Canadian Racer Kade Walker Needs Your Help

Canadian off-road racer Kade Walker needs your help as he recovers from a very serious crash suffered during this month’s Baja 1000 desert race. While racing in Mexico, Walker wrecked his bike and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Walker was racing with SLR Honda, one of the best teams at Baja and last year’s champs. In the Baja 1000, the fastest teams run multiple riders who take turns on the bike as they run the Baja Peninsula. When Walker was on the bike, he crashed badly and the trouble only started there.

While helicopter medevac is theoretically available along the Baja 1000 course, the heli never arrived at the crash scene, and the SLR Honda team had to use a truck to get him to a main road where he could be put in an ambulance.

Supposedly, the reason for no helicopter support was Mexican government red tape. Whatever the case, Walker was eventually brought to the US. Now, he needs to have financial support to help him get through the next stage of his treatment.

Here’s how the Road 2 Recovery Foundation website describes the situation right now:

Professional Off-road Racer and the 2023 NGPC Pro2 Champion Kade Tinkler Walker sustained critical injuries while competing in the 56th SCORE Baja 1000 in Baja, California, on Thursday, November 16, 2023. Kade, riding for team SLR Honda, was airlifted to Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, where he is currently undergoing treatment for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and remains unconscious.

Medical professionals at Scripps Mercy have confirmed that apart from the TBI, Kade has no other emergent physical injuries. To support his recovery and minimize any potential strain during unconsciousness, he is under medical sedation to facilitate healing. The medical team is encouraged by Kade’s progress in body functions and response to external stimulation. In response to this positive progression, this afternoon, doctors plan to closely monitor his ability to breathe independently without the support of a ventilator.

The duration of Kade’s unconscious state is uncertain, with estimates provided by his medical staff ranging from 30 to 60 days, depending heavily on individual factors and injury severity. Upon regaining consciousness, Kade is expected to face a lengthy recovery period. We request that everyone respect the privacy of Kade and his family during this sensitive time.

To help keep everyone accurately informed of Kade Tinkler Walker’s recovery, all official updates will be released via the SLR Honda website and social media pages. Updates will also be provided on Kade’s R2R Cause Page. Kade’s family and the SLR Honda Team extend their heartfelt thanks for your continued support and outreach.

Road 2 Recovery Foundation encourages those who can to contribute to his cause on his R2R page. Your donations will significantly aid in managing medical expenses and provide relief to his family.

There’s also a spot to post messages of encouragement to Kade’s family at the Road 2 Recovery website here. If you can lend some support, please visit there and do so; Kade’s family only has 8 percent of the estimated needed funds raised. If you wish, you can also donate at the Team Canada MXON website here, as they are forwarding funds to Road 2 Recovery.