Husband-wife duo shares drive to win in desert race series

It isn't often in racing when a driver gives up the cockpit to a spouse, and it's almost unheard of for the more heralded driver to be the wife.

That's what Bekki Freeman has done. The 36-year-old Las Vegan in 1998 became the first woman to win a SCORE season championship and repeated the feat in 2000. She also won her class in the Baja 1000 three consecutive years from 1998 to 2000.

But her husband, Adam Wik, 38, captured the Class 10 main event championship Saturday night in the SCORE Las Vegas Terrible's Cup at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's dirt track before a crowd of 8,371.

When Wik, a noted desert racing engine builder based in Las Vegas, took over the driving, it wasn't as if he was a rookie.

They have been partners in the race team since 1999, and Wik was Freeman's co-driver and engine builder since the mid-1990s.

"I got all the credit when I was winning championships. Not enough people knew it also was Adam driving," she said. "I'm Adam's biggest fan. He's a fabulous driver."

Racing became secondary to them. They focused on their respective businesses; Wik Racing Engines provided motors for at least five teams in the Terrible's Cup, and Freeman services several major hotels.

Another distraction resulted from a doctor's visit in September 2005 after Freeman completed a practice session for the annual SCORE fall race in Primm. That's when she found out she was pregnant.

She was in the pit area when Wik drove solo to the Class 10 victory.

Once Ava Jewel Wik, now 15 months, celebrated her first birthday, her mom began to race again. She shared driving with Wik in two races last year in Class 10 for open-wheel buggies.

She plans to share driving with Wik during the SCORE Las Vegas Primm race on Sept. 8.

"Desert racing is thriving," she said. "I don't think it's ever been at the height it is now.

"We're going to build another Class 10, so we always have one available."

Freeman said they don't plan to run a full series but rather will run select races in SCORE, the Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts and Best in the Desert series.

She is eager for the day she can compete against Wik.

"It will be for blood," she said. "Nobody will be on the track except us."

She must have forgotten that her husband will be building her engine.