Polaris RZR Factory Racing Adds Rodrigo Ampudia Jr. To SCORE Lineup
Ampudia to Co-Drive Alongside Joe Terrana in RZR Pro R Factory at Baja 500, Baja 400 and Baja 1000
Polaris Off Road and the RZR Factory Racing team today announced a new partnership with the Ampudia family, one of the most iconic names in Baja racing history. The alliance unites two powerhouses synonymous with off-road performance and championship pedigree for a multi-faceted collaboration that will unfold in open desert racing and dynamic fan experiences.
As part of the collaboration, renowned racer Rodrigo Ampudia Jr. will join forces with first-year RZR Factory Racing driver Joe Terrana, co-driving the No.1898 RZR Pro R Factory race vehicle in the remaining three SCORE International races of the season — the upcoming Baja 500, Baja 400 and the legendary Baja 1000. Ampudia brings extensive desert racing experience to the program, including victories and podium finishes in the top-tier Trophy Truck class.
For all three SCORE races, Terrana and Ampudia’s RZR Pro R Factory race vehicle will feature Ampudia’s signature hot pink livery, a meaningful tribute inspired by his mother’s successful battle with breast cancer. The iconic design has become one of the most recognizable liveries in Baja racing and a symbol of strength, perseverance and family.
“To join forces with Polaris and RZR Factory Racing is a huge honor,” said Rodrigo Ampudia. “They’ve built one of the strongest and most dominant programs in all of off-road racing, and the RZR Pro R Factory is without question the most precise and capable race machine in the sport today. I’m excited to team up with Joe and compete together in some of the biggest races of the year.”
The Polaris-Ampudia partnership marks the coming together of Baja racing heritage and modern off-road innovation. Long regarded as local legends throughout the Baja peninsula, the Ampudia family has earned a reputation for toughness, passion and success in desert racing, while Polaris and RZR Factory Racing continue to push the limits of side-by-side performance through championships and race-proven engineering.
“Anytime you have the opportunity to bring someone like Rodrigo into your program, it’s exciting,”said Alex Scheuerell, Polaris’ Director of Off-Road Motorsports. “Pairing him with Joe and the RZR Factory Racing team brings two highly complementary competitors within one of the most proven programs in off-road racing. Rodrigo’s knowledge of Baja is second to none. His experience competing at the highest levels of Trophy Truck brings a tremendous advantage to the program. Pairing Rodrigo’s expertise with the proven performance and championship pedigree of the RZR Pro R Factory race machine creates an incredibly strong combination for the remainder of the SCORE season.”
In addition to on-course competition, the collaboration will come to life through fan-focused initiatives throughout the SCORE season, including family-friendly events at Papas&Beer like race watch parties, bringing fans closer to the energy, culture and community surrounding Baja racing.
Ampudia and Terrana will make their debut together at the Baja 500 on June 3-7, 2026, with Ampudia taking over driving duties for the second half of the grueling race.
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About Polaris
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) has been defining and redefining outdoor adventure since 1954. Polaris delivers industry-shaping off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, military, quadricycles, and commercial transportation vehicles, along with an expansive portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Its lineup includes some of the most iconic brands in powersports including the RANGER, RZR, Polaris XPEDITION, Bennington pontoons, Slingshot, and more. Headquartered in Minnesota and serving customers in nearly 100 countries, Polaris continues to set the standard for performance, quality, and unmatched service. Explore more at www.polaris.com.