Traci Clark

About Traci:

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: "Camo or OD Green."

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: "Steak and baked potatoes."

Q: Do you have kids? 
A: "No."

Q: Do you have any pets?
A: "Yes, I have 3 Brittanys. They are an upland game bird hunting dog (pheasant, quail, chukar). I have been raising this breed for over 30 years. There is “Katie” aka “Bug” is an AKC Grand Champion show dog. Her registered name is GCH CH Fly’n-Hi’s New Kid In Town. She is 10 years old, and orange and white in color. And, there's “Chilli”, also an AKC Grand Champion show dog. Her registered name is GCH CH Fly’n-Hi’s License To Chill. She is 9 years old, and orange and white in color. And lastly, there is“Scotia”, she is an AKC Champion show dog. Her registered name is CH Fly’n-Hi’s Cimmaron Single Malt. She is 8 years old, and liver and white in color. (Fly’n-Hi is my kennel name after the original off-road shop I worked at in Arizona)."

Q: Do you take your pets off-roading?
A: "Yes, they have all spent time in Moab during Easter Jeep Safari as puppies. They have been wheeling all over the country."

 

Traci's Off-Road Facts:

Q: How old were you when you first started wheeling?
A: "I was 5."

Q: Is your whole family into off-roading?
A: "N/A"

Q: Are you usually the driver or the co-driver?
A: "Both."

Q: Do you have any off-road traditions or rituals?
A: "Not really."

Q: How often do you get to go off-roading?
A:  "At least once a month all year long. During the warm months, I try to go every weekend if not more often."

Q: How did you get started in the off-road world?
A: "My step-father started taking me wheeling when I was 5 in his old 67’ Ford Bronco half cab. When I moved to Arizona to work for the Scottsdale Fire Department  it was during the era of big lifted trucks and the rest is history."

Q: Where is your favorite place to wheel?
A: "In Colorado at Wheeler Lake, and in Utah at Sand Hollow or at Moab."

Q: Do you belong to an off-road club? Which one? What is their motto/mission?
A: "I belong to the Red Rock 4 Wheelers, but will be leaving after my membership expires in 2018."

Q: What is on your off-roading bucket-list?
A: "To take a vintage Jeep to other countries, especially Scotland. And, to further my career in off-road journalism."

Q: How are you active in the off-road world?
A: "I am very active."

 

Traci's Off-Road Stories:

Q: What is your most memorable offroad moment?
A: "There are too many to list, I can’t pick just one."

Q: What was your first wheeling trip?
A: "It was when I was 6 years old, running Argentine Pass with my step-dad back when it was open all the way from Clear Creek county to Summit county Colorado. The Summit side has been closed for over 20 years to vehicles, it is too dangerous to drive it."

Q: What was your longest wheeling trip?
A: "The Dirt ‘N Drive 2016 800 miles in 2 days, over 400 miles of it was off-road"

Q: What was your favorite wheeling trip?
A: "The Dirt ‘N Drive 2017. I helped plan the route, and it was great to see so many people enjoy that trip."

 

All About the Ladies:

Q: Who do you look up to in the industry? Why?
A: "My editor and friend Rick Pewe. He doesn’t discriminate against me because of my gender. He is a legend in the industry and is willing to teach and help anyone that asks."

Q: How do you feel as a woman in the off-road industry?
A: "Having been in a male dominated career my whole life, I can’t say I feel different as a woman in the off-road industry. There are a few that look upon you as “less”, but I have felt welcome."

Q: Give us a story, any story, about educating, guiding, empowering ladies in the off-road, past or future:
A: "I’m not sure I have one…… yet."

Q: What changes have you noticed in the off-road industry?
A: "Too many to list in a short paragraph or two."

Q: What advice do you have for ladies who want to get started off-roading?
A:  "Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. If you can dream it, you can achieve it."

 

Traci's Vehicle:

About Traci's vehicles:
"I have 2; 1948 Willys CJ 2A and1946 Willys CJ 2A."

Vehicle Name: Tater and Conundrum 

Q: Does your vehicle also serve as a daily driver?
A:  "No."

Q: What is the best modification you have done to your vehicle?
A: "The 1946 is under construction, so when it is finished I can answer this question. On a previous vehicle, it would be my 1979 Chevy half ton pickup. 26 inches of spring lift with a push tilt front end and a scissor dump bed."

Q: Do you work on your own vehicle?
A: "Yes."

Vehicle Information:

Vehicle Type: Willys CJ 2A (Tater)
Year: 1948
Builder: Randy Qualls
Tire Make/Size: Coker Super Traxion H78 (31’s)