Just talked to a Rough Rider driver...

[Jim Oaks]

I just spent (2) hours on the phone with Chuck Johnson.

(Third from right)

What an amazing experience. I'd love to have seen and experienced the things he experienced desert racing. Especially when he was with the Ford Rough Riders.

He had (6) Baja 1000 wins. (5) were in a Ford Ranger.

Thanks for your time Chuck!

 

[bobbywalter]

excellent.


learn anything.?.?


i know i can see me putting a 2wd 4 whhezer together for lil bob someday to race....

 

[Jim Oaks]

Actually, yes.

He's the third person I've been in communication with, but the first I've talked to on the phone.

His son graduated college and has expressed an interest in getting in to a truck. I found myself encouraging him to get back out there. You can hear the joy in his voice and tell that the guy really loved his days off-road racing. I reminded him that Scott Taylor is (2) years older than him and still racing.

 

[shaun_kite]

We need the funds to put together a Rough Rider documentary. Everything about them and that time in desert racing is fascinating to say the least. you are lucky as hell for getting to talk to him and I am envious.

 

[Dzrtcj7]

That is awesome Jim. I love reading all the history and seeing the pictures you have rounded up. That was an amazing era in desert racing.

 

[84projectFORD]

ok jim, after seein how much you looooove to read and talk to the rough riders i really think you need to come out to the west and have some fun in a ranger desert racin liek these guys did. Wegas to reno is comin !?!? its suppose to be the longest race ever in the US of 850 miles. Im hopin to get the ranger done by then, interested in co-piloting? if i dont get ready in time im sure some of the other guys on here would give a a ride. there will be plenty of races after too if you cnat make it! jsut let me know when you want to come out and i can make arrangements for ya

 

[odie1969]

Hell ya I'm sure we can get somebody to hook you up with a ride. Hell I'm sure Rumble goat will be out at that race.

Hey 84 we might need to take your truck out for a ride when it is all done. your truck looks to be very well done, and I have been looking to jump into a right seat of a ride. I kinda figure my best way to get into this sport is wrench time and co-driving for someone, God knows I cant afford my own truck.

 

[Dzrtcj7]

Jim's got PM's

As usual for any of you guys, if you make it to a race, stop by and say hi. We'll be in Primm for the Terrible's 250 on April 17.

84, if you enter your truck in Vegas to Reno, you'll have friends in the desert. We'd be more than happy to help you out however we can.

Vegas to Reno will be epic ... a 3 day, 1000 miles stage race. It may be the last of it's kind we will EVER see in the US.

 

[Dzrtcj7]

I'm not sure if you noticed, but there was a trophy truck at Parker that was sporting a tribute Manny Esquerra paint scheme ... pretty cool
http://mikesracephoto.exposuremanager.com/p/trick_trucks_2-09/img_187552
Any of us could only hope to go out the way Manny did. I can guarantee he had a smile on his face.

RIP Manny E.

 

[84projectFORD]

Hell ya I'm sure we can get somebody to hook you up with a ride. Hell I'm sure Rumble goat will be out at that race.

Hey 84 we might need to take your truck out for a ride when it is all done. your truck looks to be very well done, and I have been looking to jump into a right seat of a ride. I kinda figure my best way to get into this sport is wrench time and co-driving for someone, God knows I cant afford my own truck.

haha odie i can take ya with! hell even if its jsut goin out to have some fun with her lol

Jim's got PM's

As usual for any of you guys, if you make it to a race, stop by and say hi. We'll be in Primm for the Terrible's 250 on April 17.

84, if you enter your truck in Vegas to Reno, you'll have friends in the desert. We'd be more than happy to help you out however we can.

Vegas to Reno will be epic ... a 3 day, 1000 miles stage race. It may be the last of it's kind we will EVER see in the US.

Very nice to know dzrt. I can probably get the truck together but gettina team may be another story lol. Hell im not even sure the truck will make it off the start line but atleast i can say i made it to that race and sort of started!

 

[odie1969]

haha odie i can take ya with! hell even if its jsut goin out to have some fun with her lol



Very nice to know dzrt. I can probably get the truck together but gettina team may be another story lol. Hell im not even sure the truck will make it off the start line but atleast i can say i made it to that race and sort of started!

what do you still need done to the truck. maybe we I can offer you some help.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I can probably get the truck together but gettin a team may be another story lol.

If we could get enough people together in Primm, you might find some people from here to help you out.

 

[84projectFORD]

If we could get enough people together in Primm, you might find some people from here to help you out.

that just might work! you gunna be in Primm on april 17 jim? Im gunna really try to make it out there jsut to watch. my buddy is really pushin me to finish my ranger cause he wants me to start on a rock buggy he kinda has figured out.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Yes. See my post in GD.

 

[Jim Oaks]

ok jim, after seein how much you looooove to read and talk to the rough riders i really think you need to come out to the west and have some fun in a ranger desert racin liek these guys did. Wegas to reno is comin !?!? its suppose to be the longest race ever in the US of 850 miles. Im hopin to get the ranger done by then, interested in co-piloting? if i dont get ready in time im sure some of the other guys on here would give a a ride. there will be plenty of races after too if you cnat make it! jsut let me know when you want to come out and i can make arrangements for ya

84projectFORD,

Thanks for the offer. I want to go out and see the Primm race in April to get a better idea as to what I'm getting myself in to. I'd like to meet you while I'm out there. I was looking at this thread today and realized that I hadn't thanked you for your offer and didn't want you to think I was ignoring you.