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Honda Passport Impresses With Strong Second Place Finish At Baja 500 Off-Road Race
The Baja Honda Passport made a significant impact at the 57th BFGoodrich SCORE Baja 500, securing a second-place finish in the 2WD class. Ethan Ebert achieved Honda's first off-road unlimited pole position. The Passport, with its unique SUV body and V6 drivetrain, finished 11th overall in this challenging event. Competing against larger V8 trucks, the team showcased impressive performance throughout the race.
The SCORE Baja 500 is known for its demanding terrain, featuring sandy, muddy, and rocky sections. The course includes high-speed dirt trails, canyons, mountains, and coastline. Elevations reach up to 5,500 feet before descending to sea level. Competitors had 18 hours to complete the 463-mile course; only 97 of the 169 entries managed to finish.
Despite facing larger AWD trucks, Ebert and navigator Gatlan Haddon excelled by securing pole position in the 2WD class. This achievement allowed them to start 10th overall, providing a strategic advantage in a race where dust can be overwhelming. The Passport surprised many by keeping pace with AWD leaders for much of the event.
At mile 74, the team executed a quick pit stop for brake repairs without losing position. At mile 134, they performed their first scheduled pit stop, adding fuel and changing tires in under one minute. Richard Glaszczak and navigator Brandon Wells took over for the challenging mountain section.
A puncture required them to change a tire on course, placing them second among the 19 2WD Trophy Trucks. They soon regained the lead during a downhill section after climbing over 5,500 feet. The team continued swapping places with the leader over muddy terrain due to recent rainfall.
Final Stages and Community Support
After nearly five hours of racing along the Pacific coast at mile 308, Ebert and Haddon resumed control. Another puncture slowed them down as an impact gun malfunctioned during a tire change. Fans assisted as they manually removed lug nuts using a breaker bar.
Ebert regained lost time through another mountainous section, ultimately finishing second with an impressive time of 9:47:25. Throughout the weekend, fans supported the Honda Passport's unique entry against larger V8 AWD trucks.
Team Reflections and Future Plans
Jeff Proctor expressed pride in overcoming adversity: "I'm really proud of the team to overcome some adversity and stay with the game plan and fight all race long." Ethan Ebert shared his excitement: "Super cool to qualify on pole and 10th overall! An experience I've never had."
The Honda Off-Road Racing Team plans to conclude their season at the BFGoodrich SCORE Baja 1000 from November 10-16. This event will mark another opportunity for them to showcase their capabilities on a global stage.
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