For the first time in history hydrogen was mixed with race fuel to power a 700 HP Trophy Truck on the roughest 500 mile course in history. Against all odds and a sea of skepticism from the off-road community Hessgen Hydrogen powered #88 lined up to do battle with the best in the business. It was a testament of complete commitment, will and strength that got the team through 500 miles of the meanest, roughest and worst roads on the planet.
Brian Hess (Hessgen founder/inventor) is a self-made entrepreneur who has experienced business in tough arenas. He is known for his tenacious pit-bull like determination when it comes to challenges both business and personal. He lives by his motto “all in and never give up” no matter what the odds or obstacles presented before him.
The Baja race course proved to be nastier than expected, by race mile 5 Hess had flipped the truck over and the entire plan lay on its back in a ditch. With enormous help from the Mexican people watching the race and a quick “hotwire of a forklift” by Hess, trophy truck #88 was back in business and back on course in less than 90 minutes. The hydrogen system located on the top rear section of the truck had survived the crash and was still working flawlessly! This alone proved that the Hessgen System is safe in an impact-rollover crash and tough enough to meet the demands of everyday over the road driving.
Fast forward 500 brutal miles, just over 21 hours and 40 minutes later without rest, the relentless Hess in his Hydrogen powered truck finished the journey. Trophy truck #88 had finished the race burning considerably less fuel and registered tremendously reduced carbon emissions exceeding all expectations. Taunted and labeled as crazy, this rookie driver had achieved his goals on all levels. The Race would be a milestone in the history of the treacherous Baja 500 and more importantly for the Global Eco Structure, christening this new Bi-fuel HYDROGEN POWER in a 700 HP off road truck.
