Off-road racing champion Heidi Steele has become the first woman to be named Driver of the Year by Dirt Sports magazine.
“This is a truly amazing and unforgettable feeling,” says the Yokohama-sponsored Steele, who is married to fellow off-roader and television motorsports commentator Cameron Steele.
“To be recognized and honored with such a prestigious award among the many talented drivers in off-road racing is truly unbelievable,” she continues.
“I am grateful that Dirt Sports has taken more and varied factors into consideration for the Driver of the Year award, including winning two championships in one year and the challenges of competing in a more limited class,” says Steele, based in San Clemente, Calif. “This award gives hope and inspiration to so many drivers that you can be recognized for your racing abilities regardless of the class you may race in.”
“Heidi is a phenomenal competitor who had an amazing year,” notes Mark Chung, Yokohama’s director of corporate strategy and planning. “The award is much deserved and well earned. Congratulations to her and her team. We’re proud to be associated with Heidi and Cameron and look forward to more championships and awards in 2009.”
For the past three years, Steele has successfully competed in the semi-limited mid-size truck class. She won the 2008 championships while driving on off-the-shelf Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T+ tires and is on them again this season while competing in two classes. She recently moved up to the ultimate mid-size truck class, taking on new challenges and stiffer competition. Chung reports that Steele is off to a great start, riding atop the standings in points for Classes 6 and 7.
According to Dirt Sports spokesman Marty Fiolka, Steele outdistanced the competition during the judging. “The process of selecting our Driver of the Year is a difficult one, as each season there is always so much great talent to choose from,” he says “However, in light of her great and historic achievements during the 2008 season, it is an honor to bestow the award to Heidi. She is not only a champion driver, but an outstanding person that really represents the very best of the Dirt Sports Nation.”
Steele, who is also the vice president of human resources at Orange County, Calif.-based AccentCare, began off-road racing in 2004 and has quickly made a name for herself in the male-dominated sport. She won three titles in the grueling terrain of Baja California, taking first place in her class at the Baja 1000 in 2005 and two first place titles in the Baja 500 in 2005 and 2008.
In her first four years of racing, Steele has also won two SCORE championships and a Best in the Desert championship.
For more information, visit www.yokohamatire.com and www.dirtsportsmag.com.
