Ford Rough Riders

[Jim Oaks]

There are (3) things I need to clear up:

1) Did the Rough Riders team end after 1995 or 1996. From all I'm finding I would have to say 1995.

2) Was Robby Gordon considered a member of the Rough Riders? Right now I'm thinking that he was because I found some information that in 1995, Ford came to Baja with Rough Rider Fords for Rob MacCachren, the Simon brothers, John Swift, and Robby Gordon.

Gordon raced for Jim Venable and Venable Racing is on the poster below.

3) Speaking of which, who are these guys:

My guess is:

unk - John Swift - unk - unk - unk - Dave Ashley - Dan Smith - Rob MacCachren - Dave Simon - Paul Simon - Dick Landfield - Bob Bower

There are some people who could possibly be in there:

Scott Taylor, Steve Olliges, Tim Casey, Danny Thompson, Jerry Whelchel and Dino Pugeda

 

[TayCo 7s]

where are all these pics coming from

 

[Jim Oaks]

One more thing....

I can't find anything on Dino Pugeda. I know he rolled in a Ranger with John Swift and was in a coma, but I can't find any mention of him anywhere after that.

 

[canyoncritter]

Jim, Dino Pugeda is still in a coma from what I understand.I sent out a few PM's on other boards.hopefully some of the ruff riders or team members will come in and fill in the blanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww6v_5UVPKw


---------------------------------------------

tayco, most from RDC

 

[Jim Oaks]

Wasn't there a spectator in the area just prior to that crash that swift was trying to avoid? It looks like the cab comes completely off the chassis.

 

[TayCo 7s]

these 2 first ones are the new project except their not exactly up to date. it already has the motor, trany,coil spring and the tube front end is partially done ill take a pic if i get home from work with daylight, the 3rd is a local race of a friends truck i was ridin co pilot. the rest are friends rides .. ill see if i can scan some from the old truck








sorry about posting this here

 

[canyoncritter]

I don't know the reason/story behind the crash. I have read and heard a few different things.

I sent a message to Jon Swift.He said he would be in here to help fill in some of the blanks on the rough riders.And I have feeling he may know a thing or two behind the crash.

But yes, it dose look like the cab tore off.CRAZY

 

[Jim Oaks]

Well,

I've been working non stop since yesterday looking up info on the Rough Riders, Dick Landfield, and what the members are doing now.

It looks like:

Manny Esquerra - Died while racing from a heart attack last February

Dan Smith and Dave Ashley - Raced together up through 2002 with a Duralast sponsorship. Duralast dropped out of the sponsorship during the season, but the team continued and finished the season out. They haven't raced since.

Paul Simon and Dave Simon - Dropped out after 1996 stating that the racing was interfering with family life. They have a successful construction business.

Scott Taylor - Still racing.

Rob MacCachren - Still racing.

John Swift - Mostly lets his son do the racing now. John jumps in the seat every once in a while.

Steve Olliges and Tim Casey - Both are still racing on seperate teams.

Danny Thompson & Jerry Whelchel - Both drove the Mickey Thompson Stadium Trucks. I can't find anything on them.

Chuck Johnson - Can't find any info.

Dick Landfield - I think of him as the father of the Rough Riders for bringing the idea to Ford. He's currently enjoyee the retired life.

Who/what did I miss or mess up on?

 

[ckblum]

Sweet, I remember seeing these guys when I was real little. Thought it was so cool I painted some hot wheels trucks/vans with dollar store paints to match the colours of the trucks haha. Is there any possible way to get one of those shirts or any shirt with a Rough Rider truck? Any online places to get one?

 

[TayCo 7s]

Dan Smith and Dave Ashley - Raced together up through 2002 with a Duralast sponsorship. Duralast dropped out of the sponsorship during the season, but the team continued and finished the season out. They haven't raced since.

thats wrong... sorry jim

they raced in the 2003 baja 500 and 1000
dan smith/39 dave ashley/46. Riverside Cali.
ford F150,
sponsors.. Ford powertrain engineering,ford torqshift transmission,alcoa wheels, bfg tires, fairway fairview ford...

and hes been doing long past that.. his truck was the same one as the optima truck he had... but it has the baja peninsula on the side

in the movies dust to glory hes on the gas if im correct .. guess i have to watch it again hahah

 

[Jim Oaks]

Dan Smith and Dave Ashley - Raced together up through 2002 with a Duralast sponsorship. Duralast dropped out of the sponsorship during the season, but the team continued and finished the season out. They haven't raced since.

thats wrong... sorry jim

they raced in the 2003 baja 500 and 1000
dan smith/39 dave ashley/46. Riverside Cali.
ford F150,
sponsors.. Ford powertrain engineering,ford torqshift transmission,alcoa wheels, bfg tires, fairway fairview ford...

and hes been doing long past that.. his truck was the same one as the optima truck he had... but it has the baja peninsula on the side

in the movies dust to glory hes on the gas if im correct .. guess i have to watch it again hahah

haha.

I have that movie. I guess I should watch it again as well.

This is why I'm posting this stuff so people can correct me before I put it on the web.

Thanks.

I need to find a pic of their most recent truck.

 

[canyoncritter]

Manny E before the days of the ruff rider's. But still with factory support

 

[canyoncritter]

the Bronco, from what I dug up is it was sold to a guy in cabo mx, raced a few times.......then ...*sniff*

 

[canyoncritter]

same truck, diffrent skin.......

this truck has been under the knife and no longer has the 1/4 elptic set up. And is still in hibernation being built back up slowly.This truck sat up the street from my house for awhile in about 00-01.And was pretty much striped.

 

[Swift_Motorsports]

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