HEROIC WIN & TRAGIC LOSS

December 28, 2017

Photography and Interview by Devin Chatterjie

Each year down in Baja Mexico, the culture that creates the Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 race enlists for a treacherous journey, willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for their sport.

t is a cold November as the streets in Baja California fill with a culture of speed enthusiasts. The gladiators of this sport crave the feeling, the Baja feeling…ultimate freedom. The feeling that was once the American spirit in the Wild West before America made almost everything illegal. The Baja region is a land frozen in time with untouched natural beauty where we can put our latest innovations in the quest of speed to the test. In this arena, the sand, cacti, rocks, and harsh elements are your judges. During this race, every decision is life or death. Desert racing is where the fortitude of a man is measured not by cheering crowds, but by the tight-knit community of the few who can personally relate to the level of perseverance needed to survive this adventure. Baja is a place where this one off-road race is as big as the Super Bowl. This elite group of motocross athletes stands as unsung heroes of the USA and grow to larger than life action figures south of the border. This appreciation for the sport comes from the recognition that these teams will put everything on the line to live out their passions and dreams of self-fulfillment in reaching that finish. Nothing else matters. Names like Ivan Stewart, Steve McQueen, Malcolm Smith, Larry Roeseler, Mickey Thompson, and Steve Hengeveld are just a few of the heroes that the peninsula has put to the test. Though racing a truck or any four-wheeled vehicle in this race and winning is a huge accomplishment, the ultimate victory and respect is reserved for the professional motorcycle class. One name every devout off-road/motocross racer or fan must know is Johnny Campbell. As a living legend with 11 overall Baja 1000 titles to his name and still going strong today, he has built a race team in a league of their own. He shares his knowledge with his painstakingly selected and groomed protégés to continue the JCR legacy. His comfort in Baja is obvious when you see his wife and kids among his entourage watching him live out his dreams of greatness. This confidence has come from years of experience and an ability to anticipate and overcome the gamut of challenges along the way.

The JCR team riders for the 2013 Baja 1000 consisted of Timmy Weigand, David Kamo, Mark Samuels, and Colton Udall. These men are at the top of their game and Baja racing is a way of life. Colton Udall is a young champion who has lived more in his short 27 years than many active people do in a lifetime. The JCR Honda team riders have earned the title as one of the best race teams in the world. This world-class team is owned and guided by Johnny Campbell. With 17 straight Baja 1000 Championships under their belt, their relentless training schedule is a necessity to ensure they maintain their dynasty.

The lifestyle of a Baja Racer has a level of commitment rarely seen in any other sport. There are great demands on their personal life with fitness, training, pre-running and the rest of the homework involved. Their families and teammates make great sacrifices to ensure they have the right resources, tools, and support they need. The risk involved is something that any successful motorsports competitor is familiar with whether they ride two wheels or four. Fear is a liability. The presence of fear of injury is not an option. Focus in its most divine form is the high that these riders are hopelessly addicted to. Being fully consumed and totally committed to that present moment is when a racer reaches their “flow state” and everything slows down.

Few have the skill set to be a part of this unique family. Intimate relationships with teammates and other competitors is more than just knowing and respecting your competition, it’s about survival. This brotherhood is one that is bonded in both glory and pain. The glory is sharing some of the most divine experiences and moments of self-fulfillment and freedom, and the pain of losing everything with the force of life being taken away from your friends or family.

Colton has endured the loss of one of his best friends, Jeff “Ox” Kargola, and his close friend, mentor and childhood hero, Kurt Caselli. Both men were extremely gifted and accomplished racers who gave their lives living their dream in the Baja Arena.

Baja forges lifelong bonds with the people they share these experiences with. No one else could understand without living that moment. The level of trust these riders have in their teammates is unique. They are their lifeline. The appreciation of the life lived in these moments together will make for memories that will never be forgotten.

Q & A with Colton Udall

Revolt In Style: When did you start riding and what got you into Baja Racing?

Colton Udall: I first started riding in 1998 at 12 years old. I learned in the sand out at Ocotillo Wells. I must have fallen down 15 times. 10 years later Cameron Steele talked me into racing my first Baja 1000. I always said I would never race in Mexico and now it’s my life! It’s an amazing place.

RIS: Is it tougher physically or mentally to recover from your injuries?

CU: I think it’s tougher physically to recover from injuries, I am always in such a hurry to get back to 100% and I have very little patients when I am injured. So, I always push the limit, I get told to relax but never really listen.

RIS: Do you have any superstitions you have to honor before you race?

CU: I am not very superstitious before a race, it’s usually only on practice day. I never say “one more lap” or say that I am done riding and go back out. That’s when the bad things happen. I do always have to have my earplugs in, if I don’t, my day is usually ruined.

RIS: What has being on the JCR team done for your career and how has Johnny Campbell helped you most with learning about do’s/don’ts of Baja?

CU: I can’t say that I wouldn’t be successful in some other type of racing like motocross and supercross but JCR helped guide me in the right direction. I have learned so much since 2008 when I first started learning from Johnny. When you work with an 11-time champion you have to be a sponge because there is so much to learn and Baja racing is so gnarly that you never stop learning. I just have a huge head start over my competition with his help!

RIS: What is your favorite and least favorite thing about racing south of the border?

CU: There are so many joys of Baja, the people, the freedom, the beauty, I think I really like the freedom of being able to ride anywhere you want. My least favorite thing is the safety, it’s been a huge bummer loosing some great people in my life, but I guess that’s the risk we are willing to take. We have to all except the possibility and enjoy what Baja has given us.

RIS: How much time do you spend a year riding and pre running in Baja?

CU: I spend roughly 2 months in a Baja a year. Whether it’s racing in the 250/500/1000, doing fun trail rides, surf trips, or even family vacations. I hope to have a house in Baja one day, I love it so much.

RIS: Any advice for someone aspiring to race the Baja 1000?

CU: The biggest advice I have for a fresh Baja racer is to be prepared. Ask questions, learn the racecourse, learn your surroundings, and learn your VCP’s (virtual check points). Build your Race Bike or Race Car well, limit mechanical

RIS: What’s it like leading a race in Baja??

CU: Leading a race is always an amazing feeling, a feeling of strength and power, a feeling of dominance over all other competitors. But Baja is uncontrollable, Baja owns everyone who races on that Peninsula, you can never beat Baja, so all you can do is manage yourself, be prepared for the unimagined. Horses, Cattle, Rabbits, Dogs, people, cars, barbed wire fences, giant whoops, even bigger rocks, cliffs, other competitors, so many dangers to look out for when racing in Baja but something about the freedom makes you love it!

“Leading a race is always an amazing feeling… a feeling of strength and power, a feeling of dominance over all other competitors.”

RIS: What do you think about in-between pits when you know your lead is super close?

CU: My thoughts while racing usually never go past what I am doing that moment, but when the lead is close, sometimes you can let yourself go. You can get caught up in the moment and allow yourself to ride way too fast. It’s usually a bad idea to loose control of immediate thoughts because of the high speeds and all the dangers. So I always focus on keeping the motorcycle 100% and getting through my race section, nailing my lines, holding the bike wide open, making sure I hand the bike off to my next racing partner.

RIS: What do you have to say to people that call Honda (your team) ‘Cheaters’ or don’t understand Score Racing and Line Choice?

CU: Those people are uneducated and lack knowledge of Baja. You need to understand the history of Baja Racing and how it all started. Racing began in the late 60’s in Mexico and the participants used a telegraph to check when they arrived to certain locations. The first man to La Paz, Mexico BC checked in and won the race! Over the years the racing has progressed, from check point to check point, to now.

We are racing with Virtual Check Points (VCP’s) and live tracking. But we are still racing Baja, we are still able to pre run and learn the fastest ways through the race course. So that’s what the JCR team does, we are prepared on race day, we know where we can and can’t go, and we race our absolute best! People don’t like the same guys winning all the time. Honda is the proven winner for 17 years, but I have only won a couple times, so I am still fresh, I think.

RIS: What’s the longest section you’ve raced in Baja?

CU: In 2010 and 2012 I raced roughly 360 miles straight, I was on the bike for over 6 hours. It’s pretty gnarly on your body but the most important thing is to keep your mind focused. If you loose focus, really bad things happen, especially when you’re riding wide open 100 mph through the desert.

RIS: What’s your favorite part about racing?

CU: I race motorcycles for a bunch of reasons, its my life, my passion, and there is always a new challenge. You never know the outcome on race day, you can just do your best, so the challenge keeps me pushing forward. I think I was destined to do this, I set some huge goals at a young age and with some help, I am achieving them. With each achievement comes the next challenge, that’s why we live, to overcome challenges, achieve personal greatness and be happy. Racing makes me Happy!

RIS: What are the other teams missing?

CU: I believe most teams are lacking a great leader. A person to help with a strategy, preparation, advice and guidance. Everyone on the team must respect the leader, and bond with all other team members. Whether its the pit crews, chase truck drivers, mechanics, riders, and sponsors, everyone must have the same goal, and it’s to win.

RIS: What other sports or activities keep you balanced?

CU: I really love surfing; I could be a pro surfer in my after life (dreaming) After a day of riding and training, I always try to go for a surf. Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face! I also still do some work on my dirt bikes and keeps me appreciating what I have and the opportunities I have been given.

RIS: What would you do with 10 Million Dollars?

CU: Start with an epic surf trip with some of my buddies. Come home and learn real estate, invest in property, invest in LTD and RED i! Start a JCR trophy truck team and be the first person/team to win the pro motorcycle and trophy truck class in the same Baja 1000.

RIS: What would you do if you had to stop racing?

CU: I hate this question! I have no clue. Go back to being a mechanic and later pursue race promotions.

RIS: What does your future hold? What are your goals & what are your expectations?

CU: I am going to continue racing Baja and the SCORE series. I am not sure I will ever be 11-time Baja Champ like Johnny Campbell but I am going to try! On my road to some more championships I am going to practice some navigational training and try to race DAKAR. Dakar brings a whole new set of challenges, I’d love to win one day.

Colton Udall’s Perspective of the 2013 Baja 1000 as posted on his facebook:

“This years Baja 1000 was a very unique race for all competitors racing motorcycles and quads. The race would start at 11 pm on Thursday November 14th and the course would stretch just over 885 miles, the longest loop race in history! Starting in Ensenada, heading southeast over the famous “new summit” to Laguna Salada and down to San Felipe. From San Felipe the race course heads towards Gonzaga and the farthest southern point, El Crucero, heading west towards the coast and then back to Catavina, Colonet, Mikes Sky Ranch, and eventually Ojos Negros to the finish.

Another addition to this year Baja 1000 was qualifying where the Pro classes would all hang it out over a 3 mile course to get the first starting spot. Qualifying was very important because it is nearly impossible to make a pass at night in the dust with the headlight illuminating your path.

8:30 pm! The alarm goes off on my phone. I shower the sleep away, eat some amazing carne asada and guacamole from Bronco’s steak house and begin stretching for my 280 mile 6 hour night race! I head to the starting line ready for my 7th Baja 1000. The SCORE officials mount all the proper tracking devices on the bike and I take a few pictures. 11pm was approaching quickly and Kurt Caselli fired his bike and lined up first, I was second and David Pearson was third off the line. As Kurt sped away two minutes felt like an eternity waiting for the green flag but, eventually I was on my way.

The next 15 miles I would experience the worst fog I have ever raced through! It was 2nd and 3rd gear on and off the throttle. I thought, I’m going to get passed and Kurt is just going away! When I got to Ojos I fell into my groove, knowing, there would be no passing until after we dropped down into the desert, where we could race with multiple line choice as long as we nailed our VCP’s. I raced steady and smooth through Honda Pits 1,2 and 3, occasionally seeing the light of the 2x bike and getting time splits all around two minutes. Kurt would pull some time on me and then I would answer. Honda 4 was a full maintenance pit, the bike went on the box and TJ, Eric, and the Hilltoppers crew made my 450x fresh again.

Four hours and 200 miles into the Baja 1000 the 2x and 1x bikes were within fifty seconds, both bikes fresh and heading into some of the toughest terrain in Baja, the San Felipe whoops and Old Puertocitos road. I knew this part of the race was a very critical striking point to make a pass and fortunately I was close enough to do so. As I attacked multiple miles of whoops in the dust I could see the tail light of the 2x bike bouncing in the distance. I pushed, really hard! Breathing and making sure I didn’t hit one whoop wrong or it could end our race. Around race mile 212 I closed the small gap and made an intense 5th gear wide open pass on Kendall Norman gaining the physical lead of the race. Throughout the next 70 miles and 2 more Honda pits I kept my head down and completely spent all of my energy, trying to build as big of a lead as possible. After cautiously racing over the scary Old Puertocitos road I had finally gotten to the 20 miles of pavement and I could rest. I held my Honda CRF steady at 59 MPH getting to Honda Pit 6 at the “Cowpatty” restaurant and passed the bike to Mark Samuels.

Mark was a last minute “fill in” rider for David Kamo, Kamo had crashed 2 weeks prior during our team mileage run and dislocated his shoulder. David would rehab his shoulder and later take on Timmy Weigands race section.

Timmy had a bad pre-run crash and suffered a broken foot and concussion just 4 days before the race. Our team went through quite the mix up but we were quickly reminded by Johnny, “the Boss” that we can perceiver and the win is still within grasp.

Throughout the next 500 miles KTM would close the gap and swap the lead with Mark and David multiple times. Ivan passing Mark in the pits and then Mark passing Ivan back. Racing through gnarly silt, dust, fast roads and super rocky sections. Mark would pass the bike off to David Kamo and the battle was on between he and Mike Brown. David and Brown would have a crazy 60 MPH battle through the streets of Camalu, passing buses and cars with oncoming traffic! Scary, right? David would gain the upper hand after some intense drag racing as the two riders left the pavement. Ivan Ramirez would later battle with Kamo. Kamo stopped to open a closed gate and Ivan blew by him, Kamo would try to retaliate but couldn’t push through the sketchy dust and rocks. David would keep the 2x in his sights just 45 seconds behind, sliding the fun roads of Mike’s and bringing the bike back to me, eagerly waiting at the bottom of Mikes Sky Ranch road around race mile 760. We would do a full service pit to make sure our bike was good to go to the finish.

The 1x and 2x bike teams were in an epic Baja battle! 760 miles, 15 hours into the race and we were less than a minute apart. I mounted the bike and pushed the speed up to 59 MPH on the short highway section through Valle De La Trinidad, there was no time to lose. I knew Ivan was passing the bike off to Kurt and he was going to be super fast! I was pushing my limits and making up a second here and there. I stopped to fuel the bike at Honda 17 and was told we were 1 minute apart. I was going all out as I passed through Nuevo Junction and the race course jumped up onto a wide open 5th gear road. I held my 450x wide open in a full JC tuck pushing the envelope. As the road came to an end, the barbed wire fence and cattle guard came into sight, I WAS GOING WAY TOO FAST! I aimed for the opening of the cattle guard that was about 20 feet to the right of the high speed road but, I couldn’t make it. I threw the motorcycle into a 2 wheeled slide heading straight for the fence and cement/rock cattle guard. I came to an abrupt stop, breaking the fence down with the blast of the motorcycle and smashing my front wheel in the process.

I regained composure feeling very fortunate I wasn’t hurt or cut by the fence. My feelings were horrible. I had just recklessly thrown away a huge effort by so many people. I sat in the desert for over 20 minutes waiting for a new front wheel, that was plenty of time to curse and call myself every name in the book, what an idiot I was!

Honda Pit 17 to the rescue, we remounted a new front wheel, checked over the bike and proceeded down the racecourse. I still had over 90 miles to finish of the race and all I could think of was how dumb I was for crashing. My race pace wasn’t as fast as I regrouped but, I knew I still had to push and minimize the time deficit. You never know with Baja, I’ve missed VCP’s and lost the race (2011 Baja 500). About 5 miles prior to my last pit stop I passed the KTM pit and gave them a thumbs up, thinking the 2x bike was 25 minutes or so ahead and they had the win locked up.

As I stopped for the last Honda Pit, the crew told me that I was in the physical lead and the KTM bike was missing. I couldn’t believe it! Another huge emotional shock went through my body. The first thing I thought was that their bike broke. So I proceeded to the finish in disbelief. “Did they just lie to me, was that a joke?” I thought. I finally passed the bike off to Timmy in the wash before town and he looked at me and said “what took so long, I’ve been here waiting forever”, he was joking and took off to the finish. My team and I celebrated the win with so much joy, like only once before (2012). I walked back to the hotel with my family and was giving out hugs, the mood was all good.

Then, Faye Campbell pulled me aside with sadness in her eyes and told me words that I will never forget, words that came with such horrible surprise, words that stop your life, she told me, “Kurt didn’t make it”. My heart sank and suddenly nothing mattered, I was ruined.

Kurt Caselli was one of my Hero’s. I have looked up to him since I first started racing dirt bikes as an 80 novice and he was dominating Big 6 Grand Prix in the Open Expert class. I remember seeing him jump a huge step up at Gorman and thinking, “man I want to be like him one day”. Then as I grew up and my dream became a reality, I had the opportunity to race against him at my first WORCS race, he lapped me twice. I couldn’t believe it, I thought I was fast. The next year he was walking the course with me, showing me lines and ideas I never thought about. He was helping me! I was his competition, but not really! Then, at one of the lowest times in my life (Ox passing away), Kurt offered me a ride on the US International Six Day Enduro team. I gladly accepted and began preparing. We went to Finland and raced with the best in the world. I rode like junk but, Kurt was winning special tests and proving to everyone that he is the best. We had so much fun those 2 weeks. It was actually more fun after we raced because Kurt was always having a good time, he made me feel like a brother and he was such a team player. My experience was made from Kurt and the team, not racing, racing was miserable.

So Thanks Kurt, I know I have told you before, you are my Hero! Thanks for the advice. Thanks for the laughs. Thanks for roosting me. Thanks for the sick video parts. Thanks for inviting me over and trail riding. Thanks for offering your house. Thanks for critiquing me. Thanks for being a role model. Thanks for pushing me. Thanks for bringing racing to a new level EVERYWHERE. Thank you for being a HERO!

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO!!”

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