Lambert Wins Baja 500 on ITP Ultra Cross R Spec Tires
ITP off-road racers post 1-2 finish in Baja, Mexico
Ultra Cross R Spec tires help place four teams in the top eight
Cognito Motorsports - Baja 500
FRANKLIN, Tenn., June 13, 2017 - Justin Lambert piloted his ITP Ultra Cross-equipped Polaris RZR to a Pro UTV class victory this past weekend at the SCORE International Baja 500 race in Baja, Mexico. Lambert dominated the class, winning by almost 50 minutes. Branden Sims finished second, giving ITP a 1-2 finish.
"The Baja 500 is one of the most grueling off-road races there is, so to have ITP-supported racers deliver a 1-2 finish against an exceptionally talented field of entrants is really gratifying," said Rhett Turpin, Head of ITP Sales at The Carlstar Group. "The ITP Ultra Cross R Spec is not only the tire of choice for Justin Lambert and many of the elite desert racing teams, it's also the obvious choice for any enthusiast seeking the same confidence, performance and reliability these top teams have grown to appreciate. And, the Ultra Cross R Spec is readily available in a variety of size options to meet your individual needs, all produced to the same specifications."
Justin Lambert drove his Cognito Motorsports / Polaris Turbo, outfitted with 32-inch ITP Ultra Cross R Spec tires, to the 2017 SCORE Baja 500 Pro UTV FI class victory in Mexico. (All photos supplied by Cognito Motorsports)
Lambert (Cognito Motorsports / ITP / Polaris), along with his co-pilot Mitchell Alsup, averaged an astonishing 38 mph over the 500-mile course to record a remarkable 13:17:01 overall time to easily win the Pro UTV Turbo class. Despite starting 14th off the line, Lambert overcame the competition and the course, which features rocky beach runs, mud holes, silt belts, miles of whoops and tight, mountain roads. Despite the course challenges, he chased down the early front-runners to take the race lead. Once out front, Lambert put the hammer down, grew his lead and never looked back.
"The Baja 500 is known to be one of the roughest off-road races in the world," stated Lambert. "We were on a mission, our game plan took us to an overall UTV win at the Baja 500. To win the toughest off-road races, you must have the toughest tires. ITP Tires for the win!"
Justin Lambert was the lone SxS racer to break the sub 14-hour mark at the 2017 SCORE International Baja 500 race in Mexico. Lambert won the Pro UTV FI class on ITP tires.
Sims and co-pilot Justin Krause were first off the line to start the day. The No. 2913 Polaris RZR XP4 vehicle dressed in ITP Ultra Cross R Spec tires managed to remain in podium contention despite losing their early lead. Sim's experience and patience paid off with a solid second-place finish (14:06:23).
The No. 2917 Can-Am / ITP / Murray Racing team recorded another good finish down on the Baja California Peninsula. The Murrays, brothers Derek and Jason Murray and Monty Aldrich, completed the grueling course in a time of 15:24:58, narrowly missing a top five run.
ITP-backed racer, Tony Riggs, finished eighth in the Pro UTV FI class aboard his No. 2912 Sparta Racing Polaris, giving ITP four finishers in the top 10. It was Riggs and co-pilots Kyle Melville and Ryan Edwards first Baja 500, a race where just finishing is a great accomplishment.
"We're stoked. It was our first time down here racing Baja and we got to the finish, so I'm pretty proud," declared Riggs on the Baja 500 podium. "It's a brand new car, a brand new race team ... everyone came together to make it all happen. ITP tires are excellent tires. We did the whole Baja 500 on the same tires."
About ITP
Since 1982, ITP has been the world's #1 ATV/UTV aftermarket tire and wheel source. The premier ITP products are developed utilizing an experienced staff of engineers, designers and technicians at its two American tire facilities in Clinton, Tennessee, and Jackson, Tennessee, to develop award-winning tire-and-wheel designs for virtually all ATVs and side-by-side vehicles. Numerous outlets distribute ITP tires across the United States and in more than 25 countries worldwide. ITP is a registered trademark of The Carlstar Group, LLC. For a free, full-color ITP catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-889-7367. Tech questions call: 1-909-390-1905. Visit:
About The Carlstar Group
The Carlstar Group is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, and is a global manufacturer of original equipment and aftermarket specialty tires and wheels for the agriculture, construction, outdoor power equipment, powersports, high-speed trailer and flat free/manual markets. The diverse portfolio of solutions are offered under several leading brands including Carlisle® tires and wheels, ITP® tires and wheels, as well as Cragar®, Black Rock® and Unique® wheels and Marastar® flat free and manual tires. The Carlstar Group employs 3,000 associates in 14 facilities located in four countries. The Carlstar Group has created a culture of converting great ideas into advanced products and has a legacy of excellence in product innovation, quality, and customer service. For more about The Carlstar Group, visit www.carlstargroup.com
