STEVE TYO
Nickname: “Steve O”
Hometown: Lakeside, CA
Current: San Antonio, TX
Position: Owner/ Driver (class 5U & 10)
Steve comes from a very competitive family background, with a father (Doug Tyo) racing in the professional ranks of the NHRA and IHRA for over 30 years. Growing up in Southern California, weekend trips to Glamis and Mexico to race off-road are just part of the culture. The family fabrication and chassis business along with the love for racing and the desert have inspired Steve in the racing and business worlds. After serving the country (US Army Infantry) during the Gulf War Steve started his competitive driving career.
Competitive background: Steve has a diverse racing background including Motocross, PRA Pro Stock, NHRA Alcohol Dragsters, NHRA Top Fuel and in recent years class 5 unlimited and Trophy Trucks.
Hobbies: Whitewater Kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, surfing
Family: Summer (9)
ALLEN ENGLEBERT
Nickname: “The Professor”
Hometown: Odem, TX.
Position: Car owner/ driver ( Class 12 & Class 10)
Allen has been racing off-road in class 5 and class 12 for over 20 years. Allen and Steve have been campaigning Allens’ single seat class 12 in the Texas series for 3 years and are always at the front of the pack. Allen brings his diverse background of racing off-road in everything from class 5 to trophy truck to the TA Racing team. We call him the professor for his ability to adapt and overcome anything the desert can throw at him. He is the guy you want when you need it done right and done right now! His driving style is smooth, fast and precise.
Competitive background: Many years in Mexico, SCORE and BITD with the Zorba#60 Trophy Truck including an amazing team effort 3rd place overall in the 2009 BITD season.
Hobbies: Camping, desert and family
Family: Kristina (daughter)
DUANE MCCREARY
Nickname: “Dewey”
Hometown: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Resides: New Braunfels, TX
Position: Crew Member
Duane was born and raised in the Arizona desert riding dirt bikes and 3 wheelers. He chased for a 5/1600 race team in the early 90′s. They raced all of the SCORE races includingParker, Barstow, San Felipe, Laughlin, ect… He is currently handling double duty, building his own car and keeping the TA Racing cars prep’d between races. This season Duane is handling some of the navigating duties in the 5 car while Greg is behind the wheel and is doing a great job of keeping the car and Greg under control!
Hobbies: Boating, skiing, tubing, off-road racing
Family: Twin boys…Crew member -David (Thing#1), Crew member- Dylan (Thing#2)
The TA Racing west coast crew
MAILE KAHANANUI-POPE
Nickname: “Racer X”
Hometown: Hawaii
Current: San Diego, CA
Position: Co-Driver
This is Mailes first year behind the wheel in Class 5unlimited. It didn’t take long to convert this Hawaiian from ocean to desert! She along with Shari Atwell and two Guest Racers will be racing the Rock and Roll Unlimited class 5 at the M.O.R.E Powder-Puff Oct. 9-10th to generate awareness for Breast Cancer. She has a competitive personality, winning attitude, and a heavy right foot.
Competitive background: Rookie Driver 2010 season
Hobbies: Aquatic Junkie: Scuba, Snorkle, Free Diving, Kayaking, Swimming, Running and Baking
Family: James, Kendrick 20, Ashton 18 and Aurora James 8…..uuuuh I feel old!!!
STEVE GRIFFITH
Nickname: “5 Racer”
Hometown: Hemet, CA.
Position: Owner/ Driver #518
Steve Griffith is the owner of Griffith welding located in Hemet, Ca. and helped get TA Racing started in the beginning. He handled the chassis design and construction giving us a solid platform for a winning effort. He campaigns his own Class 5 Unlimited with TA Racing during our west coast races and helps with driving duties during the Texas events. Steve has over 20 years competing in the off-road world of Southern California, Arizona and Mexico. Steve brings fabrication skills, driving ability and desert knowledge to the team and when we are on the west coast keeps TA Racing well prep’d at his race facilities. Steve and his co-driver Danny Webb make the TA Racing family a solid multi-car team with the ability to attend multiple events if needed.
Competitive background: 2 overall championships (M.O.R.E 2003, 2004), 1 overall win in 2004, 2nd in series points 2001 and 2002
Hobbies: Foosball, Horseshoes, desert activities
Family: kids, Ryan 23 and Ashley 26, single man age 49 yikes lol.
DANNY WEB
Nickname: “Kid Krylon”
Hometown: Hemet, CA
Position: Navigator
Danny Webb has been Navigating with Steve Griffith in Class 5 Unlimited for a number of years. Danny and Vicky are true TEAM MEMBERS helping in all aspects of TA Racing bringing race equipment, lodging, and support to any event TA attends. Danny got behind the wheel of the TA Class 5 unlimited at the Texana 180 in 2010 and did a great job getting the car to a 2nd place finish and is a great member to have in the car on long races! Danny’s dedication to motorsports, ability to adapt, and drive to win make him a great asset to team TA. Vicky will be co-driving for the 2010 M.O.R.E Powder Puff along with Maile and Shari.
Competitive background: Class 5 unlimited
Hobbies: Fast boats, 4 wheelers and Glamis
Family: Vicky, Kimberly, Casey
Vicki Petersen
Nickname: “Vicki Andretti”
Hometown: San Jacinto, CA
Position: Team Member
Vicki has been around the off road racing scene for only the last few years but is no stranger to Dirt. She grew up with motorcycles, quads and sand rails. This year she got in the class 5 unlimited car as a navigator in the sportsman class in the Texana 180. She is looking forward to competing in the powder puff race in October!
Hobbies: Waterskiing, softball, fast jet boats, and dirt toys
Family: Kimberly, Casey, Danny
ANDREW MCCREDIE
Nickname: “Pre-runner”
Hometown: Hemet, CA
Position: Team Member
Age: 21
Andrew is part of the west coast group that we team up with for pre-running and racing. Andrew has been a desert rat since birth and is solid behind the wheel of anything he drives. Andrew and his family have been exploring in Mexico for years and will be a key part of being successful in next year’s Baja 1000 event. Andrew got behind the wheel of the TA Racing class 5 Unlimited at the 2010 M.O.R.E 500 when we needed someone that new every inch of the desert for the late night shift behind the wheel. We all look forward to seeing Andrews’ future success behind the wheel and in life!
Hobbies: Mt. Biking, dirt bikes, quads, pre-running and beer pong…….Hello, he is 21!
Family: Mom & Dad