SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1526915
MIKE DIORIO Baja Savvy In A Top Class 1 Buggy By Larry Saavedra Photos by Get Some Photo Mike Diorio is no stranger to the Baja Peninsula. As the son of veteran Baja off-road racer Joe Diorio, he says the family has been racing in Mexico since 1973. So when RPI Racing’s Cody Reid in the No. 168 SCORE Class 1 AWD buggy was looking for an experienced navigator who knew “the lay of the land” Diorio was at the top of the list. “I’ve been Baja savvy my entire life,” he said. “It’s in my blood. We have a house and a bed and breakfast in Baja, and I know the terrain well.” Diorio has been the primary navigator for Reid for the past four years, and before that, he was racing his own SCORE Class 7 truck. “Cody and I clicked immediately, and it only gets better each season. His Class 1 car is amazing.” Diorio’s ability to understand the mechanics of race cars is paramount to developing a professional team. “I was an airplane mechanic for 20 years,” he said. “I’ve prepped other Class 1 cars. I was a crew chief for Danny Ebberts’ off-road team, and I worked with racing legend Brian Deegan on his short course trucks.” Diorio admits it took a while for him to adjust to riding shotgun and not driving. “I’ve advanced to a point where I’m equal to anyone else in the navigator’s seat,” he said. “I learned from the Ebberts and with Reid. I call every corner for him and every obstacle. If there’s an issue I’ll be the first one to exit the buggy and take care of the problem. If it’s something major he also gets out and helps with repairs.” Diorio recalled the 2023 SCORE Baja 400 when the RPI Racing buggy rolled on a narrow ninety-degree turn. “I’ll never forget that one because we flipped it back on its wheels unassisted,” he said. Somehow Reid and Diorio managed to place second in that race. One of the things he’s proudest of is never missing a VCP with Reid. “Haven’t missed one yet,” he said. Diorio says inside the car he handles all the radio calls so that Reid can focus on driving. Reid hears the radio, but only Diorio responds. “The less people talk on the radio the better because I have to call out every note to Cody and there’s no time for much else,” he added. In the SCORE Baja 1000, because of the distance, there is sometimes enough downtime on straightaways and speed zones for a navigator to relax, according to Diorio. “Mostly in the shorter races I have a lot going on,” he said. “I’m also monitoring the tire pressures, at night I’m adjusting lights, and trying to keep our visors clean. The Baja dust is worse. You have to get the timing right for the driver, and when there’s traffic it makes matters more challenging.” Diorio feels that his experience as a driver is a major asset to the RPI team. He thinks it helps to understand how this big-block buggy on 40-inch tires might react to sudden navigation calls on the course. Especially on the high-speed terrain when obstacles are flying by. “Cody is a great driver and I trust him.” SJ