Photo Credit: Art Eugenio
AUSTIN, TX –El Rey Network will air the “Baja Desert Championship: San Felipe 250,” hosted by Baja Champion Tavo Vildosola, professional BMX rider Mike Escamilla and car artist Cherry Martini, on Sunday, June 18 at 5:30pm EST.
A Mexican professional off-road racer and entrepreneur, Vildosola will share expert knowledge and enthusiasm for all things off-road has made him an international fan favorite whether he is behind the wheel of a SCORE Trophy Truck, a TV microphone or both. With over 16 off-road racing championships, he is also the CEO of Mexicana Logistics and as worked on occasion as guest co-host for the CBS SPORTS Network’s SCORE International Off-Road Racing
Tavo Vildosola
Escamilla spent the last 25 years changing the sport of bmx and traveling all over the world. From setting Guinness world records on his bike, being a New York Times photographer, and a Hollywood stuntman, Escamilla has crashed and exploded all over the silver screen in some of your favorite movies like Captain America Winter Solider, American Sniper, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2.
El Rey Network, a 24-hour, English-language lifestyle network targeting “Strivers,” viewers who hold strong core beliefs about the importance of family, independence, hard work, craftsmanship, and legacy and founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, will air the entire 2017 SCORE off road series, which will also include the historic SCORE Baja 1000 Fiftieth Anniversary race that takes place in November and covers over 1,300 miles between Ensenada and La Paz.
The legendary SCORE Baja 1000 has attracted the world’s best racers and teams to participate in what has been described as the “Top Motorsports Event” in the world. “Baja Desert Championship” is built around the races, and includes the stories of racers and teams in each division. People from all walks of life modify or build their own vehicles to join the race, including motorcycles, stock Volkswagen, production vehicles, buggies, trucks, and custom fabricated race vehicles. The modified cars, extreme conditions, terrain and speed lead to captivating drama and suspense.
Mike Escamilla
All races in the four-race 2017 SCORE off road series, along with the special SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience and qualifying for the SCORE Baja 1000 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway will air for the first time on El Rey Network. The spectacular shows feature not only SCORE Trophy Truck coverage, but also top action and highlights from many other classes of trucks, cars, UTVs, motorcycles and quads – making sure that the most exciting footage and most compelling stories continue as part of each race event broadcast.
Capping off the 2017 broadcast season, the SCORE Baja 1000 broadcast on El Rey Network will air as a two-hour special.
ON THE AIR
2017 El Rey Network
- SCORE San Felipe 250
- SCORE Baja 500
- Rosarito Beach SCORE Desert Challenge
- SCORE Baja 1000 Qualifying @SEMA SCORE Baja 1000 Experience
- SCORE Baja 1000 (two-hour special)
horsepower and an estimated 109 lbs.–ft. of torque. On the Hybrid, it’s matched to a quick-shifting six-speed double-clutch transmission, an electric motor that delivers an estimated 43 horsepower with an estimated maximum torque of 125 lbs.–ft., and a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery (with a lifetime warranty). With an 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, the Plug-in Hybrid provides an all-electric range (before the gas-powered engine kicks in) of more than 27 miles while the Ioniq Electric offers an estimated driving range of 124 miles with a 28 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery . Mated to a single-speed reduction-gear transmission, the electric motor has a maximum output of 118 horsepower and 218 lbs.–ft. of torque. The Ioniq Electric has an EPA-estimated 136 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe) rating, better than any electric vehicle sold in the U.S.
Enhancing the car’s fuel efficiency and dynamic driving characteristics, the 
driver can select either SPORT or ECO modes. On the launch, the SPORT mode did add oomph but it was the Plug-in Hybrid and Electric models that offered noticeably smoother rides.
While SUVs aren’t known for their fuel efficiency, the new Acadia is 700 pounds lighter, which should help stretch a gallon of gasoline a little farther.
The test model also included the All Terrain package with badging throughout, an advanced Active Twin Clutch AWD system, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a cargo management system, and seating for five. While the Acadia can offer seating for seven, the All Terrain package replaces the third-row of seating with covered storage bins and a cargo management system in the rear cargo floor. For this trip, we focused on storage above the floor. The second row deployed easily to expose 79 cu. ft. of cargo space. We had room for multiple boxes and bags, but most impressive, was that the Acadia also fit a twin mattress. We didn’t need to tow but if we had, the Acadia included a Trailering Package ($650) that gives it a maximum towing capability of 4,000 pounds.
The user-friendly GMC IntelliLink system has been enhanced to include phone integration technology via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The test model also included navigation, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, OnStar, and SiriusXM Satellite radio for three months, as well as a panoramic sunroof. The shade, however, snaps back with some force so little fingers may need to beware.
More common safety technology, like a blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, are available on the SLE-2 trim and are standard on the SLT-1 trim and above. Advanced technology like forward collision alert and the safety alert seat that vibrates to warn the driver, come with the Driver Alert Package II, standard only on SLT-2 and Denali trims.
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gearbox in the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 37K6.
“Across the board, our data tells us that Spanish-speaking customers are well-informed when it comes to in-vehicle technology,” Inch said. “In addition to using OnStar core services, we’ve seen that Spanish-speaking customers are likely to use the myChevrolet mobile app to remote start their vehicles, lock their cars and even check their vehicle’s diagnostics.”
When you step up from a Honda to an Acura, you might expect a little more bells and whistles. You can get ’em, but at a price. TLX models with the 2.4-liter engine can be upgraded to the Technology package and models with the 3.5-liter engine can add Technology or the line-topping Advance Package. Both were included on the test model. The Technology package brought essential features like blind spot information, forward collision warning, and a rear cross traffic monitor, as well as convenience features like perforated leather seating, navigation with voice recognition, the AcuraLink communication system, and Acura ELS Studio premium audio.
The Advance package added Collision Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, ventilated front seats, and front and rear parking sensors, among other features.
Why last’s years No. 1 fell in rankings:
The test model came in the most striking of three available shades, Sandstorm Yellow, but subtle design cues also differentiate the Dune from its siblings. It has new front and rear fascias and black wheel arches, plus it rides a little higher and sits a little wider. The bumper adds s a large central air intake and on either side, two black honeycomb vents contain the foglights. It sits on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and has “Dune” graphics displayed on both doors. At the back, the Dune sports a large rear spoiler, standard LED taillights, and a new bumper design. In other words, it’s a head turner.
Standard entertainment features include the Composition Media infotainment system with a 6.3-inch screen and a capacitive touch sensor and a proximity sensor that detects when a hand is nearby and automatically switches its display. Volkswagen Car-Net App-Connect, USB and Bluetooth connectivity for compatible devices and an AM/FM/HD radio with SiriusXM Satellite radio, and a CD player are included
Additional standard safety features on the test model included a rearview camera and the Park Distance Control (ParkPilot) system, Automatic Post-Collision Braking system, and Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System. A blind spot monitor was not available.
