BILSTEIN Dominates the 2025 SCORE Baja 1000 with Championship-Winning Suspension Technology
BILSTEIN-equipped racers conquer brutal Baja terrain and close the season “Way Ahead.”
The 2025 SCORE-International Baja 1000 once again proved why it remains the most demanding off-road race on earth. Planned as an 854-mile route across Northern Baja’s mountains, canyons, and coastline, severe storms forced officials to reroute the race to 835.52 miles of punishing terrain. Only 131 of 229 starters reached the finish. Among them were several BILSTEIN-equipped racers whose performances showcased the advanced technology, innovation, and durability that define every BILSTEIN product.
For BILSTEIN, Baja is more than a race. It is a proving ground. Across multiple classes, racers relying on Black Hawk Powersports and Black Hawk truck shocks delivered championships, class wins, and ironman finishes, reinforcing why BILSTEIN continues to stay Way Ahead.
BAJA 1000: THE ULTIMATE EXAMINATION OF SUSPENSION ENGINEERING
The 2025 race delivered everything Baja is known for: rock climbs, endless whoops, deep mud, high-speed coastal sections, and pitch-black mountain passes. Racers battled 36-hour runs, mechanical strain, and unpredictable weather. These conditions test suspension systems to their absolute limits.
BILSTEIN Black Hawk shocks with ZoneControl CR, triple-piston architecture, 4-way adjustability, and advanced thermal management provided consistency, bottom-out protection, and precise tuning options throughout the event. Wherever BILSTEIN athletes competed, this performance advantage translated into podium results.
RICARDO TORRES – PRO UTV N.A. CLASS WINNER AND BACK-TO-BACK SCORE CHAMPION
Ricardo Torres (1900) delivered one of the season’s most commanding drives, securing his first SCORE Baja 1000 victory and the 2025 Pro UTV Normally Aspirated Championship following his 2024 title.
His Raceco-built Honda Talon running BILSTEIN Black Hawk Powersports Shocks stayed composed through relentless rock sections and deep mud, maintaining control and consistency all race long.
“It’s brutal, rocks everywhere. But the car ran well. A couple flats, but you still gotta give it up to Method Race Wheels, Tensor Tires, and Bilstein Shocks for keeping us hooked,” Torres said. “As a kid, I dreamed of this race. Now we are Baja 1000 winners and back-to-back champions.”
Season Results:
- 2nd – SCORE San Felipe 250
- 2nd – SCORE Baja 500
- 1st – SCORE Baja 400
- 1st – SCORE Baja 1000
RJ ZANON – CLASS 3 WINNER AND IRONMAN FINISHER
Privateer RJ Zanon (301) delivered one of the standout performances of 2025. After transforming a salvage-yard Ford Bronco into a Class 3 contender in under five months, he drove the entire 36-hour race solo and won his class outright.
Running off-the-shelf BILSTEIN 8112 Black Hawk shocks, Zanon powered through mud, rocks, and steep climbs with stable temperatures, consistent damping, and reliable bottom-out control.
“To finish the Baja 1000, let alone win my class, means everything. The Bronco and the 8112s handled more than I ever imagined.”
BILSTEIN TECHNOLOGY: PROVEN WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE
From podium-sweeping UTV programs to privateer triumphs, BILSTEIN technology continues to set standards in off-road performance.
BILSTEIN Director of Motorsports Aaron Morey emphasized that these results highlight a development philosophy centered on durability, innovation, performance and technology. These values carry across every BILSTEIN product line.
“The same engineering behind our Black Hawks is the foundation we build into every BILSTEIN shock. If it can survive Baja, it can handle anything you throw at it.”
BILSTEIN purpose-built race components deliver precision, thermal stability, and repeatable performance. Exactly what Baja demands, and exactly why BILSTEIN remains Way Ahead.
BILSTEIN CONGRATULATES ITS 2025 SCORE BAJA 1000 AMBASSADORS
BILSTEIN proudly recognizes the athletes who carried its technology to the finish line and the podium in the world’s toughest off-road race:
- Ricardo Torres – Pro UTV N.A. Winner and Back-to-Back Class Champion
- Kaden Wells – Pro UTV FI Runner-Up and 2025 Class Champion
- RJ Zanon – Class 3 Winner and Baja 1000 Ironman Finisher
These racers embody skill, determination, and sportsmanship. Their achievements highlight what is possible when elite engineering meets elite talent.
Baja is the world’s most demanding suspension laboratory, and once again, our ambassadors proved why BILSTEIN is Way Ahead.
About - Bilstein
Bilstein is a global leader in suspension technology, renowned for its precision engineering, durability, and performance across automotive, motorsport, and off-road applications. Founded in 1873 in Germany, the company pioneered the world’s first monotube gas pressure shock absorber in 1954—an innovation that revolutionized vehicle handling and ride quality. Today, BILSTEIN remains synonymous with cutting-edge suspension solutions, supplying OEMs, professional race teams, and enthusiasts worldwide. From the racetrack to rugged off-road terrain, BILSTEIN products are engineered to perform under the most demanding conditions, embodying the company’s philosophy: Way Ahead.
