SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
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REDUCING THE RISKS Innovative Measures SCORE Takes To Improve Moto Racer Safety By Dan Sanchez Photos by GETSOMEphoto SCORE-International motorcycle racing has always presented thrilling yet challenging experiences for riders. The rough and unpredictable Baja, Mexico terrain demands a combination of skill, strategy, and safety measures to ensure the protection of participants. In recent years, SCORE International has implemented various tactics to increase safety. Some of these include increasing time gaps between the start of two and four-wheel vehicles and employing helicopters equipped with trauma surgeons. SCORE International’s President and Race Director Jose A. Grijalva, along with Assistant Racing Director Rodo Fernandez Alcantara, and SCORE’s Moto Liaison Andy Kirker, explained the latest measures SCORE has taken to safeguard off-road motorcyclists. Being Well Informed One of the first things moto and quad teams need to do just before any race, is to check with SCORE Operations to see if there are any recent course changes or added procedures that can take place up to a day before the race. Teams should always check the SCORE International Website and Racer Information page to see if any changes have occurred since pre-running. “SCORE has new moto racer safety documents and videos on the website,” says Kirker. “Any change is announced at the SCORE Moto and Driver’s Meetings before the race, so it’s important that all competitors attend. We often go over procedures on what to do when you get caught by faster four-wheel vehicles, and what four-wheel racers should do when they come up to a slower moto rider on the course.” Changes in weather conditions can also prompt new rules for any given race. “When we get hit with an unexpected heat wave forecast, we add volunteer hydration stations for riders where they can replenish their water supply and electrolytes,” adds Kirker. “We’re constantly learning from each event and making the proper adjustments for the next ones.” Strategic Course Planning According to the SCORE Operations team, one of the primary measures taken to enhance safety in off-road motorcycle racing is increased attention to meticulous course planning. Before each race, Grijalva and Alcantara analyze the terrain and figure out where moto and quad racers could get caught from behind by the faster SCORE Trophy Trucks. “We look for areas where a larger gap between cars and motorcycles can be maintained,” said Grijalva. “This planning helps avoid situations where motorcycles might get caught by faster vehicles, particularly during long races or nighttime segments.” By identifying areas where bikes are likely to encounter difficulties, SCORE can proactively mitigate risks and keep the riders safe. This allows the Operations team to incorporate a split section on the course, where moto and quad classes can ride without worrying about the trucks catching up to them. “This is something that our moto and quad racers have said they enjoy,” adds Grijalva. “They like riding on their own sections of the course where it has not been beaten up by trucks and other vehicles pre-running it.” These courses also provide ample room for riders to pass each other safely. In some races, like the SCORE San Felipe 250 which is typically a shorter distance race, the split course for moto and quad racers can also have its own finish line and cut-off time to prevent any of the final starting four-wheel vehicles from running into the lead motorcycles as they are finishing. “We did this at the last SCORE San Felipe 250, and everything happened like clockwork,” said Alcantara. “None of the moto and quad racers got caught by the SCORE Trophy Trucks. On courses for the SCORE Baja 500 and Baja 400, this also works well as the bikes can finish on a different course so they will never have to face traffic head-on. We’ve eliminated two-way courses, and we can give the moto racers a bigger gap.” An example of this was during the 2025 SCORE San Felipe 250, the course deviated around race mile 90. The early leapfrogging cut-off gave the moto and quad racers an additional one-and-a-half-hour lead ahead of the trucks and cars. “At race mile 160, we gave them those miles back and the cars finished on their own course,” added Alcantara. Early Morning Starts In addition to splitting a section of the course for the moto, quad, and Sportsman racers, the course team also tries to start these racers earlier in the morning to create as much as an eight-hour gap before the start of the four-wheel racers. “Some racers may not like starting that early in the dark but, in some areas, like in Ensenada, it makes it safer with less traffic and all of the activities along the course exiting the town” says Kirker. “We initially got some pushback from the racers at first, but it’s only for the first 100 miles or so. Starting early and in the dark, allows riders to see if a vehicle is coming by looking out for lights on the course,” adds Grijalva. Helicopter Support Helicopters play a crucial role in SCORE off-road motorcycle safety, and Kirker emphasizes the importance of flying helicopters ahead of the bikes. “We typically fly as soon as the sun comes out, and it allows us to warn spectators that the moto racers are coming, as well as inform racers of any unforeseen obstacles they may not be able to see,” said Kirker. “We fly with a trauma surgeon, and our pilot has the routine down. We hang with the bikes around certain areas, then get a couple of miles ahead in case the course needs to be cleared of cattle, deer, errant traffic or spectators who have wandered on it.” With helicopters actively following the riders at first light, any potential hazards can be promptly addressed. This surveillance has worked tremendously well, offering an extra layer of protection during critical segments of the race. “About a half-hour before the moto and quad racers start, we also have a group of volunteers that head out in UTVs to open the course for us,” says Grijalva. “They check the first 50 miles and make sure there aren’t any closed gates, people, or man-made obstacles on the course. If there’s something that they think can be dangerous, they add markers to notify the racers before they reach that point. Both Kirker and Alcantara stated that before there were volunteers to help with this, Jose Grijalva would head out and do this on his own. Virtual Check Point Strategies The use of Check Points and Virtual Check Points (VCPs) has been a great method to keep racers on the correct route of the course. The course team also uses VCPs to reduce the chance of collisions by preventing racers from using access roads which many chase crews use to get to pit areas or race vehicles on the course. They are also placed in areas where slower riders are likely to be caught by the four-wheel vehicles. Implementing hard stops at some of the cut-off points helps pull out slow racers, preventing dangerous encounters with faster vehicles. “Every VCP assures that each vehicle or moto crossings follow the course that we want them to,” said Kirker. “By strategically placing a VCP on the course at dirt-road crossings, it funnels the racers to all cross at the same point instead of fanning out, avoiding any collisions with other traffic in those areas. Check Points are also a part of the advanced tracking strategy used on SCORE races. Tracking and GPS devices such as the Stella and SPICA systems ensure there’s no deviation from the set course and allow SCORE Operations to keep tabs on riders. “Both are required for moto racers to have, where the Stella is wired to the motorcycle and the SPICA goes with each rider of the team. Once a rider hands the motorcycle off to another rider, the SPICA also must transfer to the new rider,” says Kirker. “These systems can detect a bike that is down on the course or an accident at high speed. If the rider is injured and separated from their bike, the SPICA system can also send out an SOS to alert emergency services. These systems have proved themselves hundreds of times.” Along with the required tracking equipment, Kirker also says that riders can also increase their safety communications by carrying a cell phone, and/or their own personal GPS device like the Garmin in-Reach or SPOT. Having An Advanced Game Plan Course workers and safety teams also know that it’s important for them to start with a proper game plan and preparation before a race. “For us to maintain safety for riders at each race, it’s important to have a game plan in advance,” says Kirker. “This includes planning fuel stops for our helicopter to remain close to the leaders and ensuring that support teams are never too far away. By riding alongside and planning strategically, our team can quickly respond to unexpected situations and provide timely assistance to the participants.” It’s easy to see that the safety of moto racers in SCORE is a multifaceted endeavor requiring careful planning, innovative strategies, and proactive measures. From strategic course planning and helicopter support to early starts and advanced game plans, the SCORE Operations team, and hundreds of volunteers, are committed to providing a safe environment for riders to enjoy the thrill of off-road racing. By continuously refining these tactics, the sport can maintain its excitement while prioritizing the well-being of all participants. SJ