Tyler Perkins & Jay Nelson Compete in SCORE Baja 500

 
Jay & Tyler with their Jeep

    The 43rd annual SCORE Baja 500 was held in Ensenada, Baja Mexico on June 4th. Two of Centrals own, Tyler Perkins (BR firefighter) and Jay Nelson (EBR Sheriff) have dreamed of traveling to the deserts of Baja to compete in the 500 mile off road international event. After months of preparing the Jeep for the rigors of Baja, and with very limited sponsorships, Jay and Tyler set out for the Baja Peninsula. They drove straight through to El Cajon, Ca and then crossed the border into Mexico. A hundred miles past Tijuana is Ensenada where the race starts and ends. The dream was to make it to Ensenada and start the 500 mile desert race to do as well as two first timers from far away Central Louisiana could possibly do. Less than two thirds of the seasoned off road racers complete the grueling coarse. After twenty three continuous hours of flat out racing over mountains and down in the canyons, the pair crossed the finish line in second place in their "class three" Jeep. The entire racing community cheered them on as everyone recognized the level of their achievement. Tyler's mom, Donna Perkins, had followed the pair 1800 miles to Ensenada from her home in Central and was allowed to wave the checkered flag as Tyler drove across the finish line. It was truly the icing on the cake for the guys from Central. A once in a life time event for those that dare to dream big!

Tyler with his mom, Donna Perkins

The finish line