Hook/Norman duo set for SCORE Baja 500

SCORE Baja 500 and 2024 Ocean Cup Marathon

By Gabriel Garcia, SCORE Media Operations Director, [email protected]
Dominic Clark, SCORE Historian, [email protected]

PALM BEACH, Fla.—Going from the majestic deserts in Baja California, Mexico to the glamorous waters off South Florida, USA, World Champion off-shore powerboat racer Nigel Hook is teaming up with desert-racing champion Roger Norman to run a desert race and a powerboat race in back-to-back weekends in June.

     Next week in Ensenada, Mexico, Hook will be the additional driver for Norman in the Pro UTV Open class at the 56th SCORE Baja 500, Round 2 of the 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship. The following week in Palm Beach, Fla., Hook and Norman will be teaming up for the 2024 Ocean Cup Gateway Marathon from Palm Beach to Grand Bahama and returning to Palm Beach.

     In Baja, the dynamic duo will drive Norman’s Polaris RZR Pro R UTV on June 1 in the SCORE Baja 500 then head to Florida, where Hook will be managing the throttles and Roger will pilot in the 52’ Mystic Cat powerboat on the following Saturday, June 8.

     After flying through the dusty desert, the team will shift gears to embark on a world record attempt on the Atlantic Ocean in the Ocean Cup.

SCORE BAJA 500

     Held in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, the SCORE Baja 500 celebrates the first SCORE Baja race which was held on July 26, 1974. SCORE is considered the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Organization.

     More than 260 vehicles competing in 45 different classes for Cars, Trucks, UTVs, Motorcycles, and Quads are expected this year. Entries so far have come from 25 U.S. States and 12 countries.

OCEAN CUP

     Since 2013 Ocean Cup has embraced the heritage of powerboat racing providing athletic and sports event services by conducting point to point powerboat competitions in association with Powerboat P1.  APBA is the United States sanctioning authority for the Union Internationale Motonautique, (UIM) the world governing body for powerboat racing.

     Learn more about Ocean Cup at www.OceanCup.com.

CAPTAIN HOOK

    Hook, has been racing offshore powerboats for more than 30 years and is a multi-time World Champion and a Guinness World Record holder for the fastest time ever from Key West to Cuba in 2017.

     Hook and his team set a Guinness World Record from Key West to Cuba in 1 hour, 18 minutes, three seconds on August 17, 2017.

     Originally from England, Hook now lives in Del Mar, Calif., Hook's attraction to powerboat racing came at an early age, following his mentor and uncle, the late Roger Hook, (British National Champion '68, '69) to hundreds of circuit and offshore races, including the legendary Cowes-Torquay-Cowes.

     In addition to a coveted Guinness World Record for his 2017 World Record effort from Key West to Cuba, Hook and his team not only established several APBA and UIM World Records, they were also the first team to ever race to Havana and make it back to Key West on the same day under their own power.

STORMIN’ NORMAN

     When deciding on a partner to race the Gateway Marathon, Hook enlisted veteran desert racing champion and promotor of the SCORE World Desert Championship, Roger Norman.  Celebrated in the history books for his overall win of the 2008 SCORE Baja 1000, Norman is no stranger to speed and adrenaline.

     With a long history of wins in the point-to-point or large loop races in the SCORE World Desert Championship, Norman has proven his focus, drive, and determination.  Son of Fran Muncey, inductee into the American Motorsports Hall of Fame, Norman spent much of his childhood on the Thunderboat circuit following his step-father, and unlimited Hydroplane racing Legend, Bill Muncey.

     “I have always wanted to race in an off-shore race and am looking forward to this opportunity to compete with Nigel and have him compete with me in a major desert race”, commented Norman.

SCORE BAJA 500 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024 – Registration begins for racers and media at Riviera Convention Center.

Thursday, May 30th, 2023 – Qualifying for select classes, registration for racers and media continues.

Qualifying is NOT OPEN to the public but available to view on Live Stream at www.score-international.com or the SCORE International App.

Friday, May 31st, 2024 – Contingency Row Festivities in front of Riviera del Pacifico Center for public to enjoy.  Registrations continue and Drivers Meetings will be held at 7pm at Riviera del Pacifico Center.

Saturday, June 1st, 2024 – Motocycles and quads ceremonial start at 2:30AM and 4-Wheel Ceremonial Start at 6:15am.

Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 – Awards Celebration with Champions at Riviera del Pacifico Center in Cathedral Room.

OCEAN CUP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, June 6th, 2024 - The festivities will kick off with registration.

Friday, June 7th, 2024 - Dry pits public viewing of the boats will be from 10am-4pm at The Ben Hotel on the lawn.  Following the viewing, between 4-5pm, the boats will launch at Currie Park Boat Ramp, 2400 N. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach, and head for the Wet Pits at Sailfish Marina, 98 Lake Dr, Palm Beach Shores.

Between 6-8pm there will be a Meet & Greet at the Tiki Hut on Docks a & B at the Sailfish Marina.

Saturday, June 8th, 2024 – RACE DAY with Sea Cadet Color Guard starting at 8:30am, Boats will be departing Docks at 8:45am and the start for the first boat is scheduled for 9am from Ocean Pointe to tackle the 128-mile course, a non-stop round-trip from Palm Beach’s Lake Worth Inlet to the 79th Meriden at West End, Bahamas and back!

Boats are anticipated back at the docks of the Sailfish Marina between 10:30am – 1pm, with an awards ceremony at 5pm at The Ben Hotel, 251 N. Narcissus Ave., West Palm Beach.

The Sailfish Marina Resort’s courtesy trolley will be running from 8am-2pm on Singer Island between aux parking & Sailfish & Ocean Pointe.

SCORE BAJA 500 & OCEAN CUP LIVE STREAM

     Both events will be covered via live streaming. The SCORE Baja 500 will air on www.score-international.com.

     A live stream powered by Star Stream and Satcom Direct will be available on race day for all to follow at www.oceancup.com.