Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 Team Wins Baja 1000

Josh Frederick, Jeremie Warnia, Collins Webster, and Jarrod McClure rode their Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 to victory in the grueling Baja 1000.

After a 27-hour battle with the most brutal racing terrain the Baja Peninsula of Mexico has to offer, the DS 450 team crossed the finish line ahead of 297 other starters and 1121 miles away from the start line of the Baja 1000 in Ensenada, Mexico.

“This team was prepared to deliver BRP its first Pro ATV-class victory in over a decade and the first for the DS 450 ATV,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Can-Am off-road race manager. “The dedication by the entire Motoworks team was evident from pre-running to the finish; I am proud that they are an important partner with BRP.”

As the race descended the peninsula, and the terrain got rougher, the team gained time on the leader. And when darkness fell, the team made up ground on the first-place team. By dawn, the Motoworks-prepped DS 450 passed for the lead and pulled away to the finish line 300 miles away. The team won the race by more than two hours on the next Pro ATV-class competitor.

“I am so proud of everyone who was part of this Baja team,” says lead rider Josh Frederick. “It was a ton of hard work, but everyone really stepped up and made it happen. The bike was flawless. We had to change out a few bent parts early on, and that set us about an hour back. But we stuck to the plan and just kept plugging away it paid off in the end. I’m so happy right now!”

The team hit a rock and broke a the frame mount for the footpeg off about 200 miles into the race, after limping the stricken ATV into the next pit stop, the Motoworks crew quickly went to work to minimize the time lost. The machine was back out on the course in no time and started the amazing comeback on the lead teams.

“I can’t say enough about the racers and the pit crews,” says team owner Johnny Leach. “Winning the Baja 1000 is something everyone dreams of, and I am glad I was a part of getting this team prepped and ready for such a tough off-road race. This will be tough to top, but we can’t wait for next season.”

By winning the Baja 1000, Frederick also clinched the 2012 SCORE Pro ATV (Class 25) Championship title, earning himself the honour of being able to run the coveted number plate during the upcoming 2013 SCORE season.