Mercedes Mangarpan
Featured Ladies Members

Mercedes Mangarpan

Mercedes MangarpanMercedes Mangarpan

Forum User Name: Mercedes
Chat with Mercedes

"Living the dream in Red Rock Country! Relocated to Sedona, AZ twelve years ago from northern CA. Traded the corporate career and hectic pace of Silicon Valley for quality of life in a small town"

Occupation: Human Resources Consultant, Wine Sales
Birthday: Oct. 21
Vehicle Name: Silver Belle 

 FacebookInstagram

Questions & Answers with Mercedes

Mercedes MangarpanAbout Mercedes:

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Purple

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Thai, but love ethnic foods of many types!

Q: Do you have kids? 
A: Yes…2 sons who are also jeep owners. Will (26) with a 2006 LJ, and Chas (23) with a 2008 JK

Q: Do you have any pets?
A: GoGo, the psycho Siamese cat and Mysti, short for Mystical Maiden (hey…it is Sedona!), the protective German Shepherd

Q: Do you take your pets off-roading?
A: Not usually..GoGo does love to go for rides though. Mysti is very hyper, and doesn’t sit still for long.

Q: What are your off-roading goals?
A: I want to continue to develop my driving skills and mechanical knowledge. Someday I hope to wheel in the Rubicon!

 

Mercedes MangarpanMercedes' Off-Road Facts:

Q: Is your whole family into off-roading?
A: Yes! Everyone including the kids!

Q: Are you usually the driver or co-driver?
A: Driver, but I will let my husband drive on occasion 😉

Q: How old were you when you first started wheeling?
A: OLD… I was 50 something

Q: How often do you get to go off-roading?
A: I like to go as often as I can…work does interfere some.

Q: How did you get started in the offroad world?
A: Blame the younger son (Chas)…he got his jeep, and I couldn’t let him have all of the fun!

Q: Where is your favorite place to wheel?
A: Definitely Moab!

Q: Do you belong to an off-road club? Which one?
A: 
Red Rock 4-Wheelers out of Moab UT.

Mercedes MangarpanQ: Do you have any wheeling traditions?
A: We typically have prepping traditions like checking fuel, fluids, tires, water, grabbing the recovery bag and air compression. I am a very practical person, so we are always prepared!

Q: Do you look up to anyone in the industry?
A: Nena Barlow and Charlene Bower. I admire competent, strong and intelligent women who can out wheel the guys! I knew of Nena solely by reputation as a local Sedona jeep tour operator; Nena is an inspiration to the wheeling community on so many levels. I recently met Charlene at a Ladies event during EJS in Moab, and since then Charlene has exposed me to a whole new world of ladies who enjoy the off-roading lifestyle. As a result of sponsoring a Lady’s Co-Driver Challenge, she brought together a diverse group of women. Many who were initially competing against each other have now become friends.

 

Mercedes' Off-Road Stories:

Q: What is your most memorable offroad moment?
A: Learning that a jeep is not a sports car...don’t gas it going up an obstacle. We were airborne for a bit.

Q: What was your first wheeling trip?
A: Easter Jeep Safari in 2013

Mercedes MangarpanQ: What was your longest wheeling trip?
A:  The longest trip was 6 days total.

Q: What was your favorite wheeling trip?
A: This year's (2016) Easter Jeep Safari.

 

All About the Ladies:

Q: How do you feel as a woman in the offroad industry?
A: I enjoy the look of surprise when people realize it is MY jeep, and not my husband’s. Some of my friends and friends of our sons are shocked. I have earned the nickname of BAM (Bad Ass Mom) by a few.

Q: What changes have you seen in the offroad community since you began wheeling?
A: 
I am a newbie with a short history, so I have not seen much in my short time in the industry.

Q: Give us a story, any story, about educating, guiding, empowering ladies in the offroad, past or future:
A: 
I always stand up for myself and encourage other ladies to do the same. Stand up for yourself and don’t let any guys intimidate you. Of course, at 6’2” I tend to do the intimidating.

Q: Do you have any advice for ladies wanting to get started in off-roading?
A: DO IT! You will have a blast, and meet so many wonderful ladies with similar interests.

 

Mercedes MangarpanMercedes' Vehicle Silver Belle:

About Silver Belle:
Silver Belle is a 2015 JKUR, Hard Rock that also operates as Mercedes' daily driver.

Q: What is the best mod you have done to your vehicle?
A: 3.5” lift with the 35” tires (but the backup cam is awesome for daily driving!)

Q: Do you work on your own vehicle?
A:
I do work on it some, however I do have “people” that work on Silver Belle too. My husband and sons love to assist me with any vehicle work!