We’ve shared our fair share of Baja racing stories, but few first-time efforts have unfolded with the intensity, heart, and grit shown by the Patriot Campers team during their debut at the 2025 San Felipe 250.

From Disappointment to Determination

For Australian racer Justin Montesalvo, the road to Baja began far from Mexico. It started at the 2024 Finke Desert Race in his native Australia, where a mechanical failure dashed his hopes of a podium finish. That crushing moment didn’t just mark a setback—it became a turning point.

“I just wanted a competitive trophy truck; that’s what I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember,” Justin said. With a nudge of encouragement from his wife, he made a bold move: commissioning a brand-new, third-generation TSCO 6100 spec trophy truck.

The truck was built for battle, loaded with high-end parts from top-tier brands like PWR, Method Race Wheels, Fox Shocks, and Rigid Lighting—everything needed to go head-to-head in one of the world’s toughest off-road races.

Baptism by Fire

The plan was aggressive: debut the brand-new truck at the legendary San Felipe 250.

Justin was set to drive the first 160 miles before handing off to his twin sons, Christian and Ashton. After a cautious qualifying run to protect the fresh build, Justin’s opening stint turned out to be a trial by fire.

In his own words, he made “the biggest mistake of the race: I came into Zoo Road in second gear,” which meant he couldn’t get the truck on top of the brutal whoops section. Later, a wrong move landed the truck deep in soft sand—completely bogged down.

But the lows were balanced by adrenaline-charged highs. A lightning-fast 42-second pit stop for fuel and tires showed the team’s preparation was no joke. And one unforgettable moment came when Justin blew past off-road legend Robby Gordon, who was sidelined with mechanical trouble.

Passing the Torch

The most emotional moment of the day came at the driver change. “To hand that truck over to… my sons, that’s a moment that I’ll never ever forget,” Justin recalled. “I’ve just completed my dream, and they’re just starting theirs.”

The twins quickly found themselves in the thick of the action. After dicing with other competitors, a blown tire nearly ended their run—it severed a rear brake line, leaving them with no rear brakes for the rest of the race.

But this is Baja, where fans don’t just watch from the sidelines. Local Mexican spectators rushed in to help the young drivers pull off a rapid tire change and get them back in the race.

A Gritty Finish, A Bright Future

Despite the setbacks, the Patriot Campers team crossed the finish line 11th in class. Justin noted that without the time lost to their early mistakes, “we were 30 minutes off a podium finish.”

Baja is more than just horsepower and high-end parts. It takes grit, adaptability, and sometimes the kindness of strangers. The Patriot Campers team experienced it all—mechanical battles, emotional milestones, and the true spirit of off-road racing.

Their TSCO Gen3 Trophy Truck proved it’s a serious contender, and more importantly, this race was the first step in what promises to be a thrilling off-road journey for the entire Montesalvo family.