JCR/Honda 2012 SCORE Baja 500 Race Report

The Course:

This year the Baja 500 was a loop style course that covered over 450 miles of typical Baja terrain. Starting in Ensenada heading east thru Ojos Negros, over the infamous "summit" to Laguna Salada. Then south to Borrego before heading west to the Pacific and a run north up the coast to Santo Tomas, back to Ojos and the final sprint over the hills to the finish in down town Ensenada.

The Race:

The Race started strong for the JCR/Honda team. Colton Udall had built up a commanding lead by mile 100. Everything was going as expected when Baja bit us in the form of a bad crash leaving the bike with some damage and in need of repair. Colton soldiered in the next 50 miles before a rider change and repairs could be made. Thanks to the great JCR/Honda pit crews the 1x bike spent minimal time in the pits and put the team back in the race only losing one position. David Kamo took the bike from Honda 4 and put in a solid ride before handing the race bike over to Timmy Weigand at Honda 6. Timmy knew what he had to do and put on an impressive charge that would narrow the gap to less than 30 seconds by the time he hit the Pacific at RM325, leading on adjusted time. After a quick pit and wheel change at Honda 8, Timmy would keep the pressure for the next 40 miles to Honda 9. The final 48 miles would be an all out sprint to the finish, a battle to the bitter end. After over 9 hours of all-out-hi-speed Baja racing the 1x Team would finish a mere:58 seconds off the winning time.

Team Quotes:

"The 500 this year started out really great! The 1x bike had a big lead by Race Mile 100; unfortunately, I had a bad crash and bent the bike up. Thus sacrificing the full capability of the motorcycle. I was able to transfer the bike to my awesome team mates, David Kamo and Timmy Weigand who did a great job finishing the race and coming in a close second!"
-- Colton Udall

"The Baja 500 is one of the toughest races known to man. You have to be so careful and not make mistakes when the competition is so tough. The whole JCR/Honda race support program did an outstanding job. We are disappointed to finish 2nd , but very happy everyone is safe. I am really, really motivated more than ever to work harder than ever from now till we see the WIN in November. Thanks to all of our race support crews for their hard work and dedication. Can't wait till the 1000!"
-- Johnny Campbell

Photo Credit: Mark Kariya
Source: JCR/Honda