Just last week in preparation for the 48th Bud Light SCORE Baja 1000, the Honda Off-Road Team traveled to Barstow, California, to perform a shakedown test of the new Honda Unlimited Ridgeline Race Truck that looks to conquer this week’s race.

After Honda’s announcement at this year’s 2015 SEMA Show, this test gets the team of Jeff Proctor, Jason LaFortune and Sage Marie ready ready for Honda’s return to desert racing. The testing time help the engineers get the engine tuned, the shocks dialed in and gave the racers valuable practice time to get comfortable in the brand new turbocharged truck.

“Bringing the turbo V6 in to the program from Honda was a definite challenge,” said builder/driver, Jason LaFortune. “There’s so much that goes in to it with intercoolers, turbos, plumbing for the turbos. I’d say this takes the cake for being one of the tougher builds we’ve done. I think once we finish the Baja 1000 it will prove to a lot of people that this platform is reliable and they can use it as well.”

Be sure to check back with Off-Road.com more more Baja 1000 coverage, or follow the Honda Off-Road team on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

Photos: Courtesy Mad Media