SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1545032
WHERE THE DUST SETTLES The Allure Of Baja Reaches International Racers By Yann Le Douche, and Dan Sanchez The Baja dust can travel far, sometimes settling overseas and enticing many two-wheel racers to take-on the challenge. One such racer was Greg Gilson, a former BMX, Rally and Enduro Champion from France, who was looking to compete in something different. “ As a European, we don’t know much about the SCORE Baja races, and while watching documentaries on YouTube like Dust and Glory and Into the Dust, I realized that the race format was exactly what I was looking for,” said Gilson. “A non-stop race against the clock in a hostile environment!” In 2025 Gilson set out to challenge himself at the 58th SCORE Baja 1000, competing in the Pro Moto Ironman class riding his1980 Honda XLS 125cc bike he rode to many BMX championships. “If I’m able to line up and finish the world’s toughest race on a 1980 XLS, then anyone can use anything to go on an adventure and enjoy the freedom that two-wheeled off-roading offers,” said Gilson. “I wish to lead the way and make our sport accessible to as many people as possible.” For Mexico and U.S. racers, the logistics of participating in a SCORE Baja 1000, especially in the Ironman class, is difficult in itself. Coming to Mexico from France, Gilson discovered it was much more difficult than he had imagined. He figured he needed $35k in total and began crowd funding and raised $20k. He had paid for the plane ticket and registration in advance, and the stress was unbearable. “I hadn’t slept since June before the race because the stress was so great,” said Gilson. The crowdfunding only paid for 70 percent of his budget, but he was able to get additional sponsors, Yellow Courtage, and Couttelerie Talaia to help with the rest. He also got technical sponsors, Classic Red, Cardo System, Kriega, Shot Race Gear, Up Design, Vee Tire, and Oxilight. “I received so much support; it was absolutely incredible.” After arriving in the U.S for the first time, then managing the transport of his bike from France, customs, car rental, etc., Gilson arrived two days before the race during Contingency. “Everyone seemed to know me from my Instagram page. It gave me a positive energy before going into the real race against time and the terrain.” Gilson started early in the morning, in the dark, with the other Moto and Quad racers. His headlight reflected a wall of dust ahead of him, making it hard to see. He made it to daylight and the carburetor on the Honda gave Gilson some problems after covering 500 miles of the course. “I lost an hour and thirty minutes trying to repair it and it was at that moment that this was the element that made it impossible for me to finish,” said Gilson. “The encouragement and respect that people gave me for simply trying was incredible! But this first attempt is only the beginning of my story. My team was worn out at the end, but they did an amazing job. I want to finish the SCORE Baja 1000 in the allotted time on my 125 XLS and enter into the history books of this superb event.” While Baja took another victim, Gilson is one of many moto racers who doesn’t take defeat lightly and he hopes to be back soon with new parts on his bike and a renewed effort to finish the race. SJ