Off-Road Course Construction
At the legendary Mint 400 off-road race, the RAM 1500 RHO Thrill Ride delivered an unforgettable experience for fans, combining high-octane excitement with cutting-edge truck performance. Gordinier Group was on site to construct and maintain the dynamic course, ensuring safety and consistency for the duration of the event. Guests had the rare chance to ride shotgun with professional drivers in the powerful RAM 1500 RHO, tackling an expertly designed course made entirely from dirt—over 1,250 yards of it.
The ride kicked off with a thrilling acceleration run across rugged straightaways, instantly showcasing the RHO’s raw power. Each obstacle on the course—from the steep 30-degree banked wedges to the rolling hills that delivered moments of weightlessness—was expertly constructed by the skilled operators of Gordinier Group. Their precision work continued through a series of tight S-curves and a towering 8-foot-tall berm, all crafted from over 500 yards of dirt. The grand finale featured a meticulously shaped tabletop jump, launching passengers into an adrenaline-charged finish and demonstrating both the capabilities of the RAM 1500 RHO and the craftsmanship needed to build such an incredible course.
The RAM RHO Thrill Ride wasn’t just a ride—it was a full-throttle celebration of off-road performance, engineering, and expertly executed course design.
We recently had the privilege of collaborating with our partners at American Honda to create an impromptu off-road proving ground at their corporate campus in Torrance, CA. The course was designed to showcase the rugged capabilities of the all-new 2026 Passport TrailSport to local Honda Sales Associates and enthusiasts.
Special thanks to Jody Suzuki and her engineering team for providing invaluable vehicle insights that supported both the construction of the course and the training of our precision drivers and sales trainers.
This project wouldn’t have been possible without the vision and leadership of Jim Lee, Head of Auto Sales & Dealer Recognition, Arin Baharian, Morris Lin, and our partners at George P. Johnson. We appreciate the collaboration, and the Gordinier Group is excited about the rest of the tour.
Although driving impressions are still under embargo, these photos highlight the rugged capabilities of Honda’s most off-road capable vehicle to date.
Our friends at RAM recently challenged us to design and build an off-road course to push the 2025 RAM 1500 RHO to its limits. Once the course was complete, automotive media from various outlets were invited to test those limits. This article from The Drive, written by Rebelle Rally competitor and automotive journalist Jill Cimino, captures the day perfectly. Great job, Jill! And, Great job, RAM!
It’s incredible what these trucks can do. https://www.thedrive.com/news/2025-ram-1500-rho-first-drive-review
In preparation for a 24-day run at the 2024 State Fair of Texas, our Dirt Designs team arrived in Dallas to build a challenging off-road course that showcased the incredible capabilities of the brand-new RAM 1500 RHO. After the skid steers were parked, the RHO Thrill Ride track featured several manicured jumps and banked turns, sure to entertain the many visitors who flock to the State Fair each year.
With our friends from EEG handling driving duties, our product specialists provided guests with in-depth information about these high-performance trucks. Attendees explored the display trucks’ exterior features, interior technologies, and driver aids, including the star of the show: the new 540 HP Hurricane engine. Foot traffic through the display remained constant, as did the stream of questions about this new offering from RAM. Our team responded quickly, fueling excitement for the RHO. The combination of the static display and the live action on the RHO Thrill Ride track created a powerful experience that undoubtedly strengthened the RAM brand in the eyes of tens of thousands of fairgoers.
After the dust settled in Dallas, nearly 50,000 guests experienced the RHO Thrill Ride, while thousands of interested buyers engaged in walkarounds with our product specialists. It was indeed a powerful experience!
Here are a few of our favorite comments from guests:
- “This is the best display at the fair! We’ve come every year for the past three years and we ride at least three times!”
- “This is the best marketing move RAM could’ve made. I don’t see anyone else jumping trucks out here.”
- “It’s a RAM truck; I wouldn’t expect anything less than excellence.”
- “When I’m in the market for a new truck, I know what I’m getting. That 1500 Rebel is my dream truck.”
