Bryce Menzies Conquers the Baja 1000

_by Lindsay Tousignant | December 6, 2023

Bryce Menzies has conquered the Baja 1000 peninsula in multiple race lengths of 250, 400 and 500 miles. Winning these races has already cemented his name if the off-road world, but most notably missing from that list is the longest race, both distance and ongoing, the Baja 1000.

Running the full length of the peninsula for the 25th time in the race’s 56-year history, this year’s 1000 started in in La Paz, Baja California. For the first time in the race’s history, the course ran from south to north, ending in Ensenada. Encompassing 1,311 miles, this race was also the second longest in the history of the event.

The course embodied all that desert racing typically offers, straight dirt passes, coastline stretches, rocky climbs and washes, some of which had seen a radical transitioned since Hurricane Norma rocked the southern end of the peninsula earlier this year. Even though this marked the second longest 1000 in the race’s history, the times seen were relatively fast given the smoother terrain.

Check out Bryce, Andy and Tavo pre-running the course:

Teamed up with drivers Andy McMillin and Gustavo “Tavo” Vildosola, Menzies took the the first 525 miles of the race. He then handed off the Mason AWD Ford Raptor Trophy truck over to Red Bull teammate McMillin for the next 400 miles. McMillin then handed the reigns off to hometown hero Vildosola, who drove the remaining 385 miles to the finish in Ensenada.

The trio finished the SCORE Baja 1000 in 22 hours, 35 minutes and 33 seconds, taking the checkered flag. Menzies earned the official win as the registered race entrant and is only the 10th racer to earn a SCORE Baja Triple Crown, having won the San Felipe 250, Baja 500 and Baja 1000. Menzies also took home the SCORE season championship.

“It took me over 10 years to win the SCORE Baja 1000. To win the second-longest SCORE race in history feels pretty special.”
– Bryce Menzies

Menzies uses AMSOIL products to ensure his race trucks can handle extremely harsh desert racing conditions.

Next up, Menzies is setting his sights on Hammertown and gearing up for the Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship during King of the Hammers, Jan. 25 through Feb. 3, 2024.

AMSOIL Hybrid Motor Oil Addresses Hybrid Engine Challenges

_by Johnny Gage |Dec 7th, 2023

Your Maintenance Choices should match the Motives of Hybrid Engine ownership

Hybrid vehicles are designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. They combine an internal combustion engine powered by traditional fuels with an electric motor powered by batteries. The electric motor is used to propel the vehicle from stops and for low-speed driving and the gasoline engine takes over powering the vehicle at higher speed and recharges the batteries.

Hybrids are projected to be 18% of cars on the road by 2035 and roughly half of all hybrid owners identify themselves as automotive enthusiasts. These are drivers searching for modern technology and premium products, who are also committed to maintaining their own vehicles, maximizing safety and reliability, and saving money.

Hybrid engine challenges – You mean they didn’t do any long term studies??

So often new engine technology requires specific lubricant needs but the call to the manufacturers for a new specification usually lags the issues after issues are discovered.

Hybrid vehicles endure a unique set of challenges due to frequent starting and stopping of the engine. Intermittent operation of combustion engines makes them especially vulnerable to corrosion.

The Key Issue: The infrequent use and instant load before the engine has had time to warm up creates a situation where the engine cannot evaporate condensation inside the block. This causes rust, greater wear and reduces efficiency. Cooler cylinders can also cause incomplete combustion, increasing the likelihood of unburnt fuel leaking into the crankcase and contaminating the motor oil. It happens all the time and can be mitigated!

Often the lubricant requirements for these vehicles unique situations are beyond what is available off the shelf at your auto parts store. Not to mention that lower standard of oil you get with the “A Year of Free Oil Changes” or vats at the quicklube. Not so with AMSOIL!!

Additionally, motor oil needs to flow quickly to critical components every time the engine engages, which is problematic when the engine is constantly cold due to being idle. Hybrid engines are also required to engage quickly under high-load operation to assist the electric motor and must be able to rapidly reach increased engine speeds.

Hybrid engines require high-quality oil that resists moisture, flows properly before it reaches operating temperatures and resists oxidation once it heats up.

Hybrid solution

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Hybrid Motor Oil is specifically engineered to address the unique demands of hybrid electric (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) engines, with a boosted dose of dispersants and inhibitors to help prevent condensation-related corrosion and maintain optimal engine performance. Its robust viscosity combats the negative effects of fuel dilution and maintains consistent and optimal flow of oil to key engine components at low temperatures, ensuring rapid protection at startup.

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Hybrid Motor Oil (0W-20 and 0W-16) is API Licensed & ILSAC Licensed and is recommended for service intervals of 15,000 miles or 1 year in normal service. It is a premium upgrade over vehicle manufacturer-branded motor oils, delivering purpose-built protection that extends oil drain intervals and maximizes hybrid performance, fuel economy and engine life. Follow the owner’s manual recommendation for severe service intervals.

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Hybrid Motor Oil is tailored to the unique challenges presented by hybrid vehicles, making it an excellent choice for hybrid owners looking for an upgrade in hybrid engine protection.

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