Mandy Brackett – Ladies Offroad Challenge Featured Entry

Mandy Brackett
Norwood, ON  Canada

"Amanda Brackett, Norwood, ON, Canada – Mandy has worked in a garage almost all her life. Starting with her Dad in the shop helping fix cars, to working on her own vehicles and customers vehicles. She went to school for Automotive Service Tech and then did apprenticeship at a couple garages. She has put all that on hold since becoming a mom. Jeeps are a passion in the family, both the boyfriend and her own 1999 Jeep Cherokees. She runs many of the local trails, learning what her rigs capabilities are and how to fix parts when she break them. Mandy runs a not-for-profit organization ‘705 Jeeps’."

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Tell us about yourself:

I’m a 22-year-old stay at home mom to my two beautiful daughters. Before becoming a mom, I worked as a mechanic. Jeeps are a passion in the family, both the boyfriend and I own 1999 Jeep Cherokees. During the Summer months we spend many weekends offroading and participating in local 4x4 events. I run a non-for-profit organization 705 Jeeps, and that takes up a lot of my time, but I couldn't enjoy it more though.

How long have you been offroading? 

I have been offroading for 4 years now.

How did you get into offroading?

I got into offroading because of my boyfriend. I saw this handsome guy driving down the road one morning in this sweet lifted white Cherokee and then just happened to see it again parked doorless later that night at a restaurant. I left my name and number on it and he got back to me! Lol. He introduced me to the off-road world and helped me buy my first Jeep. Which was a stock red 99 Jeep Cherokee! He got me hooked on it, and him of course! Haha

Tell us about your vehicle:

I have 2 Jeep Cherokees! What can I say I love XJs!

One is my weekend toy/driver that is a 1999, 4 door, 5speed. Its lifted 9 inches on 33” Trail Diggers. Its locked front and back and has a lot of modifications. I have done a lot of work to it myself and a lot of repairs.

The other XJ I am racing for Heinx57Racing in the 2018 TMR Customs Offroad Race Series. It has a 2” lift sitting on 35” Boggers.

Something they both have in common is that they are Panther Pink. Thanks to Raptor Liner Canada I was able to custom paint the Race XJ myself to match mine!

What has been your favorite offroad experience?

My favorite offroad experience was 2 years ago when we went offroading to the local 5 points trail system for a weekend camping trip. It was an amazing time as I got to learn the capabilities of my rig, which was a lot higher than I expected. We spent hours crawling through trails overcoming any obstacle we came across. Nothings better than spending a weekend away in the trails with great friends.

What was your most exciting offroad achievement?

So far my most exciting achievement was becoming apart of the Heinz57Race Team.  I cant wait to see what else I achieve over the year racing along side of them!

What excites you about offroading?

That it is fun! That your always learning something new about yourself or your rig while your out. Getting off the pavement and getting dirty just gives me this awesome feeling, it gets my adrenaline going and it's addictive!

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of offroading?

Trusting your rigs capabilities. Knowing when and how hard to push your Rig without breaking something. No one wants to break something, it costs money and usually puts an end to your day.

What aspect of offroading do you think is the most fun?

Getting covered in mud! Even though the after math is the worst part to offroading. 5 minutes of fun for 5 hours of cleaning your Jeep afterwards!! 

What does prepping for an adventure look like in your world?

Making sure my rigs in good working order and that all the fluid levels are topped off. To have a few tools and some recovery gear in the back ready incase they are needed. As well as packing some food and water, as you never know whats going to happen on the trail. You wanna try and be prepared for anything.

What is on your offroading bucket list?

My offroad bucket list includes going to the states to participate in a couple events like Bantam Jeep Fest, Jeep Beach, or to take a trip to Rausch Creek Offroad Park. A local one was to compete in the TMR Customs Offroad Race Series and this year I actually get to cross it off my bucket list! 

Tell us about who you go offroading with:

I run a group called 705 Jeeps and organize trail runs over the summer. I've met lots of great local Jeepers through my club. I also participate in trail runs organized by other local groups such as Kawartha Krawlerz.

What is a piece of advice you have been given that you instill in your offroading adventures?

To not be afraid to ask for help! Have someone get out and spot for you if you need it. To have your passenger help guide you through the trail. You have nothing to prove to anyone, just have fun!

https://www.facebook.com/LadiesOffroadNetwork/photos/ms.c.eJxFjskNBEEMAjNa~_cDH5J~;Yauym51lCFBQK3QJTc4j9alit6xFJOSy~_~;JARiCyPw56Te7L~;vD7vujx5~_GHT6WsfDnk5m37V3VP6ZRjfv~_kb~;bb7yPtn9ov~;rZbphw8n~;yCmf33Yv8Y8NlfmHrMvYN77n39h67~_5Dkf8AS6qS1o~-.bps.a.747487355456804.1073741883.461779247360951/747488458790027/?type=3&theater

Amanda (Mandy) Bracket, Norwood, ON, Canada – Mandy has worked in a garage almost all her life. Starting with her Dad in the shop helping fix cars, to working on her own vehicles and customers vehicles. She went to school for Automotive Service Tech and then did apprenticeship at a couple garages. She has put all that on hold since becoming a mom. Jeeps are a passion in the family, both the boyfriend and her own 1999 Jeep Cherokees. She runs many of the local trails, learning what her rigs capabilities are and how to fix parts when she break them. Mandy runs a not-for-profit organization ‘705 Jeeps’. Thank you for helping determine who would be Charlene's best teammate for one of three events this year: Yukon Gear Garage Experience, BFGoodrich Tires Crandon Offroad Experience, or Polaris CampRZR Glamis Experience. This is NOT a photo contest. This is about you leaving a Vote of Confidence that they would be a great addition to our team. Please feel free to "like" and "comment". The Ladies with the most Votes of Confidence by Friday 4/20 at 3pm pst will go onto the next stage. More information at www.LadiesOffroadChallenge.com . #ladiesoffroadchallenge #imnotjustagirl @that.pink.xj

A post shared by Ladies Offroad Network (@ladiesoffroadnetwork) on Apr 16, 2018 at 10:06am PDT

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