Vildosola/Stronghold Team Takes Trophy Truck Legends Class Win in Baja 1000

30 Nov 2017

The Vildosola Racing / Stronghold Motorsports trophy truck racing in the Baja 1000

The massive combined experience of the Vildosola / Stronghold drivers pays off in a Baja 1000 win

The number 50 was big at this year’s SCORE Baja 1000 desert race. First, it was the 50th running of the legendary off-road endurance race. The 50 theme was extended further as the 2017 Baja 1000 welcomed the new Trophy Truck Legends Class, which requires all drivers to be at least 50 years of age.

The K&N-sponsored Vildosola Racing/Stronghold Motorsports team featuring racers Gustavo Vildosola, Rodrigo Ampudia, Mike Coleman, and Scott Bailey made the most of the new Baja class by piloting their trophy truck past the checkered flag and securing the inaugural Legends Class victory.

Veteran K&N-sponsored racer Gustavo Vildosola started the race in the 20th position. However, he used his 300-mile section to make a clean and fast run and advance several positions.

The Vildosola Racing / Stronghold Motorsports trophy truck before the Baja 1000

The calm before the storm at the Baja 1000 staging area

When Vildosola passed the controls on the #21 trophy truck over to fellow K&N racer Rodrigo Ampudia, both the fast pace and the elevated position were maintained. Ampudia raced a 240 mile leg of the Baja 1000.

At mile 540, Mike Coleman, the team’s third driver took over the wheel. Coleman battled through a thick fog from San Juanico to Loreto and again the team maintained race position.

The fourth and final driver, Scott Bailey, took over at mile 835 and continued a fast pace all the way to the checkered flag in La Paz. Bailey's strong final leg secured the win for the team.

The Vildosola Racing / Stronghold Motorsports trophy truck racing in Baja with K&N filters

K&N filters are made to withstand brutal environments like the Baja 1000

In the end, the strong team performance added up to a huge victory for the Vildosola/Stronghold team in the inaugural TT Legends Class. The team covered the brutal 1134.4 mile course in a time of 23:43:38 with an average speed of 47.81 mph. At the finish line, Bailey was understandably elated when he emerged from the truck.

“It’s awesome man!" Bailey exclaimed. “It’s really exciting to have two Mexican Nationals and two Gringos down here teamed up, and for us to be able to do it like we did is pretty incredible and we are excited.”

K&N is proud to have been an integral part of the Vildosola Racing/Stronghold Motorsports victory in the legendary Baja 1000. K&N Engineering is the industry leader in performance filtration especially in brutal environments like those found on the Baja Peninsula.