Photo: http://burtway.com/
The 2016 edition of the Baja 500 desert race is over, and it mixes glory with sadness, as this year, no less than three people lost their lives in this unforgiving race.
The overall Baja 500 winner was a team comprising Colton Udall and Mark Samuals. The Michelin-backed outfit claimed victory aboard Honda machines, rekindling hope in the hearts of the fans who are most certainly dreaming to see one of the House Tokyo riders crossing the finish line of the Dakar Rally soon.
Carlin Dunne, the fastest man ever on an electric motorcycle at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was also one of the winners, but he raced in the toughest class. Dunne entered the Pro Moto Ironman class and he had to cover the 477 miles (767 km) riding alone, as opposed to the teams that swap riders along the route.
Udall, who is a triple winner in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 events, and has also numerous podiums in these races, added that this year's competition had the hottest weather since he can remember. It may sound like a cliche, but we've already seen, unfortunately, dehydration causing crashes and fatalities in such competitions.
In the 2015 Dakar rally, for example, Polish rider Michal Hernik lost his life because of dehydration and hypothermia, his body found around 300 meters (1000 ft) off the regular track in Stage 3.
The 2016 Baja 500 would sadly not end without fatal incidents. Travis Livingstone and Noah Everman, alongside a child, lost their lives in the 2016 Baja 500. Livingstone was involved in a crash and entered cardiac arrest, but the medical team could not save him. Everman was discovered next to his motorcycle by other riders, also dead.
An 8-year-old boy and his mother, both with undisclosed identities, were hit by a truck that tried to avoid some spectators. The truck swerved but hit the two. The child was transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounce dead on arrival. His mother suffered head and leg injuries but is in stable condition.
Carlin Dunne, the fastest man ever on an electric motorcycle at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was also one of the winners, but he raced in the toughest class. Dunne entered the Pro Moto Ironman class and he had to cover the 477 miles (767 km) riding alone, as opposed to the teams that swap riders along the route.
Udall, who is a triple winner in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 events, and has also numerous podiums in these races, added that this year's competition had the hottest weather since he can remember. It may sound like a cliche, but we've already seen, unfortunately, dehydration causing crashes and fatalities in such competitions.
In the 2015 Dakar rally, for example, Polish rider Michal Hernik lost his life because of dehydration and hypothermia, his body found around 300 meters (1000 ft) off the regular track in Stage 3.
The 2016 Baja 500 would sadly not end without fatal incidents. Travis Livingstone and Noah Everman, alongside a child, lost their lives in the 2016 Baja 500. Livingstone was involved in a crash and entered cardiac arrest, but the medical team could not save him. Everman was discovered next to his motorcycle by other riders, also dead.
An 8-year-old boy and his mother, both with undisclosed identities, were hit by a truck that tried to avoid some spectators. The truck swerved but hit the two. The child was transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounce dead on arrival. His mother suffered head and leg injuries but is in stable condition.
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