John Gilleland - Sportsman Moto

John Gilleland

Durango, CO - #255X

Vehicle Specifications:

Make: Honda  Model: 450x  Engine: Honda  Engine Builder: Chassis: na  Transmission: na

Biography

Building on a foundation of proven desert racing excellence, this veteran competitor continues to demonstrate his skills in the world's most challenging off-road events. Most recently achieving a hard-fought second place class finish at the 2024 SCORE Baja 1000, he showcased the elite-level competitiveness that has defined his career in premier desert racing.

Based in Colorado's rugged Four Corners region, this racer brings mountain-bred toughness to the brutal Baja peninsula. His 2017 Baja 1000 campaign exemplified the teamwork and preparation required for success in SCORE's premier event, where he piloted the #1070 Tatum-Chevy through the punishing 1,134-mile course from Ensenada to La Paz alongside a skilled crew including George Marsh, Randy Ellis, Max Holmes, Gabe Gilleland, and Brian Schuman.

Competing in the ultra-competitive Class 10 division, he faces off against some of desert racing's most talented drivers in single-seat buggies limited to 1650cc engines. His sixth-place finish in the 2017 race, completing the distance in 27:18:40, demonstrated the consistency and mechanical preparation that separates finishers from the field in an event where only 17 of 33 starters reached the checkered flag.

Sponsored by:

Dirt Rider Designs Dunlop, Baja Designs, Alright Guys Racing, C&J Gravel,  

World Desert Championship

SCORE Race Results | 2017-Present

2024 BFGoodrich SCORE Baja 1000

#12 Overall and #2 in Sportsman Moto

2018 BFGoodrich Tires SCORE 51st Baja 1000

DNF in Class 10