2024 Off-Road Racing Review: Highlights and Setbacks from a Pivotal Year
Off-road motorsport experienced both triumphs and setbacks in 2024, with notable achievements and ongoing challenges shaping the landscape.
Off-road truck racing through dirt
Major Successes in 2024
The Factory Polaris team demonstrated remarkable success, particularly in desert racing. Their drivers, including Brock Heger and Cayden MacCachren, swept all four SCORE desert races, with Heger achieving an impressive seventh overall finish at the Baja 1000.
McMillin Racing (Big Blue M) secured their fourth Baja 1000 victory in five years, with Luke McMillin and Rob MacCachren piloting their Trophy Truck to victory, supported by navigator Jason Duncan.
Polaris RZR racing through dirt trail
Class 11 racing saw unprecedented growth, attracting social media stars and nearly 60 vintage Volkswagen Beetles competing at the Speed Rage at the River event. However, the category needs standardized rules and safety packages to sustain growth.
Off-road race at Crandon track
Broadcasting Advances
Live coverage improved significantly with Starlink/Star Stream satellite systems enhancing Baja 1000 coverage. MAVTV's commitment to off-road content will feature major events like Dakar Rally, King of the Hammers, and Crandon World Championship races in 2025.
The AMSOIL Champ Off-Road series maintained stability despite challenges, expanding to Missouri and California for Pro classes in the coming year.
Pro 4 truck racing dirt track
Challenges
The sport continues to face fragmentation issues with multiple sanctioning bodies competing for limited resources. The need for standardized rules packages and better calendar coordination remains crucial for growth.
The collapse of MidAmerica's facility and racing series represented a significant setback, impacting businesses, racers, and sponsors throughout the industry.
Future growth depends on improved cooperation between sanctioning bodies and standardized classification systems across different racing formats.