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Three really quick stories on the slowest sports day of the year.

British Open score card:
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James Posey to NO Hornets:
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Steroids in To...

Tiger Woods, already the owner of most of the meaningful records on the US Tour, will set yet another should he win the Bay Hill Invitational, which starts today in Florida.

The world No1 has won this event for the past three years and no male in modern times has won the same tournament four times in succession. And the bad news for the rest of the field, Ernie Els included, is that Woods feels he is now playing to his full potential for the first time since late 2001. At that time he began to experience the pain in his left knee that intensified throughout 2002 and prevented him from playing his best golf.

Woods did manage to stay at the top of the world rankings and the US money list only through a process of, as he put it, "smoke and mirrors". He added: "I wasn't able to play my game. I had to hit a lot of three-woods and two-irons and stuff like that just to get the ball in play because I physically wasn't able to swing a driver.

"That was frustrating, knowing that I have the ability to hit the ball far enough to have an advantage and not be able to do it. I also felt more tired after every event because of the mental fatigue of trying to block out the pain."

Now Woods is healthy and "able to make a move at the ball like I used to in 2000". That, of course, was the year in which he won 12 tournaments worldwide and had 19 top- three placings, not to mention winning the US Open, the Open and the US PGA cham pionships. His first objective, of course, will be to make the cut here, and should he do so it will be his 100th in succession. Only Jack Nicklaus, with 105, and Byron Nelson in the 40s with 113, have done better.

Perhaps the only crumb of comfort for the field is that in the years 1999-2001 Woods won the Memorial Tournament and the NEC Invitational in successive years, but when going for the fourth finished 22nd and tied for fourth place respectively.

There are 11 Ryder Cup players in the field and they include the European pair, Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomerie, but both players have struggled so far this season after changing their equipment.

Having elected to miss the Dubai tournament in favour of an extended preparation in America for the US Masters, Montgomerie has instead found himself getting plenty of rest as he has played four events and missed the cut in three of them along with losing in the first round of the Accenture Match Play event.

His best round in that period has been a 71 and he has a scoring average of 73.6 which, if continued, would ensure he missed the cut in every event in which he played.

At the other end of the spectrum, England's Luke Donald, 54th on the US money list with $276,500 [£177,000], is looking for at least two top-10 finishes this week and next.

That would, he hopes, get him into the top 50 in the world rankings and reward him with a place in the Masters at Augusta, his stated goal at the start of the season.

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If March is a month of madness, then April is just crazy. With the start of baseball, the first round of NHL playoffs, the Masters and the battle for playoff spots in the NBA, the first week of April sets the tone for an exciting spring in the world of sports.

Take me out to the ballgame...

I found another reason to love late classes. Not only I get the extra sleep, but I am able to watch the televised Yankee games in the morning due to the time difference.

Thursday, I woke up to the Bronx Bombers' home opener against the White Sox. Hearing the bleacher creatures shout their usual roll call made me miss the excitement of Yankee Stadium.

Javier Vazquez felt right at home in New York, pitching a three-hitter for eight innings, while Jorge Posada hit his third home run of the season and the Yanks won 3-1.

At his first at-bat as a Yankee, Alex Rodriguez received a standing ovation from the crowd, which he stated as "pretty emotional." Although I was sad to see Alfonso Soriano leave NY, I like any other baseball fan would love to have A-Rod on my team.

I missed the whole Yankee trial on ESPN tonight, but I think that the Yankees are good for baseball. Sure, George Steinbrenner likes to spend money on the best players for his team, but at least he isn't a selfish owner and keeping the money for himself. He is constantly seeking the best talent for the Yankees and investing his money back into his team.

Also look at the ticket sales for other clubs. When the Yankees are in town this season, the tickets for the home teams increased, if not selling out. Hate the Yankees because of the "Evil Empire" or whatever, but you can't deny the memorable experience during a game at Yankee Stadium.

Since I can't enjoy going to a Yankee game, I'm going to watch the San Diego Padres at their new Petco Park Saturday night. Hopefully, I'll get to see Barry Bonds hit his 660th home run, but if not, I am looking forward to seeing the new ballpark that has become a central focus in the city of San Diego. Not only has the construction of the new park brought life back into the Padres, but also the addition of some new key players. Look for Brian Giles to be the team's MVP this season, as well as a trimmer David Wells to become the anchor of the pitching staff.

Meet the new Jiggy...

In his first playoff game, Boston Bruins rookie goalie Andrew Raycroft made 31 saves as he and the Bruins shutout the Montreal Canadians 3-0. Raycroft, who finished the regular season with 2.05 goals-against average, did not show any rookie rust; however, he stated that, "You're going to have some butterflies. You can only get so nervous, and I was pretty close to where I like to be. It keeps you focused."

The two teams play Game 2 Friday night, where the Canadians promise to play with more effort than they did Wednesday night.

Aside to Devils fan: Remember that it is best-of-seven, and that Saturday is one day away. We just need to get one in Philly. Also the Devs were flat on the power play, 0-for-4 on the night. Although Robert Esche played well in his first postseason start, making 37 saves and leading the Flyers to a 3-2 victory, don't underestimate Marty Brodeur bouncing back on Saturday. Many times after a so-so game has Brodeur been able to perform brilliantly the next night.

The journey for the Green Jacket...

Like every other Easter, I will spend mine watching the Masters. Like CBS states, the tournament has become as "tradition like no other" in my household.

However, like every other tournament, the focus this weekend is on Tiger Woods and his "slump." As I am writing this, he is 4-over after 14 holes and in 55th place; yet, his score and his highlights are all over the news and even on my ESPN bottom-line.

What about the terrific play by Justin Rose or better yet Jay Haas who is 50 and near the top of the leader board? How about Chris DiMarco's hole-in-one on No. 6?

Personally, I don't think Tiger will win this year's green jacket. I think Phil Mickelson is playing well, he's at even-par after the first round, but I think he might choke at this major. Ernie Els is always a threat and after 17 holes, he stands three shots behind Justin Rose, the leader at 5-under.

Unfortunately, from today's round, Mike Weir doesn't seem like he is setting up for a repeat. He is one of my favorites since he's a lefty and Canadian which automatically means a fan of hockey, so I hope he can get things going tomorrow and over the weekend.

The people's choice is of course John Daly, who had a bad first round of 79. Hopefully, Big John will search in his 12 lives for some magic to let him stay for the weekend.

Props to Jack Nicklaus, who is still showing that he has some skills at his last Masters, shooting a 70 for +2 after 17.

Among my other favorites are Davis Love III (2-over after 16) and Fred Couples (+1); we will see if either those two make a run for it.

It'll be interesting to see how things pan out in the rest of the tournament at Augusta and who makes and misses the cut.

Kings not more...

The Timberwolves took over first place in the West after their 94-86 victory over the Kings.

Since the return of Chris Webber, the Kings are playing nothing like the first half of the season where they dominated both on the court and in the standings. Look at the difference: The Kings are 44-15 in games without Webber and 10-8 with him.

The team's chemistry seems to be off and I feel that Peja Stojakovic deserves to be the team's top scorer and the go-to guy. But with Webber back in the lineup, Peja's stats, like the team's record, has suffered. His shots decreased from 17.4 a game to 15.3 since Webber's return. He averaged 25.1 points in the 59 games he played without Webber in the lineup and 21.6 in the 18 games in which Webber played.

I don't really think of the Kings as Webber's team actually. I think of Mike Bibby for some reason. His constant presence on the court and solid performances game in and game out make, for me, the King's leader.

Like Bibby, I think that Peja is stepping into the role as another leader for the Kings. However, Peja feels that the Kings need Webber if they plan to challenge for the NBA title, "Chris is our best player. He's the main guy. I really believe we have a great team as long as we stay healthy as a group. This is the best team we've ever had."

Hopefully, the Kings can return to their earlier season form for the playoffs, otherwise, I won't hear the end of it from bandwagon Lakers fans.

Skills man...

Bruce Edwards was more than just a caddie to golfer Tom Watson. He was a friend, a brother, and most importantly, a symbol of strength and courage. Unfortunately, after 15 months of being diagnosed with ALS, Edwards died Thursday morning at the age of 49. To Watson and everyone who was lucky to have met Edwards, he will not be forgotten.

"He's not with us in body anymore, but I can tell you he's with us in spirit," Watson said. "The spirit of Bruce Edwards -- if you ever ran across him, you knew what a genuine person he was and what a wonderful way he had with his words."

Any random thoughts: email, devilgirl30365@yahoo.com. No, I am not a Satan worshipper, but a New Jersey Devils fan. Go Brodeur!

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Secret revealed to get the golf ball on the tee in a water globe puzzle. While some skill and a steady hand is required, ...

American Honda teammates Johnny Campbell and Tim Staab roared to an impressive overall motorcycle victory and the team of Doug Fortin and Charlie Townsley blasted their way to the overall four-wheel win late Friday at the 34th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, the granddaddy of all desert races.

With racing finishing for the slower vehicles and classes late Saturday afternoon, the Campbell/Staab duo and the Fortin/Townsley team relaxed after defeating a field of 219 starters, competing in 25 classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.

The event ended the five-race 2001 Duralast SCORE Desert Series campaign. Only 103 vehicles finished the grueling 677-miles over the rocky, rugged, tight, twisty and technically-challenging Baja California course within the 30-hour time limit in the elapsed time race.

Campbell, San Clemente, Calif., and Staab, of San Diego, overcame two potentially critical racing accidents to win the motorcycle portion of the race, covering the 667-miles over the challenging Baja California course on their Honda XR650R in a time of 13 hours, 51 minutes and 40 seconds. Averaging 48.84 miles per hour to also win the Class 22 title was remarkable considering the two accidents Campbell had within the first 150 miles of the race. Their dominating performance resulted in a victory margin of over54 minutes.

Fortin, La Mesa, Calif. and Townsley, of Las Vegas, on the other hand, had a flawless day in their Chevy-powered Jimco, to earn the overall four-wheel and the unlimited Class 1 titles in 14:35:42.With an average speed of 46.39 mph for a team racing together for the first time, their victory margin among four-wheel vehicles was an equally impressive split of over 39 minutes. Fortin, 31, and Townsley, 27, are both second-generation desert racers.

Honda, Campbell and Staab, all made desert racing history in the event. Campbell, 30, won the overall motorcycle title for a record fifth consecutive year and fourth with Staab, 23. Honda earned it's new standard by winning the overall motorcycle for a record 12th time in the 34-year history of the race.

"Nobody builds tougher bikes than Honda, and I'm living proof of that," said Campbell, who hit an ATV ridden by a spectator who wandered on the course at mile 100 and then 50 miles later smashed the front wheel on his Honda when he hit a cow that strayed onto the race course.

"I was going about 45 miles an hour in a wash when all of a sudden I see this cow's head come out from behind a bush and there was not time to react. The impact flipped me off the back and fortunately I landed on soft silt or I would have been hurt really bad. I was happy to turn over the bike to Tim and get some rest before getting back on at the Valley de Trinidad to ride to the finish."

Campbell and Staab outran their Honda teammates Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif., and Jonah Street, Ellensburg, Wash. The Hengeveld/Street tandem entered the race with a two-race SCORE winning streak against the more experience Campbell/Staab team.

"It was a very, very rough SCORE Baja 1000, but we won so it made all the pain go away and it was all fun," said Fortin, who also won the overall four-wheel title in this race in 1997. "This course was so tight and technical, it definitely favored the lighter open-wheel cars over the trucks.

"It just doesn't get any better in this sport than to win the SCORE Baja 1000. I'm a little older now than in 1997 when I drive solo and Charlie did a masterful job running his section from Borrego around Mike's Sky Rancho and back to the Valley de Trinidad. Amazingly, none of the top three finishers had any flats, proving how Baja tough and well-designed BFGoodrich Tires are."

In what may be the last race of his career, Steve Sourapas, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., held his V6 Chevy-powered Jimco good enough to finished second overall and in Class 1 to the Fortin/Townsley duo.

Also among 16 starters in Class 1, San Diego-area brothers Scott, 41, and Mark McMillin, 45, finished third and fifth overall, sandwiching Jeff Quiin and Bob Gordon, who finished fourth overall and in Class 1. Scott McMillin finished in 15:25:42 in his Porsche-powered Porter while his older brother crossed the finish line on the outskirts of Ensenada in 15:42:04 in a Ford-powered Chenowth. Quinn, Irvine, Calif., and Gordon, Orange, Calif., finished in 15:39:20 in a Jimco.

After hitting a bolder and ripping off his entire front right wheel less than 20-miles into the race, Las Vegas' Troy Herbst climbed his way back from last (16th) in Class 1 to finish sixth overall in his Terrible Herbst Motorsports Ford-powered Smithbuilt race car. The finish earned him a SCORE record fifth consecutive Class 1 season championship.

In the featured SCORE Trophy-Truck division, the team of David Ashley/Dan Smith of Riverside, Calif., finished ninth overall and won their class for the third straight race in the Duralast Ford F-150.

In Class 40 for motorcycle riders 40-years old and above, Chris Haines, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., and Las Vegas' Jack Johnson added to their Baja legend, riding to a class victory and a stellar third-place overall motorcycle finish on a Honda XR650 with Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif. Haines now had eight career class wins and Johnson seven in the sport's oldest and most prestigious race.

Las Vegas' Rob MacCachren, drove his VW-powered Fraley to an incredible two-hour victory margin in Class 1-2/1600 for his fourth win of the year in the class which featured a race-high 23 starters in Baja. He also finished 15th overall among four-wheel vehicles.

In Class 5, George Seeley Jr., Glendale, Calif., won this race for the third in the class for unlimited VW baja bugs.

In the closest class struggle of the race, Mexico's Eric Fisher outdueled Cisco Bio, Spring Valley, Calif., to a narrow victory margin of just 45 seconds after racing for over 21 hours. Bio was attempting to go undefeated in the class after winning the first four races of the season.

Las Vegas' Danny Anderson won in Class 10 in a Toyota-powered Jimco, finishing seventh overall enroute to earning his second win of the season.

Other class winners in the legendary race included: Cory Susag, Dana Point, Calif., in Class 7S (Chevy S-10); Chad Hall, Reno, Nev. in Stock Full (AM General Hummer), Craig Turner, Yorba Linda, Calif. in Class 7 (Ford Ranger), Billy Bunch, La Quinta, Calif., in Class 3 (Jeep Cherokee); Clive Skilton, Orange, Calif., in Class 3I (Jeep Grand Cherokee), Nickk Vanderwey, Buckeye, Ariz., in Class 8 (Chevy Silverado) and Jerry Penhall, Costa Mesa, Calif. in SCORE Lite (Penhall).

Of special note, Israel's Team Etgarim, led by Eyal Yerushalmi and featuring four drivers who are all physically challenged and use hand controls to operate their Tomcar Sport, overcame an early-race rollover to courageously capture the special Sportsman Buggy International class, finishing in 27:18:36. The team was the first-ever entirely handicapped race team to compete in a SCORE race.

The Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 was taped by Shoemaker Productions to air in the U.S. on the Speedvision Network. First airings of the one-hour special will be Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. (PST) and Sunday, Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. (PST).

A total of 226 entries from 30 U.S. States, Canada, France, Israel, Japan and Mexico competed in this year's renewal of the legendary race.

With the 2001 season complete, the SCORE Awards Night will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8 in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel.

For more information, contact SCORE at (818) 225-8402, or visit the Score-International website.

34th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000

Final Round of Five-Race 2001 Duralast SCORE Desert Series 677 miles, Nov. 8-9, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico Total Entries: 226 Total Starters: 219 Total Finishers: 103

The Finishers

Pro Cars & Trucks

TROPHY-TRUCK (Unlimited Production Trucks)-1. David Ashley/Dan Smith, Riverside, Calif., Ford F-150, 16 hour, 45 minutes, 56 seconds (40.38 miles per hour) (NINTH OVERALL); 2. Brian Collins, Las Vegas/Larry Ragland, Phoenix, Chevy Silverado, 17:28:43; 3. Mark Post, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Jerry Whelchel, Laguna Hills, Calif., Ford F-150, 17:28:54; 4. Jim Baldwin, Irvine, Calif., Ford F-150, 17:51:35 (8 Starters, 4. Finishers)

CLASS 1 (unlimited single or two-seaters)-1. Doug Fortin, La Mesa, Calif./Charlie Townsley, Las Vegas, Jimco, 14:35:42 (46.39) (FIRST OVERALL FOUR-WHEEL VEHICLE); 2. Steve Sourapas, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Jimco, 15:15:19 (SECOND OVERALL); 3. Scott McMillin, Poway, Calif., Porter, 15:25:42 (THIRD OVERALL); 4. Jeff Quinn, Irvine, Calif./Bob Gordon, Orange, Calif., Jimco, 15:39:20 (FOURTH OVERALL); 5. Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif., Chenowth, 15:42:04 (FIFTH OVERALL); 6. Troy Herbst, Las Vegas/Larry Roeseler, Hesperia, Calif., Smithbuilt, 16:13:03 (SIXTH OVERALL); 7 .Lobsam Yee, Tijuana, Mexico, Jimco, 16:36:15 (EIGHTH OVERALL); 8. Chuck Hovey, Escondido, Calif., Jimco, 17:18:04 (TENTH OVERALL); 9. Jeff Lothringer, Laguna Hills, Calif., Lothringer, 20:10:05; 10. Willie Cummings, Tucson, Ariz., Jimco, 28:33:14 (16 Starters, 10 Finishers)

CLASS 1-2/1600 (single or two-seaters to 1600cc)-1. Rob MacCachren/Bruce Fraley, Las Vegas, Fraley, 18:45:57 (36.08); 2. Lorenzo Rodriguez, Covina, Calif., Lothringer, 20:45:34; 3. Bobby Altamirano, Phoenix, Jimco, 21:29:05; 4. Brian Ickler, Poway, Calif., Jimco, 22:54:00; 5. Jake Maness, Redstone, Colo., Jimco, 22:58:00; 6. Bill Lawrence, El Cajon, Calif., Varo, 23:03:38; 7. Steve Roberts, Bullhead City, Ariz., Lothringer, 23:50:05; 8. Tim Moore, Manhattan Beach, Calif., Lothringer, 23:54:52; 9. Valerio Gonzalez, San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, Jimco, 25:04:51; 10. Jorge Sanchez, Mexicali, Mexico, Jimco, 27:46:15; 11. Humberto Rodriguez, Calexico, Calif., Chenowth, 28:27:08 (23 Starters, 11 Finishers)

CLASS 3 (Short wheelbase 4X4)-1. Billy Bunch, La Quinta, Calif./John Kearney, Murrieta, Calif., Jeep Cherokee, 27:07:39 (24.96) (4 Starters, 1 Finishers)

CLASS 3I (International Short wheelbase 4X4)-1. Clive Skilton/Gavin Skilton, Orange, Calif., Jeep Grand Cherokee, 24:10:57 (4 Starters, 1 Finishers)

CLASS 5 (Unlimited Baja Bugs)-1. George Seeley, Jr., Glendale, Calif., 19:53:41 (34.03); 2. Michael James, Alpine, Calif., 25:15:18 (4 Starters, 2 Finishers)

CLASS 5/1600 (1600cc Baja Bugs)-1. Marcos Nunez/Rivera Nuza, Ensenada, 21:12:48 (31:91); 2. Ernesto Arambula, Ensenada, Mexico, 23:36:22; 3. Daniel Gutierrez, Chula Vista, Calif., 25:33:04; 4. Allan Gregory, Alpine, Calif., 26:55:16; 5. Fernando Orozco, Ensenada, Mexico, 28:29:46 (15 Starters, 5 Finishers)

CLASS 7 (Open mini trucks)-1. Craig Turner, Yorba Linda, Calif./Tim Javorik, Fullerton, Calif., Ford Ranger, 24:43:52 (27.37); 2. Enrique Guerrero, Ensenada, Ford Ranger, 28:10:21; 3. Hector Salazar, Chula Vista, Calif., Ford Ranger, 28:29:18 (7 Starters, 3 Finishers)

CLASS 7S (Stock mini trucks)-1. Cory Susag, Dana Point, Calif./Doug Siewert, Oceanside, Calif., Chevy S-10, 26:03:43 (25.98) (7 Starters, 1 Finishers)

CLASS 8 (Full-sized two-wheel drive trucks)-1. Nick Vanderwey/Larry Venderwey, Buckeye, Ariz., Chevy Silverado, 23:12:19 (29.17); 2. Jesse Jones, Phoenix, Chevy pickup, 28:41:34 (7 Starters, 2 Finishers)

CLASS 9 (Short wheelbase, single or two-seaters)-1. Eric Fisher/Hector Sarabia, Ensenada, Garibay, 21:59:24 (30.79); 2. Cisco Bio, Spring Valley, Calif., Tubular Design, 22:00:09; 3. Ivan Gomez, Mexicali, Raceco, 26:24:12; 4. Ed McLean, Severna Park, Md., Jimco, 27:39:27 (8 Starters, 4 Finishers)

CLASS 10 (Single or two-seaters to 1650cc)-1. Danny Anderson, Las Vegas, Ben Schlimme, Manhattan Beach, Jimco, 16:24:52 (41.24)(SEVENTH OVERALL); 2. Mark Hutchins, Henderson, Nev., Jimco, 18:23:07; 3. Steve Myers, Newport Beach, Calif., Jimco, 19:08:55; 4. Jose Conchola, Chula Vista, Calif., Lothringer, 23:14:42 (12 Starters, 4 Finishers)

SCORE LITE (Limited single 1776cc or two seaters 1835cc)-1. Jerry Penhall, Costa Mesa, Calif./L.J. Kennedy, Penhall, 19:23:11 (34.92); 2. Vic Bruckmann, Lemon Grove, Calif., Jimco, 20:55:41; 3. Matias Arjona, Ensenada, Mexico, Neth, 21:40:19; 4. Ty Goode, Palmdale, Calif., Moulton, 21:42:08; 5. Ron Dalke, Tucson, Ariz., Tatum, 28:15:40 (12 Starters, 5 Finishers)

CLASS 11 (Stock VW Sedans)-1. NO FINISHERS (1 Starter, 0 Finishers)

STOCK MINI (Stock mini trucks)-1. NO FINISHERS (2 Starters, 0 Finishers)

STOCK FULL (Stock full sized trucks)-1. Chad Hall, Reno, Nevada, AM General Hummer, 22:22:16 (30.26); 2. Marc Stein, San Diego, Ford Expedition, 22:39:50; 3. Rod Hall, Reno, Nev., AM General Hummer, 24:53:09; 4. John Griffin, Mission Viejo, Calif., AM General Hummer, 27:01:20; 5. Al Hogan, Columbus, Mont., Ford F-150, 28:33:59 (8 Starters, 5 Finishers)

SS/TRUCK (Limited Production Trucks)-1. Ryan Herzog/Greyson Smith, Long Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 22:11:02 (30.51); 2. Alan Pflueger, Honolulu, Chevy Silverado, 23:46:04; 3. Steve Scaroni, Heber, Calif., Ford F-150, 24:19:12 (3 Starters, 3 Finishers)

Protruck (Limited Production Trucks)-1. Scott Steinberger, Cypress, Calif./Dane Cardone, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford F-150, 19:48:23 (34.18); 2. Bob Kittleson, Palm Springs, Calif., Ford F-150, 24:58:51 (4 Starters, 2 Finishers)

BAJA CHALLENGE (Limited identical open wheel cars)-1. Andrew Hassard/Greg Roarke, North Bend, Wash., 24:46:07 (27.33); 2. Blake Sherrod, Birmingham, Ala., 28:21:32; 3. Matt Aulteerson, Cherry Hills, Colo., 29:00:36 (6 Starters, 3 Finishers)

Pro Motorcycles

CLASS 21 (126cc to 250cc)-1. J. David Ruvalcaba, Ensenada, Mexico/Steve Cruz, Chula Vista, Calif., Yamaha 250, 16:53:11 (40.09) (2 Starters, 1 Finisher)

CLASS 22 (250cc or more)-1. Johnny Campbell, San Clemente, Calif./Tim Staab, San Diego, Honda XR650R, 13:51:40 (48.84) (FIRST OVERALL MOTORCYCLE); 2. Steve Hengeveld, Oak Hills, Calif./Jonah Street, Ellensburg, Wash., Honda XR650R, 14:46:01; 3. Jose Meza, Fresno, Calif., Honda XR650, 20:58:28; 4. Kurt Steffien, Long Beach, Calif., Honda XR650, 26:24:42 (5 Starters, 4 Finishers)

CLASS 30 (Riders over 30 years)-1. Ricardo Malo, Mexicali, Mexico/Fred Willert, San Diego/Sergio Vega/Mike Barnhill, Honda XR650, 16:13:22 (41.72); 2. Rudolfo Iribe, San Diego, Honda XR650R, 16:57:54; 3. Roy Buelna, Ensenada, Mexico, Honda XR650, 18:21:12; 4. Gerardo Garcia, Tapalpa, Mexico, Honda XR650, 18:35:40; 5. Mikey Martin, Garden Grove, Calif., XR650, 21:40:06; 6. Eddie Zeller, Coronado, Calif., Yamaha, 27:05:15 (8 Starters, 6 Finishers)

CLASS 40 (Riders over 40)-1. Chris Haines, Trabuco Canyon, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Jack Johnson, Las Vegas, Honda XR650, 16:09:52 (41.88); 2. Jim O'Neal, Chatsworth, Calif., Honda XR650, 16:13:10; 3. Leonel Vallejo, Rosarito, Mexico, Suzuki, 20:30:56 (4 Starters, 3 Finishers)

CLASS 50 (Riders over 50)-1. Richard Jackson, Acton, Calif./Bob Wadlow, Temple City, Calif., Honda XR650R, 18:33:18 (36.49); 2. Sam Dempsey/Gene Dempsey, Van Nuys, Calif., Honda XR650R, 26:08:50 (3 Starters, 2 Finishers)

Pro ATVs

CLASS 24 (250cc or less)-1. NO FINISHERS (2 Starters, 0 Finishers)

CLASS 25 (251cc or more)-1. Carmen Cafro, Vista, Calif./Earl Thigpen, Murrieta, Calif., Honda 250R, 18:45:00 (36.12) (FIRST OVERALL ATV); 2. John Gregory Chula Vista, Calif., Honda, 20:03:03; 3. Greg Row, Spring Valley, Calif., Bombardier, 20:08:39; 4. Glen Walraven, Dallas, Ga., Honda, 23:27:15; 5. Enrique Felix, Tijuana, Mexico, Honda, 24:29:38; 6. Brent Tower, Dawsonville, Ga., Bombardier, 24:32:24 (9 Starters, 6 Finishers)

Sportsman (Top Three per Class)

SPT BUGGY-1. Marq Prince, Laguna Beach, Calif., Raceco, 24:54:28 (27.18) (6 Starters, 1 Finishers)

SPT BUGGY INT'L-1. Eyal Yerushalmi/Yossi Barda, Israel, Tomcar Sport, 27:18:36 (24.79) (1 Starter, 1 Finisher)

SPT TRUCK-1. Mark Floyd/Don Floyd, Midland, Texas, AM General Hummer, 26:55:00 (25.15); 2. Richard Czerlau, Canada, Jeep, 27:48:27 (3 Starters, 2 Finishers)

SPT M/C SPT M/C>250cc-1. Alejandro Vizcaino, La Paz, Mexico, Honda XR650R, 17:21:27 (39.00); 2. Fred Brown, Rural Retreat, Va., Honda XR650, 18:47:57; 3. Phillip Yeager, Austin, Texas, Honda XR650, 20:38:19 (18 Starters, 7 Finishers)

SPT ATV-1. Javier Robles, Ciudad Victoria, Mexico, Yamaha Raptor, 25:02:29 (27.04); 2. Brian Salley, Encinitas, Calif., Bombardier, 28:07:29 (4 Starters, 2 Finishers)

For more information, contact SCORE at (818) 225-8402, or visit the Score-International website.

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Sheffield's world cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson returns to the ring after an absence of almost a year to defend his World Boxing Organisation title for the 11th time tonight in Bayreuth, Germany, after what he describes as the most frightening few months of his life.

Nelson's north Derbyshire home was placed under police surveillance in the summer after the 36-year-old champion was threatened, along with his wife and two children, by an armed gang who were planning a kidnap attempt.

"When the CID first called to tell me what was happening, I laughed it off," said Nelson as he prepared to face the undefeated 23-year-old German Alexander Petkovic. "But when they said somebody had been offered £7,000 just to follow me, I knew it was serious. Apparently these guys were known for using guns and had been locked up for doing this kind of thing before."

Surveillance cameras and panic buttons were installed in Nelson's house, while tracking devices were fitted to the family's cars. "I even had a helicopter circling over my house. I've faced some hard men in the ring, but this was completely different because my family have been involved," Nelson added.

Police continue to keep check on Nelson's property. And, in such stressful circumstances, Nelson admits he has lost some of his appetite for boxing which has been his life since he turned professional in 1986.

Even though the safety-first manner of many of his 42 wins in 56 fights has brought as much criticism as praise, Nelson's unmarked features and overall fitness are testimony to the defensive skills he has honed under the tutelage of the Sheffield trainer Brendan Ingle.

The odds appear to be stacked against him tonight, even though Nelson at his best would be favoured to outbox the plodding and predictable home favourite. Germany, probably more than any other country staging high-profile boxing events, has become synonymous with questionable judging decisions going in favour of home fighters.

But there has also been evidence of a decline in Nelson's most recent appearances, to the point where the fighter himself concedes he may only have a couple of fights before retirement, irrespective of tonight's result. So it would be little surprise if Nelson were on the wrong end of a contentious points decision, especially if he produces one of the non-punching pacifist performances which have infuriated even his staunchest supporters.

Marco Antonio Barrera can further underline his claims to be numbered among boxing's greats if he can beat the southpaw Filipino Manny Pacquiao, the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight champion, when the two fight in San Antonio, Texas, tonight.

The Mexican Barrera, 29, is fighting for the first time since news broke that he underwent a brain operation in 1997 to remove malformed blood vessels, a disclosure which has caused alarm in some quarters even though Barrera's greatest performances, including two epic meetings with Erik Morales and the win over Naseem Hamed, came subsequently.

Refreshingly, Barrera refuses to fight for any of the sanctioning bodies' title belts and is content to prosper in the recognition that he is the world's best featherweight and, in the wake of Roy Jones's poor performance last week, a contender for the title of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Pacquaio, 24, has reportedly impressed in training, given by Steve Collins' old mentor Freddie Roach, and is unquestionably a tough and able fighter. But Barrera is exceptional and it would be a major upset if the gifted Mexican did not triumph by late stoppage or clearly on points.

·David Haye last night claimed the English cruiserweight title in his eighth professional fight with a first-round knockout of Lincoln's Tony Dowling.