We met Gerald Lee in Ensenada, at the October 2019 NORRA 500 Rally. Lee and Kansas native, Miles Hasselquist, competed in a Ford Ranger pickup in the non-race, Savvy Safari 4x4 Class, for street-legal vehicles. It was Hasselquist's first trip to Baja, and Lee let him do all the driving. I've learned he's generous like that. Whenever we caught up with them, Hasselquist and Lee seemed to be in a smiling competition. With ear-to-ear grins, I wasn't sure if they were genuinely surprised our old Land Cruiser was still running or if they were having the time of their life.

Lee grew up in Southern California, and like many who find themselves playing in the dirt as adults, started by racing motorcycles in his youth. Years later, when a friend gave him a Jeep, Lee wanted to modify it. He surveyed the burgeoning aftermarket offerings and decided to fabricate his own. Lee used lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum that's stronger and significantly lighter than the heavy steel parts that dominate the scene. What started as a hobby to improve his Jeep's performance became Savvy OffRoad, the leader in high-quality Jeep products and offroad racing vehicle construction and preparation.

While Gerald is decided low-key about driving in NORRA events, he is a serious racer with multiple overall wins in the Every Man Challenge at the King of the Hammers. He's also had top drivers like Robby Gordon and Jessi Combs take the podium in Savvy OffRoad built racers.

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Visit the NORRA Mexican 1000 website.