Although Tavo Vildósola’s recovery is going well, he won’t be able to heal up in time to race the Baja 1000 in November. Thus, his focus is on the Baja 250 next year.

Vildósola suffered a compressed spine, fractured vertebrae, and several ligament tears in his back when he rolled multiple times at the Baja Nevada in June. He credited the HANS device with protecting him in the rollovers even as his neck “was jelly” from the impact.

Still, the injuries prevented him from running the Baja 400 earlier this month. Andy McMillin assumed his #21 numberplate for the race to ensure it could qualify at the 1000, though he did not finish.

In the meantime, Vildósola underwent several methods of treatment to see which could expedite his recovery such as vitamins, shock and red light therapies, hyperbaric chambers, peptide shots, and PEMF mats. Unfortunately, he realized November is just too close for him to heal up in time.

“It really does hurt, it being such a unique Baja 1000 in Cabo,” he said. “My objective for sure was to race and to be down there. I’ll be down there anyway, but unfortunately I’m just not getting the proper clearance that I need and I don’t feel that I’ll be ready anyway for a race in November.”

Vildósola Racing will still be at the 1000 supporting the #1L of his father Gus.

Featured image credit: Vildósola Racing