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From the Driver's Seat
 Hiya, My name is Lisa Hodges and I am the driver and owner of Still "Miss" Behavin', that's my mug to the left. I probably have about 50 tuff truck races under my belt, 30 figure eight races, numerous mud bogs and who knows how many off-road adventures. So my love for racing and four wheeling is pretty enormous!
 I have been racing for 6 years but got serious into it in 1998 when Still "Miss" Behavin' was built. My racing adventures began at Ground Pounder Daze with my debut obstacle run of 12 minutes. It was very embarrassing when racers were completing the course in less than 2 minutes. I learned a very important lesson that day; too bad it was in front of many many spectators. 4Low is not always the best gear in the rain, mud, and muck. After my 20th attempt at a hill in 4Low, fifth gear, I was told by a spectator to try 4High and within one try I was at the top. But I did not give up, a few of the men suggested pulling me off the track but the organizer, Chris Pedersen let me keep at it until and competed the course. Wet, muddy, embarrassed and shaking from head to toe I swore I would come back again and do better, thanks to Chris for not shattering my determination by an embarrassing disqualification. I even had enough courage to continue on next year at a couple of Mud Bog competitions, I was determined to get better.
Back then I drove a stock Aqua colored 1988 Ford F150 short box with 33 inch Hankook tires. Unfortunately I lost that beauty in a fire and moved on to buy my first ever Jeep, it was a 1979 CJ7 with manual steering and brakes.
 After a much better year at Ground Pounder Daze we decided it was time to build something bigger and better and maybe more boyish. We began the task of assembling the 1985 CJ7 Jeep, four weeks prior to the Pro Arena Tuff Truck challenge at the Saddledome. After adding the drive train from a Blazer and giving her a coat of bright yellow Endura paint we were ready to race.
I have to say the fear was intense as I waited for my turn in the line up, in front of 15,000+ spectators this was a bit bigger than Ground Pounder Daze and I did not want a re-enactment of my debut there. I thought my heart would explode through my chest and I had no idea how I was gonna hold on to the steering wheel with my sweaty palms. Unfortunately it took forever to get around the track as the fuel kept splishing and splashing around in the Holley carb and stalling the engine.
But I would not give up. I decided to try my hand at figure eight racing at Race City by participating in two fearful races. Again the adrenaline and fear made me think I would faint. I had never even watched a figure eight race before and here I was competing in a borrowed car. The guys thought it would be funny to tell me to go out there GIVE'R and hit everything in sight. They probably thought I would get scared and drive off - wrong. After Ken (my other half) spun me I saw red. How could he be the first to take me out? I then lost all fear and saw vengeance. I heard after the race as we were pulling bits and piece of everyones cars off the track that a little rolled up black flag was being shaken at me for my bad behavior. What happened to GIVE'R? I guess that excluded driving up on someones hood cuz they got in my way of smacking into Ken. As I did not chicken out, the guys decided to clue me in on the rules so I could keep playing in this sport. I was hooked and well on my way to becoming a race junkie, determined to do good.
Winter came and we decided to join a Tuff Truck Association and do some travelling. I needed the practice, as I wanted to do better in the Dome. They would let me race on propane in this circuit so it was a matter of racing, no stalling. I was getting confident and finishing consistently in the middle of the pack.
So came the Saddledome race and this time a new and improved carb, the Predator, but again many stalls. This time I got lucky though as so many racers broke I got to move on to the finals. What started as an exceptional run at the finals turned into disaster when the Predator let me down twice.
We continued competing in a few more Tuff Trucks competitions, built a Dodge Newport stock car and joined the Figure 8 circuit at the World of FEAR race track in Fort MacLeod. I also took the Jeep (now named Still "Miss" Behavin') to mud bogs and found out how well she articulated when I flew through the mud pit at an outrageous angle.
 Then came another year at Ground Pounders. I was excited, I could run propane as the race was outdoors and I had a new suped up racing engine. This time I took my stepdaughter, Kimmy with me. I have never had so much fun. She was kinda quiet at first until we came off the ledge an 1/8th on the way into the race and blew the drivers front tire. When no one pulled us off I told her to hold on and dropped a gear. She began to whooop and holler and tell me I was the best ever (everyone needs a cheering squad on board while racing). We finished first in our class with 3 tires, two very tired arms from steering and two very big smiles. I'll get 'em next year as I was aiming for the top time trophy.
Now came year 2000 and 3 years of racing the Jeep. It was time for my third try at the Saddledome, I was praying for third time luck. With a rebuilt engine in the Jeep (had to, I blew it up in Montana), a Ford Independent Front Suspension frame added underneath and coils in the rear, we pretty much rebuilt it. We have scraped the carburetor idea and have installed factory fuel injection to see if we could eliminate the stalling.
Friday night came and I strapped myself in to what was a new Jeep (with the new improved components she was like a new machine awaiting a test drive) not as much fear this time just a few butterflies and my turn came. Wow what a feeling she stuck to the ground like she was made to tuff truck, over the doubles (not so gracefully) and over the finish line to take home the first place trophy. Then to prove that it was not a fluke and that I could drive, I took the third at the finals on Sunday.
We traveled a bit more over the year to various races but I was anxious to get back to Ground Pounders and show those boys that wanted to pull me off 4 years ago how hard I had worked and improved. I did it, first place in the Ladies Obstacle and Womens Top Time topped off with a trophy I was awarded for determination throughout the years. It was an emotional but fabulous day. I did end up flopping the Jeep on her side during the team relay but I just busted the windshield and mirror (who needed them anyways) and well now I have gotten over the fear of rolling.
So its onwards and upwards, my racing adventures are now starting to pay off. You'll see in the Monster Jam 2001 review that I took the first place finish on Friday and Second Place at the Finals on Sunday. It's been a long battle but the rewards are worth it. If you get a chance to come and watch some of our Tuff Truck races, come on over and say hi, just look for the bright yellow CJ7 Jeep called Still "Miss" Behavin' and I'll be the one next to it wearing my race suit and a huge smile!
Be sure and check out the race reviews on the other pages to find out more about our great adventures and see some great pics.
Please feel free to email me with your comments or questions.
Email Still Miss Behavin
Check out my Jeep Stuff site for cool off-roading stories and pics!
 
Lisa and Ken's Website
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