From a press release:

Ford Motor Company Expands Off-Road Racing Support with Best In The Desert Announces 2004 Ford Truck Motorsports Performance Awards Program

Las Vegas, Nevada – Ford Truck Motorsports offers Performance Awards for Best In The Desert racing series competitors, utilizing Ford Trucks and Sport Utility Vehicles, powered by Ford Engines.

Best In The Desert Racing Association is proud to announce support by Ford Motor Company’s “Truck Motorsports Team.”  For 2004 Ford Motor Company will be continuing Best In The Desert support with $350,000 in the 2004 Performance Awards Program Ford, Official Truck of the Best In The Desert, posts a $70,000 performance award per race.  Yes!  You read it right, $70,000 per race, for a total of $350,000 for the year, not to mention the additional four (*4) special year-end bonuses! Following is how the fund will be awarded for ALL FIVE events:

Class     1st Place    2nd Place     3rd Place                  Class        1st Place    2nd Place   3rd Place

1200       $ 1,500      $   750        $    500                    7100          $ 1,500      $    750      $    500

1400       $ 2,000      $1,000        $    500                    7200          $ 1,500      $    750      $    500

3000       $ 1,500      $   750        $    500                    7300*        $ 7,500      $ 3,750      $ 1,000

3100*     $ 7,500      $3,750        $ 1,000                    8000          $ 3,000      $ 1,500      $    500

4100*     $ 8,000      $4,000        $ 1,000                    8100*        $ 8,000      $ 4,000      $ 1,000

*Year-End Bonuses may be paid for Class Champions of 3100, 4100, 7300 and 8100.  Details to be announced at a later date.     

The 2004 Ford Performance Awards Factoring Matrix (where payouts are adjusted by vehicle model & year) is part of this program.  Ford encourages use of out latest products.  The 2004 Ford Performance Awards program will incorporate factoring of the payout value by base vehicle and its model year.

            Vehicle                                    Model Year                2004 Performance Award Adjustment

            Bronco                                     All Years                      50% of Posted Amount

Excursion                                 All Years                      Posted Amount            

            Expedition                                All Years                      Posted Amount

            Explorer 4-Door                       1998 to Present            Posted Amount

            Explorer 4-Door                       1997 and earlier*         50% of Posted Amount

Explorer Sport (2-Door)           1998 to Present            Posted Amount

Explorer Sport (2-Door)           1997 and earlier*         50% of Posted Amount

Explorer Sport Trac                  All Years                      Posted Amount

            F-150                                      1997 to Present            Posted Amount

            F-150                                      1996 and earlier*         50% of posted Amount

            F-250                                      1999 to Present            Posted Amount

            F-250                                      1998 and earlier           50% of Posted Amount

            Ranger                                     1998 to Present            Posted Amount

            Ranger                                     1997 and earlier*         50% of posted Amount                                                 *Including all I-Beam front suspension trucks

To be eligible for an award the driver/team must satisfy the following requirements:

• Must submit a publicity release form so that Ford can promote their involvement.
• Must register with Ford by providing a brief biography of team activities.  Bio should include: information about the team owner, driver and race shop.  Their street and email addresses, telephone numbers, description and class of the race vehicle should be provided.  Current photographs of driver and race vehicle are appreciated.

At each event:

• The driver must wear a Ford patch on the upper chest area of their driver’s suit.
• The vehicle must complete the racecourse within Best In The Desert regulations, including allotted time.
• Must prominently display 13 ½” Ford Oval decal on the leading edge of the hood.  “Built Ford Tough” decal on each “B” pillar, 3”x 6” “Ford Truck” decal both sides of upper or lower windshield corners and 11”x16” “Ford Truck” decals on both body sides.

The registration must be sent to: Ford North American Truck

                                                Product Development Center

                                                Attn:  Cliff Irey

                                                20901 Oakwood Blvd., MD #324

                                                Dearborn, MI  48124-4077        

Best In The Desert, along with the entire off-road desert racing community would like to thank Ford Motor Company for their continued involvement in the sport of off-road racing and to their commitment to research and development!  The first Car/Truck event in the 2004 “Silver State Series” will be the Blue Water Resort & Casino Parker "425" race in Parker, Arizona, February 6, 7, 8, 2004.  This race is billed as the “The Legend Lives On” and this event has the longest history of any off-road race in the United States today.