BILSTEIN Shocks Joins American Off-Road Racing Championship as Series Sponsor
Continuing its long-standing commitment to off-road racing, BILSTEIN Shocks has joined the newly formed American Off-Road Racing Championship as a series sponsor. The championship unites the two largest off-road racing organizations—Unlimited Off-Road Racing and Best in the Desert—into a single five-race points championship, marking a major step forward for the sport.
“We are excited to welcome BILSTEIN Shocks as a series sponsor for the 2026 season,” said Matt Martelli, CEO of the American Off-Road Racing Championship. “BILSTEIN has been synonymous with high-performance suspension and race-proven durability for decades. Their technology has been tested and validated in the harshest environments around the world, and off-road racing has always been a critical proving ground for their products. Having BILSTEIN involved in the American Off-Road Racing Championship reinforces the professional level this unified series represents and underscores the value racing brings to real-world product development.”
BILSTEIN’s presence in off-road racing spans decades, with its shock absorbers trusted by top teams across desert, short course, and endurance racing disciplines. The American Off-Road Racing Championship provides an ideal platform for BILSTEIN to continue refining its technology while supporting the racers and series that push performance limits.
“Being part of this unified championship is a natural fit for BILSTEIN,” stated Chris Bolger, Events and Sponsorship Lead at BILSTEIN. “Off-Road racing represents the most demanding environment for shock development, and the data, feedback, and experience gained on the racecourse directly influence the products we deliver to racers and consumers alike. This new championship brings the sport together in a way that benefits teams, partners, and the entire industry.”
The deserts of the American Southwest remain a critical testing ground for BILSTEIN’s suspension technology, where extreme heat, high-speed terrain, and long-distance endurance races provide unmatched validation.
“When we say our shocks are race-proven, it’s because they’ve earned it mile after mile in the toughest conditions imaginable,” added the BILSTEIN representative. “Supporting the American Off-Road Racing Championship allows us to stay deeply connected to the racing community while continuing to advance suspension performance at the highest level.”
With BILSTEIN Shocks joining the American Off-Road Racing Championship sponsor lineup, the series continues to strengthen its foundation with industry-leading partners who rely on off-road racing as both a development platform and a showcase for innovation.
Details regarding racer registration, sponsorship packages, exhibitor vending, spectator tickets, camping, and parking passes for the American Off-Road Racing Championship are live on americanoffroadracingchampionship.com
About American Off-Road Racing Championship
About the American Off-Road Racing Championship:
The American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC) is the premier desert off-road racing league in North America, created through the unification of Best in the Desert (BITD) and Unlimited Off-Road Racing (UNLTD).
Best in the Desert, founded in 1984 by legendary racer Casey Folks, is the longest-running and most respected off-road racing series in the U.S., with a legacy that includes iconic events like Vegas to Reno, the Silver State 300, the Parker 425, and the Laughlin Desert Classic.
Unlimited Off-Road Racing, established by the Martelli Brothers in 2023, produces world-class events such as The Mint 400, The California 300, and The Parker 400. UNLTD is recognized for its focus on innovation, storytelling, and large-scale racer participation, with events known for high car counts, challenging courses, pre-running, and family-friendly fan experiences near major markets.
Together under the AORC banner, BITD and UNLTD preserve the heritage of desert racing while building its future—offering racers, sponsors, and fans a unified championship built on clarity, consistency, and world-class competition.
About BILSTEIN
Founded in Germany in 1873, BILSTEIN is a global leader in suspension technology and a pioneer of gas-pressure monotube shock absorbers. With more than 65 years of shock development and racing heritage, BILSTEIN products are trusted by OEM manufacturers, professional race teams, and off-road enthusiasts worldwide. From desert racing to daily-driven trucks and SUVs, BILSTEIN uses motorsports as a proving ground to develop durable, high-performance suspension solutions. BILSTEIN’s off-road lineup—including its latest Blackhawk Series shocks—reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation, precision engineering, and performance in the most demanding environments on earth.