SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/726957
overalls, he has proved that not only is he fast but he knows how to play the game and do all the right things. SJ: What is your favorite race bike and truck? LR: The KX500. It had good suspension and a great motor and we won a ton of races with it. Having that kind of power, the way they sound, it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. It was badass, a lot of good memories there from all over the country. In cars and trucks, I gotta pick the Truggy. It was ahead of its time; it's much like what a modern Trophy Truck is. The last few years with we had that six-speed sequential trans that Mike Smith built in house. With the six-speed, it reminded me of riding the bike. We ran a clutch so it was spontaneous throttle response. It was like a KX500 on steroids. To win the SCORE Baja 1000 for the first time in a four-wheel vehicle was great. 1994 was my tenth and last SCORE Baja 1000 on a bike and it was super memorable. I moved on to cars and won the SCORE Baja 1000 overall in 2004. Super emotional. The Baja is a huge part of my career. To win the SCORE Baja 1000 again for the first time in a car, with Troy in the Truggy, that's just a very special moment for me. So for sure the Truggy. SJ: With 13 overall SCORE Baja 1000 overall wins, has that sunk in yet? LR: I think about how it's pretty amazing that I have been able to surround myself with great people and teams and stay healthy. I've had a fair share of injuries, I quit counting broken bones. I pride myself on my discipline and training and dedication to the sport. I've won the SCORE Baja 500 11 times, between the 1000 and the 500, I have 24 overall wins. I hear that number and go wow, it doesn't seem like I've won that many times. Maybe it hasn't really sunk in; it amazes me. I'm a little bit in awe of the number. I just think that's crazy. I feel very blessed, lucky, humble. I feel that I have some more wins in me. I am still going for the win every race. I'm not done. I'm running out of time but I know I have it in me, physically and mentally I know I can do it. SJ: What advice do you have for new racers? LR: The one thing that stands out in our sport is that you need to be patient. There is no substitute for experience; don't act like you know it all. I don't like the guys that think they have it all figured out; none of us 031 SCORE JOURNAL