SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/602700
PENHALL'S VERY FIRST CAR, THE HI- JUMPER, THAT HE USED IN HIS FIRST RACE, THE BAJA DE SADDLEBACK IN 1975. sit and talk to people about their vehicles without charging them a consulting fee. He and the rest of the Penhall Fabrication team are always available to help in any way they can. Even to people we don't know." Penhall's character is also one that has carried on over to his employees and people he's mentored. Over the years, many of them have gone on to start their own fabrication shops. "He currently has four former employees that have gone on to work at Space X, the advanced rocket and spacecraft manufacturers, because of their amazing welding skills," says Cari. Penhall also continues to work with a younger generation to help them learn important fabrication skills and hopefully spawn a new generation of off-road racing innovators. "For more than 10 years, we've worked with various high-schools that had a work program in our area," says Penhall. "Some of the kids just wanted to get out of school, but those that were into it, would work all day and just love it. Half of the kids came to work for me and eventually went off on their own." While Penhall has definitely contributed to the sport and has made a definite impact with his skills and accomplishments, he attributes much of his success to the support given to him by his wife Cari. "When I first met Jerry, his family was so heavily into racing. He took me down to the Baja 500 to help work a checkpoint when I was 19. We had a van with shag carpeting," says Cari Penhall. "Over the years, I became a loyal SCORE fan and I loved watching Jerry race. I'm very proud of him and what he has done." With a loyal following, vehicles that are proven winners, and a career that spans more than three decades, Jerry Penhall represents everything that the SCORE community embraces. The induction into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall Of Fame is just a small token of appreciation that the off- road industry bestowed upon Penhall. While that is definitely an honor to receive such an award, those teams and individuals who get to work closely with Penhall, know they are receiving something much more valuable. 011 SCORE JOURNAL