Moto racer Zunino dies in pre-running accident

SCORE MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Clark, dominic@SCORE-International.com

 

May 30, 2023

 

Argentinian motorcycle racer dies from injuries

in pre-running accident for 55th SCORE Baja 500

 

     ENSENADA, Baja California, Mexico—Juan Zunino, 28, a prominent motorcycle racer from Mendoza, Argentina, died Monday afternoon from injuries sustained when his motorcycle crashed in a one-vehicle accident while pre-running for this week’s 55th SCORE Baja 500 desert-race.

     The race will start and finish in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and the accident occurred at approximately race mile 132 near Cohabuzo, Mexico in the central part of the Mexican State of Baja California.

     Personnel from the Baja Pits organization were alerted by another pre-runner that a motorcycle rider was down approximately two miles from the pit manned by Baja Pits. He was pronounced dead at the scene with apparent severe head trauma, but all injuries will be officially determined by the coroner’s office in Mexicali, Mexico.

     “This was a tragic accident that took the life of Juan Zunino” stated Abelardo Grijalva, SCORE President and Race Director. “The details of the incident are still being investigated but all of us at SCORE are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our racers. Juan was just launching his SCORE racing career that started with his victory on our season-opening SCORE San Felipe 250 in April.”

     “We express our deepest condolences and send our prayers to Juan’s family and friends.”

     Zunino, who also lived in Mendoza, Fla., was entered in the Pro Moto Ironman class for solo riders and he began his SCORE racing career by winning his class and finishing third overall among motorcycles in the season-opening SCORE San Felipe.

     SCORE International, based in Ensenada, is a desert racing sanctioning body that produces four races annually in Baja California featuring 45 classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads. The four race events comprise the SCORE World Desert Championship. This year is the 50th year for SCORE.