Off-road racer Jimmy Stephenson counts on Ford Raptor

What started out as family recreation has turned into a way of life for off-road racer Jimmy Stephenson.

"I have been running in off-road races for the past 20 years," said Stephenson, whose family has been in Las Vegas for more than 50 years. "I grew up doing that. When we were young kids we would go out with multiple families. Everyone had motor homes, and we had the times of our lives. Off-road people stick together."

The 36-year-old Stephenson, who owns JS Pest Control Las Vegas, recently purchased his fourth vehicle from his long-time buddy, off-road racer and Team Ford owner Steve Olliges, this time purchasing a 2012 Ford Raptor pickup from the northwest valley dealership.

Both racers are native Las Vegans who realize that the outdoors may be the best therapy during all times good or bad.

"There is no adrenaline rush like the one I get going 90-100 miles an hour," Stephenson said

He takes his off-road racing very seriously. Stephenson ran stadium races on a quad four-wheeler, participating in events in places such as Anaheim, Bank One Baseball Park in Phoenix, Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, the Superdome in Seattle, the Astrodome in Houston and Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

"We raced all over the country and even in Europe and Canada. I was 24 or 25 when we I won the Baja 2000 in Mexico and the Nevada 2000 throughout the Silver State," Stephenson said. "I also ran a Best in the Desert race in Mesquite."

A few years later, he even ran an ice race in Canada in a 24-hour race, riding a Bombardier DS 650 quad that covered hundreds of miles.

"It was nuts, but we won," Stephenson said with a laugh. "The track was a 12-mile-long layout on a frozen river bed with 120 turns in 12 miles. Bombardier wanted us to come race there and I ended up beating some of the best talent in North America. It was an unbelievable atmosphere, with motor homes and huge trailers all on the ice."

In every case, off-roading either in Southern Nevada or elsewhere, the sport has been good to Stephenson. Getting to and from the races is important, so the Raptor is crucial because it will pull the trailer carrying his Pro Lite race truck.

"Not only will it tow the trailer and all our tools, but I can also use the Raptor to pre-run," Stephenson said. "I do so many things, including run my pest control company, and the Raptor works in every way for me. I'm an outdoors guy anyway, so the truck is very versatile for me."

Also among the Team Ford's customers is Trevor Scherrer, the senior vice president of casino marketing for MGM Resorts.

"The Raptor is the baddest truck on the road," said the 50-year-old Scherrer, who races in the Trophy Lites and co-rides with Bobby Baldwin in his Trophy Truck/Trick Truck. "I traded in 2005 Maserati Gran Sport for the Raptor."

Olliges's Team Ford dealership at 5445 Drexel Road is the top-selling Raptor dealership in the country. He is continually on the phone providing special deals to racers all over the country, including Gus Vildosola, Jesse Jones, Steve Sourapas, Kevin McGillivray, Robbie Pierce, Andy and Scott McMillin (they bought four of them) and Steve Menzies.

Further information can be found by calling 395-5100 or by visiting www.teamford.com.