RACING IS WHAT WE DO, IT IS LIVING FOR US When Giovanni Spinali arrived at the hospital in November of ‘22, it appeared that his racing days were over. Lucky to be alive, Giovanni had broken eighteen bones, was in the hospital for over five weeks and required three surgeries after that year’s clash with the esteemed 1000, resulting in a DNF. This time it was rugged Baja that had “won the race.” Like many Baja racers, Giovanni began his two wheeled dance with the desert as a youngster, going on to race approximately 40-50 SCORE races, with 5 Championship wins. The hospital stay was where I “got to know” Giovanni, along with his dedicated sweetheart Petro. When the very slow recovery progress began, it was apparent that Giovanni has the Baja racer spirit, this was NOT going to keep him down. In fact, the injuries weren’t even going to hold him in the hospital - he broke himself out on Christmas Eve. Barely able to move yet determined to be home for Christmas, Giovanni held this mantra : WHAT WOULD EVIL KNIEVEL DO? (There may or may not be a picture floating around, Gio in a completely appropriate driving … gown!) Giovanni told me recently that he would not take back the experience, and that he had set a new goal upon leaving the hospital- to return and finish what he had started, one more final Baja 1000. And he did. Along with his teammates the following year, he won the championship.  A team concept that began in 2012, HERO Racing has now emerged with a new twist of the throttle as Giovanni has stepped away from racing himself. Helping Everyone Reach Out Team has a charitable aspect to their racing. Funds and donations of food, clothing and other items are collected with every race that HERO Racing enters, and it is now composed of upcoming talented riders. With a goal of enabling young riders to succeed, HERO is already an exciting team to watch with Arturo Salas and Carter Klein winning the recent San Felipe 250.  A true part of off-road racing is rallying around the injured in the race community, and Giovanni furthers his influence to “give back” this coming weekend, April 20, bringing the Clayton Roberts Benefit Ride to the community. A raffle with race swag, impressive winner jerseys and all things moto related is going on, with absentee options, and all proceeds from the ride will go towards furthering Clayton’s present challenge, recovering from a devastating crash in a recent race. The event, along with Clayton's movement toward a new, healthy life, can be followed in the links that are posted both on chasingwaypoints.com and also on Giovanni’s social media sites. When I expressed to Giovanni my personal experience with and connection to people and groups giving aid and support in different ways, his words were these: No better feeling helping others, not even winning, but that is a close second!!! <insert laughter emojis> Even with HERO’s two young racers, Arturo and Carter, the excitement of contributing to the wellness and betterment of folks in need is evident. I dare say that Giovanni Spinali is giving to more than just the recipients of his benevolence efforts. These young racers are learning early the joy of expanding their “wins” in ways that do not result in medals or trophies, but will be lasting and rewarding in even deeper ways. Good luck HERO Racing, Giovanni, Arturo and Carter, we are cheering you along with all your race undertakings, in all of the ways!!!  -L. Saarela
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