TMW - 8-19-2015 at 12:58 PM
Baja’s Historic Horsepower Ranch Sold To New Investment Group
August 19, 2015
Baja’s Historic Horsepower Ranch Purchased By New Investment Group
~ Acquisition Promises Bright Future For Off-Road Motorsports Icon ~
(San Juan Capistrano, Calif.,) ~ Ensenada’s Horsepower Ranch, one of the most iconic adventure destinations in Baja, Mexico, has gotten another lease
on life thanks to a Southern California-based investment group. Led by former Horsepower Ranch Founding Partner Todd Clement and construction
entrepreneur Adrian Hoyle, the new partnership today announced the acquisition of the historic 100-acre facility.
In addition to Clement and Hoyle, the new Horsepower Ranch ownership group includes longtime off-road enthusiast Rodrigo Ampudia, Don Digby, Matt
Taylor and Justin Hoyle.
“Purchasing and restructuring the ownership of Horsepower Ranch has been in the works for some time, and was very much needed,” stated Clement. “Our
group felt strongly that keeping Horsepower Ranch not only alive, but in a position to thrive, was the right move from both a cultural and business
perspective. The place has a special magic. We want to insure that legacy continues for generations to come."
Located five miles east of the seaside city of Ensenada and two hours south of downtown San Diego, in the past decade Horsepower Ranch has evolved
into the cultural epicenter of Baja’s ever-vibrant off-road and racing community. Tens of thousands of guests have enjoyed the hacienda-style ranch
that includes 50 guest rooms, a heated pool, an authentic great room and the famous, vintage racing-themed “Carrera Cantina.” Home of the largest and
most significant celebrations in off-road history, the ranch will continue to serve as a logistal and spiritual hub for all things off-road and
adventure related well into the future.
Originally a private facility, in recent years Horsepower Ranch has been available for individual tourist and adventure groups, and has become popular
with the local community as a special events destination for weddings, parties and quinceañeras.
Considered as somewhat remote a few years ago, the ranch is positioned within the region’s soon-to-be-completed “wine corridor” that includes nearby
Guadalupe Valley that is exploding on the international vintner and culinary scene. A new highway will be completed within the next year that connects
that destination to Baja's Highway 3 near Horsepower Ranch. This will provide ranch guests a faster and more relaxing trip south of the border to the
facility's welcoming front gate.
The purchase of Horsepower Ranch represents but the first step in a far more ambitious plan to transform the property into a full-service destination
resort for tourists and the all-important Baja off-road community. Not ready to disclose the entire set of development plans yet, the group has
committed to completing a number of improvements before November’s world-famous SCORE Baja 1000.
“My expertise is in building large commercial projects, so this is a totally new adventure in the best sense,” concluded Adrian Hoyle, who founded
Parkco Building Company located in Costa Mesa, California. “The future business opportunities in Baja are certainly exciting for our group, but our
passion for the ranch’s history and continuing that legacy is our primary objective for now. Our challenge today is to initiate improvements without
compromising the authentic Mexican experience that is Horsepower Ranch.”
# # #
THE STORY OF HORSEPOWER RANCH
The history of this amazing property goes back long before today's modern off-road machines - back to a time when the Hollywood crowd of the 60's and
70's came to Baja to indulge in the allure of Mexico. The original name of Horsepower Ranch was "Rancho San Juanito" and it was built as an oasis
resort. Americans and wealthy Mexicans spent their weekends lounging by the swimming pool, singing along with the piano player, and carousing in
nearby Ensenada.
Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, the ranch exchanged ownership before laying dormant; waiting for an opportunity to emerge with a new identity. Having
been restored to its former glory, today Horsepower Ranch has its roots firmly planted within the racing community and also hosts weddings, parties,
and other social events throughout the year. The pool and palapas are favorites during the summer months with an open-air bar and the sweet smell of
mesquite.
In recent years Hollywood and racing celebrities have returned to Horsepower Ranch, a list that includes Paul Newman, Sandra Bullock, Patrick Dempsey,
Jesse James, Chip Foose along with many professional Indycar and international sports car racers.
Horsepower Ranch
hprbaja.com
info@hprbaja.com
Copyright © 2015 HORSEPOWER RANCH, All rights reserved.
You are a valued member of the off-road family, the off-road industry or the automotive/motorsports media.
Contact us:
Email: info@hprbaja.com
Reservations (From U.S.) +1.949.656.1088
Reservations (From MEX) +52.646.121.8494
Business Inquiries: +1.714.376.1415
The Rennsport Group
P.O.Box 25
Agua Dulce, CA 92675
David K - 8-19-2015 at 01:42 PM
"A new highway will be completed within the next year that connects that destination to Baja's Highway 3 near Horsepower Ranch. This will
provide ranch guests a faster and more relaxing trip south of the border to the facility's welcoming front gate."
This is the first phase of the Libramiento Ensenada joining the Tecate Hwy. 3 to the San Felipe Hwy. 3... that will someday continue on south to or
beyond Maneadero, allowing one to not have blocks and blocks of city traffic and stop lights to get beyond Ensenada.
from Ferna de Tijuana:
TecateRay - 8-20-2015 at 09:13 AM
HPR is a great place and hopefully this new partnership will bring some welcome improvements to the general infrastructure. I just hope they keep the
same ambiance and rustic feel. I'm sure the prices will go up as improvements go in, but it is still a fun place to stay and I know I'll be back.
One thing that needs to stay the same - keep Rodrigo as the manager and chef. He does a great job at both tasks and adds to any visit.
TedZark - 8-22-2015 at 03:01 PM
Great place and an easy drive from town. Atmosphere is everything.
Expansion and upgrade would be nice, but it needs to keep that ranch feel to it.