had Valley Fever. SCORE says while the clinic was preparing Matney for mitral heart valve surgery, a mass was discovered in his lung and quickly diagnosed as Valley Fever. A possible cause of Valley Fever can be attributed to the prolonged exposure to the dust found in the desert while Matney was racing. Doctors say Matney will take six months to make a full successful recovery. “We anticipate a return to a full schedule of SCORE desert racing in 2021 and look forward to racing for championships in several different classes next year. The thoughts and prayers of the desert racing community are greatly appreciated. RPM is targeting a return to the SCORE World Desert Championship for this year’s wild and wonderful SCORE Baja 1000 peninsula run,” says Matney. Matney has 6 SCORE season championships under his belt. Under the ownership of Clyde Stacey, the team as a whole has won nearly 30 class season points championships. Drivers impacted by RPM’s decision not to race include Carlos “Apdaly” Lopez, Sara Price and Derek Fletcher. Smiley Motorsports has picked up “Apdaly” for the Best in the Desert race season while Price has found a ride with another team for the Mint 400. RPM has typically fielded multiple cars during racing events.

Losi has created the race truck just about everyone can afford. The Mint 400 and Losi have created a limited-edition Ford Raptor Baja 1/10th scale RC truck. The Baja Rey features the 2020 Mint 400 livery. It’s built on their RC race truck platform and is ready for speed, power and performance. In October 2019, Losi raced a 5IVE-T 2.0 on the entire 125-mile Mint 400 course.

“LOSI brings the thrill of off-road racing, flying, or boating to your backyard at a smaller scale, and we’re thrilled to welcome them back to this year’s Mint 400,” said Mint 400 CEO, Matt Martelli. “RC trucks are a great way to bring the fun of our Baja Trucks and buggies home, and Horizon Hobby brands like Losi are up to the task no matter what you put them through. Fresh off of a lap around our race course, we’re excited to see their latest products on display.”