fbpx

Polaris RZR Factory Racer Branden Sims Wins 55th Annual Baja 1000

Sims won overall and the Pro UTV Open class in a RZR Pro R, securing his second career Baja 1000 overall.

The 55th running of the iconic SCORE Baja 1000 saw Polaris RZR Factory Racing driver Branden Sims and co-driver Eric Borgen put together a stellar performance to win the UTV Overall and Pro UTV Open Class. Piloting their new, race-modified, RZR Pro R through the grueling 828-mile race, the team outpaced the competition through the technical terrain of wide-open desert, crossing the finish line nearly 40 minutes ahead of the next UTV.

Sims started the race in eighth, quickly navigating his way into fourth throughout the opening 100-mile stretch. Just after the 100-mile mark, Sims got stuck in a large bottleneck on a tight trail. The first three drivers escaped unfazed, opening up a significant lead over Sims. Once Sims broke free from the bottleneck, he put his head down and began closing the gap, ultimately taking the lead at mile 300. He continued to drive flawlessly to mile mark 475, where he swapped driving duties with Borgen, who would drive the No. 1869 machine the final 350 miles to the finish line. By the time they took the checkered flag at 20:37:09, their lead was nearly 40 minutes.

“Considering the grueling demands of this race and the challenges we overcome, this was an incredible victory for our team and a true testament to the power and durability of the RZR Pro R,” said Sims. “With desert racing, there is always going to be adversity, but the Baja 1000 takes that to another level. In order to win, the team has to be incredibly resilient and resourceful, and the vehicle has to take a beating and keep powering through. That’s exactly what happened this weekend, and we couldn’t be prouder to get such a historic win.”

In addition to Sims’ victory, RZR Factory Racing’s Craig Scanlon also had a strong showing, leading early in the race before relinquishing the lead and finishing second in the Pro UTV Open class and fourth UTV overall. In the Pro UTV Forced Induction Class, Ronnie and RJ Anderson teamed up with their father, Randy, for their first Baja 1000 appearance. The team had an impressive run, sharing driving duties in route to a third-place finish and sixth overall. In the Pro UTV Naturally Aspirated class, Polaris driver Kaden Wells dominated the competition, taking the win and scoring an impressive seventh place overall among UTV’s.

“It’s truly incredible to see three RZR Pro R’s finish in the top five at Baja. To have such a historic weekend at the year’s most iconic race is something that everyone at Polaris is incredibly proud of,” said Brett Carpenter, Team RZR Factory racing manager. “Winning the Baja 1000 is the ultimate way to finish the year, and it’s a victory that provides tremendous momentum going into the 2023 season.”

The team will be back in action at the 2023 King of the Hammers on Feb. 2-11.

You May Also Like

New Sponsorship Agreement Between Heidenau Tires and Team Obsolete

Heidenau has been producing tires for classic motorcycle sizes for almost 20 years.

Heidenau tires with classic Benelli race motorcycle

Heidenau Tires has announced a new sponsorship agreement with premier classic race team Team Obsolete. Heidenau Tires will be supporting Team Obsolete’s priceless stable of exotic classic race bikes for the 2024 season. Heidenau has been producing tires since 1946 and for nearly 20 years has been producing a wide range of classic sizes not available elsewhere. The company's goal is to keep racing motorcycles of all displacements and sizes out on the track where they belong. Heidenau is delighted to be working with Team Obsolete for the continual longevity of these esteemed machines, allowing them to continue clocking fast laps for years to come.

R&G to Protect All-New Rahal Ducati Moto Team

The team makes its maiden appearance at Daytona 200 next month.

R&G crash protection engine cover
H-D Factory Race Team Launches for 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers

The 18-race schedule includes a round at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas.

Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team
Suzuki and H.E.P. Motorsports Launch 2024 RM Army Boot Camps

RM Army Boot Camps were launched in 2023 to much acclaim.

RM Army Boot Camp logo
Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. Program to Return for the 2024 Season

Royal Enfield continues to inspire a new generation of women riders.

Build. Train. Race., Royal Enfield BTR

Other Posts

Polaris Announces 2025 Snowmobile and Timbersled Lineup

Riders can build their dream snowmobiles through the SnowCheck program, which runs through March 27.

2025 Polaris snowmobile lineup
Polaris Pro XD Kinetic: the All-Electric UTV Built to Work

The full-size electric UTV designed for jobsite and heavy-duty applications.

Polaris Pro XD Kinetic
Top Canadian Superbike Riders Ben Young and Trevor Daley Join Team BATTLAX

Young and Daley will debut on the Bridgestone-backed effort at the Daytona 200 March 7-9, 2024.

Ben Young and Trevor Daley, Team BATTLAX
Team HRC to Enter FIM E-Xplorer World Cup

The FIM E-Xplorer World Cup is an endurocross discipline featuring exclusively electric motocross bikes.

Honda CR ELECTRIC PROTO