Shocking news for one of the most beloved Dakar Rally champions, and it has nothing to do with an injury or serious crash. SCORE International has issued one of its most serious rulings in recent memory, disqualifying Australian off‑road legend Toby Price from the 2026 San Felipe 250 after determining he was involved in placing obstacles on the race course during pre‑running. The decision came after SCORE’s Competition Review Board reviewed evidence indicating that rocks and branches had been intentionally positioned along the official route—an act the organization described as a direct safety threat to competitors traveling at high speed.

The development is especially shocking given Price’s stature in the off‑road world. He’s a two‑time Dakar Rally champion in the motorcycle class, a seven‑time Finke Desert Race winner, and one of the most respected figures in Rally Raid, known for his toughness, speed, and ability to push through injuries that would sideline most racers. In recent years he has been transitioning more heavily into four‑wheel competition, taking on Trophy Truck racing while still maintaining a presence in Rally Raid. That shift has been viewed as a natural evolution for a rider with his resume, making this incident an unexpected and unprecedented moment in his career.

Video circulating on social media allegedly showing Price sabotaging the race course.

As more information emerged, SCORE stated that Price’s navigator, Brent Bauman, was also implicated in the matter. Meanwhile, team owner Paul Weel publicly distanced himself from the situation, stating he had nothing to do with the incident and was not present when it occurred. “I don’t condone any of the conduct that has been alleged,” he said. “I want to be transparent that I will be carrying out my own internal review due to the fact that I was not present.”  In the aftermath of the ruling, Weel announced he had accepted Bauman’s resignation effective immediately.

Price had initially completed the San Felipe 250 before being removed from the results. He took the wheel for the opening stint on Saturday before handing the truck over to Weel, and the pair ultimately brought it home inside the top ten in Trophy Truck and 17th overall. Those results were short‑lived, though, as SCORE issued the disqualification the following day. 

The organization has stated that the ruling was based on material evidence and testimony reviewed by the board. The incident is already being described as one of the most serious conduct violations in SCORE’s recent history, both for the safety implications and for the high‑profile nature of the competitor involved. Here is the official statement from SCORE:

Price, for his part, has released a lengthy statement describing the past few days as the most difficult of his 20‑year career. He said he had cooperated fully with both internal and external investigations and expressed respect for Bauman’s decision to step down. Price also pushed back on the circulating video, saying it does not show him placing rocks and that witness accounts do not provide evidence of him doing so. Despite maintaining that a higher standard of proof should have been applied, he said he accepts the CRB’s ruling and the process behind it, emphasizing his respect for SCORE, the Baja community, and the importance of safety in motorsport. He added that he will be stepping away from desert racing for the time being to reassess his future with the team and the series.

This remains a developing story with significant implications for Price’s future in SCORE events and for his reputation and legacy. We’ll continue to follow updates as more information becomes available.