Jeep Wrangler YJ 1987-1995. Don Alexander

      ABOUT DON ALEXANDER

      With a racing and automotive journalism career spanning nearly six decades, Don Alexander is one of the nation’s most noted and respected off-roaders, race driving experts, writers, test drivers, and racers. Don has been involved in off-roading for more than 25 years and raced competitively in oval track and road racing for 50 years. But Don is best known as a driver for setting land speed records. In 2002, Don set five international and national land speed records at Bonneville driving the Banks Sidewinder to a top speed of 222.139 mph, making it the world’s fastest pickup truck of any type. The Sidewinder is a Dodge Dakota pickup with a 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine producing 735 hp and 1,300 ft-lbs of torque.

      Don has more than 50 years of auto racing experience as a driver, racing instructor, and author. He has taught more than 5,000 individuals the skills needed to drive race cars and for defensive driving, high-performance driving, and off-roading. Don has instructed at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, the Fast Lane Racing School, and Drivetech Driving School, where he was the chief instructor. He currently operates the Jeep 4x4 School, teaching off-road driving skills to new Jeep owners.

      Don has reached thousands of others with his 15 books and hundreds of magazine articles. Two of Don’s book are race driving technique books: Think to Win and Stock Car Driving Techniques. His book Formula Car Technology earned the 1980 Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association Book of the Year. He has also written several suspension and handling books.

      Don was the editor of Circle Track magazine. His Learn to Race & Win and Race Car Setup article series were the most popular in the magazine’s history. Don has written for many magazines including Motor Trend, Mustang Illustrated, Turbo, All Chevy, and Grassroots Motorsports. His concise, understandable writing style has made his work very popular.

      In 1995, Don conducted a national seminar series, called Think to Win Seminars, with the legendary Smokey Yunick. The series was very popular, reaching racers in nine cities. Alexander also conducted a national seminar series in 1988–1989 covering road racing chassis setup and tuning. Don has appeared at many club meetings and conventions, including SEMA, PRI, and the International Auto Salon as a guest speaker, talking about a variety of racing and automotive-related topics.

      Don’s racing career spans five decades and a wide variety of racing machines. He began racing in 1959 in go-karts. This was followed by a stint of bracket racing at local SoCal drag strips. Don began Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing in 1969, racing an Alfa in the production category. During his road racing career, Don has driven in Formula Vee, Formula Ford, Formula Atlantic, Formula 5000, Trans Am, Improved Touring, Showroom Stock, Spec Racer, Firestone Firehawk, and several classes with NASA. He has won several road racing and endurance racing championships and set several track records. Don began short track racing in 1976 at Speedway 605 and has driven many types of cars including modifieds, late model stock cars, Southwest Tour, ASA, sprint cars, and others on both dirt and asphalt tracks.

      In 2000, Don was invited to compete in the Beetle Cup All-Star Race at Road Atlanta. Don was representing Motor Trend magazine in the event. He finished ninth, racing against some of the best road racers in the world, including Hans Stuck, Danny Sullivan, Tommy Kendall, Jack Baldwin, Price Cobb, Brian Redman, Scott Sharp, Scott Goodyear, Bill Adam, and others.

      As a test driver, Don has worked for several suspension and tire companies. He was the test driver for Motor Trend magazine and has proven experience track testing for several other magazines including Hot Rod. In addition to operating the off-road training program, Don produces videos and also tests off-road tires for several companies in the Big Bear Lake, California, area.