Team Honda Ridgeline @ The 2006 Baja 500

A record number of competitors entered the 38th Annual Tecate Baja 500. This year 438 vehicles started the race and only 222 vehicles finished, in the 18 hour time limit. The 2006 Baja 500 was the first 500 that the Honda Ridgeline competed in.

Team Honda Ridgeline #778 was driven by Gavin Skilton for the majority of the race, competing in the Stock Mini Truck Class. Competition included Rod Hall in a Hummer H3, # 779 and Steve Kovach in a Ford Ranger, # 761.

Team Ridgeline manager Clive Skilton handed over the driving to his son Gavin Skilton and friend Jason LaFortune. The co-drivers were Kevin Jensen, Jason Rivera, and Vlad Chioreanu. They were prepared to take on the 423 miles of the Baja 500.

The Honda Ridgeline truck went off the line at 11:22:30 a.m. on Saturday June 3, 2006. The team had a time limit of 18 hours to complete the race, from the time they left the starting line. This year the start was at the Riviera Convention Center and the finish was at the Campo de Softball Jose Negro Soto Stadium back in Ensenada.

With over 200 vehicles departing in front of team Ridgeline #778, they were at some what of a disadvantage. Although some vehicles in front of them were faster, the Ridgeline had a dominating advantage that the others didn't. The 4x4 Honda Ridgeline was able to maneuver through the tough, rocky technical sections, up and down sandy, silty hills, and blow past other vehicles stuck in the rain ruts across the entire course. Throughout the race the off road capabilities of the truck made what was near impassible for some, a walk in the park for the Ridgeline. The drivers reported that the truck handled very well in the roughest sections of the course including the rocks, sand hills, sandy washes and more.

The race was intense but unforeseen events kept the team from finishing within the eighteen hour time limit. Several times throughout the race, the drivers found they needed to use the 4-wheel drive capabilities of the Ridgeline to move broken-down or stuck 2-wheel drive vehicles off of the trail. Through out the race the drivers were pulling 2 wheel drive vehicles out of ruts, sandy washes, away from the sides of the cliffs and up sandy hills. Even though the 2-wheel drive race vehicles were faster, they were not able to maneuver up the tough trails and often needed assistance. Many sections of the course were so technical that non-4x4 racing rigs simply wouldn't make it through.

The truck ran strong all the way through the race with the only major set back being a front drive shaft failure, which took about an hour to get the parts to the truck and repair it. A flat tire during the race set the team back slightly, but their lightening fast, 1 and 2 minute put stops get them off racing again.

At some sections of the course, racing teams encountered locals driving backwards on the course, and thankfully Gavin's split-second reactions kept the team from several head-on collisions. At one point, the team had to maneuver around, past and through nearly 60 vehicles passing in the wrong direction. On the paved sections of the course, all teams were limited to 60 m.p.h.

With Gavin and Jason behind the wheel, they were able to make great time through the course when not obstructed by stuck vehicles. In many sections of the race course the truck was flying across the desert terrain and breakneck speeds of more than 80mph, and a total race average of over 35mph - impressive by any standard. At the last check point they had already done better than almost 200 other vehicles even though they barely missed the closing time due to the delays. Team Honda Ridgeline was very pleased with the trucks overall performance and they reported that it worked better than expected.

As any racer knows the Baja 500 or any race in Baja is intense. It could be a great race with no problems or many. The time limits and making it to the next pit stop is vital. The race is based on the stamina of the truck and team but unforeseen events can't be prevented but dealt with.

Milestone Breakdown:

Race Mile # 0 - Gavin Skilton and Kevin Jensen start the race in Ensenada at 11:23 am.
Race Mile # 4 - At the sand hill the Front Axle shaft is sheered and spare parts are needed. An hour of time is lost.
Race Mile # 12 - Traffic accident happens and racers are stuck behind traffic almost 20 minutes before hitting the dirt again.
Race Mile # 31 - Gavin had to pull a vehicle out of a mud puddle that was in the way of the course before being able to continue.
Race Mile # 99 - First Official BFG Pit stop in El Rayo. Gas and Go.
Race Mile # 116 - Near the area of Case Verde before the pine forest there was another incident of vehicles in the way. Gavin and Kevin had to pull a few vehicles out of the way of the course to continue to through Pine Forest Pit # 1. This set back took about an hour and a half. After pulling out the vehicle it was a faster section to Pit # 1.
Race Mile # 135 - Flat tire and it was the only one through the entire race.
Race Mile # 140 - Chase vehicle gives a new spare and takes the old tire at Santa Catarina and just after was Check #2.
Race Mile # 161 - The Goat Trail was full of huge builders and the trail was very rutted but the 4x4 stomped through the trail and down to the pavement to gas at the second BFG Pit.
Race Mile # 173 - Second BFG Pit co-driver change. Kevin Jensen got out and Vlad Chioreanu got in. Gassed up and checked over the truck while changing drivers.
Race Mile # 180 - 193 - is a flat high speed section on the way to Mike's Sky Ranch.
Race Mile # 193 - 200 - became a very slow section and very rough.
Race Mile # 211 - Pit # 4 and check # 3.
Race Mile # 220 - After leaving El Coyote, they came across 4 vehicles in the way on a steep hill and blocking the course. They were hanging off the side of the mountain and the other was stuck in the rain ditch on the inside of the hill. They had to pull the two vehicles out of the way and then the others out of the way before being able to continue. After letting them pass after making it up the hill the Ridgeline continued on.
Race Mile # 225 - Once again the team is faced with the same problem of having to pull out vehicles that were blocking the course. Taking more time again to get moving on the race course. This would be the last time they would pull vehicles out of the race course to be able to continue.
Race Mile # 240-248 - They pick up speed on rally style roads on the side of the mountain so skillful driving was need.
Race Mile # 256 - They pass through the Valley of Trinidad and is a technical section.
Race Mile # 280 - Gavin and Vlad enter the fog bank ad they drop down towards the coast and the visibility is starting to become limited.
Race Mile # 285 - BFG Pit #3 Gassed the truck, Gavin and Vlad got out of the truck. Jason LaFortune was the driver and Jason Rivira as his co-driver. They leave the pit in a fog bank and continued to drive in the coastal fog for almost 20 miles with a visibility of about 10-15 feet.
Race Mile # 290 - Check Point # 4 at San Vicente.
Race Mile # 320 - They came out of the fog and continue to pick up speed and pass many vehicles stuck in a sandy wash and the Ridgeline just motored right through with no problems.
Race Mile # 325 - Blasted trough a three foot deep mud puddle with force to soak Jason and Jason with a wall of water.
Race Mile # 330 - Moving inland they break way from the fog and are able to pick up speeds of 80mph on the way to Santo Tomas.
Race Mile # 344 - The drivers change again. Gavin got back into the Drivers seat and Vlad in the co-drivers seat.
Race Mile # 350-370 - Last major technical, silty, rocky hill climb at Uruapan but Gavin handled it with precision and never dropped a tire into the deep rain ruts.
Race Mile # 370 - Last Pit to pass through at Ojos Negros. They had just passed the 18hour time limit and drive back on the Highway to Ensenada.