Honda is making a significant push into the UTV Pro class as the American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORRC) kicks off its inaugural season. According to reporting from ATV.com, Team Raceco Honda is set to field a heavily modified version of the Talon 1000R, aiming to prove the platform's durability and performance in one of the most rigorous racing environments in the world.
The AORRC, which consolidates the Unlimited Off-Road Racing and Best in the Desert series, serves as the primary stage for this campaign. The team’s inaugural outing is slated for the Mint 400, a flagship event that attracts elite off-road talent. Under the leadership of Jamie Campbell—a long-time associate of the Honda brand—the team has spent extensive time prepping the machines for the demands of the desert.
A critical component of this effort is the inclusion of a Jackson Racing supercharger. By adding forced induction to the Talon’s 1000-class engine, the team is looking to close the performance gap in the ultra-competitive UTV Pro division. While Honda and Campbell have collaborated on various projects for decades, this specific effort sees Raceco-USA taking the lead on the ongoing maintenance and technical prep for the turbocharged race machines throughout the season.
The driving lineup for the Mint 400 reflects the team's high ambitions. The roster features two-time Dakar Rally motorcycle champion Ricky Brabec and two-time SCORE Pro UTV NA Champion Ricky Torres. They will be supported by co-drivers Madison Ebberts and Chris Arreaza. Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing & Advertising at American Honda, noted that the project is a continuation of the brand’s history of using racing to validate their powersports products. He expressed confidence that the team’s deep familiarity with the Talon platform will be a key differentiator in the new championship series.
Fans can follow the team's progress starting with the Mint 400, with race coverage scheduled to begin this Friday at 7:30 am PST.
