No need to debate that situation here or anywhere really, I won’t. I was closer to it than you know.
Bottom line is, he died in that desert without SCORE doing ANYTHING AT ALL to help and 10 years later….same fucking thing but luckily Kade is still breathing.
SCORE needs to be better. Period. To defend them in anyway is fucking pathetic and shows you have zero clue or real experience with the risks these guys at the front are taking.
Probably won’t matter much. SLR won’t go back and SCORE racing will be back to dudes who couldn’t win the B class at a Hare & Hound. Still dangerous for them but not anywhere near what it is for real Pros down there.
What you said was just as ignorant.
No need to debate that situation here or anywhere really, I won’t. I was closer to it than...
What you said was just as ignorant.
No need to debate that situation here or anywhere really, I won’t. I was closer to it than you know.
Bottom line is, he died in that desert without SCORE doing ANYTHING AT ALL to help and 10 years later….same fucking thing but luckily Kade is still breathing.
SCORE needs to be better. Period. To defend them in anyway is fucking pathetic and shows you have zero clue or real experience with the risks these guys at the front are taking.
Probably won’t matter much. SLR won’t go back and SCORE racing will be back to dudes who couldn’t win the B class at a Hare & Hound. Still dangerous for them but not anywhere near what it is for real Pros down there.
This!!!!!
For those that don't think there are legitimate concerns about the safety of racing down there, ask yourself why is it we don't see factory teams down there anymore? Believe me, if there is a chance for a manufacturer to be able to claim wins in a race such as the Baja they would do it in a heartbeat. The fact is, what makes this race what it is, the allure, the challenge is also its downfall. Cars on the course, people on the course, spectator made jumps etc. Now you couple that with a very poorly run EMS system and its a recipe for disaster.
No, I don't think they need to bubble wrap the riders, or rope off the course, but they sure as hell can put some sort of effort in to help people for when shit does go wrong. They could have ambulances staged along the course and then have choppers on standby for areas outside of where the ambulances can reach. Fuck, here in the states, the supercross races are held in big cities where the nearest hospital is probably less than 5 miles away yet there is ALWAYS an ambulance sitting at the race waiting in case something happens.
I had a conversation with Roger Norman last night. He didn't even know about this and told me to contact Score with my complaint. He owns Score. He didn't even remember me. I had talked to him a few times about loosing my teammate the same way in 2015 while we were running 3rd OA and my concern that they ran the race through the same danger the very next year. The man absolutely doesn't care.
What you said was just as ignorant.
No need to debate that situation here or anywhere really, I won’t. I was closer to it than...
What you said was just as ignorant.
No need to debate that situation here or anywhere really, I won’t. I was closer to it than you know.
Bottom line is, he died in that desert without SCORE doing ANYTHING AT ALL to help and 10 years later….same fucking thing but luckily Kade is still breathing.
SCORE needs to be better. Period. To defend them in anyway is fucking pathetic and shows you have zero clue or real experience with the risks these guys at the front are taking.
Probably won’t matter much. SLR won’t go back and SCORE racing will be back to dudes who couldn’t win the B class at a Hare & Hound. Still dangerous for them but not anywhere near what it is for real Pros down there.
I’m not debating shit, I agree with you, but your holier than tho attitude came wide open.
I don’t know how close you were, but everything I heard says nothing could’ve really have been done because of internal injuries. Yes, it sucked, and yes, Score should care more, but they don’t, and no one seems to care.
SCORE is a joke. No one cares about Baja anymore, especially top guys or factory teams. It’s run in such a bush league manner and no...
SCORE is a joke. No one cares about Baja anymore, especially top guys or factory teams. It’s run in such a bush league manner and no one seems to care
💯 agreed. And bikes have no place down there anymore in this race. I was there again this year and it was worse than last year. More idiot chase drivers passing on blind corners, more Chase rigs driving backwards in the course, poor markings, inaccessible areas for injured riders/drivers, the list just gets bigger every year.
We had a rider on our team go down not far from where Kade went down, fortunately our guy only broke his hand and dislocated a shoulder.
Ty Davis posted an update about Kade. Sounds like he's stable with good vitals. He doesn't mention it in his post, but from what I've gathered his coma is now medically induced, and they're waiting for some head swelling and bleeding to go down before attempting to wake him.
I don't have much good to say about this situation, SCORE and Baja in general. I'll just say Kade needs our thoughts and prayers - best case scenario is he has a long road to recovery.
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the World Rally Raid Championship) and SCORE. ASO puts tremendous resources into marketing, media, medical, etc. Riders have multiple, redundant safety beacons on their bikes, choppers ready at a moments notice, and competent medical personnel on standby. Riders have confidence that they're not going to lay in the desert for 9 hours before getting help.
SCORE relies on local (courageous, but underequipped and underprepared) Mexican ambulances, and the teams are basically on their own. Roger's indifference and greed is pretty effing disgusting. Teams planning to compete down there need to understand this very clearly, and know what the real risks are. People love the wild west nature of Baja, but it would be a big mistake to go down there to compete thinking that you're in good hands with the promotor.
It's impossible to know if Kurt Caselli would've survived had the KTM chopper been airborne, but we do know that he despite his internal injuries he was conscious and took his helmet off and sat down at the base of a tree, where he died alone. They had no beacons or Spot trackers back then (they do now), but even with them it's unconscionable that SCORE has allocated zero resources to rapid response for injured riders/drivers.
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the...
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the World Rally Raid Championship) and SCORE. ASO puts tremendous resources into marketing, media, medical, etc. Riders have multiple, redundant safety beacons on their bikes, choppers ready at a moments notice, and competent medical personnel on standby. Riders have confidence that they're not going to lay in the desert for 9 hours before getting help.
SCORE relies on local (courageous, but underequipped and underprepared) Mexican ambulances, and the teams are basically on their own. Roger's indifference and greed is pretty effing disgusting. Teams planning to compete down there need to understand this very clearly, and know what the real risks are. People love the wild west nature of Baja, but it would be a big mistake to go down there to compete thinking that you're in good hands with the promotor.
It's impossible to know if Kurt Caselli would've survived had the KTM chopper been airborne, but we do know that he despite his internal injuries he was conscious and took his helmet off and sat down at the base of a tree, where he died alone. They had no beacons or Spot trackers back then (they do now), but even with them it's unconscionable that SCORE has allocated zero resources to rapid response for injured riders/drivers.
not that i want to defend Score, but the entry fees are very different too, approx $2800 USD to $27000 usd
not that i want to defend Score, but the entry fees are very different too, approx $2800 USD to $27000 usd
not that i want to defend Score, but the entry fees are very different too, approx $2800 USD to $27000 usd
Fair point, but also makes complete sense as ASO (Dakar) have 14-16 days that they have to provide medical help over a race that is constantly changing locations daily.
SCORE has 48 hours.
ASO also provides food, fuel and other things for that entry fee.
Dakar and Baja is obviously not a complete apples to apples comparison but when you look at the logistics of Dakar and what they provide the racers it doesn't seem out of the question that SCORE needs to be better.
I remember every fucking detail of it vividly bud.
So you think it’s just perfectly acceptable that SCORE is content to let these guys die...
I remember every fucking detail of it vividly bud.
So you think it’s just perfectly acceptable that SCORE is content to let these guys die in the desert and not do a MOTHERFUCKING thing about it?
Got it.
What solution do you propose? Genuinely curious because Baja is massive and some areas are extremely remote and hard to access. My sister’s boyfriend is Luke McMillin’s mechanic and he FaceTimed me when the code red happened and everyone was doing what they could to get Kade out. It was definitely not a simple task. Not sure what Score could have done different?
What solution do you propose? Genuinely curious because Baja is massive and some areas are extremely remote and hard to access. My sister’s boyfriend is Luke...
What solution do you propose? Genuinely curious because Baja is massive and some areas are extremely remote and hard to access. My sister’s boyfriend is Luke McMillin’s mechanic and he FaceTimed me when the code red happened and everyone was doing what they could to get Kade out. It was definitely not a simple task. Not sure what Score could have done different?
I propose SCORE does anything that allows them to be of some assistance within a 9 hour window. Everything I've read, watched and been told has said they didn't do a fucking thing. This is clear if you watch Mark Samuels post on Instagram. What SCORE could have done different is actually do something.....
Maybe an ambulance spaced out every 50-100 miles at least?
Dedicated medical personnel spaced along the course in off road capable vehicles?
Jump through the hoops to be able to fly helicopters at night?
They damn well know the course is going through this remote area that Kade got hurt, some in the know don't think they should even race there due to the logistics of getting hurt people out, so they should have a plan to help people and keep them from dying.
Just do something..... the "it's Baja, it's remote, that's the way it goes" attitude doesn't cut it anymore.
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the...
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the World Rally Raid Championship) and SCORE. ASO puts tremendous resources into marketing, media, medical, etc. Riders have multiple, redundant safety beacons on their bikes, choppers ready at a moments notice, and competent medical personnel on standby. Riders have confidence that they're not going to lay in the desert for 9 hours before getting help.
SCORE relies on local (courageous, but underequipped and underprepared) Mexican ambulances, and the teams are basically on their own. Roger's indifference and greed is pretty effing disgusting. Teams planning to compete down there need to understand this very clearly, and know what the real risks are. People love the wild west nature of Baja, but it would be a big mistake to go down there to compete thinking that you're in good hands with the promotor.
It's impossible to know if Kurt Caselli would've survived had the KTM chopper been airborne, but we do know that he despite his internal injuries he was conscious and took his helmet off and sat down at the base of a tree, where he died alone. They had no beacons or Spot trackers back then (they do now), but even with them it's unconscionable that SCORE has allocated zero resources to rapid response for injured riders/drivers.
It is a terrible thing that Kade is going through that i wouldn't wish that on anybody. The wild west nature you speak of is exactly why people want to go to Baja to begin with. It absolutely amazed me and now i want to go back every year. We are all going to continue to bitch about SCORE and they will just get tired of it and quit racing motorcycles just like they did at Pikes Peak. We are racing dirtbikes, if we wanted to be safe we would switch to a truck or buggy to have a cage around us. These teams have raced down there for years, they know the risk. They know that the course goes through the most remote areas with no help anywhere close, but they have continued to keep going back. If they had such a problem, they should drop out and stick to motocross where medical help will be there in the first few minutes of your accident. Not trying defend SCORE in any way. That is what makes Baja, Baja!
Maybe put a medic with an offroad vehicle at every Baja Pit and MAG7 pit??
What solution do you propose? Genuinely curious because Baja is massive and some areas are extremely remote and hard to access. My sister’s boyfriend is Luke...
What solution do you propose? Genuinely curious because Baja is massive and some areas are extremely remote and hard to access. My sister’s boyfriend is Luke McMillin’s mechanic and he FaceTimed me when the code red happened and everyone was doing what they could to get Kade out. It was definitely not a simple task. Not sure what Score could have done different?
I propose SCORE does anything that allows them to be of some assistance within a 9 hour window. Everything I've read, watched and been told...
I propose SCORE does anything that allows them to be of some assistance within a 9 hour window. Everything I've read, watched and been told has said they didn't do a fucking thing. This is clear if you watch Mark Samuels post on Instagram. What SCORE could have done different is actually do something.....
Maybe an ambulance spaced out every 50-100 miles at least?
Dedicated medical personnel spaced along the course in off road capable vehicles?
Jump through the hoops to be able to fly helicopters at night?
They damn well know the course is going through this remote area that Kade got hurt, some in the know don't think they should even race there due to the logistics of getting hurt people out, so they should have a plan to help people and keep them from dying.
Just do something..... the "it's Baja, it's remote, that's the way it goes" attitude doesn't cut it anymore.
All are fair ideas but where is an ambulance going to take an injured rider? A lot of the race teams have better qualified personnel than what small towns down there have to offer. Unfortunately, the accident happened at the worst location but gratefully, the support is unreal down there and chase support will do anything to help each other. For example, Nick Lapaglia quickly posted online that he was nearby and accompanied by an Orthopedic doctor.
Not sure if you have any Baja experience but it’s a whole other beast. I personally, agree that things can improve and Score can step it up but I’m also realistic of the geographical challenges and governing regulations.
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the...
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the World Rally Raid Championship) and SCORE. ASO puts tremendous resources into marketing, media, medical, etc. Riders have multiple, redundant safety beacons on their bikes, choppers ready at a moments notice, and competent medical personnel on standby. Riders have confidence that they're not going to lay in the desert for 9 hours before getting help.
SCORE relies on local (courageous, but underequipped and underprepared) Mexican ambulances, and the teams are basically on their own. Roger's indifference and greed is pretty effing disgusting. Teams planning to compete down there need to understand this very clearly, and know what the real risks are. People love the wild west nature of Baja, but it would be a big mistake to go down there to compete thinking that you're in good hands with the promotor.
It's impossible to know if Kurt Caselli would've survived had the KTM chopper been airborne, but we do know that he despite his internal injuries he was conscious and took his helmet off and sat down at the base of a tree, where he died alone. They had no beacons or Spot trackers back then (they do now), but even with them it's unconscionable that SCORE has allocated zero resources to rapid response for injured riders/drivers.
It is a terrible thing that Kade is going through that i wouldn't wish that on anybody. The wild west nature you speak of is exactly...
It is a terrible thing that Kade is going through that i wouldn't wish that on anybody. The wild west nature you speak of is exactly why people want to go to Baja to begin with. It absolutely amazed me and now i want to go back every year. We are all going to continue to bitch about SCORE and they will just get tired of it and quit racing motorcycles just like they did at Pikes Peak. We are racing dirtbikes, if we wanted to be safe we would switch to a truck or buggy to have a cage around us. These teams have raced down there for years, they know the risk. They know that the course goes through the most remote areas with no help anywhere close, but they have continued to keep going back. If they had such a problem, they should drop out and stick to motocross where medical help will be there in the first few minutes of your accident. Not trying defend SCORE in any way. That is what makes Baja, Baja!
Maybe put a medic with an offroad vehicle at every Baja Pit and MAG7 pit??
This isn’t Vietnam, it’s 2023 and we are racing dirt bikes. Having someone seriously injured shouldn’t take 9 hours and their own personnel to get medical attention.
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the...
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the World Rally Raid Championship) and SCORE. ASO puts tremendous resources into marketing, media, medical, etc. Riders have multiple, redundant safety beacons on their bikes, choppers ready at a moments notice, and competent medical personnel on standby. Riders have confidence that they're not going to lay in the desert for 9 hours before getting help.
SCORE relies on local (courageous, but underequipped and underprepared) Mexican ambulances, and the teams are basically on their own. Roger's indifference and greed is pretty effing disgusting. Teams planning to compete down there need to understand this very clearly, and know what the real risks are. People love the wild west nature of Baja, but it would be a big mistake to go down there to compete thinking that you're in good hands with the promotor.
It's impossible to know if Kurt Caselli would've survived had the KTM chopper been airborne, but we do know that he despite his internal injuries he was conscious and took his helmet off and sat down at the base of a tree, where he died alone. They had no beacons or Spot trackers back then (they do now), but even with them it's unconscionable that SCORE has allocated zero resources to rapid response for injured riders/drivers.
It is a terrible thing that Kade is going through that i wouldn't wish that on anybody. The wild west nature you speak of is exactly...
It is a terrible thing that Kade is going through that i wouldn't wish that on anybody. The wild west nature you speak of is exactly why people want to go to Baja to begin with. It absolutely amazed me and now i want to go back every year. We are all going to continue to bitch about SCORE and they will just get tired of it and quit racing motorcycles just like they did at Pikes Peak. We are racing dirtbikes, if we wanted to be safe we would switch to a truck or buggy to have a cage around us. These teams have raced down there for years, they know the risk. They know that the course goes through the most remote areas with no help anywhere close, but they have continued to keep going back. If they had such a problem, they should drop out and stick to motocross where medical help will be there in the first few minutes of your accident. Not trying defend SCORE in any way. That is what makes Baja, Baja!
Maybe put a medic with an offroad vehicle at every Baja Pit and MAG7 pit??
This isn’t Vietnam, it’s 2023 and we are racing dirt bikes. Having someone seriously injured shouldn’t take 9 hours and their own personnel to get medical...
This isn’t Vietnam, it’s 2023 and we are racing dirt bikes. Having someone seriously injured shouldn’t take 9 hours and their own personnel to get medical attention.
I truly wish a chopper could’ve been called out. Overall, right now all we can do is pray and hope for the best. It really could’ve been anyone other than Kade and it would suck just as bad. I don’t wish this on anyone.
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the...
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the World Rally Raid Championship) and SCORE. ASO puts tremendous resources into marketing, media, medical, etc. Riders have multiple, redundant safety beacons on their bikes, choppers ready at a moments notice, and competent medical personnel on standby. Riders have confidence that they're not going to lay in the desert for 9 hours before getting help.
SCORE relies on local (courageous, but underequipped and underprepared) Mexican ambulances, and the teams are basically on their own. Roger's indifference and greed is pretty effing disgusting. Teams planning to compete down there need to understand this very clearly, and know what the real risks are. People love the wild west nature of Baja, but it would be a big mistake to go down there to compete thinking that you're in good hands with the promotor.
It's impossible to know if Kurt Caselli would've survived had the KTM chopper been airborne, but we do know that he despite his internal injuries he was conscious and took his helmet off and sat down at the base of a tree, where he died alone. They had no beacons or Spot trackers back then (they do now), but even with them it's unconscionable that SCORE has allocated zero resources to rapid response for injured riders/drivers.
It is a terrible thing that Kade is going through that i wouldn't wish that on anybody. The wild west nature you speak of is exactly...
It is a terrible thing that Kade is going through that i wouldn't wish that on anybody. The wild west nature you speak of is exactly why people want to go to Baja to begin with. It absolutely amazed me and now i want to go back every year. We are all going to continue to bitch about SCORE and they will just get tired of it and quit racing motorcycles just like they did at Pikes Peak. We are racing dirtbikes, if we wanted to be safe we would switch to a truck or buggy to have a cage around us. These teams have raced down there for years, they know the risk. They know that the course goes through the most remote areas with no help anywhere close, but they have continued to keep going back. If they had such a problem, they should drop out and stick to motocross where medical help will be there in the first few minutes of your accident. Not trying defend SCORE in any way. That is what makes Baja, Baja!
Maybe put a medic with an offroad vehicle at every Baja Pit and MAG7 pit??
This isn’t Vietnam, it’s 2023 and we are racing dirt bikes. Having someone seriously injured shouldn’t take 9 hours and their own personnel to get medical...
This isn’t Vietnam, it’s 2023 and we are racing dirt bikes. Having someone seriously injured shouldn’t take 9 hours and their own personnel to get medical attention.
I totally agree 100%, that’s why I’m done with SCORE after this year.
I truly wish a chopper could’ve been called out. Overall, right now all we can do is pray and hope for the best. It really could’ve...
I truly wish a chopper could’ve been called out. Overall, right now all we can do is pray and hope for the best. It really could’ve been anyone other than Kade and it would suck just as bad. I don’t wish this on anyone.
Has their been an official statement on why there was no heli? My rider was in that section at the time and I drove through some nasty fog from crucero to cataviña, haven’t been able to find any word from SCORE though.
I’ve held out on this post since I first saw it come up about the K Walker situation. First and foremost I was down there, I was helping the 3X motorcycle followed the race all the way from Lereto up to the finish line, which is pretty much 3/4 of the race.
The situation with Kade Walker, is inexcusable on scores part. When you sign up to race, score, obviously, you know the elements of Baja and what it has to offer. And I know whole hearted Andy Kirker has gone above and beyond for the motorcycle guys this whole season to ensure that the lead bikes have a helicopter over their head at all times with two medics on board. Again the logistics of that helicopter were absolutely terrible for this race and unfortunately could be a gigantic factor in the situation.
The biggest thing in this whole situation, as explained in Mark Samuels video, he requested help multiple times, and score, said that they were going to help, and never ended up helping him. He took another race team in the trophy truck class to help get a rider unconscious for multiple hours at this point out of the desert. It was a logistical failure on score 100%. I feel for Mark, it’s absolutely heart shattering watching that video. Kade is a really talented racer and I truly hope that he has some sorts of life after this.
I’m not gonna tell my story on here, But what I can say with absolute gratitude is thank God for these trophy truck teams allow them to have helicopters, and or planes to get riders out of the country, when we’re supposed to be relying on score to do that for the racer when you sign up.
To the guys that are bringing up the Caselli situation and blaming score and arguing over the fact of who’s to blame, cmon guys, arguing about that isn’t going to bring my friend and many others friend back.
What solution do you propose? Genuinely curious because Baja is massive and some areas are extremely remote and hard to access. My sister’s boyfriend is Luke...
What solution do you propose? Genuinely curious because Baja is massive and some areas are extremely remote and hard to access. My sister’s boyfriend is Luke McMillin’s mechanic and he FaceTimed me when the code red happened and everyone was doing what they could to get Kade out. It was definitely not a simple task. Not sure what Score could have done different?
How about something as simple as having a dual-engine chopper on standby for evacuation of injured riders at night???? My understanding is that you can't fly a single-engine chopper at night in Baja. The fact that SCORE promised two choppers to SLR shows that they are completely incompetent and disinterested in actually learning the regulations in the country they compete in.
Oh, I forgot - that would cost money. And why would SCORE actually spend money on riders when they don't have to....
Again - riders and teams planning to compete down there should know what they're getting into.
I remember every fucking detail of it vividly bud.
So you think it’s just perfectly acceptable that SCORE is content to let these guys die in the desert and not do a MOTHERFUCKING thing about it?
Got it.
Yea, that’s what I said alright.
What you said was just as ignorant.
No need to debate that situation here or anywhere really, I won’t. I was closer to it than you know.
Bottom line is, he died in that desert without SCORE doing ANYTHING AT ALL to help and 10 years later….same fucking thing but luckily Kade is still breathing.
SCORE needs to be better. Period. To defend them in anyway is fucking pathetic and shows you have zero clue or real experience with the risks these guys at the front are taking.
Probably won’t matter much. SLR won’t go back and SCORE racing will be back to dudes who couldn’t win the B class at a Hare & Hound. Still dangerous for them but not anywhere near what it is for real Pros down there.
This!!!!!
For those that don't think there are legitimate concerns about the safety of racing down there, ask yourself why is it we don't see factory teams down there anymore? Believe me, if there is a chance for a manufacturer to be able to claim wins in a race such as the Baja they would do it in a heartbeat. The fact is, what makes this race what it is, the allure, the challenge is also its downfall. Cars on the course, people on the course, spectator made jumps etc. Now you couple that with a very poorly run EMS system and its a recipe for disaster.
No, I don't think they need to bubble wrap the riders, or rope off the course, but they sure as hell can put some sort of effort in to help people for when shit does go wrong. They could have ambulances staged along the course and then have choppers on standby for areas outside of where the ambulances can reach. Fuck, here in the states, the supercross races are held in big cities where the nearest hospital is probably less than 5 miles away yet there is ALWAYS an ambulance sitting at the race waiting in case something happens.
The Shop
has it really changed since 1995 when Kawi pulled out after Danny Hamil was killed by a police car on the course?
They do have speed limits on the highways now. That woulda saved Danny.
I had a conversation with Roger Norman last night. He didn't even know about this and told me to contact Score with my complaint. He owns Score. He didn't even remember me. I had talked to him a few times about loosing my teammate the same way in 2015 while we were running 3rd OA and my concern that they ran the race through the same danger the very next year. The man absolutely doesn't care.
I’m not debating shit, I agree with you, but your holier than tho attitude came wide open.
I don’t know how close you were, but everything I heard says nothing could’ve really have been done because of internal injuries. Yes, it sucked, and yes, Score should care more, but they don’t, and no one seems to care.
Any updates on Kade?
SCORE is a joke. No one cares about Baja anymore, especially top guys or factory teams. It’s run in such a bush league manner and no one seems to care
💯 agreed. And bikes have no place down there anymore in this race. I was there again this year and it was worse than last year. More idiot chase drivers passing on blind corners, more Chase rigs driving backwards in the course, poor markings, inaccessible areas for injured riders/drivers, the list just gets bigger every year.
We had a rider on our team go down not far from where Kade went down, fortunately our guy only broke his hand and dislocated a shoulder.
Ty Davis posted an update about Kade. Sounds like he's stable with good vitals. He doesn't mention it in his post, but from what I've gathered his coma is now medically induced, and they're waiting for some head swelling and bleeding to go down before attempting to wake him.
I don't have much good to say about this situation, SCORE and Baja in general. I'll just say Kade needs our thoughts and prayers - best case scenario is he has a long road to recovery.
Some thoughts on SCORE and Roger Norman and the Baja 1000:
It is pretty striking to see the contrast between ASO (promotor for Dakar and the World Rally Raid Championship) and SCORE. ASO puts tremendous resources into marketing, media, medical, etc. Riders have multiple, redundant safety beacons on their bikes, choppers ready at a moments notice, and competent medical personnel on standby. Riders have confidence that they're not going to lay in the desert for 9 hours before getting help.
SCORE relies on local (courageous, but underequipped and underprepared) Mexican ambulances, and the teams are basically on their own. Roger's indifference and greed is pretty effing disgusting. Teams planning to compete down there need to understand this very clearly, and know what the real risks are. People love the wild west nature of Baja, but it would be a big mistake to go down there to compete thinking that you're in good hands with the promotor.
It's impossible to know if Kurt Caselli would've survived had the KTM chopper been airborne, but we do know that he despite his internal injuries he was conscious and took his helmet off and sat down at the base of a tree, where he died alone. They had no beacons or Spot trackers back then (they do now), but even with them it's unconscionable that SCORE has allocated zero resources to rapid response for injured riders/drivers.
not that i want to defend Score, but the entry fees are very different too, approx $2800 USD to $27000 usd
Fair point, but also makes complete sense as ASO (Dakar) have 14-16 days that they have to provide medical help over a race that is constantly changing locations daily.
SCORE has 48 hours.
ASO also provides food, fuel and other things for that entry fee.
Dakar and Baja is obviously not a complete apples to apples comparison but when you look at the logistics of Dakar and what they provide the racers it doesn't seem out of the question that SCORE needs to be better.
What solution do you propose? Genuinely curious because Baja is massive and some areas are extremely remote and hard to access. My sister’s boyfriend is Luke McMillin’s mechanic and he FaceTimed me when the code red happened and everyone was doing what they could to get Kade out. It was definitely not a simple task. Not sure what Score could have done different?
I propose SCORE does anything that allows them to be of some assistance within a 9 hour window. Everything I've read, watched and been told has said they didn't do a fucking thing. This is clear if you watch Mark Samuels post on Instagram. What SCORE could have done different is actually do something.....
Maybe an ambulance spaced out every 50-100 miles at least?
Dedicated medical personnel spaced along the course in off road capable vehicles?
Jump through the hoops to be able to fly helicopters at night?
They damn well know the course is going through this remote area that Kade got hurt, some in the know don't think they should even race there due to the logistics of getting hurt people out, so they should have a plan to help people and keep them from dying.
Just do something..... the "it's Baja, it's remote, that's the way it goes" attitude doesn't cut it anymore.
Pit Row
Pretty hard to find news on this event as it relates to the final motorcycle results.
Between tragedy and neglect (SCORE)
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It is a terrible thing that Kade is going through that i wouldn't wish that on anybody. The wild west nature you speak of is exactly why people want to go to Baja to begin with. It absolutely amazed me and now i want to go back every year. We are all going to continue to bitch about SCORE and they will just get tired of it and quit racing motorcycles just like they did at Pikes Peak. We are racing dirtbikes, if we wanted to be safe we would switch to a truck or buggy to have a cage around us. These teams have raced down there for years, they know the risk. They know that the course goes through the most remote areas with no help anywhere close, but they have continued to keep going back. If they had such a problem, they should drop out and stick to motocross where medical help will be there in the first few minutes of your accident. Not trying defend SCORE in any way. That is what makes Baja, Baja!
Maybe put a medic with an offroad vehicle at every Baja Pit and MAG7 pit??
All are fair ideas but where is an ambulance going to take an injured rider? A lot of the race teams have better qualified personnel than what small towns down there have to offer. Unfortunately, the accident happened at the worst location but gratefully, the support is unreal down there and chase support will do anything to help each other. For example, Nick Lapaglia quickly posted online that he was nearby and accompanied by an Orthopedic doctor.
Not sure if you have any Baja experience but it’s a whole other beast. I personally, agree that things can improve and Score can step it up but I’m also realistic of the geographical challenges and governing regulations.
This isn’t Vietnam, it’s 2023 and we are racing dirt bikes. Having someone seriously injured shouldn’t take 9 hours and their own personnel to get medical attention.
I truly wish a chopper could’ve been called out. Overall, right now all we can do is pray and hope for the best. It really could’ve been anyone other than Kade and it would suck just as bad. I don’t wish this on anyone.
I totally agree 100%, that’s why I’m done with SCORE after this year.
I really hope this Dutchy situation doesn’t draw out more unprepared riders.
I saw some FB post about making a documentary to encourage more of that....that's the LAST thing the series needs.
Has their been an official statement on why there was no heli? My rider was in that section at the time and I drove through some nasty fog from crucero to cataviña, haven’t been able to find any word from SCORE though.
I keep seeing posts in the Baja group with brand new members asking about “what bike should I run” “what are the rules” “I want to try it out” …
Luckily I think the high entry fee will scare the average jabroni away, but still.
I’ve held out on this post since I first saw it come up about the K Walker situation. First and foremost I was down there, I was helping the 3X motorcycle followed the race all the way from Lereto up to the finish line, which is pretty much 3/4 of the race.
The situation with Kade Walker, is inexcusable on scores part. When you sign up to race, score, obviously, you know the elements of Baja and what it has to offer. And I know whole hearted Andy Kirker has gone above and beyond for the motorcycle guys this whole season to ensure that the lead bikes have a helicopter over their head at all times with two medics on board. Again the logistics of that helicopter were absolutely terrible for this race and unfortunately could be a gigantic factor in the situation.
The biggest thing in this whole situation, as explained in Mark Samuels video, he requested help multiple times, and score, said that they were going to help, and never ended up helping him. He took another race team in the trophy truck class to help get a rider unconscious for multiple hours at this point out of the desert. It was a logistical failure on score 100%. I feel for Mark, it’s absolutely heart shattering watching that video. Kade is a really talented racer and I truly hope that he has some sorts of life after this.
I’m not gonna tell my story on here, But what I can say with absolute gratitude is thank God for these trophy truck teams allow them to have helicopters, and or planes to get riders out of the country, when we’re supposed to be relying on score to do that for the racer when you sign up.
To the guys that are bringing up the Caselli situation and blaming score and arguing over the fact of who’s to blame, cmon guys, arguing about that isn’t going to bring my friend and many others friend back.
How about something as simple as having a dual-engine chopper on standby for evacuation of injured riders at night???? My understanding is that you can't fly a single-engine chopper at night in Baja. The fact that SCORE promised two choppers to SLR shows that they are completely incompetent and disinterested in actually learning the regulations in the country they compete in.
Oh, I forgot - that would cost money. And why would SCORE actually spend money on riders when they don't have to....
Again - riders and teams planning to compete down there should know what they're getting into.
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