SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1473600
A FAMILY AFFAIR Racing In TT Spec Is A Long-Time Dream Turned Reality For EliJah Kiger By Larry Saavedra Photos By Get Some Photo Family is a big part of the SCORE World Desert Racing series. A strong family bond and love for off-road racing sets the backstory for 22-year-old Elijah Kiger of Coastal Racing in Pennsylvania. His dad, Scott, got young Kiger involved in off-road motorsports by the time his feet could reach the pedals of a race car. Now, Kiger finds himself in great company as he and his family continue chasing points with his sights ultimately on the SCORE Trophy Truck Spec Championship. According to Kiger, it’s been a positive experience to have his dad, brothers, and in-laws as support as he challenges the competition in TT Spec. “My racing life has been that way for years,” said Kiger. “I got my start in motorsports at twelve years old thanks to dad,” he said. “Along the way, he passed down his knowledge of the sport to me and my brothers, and it helped. My dad first got us into quads while he raced in the desert with SCORE. He put me behind the wheel at an early age.” Scott led by example, and apparently, it worked. Kiger took a Class 19 win at the 2013 SCORE Baja 1000, motivating young Kiger to match his dad’s success– which he did at the 2021 SCORE Baja 1000 in TT Spec. Although the patriarch of the family no longer drives, he manages the Coastal team’s efforts. According to Kiger, his dad coordinates many logistics and ensures they stay focused and on track before an event. “His insight is incredible,” says Kiger, referring to his dad as the glue that keeps everything together and helps motivates him to compete. After the win, Kiger reminded us just how tough TT Spec is for a competitor, and that is something he will never forget. “There are multiple teams that can win it, but now I know that I’m on the same level as the next competitor.” With a chance to extend his record in TT Spec, Kiger wants to continue his family’s legacy, but first, he must overcome minor setbacks that happened at the beginning of the 2022 season. During the SCORE San Felipe 250, he got bumped out of the Top 10, and again at the SCORE Baja 500. Mechanical issues and other unforeseen problems put a dent in his enthusiasm. He placed 25th in San Felipe and 8th at the 500. But ultimately, none of it fazed him. He chalked it up to the steep learning curve for this class, and is determined to get back on track as he readies for the 3rd BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 400 Presented by VP Racing Fuels. Lessons from the Veterans By emulating the best drivers like Rob MacCachren, Kiger wants to get back in the groove. “He’s such a big name in the sport,” Kiger said. “I always watched him, and have had some brief conversations with him. He’s been so consistent and is still fast. He doesn’t put his SCORE Trophy Truck in jeopardy during a race and that’s something that I think about now too.” Another SCORE Trophy Truck driver who offered some words of wisdom about Baja racing for Kiger, was Ricky Johnson. “I participated in an off-road driving school with Johnson and it really helped my technique a lot,” Kiger said. “Moving forward, our strategy with SCORE is preparation. For the SCORE Baja 400, I believe pre-running is critical. My brother-in-law and I will be teaming up for it, and I’m usually the slow and steady one, so I’ll start the race.” In his mind, Kiger is already thinking of the switch-off point at the SCORE Baja 400, and how he has to hold his position until he hands over the wheel to another driver. “The first two races just didn’t cut it, and at this stage in the SCORE season, I need to make a push for the SCORE Baja 1000,” he said. “Living in Pennsylvania means finding the time to pre-run, and because it’s a self-funded team, we have to take every expense very seriously.” Long-Term Goals Kiger’s long-term plan is the same as any young off-road racer, to get a seat in a SCORE Trophy Truck. “I know that’s years away, but it’s one of my future goals,” he said. “Realistically, the SCORE TT Spec is so impressive that it makes it difficult to justify the budget of a SCORE Trophy Truck. We can do so well in SCORE TT Spec, while the SCORE Trophy Truck drivers are on such a different level. We’ve had good luck with TESCO builds, and ideally whatever we do has to be with them. At some point, this decision to stay or advance is whether or not we will remain competitive. So there’s always that possibility.” Awaiting any future announcements, fans should expect to see Kiger in the #238 TESCO TT Spec on a quest to capture the podium at the 3rd BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 400 Presented by VP Racing Fuels. SJ