When most folks think of Honda and racing on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, they think motorcycles. After all, Big Red has 24 two-wheeled victories in the grueling SCORE Baja 1000. Four-wheelers came into the mix only a decade ago, with a Ridgeline entered in the Stock Mini Class. Gavin Skilton wheeled it to class victory in 2008 and 2010. In 2012, they moved up to the ripping Class Six Trophy trucks with a tube-framed Pilot. Skilton and his brother, Darren, managed third place in the 1000 that year. And now Honda is heading back to the peninsula with a new truck, a Ridgeline-bodied Trophy Truck powered by a 550-horse twin-turbo version of the stocker’s V-6.
Honda Performance Development and the Proctor Racing Group developed the truck. The turbo six up front displaces 3.5 liters and uses the 2017 Ridgeline’s stock block, crank, and heads. Speaking of the 2017 Ridgeline, Honda helpfully notes that the front fascia, hood, roof, bed, and side profile incorporate cues from the upcoming pickup. Meanwhile, the Trophy Truck heads into battle shortly—the flag drops on the famed Mexican race on the morning of November 20.
[“source-caranddriver”]
