The Honda Off-Road Racing Team, previously dominant in the Class 7 competition, has shifted its focus to the premier Trophy Truck division in the 56th running of the BF Goodrich SCORE Baja 1000. In their first attempt at this higher level of competition, the team’s Honda Ridgeline finished 11th overall among 22 Trophy Trucks and 323 total entries, covering over 1,300 miles across the Baja peninsula.

The team’s new Honda Baja Ridgeline, a third-generation model, was notable for being the only turbocharged V6 entry in a field largely comprised of large displacement, normally aspirated V8s. Ethan Ebert, the team’s youngest driver at 17, shared driving duties with Richard Glasczak, Chip Prescott, and Bobby Smith. Ebert was responsible for both starting and finishing the race for the team.

Jeff Proctor, team owner of the Honda Off-Road Racing Team, expressed the decision to move from Class 7 to Trophy Truck was a strategic step to compete against the top tier in off-road racing and to showcase the Honda V6 Twin Turbo powertrain. He also noted the increased marketing visibility in the Trophy Truck class. Despite not achieving their goal of a top-10 finish, Proctor acknowledged the challenges and successes of the race, emphasizing the significance of merely reaching the finish line in such a demanding event.

Driver Ethan Ebert reflected positively on the performance of the Honda Ridgeline, particularly praising its reliability and capability, especially in challenging sections like San Felipe’s whoops. He underscored the accomplishment of completing the SCORE Baja 1000, considering the race’s inherent difficulties.

The Honda Off-Road Racing Team’s history in the Baja races includes four Class 7 wins in the Baja 1000 and five in the Baja 500 with the Ridgeline Baja Race Truck. Since its inception in 2015, the program has achieved 17 class victories in 38 races, a testament to the team’s competitive spirit and the Ridgeline’s capabilities.