2019 Robby Gordon Headquarters
Official Statement From Robby Gordon , Baja 500 Penalty
Robby Gordon’s Response to SCORE’s Alleged Accusations
Charlotte, NC (June 12, 2009) – We are deeply disappointed with SCORE’s decision and reject their claims in the strongest possible terms. We plan an immediate appeal of this unjust decision.
First, SCORE assessed a speeding penalty because it claimed that there was no IRC data between kilometer 77 and kilometer 78. The IRC device on our vehicle worked properly during all other sections of the race course, and Steve Myers from IRC has no explanation why no IRC data exists from that section alone. Our race team has footage of the entire race, and the video below proves that we were not speeding during the section in question (see the link below). Further, the No. 77 Trophy Truck has a speed control device connected to the engine management system that does not allow it to exceed 60 MPH. Please view the link to the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0HG8Wwk9PQ. This video shows that it took the No. 77 TT longer than 72 seconds to travel the 1.2 miles of highway between km 77 and 78, which is less than a 60MPH average allowed by the rule. Please note that you can hear the pit speed control set at 59MPH.
The pit violations claims are equally invalid. Our team’s stationary pit was in compliance with SCORE International’s 2006-2010 Off-Road Racing Rules & Regulations Book (“SCORE Rule Book”). Rule GPT8 states: “All pits must be at least fifty feet (50’) off the edge of the race course. No pit may be in the first fifty feet (50’) leading into and the first one hundred feet (100’) leading out of any turn.” The location of our stationary pit near mile marker 290 (which included our chase vehicle, pit equipment, and pit personnel) was at least fifty feet (50’) off the edge of the race course and not located in the first one hundred feet (100’) leading out of any turn, in conformity with this rule. As to the other pit-related violations claim, Rule GPT9 states, “All pit services must be done while the race vehicle is at a complete stop. Vehicle may not be serviced while in motion, either under its own power, while being towed, and/or on a trailer. Pit services are to include fueling, tire changes, and/or any other services performed on the race vehicle.” Our vehicle was at a complete stop when fuel was provided to the race vehicle on Highway 1 near San Vincente, again in conformity with this rule.
Furthermore, it should be noted that no rule exists in the SCORE Rule Book that limits pit services to stationary pit locations. Pit services are routinely made outside stationary pits along the race course by drivers and crew members, including, but not limited to, fueling, tire changes, and repair services on the race vehicle. The bottom line is this: our team did not violate any rule in the SCORE Rule Book; therefore, we should not be penalized at all by SCORE for either of these alleged pit violations.
Also, under Rule GP3(9)all competitors who have a course deviation penalty are automatically disqualified. Disqualification is the minimum penalty allowed for a course deviation pursuant to GP3. These results will have to be modified as well.
My win at Baja was made possible by the hard work of my team and the support of my fans and sponsors. I want to assure all of these people that I will do whatever it takes to rebut these charges, clear my name and have my first place finish restored.
Charlotte, NC (June 12, 2009) – We are deeply disappointed with SCORE’s decision and reject their claims in the strongest possible terms. We plan an immediate appeal of this unjust decision.
First, SCORE assessed a speeding penalty because it claimed that there was no IRC data between kilometer 77 and kilometer 78. The IRC device on our vehicle worked properly during all other sections of the race course, and Steve Myers from IRC has no explanation why no IRC data exists from that section alone. Our race team has footage of the entire race, and the video below proves that we were not speeding during the section in question (see the link below). Further, the No. 77 Trophy Truck has a speed control device connected to the engine management system that does not allow it to exceed 60 MPH. Please view the link to the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0HG8Wwk9PQ. This video shows that it took the No. 77 TT longer than 72 seconds to travel the 1.2 miles of highway between km 77 and 78, which is less than a 60MPH average allowed by the rule. Please note that you can hear the pit speed control set at 59MPH.
The pit violations claims are equally invalid. Our team’s stationary pit was in compliance with SCORE International’s 2006-2010 Off-Road Racing Rules & Regulations Book (“SCORE Rule Book”). Rule GPT8 states: “All pits must be at least fifty feet (50’) off the edge of the race course. No pit may be in the first fifty feet (50’) leading into and the first one hundred feet (100’) leading out of any turn.” The location of our stationary pit near mile marker 290 (which included our chase vehicle, pit equipment, and pit personnel) was at least fifty feet (50’) off the edge of the race course and not located in the first one hundred feet (100’) leading out of any turn, in conformity with this rule. As to the other pit-related violations claim, Rule GPT9 states, “All pit services must be done while the race vehicle is at a complete stop. Vehicle may not be serviced while in motion, either under its own power, while being towed, and/or on a trailer. Pit services are to include fueling, tire changes, and/or any other services performed on the race vehicle.” Our vehicle was at a complete stop when fuel was provided to the race vehicle on Highway 1 near San Vincente, again in conformity with this rule.
Furthermore, it should be noted that no rule exists in the SCORE Rule Book that limits pit services to stationary pit locations. Pit services are routinely made outside stationary pits along the race course by drivers and crew members, including, but not limited to, fueling, tire changes, and repair services on the race vehicle. The bottom line is this: our team did not violate any rule in the SCORE Rule Book; therefore, we should not be penalized at all by SCORE for either of these alleged pit violations.
Also, under Rule GP3(9)all competitors who have a course deviation penalty are automatically disqualified. Disqualification is the minimum penalty allowed for a course deviation pursuant to GP3. These results will have to be modified as well.
My win at Baja was made possible by the hard work of my team and the support of my fans and sponsors. I want to assure all of these people that I will do whatever it takes to rebut these charges, clear my name and have my first place finish restored.
Views: 124
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by FlyHiFlyLo on
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Yes.
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Permalink Reply by Beagle7 on
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What happens if Robby pulls a "Kyle Busch" but still has to return it? lol
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Sweeney on
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Time for yet another banner in the shop: "Robby, You won the Baja 500. Sorry for the inconvenience- SCORE"
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Permalink Reply by Bricoop on
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I follow off road racing very closely and as BJ said there is a lot of outrage in the sport. Cameron Steele is also very outspoken about this. I will ask him for his permission and repost his response here. Score screwed up big time and many expect the penalties to be overturned. I am willing to bet Robby has his lawyer working on this. With sposorship signings coming up there is no need to have a dumb mistake steal a championship away. I understand what score is trying to do but it was very poorly executed. I expect rule changes to come in the following weeks but don't expect these penalties to stand.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon Thomas on
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Alleged accusations, lol. I can't stop being a Robby fan, but he does make it difficult half the time.
It was dumb to fuel the TT on the Highway. He missed his turn into that row of pits, it certainly wasn't planned. The pit crew shouldn't have run out there with the gas can (they meant well), and Robby should have known to at least pull off into someone else's pit. Putting out the cool video refuting the speeding/no data penalty, and saying the pit location wasn't illegal when they knew they pitted the truck on HWY 1 didn't really work either. There isn't any rational argument for it being okay to service the truck on the racecourse.
That said, BJ's comments are correct. Everyone looks like a bunch of amateurs. Good luck getting sponsors for this circus. SCORE's application of penalties that don't map to the documented penalties for the given offenses was lame. The delay in finalizing the results was even worse.
Despite all that, I watch the video of the first 5 minutes off the start over and over. Absolutely amazing driving and vehicle.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Andersen on
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Have you ever pitted for an offroad team? Do you have any Idea what its really like? These guys and I mean all the teams that have been racing for years have all had to improvise at times thats what makes it so raw and fun. Nobody wants that part of this sport to go away. And thats speaking from 20 yrs experience pitting.
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Yes I have, even before you started you young whipper-snapper. The first race I crewed at I stopped our car on the road into Ojos Negros and fueled it while it was on the racecourse (because I didn't know what I was doing).
You are right about the fun and spirit of the sport being in danger. Everyone will start taping their competitor's pit violations. Pretty soon they will outlaw drinking!
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Permalink Reply by alan4s on
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Pitting on the highway may have been dumb. It may not have saved him any time. He may have been able to get off course and pit just as easily, with no problem.
However, there is no RULE on the score books that make it illegal. As such, there should be no penalty. If SCORE want's to prohibit this, then they need to revise thier rulebook to make it explicitly against the rules.
If stupid decisions are subject to penalty, if going against common sense is subject to penalty, and if expediency at the expense of theoretical safety is subject to penalty, then virtually every racer in Baja would be penalized for infractions that are not in the books.
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Permalink Reply by GasOnRobby on
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Doesn't score have the wild card, "actions detrimental to SCORE racing." Just Kidding. I hate this rule with a passion and I hope they don't go down this path.
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I get it, there is a rule that pits have to be 50' off the course and 100' away from turns, but no rule that says you have to service your vehicle in your pit? Society falls apart if everyone violates the spirit of rules and laws in that way.
I note that SCORE took their response to Robby's response, and some other statements about the penalties off their site. There must be some litigation going, or someone told them they are exposed.
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does anybody know what color helicopter chases robby?
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Permalink Reply by Ben Cartwright on
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Robby should sell the trophy to pay off his NASCAR fines
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