 Toyz Toyz Toyz
Page Updated February 2, 2007
This page is dedicated to my Jeep Toyz, yep this girl has gotta have one of each of the Wranglers....what can I say Eat, Sleep, Jeep!
THE OFF-ROAD PRINCESS
 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Year/Make/Model: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4X4 4 door Rubicon
Engine: 3.8 Litre Sequential Multi-Port Injection V6 Engine has 205hp and 240ft-lb of torqueTransmission: 4 speed Automatic overdrive transmission Transfer Case: 4:1 Rock-Trac Part-Time 4WD System. Wrangler’s super-tough, Rock-Trac part-time 4WD system includes Tru-Lok front and rear lockers and a super-slow 4:1 gear ratio. Front Differential: Dana 44 with air locker. Electric Disconnect Sway Bar.
Rear Differential: 4.10 Gears with air locker. Next Generation Dana 44 Heavy-Duty solid rear axle has a larger ring gear, stiffer and stronger housing, and larger pinion bearings to handle added torque requirements.
Tires: 32” BF Goodrich MT’s on 17” aluminum alloy wheels Other Specifications: Dual Top Group: Freedom Top 3-Piece Modular Hard Top. Rear Window Defroster. Rear Window Wiper/Washer. Easy Folding Soft Top. Tinted Rear Quarter and Liftgate Windows. Steel Blue color with custom Designz by Lisa Decals
Stereo: AM/FM stereo radio with in-dash 6-disc CD changer and DVD/MP3 read capability. 368-watt 7-speaker Infinity sound system including subwoofer. Power Convenience Group: Power Windows with Front One-Touch Down Feature. Power Door Locks. Remote Keyless Entry. Security Alarm.
We don’t have any real mods planned for her as she’s pretty much all you could need right from the factory. We will add a winch and of course a hood scoop! Check back for our first off-road adventures to see how the new jeep performs! VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Make/Model: 1998 Jeep TJ
Engine: Jeep 4 Litre Fuel Injected
Transfer Case/Transmission: Jeep 231 Transfer Case with a 32RH 3 speed Automatic Transmission
Suspension: 4 wheel coil with 4” inch suspension lift
Differentials: Front Jeep Dana 30 Differential and Rear Dana 35 Differential. Both diffs sporting 4.56 gears and the rear differential is equipped with a Limited Slip Locker
Other Features: Full Roll Cage, 32” Goodyear MTR Tires on 8” wide aluminum Eagle Alloy Rims, Auto Meter Gauges and all race gear required, including 5 point racing harness. Painted by Ken with Yellow Endura Polyurethane paint and decaled by Designz by Lisa. For some unknown reason I cannot find any pictures of the build up on this Jeep. I’ll check the lap top to see if they are there and if I find them I will put them up.
“MISS” BEHAVIN’ TOO
 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Year/Make/Model: 1992 Jeep YJ
Engine: Chevrolet 454 Big Block, dual aluminum tunnel ram with dual four's, propane powered
Transmission/Transfer Case: Turbo 350 Transmission, 205 Transfer Case
Suspension: Jeep CJ Frame with custom coil
suspension in the front with Leaf springs in the rear, Rancho 9000 Shocks
Differentials: Chevrolet Dana 44 front differential with Power Lock Posi
and GM 12 bolt rear differential 3.73 gears with Detroit Locker
Other Features: 4 wheel disk brakes, 38.5" Super Swamper TSL SX tires
Painted with Endura Polyurethane Teal metal flake paint and extended Bushwacker fender flares, WARN 9,000 lb winch
This Jeep is street legal and is used mainly for off-roading.
TICK TOCK BIG BLOCK - Spring 2003
After many years of trying to talk Ken out of his big block 396 he decided it was time to fulfill my dreams and swap out the 350 small block from "Miss" Behavin' Too and install her very own big block. Well its not the 396 but we did find a Chev 454 that will do the trick.
We started with a greasy engine that had been collecting dust at Jeep Stuff acres and after a few hours had her scrubbed clean, resealed, and painted a beautiful purple. While we were at it we changed the rod bearings and mains, might as well while you can, right?! Right!
Next came my eccentric creative ideas, while I have a purple big block I should have a purple fan, brake booster, jack and horn. Now to make it even more complete silver accents will be a fitting addition on the alternator, pulleys, master cylinder, lockoff and converter. Hey no-one ever said I was normal! While I was in the cleaning painting mode I decided that a silver tranny and t-case would finish it off nicely.
Next on the list of mods will be to add a 2" body lift so that I can close the hood and not rub those new fender flares. Add some type of headers...the search continues, 3" stainless steel exhaust pipe and who knows, maybe some "purple hornies".
We also plan to install some trick little after market gauges, a B&M Shifter and a stereo that I haven't washed! Oh yeah, did I mention the dual four intake we plan to install on top of that big beautiful purple big block? It should make for a welcome addition to the Jeep. We also have a locker to install in the rear diff so she'll be locked front and rear and should be just enough Jeep for this gal. Tune in soon to see what's next and how the rest of the mods are coming along.
STICKERED - July 3rd, 2002
Well she's back home now after a long afternoon being of being stickerized on the 3rd. Let's just say I quite liked the stickers till I got the bill - it was double what I expected - no comment on that yet! But at least she's done and ready to rock.
Our work isn't done with this Jeep's mods though as the new rims are causing some grief. We were on our way to the AURS meeting when some nasty squeeling started, seems the calipers in the rear are rubbing the rims again. Not sure how we are gonna fix it but know we aren't going back to drum brakes. So home we went so we didn't wear a hole in them. We'll get her fixed for the wedding but she'll end up attending the Rocky Mountain Big Wheels Show n' Shine on the trailer. Too bad cuz that means the Still "Miss" Behavin' Race Jeep has to stay home cuz we only can haul two at a time. Like the our trailer...it barely fits our figure 8 cars but should be great for the Jeeps!
TA-DA! - July Long, Precious gets painted...
We got the new 350 engine in just days before May long weekend but we are quite disapointed with how she runs, I think she's gonna need a rebuild soon, too bad we spent so much on this engine - oh well, live and learn - at least she gets us from point A to point B - for now!! We also had to scrap the new tub idea as we ran out of time but we did get most of the other mods done. The wedding is only two weeks away and "Miss" Behavin' Too is gonna be the brides' limo for the day and we still have a million other things to get ready so we did what was necessary to make her look good.
 First we stripped out the carpet and Rhino lined the whole floor to protect against rust. Then, as we didn't have time to put the new tub on Ken did some body work and was able to get the back corner straightened out a bit. The body isn't mint but we don't have the patience for body work so its good enough. We put on the new chubby fenders after we painted where they were going to cover on the body and did the same with the hood scoop. Once the fenders and hood scoop were mounted we painted them with Endura Teal with the flex agent in hopes that they don't chip or crack like the last set of fender flares did. Ken then sprayed 3 coats of Endura on the rest of the body - we even had a few country moths do the backstroke on the fenders to give it that rugged outdoorsy look!
 Once we were done picking out the bugs we moved it into the half built shed as it had started to rain - yes she has rain drop marks in the paint too. That's what ya get for those back yard $ 150 dollar paint jobs  . We decided to do away with the factory Jeep tail lights and put an inset light in its place - and I love the way they turned out - very sleek! She also got new aluminum 10" wide rims so the wheels look way chubbier than they did with the 8" wide rims. Ken changed out the wheel bearings and front hubs and put new rotors and brake pads on. Oh yeah we put new wheel studs on the back as the new rims didn't work with the rear disk brake conversion - we couldn't even turn the nuts on 2 threads!
I put in new carpet all around, new door panels, a new seat as the drivers was ripped, steelhorse handles on the roll bars, and added some handy roll bar storage bags. All that's left is to armor-all her for the Show N' Shine and the wedding, and put in the new Hurst shifter so I can have low gear again! She's at Stripe Tech today (July 3rd) getting all striped up with some fancy Jeep Stuff decals. She needs another few inches to get the fenders away from the tires but I'm really not fond of body lifts so we are holding off on that for now. I'll take some more pictures of her once she's all striped up so check back soon.
NEW BODY! - More mods planned for Spring 2002 We just got a new tub for "Miss" Behavin' Too! She's kind of my show Jeep and after she got bumper humped May Long of 2000 she just hasn't been the same. Ken and I tried to fix the dent in the back corner, but body fixer uppers we are NOT! We did put on a new tailgate but didn't know what to do about the fender without bringing it to the body shop and paying a fortune to get it fixed. Sooo...the other day we picked up a Jeep with a good body on it to wreck and Ken has been searching for a tub to put on the yellow CJ7 Still "Miss" Behavin' Jeep for the last year.
The next morning I discovered the best time to bounce "make more work projects" off him is at 6:30 a.m. In a sleepy bliss I suckered him into putting the new tub on the burgundy YJ and taking that tub and putting it on the yellow CJ. He figured it was a good idea cuz the yellow one already has the checkerplate corners so they could hide the damage for us on the YJ tub with the dent in the corner. The yellow Jeep has been in need of a tub for a while as the whole thing is starting to fold in half and rip apart - all that airtime I guess! We are gonna wait till next winter to swap the body on the Racer cuz it will need a paint job too and we are just running out of time as race season is in full swing already. With the Jeep we picked up I ended up with some really nice new doors (yes a different set again - third set this year) and Ken ended up with his new front clip and windshield. You know the parts he needed from his nose dive performance at the Pengrowth Saddledome during the Monster Jam. And of course with the Jeep we aquired all the driveline stuff that we need for the Jeep Stuff and 4X4 Parts business like an AX-15!
The new tub won't be going on "Miss" Behavin' Too till AFTER May Long weekend cuz I was rear-ended yet again last May Long - this one didn't do any damage though (thanks for bumper humping gentle-like Kris!) So I guess we are looking at an engine install in the next couple of weeks and the Jeep will make an appearance May long with a Maroon tub, gray top, red doors and red tailgate, that's okay she'll be camouflaged with mud as soon as we drive down the 940 I'm sure!! After May Long the Jeep will be constructed with her better than ever body parts and painted again, back to being a pavement princess. Ken said this time we will paint the firewall, inside front clip, under the hood and the interior to match the outside - black paint sales will diminish now as I won't need to touch up the inside everytime I use it! Oh yeah, I just about forgot, the Jeep we are wrecking has a 3" body lift and that will be just enough clearance for those 38" swampers. They rubbed a bit on the fenders with the 38's and of course I am getting those new spiffy fat fenders this year when we do the tub swap so I don't want to be rubbing and ripping them in half. And no Jeep is complete without a stereo and one of the CJ's we are wrecking has a sweet one in it - even comes with a remote for me to lose! The question is will we have time to wire it in?
I am sure getting excited for "Miss" Behavin' Too's turn in the garage its been a long time coming. She actually had to spend all winter outside with two flat tires!
ENGINE & FENDERS - Mods planned for Spring 2002
 Just when you think you don't have enough projects we decide to do a few mods to my 4 wheeler, "Miss" Behavin' Too.
Sadly the tired old 350 engine she had been sporting for the last few years packed her in this summer. She had an overheating problem which we assumed was a head gasket and then this fall it got a wee bit too cold on us and she was the only one not tested for antifreeze, and well, you guessed it, she now has a crack in the block. But that's okay cuz we picked up a sporty little Tuff Truck from Terry McDonald and now have a beefy race engine to dump into her so she'll have all kinds of power.
 This year the 1992 YJ will be getting new extended fenders, they will be detachable though for when we hit the trails. She also is getting a new top and doors complete with a window wiper - wooooo, a new tailgate, and some work done to fix up the dent in the back corner from the runaway Land Cruiser. Ken and I will load up the spray guns and give her a fresh new coat of Burgundy metal flake Endura paint when she's all fixed up. We may not have time to paint her for May Long weekend but she'll be done for the wedding as she plans to be in a majority of the photos!
As she only hits the trails once or twice per year she's gonna be sporting new carpet, a speaker bar and some half metal doors for the "bikini and topless" summer days. We'll probably break down and get the gauges working and install a stereo - time permitting of course. She's gonna be a regular little pavement princess!
Here's a few brag pics of the Miss Behavin Too Jeep......
Sometimes we like to get down and dirty!
When are we going wheeling again, I feel naked without my mud??
Here's me at the old house, nice and clean hoping
we are gonna move to a place with swampland!
Damn I got a bath again!
Here's a photo I dug up from when the YJ was being built in May 2000.
Here's the YJ flexing her stuff at the 2001 Rocky
Mountain Big Wheels Association Show N' Shine
STILL "MISS" BEHAVIN'
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: Chev small block 355, fully rollerized, blue printed & balanced, 11 1/2 to 1 compression, open headers, Gear Driven, TBI Fuel Injected
Transfer Case/ Transmission: Ford 208 T-Case/Turbo 350 Auto with 3,000 Stall Torque Converter.
Suspension: 1981 Ford Bronco frame with IFS and custom coil rear springs
Differentials: Ford 9" with Detroit Locker and 3.50 gears
Other Features: Full Roll Cage, 32" Goodyear MTR Tires, Endura Polyurethane paint
FIXES - Fall/Winter 2003 Seems the race at the Saddledome took its toll on my 355 engine as when we fired her up in the spring she lost oil pressure and started smokin like a bugger. Which explains why she wouldn't run at the dome, possibly something froze inside, hard to say. We haven't even taken her apart to see what's wrong but we do plan to put a Rollerized throttle body injected 350 into this fall/winter. No more highly modified engines for us, they are just too much grief when we have to race in minus 40 conditions. If we don't get her done in time for the 2004 Monster Jam, Super Tee-G and I plan to unleash the raw power of the 2.5 litre 4 cylinder engine on the Calgary Fans <grin>! On top of putting a new engine in we have sold the 36" Swampers and installed some 31" Goodyear MTR's, told ya I loved these skins! After racing Tee-G all summer with the 32's and actually being able to turn the wheel rather than fight it I decided to drop down in tire size and see how that goes. We even have them installed already, she doesn't look the same, in fact kinda girly now but we'll have to wait and see how she performs. We found some Ford Aluminum rims to put on so she's even hooked up with bling bling.
MODS and FIXES - December 2001
Over the Christmas holidays Still "Miss" Behavin' got pushed into the garage and had a new transfer case installed as well as a new fuel cell. The rear coil spring was moved so she sits a bit more level now and the shock re-installed. A new power steering pully and pump were installed as the other one didn't line up with the other pulleys. This one lines up good and hopefully the power steering belt will stay on longer than 15 seconds as I'm just not strong enough to turn those 36's with strong arm steering!
Not much left to do with her an oil change and some fine tuning here and there and she's ready to rock. We are also contemplating changing the steering 2 to 1 to see if that helps me any.
WINTER REPAIRS - Planned for Christmas Holidays
 Not many mods planned for the Still "Miss" Behavin' Jeep this year, mostly she just needs fixing. It has been a very sucessful 2 years with the custom drive train as we didn't have too much breakage.
She needs a new t-case as the last one was broken when Ken only made it over 3 of the 4 crushed cars at the Lethbridge show. We'll also need a front and rear drive shaft as they didn't fair well from the above mentioned landing .
We had hoped to paint her up again this year but the tub is starting to look pretty worse for wear so I think we'll keep our eyes out for another and do the swap next winter and throw some new paint on then.
Not much else needs to be done to her, she's just waiting her turn as Ken's Jeep FJ is inhabiting the garage right now.
Here's Some pics of the STILL "MISS" BEHAVIN' Jeep In action...
World of F.E.A.R. Tuff Truck Competition
Ken took First Place and I took Third Place
Monster Jam 2000 Canadian Airlines Saddledome Street Warrior Competition
Still "Miss" Behavin' 1st place Friday night and 3rd place overall!
Ground Pounder Daze Drag Racing
Ken tries the Jeep down the sand strip
Performance Promotions Red Deer Tuff Truck
Can she fly?
Oh she can fly but its the landing that isn't great
When she came down the Dana 44 housing snapped in half!
This was her second competition.
March 2001 Monster Jam
The Street Warrior Competition at the Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary.
I took 1st place Friday night, Ken took 2nd place Saturday night and I
took 2nd Place at the Sunday Finals
Another shot of the Race Jeep
This pic was taken at the World of F.E.A.R. race track
A view from the inside of the Jeep
She doesn't have much flex to her
NOT ANOTHER "MISS" BEHAVIN'
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
Year/Make/Model: 1989 Jeep Cherokee Limited (XJ)
Engine: AMC 4.0L EFI 6 cylinder. Bore x Stroke - 3.88" x 3.41", Displacement - 242 (4.0L), Compression Ratio - 8.8:1,Horsepower (net) - 185@4750, Torque (net) - 220@4000, Main Bearings - 7, Valve Configuration - OHV, Fuel - MPI. Fuel Milage SUCKS! With lift and tires and a very tired engine 230 kms to a tank of fuel - OWCH!
Transmission: 30/4 OLE, 4 speed automatic overdrive transmission.
Transfer Case: New Process 242. The chain driven NP242 is a full time transfer case with a 48/52 torque split front and rear. It is possible to lock it into four low so it behaves like a part-time transfer case. When it is locked in, power will be split regardless of traction. Low range is 2.72 and high is 1.00. That is when it decides to work...my experience JUNK the 231 is a way better transfer case.
Front Differential: Reverse Rotation Dana 30 which features an open knuckle design with 7 1/5" ring gear. Axles use a 5 on 4.5" wheel bolt pattern, 3.55 gears - open. Equipped with ABS Brakes
Rear Differential: Dana 35c which has a 7 9/16" ring and pinion and uses one piece axles (2.625" in diameter) with a factory posi and 3.55 gears.
BODY FIXES - December 14, 2002
After our 4 wheeling excursion on Thanksgiving long weekend that ended with us humping a tree we finally got around to fixing up the XJ so that she didn't look so dented. We started pulling her apart Friday night, it took us about an hour and everything was removed and ready for the new stuff.
Saturday morning we started early in hopes to have her all put back together within a few hours. First we installed a hood, it was black and in pretty good condition so that was an easy fix, no painting needed. We had a grey header panel and grill in stock that were in pretty good shape so I sanded and painted them up.
We decided instead of straightening the slighted crooked bumper we'd use a bumper that came with factory tow hooks that we had in stock. Again with the unibody you need to use the special tow hook brackets for strength. I took my trusty spray can and painted the bumper up as well!
Our few hours of work turned into all day and I finally got the last light installed at 4:30pm. But she's all fixed now and looking pretty sharp - at least I think so! The next mod will be to add another inch of lift to try and alieviate tire rubbing. We traded Cablesmurf for a couple of 1" coil spacers for the front and we need to dig up a bit bigger lift block for the rear. Then I guess we will have to think about a new engine but we are hoping this one lasts at least a few months as we want to start fixing up the race Jeeps as race season is just a few months away.
LIFTED! - December 10, 2002
Lift and tires are now officially installed on the XJ and she looks great. We are experiencing a bit of rubbing and she's a bit doggy on the highway, a gear upgrade could be in my future, 4.10's perharps! Here are a few more pics of her all done.
LIFT ME UP! - December 9, 2002
Today Jeep Stuff acres was proud to welcome our newest addition...a vehicle hoist! Oh what fun we will have now! The first to ride it was my lil' XJ, she wasn't lil' for long as we decided what the heck let's throw the 4 1/2" lift in while she's up there looking purty. As some of you may know Jeep Cherokees have a uni-body design which means the frame is part of the body so you cannot put a body lift in so the only way to lift these Jeeps is through suspension.
 
We had purchased a donor Cherokee with a new 4 1/2" suspension lift and brand new 32" Goodyear tires. The lift included lift blocks for the rear along with 4 new shocks, oversized TJ coils, lower control arms, and the drop bracket for the sway bar. We took the blocks and shocks and started the install in the rear. Ken zapped the u-bolts off and put the lift blocks and shocks in while Kimmy and I puffed, panted and sweated and broke down the new Goodyear Wrangler 32" tires from the pimping gold stock rims and swapped in the 3" off set chrome rims so the tires wouldn't rub anymore.
After an hours worth of work we had all the tires changed over and the rear lift installed, the front was well on its way as well. Here's a few more photos of the lift in progress.
Looking a bit more grown up in the rear.
Sweet little tires, what am I gonna do now that I have tread?
Now if that's not a pimping looking ride with the back all jacked up!
We hope to have the front lifted a little later and put the new hood, header panel and front grill on as well, in the next few days. Merry Christmas to me...thank you wonderful family for helping make my Cherokee look SWEEEEET!!
THE BIG PURCHASE! - September 16, 2002 Okay, okay on Monday September 16, 2002 something happened to me, and I fell for a sweet little XJ. I have been thinking about buying a sport utility for some time now and as I own a Jeep business it is only fitting that I drive a Jeep every day and "Miss" Behavin' Too isn't very practical for daily driving. I had discussed buying a friends Jeep on Sunday, or was that begged Ken to puleeeze puleeze lemme have it? None the less, Monday evening our good friends Mel and Tanya showed up and brought the little honey to show me, how could I...resist it was love at first sight... They knew I'd fall for her, it was just convincing Ken it needed to come live at Jeep Stuff Acres! I will admit I wanted a white XJ but I think I can easily live with black. As soon as I slid into the leather seats I knew she was the one. She came fully loaded, power windows, power doors, power leather seats, cd player, cruise, tilt, air conditioning, sun roof, alarm, and keyless start for those "chilly I wanna be a princess days". Two wee bits of rust on the back door handles and a dent that can be pushed out on the back door are her only real faults. The floor and carpet are in good condition, she also has 310,010 kms on her and a wee bit of engine noise, but that's okay cuz I know someone that stocks the 4 Litre engines!
I will admit its odd driving an automatic again but at least when thanksgiving comes and our friends the Ground Pounders ask if we are coming wheeling, I don't have to say all we have is the 1999 Dodge 1 Ton Dually Diesel - can you pull us if we get stuck?
I really do like driving the new Jeep, my future mods are to squeeze some 32's under her and decorate her with some Jeep Stuff stickers! Nothing too serious, after all I am after fuel milage and comfort now, I am in my early thirties!! :) I'm not sure how Zac the wonder dog is adjusting as every morning when he makes the treck to the office with me, he jumps in lands on his furry butt which is promptly swished out from underneath him...leather seats...they'll take a little getting used to for the old fur face!
MORE INFO ON TUFF TRUX
If you want to know more about Tuff Truck Rules and Regs, click on the Links below to see some of the rules we follow with these outfits.
 
MEET THE DRIVER
Hiya, My name is Lisa and I am the driver and owner of the Still "Miss" Behavin' Jeep and the "Miss" Behavin' Too Jeep. I probably have about 100 tuff truck races under my belt, 50 figure eight races, numerous mud bogs and who knows how many off-road adventures. So my love for racing and four wheeling is pretty enormous!
 I have been racing for 6 years but got serious into it in 1998 when Still "Miss" Behavin' was built (the Yellow 1985 CJ7). My racing adventures began at Ground Pounder Daze with my debut obstacle run of 12 minutes. It was very embarrassing when racers were completing the course in less than 2 minutes. I learned a very important lesson that day; too bad it was in front of many many spectators. 4Low is not always the best gear in the rain, mud, and muck. After my 20th attempt at a hill in 4Low, fifth gear, I was told by a spectator to try 4High and within one try I was at the top. But I did not give up, a few of the men suggested pulling me off the track but the organizer, Chris Pedersen let me keep at it until and competed the course. Wet, muddy, embarrassed and shaking from head to toe I swore I would come back again and do better, thanks to Chris for not shattering my determination by an embarrassing disqualification. I even had enough courage to continue on next year at a couple of Mud Bog competitions, I was determined to get better.
Back then I drove a stock Aqua colored 1988 Ford F150 short box with 33 inch Hankook tires. Unfortunately I lost that beauty in a fire and moved on to buy my first ever Jeep, it was a 1979 CJ7 with manual steering and brakes.
 After a much better year at Ground Pounder Daze we decided it was time to build something bigger and better and maybe more boyish. We began the task of assembling the 1985 CJ7 Jeep, four weeks prior to the Pro Arena Tuff Truck challenge at the Saddledome. After adding the drive train from a Blazer and giving her a coat of bright yellow Endura paint we were ready to race.
I have to say the fear was intense as I waited for my turn in the line up, in front of 15,000+ spectators this was a bit bigger than Ground Pounder Daze and I did not want a re-enactment of my debut there. I thought my heart would explode through my chest and I had no idea how I was gonna hold on to the steering wheel with my sweaty palms. Unfortunately it took forever to get around the track as the fuel kept splishing and splashing around in the Holley carb and stalling the engine.
But I would not give up. I decided to try my hand at figure eight racing at Race City by participating in two fearful races. Again the adrenaline and fear made me think I would faint. I had never even watched a figure eight race before and here I was competing in a borrowed car. The guys thought it would be funny to tell me to go out there GIVE'R and hit everything in sight. They probably thought I would get scared and drive off - wrong. After Ken (my other half) spun me I saw red. How could he be the first to take me out? I then lost all fear and saw vengeance. I heard after the race as we were pulling bits and piece of everyones cars off the track that a little rolled up black flag was being shaken at me for my bad behavior. What happened to GIVE'R? I guess that excluded driving up on someones hood cuz they got in my way of smacking into Ken. As I did not chicken out, the guys decided to clue me in on the rules so I could keep playing in this sport. I was hooked and well on my way to becoming a race junkie, determined to do good.
Winter came and we decided to join a Tuff Truck Association and do some travelling. I needed the practice, as I wanted to do better in the Dome. They would let me race on propane in this circuit so it was a matter of racing, no stalling. I was getting confident and finishing consistently in the middle of the pack.
So came the Saddledome race and this time a new and improved carb, the Predator, but again many stalls. This time I got lucky though as so many racers broke I got to move on to the finals. What started as an exceptional run at the finals turned into disaster when the Predator let me down twice.
We continued competing in a few more Tuff Trucks competitions, built a Dodge Newport stock car and joined the Figure 8 circuit at the World of FEAR race track in Fort MacLeod. I also took the Jeep (now named Still "Miss" Behavin') to mud bogs and found out how well she articulated when I flew through the mud pit at an outrageous angle.
 Then came another year at Ground Pounders. I was excited, I could run propane as the race was outdoors and I had a new suped up racing engine. This time I took my stepdaughter, Kimmy with me. I have never had so much fun. She was kinda quiet at first until we came off the ledge an 1/8th on the way into the race and blew the drivers front tire. When no one pulled us off I told her to hold on and dropped a gear. She began to whooop and holler and tell me I was the best ever (everyone needs a cheering squad on board while racing). We finished first in our class with 3 tires, two very tired arms from steering and two very big smiles. I'll get 'em next year as I was aiming for the top time trophy.
Now came year 2000 and 3 years of racing the Jeep. It was time for my third try at the Saddledome, I was praying for third time luck. With a rebuilt engine in the Jeep (had to, I blew it up in Montana), a Ford Independent Front Suspension frame added underneath and coils in the rear, we pretty much rebuilt it. We have scraped the carburetor idea and have installed factory fuel injection to see if we could eliminate the stalling.
Friday night came and I strapped myself in to what was a new Jeep (with the new improved components she was like a new machine awaiting a test drive) not as much fear this time just a few butterflies and my turn came. Wow what a feeling she stuck to the ground like she was made to tuff truck, over the doubles (not so gracefully) and over the finish line to take home the first place trophy. Then to prove that it was not a fluke and that I could drive, I took the third at the finals on Sunday.
We traveled a bit more over the year to various races but I was anxious to get back to Ground Pounders and show those boys that wanted to pull me off 4 years ago how hard I had worked and improved. I did it, first place in the Ladies Obstacle and Womens Top Time topped off with a trophy I was awarded for determination throughout the years. It was an emotional but fabulous day. I did end up flopping the Jeep on her side during the team relay but I just busted the windshield and mirror (who needed them anyways) and well now I have gotten over the fear of rolling.
So its onwards and upwards, my racing adventures are now starting to pay off. You'll see in the Monster Jam 2001 review that I took the first place finish on Friday and Second Place at the Finals on Sunday. It's been a long battle but the rewards are worth it. If you get a chance to come and watch some of our Tuff Truck races, come on over and say hi, just look for the bright yellow CJ7 Jeep called Still "Miss" Behavin' and I'll be the one next to it wearing my race suit and a huge smile!
|
