Turbocharged Baja Ridgeline completes grueling Baja 500

With temperatures on the course exceeding 120 degrees F, the 3.5 Liter turbocharged V6 Baja Race Truck completed its class in the 2016 running of the Baja 500. And, as in the the Baja 1000, it was most likely running solo in the turbocharged unlimited classification.

Putting a factual twist on the story

Here’s the scoops folks: Other than the commonality of Honda’s mechanically bulletproof 3.5 Liter twin turbocharged 550 horsepower HR33 TT V6 aluminum engine block, the tube frame, full blown unlimited 2016 Baja Ridgeline has little to nothing in common with Honda’s 2nd generation 2017 Ridgeline Pickup.

I mention this only because as we reported on the SEMA Las Vegas reveal of Baja Ridgeline, consumers asked Torque News where to purchase the fender flair and accessory kit required to “lift” their stock first generation Ridgeline pickup to Baja race specification.

It ain’t going to happen Johnny! 2017 Honda Ridgeline is off-road capable, but not for Baja!

Enough said, finishing the Baja 500 in what is being called the most grueling running of the race in history -- without a mechanical breakdown, is nothing short of a miracle.

We salute the 2016 Baja Ridgeline Team, well done!

Shadowing our friends at Honda: "Jun 7, 2016 - ENSENADA, Mexico
Off-road Ridgeline Race Truck scores Class 2 victory
Also won Class 2 in last year's Baja 1000 debut
Racing version of next-generation, 2017 Honda Ridgeline."

*The Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck is now two-for-two in competition on its namesake course, as drivers Jeff Proctor and Jason LaFortune claimed the Class 2 victory in last weekend's 48th running of the SCORE Baja 500, adding to their previous triumph last fall in the Baja 1000.

And, according to Honda and Jeff Proctor: This year's Baja 500 also turned tragic, as two motorcycle racers and a spectator lost their lives in three unrelated incidents during the race. Despite the obstacles and high attrition, the Ridgeline Baja Race Truck ran trouble-free, completing the event in 14 hours, 19 minutes and 19 seconds.

"I'm so pumped to get this Honda Ridgeline to the finish of the Baja 500! I can't thank Robert Zeman enough for navigating a smart race, and Jason LaFortune and Karl for bringing the truck to the finish first in class," said Proctor, driver and owner of Proctor Racing Group. "Our crew nailed our pit stops and kept this fire-breathing Honda twin-turbo cool, even when we encountered 124-degree temps in some sections of the race!"