Perhaps finally putting an end to rumors that unibody trucks can't cut it (um, nah... that'll never happen...), a Honda Ridgeline took first place in the "Stock Mini Class" in the 41st SCORE Baja 1000. Piloted by Gavin Skilton, the Ridgeline battled Rod Hall in Hummer H3, and Ryan Millan in a Toyota FJ Cruiser, for the win.
To me--as a potential customer--this is far more meaningful than an overall win by some purpose-built off-road racer. At least vehicles in this [Stock Mini] class are reasonably close to something that you and I can buy.
Full story here at PickupTrucks.com.
estreka says:
08:30 AM, 11/24/08
That is impressive.
ateixeira says:
10:38 AM, 11/24/08
Kudos to the Honda team.
ctpax says:
11:22 AM, 11/24/08
Nice. I wanna do a race like that!
actualsize says:
01:50 PM, 11/24/08
I here what you are saying about "reasonably close to something that you and I can buy," but don't kid yourself. The suspensions on all trucks in this class are substantially beefed.
If you may recall, Phil Reed took our long-term Ridgeline down a simple washboard road in Death Valley on a family camping trip and ended-up with 4 blown twin-tube shocks (2 struts, 2 shocks, to be precise.)
I don't want to imply that he drives like a grandmother, but Phil ain't no leadfoot, either. Meanwhile, Honda balked at a warranty repair, citing excessive off-road use outside the design intent, or some such. They eventually made good on a "one-time good faith" basis, but probably only because they know where Phil works.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=105797
With this race program and the publicity it generates, I don't think they'd be able to say that with a straight face now.
brn says:
04:00 PM, 11/24/08
So far we've seen a story about how VW placed 13th and a story about how Honda won some subclass.
Didn't a Ford win the overall race (followed by a Chevy)? Where's that article?