SCORE Journal

PROTECTING RIDERS Better Support Will Bring New Interest For Motorcycles In BaJa By Mike Vieira Photos by Get Some Photo Jano Montoya is the points leader for 2022 in the SCORE Pro Moto 30 Class. He and his 325x team have won every race this season on their KTM 450EXCF. But that’s not new for Montoya who has been competing in SCORE races since 2014 and has seen changes over the years in riding in Baja. In his earliest years, the number of riders seemed pretty stable, but he says that after 2016, the numbers began dwindling. “That’s changing, however,” says Montoya. “In 2021 and 2022, I’ve seen improvements in the rider participation and you can definitely feel the increased support for the bikes.” Safety is a big concern for everyone involved in SCORE racing, and Montoya is happy to see some of the new changes to help protect riders, such as splitting the courses near the end for the motorcycles and trucks. “I think it’s good for the guys that are coming on the bikes who are tired and losing focus,” he says. “And the last thing you want to see is that there’s a SCORE Trophy Truck or two on your rear end, and it’s hard for them to stop. We’ve been pretty lucky that we’ve been finishing in front of the trucks, so that hasn’t been an issue for us, but I know there have been accidents and scary moments for other riders, especially in the Sportsman and Ironman classes, because the trucks catch up to them. We only had one incident back in 2017 when we had some bike issues and two SCORE Trophy Trucks passed me late at night. It’s true that when you see dust, wait until it settles, because the first one came, and the second one was right behind it in the dust. Had I tried to go back onto the course, I probably would have been run over.” The Stella tracking system is an important safety feature in warning of racers approaching from behind, and Montoya says, “I think that’s a good addition to the safety procedures that SCORE has implemented in the last few years. On motorcycles, you have to change it when you change riders, and sometimes you forget to do that, and you get penalized, but I understand the need for it, so we just deal with it. The Stella allows SCORE and our chase vehicles to have a better idea of where the bike is, and to track it throughout the course. It’s a lot of help.” Because motorcycles don’t have large GPS screens to help keep them on the course, Montoya says that more course markings would be a help to riders, especially in finding VCP locations and in dangerous areas. Often the markings are knocked down during prerunning, and he thinks that rechecking and repairing the markings the day before the race might help solve the issue. Staying on the subject of safety, Montoya says, “We as riders know that in areas that are dense with people, we have to slow it down because local cars get on the course. The motorcycles are usually the first ones to come through the town, and spectators are still trying to find the place where they’re going to park and get set up. Maybe if there was a helicopter or a car in front of the bikes to let people know that we are coming might help them to not get on the race course. The last thing you want to see is a rider getting hurt because a car or truck got onto the course.” Montoya also suggests an additional safety measure that might benefit all racers. He’d like to see medical personnel at various points on the course, with vehicles that can respond in an emergency for minor injuries or when the helicopter might be in use or unable to fly or land because of conditions. “I think it would be comforting for riders to know that in ten or twenty miles there will be a medical post where they can get help or tell them someone has been hurt. In the remote areas, you know if something were to happen to you that it would be hours before anyone can come to get you.” Montoya would definitely like to see more motorcyclists in SCORE races and feels that increased promotion will help increase interest and participation from both competitors and sponsors. SCORE’s Moto Liaison, Andy Kirker, is working hard to see that happen, and Montoya has appreciated the increased social media coverage from SCORE. He’s hoping that will lead to more contingency prizes for the motorcycles, as well as a return of larger support from the manufacturers. Cost is another factor holding motorcycle racer participation down in Baja, according to Montoya. Between the entry fees and overall associated costs, without sponsor support and prizes, it’s just too difficult for many dirt bike racers to run, even though they’d like to. “I know from talking to people that there’s a lot of them that can’t race in Baja because they can’t afford it. If it was half of the price for the registration, I think you’d get twice as many or more riders, and that in turn will bring more interest from the public and sponsors.” “Racing in Mexico is awesome,” he says. “It’s a beautiful place to go racing. The people, the atmosphere, the terrain, is all great, and a lot more people will go do it if there’s support from the top.” For those who are hesitant to go to Baja to race because they don’t know the language and don’t know where to start, Montoya suggests talking to veteran racers who can help guide them through what they need to know and find the resources to challenge Baja. SJ

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