One look under the truck's specially constructed carbon-fiber and fiberglass body quickly destroys any myth that off-road racing is a low-tech sport. Look beyond the fire-breathing 495ci big-block toward the advanced all-wheel-drive system incorporating a Chrisman differential that propels the front BFGoodrich tires via aircraft-quality axles and ultra-trick CV joints. Unlike rally-car drive systems that have limited wheel travel, figuring out how to get 22 inches of vertical movement, plus driving 800 hp while steering 37-inch-tall tires, is no easy task.
Buried in the chassis-but by no means less impressive-is a transmission that's light years ahead of anything in motorsports short of Formula 1. Built by Weismann, the six-speed transmission is sequentially air-shifted with the help of electronic controls. Driver Ed Herbst can look down at a digital display to see what gear he is in, while the system will automatically blip the throttle on downshifts to smooth out the many speed/terrain transitions that occur in the desert. Simply awesome.
Now considered the benchmark in terms of preparation, testing, and race performance, the Herbst family and their impressive armada of "Herbst Red" support vehicles and team members are the envy of everyone in the desert racing community. The Herbst brothers and Mike Smith's crew are also highly respected for their unyielding commitment to both the sport itself and to winning. All anyone needs to do is take a long look at this championship-winning Ford F-150.
Painted, of course, in a specially mixed paint known simply as Herbst Red.
Like skiing or golf, having just the right gear can make or break your next off-road adventure. New products are introduced into the off-road market nearly every day, and we've scoped out some of the coolest recent introductions that are the real deal. Inferior quality will always rear its ugly head, usually in the worst spot possible. One hint-it doesn't matter if you're racing a truck or a spectator at a big time event-our advice is to buy the best and cry once!