Ford Rough Riders

[Swift_Motorsports]

nevermind, cant post pics yet. i will post as soon as moterator enables me

 

[Jim Oaks]

Swift Motorsports,

Thanks for taking time out to post in this topic.

Is there any way you or your dad could help me out with some information for a page I'm putting together on the Rough Riders?

I need to know who these people are in the front of this poster:

Also,

Can you guys take a look at this list and let me know what needs corrected? (Also, if someone on the list wasn't a Rough Rider, or someone should be added, please let me know)

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

Dan Smith and Dave Ashley - Raced in the 2003 baja 500 and 1000 in a Ford F150 sponsored by Ford Powertrain Engineering, Ford Torqshift Transmission, Alcoa Wheels, BFG tires, Fairway Fairview Ford. (are they racing anymore?)

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.

What happened to Simon&Simon and when did they actually quit racing?

I need a pic (for anyone who has it) of Manny's last truck he raced before he passed away.

Finally, what was the last year for the Rough Riders and do you know why the team broke up?

Thanks a bunch. I really want to get a page dedicated to the Rough Riders here along with as many pictures as I can find.

Also, I changed the setting for this forum to allow you to upload your Rough Rider related pictures.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I love this truck (wish the pic didn't have lines in it):

I'd love to either re-create that truck, or build one with the same color scheme as a tribute to Manny. Heck, it's even in my favorite colors!

 

[woodyedmiston]

Those photos of the flying dirt are some of the best racing photographs I've ever seen. Wow!

 

[TayCo 7s]

Soo did i read correctly up there--- JIM OAKS your making a website in honor of the Best Never Rest .. im real happy . these guys deserve it keep us posted

 

[Jim Oaks]

Soo did i read correctly up there--- JIM OAKS your making a website in honor of the Best Never Rest .. im real happy . these guys deserve it keep us posted

No, not exactly.

I'm creating a page dedicated to the Rough Riders with information and as many photos as I can get to preserve this part of history.

The Rough Riders were a great inspiration to me and the paint scheme of my first Ranger (TRS-1)

That photo is from the late 1990's. That was my first paint job and I didn't have enough confidence in my painting abilities to curve the lines on the side, so I just made them straight.

Again, more inspiration but with a patriotic twist on my second Ranger (TRS-2)

 

[ckblum]

Awesome paint jobs Jim. Im stoked to see the new Rough Rider page, I haven't checked but have to gotten it online at all? Gonna have a special Rough Rider tribute e-party when you unveil the page.

 

[Jim Oaks]

No, not on line yet.

I'm really hoping Swift Motorsports can shed some light so I can be sure I don't have any wrong info going up.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I'd like to get more details on this truck. It was be fun to reproduce one similar to it.

 

[canyoncritter]

Jon, thank you! Thats great to hear the exploder is coming back.


Jim, give it a few more days or so.Found a few more people from the other teams as well.I also have a E mail in to who I belive that built Manny's ranger.
I belive it was Stoope. From what I have dug up the 2 off road lights on the top like that was a Stoope thing.The lights sat in a pod like thing.Hopefully he will chime in and give some specs.

Now how do I make you tube videos show up instead of just a link here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHht3KWD0aw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QJclXOqYPc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QJclXOqYPc

has a few shots of the rough riders threw out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QJclXOqYPc

 

[canyoncritter]

and at one time, Manny even drove the "pre-ranger" (uhhh bad pun I know)

 

[Jim Oaks]

How do you find these photos?

All but the first video link are of the same video.

 

[Swift_Motorsports]

Jim,
I am off to the Henderson race this weekend and will be seeing my dad. I will get all the info i can on those posters and articles and stuff. Here are just a few pictures of the explorer i had on my comp. All the good stuff is unfortunately back home but i will get all that scanned and on here over xmas break.

 

[Swift_Motorsports]

more

 

[canyoncritter]

Jim,most all the pics came from race-dezert.com from the people posting them over the years.

Ill fix the videos in a little bit.