Trophy truck competitor Toby Price and his co-pilot Brent Bauman have been disqualified from the San Felipe 250 “for unsportsmanlike behavior” after race officials concluded they were placing rocks to hinder their opponents. This is a very serious and genuinely surprising scenario. We’re not referring to some casual weekend racers—these are elite Red Bull-sponsored professionals contending at the pinnacle of Baja racing.
The San Felipe 250 ranks as one of the primary off-road events held annually in Baja, Mexico, organized by SCORE, which also oversees the Baja 500 and Baja 1000. The latest installment of the race took place just this past weekend. Price did participate—finishing eighth out of 12 in the SCORE Trophy Truck category (race duration five hours two minutes and some seconds), approximately half an hour behind the class victor Luke McMillin (race time: slightly under four and a half hours).
However, following the emergence of evidence indicating the team had been altering the terrain during their prerun, SCORE’s Competition Review Board disqualified them and removed him from the rankings. For context: 194 vehicles participated in the race, 127 crossed the finish line, and the slowest time was just below 14 hours—I thought that was worth mentioning since “eighth out of 12” might not seem particularly impressive. Make no mistake, Price is an accomplished contender with extensive experience on both four wheels and two. He has competed in the Dakar Rally for Toyota GR and boasts numerous significant victories.
Off-road news editor Justin Nguyen has covered this story in detail at 131 Off-Road and gathered some opinions from fellow racers on the subject:
Baja and Dakar competitor Brock Heger didn’t hold back: “A terrible way to attempt to win.”
Trophy Truck icon and fellow Red Bull racer Bryce Menzies remarked that Price “shouldn’t even be competing. What a disgrace.”
Nguyen also relayed a particularly damning comment from Jason Duncan, Luke McMillin’s co-driver, calling out Brent Bauman for misleading the group:
“Brent has claimed to the other racers that I placed rocks in the course while it was actually him … I feel sorry for Toby because he was involved, but he didn’t prevent Brent from acting, and I’m offended because we could have reached those rocks first and it would have harmed either our truck or us. That’s not how we race. We are all friends, or at least I thought we were.”
The primary clip circulating online features a confused-looking Toby Price awkwardly emerging from behind the wheel of a Can-Am prerunner. It doesn’t exactly appear as if he’s been caught in the act of something sinister, but it is definitely an odd encounter. Based on SCORE’s statement, it seems the CRB had access to more information than just this brief video.
My impression from this situation (and the video) is that the individuals recording received a tip about some course sabotage, went seeking the culprit, and were taken aback to find Price.
Paul Weel, the owner of Team Australia who also shares driving responsibilities of the #46 Trophy Truck with Price, initiated his own investigation and asserts that he had no involvement in the incident. 131 Off-Road shared this from Weel:
“As a team owner, the safety of every competitor on the course is paramount to me,” Weel stated. “I have invested greatly in off-road racing because I have faith in it, and everything I pursue in motorsport is founded on these principles.
“I do not support any of the behavior that has been alleged. I wish to be transparent that I will conduct my own internal investigation as I was not there. This will rely on the information and evidence that has been provided to me. I respect the decision made by the Competition Review Board and recognize the process they adhered to. That process exists for a purpose.
“What I confidently affirm is the standard to which I hold this team. That standard remains unchanged, and it will not waver. I will continue to do what is right by this sport, my team, and the competitors with whom I share the course.”
Price himself shared an extensive statement, the core of which is this:
“This is certainly not how I anticipated the San Felipe 250 would unfold, but this is how it turned out. Even though I believe that a higher standard of proof should be applied in this case due to the consequences, I will fully respect the CRB’s decision and the public’s perception.
“I will take a break from desert racing, and I do not make this choice lightly given the significant repercussions. I will reevaluate my position with the team and whether I will be participating in the series in the foreseeable future.”
Price is now stepping back from desert racing; meanwhile, as of today (March 31, 2026), co-driver Bauman has resigned from the team over the accusations, which certainly doesn’t appear favorable.
Have a tip? Contact us at [email protected].
**Red Bull Racers Disqualified for Sabotage in Desert Rally Incident**
In a startling turn of events at the recent Desert Rally, two racers from the Red Bull team were disqualified following allegations of sabotage. This incident has created a ripple effect throughout the motorsport community, prompting discussions about sportsmanship and the integrity of competitive racing.
The Desert Rally, recognized for its demanding terrain and extreme conditions, draws elite racers from all around the world. This year’s event was no different, as participants navigated through perilous sand dunes and rocky landscapes. However, the thrill was overshadowed by the disqualification of the Red Bull pair, who had been leading the race until the allegations emerged.
Reports indicate that during the rally, the two racers were accused of interfering with their competitors’ vehicles. Eyewitness accounts claimed they were spotted near rival teams’ cars shortly before mechanical failures occurred. Investigators swiftly initiated an inquiry, scrutinizing race footage and interviewing fellow participants.
The findings were troubling. Evidence indicated deliberate interference with the competitors’ vehicles, which included the removal of critical components and the insertion of foreign objects. Race officials responded promptly, disqualifying the Red Bull racers and suspending their eligibility for future events pending further investigation.
This disqualification has ignited a vigorous debate within the racing community. Supporters of the Red Bull team argue that the evidence is circumstantial and the racers are being unjustly singled out. Critics, however, highlight the necessity of maintaining integrity in sports and enforcing strict penalties against any form of cheating.
In light of the incident, Red Bull Racing released a statement expressing their disappointment and their commitment to fair competition. They emphasized their intention to cooperate fully with the investigation and uphold the sport’s values.
The Desert Rally organizers have also adopted a firm stance, reiterating their zero-tolerance policy for sabotage and unsportsmanlike conduct. They have promised to improve security measures in future events to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
As the investigation proceeds, the motorsport world remains vigilant. The outcome could significantly impact the reputations of those involved and the broader narrative surrounding competitive racing. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some may go to secure victory and the importance of preserving the spirit of competition.
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