SCORE Journal

SCORE-Journal-August-2020

SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing

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THE IRONMAN’S IRONMAN Despite 15 Broken Bones And Burns Across A Quarter Of His Body, Josear Carrasco Still Plans On Riding Again By Dan Sanchez Photos by GET SOME photo If the Pro Moto Ironman riders are considered the heroes of desert racing, Josear Carrasco is the one guy all Ironman riders look up to. Carrasco began racing SCORE in 2009 and entered into his first Pro Moto Ironman in 2016. “I got into motorcycle racing because of my dad,” said Carrasco. “He raced when he was young and has been around the industry his whole life. I started racing bicycles and at the age of six, I got my first dirt bike. Being a kid from Baja, Mexico I grew up seeing my heroes like Larry Roeseler, Johnny Campbell, and my interest in ironman racers came from watching Ivan Stewart and Mouse McCoy in the Dust To Glory movie.” Carrasco’s pro moto career grew and in 2017 he had a nearly perfect season, winning the SCORE San Felipe 250, the SCORE Baja 500, the SCORE Tijuana Desert Challenge and finished third at the SCORE Baja 1000. Carrasco was at the top of the sport and even though the 2018 season didn’t go as well, he spent more time preparing for the 2019 season to dominate the class once and for all. “On August 10th, 2019 I was competing with a team at a local Baja race to prepare for the SCORE Baja 400 that September,” says Carrasco. “On the course, a spectator driving the wrong way hit me as I was speeding along at 80 mph.” Carrasco was seriously injured with 15 broken bones, second and third-degree burns across his body and internal injuries. It’s been nearly a year since the accident, and Carrasco has been recovering. “I’ve had many operations and six-feet of my intestines were taken out, but I’m very thankful for the doctors, the off-road community, friends, and family who have supported me through my recovery and have helped me get back to normal,” he says. “It’s been one of the hardest years of my life and on top of that, there’s the worldwide pandemic too. At this point, however, my bones are fully healed and I’ve been working on getting my strength and movement back with physical therapy.” Some might say that if Carrasco ended his career now, he would do it with a Championship and several wins under his belt. Nothing to be ashamed of. But in true Pro Moto Ironman fashion, the now 30-year old racer is not done with motorcycle racing. “I’m looking forward to riding again on the same day of the accident a year later,” he says. “I want to prove to myself that anything is possible with the right mindset. I am sure that if everything keeps moving forward with my recovery, SCORE fans can expect to see me at the start of a race sometime within the next year.” If you wanted to know what’s in the heart of a true Ironman moto racer, this is it. Carrasco still has something to prove, especially after a disappointing 2018 season in which his only win was at the SCORE Tijuana Desert Challenge. At the start of the 2019 season, it was time for a comeback but narrowly missed a win at the SCORE Baja 500. “That race had to be one of the toughest racecourses I’ve ever been in,” says Carrasco. “Starting and ending with deep silt and dealing with very hot temperatures and bike problems that cost almost an hour, it was the definition of the toughest race in the world. It came to the last mile, dueling with Tanner Janesky for the win, crossing the finish line with a photo finish. I thought I had won, but unfortunately, after missing a VCP I got penalized and moved back to second place.” There’s no tougher competitor than one who has not been able to prove to himself he’s the best out there. For every Pro Moto Ironman racer, it’s all mind over body. “It’s a very strong mental game,” he says. “The best thing for me to do is to focus and think on my next pit stop. I make sure I bring the best team who are encouraging me to keep going and reminding me why I am doing it. But believe me when I say that there is some point where your mind just wanders from point to point, always thinking of the upcoming VCPs, remembering the course notes, reading the ground with previous tire marks, being aware of spectators, technical sections, and more. Then you have moments when you are just taking in the view, others when you’re trying to remember if you did the laundry at home or even thinking of new recipes you can try next time you are in the kitchen. Trust me when I say there is time for everything in these long races. It’s just a matter of not giving up.” SJ

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