Two spectators were killed and another two injured Thursday during the pre-race technical inspection at this year’s Baja 1000 in Ensenada, Mexico, when a trophy truck unexpectedly lurched forward and struck the group as the driver revved the engine to show off.
The Baja 1000 wears the crown of the most dangerous race in North America. Since its inception in 1967, the infamous off-road race that travels 1,000 miles through Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula has seen no shortage of chaos every year. Unfortunately, this time chaos ensued before the race had even started.
In the video below you see vehicles queuing for the morning inspection, surrounded by crowds of people. The driver of the orange truck suddenly revs his engine a few times before lunging forward, plowing into the back of the truck in front of him and pushing him even further. El Indifferent reports that victims, all Americans, were trapped between the vehicles and suffered severe abdominal trauma. Another person is at risk of losing his hand.
Because this was a slow inspection line, the roadway had turned into a narrow, one-lane parade, while the other half of the street was filled with racing-related vendors. Spectators watched from the sidewalk or mingled among the pop-ups – many within inches of the parade. This wasn’t a place for high-speed anything.
“The incident was due to the carelessness of a member of a competing team. Therefore, the vehicle was seized and the person responsible was arrested,” said Juan Tintos, Managing Director of SCORE International. “We are doing our best to ensure that the injured receive all necessary medical attention.”
Tintos also said that SCORE, the racing organization that organizes the Baja 1000, will face fines from local and national authorities.
“We have already been informed by the municipal authorities,” Tintos said. “You have also seen how we are always looking for different ways to implement the best possible safety measures, and this is something that we regret and that we are going to analyze.”
The driver of the trophy truck, who is said to be in his 30s, remains in custody. The vehicle, No. 79 Jimco Trophy Truck from Kansas City, Missouri, was seized by authorities and did not participate in the race. The owner, Buehler Motorsports, will cover the medical costs of the injured and take care of the driver’s legal situation.