BajaNomad

Any updates on the fatal pre-run crash?

thebajarunner - 7-29-2025 at 07:58 AM

No news on the ultimate outcome of the pre-runners in the Trophy Truck that killed the local near Erindira.

That whole story was strange,
The aerial video of the ultimate crash
The dash and run by chopper
Supposed bad injuries to the racers

As an old, and long retired truck racer I am deeply interested, and mostly concerned for the proper treatment of the aggrieved family.
Bad deal all around

SFandH - 7-29-2025 at 09:05 AM

The latest I could find is that a financial agreement between the driver, SCORE, and the family is being negotiated, and an arrest warrant for the driver has been issued in Ensenada by a district judge.

https://ggnorth.com/2025/06/wheels-of-justice-turn-after-baj...

https://www.zonanorte.mx/main/mozaico/nid/5238

thebajarunner - 7-29-2025 at 09:40 AM

The second article has today's date, but not much new.

Looks like a pretty efficient coverup, some gringo green changing hands and life goes on,
well, except for the deceased and family

This is why I quit racing after 12 years.
The risk to myself was acceptable
The risks to others was not something I wanted on my conscience.

bill erhardt - 7-31-2025 at 10:59 AM

From Google:

Rolf Helland: An American off-road racer, Rolf Helland, is currently a fugitive from Mexican justice. He is wanted in connection with a fatal accident during a pre-race run for the Baja 500 on June 2, 2025. Helland's trophy truck collided with another vehicle, killing Felipe Aréchiga Ríos, a 38-year-old resident of Ejido Eréndira. Helland was reportedly airlifted to a US hospital after the crash, avoiding arrest in Mexico. An arrest warrant has been issued but not executed due to his absence from Mexican territory.

bajatrailrider - 8-1-2025 at 02:33 PM

I live near to this area off road there weekly. It is on the main dirt road across the wash to get to other side of town. Bottom line he had no business at that speed. Not even on race day all places like that are 37mph. Very sad day when this happened.

thebajarunner - 8-1-2025 at 02:54 PM

Larry, I drove by there two weeks ago and was surprised how many houses and apparent population had sprung up since I was there years ago.
Indeed, when we raced, the danger was always there, but just good common sense says you don't go pounding through a neighborhood- especially when the course is officially "Closed" during weeks before the race.
Still wondering how the guy has managed to skate on this.
I have to believe that his conscience weighs pretty heavy these days.
I know that had I hit someone, it would have scarred me for life.

(actually I do know how he is still walking free.....
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$)

SFandH - 8-1-2025 at 03:20 PM

I'm sure he's not planning on a trip to Mexico because of the arrest warrant.

AKgringo - 8-1-2025 at 03:51 PM

This is just speculation on my part, but if there were a lot of spectators watching the pre-runners he may have been putting on a show for the crowd.

I have seen videos before of racers burning rubber, revving engines and pulling wheelies in places that were supposed to be restricted speeds with the fans cheering them on.

SFandH - 8-1-2025 at 04:00 PM

Did you see the video? I don't remember seeing many spectators. The video was taken by a local up higher than the road some distance away. You could see him, pedal to the metal, getting air on bumps, speeding towards the intersection.

[Edited on 8-1-2025 by SFandH]

bajatrailrider - 8-1-2025 at 04:20 PM

Yes there people watching at accident aera. I don't believe showing off it was not thinking. Point is on race day its 37mph he was 50 + pre running.

AKgringo - 8-1-2025 at 04:23 PM

I just watched the video. You're right, no crowds other than a handful of vehicles.

bajatrailrider - 8-1-2025 at 04:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Larry, I drove by there two weeks ago and was surprised how many houses and apparent population had sprung up since I was there years ago.
Indeed, when we raced, the danger was always there, but just good common sense says you don't go pounding through a neighborhood- especially when the course is officially "Closed" during weeks before the race.
Still wondering how the guy has managed to skate on this.
I have to believe that his conscience weighs pretty heavy these days.
I know that had I hit someone, it would have scarred me for life.

(actually I do know how he is still walking free.....
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$)
That aera is growing like crazy punta cabra close by . Homes selling for 250.00 350.000.

latitude32 - 8-1-2025 at 04:38 PM

no mas Baja for Norsemen racing, Rolf is gonna have to live with this for the rest of his life :(
but yes that's not gonna help Felipe is it.

surabi - 8-1-2025 at 07:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  


I have seen videos before of racers burning rubber, revving engines and pulling wheelies in places that were supposed to be restricted speeds with the fans cheering them on.


Guys like that never matured past adolescence. Both the drivers and the spectators cheering them on.

And those saying he must be feeling bad about killing someone are probably giving him too much credit. Someone who cuts and runs like that instead of reaping the consequences likely doesn't give a damn about anything but saving his own azz.

mtgoat666 - 8-2-2025 at 01:31 PM

The incident occurred on public road on non-race day. Appropriate to charge driver with hit and run, reckless driving and manslaughter. Driver can be extradited to Mexico.


[Edited on 8-2-2025 by mtgoat666]

SFandH - 8-3-2025 at 11:08 AM

I wonder if the Mexican authorities will seek extradition. The arrest warrant is for negligent homicide. Some interesting info here:

https://zetatijuana.com/2025/06/piloto-de-carreras-tramita-a...



bajatrailrider - 8-3-2025 at 12:28 PM

I don't think that will happen. $$$$$ buys you out of most things here. An American last year caught with guns drugs tied to cartel. Bought his way out 50 grand but can never return.

digcolnagos - 8-5-2025 at 10:40 PM

Don't know much about off-road racing, but saw instructions for racers for an upcoming SCORE event regarding pre-running. Think it was on TalkBaja, can't find it now. Any-hoo, the organizers said slow down, we're guests on these roads, blah blah woof woof, and we'll put observers out there sporadically at intersections, you won't know if they're there, and if we determine that you're hauling the mail like Rolf did, we might give you a time penalty, at the discretion of the race director, for the actual race. See you on the starting line.

Talk about getting tough. Never mind that these vehicles, apparently, all have GPS devices so no one has to guess about speed/location. Party on, Wayne.

[Edited on 8-6-2025 by digcolnagos]

surfhat - 8-6-2025 at 12:29 PM

Party on Garth.

mtgoat666 - 8-6-2025 at 03:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by digcolnagos  
Don't know much about off-road racing, but saw instructions for racers for an upcoming SCORE event regarding pre-running. Think it was on TalkBaja, can't find it now. Any-hoo, the organizers said slow down, we're guests on these roads, blah blah woof woof, and we'll put observers out there sporadically at intersections, you won't know if they're there, and if we determine that you're hauling the mail like Rolf did, we might give you a time penalty, at the discretion of the race director, for the actual race. See you on the starting line.

Talk about getting tough. Never mind that these vehicles, apparently, all have GPS devices so no one has to guess about speed/location. Party on, Wayne.

[Edited on 8-6-2025 by digcolnagos]


It appears that the promoters force the participants to carry GPS, but promoters only check GPS records for adherence to route, and dont check for adherence to speed limits and other safety rules.
Perhaps time to hold the promoters responsible, or modify the races. I think it would be safer if the racers sat at desks and raced drones. The drone cars could be made small, like kids remote control cars, so crashes would not kill people or cause appreciable property damage. Or if larger drones, they could be programmed to FOLLOW THE RULES. Cameras on cars could provide live-action feed to spectators.
The cars would still cause noise and dust, but at more acceptable levels, and spectators would still be able to ooh and ahh over dust and noise.

Racers inability to follow the rules have caused too many deaths!

SFandH - 8-6-2025 at 04:10 PM

You're on to something goatster - off road robotaxi races. Coming soon to a Baja dirt road near you.

Sounds like fun.

thebajarunner - 8-7-2025 at 07:23 AM

Carrying a GPS is one thing
Carrying one on an unauthorized pre-run, not so enforceable.

And Goat
Here is a suggestion
Unplug your keyboard and just type your posts on it without connection

Tioloco - 8-7-2025 at 08:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Carrying a GPS is one thing
Carrying one on an unauthorized pre-run, not so enforceable.

And Goat
Here is a suggestion
Unplug your keyboard and just type your posts on it without connection


Agreed X2

pacificobob - 8-8-2025 at 04:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  


I have seen videos before of racers burning rubber, revving engines and pulling wheelies in places that were supposed to be restricted speeds with the fans cheering them on.


Guys like that never matured past adolescence. Both the drivers and the spectators cheering them on.

And those saying he must be feeling bad about killing someone are probably giving him too much credit. Someone who cuts and runs like that instead of reaping the consequences likely doesn't give a damn about anything but saving his own azz.


Bingo