SCORE Releases Statement On The Passing Of Kurt Caselli

Cycle News Staff | November 16, 2013
  Kurt Caselli. Photography by Mark Kariya

Kurt Caselli. Photography by Mark Kariya (File)

SCORE International, the desert-racing sanctioning body of the SCORE Baja 1000, issued a statement regarding the death of FMF/Bonanza Plumbing KTM Team rider Kurt Caselli.

The release stated that Caselli died of serious trauma that incurred “when he apparently lost control of his KTM motorcycle in a sandy, high-speed section at approximate race-mile 792 while his team was leading in the late stages of the 883.1-mile international desert race.”

The release also said that the accident occurred at 4:30 p.m. local time Friday and made no mention of any kind of man-made “booby trap” that Caselli may have encountered, which might have caused the accident. There have only been rumors to that effect but no confirmation.

“Our desert racing family has lost a very special person in Kurt,” said SCORE President Roger Norman. “Kurt was a superb racer and this is a tragedy that affects us all. We extend our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Caselli family. Their loss is immeasurable and we grieve with them.”

Caselli and his factory-backed KTM racing team won last year’s SCORE San Felipe 250 and finished second and third in the other two SCORE Baja races this season.