The road to the 2026 SCORE championship just got a lot more interesting.
Polaris RZR Factory Racing has officially added one of Baja’s most recognizable names to its lineup, announcing that Rodrigo Ampudia Jr. will join Joe Terrana in the No. 1898 RZR Pro R Factory race vehicle for the remainder of the SCORE International season.
The partnership brings together two forces that have defined modern desert racing: Polaris’ championship-winning RZR Factory Racing program and the legendary Ampudia family, whose name has become synonymous with success throughout the Baja Peninsula.
Ampudia will co-drive alongside Terrana at the upcoming Baja 500, Baja 400, and Baja 1000, bringing decades of family racing heritage and elite Trophy Truck experience to one of the strongest side-by-side programs in off-road racing.
A Major Addition for Polaris
While Joe Terrana continues his first season behind the wheel of the factory-backed RZR Pro R, adding Ampudia to the program immediately elevates the team’s Baja experience.
Ampudia is no stranger to success in the desert. The Mexican racer has earned victories and podium finishes in SCORE’s premier Trophy Truck division while becoming one of the most respected competitors in Baja racing.
His extensive knowledge of the peninsula, race strategy, and changing terrain conditions could prove invaluable during the second half of the SCORE season.
“To join forces with Polaris and RZR Factory Racing is a huge honor,” said 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.”
The Return of the Pink Livery
One of the most exciting visual elements of the partnership will be the appearance of Ampudia’s iconic hot pink race livery on the No. 1898 machine.
The distinctive color scheme has become one of the most recognizable liveries in all of Baja racing and carries a deeply personal meaning. The design was created as a tribute to Ampudia’s mother following her successful battle with breast cancer and has since become a symbol of perseverance, strength, and family.
Fans lining the course at the Baja 500, Baja 400, and Baja 1000 will have no trouble spotting the factory Polaris entry when it takes to the desert later this season.
More Than Just Racing
The collaboration extends well beyond competition.
Polaris and the Ampudia family plan to bring fans closer to the Baja racing experience through a series of events and activations throughout the SCORE season. Among the planned activities are race watch parties and family-friendly gatherings at the famous Papas & Beer, one of Baja’s most popular race-week destinations.
The initiative reflects the culture that has made Baja racing unique for generations, where fans, racers, and families come together to celebrate the sport.
Baja 500 Debut Looms
The new partnership will make its competitive debut at the 2026 Baja 500, scheduled for June 3-7.
According to the team, Terrana will start the grueling event before handing driving duties over to Ampudia for the second half of the race.
With Polaris’ proven RZR Pro R Factory platform and Ampudia’s unmatched Baja knowledge, the pairing immediately becomes one of the most intriguing storylines to watch for the remainder of the SCORE season.
For Polaris, it’s an opportunity to strengthen an already dominant program.
For Ampudia, it’s a chance to chase more victories in one of the most capable race vehicles in off-road racing.
And for fans, it’s another chapter in Baja racing history as two championship-caliber organizations join forces in pursuit of desert racing glory.
