A tragic incident occurred a little over 30 years ago when an active young man who was fiercely dedicated to racing motorcycles in the desert suffered a severe back injury. The racing mishap left Lance Magin's legs paralyzed, and since that time he's bounced between the highs and lows that define extremes from the standpoint of both a racer and a victim. To meet Lance now is to step into a world of confidence and inspiration. He embraces life with a passion and has continued to pursue sports, including becoming a world-renowned wheelchair tennis player. He still maintains a strong dedication to racing since discovering the capabilities of vehicle hand controls. He's in a race seat as often as possible, piloting a NASCAR machine or blasting across the desert. Lance was the first paraplegic to race in the Baja 1000, and he does a fair amount of work himself building and prepping his race vehicles. Lance currently works with Ford Mobility Motoring to campaign a late-model Ford Explorer in the Best in the Desert series of off-road races. Finish results have been mixed, but Lance's support team of close friends remains dedicated to improving the truck and striving for increasingly better race results. Having slipped himself back into that racing seat, Lance is living proof that sheer will and determination can keep most anyone doing the things in life that they love. The race truck started life as a near-new '03 Ford Explorer. The interior was quickly gutted for the transformation. Greg Foutz of Foutz Motorsports in Mesa, Arizona, designed the internal 'cage, and the crew at Daystar in Phoenix performed their bend-and-weld magic.The race truck started life as a near-new '03 Ford Explorer. The interior was quickly gutt There are no pedals in this race truck, only hand controls to operate the brake and throttle. Here, Lance completes the assembly and adjustment of the hand-control unit that mounts directly below the steering column. We got the chance to drive the truck using these unfamiliar controls. Let's just say we'll leave the real driving to Lance.There are no pedals in this race truck, only hand controls to operate the brake and thrott Lance does a good portion of the fabrication and work on the truck himself with the help of a dedicated group of close friends. We found him welding a support tube between the two front pillars in the cab section of the 'cage.Lance does a good portion of the fabrication and work on the truck himself with the help o The current engine is a Ford 4.6L four-valve V8 out of a Lincoln Navigator with Ford Racing heads, a performance cam, intake, and headers added. This backs up to a 5R55 five-speed auto tranny.The current engine is a Ford 4.6L four-valve V8 out of a Lincoln Navigator with Ford Racin Under the front fenders sit stock Ford spindle parts riding on custom-fabricated A-arms, each supported by massive rod ends at the frame pivots. A hybrid Bilstein coilover shock is used at each corner to keep the bounce in check.Under the front fenders sit stock Ford spindle parts riding on custom-fabricated A-arms, e Inside the netting lie the driver seat and two passenger seats. A B&M rachet shifter changes the gears, while a Lowrance GPS and Icom race radio round out the electronics. Codriver John Rodriguez usually handles the navigation chores.Inside the netting lie the driver seat and two passenger seats. A B&M rachet shifter chang The rear suspension consists of the stock A-arm components combined with a set of two external-reservoir Bilstein shocks on each side: one coilover shock and one external-bypass shock. Travel is estimated to be about 10 inches.The rear suspension consists of the stock A-arm components combined with a set of two exte MasterCraft 3G seats and harnesses are used to keep all the occupants firmly in place but riding in comfort. Parker pumps suck up the dusty racecourse air, filter it, and then push clean air to the full-face helmets worn by the driver and passengers.MasterCraft 3G seats and harnesses are used to keep all the occupants firmly in place but This is home for the race truck between races. Lance and his crew assemble and maintain the truck in his three-car garage at home. Here, the Explorer undergoes some final prep before a race.This is home for the race truck between races. Lance and his crew assemble and maintain th Class rules require that the stock steel shell be retained. Front and rear fiberglass fenders with larger openings have been installed for greater tire clearance. All stock window glass, except the rear back quarters, has gone to the trash heap.Class rules require that the stock steel shell be retained. Front and rear fiberglass fend Tires are 35-inch BFG Baja T/As on cast-aluminum Ford Racing wheels. The Explorer carries one spare out back, and the pit crew chases with additional spares. A 44-gallon fuel cell sits low inside the back frame in front of the spare tire.Tires are 35-inch BFG Baja T/As on cast-aluminum Ford Racing wheels. The Explorer carries Lance checks in at tech inspection at one of the Best in the Desert races. He competes in Class 3000, which is designated for production utility short-wheelbase vehicles in either 2WD or 4WD. Lance currently runs the factory 4WD system.Lance checks in at tech inspection at one of the Best in the Desert races. He competes in The pit crew is a dedicated group of Lance's friends, and they have a good time supporting his race efforts. We spotted this little piece of levity in his pit area at the Parker 425.The pit crew is a dedicated group of Lance's friends, and they have a good time supporting Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
