Jeff Mello educates young drivers - right on Jeff!

Rockcrawling Legend Jeff Mello Educates High School Students Eight-time champion educates students on driver control and responsible OHV use.

BFGoodrich driver Jeff Mello of Rage 4th racing, took a day out of his busy schedule to speak to driver’s education students at Heritage High School in Brentwood California. With 100 rocksports victories under his belt, Jeff’s driving expertise and knowledge helped to keep 105 driver’s education students on the edge of their seats during three one and a half hour presentations in a lesson they will never forget.

Jeff began each presentation introducing the students to the various types of 4x4 competitions that he has been involved in, from rock crawling to rock racing. With video clips from the 2009 King of the Hammers race and various other competitions, Jeff compared and contrasted driving in competition and driving on the street with a firm message that racing has no place outside of competition. A strong emphasis was also placed on driver control and awareness in both competition and in everyday driving.

To make sure the message really sunk in with the students, Jeff also brought three vehicles to have on display at the high school: Jason Scherer’s buggy that helped him win the famous King of the Hammers race in 2009, Travis Carpenter’s MFS “Land-use” KOH buggy, and Jeff’s original competition rig. Students were allowed to examine and sit in the three vehicles as Jeff talked about safety equipment on the competition rigs, and how they differed from normal passenger cars.

Finally the presentation was finished with a talk about responsible OHV use and trail stewardship. Each student was also given an autographed “The Kings of Rock” poster at the end of the presentation.

Jeff is one of the winning-most drivers in the sport with 100 rocksport victories under his belt. With his wife Julie and their two children, the Mello family spends an average of 70 days a year on the dirt recreating with their OHV’s The couple’s commitment to the sport is evident through presentations such as this, and membership in many land-use organizations. Both are 40 year members of the Contra Costa Jeepers.


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