Manny Esquerra was one of the most well known desert racers out there winning many races behind the wheel of a Ford Ranger. He was even a member of Ford’s Rough Riders Off-Road Racing Team. But Manny started his career racing a Ford Courier before he ever got behind the wheel of a Ford Ranger.
Manny began racing off-road in 1976. He built his Ford Courier race truck and obtained sponsorship from his sister, Dolores Esquerra and the family business Los Arcos Restaurant (Parker Arizona). That year he placed first in his class in the SCORE Parker 400.
Manny built his own Ford Couriers and raced successfully for many years before being hired to drive for Bill Stroppe. Manny was provided with (2) 1977 Ford Couriers that were built at Stroppe’s shop in 1978. The original project was sponsored by Monroe Magnum Shocks, and Firestone Tires. Once the Ford Ranger became available, Manny switched to it, and the Couriers were history. During the 10-years that followed, Stroppe and Esquerra became good friends, and one of the most formidable teams in off-road racing history.
Manny helped to develop the Ford Ranger brand and was supported by many national sponsors whose brands everyone will recognize. Companies like 7-11, Chief Auto Parts, Ford Motor Company, Firestone Tires, Motorcraft, BF Goodrich and Coors Brewing Company were some of his many sponsors over the years. Later, as part of the Rough Rider team, Manny and Stroppe had the support of the best in the sport and were part of an elite group of racing teams that may never be duplicated. The Rough Rider teams were some of the best in off-road racing and all capable of winning any race they entered. Support from major brands like Ford Motor Company, BFGoodrich, Texaco and others made the Rough Riders the first large coordinated joint marketing program in off-road racing and has yet to be equaled in scope.
Manny passed away of a heart attack at the age of 64, while driving 1400-class Trick Truck #18 in the BlueWater Resort & Casino – Best in the Desert Parker 425 on February 2, 2008. Other drivers and co-riders listed included Tracy Rubio, Robert Minor and Chad Klein, all of Kingman, Arizona.
Shortly after his untimely death, a group of close friends gathered in the desert, near the spot where Manny drew his final breath, and constructed a monument in concrete and steel. The plaque reads “King of the Desert Manny Esquerra 2/2/08….Makin’ Tracks”
Races Won:
- Parker 400 (13-Times)
- Mint 400 (12-Times)
- Frontier 500 (5-Times)
- Baja 500 (5-Times)
- Baja 1000 (6-Times)
Other Awards & Acknowledgements:
- SCORE’s season points champion eight times.
- SCORE Desert Series Driver of The Year in 1980 and 1981.
- Toyota “True Grit” award in 1986 for completing every mile of every race in a season.
- Inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame on August 23, 2008.
- Member of the Screen Actors’ Guild for all of the television commercials he did.
His Ford Ranger Career:
To learn more about Manny Esquerra’s Ford Ranger career, check out ‘Tribute To Manny Esquerra‘.
