Back-to-Back Wins: Justin Park Conquers Baja 1000 with BILSTEIN!

BILSTEIN Celebrates Justin Park’s Back-to-Back Baja 1000 Victory and SCORE Championship 

Poway, California – (November 19, 2024) – BILSTEIN, the global leader in high-performance suspension technology, proudly celebrates its race ambassador Justin Park and his championship-winning #700F team for their hard-fought victory in the 2024 SCORE-International Baja 1000. Park piloted the BILSTEIN Ford Ranger equipped with BILSTEIN’s M 9200 (Bypass) and M 9200 (Coilover) shocks to another Class 7F win, securing his second consecutive Baja 1000 victory, another championship, and earning the prestigious Rod Hall SCORE Milestone Award for completing every race this season. 

This win solidifies an extraordinary season for Park and his team, as they conquered some of the world’s harshest racing conditions with unparalleled skill, determination, and BILSTEIN’s cutting-edge suspension systems. 

Rain, Chaos, And Redemption 

The race day started under promising skies, but they encountered unexpected rain as the team moved into the mountain stretches. The wet, sandy terrain tested their suspension, but the BILSTEIN shocks proved their mettle, delivering unmatched control and performance even in dense sand and treacherous whoops. 

The most dramatic moment occurred early at Race Mile 56 in a steep canyon area. Park and co-driver Devon James were racing downhill at speed through blinding dust. A competitor’s overturned vehicle suddenly became visible, and Justin maneuvered the truck to avoid a collision. The steep, uneven terrain, soft sand, and abrupt change in direction sent the truck barreling down to the bottom of the ravine. 

The #700F Ford Ranger rolled over but rested on the driver’s side. With the race continuing and other competitors blasting by just feet away, Park and James managed the chaos and coordinated a retrieval to get the vehicle turned back over. With no flats and minimal damage, this was a testament to the racer’s resolve and the rugged engineering of the BILSTEIN suspension system. 

The team topped off fluids and tackled the challenging hill climb to regroup with the team at Race Mile 220. Co-drivers Pako Martinez and Eduardo Perez took over. They dominated the course through the night before handing off the vehicle to Cole Andrews and Adrian Padilla, who pushed the truck across the finish line. 

Their total time on course was 22 hours, 34 minutes, and 38 seconds, well under the 36-hour cut-off and way ahead of their nearest category competitor. This effort secured a triumphant victory and the culmination of a near-perfect season. 

BILSTEIN Is Way Ahead 

Justin Park’s 2024 SCORE-International off-road racing campaign has been nothing short of legendary. Key accomplishments include: 

• Back-to-Back Baja 1000 Wins in Class 7F and his third win in total. 
• 2024 SCORE Class Championship Title. 
• Back-to-Back SCORE-International Class 7F Champion. 
• Rod Hall SCORE Milestone Award for finishing every race this season. 
• Victories in three of four 2024 SCORE races. Earning a 2nd place at San Felipe 250. 

Reflecting on the race, Park said: “This year’s Baja 1000 was the ultimate test, and we couldn’t have done it without the crew at BILSTEIN. The shocks performed flawlessly from the rain-soaked mountains to the tight technical sections. They say if there is a will, there is a way. This year, we were way ahead with BILSTEIN. It’s an honor to wrap up the season with this win and championship!” 

Race-Winning Suspension Performance 

Justin Park’s truck was equipped with BILSTEIN M 9200 (Bypass) and M 9200 (Coilover) shocks, delivering unmatched control, durability, and precision in the unforgiving Baja terrain. The BILSTEIN M 9200 (Bypass) shocks are position-sensitive and externally adjustable, allowing for optimal tuning with multiple zones of damping control. Engineered with a robust 70mm monotube design, these shocks handle intense off-road demands with features like a 60mm piggyback reservoir, case-hardened piston rod, and high-temp synthetic racing oil. Complementing the bypass system, the BILSTEIN M 9200 (Coilover) shocks feature aerospace-class materials and dual-rate coilover hardware for unparalleled versatility and performance.

Available in various lengths and valvings, these coilovers adapt to a wide range of race applications, ensuring Justin’s truck excelled from rain-soaked mountains to tight technical sections.  For those seeking the ultimate in off-road suspension performance, BILSTEIN’s custom professional racing shocks, including the M 7100, B8 8125, M 9200 (Coilover), and M 9200 (Bypass), are available through our trusted distributors such as DownSouth Motorsports and Schmidty Racing Suspensions.

BILSTEIN: Pioneering Innovation in Off-Road Racing 

BILSTEIN’s support for Justin Park highlights the company’s commitment to advancing suspension technology for the world’s most challenging terrains. Park has successfully used BILSTEIN M9200 Off-Road Motorsport Dampers for several years. These shocks represent the pinnacle of off-road racing performance, where BILSTEIN has pioneered innovation for decades.  BILSTEIN expresses sincere congratulations and a cheerful celebration

Celebrating A Legacy 

As the dust settles on the 2024 season, Justin Park’s success serves as a reminder of what’s possible with determination, teamwork, and superior engineering. With back-to-back wins and championships under his belt, Park and the BILSTEIN Ford Ranger are already looking ahead to what’s next.