SCORE Journal

SCORE-Journal-JAN-2025

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

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UNDERDOGS TO CHAMPIONS Arturo Salas Jr. and The 11x Team Become 2024 Pro Moto Unlimited Champions By Dan Sanchez Photos by Get Some Photo w hen he started the 2024 SCORE Season, the dream of Arturo Salas Jr. was to win the SCORE Pro Moto Unlimited Championship as the rider of record. Salas had won races and championships before when he was a co-rider with Juan Carlos Salvatierra, but Salas and the 11x team were new for 2024, and organized quickly for the first race of the season under the direction of former racer and Pro Moto Champion Giovanni Spinali. “I grew up looking up to moto racer Ivan Ramirez,” said Salas. “I saw his videos, and it was great to see a Mexican moto racer representing my country, and getting support from the people and fans. Once I started racing, I wanted to carry the SCORE Pro Moto 1x badge for Mexico. It still hasn’t sunk in, and I don’t think it will until I am at the starting line of the 2025 SCORE San Felipe with the 1x number on the bike.” Putting together the 11x H.E.R.O. team was a challenge for its leader Spinali. “When we first started the team, we didn’t even have a motorcycle,” he said. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy going against more experienced riders who set the bar for the level of riding that we see today. It was a decision that we all made, however, to work together and learn from the mistakes we would inevitably make.” “Our confidence grew after each race,” said Salas. “Carter Klein and Cirian Naran had good riding experience, and we made mistakes throughout the season, but we didn’t let that hold us back. At each race, we proved we could ride at the top levels as the current championship riders we were competing against. Although we were the ‘underdogs’ this season, we felt we were in our zone. Knowing we were all capable riders it was simply up to us to ride smart and we felt confident in our efforts.” Their confidence led to first-place finishes at the SCORE San Felipe 250 and the SCORE Baja 500. As the 7x team of Justin Morgan got into their own groove, winning the SCORE Baja 400 and Baja 1000 races, Salas and the 11x team finished second but secured their place as the 2024 SCORE Pro Moto Unlimited Champions. Now that Salas and the H.E.R.O. team will have to work harder to retain the Championship, he knows what needs to be done to get them there for the 2025 Season. “Looking back, we know the mistakes we made, and we fixed those,” he said. “But last season I was working full-time and it made it hard for me to train properly and be in better shape. Injuries kept me from being able to recover fully. Now I am dedicated to training full-time and focusing on defending the championship.” According to Spinali, The H.E.R.O. team will continue to gather and make charitable donations to orphanages in Mexico during SCORE races. In addition, the riders will include Salas Jr., Cirian Naran, and their newest member Shane Logan. SJ

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